This review has been a long time coming. Ronbus has faced a number of setbacks in releasing the Ripple, but they’ve remained persistent in bringing this highly anticipated paddle to market. I have tested multiple iterations of the Ripple over the past year leading up to the final V2 release version.
This review will deep dive into the Ripple V2’s performance, breaking down its feel, power, control, spin, and more, with an honest look at its strengths and drawbacks.
The article should give you a clear picture of what these paddles bring to the table, so you can decide if they’re the right fit for your game.
Contents
Ripple V2 Technical Specifications
- Price:
$280($260 with code DASHPB) - Core thickness: 14mm (all shapes)
- Handle length: 5.5” (all shapes)
- Grip circumference: 4.25”
- Core Type: EVA foam with 3D carbon fiber lattice (Firecore)
- Face: Raw Toray T700 carbon fiber with coarse peel-ply texture
- Edgefoam: Yes
- Warranty: 6 Months against manufacturing defects
The Ripple comes in three shapes. Each model differs in shape and weight distribution, which has a notable impact on how each paddle plays. The R1 is the heaviest and most power-oriented, the R2 offers a wider face for forgiveness, and the R4 strikes a balance with its hybrid design.
Ripple R1 (Elongated)
- Shape: 16.5” x 7.375”
- Weight: 8.19 oz
- Swing weight: 124
- Twist weight: 5.89
Ripple R2 (Standard/Widebody)
- Shape: 15.875” x 7.875”
- Weight: 8.15 oz
- Swing weight: 116
- Twist weight: 6.56
Ripple R4 (Hybrid)
- Shape: 16.125” x 7.5”
- Weight: 7.99 oz
- Swing weight: 117
- Twist weight: 5.87
Quick Summary
I’ve found the Ripple V2 to be a powerhouse with a subtle and refined touch. The Ripple V2 is arguably the most powerful paddle within the limits of USAP 0.43 PBCoR certification. The next closest paddles within the legal limit are the Paddletek Bantam and Joola Pro IV.
It demands smooth, deliberate swing mechanics to unlock its full potential. It’s a paddle that’s best suited for aggressive players who want maximum power and pop. It’s particularly suited for advanced players, as lower-level players can struggle to control its power and may potentially develop poor mechanics.
The Ripple doesn’t employ a traditional honeycomb core which has dominated the paddle space in recent years. The Ripple’s “Firecore” system utilizes EVA foam to achieve its power output. The Firecore utilizes seven 3D carbon fiber lattices vertically across the paddle face which are infused with EVA that’s permeated through the openings in the carbon fiber grid.
The Ripple’s paddle face features a complex stacking of carbon fiber/fiberglass layup.
The R4 stood out as the most versatile, but each shape has its own strengths depending on your playing style.
Feel
The Firecore construction and composite surface layering make the Ripple feel dampened yet responsive on contact. It’s great for those who want a slightly muted feel without sacrificing pop and power.
The R1 feels the heaviest in hand with more weight at the top. The R2, with its wider face, feels more balanced and forgiving, while the R4 splits the difference while feeling the lightest of the three shapes.
Ronbus’s foam handle inserts are slightly squishy. Some people don’t like this but I have no problems with the handle feel. The 4.25” grip is comfortable for most players, though those who prefer thicker handles might need an overgrip.
The sweet spot noticeably expands during break-in, giving a more forgiving feel across the paddle face as you play more and more with it.
Power
The Ripple’s power output is up there with the best paddles on the market. This is to be expected, as the hybrid Firecore brings power that was unattainable before the advent of EVA foam core materials. The Ripple is comparable to and exceeds popular power paddles like the Joola Pro IV, Paddletek Bantam, Gearbox GX2, and 11six24 Power line.
With the Ripple, you can rip power and pace into serves and baseline drives with relative ease. In my testing, the R1 and R4 shapes delivered some of the highest drive speeds I’ve recorded. The R2, while slightly less powerful, still outpaces most paddles.
What sets this paddle apart is how effortlessly it generates velocity. With the Ripple, you can also speed up from just about anywhere on the court and catch people off guard. The power/pop combo lets you get away with unexpected shots out of nowhere, like a one-handed backhand speed up off the bounce that stuns opponents.
Small increases in swing speed yield big jumps in velocity, which can be a double-edged sword if your technique isn’t dialed in.
Control
Because the Ripple excels in power, it can sometimes be challenging to control. With so much pop and power it can feel too easy to pop the ball up without a lot of care. This is especially apparent on blocks and resets during transition. You don’t need to add much manual input to reset a ball. Let the Ripple do the work for you. Any extra input will likely cause you to pop it up. However, in hand battles and counters, this effortless pop can be an asset.
The Ripple doesn’t have a massive sweet spot and isn’t the most stable paddle. Off-center hits can die pretty quickly. This can be tricky, as you want to hold back on some shots to not pop up the ball, but if you don’t hit the sweet spot, the ball might die and not make it over the net. Usually, this is easy to remedy by adding extra weight for stability, but the Ripples come in pretty heavy at stock weight – especially the R1. So modifying them is tricky.
The Ripple contacts the ball in a plush and muted way. This can feel jarring for players who haven’t used a paddle that leverages EVA foam, as these players typically associate power paddles with crisp, stiff feedback and touch. Add to that the muted sound compared to other power paddles, which can take getting used to.
