Pickleball has blown up in popularity over the last few years and new brands are emerging as companies try to create equipment for the sport’s players.
One of those new brands is Bread and Butter Pickleball, a name that means simplicity, reliability and being the bread and butter of the game. The ‘butter filth’ paddle from Bread & Butter is particularly notable for its high performance, power, and spin, making it a strong choice for aggressive players seeking a cost-effective option.
As the name suggests, Bread and Butter is a no frills, high quality brand that offers products for players of all skill levels.
But what can you expect from this brand and how does it stack up to all the other options?
This article reviews Bread and Butter Pickleball, their products, reputation and what sets them apart.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for solid equipment to start playing pickleball or an advanced player looking for durable and effective gear, this is an unbiased third-party review of Bread and Butter Pickleball.
The Story and Vision of Bread and Butter Pickleball
Before we get into the nitty gritty of their products, let’s start with the story of the brand.
Bread and Butter Pickleball was founded with a clear mission: to offer affordable, high performance equipment for players of all skill levels.
The company’s philosophy is simplicity and functionality, products that eliminate the unnecessary.
Their marketing is built around the idea of trust—paddles and accessories as the bread and butter of your gear.
They don’t try to create flashy or gimmicky designs but instead offer essential, dependable equipment at a reasonable price.
Products
Bread and Butter Pickleball’s products are as straightforward as their marketing. Here are the main categories of products they offer.
1. Thermoformed Paddles
The Bread and Butter Pickleball paddle lineup has gotten attention for its performance and price.
They offer two paddles each for recreational players and competitive athletes so everyone can find a paddle that fits their needs. Here are the main paddles they offer:
Classic Series
As the name suggests, the Classic Series is simple and reliable. These paddles are marketed towards beginners or casual players who want a light, durable and consistent paddle with no frills.
Elongated paddles, known for their higher sweet spot, reach, and power, are also part of the design considerations, offering maneuverability and speed in game situations.
While it’s marketed towards beginners, many intermediate players also like the Classic Series for its balanced feel and control.
Material: The Classic paddles have a graphite or fiberglass surface with a polymer core. This combo is known for being balanced between control and power.
Weight: These paddles are lightweight for quick reaction times at the kitchen line.
Grip: Bread and Butter puts comfort first and equips their paddles with cushioned grips to reduce wrist strain during long matches.
Pro Series
For more advanced or competitive players, Bread and Butter’s Pro Series offers higher end options. These paddles are designed for the demands of advanced play, more control, spin and durability. The butter filth paddle review highlights the paddle’s suitability for power-hitters, detailing its performance aspects like feel, power, spin, and control, and comparing it with other similar paddles.
Material: The Pro Series paddles are made with carbon fiber or advanced composite materials. These materials help the player generate more power and spin while still having control over the shot.
Core Technology: The Pro Series has honeycomb polymer cores or other advanced core technology to optimize ball control and a larger sweet spot. This is important for players who want precise shot placement.
Customization: One of the big advantages of the Pro Series is customization. Players can choose different grip sizes, weights and handle lengths to fit their personal preferences.
2. Pickleball Accessories
In addition to paddles, Bread and Butter Pickleball offers a range of accessories to go with your gear.
Paddle Covers
Bread and Butter offers affordable paddle covers to protect your paddle when not in use.
These covers are made of stiff, durable material and fit snug so your paddle surface is safe during transport.
Overgrips
While the stock grips on their paddles are comfortable, many players like to add overgrips for feel or to adjust grip size. Foam injection in performance paddles enhances stability and enlarges the sweet spot, contributing to the paddle’s durability and versatility.
Bread and Butter offers a variety of foam overgrip options in different colors and textures so you can customize to your liking.
Bags
Simple, functional and affordable—those three words describe the bags from Bread and Butter.
They focus on utility, bags that can hold paddles, balls and personal items without being too big.
For players looking for something lighter to carry to the courts, Bread and Butter’s bags do the job without adding extra weight or features that will go unused.
Performance on the Court
When it comes to pickleball equipment, especially paddles, performance is the ultimate measure.
Bread and Butter Pickleball has positioned themselves as a brand that delivers performance without the high price of JOOLA or CRBN.
Here are some of the performance attributes of their paddles:
1. Power vs. Control
One of the biggest advantages of Bread and Butter paddles is the balance of power and control.
