5 Top Rated Pickleball Paddles and Drills for 3.5 DUPR Players

I just played in a 3.5 DUPR rated tournament in Monterey last weekend, and I wanted to share what paddles have worked well for me.

If you’re a 3.5 pickleball player like me, your next big leap is building consistency across your game. Power and spin definitely matter, but the real secret to climbing from a 3.5 to a 4.0 is control.

Because of that, the smartest move for an intermediate player is to find a paddle built for control, with enough spin and pop to round out your game.

Let’s break down the top pickleball paddles that can help a 3.5 player level up.

1. Joola Hyperion Ben Johns CFS 15: Best Overall Control Paddle

Out of my 50+ paddle collection, the Joola Hyperion Ben Johns CFS 15mm is one of the top rated pickleball paddles you can buy.

After testing many paddles, I recently went back to the Hyperion, and since then, I haven’t lost a match. Just last week, I even won a 2v1 game against tough opponents. 

This paddle features a huge sweet spot, unreal spin, and excellent control. It still delivers plenty of pop for serves and drives too.

Fun fact: Ben Johns himself used this model before moving on to the Gen 3 series. I’ve tested both, and honestly, I prefer the Gen 2.

Pricing is crazy good right now, I’ve seen it listed under $169, a steal considering it used to cost over $200.

One small negative? It doesn’t come with a paddle cover.

2. Doctor Pickleball T700 Carbon Fiber: Best Budget Control Paddle

If you’re looking for a high-performing paddle at a budget price, the Doctor Pickleball T700 delivers. T700 Caron Fiber is a top pickleball paddle option, and I prefer it over wood, fiberglass and graphite. It provides soft sweet spots, and is worth the investment.

This beast has a super thick 20mm core. My touch shots, dinks, drops, resets, felt almost automatic with this paddle. It’s no wonder that Saved By The Cents recently highlighted this as the best pickleball paddle under $50.

I’m still undefeated using it and actually won a few games even more easily than with my Joola Hyperion.

A heads-up: it’s not USAPA-approved, so if you plan to play in sanctioned tournaments, keep that in mind. But for 95% of players, it’s not an issue. Even Dinks USA has said tournament approval isn’t needed for most rec players.

Unique bonus: You can use a discount code and still get Amazon Prime shipping if you order through their website. 

3. Warping Point Grasp Control Paddle: Premium Feel for Half the Price

Another control paddle that blew me away is the Warping Point Grasp Control. It’s got a massive 20mm thickness and a smooth, edgeless design that makes resets and dinks incredibly easy.

Not only is the paddle fantastic, but the packaging experience felt premium like unboxing a new MacBook Pro. You even get bonus accessories (something other brands skip).

You’ll need to buy directly from Warping Point’s site.

4. Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm: Top Spin and Control Blend

The Vatic Pro Prism was a total game-changer for me. After switching to it, I started beating players I hadn’t beaten before.

I bought both the 14mm (thinner, more power) and 16mm (thicker, more control) versions and reviewed them both.

Right now, you can snag it for under $90 at Vatic Pro’s website using a discount code to make it even cheaper than Amazon. 

It’s a carbon fiber face paddle, includes a free paddle cover, and has fantastic spin control. I recommend the 16mm for players focused on control, but if you want extra power, go for the 14mm. 

5. Bread and Butter Fat Boy: Sweet Spot King

If you want a wide-body paddle that feels tailor-made for control, the Bread and Butter Fat Boy is your go-to.

Right out of the box, the messaging says “Sweet Control”, and it lives up to that promise.

It’s seriously so easy to place shots exactly where I wanted, especially in singles where precision is critical.

It’s one of the few paddles that helped me cut down unforced errors and boost my consistency right away.

Not sure what to get? Check out my recent pickleball equipment guide.

3 Pickleball Drills to Level Up from 3.5 to 4.0

Finding the right paddle is only part of the journey to 4.0. Once you have a paddle that gives you better control, you’ll want to focus on specific drills that sharpen your consistency and precision.

Here are three simple but highly effective drills you can work on to bridge the gap:

1. Third Shot Drop Drill

The third shot drop is a major skill that separates strong 3.5 players from 4.0 players. You need soft hands, great touch, and a paddle that allows you to feel the ball.

How to do it:

• Stand at the baseline with a partner at the kitchen line.
• Hit a third shot drop into the kitchen, aiming to land the ball softly over the net.
• Your partner catches it and feeds it back to you for the next shot (no volleys yet).
• Focus on consistency first, placement second.
  

Tip: Track how many drops you can land cleanly in a row. Set a goal to hit 10–15 perfect drops each session.

2. Wall Dinking Drill

If you can’t always find a partner, this is one of the best solo drills out there.

How to do it:

• Stand 5–7 feet from a wall with your paddle and ball.
• Practice gentle dinks against the wall, aiming to keep the ball low and controlled.
• Try alternating forehand and backhand dinks.
  

Tip: If the ball bounces too far from the wall, you’re hitting too hard. Work on softening your hands for better control.

3. Volley Consistency Drill

At the 4.0 level, volleys at the net need to be quick and controlled. You can’t just swing wildly, you need calm, short movements.

How to do it:

• Stand at the kitchen line with a partner.
• Rapid-fire volley back and forth without letting the ball bounce.
• Focus on keeping your paddle up and your swings compact.
  

Tip: Challenge yourself by counting how many volleys you and your partner can keep alive without a mistake. Try to hit 50+ volleys in a row!

My Turning Point

If you’re a 3.5 player aiming to break into 4.0 territory, focus on finding a paddle that gives you elite-level control.

That was the turning point for me. Once I found paddles that helped me land more dinks, drops, and resets consistently, my whole game leveled up.

Power and spin are helpful, but consistency wins matches and these paddles can get you there.