Electrum puts out some of the best pickleball paddles on the market, so the new and improved Pro 2 is one that’s worth talking about.
At first glance, the Electrum Pro II doesn’t look much different from its predecessor. It has the same bold black design, but with a gold edge guard and Electrum branding on the face that both give it a more sportier look.
But how does it stack up performance-wise?
We asked the same question and were eager to get our hands on the Electrum Pro 2 the moment it hit online shelves in 2022.
So if you’re on the fence about buying the Electrum Pro 2, no matter whether you’re buying your first Electrum paddle or looking to upgrade from the original Electrum Pro, our Electrum Pro II review has everything you need to know.
Electrum Pro II Specs
Before getting into our review, it’s worth running through the specifications of the new Electrum Pro II. These are:
Core thickness: 11 millimeters
Weight: 7.9-8.2 ounces
Paddle length: 16 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Grip length: 5.25 inches
Grip circumference: 4.25 inches
Looking at the specs, the Electrum Pro 2 plucks the same well-received features of the original Electrum Pro but tweaks the length of the paddle and handle for better reach and improved two-handed performance.
It’s slightly heavier, as a result, but this can also mean the paddle has the potential to generate more powerful strokes, despite the slightly narrower width.
The core thickness and grip circumference remain the same as the Electrum Pro.
Electrum Pro II Pickleball Paddle Review
Now onto our review of the Electrum Pro II. We tested it out for more than a week to get a good idea of its performance, design, and overall feel.
We also brought out the original Electrum Pro and Electrum Model E to provide a good comparison.
So if you’re on the fence about buying the Electrum Pro II, you’ll find our honest personal opinions below, which may help you to decide if the Electrum Pro II is the right pickleball paddle for you.
Design And Features
First of all, the new gold edge guard gives the Electrum Pro 2 a more premium, sportier look, but doesn’t offer much aside from better durability in our opinion.
And if you liked the sleek black design of the original Electrum Pro, the updated look of the Electrum Pro II might not do it for you.
Despite that, we like the rough carbon fiber surface and 11-millimeter core, which have both been carried over from the Electrum Pro.
It feels premium in the hand, and is definitely a high-end-looking paddle thanks to its black and gold design.
But what the Electrum Pro 2 brings to the table is mainly a change of shape, rather than an upgrade in terms of material.
That’s not a bad thing, though, as the Electrum Pro 2 tweaks the premium design of the Electrum Pro to cater to more styles of play.
Size
The biggest change on the Electrum Pro 2 is the paddle size and shape. It might not seem much of a difference in comparison with the original Electrum Pro, but it’s definitely noticeable when the two are side by side!
So compared with the almost square-shaped Electrum Pro, the new size of the Electrum Pro 2 adds 0.5 inches of height and shaves off 0.5 inches in width.
The result gives it a lot in common with the Electrum Model E, which is also a narrower, longer paddle.
This makes the Electrum Pro 2 ideal for those who are after more reach. Most of this is achieved at the handle, which is longer than the Electrum Pro by 1.25 inches, also providing better two-handed play.
As big fans of Electrum Model E, we definitely prefer the shape of the Electrum Pro 2 over the original Electrum Pro, as it makes the paddle more aerodynamic.
Weight
The Electrum Pro 2 weighs more than the Electrum Pro at 7.9-8.2 ounces. But, honestly, it’s not something we felt, which could be due to the streamlined shape.
Holding both in each hand, the weight difference wasn’t noticeable in our opinion.
Compared with the heavier Electrum Model E, however, the weight difference is much more noticeable.
It felt lighter in the air, and is one reason we like the new Electrum Pro 2. For this reason, it’s a great paddle if you’re looking for a streamlined, lightweight feel.
Grip
The Electrum Pro 2 has the same stock leather black grip as other Electrum paddles. As for grip circumference, it’s the same as the original Electrum Pro, but slightly thinner than the Electrum Model E, which is 0.25 inches thicker.
