The Volair Mach 1 Forza instantly became my go-to paddle, and I have tested TONS of different paddles - so that says a lot about how incredible this one is.
My previous preferred competitive paddles have been paddles like the Joola Hyperion, Six Zero Double Black Diamond and a handful of other great paddles - but I haven't tested the top paddles from tons of brands like Ronbus, Vatic Pro, Selkirk, Joola, CRBN, Six Zero, Prokennex, and more.
You can see more of those reviews within my full pickleball paddle reviews section of the site - but I just want to give you some background into how much that first sentence really means.
After playing with other Gen2 paddles with super similar specs to the Mach 1 Forza I really wasn't expecting all that much from it - and I assumed it was just Volair's way of keeping up with the competition (like many other brands are doing by adding a paddle with raw carbon fiber faces and thermoformed technology)...but boy was I wrong.
This one came in as one of the new kings of spin while still being able to dish it out as one of the top power paddles on the market without feeling like it gives up control like some other paddles (especially Gen2 paddles) do.
Volair was nice enough to offer readers of The Slice 10% off any paddles with code "THESLICE" - so if you get through this article and decide you want to grab on for yourself you can head to their site and use the code to cut the price down from $180 to $162.
Volair Mach 1 Forza Paddle Specs
PRICE: $180 ($161 with code TheSlice)
GET 10% OFF WITH CODE "THESLICE": Click Here
MATERIALS: T700 Carbon Fiber with Polypropylene Honeycomb Core
SHAPE: Hybrid
THERMOFORMED: Yes
THICKNESS: 16MM or 14MM
WEIGHT: 8.0-8.2 oz
LENGTH: 16.5 in
WIDTH: 7.5 in
GRIP LENGTH: 5.5 in
GRIP CIRCUMFERENCE: 4.125 in
WARRANTY: 90 Days
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review -
Spec Discussion & Overview:
The Volair Mach 1 Forza comes in with the option to grab it at 14MM or 16MM - but if you've read the site before I do like to test both BUT I am primarily (almost exclusively) a 16MM player when it comes to competitive play.
That said, the Volair Mach 1 Forza 16MM is off he charts in almost every single category.
It also comes in with a hybrid shape (Elongated but more aerodynamic with a curved head), a standard length and width for the shape and style, and a 5.5 inch handle which I've grown to need in a paddle.
The price with code THESLICE for 10% off brings it down to $161 which makes it super competitive among other paddles that have similar specs - especially when you consider how they somehow brought this one above the competitive in so many areas.
We're going to start this review with control, but I do want to mention that while this one has the "standard" (becoming standard) raw T700 carbon fiber face - it is done in a way that has this one coming in as a spin king compared to the majority of other paddles. But more on that below.
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review Score Chart
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review -
Control Review:
This paddle is a Gen2 thermoformed paddle, so it's obviously not going to come in as a control paddle considering the power you're going to get from it [being thermoformed].
That said, compared to the other Gen2 (thermoformed) paddles I've hit with (and there has been A LOT), this one feels the best when it comes to my soft game.
There are a few paddles like the CRBN 1X and even the Vatic Pro Flash that I would say come in with a bit more pop than I prefer - trading a bit of control for too much power than I feel necessary - and then below that I never had too much trouble adapting to the other Gen2s - with the R1 Pulsar and Double Black Diamond feeling like they were right in my wheelhouse.
Until I hit with the Mach 1 Forza.
The Volair Mach 1 Forza is my new wheelhouse - somehow finding a way to come in the top category of power (drives, overheads, put-aways), with great ample pop (hand battles, quick flicks at the net), and absolutely insane spin - all while feeling soft and plush during my soft game.
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review -
Power Review:
You already saw the numbers for my ratings on this one, so you probably already know what you're getting for the power review on the Mach 1 Forza paddle - but had you not seen the numbers and only based it on how much control I feel I have with this paddle - you probably wouldn't expect what I'm about to tell you.
The Volair Mach 1 Forza paddle is one of the hardest hitting paddles I've hit with.
If we were specifically talking about paddles that don't give up too much control for the power and pop they have by being one of the top power paddles on the market, then this one stands at the very top of the list at number one.
You'll have no problem putting the ball away with overheads or driving through your opponent from the baseline with this paddle.
And the good news is that it also has ample hand speed at the net and enough pop to make sure you get good attacks and speed ups at the kitchen after you set yourself up with the awesome spin and control this one has.
Volair Mach 1 Forza Pros And Cons
The Pros
King Of Spin
Top Power Paddle
Great Feel All Around The Court
Great Control For A Power Paddle
Great Pop and Hands Speed
Box Full Of Awesome Goodies from Volair With Purchase of The Mach 1 Forza
The Cons
I didn't buy it sooner.
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review -
Spin Review:
I wasn't kidding when I said the Volair Mach 1 Forza is the King of Spin.
I personally rank this one as the top paddle for spin that I've hit with thus far, and other reviewers agree.
Chris Olson of Pickleball Studio has it coming in within the top five, and STS Pickleball on YouTube ranks it at number one with well over 2000 RPMs.
I often mention the fact that specific RPMs don't matter much when it comes to the rankings - though they do help make a point - but this one really does stand in with the top dawgs in every category, so it makes a good point to show the RPMs up there as well.
While I would say anything above the 1700 mark should likely be considered "Very High" for spin rankings, the feeling you get with this one definitely feels extra rewarding for any players that are looking to add any spin and slice to the ball.
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review -
Price & Personal Opinion:
I have the score for the personal opinion of this one coming in at a top score of 100 because I hit with this and it immediately became my number one paddle - even after hitting with almost every other paddle on the market.
The feeling I get from this paddle just takes all the things I liked from all the other Gen2 paddles I had within my top paddle rotation and comes in even better in almost every single category.
In terms of price point you only have the Vatic Pro Flash and Hudef Viva Pro Gen2 paddles that really come in within the same category and beat this one in terms of price point - and the Flash is going to come in with more pop and power and lacking control, and the Viva Pro Gen2 is elongated and a much different paddle overall.
Coming in at $180 $161 with code "THESLICE" I personally think this paddle is a no brainer for any player that is able to control the power this one has.
Tack on the fact that Volair sends you a full box of goodies with an extra grip, paddle eraser, paddle cover, sticker and more!
Volair Mach 1 Forza Review -
Closing Thoughts:
By now you should know how I feel about this paddle, but I'll do my best to sum it up even more for you.
If I was asked straight up "What is the best pickleball paddle on the market right now?" I would easily say the Volair Mach 1 Forza without a second thought.
While it might have too much power for some players, I personally think with some play time you can learn to control it and will never go back to hitting with a paddle that doesn't have the same feel.
Which brings us right into the next point...
Who should by the Volair Mach 1 Forza paddle?
Here are some reasons why you would (and should) choose the Volair Mach 1 Forza:
- You want a paddle that comes in as the King of Spin with insane RPM rankings.
- You want one of the hardest hitting paddles on the market that doesn't trade a ton of control to earn that power.
- You want a paddle that is in the top category of spin and power while still having a great forgiving plush feel that allows you to have ample control and feel like you can do whatever you want with the ball.
- You are someone who has played with paddles like the CRBN Power Series, Six Zero Double Black Diamond, Ronbus Pulsar Series, Vatic Pro Flash/V7 and other Gen2 paddles and want to try another paddle that could step it up a notch.
This isn't 100% tested and confirmed, but I'm pretty sure you also automatically get the ANDIAMO! down immediately after picking this one up.
