Franklin’s C45 series represents their most impressive and player-focused paddles to date, and one of the most thoughtfully designed Gen-3 families in pickleball. With three distinct shapes, Dynasty (elongated), Hybrid (mid-width), and Tempo (widebody), while Dynasty and Tempo paddles are offered in 14 mm and 16 mm thicknesses, the Hybrid is only available in 14mm. The C45 line delivers a level of nuance and versatility that advanced players will appreciate, while also remaining accessible to developing players who want to grow into high-end gear.
Each paddle in the C45 series is built on Franklin’s premium foundation: a T700 raw carbon fiber face (oriented at a 45° bias for consistent spin), dual thermoformed construction with injected foam edges (minimizing core-crush and delamination issues), a lightweight design for lightning-quick hands, and a solid, connected feel at impact. The result is a line of paddles that achieves a rare balance of control, spin, power, and feel, offering something for every player, from aggressive singles attackers to soft-handed doubles tacticians.
Notably, these Gen-3 paddles come remarkably light out of the box: for example, the Hybrid weighed in at just 7.6 oz, the Dynasty 14 mm at 7.65 oz, the Dynasty 16 mm at 7.8 oz, the Tempo 14 mm at 7.55 oz, and the Tempo 16 mm at 7.6 oz. I haven’t seen another Gen-3 paddle series this light stock, which gives you plenty of room to add weight and tune the balance exactly to your preferences. I’ve also shared my lead tape setup recommendations here, which worked best for me.
The MSRP of these paddles is $229, but if you use code Manu10, you can save $23 off MSRP, making this already impressive series an even better value.
Why the Franklin C45 Feels and Performs Like No Other
Two of the most important innovations behind the Franklin C45 series are its dual thermoformed unibody construction and its unique 45° carbon fiber face, both working together to deliver durability, feel, and spin you can trust.
Dual Thermoformed Unibody: Franklin’s advanced process thermoforms the paddle’s core, face, and edge foam twice, creating an exceptionally strong bond throughout the structure. Unlike traditional paddles that are heat-formed once and then finished, Franklin’s process thermoforms the unibody twice, a method that creates a more robust bond between the carbon face, core, and perimeter foam. This eliminates common Gen-3 issues like core crush and edge delamination, even under heavy use, while improving stability and providing a more solid, connected feel on every shot. The result is a paddle that holds up better over time and feels more predictable on impact.
45° Carbon Fiber Surface: Instead of laying the T700 carbon plies vertically or horizontally, Franklin orients them at a 45-degree angle. This diagonal “peel-ply” texture creates a uniform grit across the entire face, maximizing spin potential and giving players confidence to shape shots with topspin, slice, and roll. The angled weave also spreads impact energy more evenly across the face, enhancing touch and reducing harsh vibrations.
These two innovations define the C45’s unique performance: a paddle that feels crisp yet forgiving, spins reliably, and stays solid even after months of play, raising the standard for what a Gen-3 paddle can be.
Shapes & Thicknesses: Which Fits Your Style?
| Spec | Dynasty 16mm | Dynasty 14mm | Hybrid 14mm | Tempo 16mm | Tempo 14mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $229 ($207 with Manu10 discount code) | $229 ($207 with Manu10 discount code) | $229 ($207 with Manu10 discount code) | $229 ($207 with Manu10 discount code) | $229 ($207 with Manu10 discount code) |
| Length | 16.4" | 16.4" | 16.3" | 15.7" | 15.7" |
| Width | 7.6" | 7.6" | 7.6" | 7.9" | 7.9" |
| Handle Length | 5.6" | 5.6" | 5.7" | 5.1" | 5.1" |
| Core Thickness | 16mm | 14mm | 14mm | 16mm | 14mm |
| Weight Range | 7.6–8.0oz | 7.5–7.9oz | 7.5–7.8oz | 7.5–7.9oz | 7.5–7.8oz |
| Swing Weight | 116 | 114 | 104 | 99 | 98 |
| Twist Weight | 6.3 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 6.6 |
Dynasty (16.4″ × 7.6″, 5.6″ handle):
The Dynasty pushes right up against the maximum dimensions allowed by USAP for competition play (16.4″ long by 7.6″ wide), making it a standout for players who want every bit of legal reach and leverage. The elongated shape is ideal for aggressive players in singles and offensive-minded doubles, delivering excellent power and spin with plenty of whip. Its flat top curve, similar to the JOOLA Perseus, contributes to greater stability compared to the Hybrid’s aero curve and gives a solid, consistent feel even on firm drives and blocks. The trade-off is a slightly higher swingweight, which some may find just a touch slower in rapid hand battles. Despite that, the Dynasty remains impressively stable for its shape, and its twistweight provides good resistance to torque on off-center hits, making it more forgiving than many elongated paddles. The standard handle length is 5.6″, which works well for one-handed play and occasional two-handed backhands, though some two-handed specialists might wish for an extra fraction of an inch.
