The SLK Valkyrie, an $80 paddle from Selkirk, launches today. Selkirk is one of the biggest brands in pickleball, so any release of theirs is going to grab people's attention. They pride themselves on crafting extremely well-made paddles with tons of R&D in the famous Selkirk LABS.
Even with their budget SLK line, Selkirk is known for their high quality paddles. So, I was curious to see if the Valkyrie could challenge the best paddles under $100. This is a 16 mm paddle that's currently only available in a widebody shape. I'll tell you how it performs on the courts after more than 10 hours of testing.
The SLK Valkyrie is built for beginners and that's where it excels. It's easily controllable and very durable for the price. The large sweet spot makes it forgiving but there's a surprising amount of spin and plenty of pop to help you on counters and in hand battles. If you're on a budget, this is a very appealing $80 paddle.Today's best deals
Buy if:
You want excellent control:
this paddle's best quality is how controllable it is – my drops and dinks are on point.
You need a forgiving paddle:
the wide face gives you a large sweet spot that makes it easy to connect cleanly with the ball and hit accurate shots.
You're looking for great value:
SLK paddles always give you great quality at a low price and the Valkyrie is no different. I can see this paddle holding up really well over time.
Pass if:
You're advancing to intermediate level:
you'll want a more rounded and premium-feeling paddle with a boost in power and speed like the Holbrook Fuze or Honolulu J2NF.
You want more power on a budget:
try the Ronbus Quanta R3 or Luzz Pro Cannon for a hard-hitting paddle in the $100 range.
You want the best spin:
check out the RPM Friction Pro for the most intense spin I've seen on a paddle.
A high-quality budget beginner paddle
If you're looking for one of the best pickleball paddles for beginners, the SLK Valkyrie should definitely be on your radar. From the moment you unbox it, you can tell this is a well-built paddle from a top brand (Selkirk) with much higher quality than most $80 paddles.
The widebody shape expands the sweet spot, giving you a wider playing surface to hit the ball with, minimizing mishits. The long handle (5.6 inches) works for players who like two hands on the paddle. You've got a fiberglass face on there to bring some needed poppiness.
The Valkyrie excels on control and forgiveness. Everyone I let use this paddle appreciates how easy it is to keep the ball in. Unlike many cheaper beginner paddles, there's a nice pop off the paddle face to give new players a feel for power without being overwhelmed.
Spin is surprisingly good despite this not being a carbon fiber paddle. It has some texture on the surface that rolls the ball pretty well. I've even had a few aces with my serves.
If you're set on spending no more than $80, this is one of the best-built paddles you'll find. I like it better than the Warping Point Rhythm and the Friday Original paddle – two standouts at this price.
This is definitely a starter paddle. It's for new players and casual social players. If you're playing higher than the 3.5 level, you'll get better performance by spending more on an intermediate pickleball paddle.
Paddle Weight
7.9-8.1 oz
Paddle Length
15.95 inches
Paddle Width
8 inches
Handle Length
5.6 inches
Grip Circumference
4.25 inches
Paddle Face Material
Fiberglass
Core Material
Polypropylene honeycomb
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Large
✅ Pros
Incredible touch and forgiveness
Selkirk is aiming for beginners with the Valkyrie and they give you just what you need when starting out in the game. It's easy to keep balls in and get balls back. My dinks and drops are effortless. There's a big sweet spot to make sure you don't mishit.
Surprisingly good spin
I'm surprised by how much spin I can get from a cheap paddle that doesn't use carbon. I can roll my serves aggressively on the right side and get a sharp angle that people aren't expecting. I bust that out once a game and pull out an ace.
Fiberglass pop
While this isn't one of the best power paddle ever (my drives and serves are a little lackluster), the fiberglass face produces nice pop for a budget control paddle. This is most impressive in hand battles, and it'll give you an edge over other beginner players.
❌ Considerations
A little heavy
The combination of a 16 mm core and a longer handle slow this paddle down. It doesn't feel fast when swinging like a lot of widebody paddles (see the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean, Aiso Ryu). I even started to feel some strains, like I might get tendonitis.
If you're prone to injuries, you might want a paddle for pickleball elbow or a more lightweight pickleball paddle.
Thick grip
Despite the standard 4.25-inch circumference, the grip feels very thick because of its rectangular shape. I can see a lot of women and players with smaller hands struggling with this. You'll need to take off the tape and apply a very thin paddle overgrip. Even then, it'll probably feel pretty wide.
Learn more about when to use a paddle overgrip.
One shape and core size
At the time of launch (February 2026), you don't get a choice on paddle size. This is a 16 mm core with a widebody (standard) shape. I'll update this review if they release any other models in this line.
How the SLK Valkyrie plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 8/10 | This isn't a powerful paddle but it's saved by its poppiness. You can be aggressive on serves and counters and in hand battles. |
| Control | 9.5/10 | There's good pop so you can really lift balls up and consistently get them over the net without having to worry about them drifting too deep for somebody to smash you. |
| Spin | 8.5/10 | This generates better spin than most cheap options. The texture is great for a budget paddle and feels like it will last. |
| Forgiveness | 9/10 | Very forgiving. I'm able to reset confidently because the sweet spot is so big. On defense, I can easily push through the ball, get it back over the net, and not worry about it popping up for my opponent to destroy me. |
| Weighting | 7/10 | I find it head heavy and not very balanced in the weight department. I'd flag this for players with arm and wrist strains. |
| Grip | 7/10 | I'm not a fan of the rectangular grip shape. It feels clunky and uncomfortable. The long handle isn't for me either, but some players will appreciate it. |
| Durability | 9/10 | They did a great job here. This is sturdy for the price. After 10 plus hours of practice time, there are only a few minor scratches and the face looks pretty clean. |
| Aerodynamics | 7/10 | It's light but not very aerodynamic. |
SLK Valkyrie price – is it worth it?
If you're looking to spend $80 max, and you're a beginner or casual player, then this is definitely worth it. It's superior in construction and performance to all other $80 and under paddles. If you can spend just $10-20 more, though, you can get one of the best paddles under $100 to boost your overall game.
If you're advancing toward the intermediate level, it's worth investing in a more expensive paddle that can give you more power and a better overall feel.
Check out our best pickleball paddles of 2026 if you want some ideas.
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Alternatives to the SLK Valkyrie
If the SLK Valkyrie isn't a perfect match for you, here are some paddles I recommend:
10 out of 10 control
Warping Point Neon
Affordable power paddle
Our Rating:
Luzz Pro Cannon
Intermediate paddle
Holbrook Fuze
What even more options? Try my 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
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