Hybrid16mmPower
Tested by Austin Hardy
PPR Certified Coach · Pro Player · 12+ years coaching
Pickleball Apes
Zen S+ Hybrid 16mm Pickleball Paddle Review
Explosive power meets plush dwell — the Zen paradox.
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Weight & Balance
How this paddle compares to 165+ paddles in our database.
Swing Weight
Head-Light109.15avg 113.98
93.59124.18
Head-light and fast through the air — great for hand battles and quick reactions, less plow-through on drives.
Twist Weight
Elite7.03avg 6.25
2.367.87
Exceptional sweet spot — virtually any contact stays stable; ideal for high-speed exchanges and beginner forgiveness.
Static Weight
Average7.87ozavg 7.97 oz
7.4 oz9.1 oz
Average weight — versatile across the court and easy to control for most players.
Play StylePower
Balance Point
How heavy the paddle feels and where the mass sits.
23.5 cm
Center
Head-Light
22.0 cm
(typical range)
Head-Heavy
25.5 cm
(typical range)
AVERAGE
Sits in the typical balance band — versatile across the court.
23.5 cm(+2.5)
AVERAGE
Specifications
Dimensions
ShapeHybrid
Paddle Length16.2"
Paddle Width7.8"
Handle Length5.75"
Grip Size4.25"
Core Thickness16mm
Categories
Play StylePower
USAP ApprovedYes
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Buy at Pickleball Playbook Read full reviewFeatured In Our Guides
Best Pickleball Paddles (2026) →Recommended Gear
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$149.00 · 10% Off
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Reflect Sport Tournament Pro Backpack
$150.00 · 15% Off
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Who Zen S+ Is For
Buy if
- You want raw power and pop on drives and serves
- You want a balanced sweet spot with decent reach
- Low swing weight (109.15) means fast hands at the kitchen
- You prefer the soft, forgiving feel of a 16mm core
Skip if
- You want more power and plow-through on drives
- You want maximum pop — thinner cores are snappier
- You're a touch-first player who rarely drives
Ready to buy? Use code PLAYBOOK for a discount.
Buy at Pickleball ApesGear We Recommend
All Gear10% OffCuurt Muuv Shoes
Court shoes built for natural movement. Designed specifically for the demands of pickleball.
$149.00
Pickle Clips Pickle Clips
The easiest way to keep your paddle secure. Clips onto any bag in seconds.
$19.99
15% OffReflect Sport Tournament Pro Backpack
The tournament backpack Austin actually carries. Fits up to 9 paddles comfortably (4 dedicated slots), insulated water bottle pocket, and enough room for a full match-day loadout.
$150.00
Methodology
How we tested the Pickleball Apes Zen S+
Every paddle on this site goes through the same five-step protocol — lab measurement first, then structured on-court drills with a partner. No shortcuts, no guessing, no relying on the brand's spec sheet.
- Lab-measured specs. Static weight, swing weight, and twist weight measured on calibrated equipment — not pulled from the brand's claim sheet.
- 10-minute break-in. Drives, dinks, drops, and resets to let the face settle in before any verdict is recorded.
- Baseline power & spin. Drives, topspin patterns, and serves with a drilling partner to evaluate raw power and ball pocketing.
- Kitchen touch & control. Dinking, third-shot drops, and resets to evaluate dwell time, plushness, and mishit forgiveness.
- Transition firepower. Mid-court exchanges and hand-speed battles where shape and twist weight separate the great from the average.
How Zen S+ Compares
Paddles in the same category and price range.
Honolulu
J2CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
HybridPower
$195.00$175.50
Save 10%8.0 oz · SW 109.6 · 16mm
Compare Pickleball Apes Zen S+ Head-to-Head
Side-by-side spec breakdowns against the closest alternatives — drill into specs, price, feel, and who each one is for.
vs.
Aireo Cyclone Flower of Life
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.00
vs.
Honolulu J2CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Hybrid · 16mm · $195.00
vs.
Chorus Coda Harmony Grit
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.99
vs.
Gherkin Draco
Hybrid · 16mm · $179.99
vs.
Volair CMD HYB
Hybrid · 16mm · $179.99
vs.
Engage Alpha Pro
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.99
vs.
Bread & Butter Loco
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.00
vs.
Gearbox GBX Power
Hybrid · 16mm · $179.99
Playing Feel
PowerThe Pickleball Apes Zen S+ defies the usual trade-off between power and feel. Its Diced-Core + Triple-Density Frame construction delivers a softer, more controlled response than a standard carbon fiber paddle while still generating explosive pop when you load into a drive. The Silverback Grit surface — a Peel-Ply layer bonded directly over the face rather than a painted-on coating — provides 2× more spin retention versus raw carbon fiber and maintains its bite over thousands of shots. At 7.87 oz with a swing weight of 109.15 and a balanced 23.5 cm balance point, the Zen S+ is light and maneuverable enough for fast kitchen exchanges while still delivering the stability you need on full swings. Hybrid widebody shape (16.2in x 7.8in), 5.75in handle, 4.25in grip. USAP approved for tournament play. Suited for 4.0+ players who want a touch-oriented paddle that can punch above its weight.
Swing Weight
Average109.15avg 113.98
93.59124.18
Near average.
Twist Weight
High7.03avg 6.25
2.367.87
Above average.
16mm CoreHybrid7.87 oz
Discussion
Have questions or thoughts about the Pickleball Apes Zen S+? Join the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the swing weight of the Pickleball Apes Zen S+?
The Pickleball Apes Zen S+ has a swing weight of 109.15, which is below the catalog average of 113.98.
Who should buy the Pickleball Apes Zen S+?
The Pickleball Apes Zen S+ is a hybrid 16mm paddle best suited for power-oriented players who want pop and drive on their shots.
Is there a discount code for the Pickleball Apes Zen S+?
Yes! Use code PLAYBOOK at checkout to save 10% on the Pickleball Apes Zen S+. This code is verified and active.
Learn
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Zen S+
Pickleball Apes