This balance is perfect for beginner to intermediate players who want to develop both aspects of their game without having to buy multiple paddles. Most thermoformed paddles, while offering significant power and pop, can often be harder to control, making consistent shots a challenge, which contrasts with the more balanced performance of Bread and Butter paddles.
Players who have reviewed Bread and Butter paddles say they have enough power to win baseline rallies and enough touch and control paddle, to do soft dinks and precise shot placement at the edges of the net.
2. Durability
Another big plus of Bread and Butter paddles is durability. With carbon fiber and durable polymer cores, the paddles can withstand heavy use without breaking. Additionally, a thermoformed paddle offers enhanced durability due to its robust construction, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.
For budget conscious players this is a big plus as you can get a relatively low cost paddle that will last through multiple seasons of play.
3. Comfort and Paddle Surface
The comfort of Bread and Butter’s paddles is another big advantage.
Many players like the ergonomic design and shape of the grips that reduce hand fatigue during long matches.
And the lightweight construction of their paddles allows players to move quickly and hit hard and easily without sacrificing control or precision. Bread and Butter paddles also enhance offensive abilities on punch volleys, providing power and control in quick exchanges at the net.
Comparison to Competitors
When looking at Bread and Butter Pickleball it’s helpful to compare to the bigger names in the industry. Here’s how they stack up:
Vs JOOLA
JOOLA is known for their high end paddles which are a bit more expensive and geared towards professional players or those looking for premium performance.
Bread and Butter offers a more affordable option without sacrificing too much performance. But if you’re looking for advanced features like textured surfaces for more spin you may prefer JOOLA. Additionally, elongated, thermoformed paddles are noted for their power and maneuverability, though they can sometimes compromise on control compared to JOOLA paddles.
Vs CRBN
CRBN paddles are another premium option, they focus on technology driven designs with the latest carbon fiber materials and custom features. Bread and Butter competes on value, they offer players performance for a lower price.
CRBN’s advanced paddle technology may appeal more to competitive or professional players, while Bread and Butter’s simple designs appeal to recreational and intermediate players. Additionally, specific handle lengths and shapes in CRBN paddles enhance control and power for players utilizing two-handed backhands, highlighting the importance of these features in achieving accurate and powerful shots.
Vs Franklin
Franklin like Bread and Butter offers a wide range of products for players of all skill levels.
But Bread and Butter focuses on simplicity and reliability while Franklin may offer more variety than bread butter does in terms of product style and features.
That being said Franklin is a go to brand for affordable and reliable paddles so they often compete with Bread and Butter for the same audience.
Customer Reviews and Paddle Review Reception
Customer reaction to Bread and Butter Pickleball has been positive, here are some common themes in customer reviews:
Affordability
For many players the price is the biggest selling point.
It may not have the prestige of the big brands like JOOLA but it performs similarly for a fraction of the cost so it’s a great option for budget players.
Durability
As mentioned above durability is a big plus. Many players have commented on how their paddles hold up over time even after heavy use.
For those who play frequently but don’t want to replace their paddles too often this is important.
Performance
Most players agree Bread and Butter paddles offer a good balance of power and control so they’re a good option for all styles of play. A comprehensive paddle review highlights detailed assessments of the paddles’ performance attributes, such as feel, power, spin, and control.
But more advanced players may note the lack of special features (textured surfaces for spin) compared to higher end brands.
Customer Service
Bread and Butter Pickleball has also gotten praise for their customer service.
Players like how responsive they are and willing to help with issues whether plush feel it’s a faulty product or need personalized advice on which paddle to buy.
What to Expect from Bread and Butter Pickleball
When buying from Bread and Butter Pickleball you can expect quality equipment for the everyday player. Their products are reliable, affordable and versatile so it’s a great option for recreational or intermediate players who want to improve without breaking the bank.
But for advanced players who need specialized paddles with high tech features Bread and Butter may fall short in some areas.
They focus more on providing reliable and simple products rather than pushing the limits of pickleball paddle technology.
In the end Bread and Butter Pickleball has found their niche in soft game by offering affordable and no nonsense products that are the foundation of many players’ gear.
For those who want to play rather than shop for equipment Bread and Butter Pickleball is a good option.