HEAD 2024 Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle Review & Buying Guide (India)
At ₹5,599 the HEAD 2024 Radical Elite sits right where most Indian pickleball players make their first serious paddle upgrade. Here is what it does well and who should look elsewhere.
HEAD 2024 Radical Elite pickleball paddle review: the quick verdict
The HEAD 2024 Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle at ₹5,599 is a forgiving, comfort-first composite paddle built for the player who has outgrown a starter set but is not ready to spend ₹12,000 on a raw carbon competition frame. In India, where most players arrive at pickleball from badminton or tennis, that describes an enormous share of the market.
It is not a spin monster and it will not out-pop a thermoformed paddle. What it does is make more of your shots land, which for a player at this stage is worth considerably more than a few extra RPM.
HEAD Radical Elite specs: face, core and grip explained
Three features do most of the work on this paddle:
- Composite Hitting Surface (CHS). A fibreglass-based face that flexes slightly at contact. That flex is what produces the soft feel and the extra power on off-centre hits.
- Optimised Tubular Construction (OTC) core. HEAD's honeycomb core arrangement, tuned for feel and for the muted sound that indoor courts and apartment complexes appreciate.
- Ergo grip. A comfort-oriented handle wrap that dampens vibration. This is the feature players notice most after a two-hour social session.
The balance is close to neutral. That is deliberate: a head-heavy paddle adds power but punishes slow hands at the kitchen line, and beginners lose more points at the kitchen than they win from the baseline.
Is the HEAD Radical Elite too heavy for small hands?
It sits in the midweight band, which is the right place for most players. If you are coming from badminton and find any pickleball paddle heavy at first, that is normal — a pickleball paddle weighs roughly three times a badminton racket. Give it two sessions before judging. If your wrist still complains, the lighter HEAD Attitude Team at ₹4,999 is the same family with less mass to swing.
Who should buy it — and who should not
| Player | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Upgrading from a wooden or set paddle | Strong buy. The jump in feel is obvious. |
| Social club player, 2-3 sessions a week | Ideal. Comfort and forgiveness matter more than spin ceiling. |
| Badminton or tennis convert | Good fit. Neutral balance is easy to adapt to. |
| Tournament player chasing spin | Look at raw carbon faces instead. |
| Absolute first-timer, unsure about the sport | Start with a set like the Puls8 Wave V2 set at ₹3,500. |
HEAD Radical Elite vs other paddles at this price in India
At ₹5,599 the closest comparison is the Selkirk SLK Latitude 2.0 at ₹5,156, which offers a slightly larger sweet spot in an elongated shape. The Selkirk suits players who like reach; the HEAD suits players who like a quick, balanced paddle at the net. Neither is wrong — it comes down to whether your instinct is to attack from the baseline or to dink.
Against the ₹4,999 HEAD Attitude Team, the Radical Elite's grip and core give a noticeably more refined feel. Whether ₹600 is worth that is a personal call, but players who play more than twice a week generally say yes.
Living with it: care and longevity
Composite faces are durable but not indestructible. In India the two things that shorten paddle life are heat and grit — a paddle left in a car boot through a Chennai afternoon can delaminate, and outdoor court dust abrades the face texture. Keep it in a sleeve, wipe the face after outdoor sessions, and replace the overgrip every 20-30 hours of play. Done properly, this paddle should give you two or three seasons before you outgrow it rather than wear it out.
Shop the gear
- HEAD 2024 Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle — ₹5,599
- HEAD Attitude Team Pickleball Paddle — ₹4,999
- Selkirk SLK Latitude 2.0 Pickleball Paddle — ₹5,156
- Puls8 Wave V2 Pickleball Paddle Set (2 paddles + 4 balls + bag) — ₹3,500
Related reading
- How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle: Beginner's Guide
- Wooden vs Composite vs Carbon Pickleball Paddles
- Pickleball Paddle Weight Explained
Frequently asked questions
Is the HEAD Radical Elite good for beginners?
Yes. It is aimed squarely at players moving off a starter set paddle. The composite hitting surface is forgiving, the balance is neutral rather than head-heavy, and the comfort-focused grip reduces the arm fatigue that beginners feel most in long social sessions.
What is the price of the HEAD Radical Elite paddle in India?
It is listed at ₹5,599 on InstaSport, down from an MRP of ₹8,489. That places it in the mid-range bracket — above wooden and basic composite paddles, below full carbon-face competition paddles.
Is a composite paddle better than a carbon one?
Not better, different. Composite faces are more forgiving and cheaper, and give a softer, poppier feel. Raw carbon faces grip the ball longer for more spin but demand better technique and cost considerably more. Most players below intermediate level get more out of composite.
