Honolulu
J2CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
HybridPower
$195.00$175.50
Save 10%8.0 oz · SW 109.6 · 16mm
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.
Rate this paddle
— views
Discount Price
$169.99$188.88
You save $18.89
Promo Code
10% off at checkout
Affiliate links. We may earn a commission — it never affects our ratings.
Weight & Balance
How this paddle compares to 146+ paddles in our database.
Swing Weight
Head-Light109.15avg 113.88
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 6.22
2.367.87
Exceptional sweet spot — virtually any contact stays stable; ideal for high-speed exchanges and beginner forgiveness.
Static Weight
Average7.87ozavg 7.96 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
RecommendedPickleball Playbook
Pro Tack Over Grips (3 Pack)
The grip we use on every paddle. Exceptional tack, comfort, and durability.
$9.99
Buy at Pickleball Playbook Read full reviewFeatured In Our Guides
Best Pickleball Paddles (2026) →Recommended Gear
Cuurt Muuv Shoes
$149.00 · 10% Off
Pickle Clips Pickle Clips
$19.99
Reflect Sport Tournament Pro Backpack
$150.00 · 15% Off
Get Early Reviews & Paddle Deals First
Be the first to see new paddle reviews and get exclusive discounts before anyone else.
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.
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.
Honolulu J2CR Crystal Blue Endurance Surface
Hybrid · 16mm · $195.00
vs.
Chorus Coda Harmony Grit
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.99
vs.
Aireo Cyclone USAP Approved
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.00
vs.
Gherkin Draco
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
vs.
11SIX24 Vapor Power 2
Hybrid · 16mm · $209.99
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 113.88
93.59124.18
Near average.
Twist Weight
High7.03avg 6.22
2.367.87
Above average.
16mm CoreHybrid7.87 oz
Video Review
Review coming soon
We're working on a full video review for this paddle. Check back soon or @playbookpaddles.
Video review coming soon. Subscribe to be notified.
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 113.88.
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
Helpful Guides for This Paddle
Paddle Anatomy
What Is a Hybrid Pickleball Paddle? The Best-of-Both-Worlds Shape Explained
Hybrid paddles split the difference between elongated and widebody — more reach than a widebody, more sweet spot than an elongated. Here's why they're the fastest-growing shape in pickleball.
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.
Drills · Training · Tips
Train Smarter, Hit Harder
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.
Get Early Reviews & Paddle Deals First
Be the first to see new paddle reviews and get exclusive discounts before anyone else.
Zen S+
Pickleball Apes