Both the Cyber Elite and Radical Elite are designed with beginners to intermediate players in mind, offering solid performance at an affordable price point. Below you’ll find side-by-side specs, followed by detailed observations on how these differences translate on court.
| Year | 2022 | 2022 |
| Skill Level | Beginner to Intermediate | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
| Core | Polypropylene Honeycomb | OTC Polymer Honeycomb with Extended Powercore |
| Surface | Graphite | Fiberglass |
| Medium Weight | 8.1 oz (230 g) | 8.1 oz |
| Edge Guard | ¼″ overlapping paddle face | ¼″ overlapping paddle face |
| Paddle Length | 16″ (408 mm) | 16″ (408 mm) |
| Paddle Width | 7 7/8″ (199 mm) | 7 7/8″ (199 mm) |
| Core Thickness | 1/2″ (13.0 mm) | 5/8″ (16 mm) |
| Grip Length | 5″ | 5.5″ |
| Grip Style | Ergo Grip | Ergo Grip |
| Grip Circumference | 4 1/8″ (10.2 cm) | 4 1/4″ |
Detailed Comparison & Play Impressions
Core & Surface
Cyber Elite: Its polypropylene honeycomb core delivers a consistent, medium-power response. The graphite face offers a crisper pop on drives and volleys, but spin potential remains modest. As a result, you’ll get good speed on flat shots but may find heavy slice or topspin more challenging.
Radical Elite: Shares a polymer honeycomb core—enhanced by an “Extended Powercore” insert—resulting in slightly more trampoline effect. The fiberglass hitting surface feels softer and quieter, absorbing some vibrations. Players notice a touch more dwell time (the ball stays on the paddle face fractionally longer), which can help beginners develop control before advancing spin techniques.
Thickness & Sweet-Spot
The Cyber Elite’s 13 mm core is slimmer, giving a faster feel at the net and quicker hand speed for reaction-driven rallies. This can benefit quick volley exchanges but demands more precision.
The Radical Elite’s 16 mm core is thicker, offering a larger sweet-spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits. That extra forgiveness helps new players feel confident—they’ll see fewer mishits—and the additional cushioning reduces jarring feedback on fast returns.
Power vs. Control
- Cyber Elite: Leans toward speed and maneuverability—excellent for dinking and volley exchanges. Power is sufficient for beginners, but advanced players may find it underpowered when trying to hit deep drives or aggressive third-shot drops.
- Radical Elite: Sacrifices a touch of flat-shot speed in exchange for a build-in Powercore layer that “lifts” the ball easier. Ideal if you prefer a more controlled, smooth response and want marginally more pop without sacrificing the forgiving feel.
Grip & Ergonomics
Both paddles use HEAD’s inexpensive yet reliable Ergo Grip—slightly tapered with mild bevels—catering to a range of hand sizes. The Radical Elite’s 5½″ grip length suits players who use two-handed backhands or need extra wrist leverage. The Cyber Elite’s 5″ handle is more traditional and works well if you prefer quick wrist rotations.
Weight & Balance
At 8.1 oz (230 g) each, both paddles land in a true medium-weight category. They strike a balance between being light enough for quick hand speed and heavy enough to maintain stability on volleys. Slight head-light balance on both ensures a smooth, controlled swing path.
Price & Value
Both models are priced under $50—among the most budget-friendly options. Given their similar specs, your choice often comes down to subtle feel preferences:
- Choose Cyber Elite if you favor a thinner profile, crisper graphite pop, and quicker reaction at the net.
- Choose Radical Elite if you want a thicker core, softer fiberglass face, and extra forgiveness without adding cost.
Which One Is Right for You?
“As a club-level player, I switched from Cyber Elite to Radical Elite and immediately noticed fewer mishits on my dink game—perfect for improving consistency.”
–– Local Pickleball Enthusiast
| Play Style | Ideal Paddle |
| Fast-paced net exchanges, quick hands | Cyber Elite |
| Controlled rally, focus on placement over speed | Radical Elite |
| Beginner wanting maximum forgiveness | Radical Elite |
| Intermediate experimenting with speed | Cyber Elite |
Final Thoughts
In the end, both the HEAD Cyber Elite and Radical Elite deliver tremendous value for newcomers or casual players. Neither paddle will compete with high-end carbon fiber models, but they excel at providing a comfortable, forgiving experience while you develop fundamental skills. Choose the Cyber Elite if you crave a flatter, faster feel; opt for the Radical Elite if you’d rather have a bit more cushion and forgiveness to refine your dinking and drops.