Dinks and drops are surprisingly manageable, thanks to the paddle’s muted response. I have really enjoyed the soft game with the Ripple. Dinking and resets feel effortless and very consistent once you get a handle on the paddle.
Overall, players transitioning from less powerful/crisper paddles might need a brief adjustment period to avoid overhitting. Big swings with the Ripple will send balls long if you’re too aggressive without being dialed into its nuances.
Pop
The Ripple V2 is up there with the best in pop output. This is definitely a paddle line that’s targeted to those who want as much pop as they can get.
Hand battles are intoxicating with the ripple. Flicks and rolls fly off the paddle with little effort. You sometimes feel bad when you catch opponents off guard with a lasered speed up at the kitchen or from midcourt.
As mentioned, you will need to build a relationship with the paddle and keep your mechanics smooth to avoid overhitting, especially on big swings, speed-ups, and fast exchanges at the net.
Note that the pop from the Ripple isn’t the crisp, stiff type. It’s more springy with big velocity.
Spin
Compared to the Beta Ripple, the V2 series produces slightly less spin output. This is likely due to the stiffened core in V2 vs the beta that results in slightly less spin-enhancing dwell time.
But the Ripple V2 still lands around the average in spin for high-performing paddles. I clocked in rates around 2,100 RPM, which seems on par with other reviewers.
Anything over 2,000 RPM will enable you to shape shots with relative ease. I’ve been able to effectively apply all the topspin and slice I need for my spin-heavy playstyle. If spin is a key part of your game, the Ripple V2 won’t disappoint. Like other Ronbus paddles, the paddle surface holds up well over time, and I didn’t notice any significant drop-off after weeks of play.
Hand speed/maneuverability
The Ripple models are on the heavier side with high swing weights. This will be a potential knock on the Ripple V2 for some players.
Why is this? It’s likely due to changes in the V2 model vs the beta intended to keep the paddle within the legal PBCoR levels. Dong and the team added more vertical carbon fiber ribs in the center of the paddle to achieve this. This improved durability and enabled it to pass certification limits, but it also added extra weight that slows the paddle down in hand.
The R1, with its 124 swing weight, may feel heavy and sluggish in fast exchanges, especially at the kitchen line. It’s built for power, not quick hands, and players with shorter wingspans or slower reflexes might struggle.
The R2, with a lower swing weight of 116, feels more balanced and adaptable, making it easier to react in firefights.
The R4, while it has a slightly higher swing weight than the R2 at 117, felt the most maneuverable to me. It swings fast and accelerates cleanly. Adding a couple of tungsten strips up the neck of the R4 enhanced stability without killing its speed, making it my go-to for quick counters and two-handed backhands.
While none of these paddles are ultra-light, the R4 and R2 offer enough hand speed to hold their own in fast-paced play.
Durability
Like all foam-enhanced core paddles the durability isn’t guaranteed long-term. There’s a fine line being cultivated with EVA-powered paddles between performance and durability.
While most of these paddles have encountered durability issues, namely the Joola Pro IV (many cases of core crush, etc), I’ve found that Ronbus is usually ahead of the curve in R&D. The increased carbon reinforcement in the V2 Ripple should go a long way in increasing durability.
My Ripples have been performing very well so far under stress, but we’ll have to see as people put them to the test over time.
Value
At $280 ($260 with code DASHPB), the Ripple is the most expensive Ronbus paddle to date. This price range puts it head-to-head with Joola, Gearbox, Proton, etc.
While the Ripple V2 sits firmly in the premium price tier, it delivers performance and unique technology to match. Ronbus’s commitment to innovation, led by owner Dong, makes the brand worth supporting.
Should you buy the Ronbus Ripple V2?
The Ripple is great for power-hungry players who want to be a force on the court. It’s an excellent choice for tennis players who have good swing mechanics, like to play hard and fast, and won’t mind the weight.
You will likely need an adjustment period if you haven’t played with a paddle that utilizes EVA foam. The high-level pop and muted feel can be hard to manage initially, but with time the Ripple feels effortless to play with.
In terms of what shape to get, here are some key strengths/potential shortcomings of each design:
- Ripple R1: Best choice for reach, power, ploughthrough. Things to consider: heavier, smaller sweet spot, and less maneuverable than the other shapes.
- Ripple R2: Largest sweet spot, most forgiving, more balanced than R1, slightly more pop than R1/R4, higher twist weight and overall stability.
- Ripple R4: Most versatile choice, slightly lighter than R2 without sacrificing length, more room for customizing with decreased weight.
Other power paddles worth considering: 11six24 power line for more control-oriented power on a budget, Joola Pro IV for more options (14mm & 16mm) and a highly balanced pop/power/control ratio. The Pro IV has a bigger sweet spot than the Ripple but less power.
The Gearbox GX2 offers less power, spin, and stability than the Ripple, but delivers a premium feel and potentially greater durability. The Paddletek Bantum is more maneuverable and has a more responsive crisp touch. It does have a smaller sweet spot and less spin than the Ripple.
In the end, I prefer the Ripple and Joola Pro IV these days for power-oriented play. The Ripple hits the hardest, and is my favorite, while the Pro IV feels more well-rounded for when I’m not feeling as confident to come out swinging.
