CPX, a Chicago-based paddle maker, began shipping its first full-foam thermoformed paddle, the "HYPER+," in April 2026. It claims that its proprietary "HyperFoam X Core" material raises sweet-spot coverage—which stays at 60-70% on conventional honeycomb-structure paddles—to 99%. It has already obtained USA Pickleball certification, and the pre-order price is 150 dollars (about 22,500 yen), 50% off the 300-dollar list price. The pre-order deadline was April 15.
HyperFoam X Core—the turning point from honeycomb to full foam
Conventional pickleball paddles have adopted a polypropylene honeycomb structure as the core. It's a design where hexagonal cells absorb impact, achieving both light weight and rigidity. But the honeycomb structure has an inherent weakness. Dead spots (areas where rebound drops) arise at the boundaries between cells, so you can't get a uniform feel across the whole face of the paddle.
CPX's HyperFoam X Core took a fundamentally different approach to this problem. In a thermoforming process, it fills the entire interior of the paddle with a proprietary foam material, eliminating air gaps and cell boundaries. As a result, it says it achieved a structure that delivers a consistent energy return no matter where on the paddle face you hit.
Spec details—an elongated shape at 225g and 16mm thickness
| Item | CPX HYPER+ | Typical honeycomb paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Core Material | HyperFoam X Core (full foam) | Polypropylene honeycomb |
| Core thickness | 16mm | 13〜16mm |
| Face material | Raw carbon fiber | Carbon fiber / glass fiber |
| Weight | 225g ±5g（7.9oz） | 220〜240g |
| Face width | 190mm | 190〜200mm |
| Face height | 420mm | 400〜420mm |
| Grip length | 140mm | 120〜140mm |
| Shape | Elongated | Standard / elongated |
| Sweet spot | 99% | 60〜70% |
| Edge guard | Red-Line Edge Technology | Standard edge guard |
The shape is elongated, a design that emphasizes reach and spin performance. The 140mm grip length also accommodates a two-handed backhand. It adopts raw (unprocessed) carbon fiber for the face material, a spec that earns spin volume through the surface's grit.
Manufacturer's stated performance values—power 98, control 92, spin 98
CPX indicates the HYPER+'s performance across three metrics: power 98, control 92, spin 98 (all out of 100). While putting forward a combination of power and spin, it's characteristic that it also keeps control in the 90s.
That said, note that these are figures based on the manufacturer's own standards, not PBCoR (Paddle Ball Coefficient of Restitution) test results from a third-party body. It would be wise to reserve judgment on the actual playing feel until user reviews are in.
Voices from industry insiders and users
"CPX is a paddle where I felt the difference the moment I first picked it up. The claim that the ball feel is uniform across the whole face is convincing once you actually use it."—from a CPX user review
"The full-foam structure is the biggest material shift in the paddle industry. The move away from honeycomb could become an irreversible trend."—from the Empower Pickleball 2026 paddle report
"The figure of a 99% sweet spot is bold, but considering the physical properties of a foam core, it holds up theoretically. The question is durability."—a U.S. paddle reviewer
Impact on Japanese players—how to buy and points to note
The CPX HYPER+ can be purchased directly from the CPX official site (cpxpickleball.com), with same-day shipping from the Chicago warehouse and free shipping. As for international shipping to Japan, you'll need to check the official site.
Points for Japanese players to note when considering a purchase are as follows.
- USA Pickleball certified: There's a high chance it can be used in JPA (Japan Pickleball Association)-hosted tournaments too, but checking each tournament's regulations is recommended
- 90-day money-back guarantee: Check in advance regarding return handling from overseas
- Lifetime warranty: Free replacement and free shipping in case of damage are included
- Customs duty and import consumption tax: In the case of personal import, duty may be levied on 60% of the product price
For those interested in foam-core paddles,the Honolulu Gen4 foam-core paddleand2026 Paddle Trend Reportis also worth referencing.
Trends in the 2026 foam-core market—a three-way battle among CPX, Honolulu, and Bread & Butter
In the 2026 paddle market, foam cores have become the biggest trend. In addition to the CPX HYPER+, Honolulu began shipping its "Gen4" foam-core paddle in April. Bread & Butter's Loco is also drawing attention with a full-foam structure.
The biggest difference from conventional honeycomb-structure paddles is the uniformity of feel and the reduced vibration. Empower Pickleball's 2026 report cites three advantages of foam cores: "more consistent energy return," "reduced vibration," and "a wider sweet spot."
The birth of the Paddletek GroupCombined with industry realignment driven by it, the paddle market has entered a turbulent period where technological innovation and corporate consolidation are advancing at the same time.
CPX HYPER+ purchase information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | CPX HYPER+ |
| List price | \ (about 45,000 yen) |
| Pre-order price | \ (50% off, pre-orders closed) |
| Shipping timing | April 2026 (shipping has begun) |
| Where to buy | cpxpickleball.com |
| Shipping | Same-day shipping from Chicago, free shipping |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty (free replacement + free shipping) |
| Returns | 90-day money-back guarantee |
| Certification | USA Pickleball Approved |
Summary
The CPX HYPER+ is an ambitious product that has entered the paddle industry with the new manufacturing technique of full-foam thermoforming. Whether the figure of a 99% sweet spot is true will be verified by future third-party reviews and results at tournaments. The 300-dollar list price is by no means cheap, but the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee can also be read as an expression of the maker's confidence. As one corner of the foam-core camp, it will be worth watching how it moves the paddle market in the second half of 2026.
FAQ
What does the CPX HYPER+'s 99% sweet spot actually mean?
It refers to the full-foam structure giving the entire paddle face nearly uniform rebound. With a conventional honeycomb core, dead spots arose at cell boundaries and the sweet spot was around 60-70%. However, 99% is a figure based on the manufacturer's own standards, and third-party verification has not yet come out.
Can the CPX HYPER+ be used in official Japanese tournaments?
Because it has obtained USA Pickleball certification, it can be used in tournaments that adopt USA Pickleball-compliant rules. For JPA-hosted tournaments, please check the list of approved paddles for each tournament.
Which is better, a foam-core paddle or a honeycomb paddle?
Foam cores excel in the width of the sweet spot and vibration absorption, while honeycomb has strengths in light weight and a proven track record. It depends on your playing style and preference, but the 2026 trend leans toward foam cores. It's best to test-hit both and choose the one that suits you.
