Sypik Avatar First Impressions Review
The Sypik Avatar is the new signature paddle for pickleball pro Quang Duong. It’s a full foam core build, but the exact construction is still a bit of a mystery. I couldn’t get an X-ray before testing, and the website doesn’t give much away.
What we do know is the price: $280. For players in the US, it’s not the easiest paddle to track down, but it is available through Unlimited Pickleball Zone.
It only comes in one option, an elongated shape with a 5.5-inch handle, similar to a Carbon 1 profile.
So how does it actually play, and is it worth tracking down? Let’s dive in.
And if you are thinking about picking one up, I was able to get a discount code (PBSTUDIO) that brings it down to about $252.
Table of Contents
Specs & Build
On Court Performance
Who is The Sypik Avatar For?
Use code PBSTUDIO to save 10% on your Sypik Avatar order. This gives a commission that supports the channel to help us make more reviews like this.
Specs and Build
Shape: Elongated, similar to the Carbon 1 shape
Handle: 5.5 inches
Swing weight: 119
Twist weight: 6.26 (high for an elongated)
Static weight: 8.3 oz out of the box
Grip: Listed as 4.35”, but mine feels closer to 4 1/8” — much skinnier than advertised
Warranty: 6 Months
I wasn’t able to get an X-ray of the paddle before testing, so I can’t confirm the exact internal build. My guess is some type of floating core with EVA foam in the center, but that’s speculation.
Keep in mind: since Sypik is based in Vietnam, US buyers will need to deal with warranty claims directly with the company, which may be more of a hassle compared to domestic brands.
On-Court Performance
Going in, I’ll admit I had low expectations. After trying the Triton 3 (Sypik’s Gen 3 model), I was underwhelmed, especially given the $250+ price tag. But the Avatar surprised me.
After a full session (about 5–6 games plus some drilling), I ended up using it the entire time. That almost never happens with elongated paddles for me.
Sweet Spot
The biggest standout for me on the Avatar was the sweet spot. For an elongated shape, it felt better than most of the others I’ve tested. Out of all its traits, that was the one area where it really separated itself from similar paddles.
Power & Drives
The shot that stood out to me the most with the Avatar was the drive. They came off heavy and reliable, and overheads carried plenty of weight. At the net, counters were still plenty hot. It’s not an absolute rocket like the Boomstik, but it’s still aggressive enough to hold its own in faster exchanges.
Control
I didn’t have any issues with control. Because the sweet spot felt a little better than some elongated paddles, I wasn’t worried about popping up dinks or hitting thirds too high. Keep in mind I’ve been using the Selkirk Boomstik for the last month, which is extremely poppy, so my tolerance for that is higher than most. But if you’ve played paddles like the J2NF, Boomstik, or Flick F1, the Avatar won’t feel any harder to control than those.
Feel Compared to Loco
Avatar: Denser, stiffer feel, more solid contact
Loco: Poppier, slightly more hollow, more aggressive counters
Both are good, but which you prefer will come down to your personal preference.
Who is The Sypik Avatar For?
The Avatar is a good paddle, but it doesn’t really do anything better than other full foam core paddles on the market. It plays well, but value and warranty are the main drawbacks.
✅ For players who:
Want a full foam core option in an elongated shape
Prefer a slightly denser, more solid feel compared to the Loco
Are fans of QD or want to support a Vietnamese company
❌ Not for players who:
Care about warranty being simple and US-based
Want the best value (options like the Loco, Quanta, or J2NF are cheaper and easier to deal with in the US)
FInal Thoughts
The Sypik Avatar plays well. The sweet spot is one of the better ones I’ve felt on an elongated paddle, and drives stood out the most. Counters were plenty hot, and overall the paddle felt solid.
The downside is price and warranty. At $280 with only a 6-month warranty that has to be handled overseas, you’re paying more than options like the Bread & Butter Loco, J2NF, or Quanta.
If you’re a big QD fan, want to support a Vietnamese company, or just want something available right now instead of waiting on a Loco pre-order, the Avatar makes sense. Otherwise, you’re likely paying more than you need to for similar performance.
Use code PBSTUDIO to save 10% on your Sypik Avatar order. This gives a small commission that supports the channel and helps make more reviews like this.