Paddle Comparison
APL Starion vs Gherkin Draco
A side-by-side spec, value, and use-case comparison of two of the most-searched pickleball paddles. Below: the attributes each paddle wins, a full spec table, and a clear recommendation for who should buy which.
Who wins on what
Power
APL Starion
Higher Swing Weight (power) (116.4 vs 112.13, +4.27)
Hand Speed
Gherkin Draco
Lower Swing Weight (hand speed) (116.4 vs 112.13)
Sweet Spot / Forgiveness
Gherkin Draco
Higher Twist Weight (forgiveness) (5.93 vs 6.14, +0.21)
Value
Gherkin Draco
Lower effective price ($179.99 vs $161.99, with PLAYBOOK)
Side-by-side specs
Brand
Model
Shape
Thickness
Weight
Swing Weight
Twist Weight
Play Style
Retail Price
Discount
Effective Price
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Which paddle should you buy?
Pick the APL Starion if…
- You want more power — SW 116.4 is 4.27 points higher.
Pick the Gherkin Draco if…
- You want faster hands — lower SW (112.13 vs 116.4) means quicker maneuvering at the kitchen.
- You want a bigger sweet spot — TW 6.14 is more forgiving on off-center hits.
- You're price-conscious — about $18 cheaper after PLAYBOOK discount.
Compare other paddles in our database