It has to be said, though, that the leather grip on the Electrum Pro 2 is not suited for everyone. It can get slippery after a while, even with the ribbed texture that’s designed to increase grip.
Still, that’s subjective, and is only worth thinking about if you’ve used leather grip in the past and didn’t find it to your liking.
After all, the Electrum Pro 2 has a longer handle, which also helps improve the grip, especially if you lean towards backhand strokes.
Performance
On the court, the Electrum Pro 2 performs well for both speed and power.
The narrower shape gives it a speed edge over the Electrum Pro’s squarer face, and also generates adequate power even though we mentioned that the weight difference isn’t noticeable.
And, as was intended with the design, the Electrum Pro 2 gives more reach.
This is perhaps where the Electrum Pro 2 most stands out performance-wise, as the longer handle also provides a balanced feel to the paddle that offers more control.
As mentioned above, though, the leather grip can get slightly slippery after a few games, despite the ribbed texture.
This isn’t a big deal, as we’re big fans of the Electrum Model E and the grip can also be modified, but it’s still something worth mentioning.
All in all, we found the Electrum Pro 2 superior to the Electrum Pro due to its balanced design and streamlined shape.
We even preferred it to the Electrum Model E in terms of performance, despite the gold edge guard not doing anything for us.
Electrum Pro 2 VS Electrum Pro
Not sure whether to get the Electrum Pro 2 or Electrum Pro? Here are the specs of the original Electrum Pro pickleball paddle:
Core thickness: 11 millimeters
Weight: 7.8-8 ounces
Paddle length: 15.5 inches
Paddle width: 8.5 inches
Grip length: 4 inches
Grip circumference: 4.25 inches
Compared with the Electrum Pro 2, the Electrum Pro has the same core thickness and grip circumference. It’s shorter in length, however, with a wider paddle. It’s also slightly lighter than the Electrum Pro 2.
As a result, the original Electrum Pro is better for power strokes and defensive plays. It sacrifices reach for width, making it less aerodynamic but much more easier and versatile to play with.
In terms of design, it’s much more subtle than the Electrum Pro 2 while still maintaining a bold, professional look.
Electrum Pro 2 VS Electrum Model E
How does the Electrum Model E stack up against the Electrum Pro II and original Electrum Pro? Here are the specs of the Electrum Model E pickleball paddle:
Core thickness: 16 millimeters
Weight: 8-8.5 ounces
Paddle length: 16.5 inches
Paddle width: 7.37 inches
Grip length: 5.25 inches
Grip circumference: 4.5 inches
So the Electrum Model has a thicker core than both Pro models, which also makes it the heaviest of the three paddles.
It has the same handle length as the Electrum Pro II, but with a thicker grip than both paddles. As for size, it’s slightly longer than the Electrum Pro II.
With those in mind, the Electrum Model E is the better choice over the Electrum Pro II if you prefer heavier, thicker, and longer paddles for stronger strokes with maximum reach.
It also has the best look in our opinion, being all black with yellow branding on the face.
Conclusion
Our verdict? The Electrum Pro 2 pickleball paddle is superior to its predecessor thanks to its streamlined shape and extra reach that doesn’t add too much weight.
It’s not as versatile as the original Electrum Pro, but is the better choice for fast offensive players.
We like the lightweight thickness of the Electrum Pro 2, as well as the black carbon fiber face that gives it a premium look.
Compared with the Electrum Model E, it’s similar in size but lighter and faster, with a gold edge guard for increased durability.
So should you buy the Electrum Pro 2?
If you want extra reach on the court, as well as a paddle that feels lighter and faster than both the original Electrum Pro and Electrum Model E, the Electrum Pro 2 might just become your next favorite paddle!
Hi, I’m Michael Walter, and I am a Pickleball enthusiast. I work as a High School Physical Education Teacher, so I have an expansive knowledge of sports and its impact on physical health.
When I first took a position at my current school, one of the many things I wanted to implement in the curriculum was Pickleball.
Pickleball is a fantastic sport to keep yourself active, healthy, keep your blood pumping, and to start a good sense of competitiveness and team work.
