Two paddles can look almost identical and feel completely different. The core hidden between the hitting surfaces is a big reason why. It affects how firmly the ball comes off the face, how much vibration reaches your hand, how steady off-center contact feels, and how the paddle responds after break-in.
Two designs come up most often: full foam and polypropylene honeycomb. The comparison gets confusing because many honeycomb paddles also use foam around the perimeter. A foam-reinforced edge can change the sweet spot and stability while the center of the paddle remains honeycomb.
The short version: full foam paddles tend to feel solid and damped, with a steadier response across more of the face. Honeycomb paddles often feel crisper and give clearer impact feedback. Those are broad tendencies. Thickness, face material, shape, swing weight, and the way the paddle is built can matter just as much as the core label.
What is a polypropylene honeycomb core?
A honeycomb core is a lightweight sheet of plastic cells arranged in a repeating pattern. Polypropylene is the most common material in current performance paddles. The cell structure gives the paddle stiffness without adding too much weight, and the cells compress and recover when the ball hits the face.
Honeycomb has been the standard construction for years because manufacturers can tune it for many types of players. A thinner, firmer build may feel quick and lively. A thicker 16mm build can provide more dwell time and a softer response. Face material and paddle shape then change the result again.
Pros of honeycomb cores
- Crisp feedback: Many players like the direct response and clear contact sensation.
- Efficient strength for the weight: The cell structure can support a firm hitting surface without making the paddle unnecessarily heavy.
- Broad selection: Honeycomb paddles cover control, all-court, and power categories across a wide range of prices.
- Familiar timing: Players who have used polymer-core paddles for years often know what to expect from the rebound.
Cons of honeycomb cores
- Core damage can create uneven response: Repeated hard impacts can weaken cells, creating soft spots, hot spots, or a change in sound.
- The sweet spot can feel more defined: Simpler constructions may lose stability farther from the center. Perimeter foam and added weighting can reduce that drop-off.
- Some builds transmit more vibration: Thickness, face material, edge construction, and grip design all affect how much reaches your hand.
These are possible tradeoffs rather than guarantees. A well-built honeycomb paddle can stay consistent for a long time, and foam reinforcement can improve stability without replacing the honeycomb center.
What is a full foam core?
A full foam paddle replaces the central honeycomb sheet with engineered foam. Manufacturers may use multiple foam densities or separate zones to tune rebound, dwell time, stability, and weight distribution.
Foam is a broad category. A soft, low-density section behaves differently from a firmer high-density section. The Engage X2 uses several densities, while the Holbrook Fuze places firmer and softer foam in different areas. That is why “foam core” alone does not tell you whether a paddle is built for power, control, or all-court play.
Pros of full foam cores
- Solid feel across the face: Many foam builds are designed to make off-center contact feel steadier.
- Vibration damping: Foam can soften impact feedback for players who dislike a sharp or hollow sensation.
- Tunable response: Multiple densities let a manufacturer combine control-oriented and power-oriented zones.
- No honeycomb cells to crush: Full foam removes one possible failure point found in cell-based cores.
Cons of full foam cores
- Muted feedback can take adjustment: Some players miss the crisp connection they feel from honeycomb.
- Break-in varies: Two full foam models may settle differently, and the first session may not represent the long-term response.
- Selection is smaller: Full foam is still a newer category with fewer models and less long-term history.
- Other failures are possible: Face separation, edge damage, foam fatigue, and bonding problems can still occur.
Perimeter foam does not make a paddle full foam
This is the distinction that clears up most of the confusion.
A paddle can have a polypropylene honeycomb center plus foam around the outer edge. The foam may widen the usable sweet spot, add stability, and reduce vibration. The main hitting-area core is still honeycomb.
The Holbrook Mav, JOOLA Perseus Pro IV, and JOOLA Pro V paddles are good examples. They use foam to support a honeycomb or polypropylene center rather than replacing the center with foam.
Thermoforming describes how a paddle is molded and bonded. It does not identify the core material. Full foam and honeycomb paddles can both use thermoformed construction.
