The Vatic Pro paddle line has emerged as what some call “pickleball’s worst-kept secret”. The company’s goal was to produce a high-performance paddle for budget-conscious players , and the short answer is that they have succeeded. These paddles have proven competitive in overall performance, even when compared against options that are nearly twice as expensive.
The Prism series paddles, specifically, are constructed using a more standard molding process , yet they remain “totally identical” in other key features to their more expensive counterparts. This means they still include the same carbon top sheet and foam-injected sidewalls , as well as the same shape and weight characteristics. These are features that, just over a year ago, commanded prices exceeding $250 , making their inclusion at this price point “pretty impressive”.
This review will focus on the Vatic Pro Prism Flash, a paddle designed to be an improved, lower-cost version of the Hyperion , which one reviewer described as their “favorite budget paddle of all time” and “favorite control paddle of all time”.
Specifications and Construction
The Vatic Pro Prism series features a 16mm polymer core and a raw carbon fiber face. The Prism Flash model utilizes a hybrid shape, measuring 16.25 inches. It is equipped with a 5.3-inch handle and a 4.25-inch grip size. Notably, the Prism Flash is not thermo-formed ; however, it does incorporate the same edge foam found in the Hyperion.
In terms of measurements, the 16mm Prism Flash has a swing weight of 114. A 16mm long handle version registered a swing weight of 116 and a static weight of 8.1 ounces. A 14mm long handle version had a swing weight of 114 and a static weight of 8.0 ounces.
Performance: The Pinnacle of Control
The defining characteristic of the Prism Flash is its exceptional control. It is described as “pure control”. If a player wants their drops and dinks to be precise and “super easy,” this paddle is designed to deliver exactly that. It is considered one of the very few dedicated control options to be released in the last year and a half, alongside paddles like the Selkirk Lux.
This control is complemented by a “soft pillow feel”. One reviewer noted that after 15 days of play, they “absolutely love this paddle” , rarely mishitting or sending shots errantly wide. Dinking feels “effortless” due to the paddle’s forgiving sweet spot.
This paddle truly shines in the short game and in defensive situations. Resets are “straightforward” and “effective”. The paddle is adept at absorbing power from an opponent’s shots. In fact, it can be seen as a “counter” to high-power Gen 2 paddles like the Yolas or the Vatic Oni, as it allows the user to reset everything hit at them.
While it is a step up from standard Gen 1 paddles , it is slightly less controllable than them. However, any player who has been in pickleball for two or three months should be able to control it with ease. Players familiar with Gen 1 raw carbon fiber paddles may find a minor adjustment is needed; one reviewer noted they had to incorporate “a bit more” into their swing for blocks or resets, unlike thermo-formed paddles where one can just hold the paddle still.
Performance: The Power and Pop Trade-Off
Players must understand that the Prism Flash is not a power paddle. If you are playing with this paddle, it is not for its power. Those seeking power are better served by elongated shapes or Gen 2 thermo-formed paddles.
When using the Prism Flash, “don’t expect significant improvements” in power. It is best categorized as a Gen 1 paddle, perhaps with a slight increase in power. This lack of power is most evident if your groundstroke mechanics are not “dialed in”. Reviewers noted they lacked “serious pace” in singles and had to “exert more effort” to generate the pace needed to take control during hand battles. While excellent for resetting, it lacks the “extra force for counter-attacks” that some players are accustomed to.
The paddle also lacks “punching power”. It is not a “poppy” paddle. All Gen 2 paddles and most paddles currently on the market will have “way more pop” than the Prism Flash.
When testing the long handle variants, the 14mm version was found to have a little more pop than the 16mm version, though the 14mm also had slightly less power than the 16mm.
Performance: Spin
The Prism series, not being thermoformed, “can’t really compete with any thermoform paddle” in terms of spin generation. Thermoforming has a “positive effect on spin” because the rigidity of the construction allows for a “much more one-to-one” transfer of spin potential from the swing.
With the Prism Flash, players must be “a little more tactical” about how they hit their spin shots. This contrasts with thermoform paddles, where one can “pretty much just hit at the ball” as they would with a tennis racket.
