The most effective app for leveling up your pickleball game.

Try the app
Pickleball Playbook
PickleballPlaybook
PaddlesBest PaddlesReviewsPickleball 101GearDiscount Codes
Elongated16mmControl
Qranc Q18^1 Elongated 16mm pickleball paddle
Austin Hardy

Tested by Austin Hardy

PPR Certified Coach · Pro Player · 12+ years coaching

Qranc

Q18^1 Elongated Review + Discount Code

Rate this paddle
— views

Discount Price

$69.95$79.95

You save $10.00

Promo Code

$10 off at checkout

Buy at Qranc

Affiliate links. We may earn a commission — it never affects our ratings.

Compare

Austin's Take

Austin Hardy

Read full review

Weight & Balance

How this paddle compares to 173+ paddles in our database.

Swing Weight

Head-Heavy
118.28avg 113.96
93.59124.18

Head-heavy with serious plow-through on drives — slower hand speed at the kitchen, more strain on the shoulder over long sessions.

Twist Weight

Forgiving
6.92avg 6.25
2.367.87

Solid sweet spot for most players — handles normal off-center contact predictably.

Static Weight

Mid-Heavy
8.3ozavg 7.97 oz
7.4 oz9.1 oz

Slightly heavier than average — more drive momentum while still maneuverable for most players.

Play StyleControl

Balance Point

How heavy the paddle feels and where the mass sits.

Qranc Q18^1 balance point visualization
23.8 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.

23.8 cm(+2.8)

AVERAGE

Specifications

Dimensions

ShapeElongated
Core Thickness16mm

Categories

Play StyleControl

Who Q18^1 Is For

Buy if
  • You prioritize control, resets, and touch at the kitchen
  • You like extra reach and leverage on groundstrokes
  • High swing weight (118.28) gives you serious plow-through power
  • You prefer the soft, forgiving feel of a 16mm core
Skip if
  • You prefer a wider face for easier contact on fast exchanges
  • You need fast hand speed at the net — this is a heavy swinger
  • You want maximum pop — thinner cores are snappier
  • You want premium materials and build quality

Ready to buy? Use code PLAYBOOK for a discount.

Buy at Qranc

Gear We Recommend

All Gear
Slydr Paddle Weights10% Off

Slyce Slydr Paddle Weights

Adjustable clamp-on paddle weights. Fine-tune your swing weight in seconds.

$29.95

Carbon Fiber Insoles20% Off

VKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles

Carbon fiber insoles that boost performance and reduce fatigue on the court.

$149.00

Picklr15-Day Trial

Picklr

Find courts, book lessons, and connect with players near you.

$30.00/mo

Methodology

How we tested the Qranc Q18^1

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.
Full Testing ProtocolMeet Austin

How Q18^1 Compares

Paddles in the same category and price range.

EVO Control XL

SLK

EVO Control XL

$80.00

View Deal
Halo Control

SLK

Halo Control

$100.00

View Deal
Amped Control Invikta

Selkirk

Amped Control Invikta

$100.00

View Deal
El Toro

Battle Paddles

El Toro

$149.00

View Deal

Compare Qranc Q18^1 Head-to-Head

Side-by-side spec breakdowns against the closest alternatives — drill into specs, price, feel, and who each one is for.

vs.

SLK EVO Control XL

Elongated · 16mm · $80.00

vs.

Selkirk Amped Control Invikta

Elongated · 16mm · $100.00

vs.

Battle Paddles El Toro

Elongated · 16mm · $149.00

vs.

Friday Aura

Elongated · 16mm · $129.00

vs.

Volair Mach 1 Forza

Hybrid · 16mm · $119.99

vs.

Bread & Butter Shogun

Elongated · 16mm · $189.99

vs.

Head Radical

Elongated · 15mm · $199.00

vs.

Engage Pursuit Pro 2

Elongated · 16mm · $129.99

See all head-to-head paddle comparisons →

Playing Feel

Qranc Q18^1 feelControl

The Qranc Q18^1 is a 16mm elongated paddle weighing 8.3 oz with a swing weight of 118.28 and twist weight of 6.92. Expect a soft, controlled feel that shines at the kitchen line. Dinks and resets feel plush, with excellent touch on drop shots.

Swing Weight

High
118.28avg 113.96
93.59124.18

Above average.

Twist Weight

High
6.92avg 6.25
2.367.87

Above average.

16mm CoreElongated8.3 oz

Video Review

Qranc Q18^1 — Full Review

Qranc Q18^1 — Full Review

Written Review

Qranc Q18^1 Paddle Review: $79 Paddle That Plays Like $200

Specs at a Glance

  • Shape: Elongated
  • Thickness: 16mm
  • Weight: 7.82 oz
  • Swing Weight: 112.51
  • Twist Weight: 5.73
  • Price: $79.99 — use code PLAYBOOK to save $10

On-Court Performance

At SW 112.51 and TW 5.73, the Q18^1 has the lightest swing weight among the elongated paddles reviewed here — it's incredibly quick and maneuverable. Yet it doesn't sacrifice stability; that low TW keeps the face true even on mishits. The 16mm core produces a surprisingly premium dwell time that makes dinks feel soft and resets feel controlled. During drill testing, ball placement was accurate and spin was respectable for a $79.99 paddle. Drives had good pace and the overall performance profile genuinely rivals paddles at $150–$200. It's not perfect — the build materials reflect the price point on close inspection — but on court, it competes.

Who Should Buy the Q18^1?

  • Budget players who refuse to settle for sluggish feel
  • Beginners who want performance-grade specs from day one
  • Players who need multiple paddles and can't spend $200 each
  • Anyone who wants to test elongated geometry at minimal cost

Verdict

The Qranc Q18^1 is the most impressive value in pickleball at $79.99. It plays like a $200 paddle — no asterisks. Use code PLAYBOOK to save $10 and get it under $70.

Read full review post

Discussion

Have questions or thoughts about the Qranc Q18^1? Join the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the swing weight of the Qranc Q18^1?

The Qranc Q18^1 has a swing weight of 118.28, which is above the catalog average of 113.96.

Who should buy the Qranc Q18^1?

The Qranc Q18^1 is a elongated 16mm paddle best suited for control-focused players who want touch and precision at the kitchen.

Is there a discount code for the Qranc Q18^1?

Yes! Use code PLAYBOOK at checkout to save $10 on the Qranc Q18^1. This code is verified and active.

Learn

Helpful Guides for This Paddle

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.

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.

Join Free

Q18^1

Qranc

Apply Discount