Mon Ami 18mm Pickleball Paddle Review

Mint Sport takes an interesting approach to paddle design — all three of their elongated paddles use thick cores (18mm or 20mm) that sit well above the typical 16mm foam standard. The result is a family of paddles with distinctly soft, touch-forward feel profiles.

Specs Compared

• Mon Ami 18mm — SW: 123.47, TW: 6.16, 8.7 oz — all-court
• Maestro 20mm — SW: 123.23, TW: 6.17, 9.1 oz — control
• Megalodon 20mm — SW: 112.41, TW: 6.04, 8.4 oz — control
• Price: $169–$179.99 — 15% off with code PLAYBOOK

Mon Ami: Surprising Power

For an 18mm foam paddle, the Mon Ami's SW of 123.47 is exceptional — among the highest in our database. Its 8.7 oz weight contributes to that driving mass. Despite its thick core, it generates serious pace while still offering the soft, absorbing feel of thick-foam construction. It's the most versatile of the three.

Maestro: Heaviest, Softest

The Maestro at 9.1 oz and 20mm is the heaviest, softest paddle Mint makes. SW 123.23 is powerful, but the 20mm foam absorbs pace so thoroughly that resets and drops are almost effortless. This is an advanced player's tool — the weight demands good fundamentals.

Megalodon: Control Specialist

The Megalodon's SW of 112.41 is considerably lower than its siblings — 8.4 oz with 20mm foam makes it the most touch-oriented of the three. It's a true control paddle for kitchen-dominant players.