That said, the spin is not lacking. RPM testing on the long handle version showed the 14mm at 198 RPMs and the 16mm at 1884 RPMs. (Note: Source 7 explicitly states “198 RPMs” for the 14mm). These numbers are described as “literally in the middle of the pack” for raw carbon fiber paddles. Players will get “enough spin” and will not be “complaining about lack of spin”. However, it is not “crazy gritty and spinny” like top-tier paddles such as the Volair M 2 Forza or the Rhombus R2 FX.
Handling, Maneuverability, and Feel
The Prism Flash is a “very maneuverable paddle”. It feels “great at the kitchen line” and allows the user to hang in, and even win, firefights.
The standard 16mm Prism Flash has a swing weight of 114. This is considered to be in a “good spot” and “ideal for many players”. Its lower swing weight makes it the “better choice” for the majority of players, especially those who “struggle with tennis elbow”.
One reviewer, however, did note that while the Vatic paddle was lighter, they “developed a little more soreness” in their arm.
The Long Handle (L) Variant
For players who utilize a two-handed backhand, Vatic offers the Prism Flash L (Long Handle). This version is a better option for those players , as one can “easily get two hands on this paddle”. The design is modified from the standard flash; it has “a little bit of the head cut off down at the bottom and the handle extended”.
This design change, however, comes with compromises. The long handle and smaller face cause the twist weight to “suffer”. The twist weight on the long handle models (6.14 for the 16mm, 5.9 for the 14mm) is “definitely lower” than other hybrid shapes.
The sweet spot also suffers significantly. The sweet spot on the long handle version is “nowhere near as good” as it is on the regular Vatic Prism Flash.
For this reason, the regular version is recommended for “the majority of people”. One can “still technically fit two hands” on the regular handle, just not as comfortably, and the larger sweet spot is “more beneficial”. However, if you are a “straight two-handed person,” the long handle version is the necessary choice.
Comparison: Prism Flash vs. Vatic Pro V7 (Thermoformed)
To understand the Prism Flash, it helps to contrast it with Vatic Pro’s thermoformed V7. The V7, an elongated paddle , is fully thermoformed. This construction provides an “extremely unique sensation” and an “ultimate connection to the ball”. Contact is felt “uniformly throughout the paddle” , whereas traditional paddles like the Prism can have a “disconnect” between the contact point and the hand.
The V7 is “fantastic” for power , “more potent” than other options , and delivers “a ton of pop”. It is also superior in spin generation.
The major drawback of the V7 is its weight. The V7 has a swing weight of 128 , which is “too heavy for most” players and caused one reviewer “forearm soreness”.
While the V7 is a “more stable version” of the Prism —its high swing weight prevents the ball from moving the paddle, making resets feel even better —this stability comes at the “cost of hand speed”.
In a direct comparison, the Prism Flash (at 114 swing weight) has the clear “edge” in maneuverability. While the Prism Flash is slightly more head-heavy, it is “well-balanced”.
Value and Final Recommendation
The value proposition of the Vatic Pro Prism Flash is, perhaps, its strongest feature. When asked if it’s worth the money, one reviewer responded, “don’t be ridiculous of course it’s worth it”. As a $100 paddle, it is “easily one of the best values” in pickleball.
For beginners, the Prism Flash is described as the “ideal” and “perfect” paddle to start with. It prioritizes the most important skills: drops, blocks, dinks, and resets. While it “lacks punching power,” this is not considered a negative when one is “trying to improve fundamentals”.
For recreational players, the paddle also hits a sweet spot. One reviewer, identifying as a “rec player,” chose the Prism specifically because “upgrading the paddle while staying within a budget was key”.
Ultimately, the choice of a paddle comes down to what the individual feels “most confident and comfortable with”. For the “majority of readers” , the Vatic Pro Prism Flash is recommended. It is a “safe and satisfying choice”, offering elite-level control and feel at an entry-level price. One reviewer’s confidence in the paddle was so high that they used it in a tournament while testing, a “rare occurrence”.