Foam vs. honeycomb at a glance
| What you are comparing | Full foam | Polypropylene honeycomb |
|---|---|---|
| Typical contact feel | Solid, damped, sometimes muted | Crisp, responsive, more audible feedback |
| Sweet-spot behavior | Often designed for steadier response across the face | Can have a more defined center; perimeter foam can improve stability |
| Power | Depends heavily on density, thickness, face, and shape | Depends heavily on cell design, thickness, face, and shape |
| Soft-game control | Can offer useful dwell and vibration damping | Thicker builds can provide excellent touch and predictable rebound |
| Durability concern | Foam fatigue or face-to-core bonding | Cell crush, soft spots, or changing rebound |
| Break-in | Some models become livelier | Some builds soften or change as the core wears |
| Selection and price | Newer category with fewer choices, often in the performance tier | Much broader selection from entry-level through premium |
| Player who may prefer it | Someone who wants a solid feel and is comfortable trying a newer construction | Someone who wants crisp feedback and a familiar response |
The examples below cover paddles you can shop now and models arriving from Franklin and Paddletek. Availability changes as shipments are received and product pages go live.
Full foam paddles in our lineup
Engage X2 Elongated and Widebody
The 16mm Engage X2 Elongated and X2 Widebody use a 100% foam architecture with four densities. Engage combines a dual-density hitting area, a foam transition ring, full-perimeter foam, and fiberglass perimeter weighting.
Choose the elongated shape if you want more reach and leverage on serves and drives. Choose the widebody if fast hands, width, and stability around the kitchen matter more.
Engage ProFoam
The Engage ProFoam uses a 14mm high-density full foam core with a raw carbon fiber face. It is the most straightforward foam option in the Engage lineup for a player who wants an elongated shape, a direct 14mm response, and the damped feel of a foam interior.
Holbrook Fuze 14mm and 16mm
The Holbrook Fuze 14mm and Fuze 16mm use a dual-density full foam core. Firmer foam near the upper portion is paired with softer foam through the center. A layered carbon-aramid-carbon face adds another variable to the feel.
The 14mm elongated version is the quicker, more direct choice. The 16mm version adds dwell time and is available in elongated and hybrid shapes.
Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ and TKO-X
Despite the name, Paddletek Honeyfoam is a full foam construction. The Honeyfoam ESQ and TKO-X use a low-density EPP center, EVA foam in a lower transition zone, and a perimeter foam ring. Our incoming 16mm ESQ has a standard shape with a wider hitting area. The incoming 16mm TKO-X is elongated for more reach and room for a two-handed backhand.
Honeycomb paddles in our lineup
Holbrook Mav
The Holbrook Mav uses a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core with perimeter foam. It is a useful all-court option for players who want a long handle, crisp response, and added stability around the outside of the face.
JOOLA honeycomb paddles: 3S Dual, Pro IV, and Pro V
The JOOLA Perseus 3S Dual uses a honeycomb Propulsion Core designed to flex and recover during impact. The Perseus Pro IV adds a Hyperfoam Edge Wall around its honeycomb center. JOOLA lists the Pro V construction as a polypropylene core with carbon fiber and EVA foam, and its technology images show the Propulsion Core cells separately from the perimeter foam.
Our Pro V options include the Perseus Pro V Ben Johns, Perseus Pro V Simone Jardim, Scorpeus Pro V Anna Bright, and Kosmos Pro V Federico Staksrud. The Perseus has an elongated shape, the Scorpeus is wider and more compact, and the Kosmos falls between them with a hybrid shape. Thickness and balance create more differences within the same core family.
Three JOOLA honeycomb examples from our catalog. The 3S Dual and Pro V generations use different supporting technologies, while the Perseus and Scorpeus shapes serve different court preferences.
Franklin C45 Aurelius, FS Tour Dynasty, Signature Carbon, and Pilot
Our incoming Franklin paddles add four honeycomb options at different performance and price levels. The C45 Aurelius 16mm uses Franklin's PowerFlex polymer core with an inner foam layer. The FS Tour Dynasty 14mm and Signature Carbon Elongated 13mm use polypropylene centers with high-density perimeter foam. The Pilot uses a honeycomb polypropylene core with a MAXGRIT fiberglass face.
The C45's traditional shape gives you more width than the three elongated models. The Dynasty and Signature Carbon add reach and leverage, with the 13mm Signature giving the most direct response of the group. The Pilot is the simpler, lower-cost choice if you want a fiberglass face and clear honeycomb feedback.
Paddletek Bantam, Tempest, and Phoenix
The rest of our incoming Paddletek assortment uses polymer honeycomb cores. The Bantam EXL-C and ESQ-C use Paddletek's responsive Bantam PolyCore. The Tempest TKO-C and Wave Pro-C use the more control-oriented Smart Response Technology polymer core. The Phoenix Firestorm and Talon use a straightforward 14mm polypropylene honeycomb core.