Hybrid (16.3″ × 7.6″, 5.7″ handle):
The Hybrid strikes a perfect balance of reach, forgiveness, and quickness thanks to its mid-width design and aerodynamic curved top. The aero curve not only makes the paddle visually distinct but also helps it cut through the air faster and maintain a significantly lower swingweight than the Dynasty. Slightly shorter than the Dynasty by a tenth of an inch, the Hybrid feels quicker in hand, but with a slightly less forgiving sweet spot. However, when lead tape is added, its twistweight and stability become excellent, making it feel steady on blocks, counters, and off-center dinks while still cutting through the air efficiently. The handle is already slightly longer than the Dynasty at 5.7″, which makes it more comfortable for two-handed backhands. Interestingly, because the Hybrid isn’t yet at the full USAP maximum length, there’s room to legally stretch it to 16.4″ × 7.6″ and increase the handle to 5.8″ for even better two-handed play, something we’ll touch on later.
Tempo (15.7″ × 7.9″, 5.1″ handle):
The Tempo is all about forgiveness, quick reactions, and elite control, thanks to its widebody shape and ultra-light swingweight. At 15.7″ × 7.9″ and with a short 5.1″ handle, it’s designed for doubles play and excels at resets, dinks, and fast kitchen battles. What’s incredible about the Tempo is that even at an exceptionally low swingweight, just 99 for the 16 mm and 98 for the 14 mm, it remains impressively stable thanks to its high twistweight, staying steady even on edge hits. For players who love the Tempo’s quickness but wish for more handle space for two-handed play, it’s possible to legally stretch the dimensions slightly (to about 16″ × 7.9″) and bring the handle up to around 5.4″ (or maybe 5.5), and I’ll share that handle-length hack later on.
Thickness Profile
14 mm Core:
The 14 mm version of the C45 series plays noticeably quicker and livelier, with a higher launch angle and more pop off the face. The thinner core reduces dwell time, producing faster rebounds and a sharper, more aggressive feel, perfect for players who like to attack and generate pace easily. The higher launch angle gives shots natural depth and makes drives and serves feel effortless, though it does require a bit more finesse on soft shots to keep them low. The 14 mm is ideal for players who value speed, aggressiveness, and offensive shot-making, especially in singles or fast doubles exchanges. It rewards confident swings and quick reactions, but demands more precision in the soft game because of its smaller effective sweet spot.
Available Shapes: The 14 mm core is offered in all three shapes (Dynasty, Hybrid, and Tempo), giving players the full range of options for their preferred style.
16 mm Core:
The 16 mm version delivers a thicker, more stable, and more forgiving feel, with a lower launch angle, longer dwell time, and greater consistency. That added thickness improves the paddle’s ability to absorb incoming pace, making it excellent for resets, blocks, and dinks, and keeping shots lower and more controlled during delicate exchanges. The larger sweet spot and softer touch make it confidence-inspiring under pressure, though it trades off a bit of quickness and liveliness compared to the 14 mm. For players who prioritize control, stability, and consistency, particularly in doubles, the 16 mm shines.
Available Shapes: The 16 mm core is only available in Dynasty and Tempo shapes; players who want the Hybrid’s shape will need to choose the 14 mm version.
Summary Table:
| Core Thickness | Key Traits | Best For | Available Shapes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Quicker response, higher launch angle, more pop, sharper and livelier feel | Aggressive singles, fast hands in doubles, and offensive-minded players | Dynasty, Hybrid, Tempo |
| 16 mm | More stable, lower launch angle, better dwell, larger sweet spot, more forgiving | Controlled doubles play, resets, soft game, consistency | Dynasty, Tempo |
Power & Launch Angle
Out of the box, the Dynasty 14 mm and Hybrid 14 mm deliver the liveliest response and highest launch angles of the C45 lineup, perfect for aggressive drives, deep serves, and fast-paced singles play. They reward confident, full swings with plenty of depth and pace, while maintaining enough control to keep the ball in play. The Tempo 14mm is also lively but feels more controlled due to its wider face and lower swing weight.
