MTEN Fiberglass Paddle Set Review: A Season of Rec-Center Doubles

When my doubles partner Carol looked over at my side of the net during warm-ups and said, "Barb, that paddle sounds like a coffee can full of rocks," she wasn't being cruel. She was being accurate. I'd been using a cracked graphite-and-whatever paddle I'd bought at a garage sale two summers ago, and on every off-center hit it made a hollow thunk that had started to embarrass me. So I did the thing I always do when I need gear: I read five different "best pickleball paddles" lists, got more confused than when I started, and finally caved to a recommendation from a woman at the senior center who told me to just buy the two-pack of MTEN fiberglass paddles and stop overthinking it. Eight months later, after two full seasons of rec-center doubles, I can tell you whether she was right.

Quick context, if we haven't met: I'm Barb, 61, a retired elementary music teacher in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I started pickleball four years ago when a friend dragged me to the community center, and I've been playing four mornings a week ever since. Carol and I have been partners for the last two years. We're both about a 3.5 level, which means we can rally, we can place the ball, and we are absolutely not going to the nationals. I have a cranky right elbow from years of conducting and hauling instruments, so I care a lot about paddle weight and vibration. This review is for people like me, not for the 4.5 pros.

When the MTEN set arrived, I was surprised it came with a carrying case, two identical paddles, and a little screw-in grip replacement kit that I didn't think I'd need. The paddles looked clean and modern, with a large face and no gaudy graphics. The first thing I did was weigh them on my kitchen scale: 8.5 ounces each, exactly what I wanted. I also checked the grip circumference with a cloth tape measure: it's just over 4 inches, which is standard, but the grip material felt a little thin to my hands.

How I've Used It

Starting on September 15, the day after Carol and I signed up for the fall league at East Side Community Center, I kept a notebook in my bag. Every session I jotted down the date, the court, and anything that seemed off. I played with these paddles four mornings a week for eight months, which worked out to 87 sessions and about 174 hours of play. That includes twelve Wednesday league matches, a Saturday clinic, and a lot of casual pickup games with people who just wanted someone to rally with.

The weight was the first thing I noticed. My old paddle was 8.8 ounces, and by the last half hour of any session my elbow would start to ache. With the MTEN, I've had exactly two days when my elbow was sore, and both were days when I played three hours and did a drill that was way beyond my level. The paddle is light enough that I can hold it in a ready position without my forearm burning. That's not nothing for someone with a cranky elbow.

I also tested the paddles in different conditions. In October we played on the outdoor courts behind the library, where the temperature dropped to about 50 degrees and the ball got dead. The MTEN paddles still gave me enough power to get the ball over the net without overhitting. In January, the rec center gym was humid, and the grip got a little slick, which I'll talk more about later. By March, I was confident these paddles were going to make it through the summer, and they did. By May, I stopped writing in the notebook because I had nothing new to note.

The Weight and Balance

I measured the balance point by balancing the paddle on my finger. It sits almost perfectly in the middle, which means it's not head-heavy. That's a big deal for me. A lightweight paddle that is head-heavy can still feel tiring, but the MTEN is balanced, so it feels lighter than its 8.5 ounces. When I'm at the net, I can flip from forehand to backhand without feeling like the head is dragging.

The sweet spot is what I'd call generous. I've hit balls on the upper corner that still dropped in the court, which my old paddle would have sent into the lights. I will say the face is not as poppy as a carbon paddle. If you're a power hitter, these won't be your favorites. But I don't need power; I need control and a soft bounce at the kitchen line.

I compared the balance with Carol's borrowed carbon paddle one afternoon. Her paddle felt noticeably head-heavy, and after twenty minutes, my hand was more tired than it was after an hour with the MTEN. That's not a scientific test, but it's a real one.

Durability After Six Months

I've been brutal on these paddles. They've banged against the rec center's metal fence, accidentally hit the floor during a low serve, and lived in the trunk of my sedan through a Wisconsin winter. After eight months, the face is still smooth with no chips or delamination. The edge guard is still attached, which I cannot say for the paddle I bought from a big box store two years ago. There's a small scuff on one corner from when I skied a ball at the outdoor court and dragged the edge on the asphalt, but it's cosmetic.