Shape makes the quickest distinction. The TKO-C and Firestorm are elongated for reach. The ESQ-C, Wave Pro-C, and Talon are standard shapes with more width across the face. The EXL-C is also standard and comes in both 12.7mm and 14.3mm versions, letting you choose a firmer response or a little more dwell time within the same family.
Engage Encore Pro V3.0
The Engage Encore Pro V3.0 uses Engage's 16mm E3+ honeycomb polymer core. It offers a traditional core structure in a control-friendly thickness and gives players a lower-cost way to compare honeycomb feel with the newer full foam Engage models.
Which core should you choose?
Core type is a preference, not a ranking. Start with the row that sounds most like what you want to change about your current paddle.
| Your priority | Good models to compare | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|
| A solid, damped impact feel | Engage X2 or ProFoam, Holbrook Fuze, Paddletek Honeyfoam | These full foam families offer different densities, thicknesses, and shapes without a honeycomb center. |
| Crisp, familiar feedback | Holbrook Mav, Engage Encore Pro V3.0, Paddletek Tempest or Phoenix | These keep the familiar rebound of a polymer honeycomb core across several prices and shapes. |
| More reach and leverage | Engage X2 Elongated, JOOLA Perseus, Franklin FS Tour Dynasty, Paddletek Honeyfoam TKO-X or Tempest TKO-C | These elongated shapes help on serves, drives, two-handed backhands, and balls that stretch you wide. |
| Faster hands and more width | Engage X2 Widebody, JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V, Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ, Bantam ESQ-C or Phoenix Talon | Wider faces suit blocks, counters, and quick exchanges near the kitchen. |
| Honeycomb feel with added edge support | Holbrook Mav, JOOLA Pro IV or Pro V, Franklin C45, FS Tour or Signature Carbon | Perimeter or structural foam adds support while the main core remains polymer honeycomb. |
| A lower-cost place to start | Franklin Pilot, Paddletek Phoenix Firestorm or Talon, Engage Encore Pro V3.0 | These give you a clear honeycomb reference point before moving into more specialized construction. |
After you narrow the feel, compare the details that can matter just as much:
- Shape: Elongated paddles add reach and leverage. Widebody and standard shapes tend to be quicker and more forgiving.
- Thickness: Thinner cores usually feel more direct. Thicker cores often provide more dwell time and control.
- Swing weight: A head-heavy paddle can feel powerful and stable while taking more effort to move in fast exchanges.
- Face material: Carbon, aramid, fiberglass, texture, and bonding affect spin and feel.
- Handle length and grip: Comfort and room for a two-handed backhand can decide the fit.
Frequently asked questions
Are foam core paddles better than honeycomb paddles?
No single core is best for every player. Full foam may appeal to someone who wants a damped, solid response. Honeycomb may suit someone who wants crisp feedback and a familiar rebound. The exact paddle design matters more than the category name alone.
Are foam core paddles always more powerful?
No. Foam density, core thickness, face stiffness, shape, balance, and break-in all affect power. Some foam paddles are power-focused, and others lean toward control. Honeycomb paddles cover the same range.
Does a foam perimeter make a paddle a foam core paddle?
No. If the main hitting area uses polypropylene honeycomb, the paddle remains a honeycomb-core design even when foam surrounds the edge.
Does the core create spin?
The face texture and your swing have the largest direct influence on spin. The core affects dwell time, stability, and feedback, which can change how confidently you shape the ball.
How can I tell which core a paddle uses?
Read the construction details for the exact model and generation. Terms such as “foam injected,” “perimeter foam,” and “foam edge wall” describe added foam, while “100% foam” or “full foam” indicates that foam replaces the honeycomb center.
The bottom line
The right core is the one that gives you feedback you trust. Try full foam if you want a more solid, damped response. Start with honeycomb if you prefer crisp contact and familiar rebound. Look at a perimeter-foam model if you want honeycomb feel with more support around the edge.
Then choose the shape, thickness, balance, face, and handle that fit your game. Those details can turn a good core into the right paddle for you.
Still deciding? Tell Walt what you play with now, whether you want more power, control, reach, or forgiveness, and any weight or grip preferences. That is usually enough information to build a useful short list.
