The Paddletek Honeyfoam™ TKO-X
By The Pickleball Weekly Product Review Team • July 15, 2026 • 6 min read
Multi-foam technology delivers impressive power without sacrificing control
PADDLETEK HAS SPENT more than two decades building a reputation for producing high-performance pickleball paddles. With the introduction of the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X, the company isn’t simply releasing another model. It’s introducing an entirely new core technology designed to give players more power, greater forgiveness, and improved consistency across the paddle face.
The Honeyfoam™ TKO-X is built around a proprietary three-foam construction rather than the traditional single-core design found in most paddles. The result is a paddle that feels explosive when attacking the ball while remaining remarkably stable during resets, blocks, and soft-game exchanges.
Professional player Connor Garnett is among the athletes using the Honeyfoam™ platform. Known for his aggressive style of play and signature two-handed backhand known as “The Twoey,” Garnett’s game showcases the paddle’s elongated design, extended handle, and ability to generate pace while maintaining control during fast exchanges.
Garnett’s game is built around explosive speed, athleticism, and one of professional pickleball’s most recognizable two-handed backhands. The paddle’s elongated shape and extended handle naturally complement that style of play, while the responsive multi-foam core supports the aggressive drives and quick counters that have become his trademark.
“I’ve been playing with the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X, and it’s been a huge help for my game. I’m really excited about this paddle.” — Connor Garnett, Professional Pickleball Player for PPA and MLP
Three Foams. One Purpose.
The biggest innovation inside the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X isn’t something players can immediately see. It’s hidden beneath the carbon fiber face.
Instead of relying on a single core material, Paddletek combines three different foams, each serving a specific purpose. A lightweight EPP foam forms the center of the paddle, helping generate power and responsiveness. Surrounding that is EVA foam, which increases energy return and dwell time, allowing the ball to stay on the paddle face slightly longer for improved feel. Finally, a perimeter layer of polyurethane foam expands the sweet spot while reducing vibration and increasing stability on off-center hits.
In simple terms, each material contributes something different. One produces power. One improves feel. One adds forgiveness. Together, they create a paddle that feels solid without becoming overly stiff or difficult to control.
Traditional paddle cores ask players to compromise. A paddle designed primarily for power often sacrifices touch and forgiveness, while control-oriented paddles can lack the pop many competitive players want. Honeyfoam™ was developed to reduce that tradeoff by assigning different jobs to different foam materials. Rather than relying on one core to do everything, Paddletek engineered each layer to contribute a specific performance characteristic, creating a paddle that feels more balanced throughout every phase of the game.
Honeyfoam™ represents one of Paddletek’s most significant technology introductions in recent years. Rather than updating an existing core, the company designed an entirely new internal construction intended to influence how future high-performance paddles are built.
Built for the Modern Power Game
The Honeyfoam™ TKO-X features an elongated 16.5-inch by 7.5-inch shape with a generous 5.75-inch handle. That combination provides additional reach while comfortably accommodating two-handed backhands, making it an appealing option for players who attack from the baseline or rely on aggressive drives and counters.
Its PT-700 raw carbon fiber face delivers excellent spin potential while maintaining a connected feel throughout the swing. During fast-paced hand battles at the kitchen, the paddle remains stable without feeling sluggish, while drives and passing shots come off the face with plenty of pace.
Players can choose between two core thicknesses. The
14 mm model produces a quicker, livelier response that favors offensive players looking for maximum power and faster hand speed. Players who rely on fast hands, aggressive counters, and driving the ball through opponents may gravitate toward the 14 mm version. Those who prefer a slightly softer feel for resets, dinks, and extended kitchen exchanges may appreciate the added stability and dwell time offered by the 16 mm model without sacrificing offensive capability.
Competitive players should note that the 16 mm model is approved for both USA Pickleball and UPA-A sanctioned competition, while the 14 mm version carries UPA-A approval after exceeding USA Pickleball’s allowable power threshold during certification testing.
Performance on the Court
While the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X clearly leans toward the power category, it never feels uncontrollable. The enlarged sweet spot inspires confidence on off-center contact, while the perimeter foam helps absorb vibration that often accompanies harder swings.
One of the paddle’s biggest surprises is how connected it feels at contact. Some power paddles produce a harsh, rigid response, but the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X absorbs vibration well while still providing immediate feedback. The result is a paddle that feels lively without becoming overly stiff, giving players confidence whether attacking or defending.
Players who enjoy speeding up balls off the bounce or attacking from the transition zone will appreciate the paddle’s responsiveness. At the same time, resets, blocks, and third-shot drops remain predictable thanks to the paddle’s balanced feel.
Rather than forcing players to choose between power and touch, the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X attempts to deliver both, making it one of the more versatile performance paddles currently available.
Final Verdict
The Honeyfoam™ TKO-X isn’t simply another paddle release. It represents one of Paddletek’s most ambitious technology advances in years, combining power, forgiveness, stability, and feel into a platform built for today’s aggressive style of play. Rather than refining an existing design, Paddletek reimagined the paddle’s internal construction, creating a multi-foam platform that delivers a more balanced playing experience across every phase of the game.
Whether you’re driving from the baseline, battling at the kitchen, or looking for greater consistency on off-center shots, the Honeyfoam™ TKO-X delivers a confident, well-rounded playing experience that should appeal to a wide range of competitive players. For those looking to invest in premium paddle technology without sacrificing versatility, it’s one of the most impressive paddles we’ve tested this year.
Rating: 4.85 out of 5 paddles
The Product Review Team delivers thorough, unbiased evaluations of the latest paddles, footwear, apparel, training equipment, accessories, and technology shaping the sport. Drawing on hands-on testing and real-world playing experience, the team provides honest insights to help players of every level make informed purchasing decisions and discover products that can elevate their game.
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