By contrast, the Dynasty 16 mm and Tempo 16 mm produce a lower, flatter launch angle, giving players more confidence and precision in their resets, dinks, and soft game with better dwell time. Advanced players will appreciate how controllable the launch feels on these 16 mm models compared to some of the “hot” Gen-3 paddles that tend to sail balls long. Even the livelier 14 mm models remain manageable with proper technique and reward aggressive styles of play.
Twistweight & Forgiveness
Franklin designed the C45s to be quick and maneuverable, meaning their stock twistweight is lower than some heavier competitors. This is most noticeable on the Hybrid 14 mm, where mishits toward the edge of the face can cause more twisting. The Dynasty improves slightly thanks to its more balanced shape, while the Tempo 14 mm and 16 mm excel here, with their wide faces delivering the largest sweet spot and the best resistance to twisting on off-center hits.
With just a bit of strategically placed lead tape (see setups below), you can dramatically improve stability and expand the sweet spot on any of these paddles, making them feel as solid and stable as much heavier paddles, without sacrificing their signature quick hand speed.
Feel & Touch
The hallmark of the C45 series, whether you’re swinging a Dynasty 14/16 mm, Hybrid 14 mm, or Tempo 14/16 mm, is its connected, solid, yet crisp feel. Unlike some Gen-3 paddles that feel overly stiff, boardy, or dampened, the C45 line provides clean, linear feedback and predictable response. Advanced players will appreciate the precision and confidence this inspires, while intermediate players will benefit from its forgiving and consistent touch, especially on resets and soft shots.
Spin
Thanks to the 45° raw T700 carbon fiber face, spin production is excellent across all shapes and thicknesses of the C45 series. The Dynasty 14 mm shines on topspin drives and kick serves, taking full advantage of its elongated shape and higher launch angle to shape aggressive shots. The Hybrid 14 mm offers excellent spin versatility, making it a great all-court paddle for shaping dinks and passes. Even the Tempo 16 mm produces impressive spin, despite prioritizing control, making roll volleys, slices, and topspin dinks feel natural and consistent.
Tennis Elbow Friendliness
Unlike many thermoformed Gen-3 paddles, which can feel harsh and fatiguing, the C45 series is surprisingly comfortable on the arm. This is thanks to its dual-stage foam edge injection, moderate stock weight, and balanced feel. Players prone to tennis elbow or arm discomfort will find the Tempo 16 mm the most forgiving choice: its wide sweet spot, softer feel, and low swingweight make it ideal for long sessions with minimal strain. The Hybrid 14 mm is also an excellent option, offering a slightly quicker, more balanced alternative that still remains arm-friendly, particularly when kept under ~8 oz total weight.
Lead Tape Setups: Unlock Full Potential
Adding lead tape is an easy way to unlock the full potential of the C45 paddles, bringing their total weight into the optimal range of approximately 8 to 8.4 ounces while enhancing stability, sweet spot size, and plow-through.
For the Dynasty 14 mm, designed for singles and aggressive doubles, a setup of 2–3 grams at both 4 and 8 o’clock plus 2 grams at 10 and 2 o’clock creates a more stable and forgiving feel while maintaining the paddle’s lively, fast character. For players who want even more plow-through on drives and counters, an additional gram at 12 o’clock can add depth and penetration to shots without making the swing unwieldy.
The Dynasty 16 mm, which prioritizes balanced power and control, works best with a slightly lighter configuration. Placing 2 grams at 4 and 8 o’clock along with 1 gram at 10 and 2 o’clock enhances stability and sweet spot size while keeping the paddle maneuverable. Adding a light touch of tape at 12 o’clock remains optional but can provide a little extra depth if needed.
For the Hybrid 14 mm, ideal for all-court offense, the same configuration as the Dynasty 14 mm works well. However, because the stock weight of the Hybrid tends to come in even lighter, a more dense 1 gram per inch at 4 and 8 o’clock is often sufficient to achieve a good balance of fast hands, solid stability, and excellent spin and countering ability.
The Tempo 14 mm, meant for quick attacks and lightning-fast hands, can remain stock for players who value extreme maneuverability and light swing weight. However, players who prefer more stability and forgiveness can use the Hybrid 14 mm configuration instead or maybe ALW Paddletek setting (whole perimeter lead tape). A small addition of tape at 12 o’clock is also an option for players who want a bit more drive depth.
