RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro

RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro: both are 16mm professional RPM paddles with the same CarbonBite carbon face, but they are built two different ways. The Q2 16mm Elongated is RPM's first full-foam paddle, a long frame for reach with a plush, spin-leaning feel. The Friction Pro 16mm Widebody is the honeycomb-core option, a wide frame with the biggest sweet spot and the most off-centre stability here. Want reach, the newest Gen 4 foam feel and a slightly higher swing weight for drives? The Q2 is the pick. Want maximum forgiveness, quicker hands and a wider face for doubles? The Friction Pro Widebody is the one. Every real spec is below, then our honest take on who each suits.

We stock both at Pickld and have spent real time on court with each. Here is the honest read.

RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro: specs side by side

Spec RPM Q2 16mm Elongated RPM Friction Pro 16mm Widebody
Price (RRP) $357.50 $350.00
Weight 221 g (7.8 oz) 224 g (7.9 oz)
Swing weight 114 109
Twist weight 6.1 7.3
Spin Not published 2300+ RPM
Core EPP full-foam (3 mm groove channels) Tri-density honeycomb + EVA foam
Face CarbonBite carbon fibre CarbonBite carbon fibre
Core thickness 16 mm 16 mm
Shape Elongated Widebody
Grip 5.5 in length, 4.125 in circumference 5.25 in length, 4.125 in circumference
Generation Gen 4 Gen 3
Skill tier Professional Professional
Play style Power, Spin Power, Spin
Availability at Pickld In stock, ships from Sydney Low stock, ships from Sydney
Warranty RPM manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld) RPM manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld)

Specs are the manufacturer figures we hold on each product page. Where a number is not published by the maker, we say so rather than guess. Availability moves, so the product page is always the live answer.

How they actually play

RPM Q2 16mm Elongated

The Q2 is RPM's first full-foam paddle, and the EPP core with 3 mm groove channels is the whole story: it plays plush and connected, with real dwell time on the ball. It is the newer design of the two, a Gen 4 frame to the Friction Pro's Gen 3. The elongated shape adds genuine reach for singles and roll volleys, and at a 114 swing weight it carries a little more weight through the drive than the Friction Pro. The trade for that reach is stability: its twist weight of 6.1 is the lower of the two by some margin, so off-centre contact twists the head more. It is a pure professional-tier frame, it is on the shelf in Sydney now, and it sits at $357.50.

RPM Friction Pro 16mm Widebody

The Friction Pro Widebody is the forgiving one. It runs a tri-density honeycomb core rather than the Q2's full foam, and it is built wide, which is where its numbers come from. The twist weight of 7.3 is well above the Q2's 6.1, so it is far more stable on off-centre hits, and the wide face gives the biggest sweet spot here. Its swing weight of 109 is lower than the Q2's 114, so the head comes back faster for hands battles at the kitchen. RPM publishes a spin figure of 2300+ RPM on this one, and its shorter 5.25 inch handle suits a one-handed doubles grip. It is $7.50 cheaper than the Q2 at $350, though it is the older Gen 3 design and we are down to low stock.

The verdict: which should you buy?

  • Pick the RPM Q2 16mm Elongated if you want elongated reach, RPM's newest Gen 4 full-foam feel, a plush and connected response with dwell on the ball, and a slightly higher swing weight (114) for drives from the baseline.
  • Pick the RPM Friction Pro 16mm Widebody if you want maximum forgiveness (7.3 twist weight, wide face), quicker hands at the kitchen (109 swing weight), a published 2300+ RPM spin figure, and a shorter doubles handle, for a touch less money.

And who each one is not for

Skip the RPM Q2 if you are still finding the middle of the face. Its twist weight of 6.1 is the lowest of any paddle we compare on these pages, so off-centre contact twists the head more than the wide Friction Pro does. The elongated shape rewards a grooved swing, so a doubles player who lives at the kitchen may prefer the wider, more stable frame.

Skip the RPM Friction Pro Widebody if you want reach or the latest design. It is a widebody, so it gives up the length the Q2 uses for singles and roll volleys, and it is the older Gen 3 build to the Q2's Gen 4. Stock is low right now too, so check the product page before you count on it.

Both are genuine advanced RPM paddles. To see everything in this bracket, browse our professional paddles, power paddles and spin paddles collections. Not sure on shape or weight? Browse the full paddle range.

More paddle comparisons

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the RPM Q2 and the Friction Pro?

They share the same 16mm core thickness and the same CarbonBite face, but they are built differently. The Q2 16mm Elongated has a full-foam EPP core and a long frame for reach and a plush feel, and it is the newer Gen 4 design. The Friction Pro 16mm Widebody has a tri-density honeycomb core and a wide frame for a bigger sweet spot and more stability, and it is the older Gen 3 build.

Which is more forgiving, the Q2 or the Friction Pro?

The Friction Pro Widebody is the more forgiving paddle, with a twist weight of 7.3 versus the Q2's 6.1 and a wider face for a bigger sweet spot. Higher twist weight means the head resists rotating on a mishit, so off-centre contact stays truer.

Is the RPM Q2 or the Friction Pro better for doubles?

For a doubles player who lives at the kitchen, the Friction Pro Widebody makes a strong case: a wide, stable face, a lower 109 swing weight for fast hands, and a shorter 5.25 inch handle that suits a one-handed grip. The Q2's elongated reach is more of a singles and roll-volley advantage, though it drives well from the baseline.

Which is cheaper, and are both in stock?

The Friction Pro Widebody is marginally cheaper at $350 to the Q2's $357.50. Both ship from our Sydney warehouse, but the Q2 is in stock while the Friction Pro Widebody is down to low stock, so check the product page for the live position before you order.