The one thing that wore out was the factory grip. By about February, the grip had gotten slick and I had to start gripping the handle more tightly, which of course made my arm tired. I tried two fixes. First, I bought a cushioned grip from the pro shop and wrapped it on, but it made the handle too thick. Then I realized I should just add a thin cotton overgrip on top of the original, which is what I've been using since. That's ten minutes of work, and now the paddle feels as comfortable as one that costs four times what this set does. The fact that the paddle itself has held up so well gives me confidence it will last another season easily.

I should also mention that the paddle faces have kept their texture. Some fiberglass paddles get smooth and shiny after a few months, which can cause the ball to slide off too quickly. The MTEN faces still have a slight matte finish, and the ball comes off with the same spin control I had on day one. I've read reviews that complain about the gloss, but mine haven't shown that issue. The included carrying case deserves a mention too. It's not fancy, but it's padded and has a sturdy zipper. I've thrown it in the back of my car, in the trunk, and under my arm a thousand times. The zipper still pulls smoothly, and the handle hasn't ripped.

How It Plays at the Net

At the net, these paddles shine for the kind of game Carol and I play. We're not slamming winners; we're patiently moving the ball around the kitchen, waiting for the other team to make a mistake. The MTEN face gives a soft, controlled touch on dinks, so I can drop the ball just over the net with enough spin to make it die. It's also very good at resets: when the other team hits a hard drive, I can poke the ball back and it lands short, taking away their momentum. That's where the light weight really helps, because I can get the paddle face up quickly.

I did a side-by-side test on a Tuesday: I hit the same dink shot with the MTEN and with a friend's paddle that cost a lot more. The expensive paddle had more pop on drives, but on the dinks and resets that decide rec doubles points, the MTEN was just as good. In fact, the lighter weight made me feel quicker in transition, which matters at the net.

Blocking is another strength. When the other team hits a hard drive at me, I can get the paddle face in front of the ball and simply absorb the pace. The fiberglass face doesn't have the explosive rebound of carbon, which is actually a plus for this. It redirects the ball rather than launching it, so my responses stay controlled. One example from our January league match: with the score tied at 10-10 and our opponents hitting hard at the kitchen, Carol and I both managed to reset the ball with short, soft shots using the MTEN paddles. That sequence won us the point and the game. I'm not saying a better paddle would have lost it, but the light weight and touch definitely helped us keep our cool.

The Grip: The One Thing I'd Change

Here's the honest criticism. The stock grip that comes on the MTEN paddles is on the thin and slick side, especially if your hands get sweaty. I know a few players don't mind it, but Carol and I both noticed it right away. I tried playing with the stock grip for two weeks, and my hands would slip when I went for a backhand at the net. That's when I added an overgrip, and I've played with it ever since. If you're someone who has never touched a pickleball grip, this might be a two-minute lesson you need to learn, and it's worth it.

I'll add one more detail: the grip circumference, with the stock grip, is about 4.1 inches, which is in the normal range. The material is what makes it slick, not the size. A thin, tacky overgrip fixed it completely. I bought a three-pack of overgrips and they were cheap enough that the fix is a no-brainer. If I were advising a friend, I'd tell them to order an overgrip at the same time they order these paddles. Carol, who has slightly larger hands than I do, was fine with the stock grip for about a month before she added one too. So this isn't just a small-hands issue.

The MTEN set won't make you a better player, but it won't hold you back either, and at this price, that's a very good thing.

Who This Is For

This set is for the player who shows up at the rec center with a paddle from 1995 and a smile. It's for the couple that wants a spare set in the car so they can play after brunch. It's for the beginner who wants something better than the cheap wooden rental at the park, but doesn't want to spend a lot on a paddle they might not like. If that's you, the MTEN two-pack is a no-regrets starting point. You get two paddles, a case, and enough quality to keep you playing for years.

It's also a smart buy for someone like me who's got a cranky elbow. The light weight and softer face mean you can play longer without pain. I've even recommended them to two other women at the community center, and both came back to thank me. That's the best endorsement I can give.

Who Should Skip It

If you're a tournament player or you've been playing for ten years with a premium paddle, you will probably not be happy with the MTEN. It doesn't have the pop of carbon, and the touch, while good, isn't elite. Power players will find it limiting, and players with big hands will need to add an overgrip, which I've already mentioned. If you're in that camp, you'd be better off spending more on a single premium paddle.

Also, if you're the kind of player who likes to buy gear for the look and the status, this is not it. The MTEN is a workhorse, not a showpiece. It looks like a sensible paddle, which is the highest compliment I can pay. If you can live with that, these are great. If you need your paddle to be a conversation starter, look elsewhere.