Finally, the Tempo 16 mm, known for its superior control and kitchen dominance, benefits most from a more substantial lead setup. Adding about 2 grams distributed evenly at 4, 8, 10, and 2 o’clock significantly improves forgiveness, steadiness, and plow-through while keeping the paddle soft, stable, and perfect for defensive doubles and extended rallies at the kitchen.
DIY Weighted Butt Cap Hack for Longer Handles and Better Balance
If you love the Franklin C45 Hybrid or Tempo but want the handle longer for two-handed backhands or added reach, this clever DIY weighted butt cap mod is for you. By replacing the stock butt cap with a slightly longer Babolat replacement cap and stacking one or two quarters inside it, you can legally extend the handle length by up to about 0.4 inches while also shifting the balance toward the handle for a more head-light, maneuverable feel.
This budget-friendly hack costs less than $4 and works especially well on the Hybrid (increasing handle from 5.7″ to ~5.8″) and the Tempo (increasing handle from 5.1″ to ~5.5″), all while keeping the total paddle length well within USAP’s 24″ max dimension limit. The added weight improves stability and control, and the longer handle gives two-handed players more comfort without sacrificing swing speed or balance.
All you need is a Babolat butt cap (size 4 1/8 works well for all c45 paddles), one or two quarters, some adhesive, and optionally a staple gun for securing the cap. Install it carefully, test your swing, and fine-tune the weight and length to your liking.
For full step-by-step instructions and tips, check out the original Reddit tutorial here:
DIY: Make a Custom Weighted Butt Cap with a Quarter and Babolat Cap
Great for Beginners/Intermediates Too
Even though the C45 series was designed with advanced players in mind, it is surprisingly approachable and well-suited for beginners and intermediate players at the 3.0–3.5 level who are looking to improve quickly.
The C45’s neutral launch angle makes it easier for developing players to learn proper control and shot placement. Unlike some “hot” paddles that tend to launch balls too high or long, the C45 encourages good mechanics and helps players keep the ball low and consistent. The wider face of the Tempo models provides excellent forgiveness on mishits, which is especially helpful for beginners still working on clean, centered contact. The large sweet spot and high stability make it easier to keep rallies alive and build confidence at the net. The series’s clean feel and precise feedback help players develop proper touch and technique. Rather than masking poor form, the C45 gives players just enough information about how and where they hit the ball, allowing them to adjust and improve without being overly punishing.
Its lighter weight also makes it easier on the arm and shoulder, reducing fatigue and enabling quicker reactions in the kitchen, especially beneficial for players who are still building strength and hand speed. Finally, the C45’s durable, high-quality construction ensures that players can grow into the paddle as their skill level improves, making it an excellent long-term investment rather than just a short-term beginner’s tool. Beginners and intermediates who want to skip “starter paddles” and invest in a platform they won’t outgrow will find the C45 an excellent choice. For the most forgiving and user-friendly experience, the Hybrid 16 mm or Tempo 16 mm are particularly well suited, offering the best blend of forgiveness, stability, and control for developing players.
🔥 Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the C45?
The Franklin C45 series strikes an impressive balance between performance and playability, making it a standout choice for a wide range of players. Advanced players will appreciate its crisp, connected feel, elite spin potential, and tunable platform that rewards fine-tuning and aggressive play. At the same time, it offers a forgiving, arm-friendly introduction to Gen-3 technology for developing players who want to learn proper touch and control without being overwhelmed. It’s also a smart choice for players with tennis elbow or sensitivity, particularly in the Tempo 16 mm and Hybrid 16 mm models, which deliver exceptional comfort and stability. For anyone who enjoys dialing in their equipment and experimenting with lead tape, the C45 provides one of the most customizable high-end platforms available today. For perspective, the Joola Pro IV retails at $280, but you can pick up a Franklin C45 for just $207 when you use the discount code Manu10 (saving you $23 off the $229 MSRP), making it an incredible value in the premium Gen-3 paddle market.
If you’re ready to play smarter, faster, and with more confidence and want a paddle that can adapt and grow with your game, the Franklin C45 Dynasty, Hybrid, and Tempo are all worth your attention. With some of the best value in the high-end paddle market, the C45 series offers an unmatched mix of feel, spin, control, and customizability.