Paddle Comparison
Gherkin Draco vs Pickleball Apes Zen S+
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
Pickleball Apes Zen S+
Higher Swing Weight (power) (108.27 vs 109.15, +0.88)
Hand Speed
Gherkin Draco
Lower Swing Weight (hand speed) (108.27 vs 109.15)
Sweet Spot / Forgiveness
Pickleball Apes Zen S+
Higher Twist Weight (forgiveness) (6.43 vs 7.03, +0.60)
Value
Gherkin Draco
Lower effective price ($161.99 vs $169.99, 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 Gherkin Draco if…
- You're price-conscious — about $8 cheaper after PLAYBOOK discount.
Pick the Pickleball Apes Zen S+ if…
- You want a bigger sweet spot — TW 7.03 is more forgiving on off-center hits.
Compare other paddles in our database