Aura Pro Elongated 16mm Pickleball Paddle Review

Paddle Anatomy

What Is an Elongated Pickleball Paddle? Pros, Cons & Who They're For

Elongated paddles are the modern power player's weapon — longer face, smaller sweet spot, and more leverage at the tip. Here's what the shape actually buys you.

Paddle Anatomy

Pickleball Paddle Thickness Explained: 13mm vs 14mm vs 16mm

Thickness is the single biggest spec on a modern paddle. Here's what changes when you go from 13mm to 14mm to 16mm — and which one fits how you play.

How to Buy

How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle: A Buyer's Guide for Every Skill Level

A paddle isn't a one-size-fits-all purchase. This guide walks through every decision in order — shape, thickness, weight, grip — so you end up with one that fits how you play.

How to Buy

Lead Tape on Pickleball Paddles: Where to Put It, How Much, and Why

Lead tape is the cheapest paddle upgrade in pickleball. A $5 strip and the right placement can transform a paddle that's almost-right into one that fits perfectly.

Training Guide

How to Hit a Perfect Third-Shot Drop in Pickleball (Step-by-Step)

The third-shot drop is the most important shot in pickleball above 3.0 — and the one most rec players skip drilling. Here's the step-by-step: grip, contact, swing path, drills, and when to drive instead.

Training Guide

Pickleball Training: The 30-Day Plan to Move Up a Rating Level

Most pickleball training is unstructured — a vague "I'll drill more." This is what real training looks like: a 30-day plan with daily drills, intensity targets, and a specific shot to focus on each week. Built for 3.0-4.5 players who want to climb.

Training Guide

How to Get Better at Pickleball (Fast): A Pro-Backed 4-Step System

Most players try to get better by playing more. Tour pros get better by drilling more. The 4-step system below is what actually works at 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 — and the only one tested across 100+ rec players who've used it to climb a rating in 90 days.

Gear Comparison

The 8 Best Pickleball Training Tools (Most Players Skip These)

Most pickleball training tools sold on Amazon are gimmicks. Eight aren't. We tested every meaningful training product on the market and ranked the ones that actually move your game — including the one tool that quietly outranks all the rest.