Pickleball Apes quietly does some of the most interesting engineering in the paddle space, and the Charm Series is a perfect example.

While a lot of brands are chasing the same “floating foam perimeter” formula, Apes went a different direction with a unique full-foam core layout and what I’d call “on-demand power” — a profile that stays controlled in the soft game and ramps up when you actually swing. 

Instead of creating another ultra-hot, always-maxed-out weapon, the Charm line is tuned for players who want performance they can manage point after point, not just occasional highlight shots.

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Core Tech: Diced Foam With Built-In Power Activation

Pickleball Apes calls the Charm core “Diced Core Technology.” No other brand is doing this right now, and it produces a different on-court personality than the typical floating foam builds.

Inside the paddle you get:

• A full foam core running end-to-end
• Corner foam elements—not an EVA ring wrapped around a polypropylene honeycomb
• Horizontal precision cuts on both sides of the core, extending roughly a quarter of the way into the face

Apes even sent separate foam blocks with and without the cuts. The version with the incisions bends much more easily than the solid block, and that difference shows up exactly as you’d expect in play:

• On soft touches, the paddle stays controlled and predictable
• When you accelerate the swing, those cuts “wake up” and add extra rebound and power

Because there’s no polypropylene honeycomb in the middle:

• There’s no risk of PP core crush
• The paddle should feel more stable over time and less subject to the “mystery break-in” that some floating foam paddles go through

This is a clever way of delivering situational power rather than an always-on rocket.

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Charm Series Specs & Shapes

Measurements from review units (can vary slightly):

• Static Weight: ~8.1 oz
• Swingweight: 124 (X), 115 (S), 111 (V)
• Twistweight: 6.3 (X), 6.32 (S), 7.36 (V)
• Spin: ~2024 RPM (high)
• Face: Aramid
• Grip Circumference: 4.25"
• Handle Length:
  • X: 5.75"
  • S: 5.5"
  • V: 5.5"
• Core Thickness: 16.5 mm
• Type: All-court with access to power
• Price Bracket: Upper mid-range with a trial period and 1-year warranty

Three head shapes:

• Charm V – Widebody
• Charm S – Hybrid
• Charm X – Elongated

Let’s walk through how each actually feels on court.

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Shape-by-Shape Breakdown

Charm X – Elongated, Heavy Hitter

The X is the tip-loaded power platform in the line.

• Swingweight in the mid-120s makes it one of the heaviest-feeling options
• Huge upside in power, especially from midcourt and baseline when you can fully accelerate
• You feel the extra flex and rebound toward the top of the face

If you’re used to paddles with swingweights above 120, the X is a fun weapon. If not, it can feel like a lot of paddle to move and may become tiring or even aggravating on the arm.

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Charm S – Hybrid Workhorse

The S sits in a middle lane:

• Swingweight around 115 – a bit high for a hybrid but still playable for many
• Twistweight isn’t huge on paper, but on court it feels more solid than the numbers suggest
• Stock balance leans mildly head-heavy, so I wouldn’t rush to add more weight up top

The only design nitpick: it’s shorter like a hybrid but not as wide as some other hybrids on the market. A slightly wider face would probably open the sweet spot more and give it that “oversized hybrid” forgiveness some players love.

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Charm V – Widebody Sweet Spot King

The V is the star of the lineup from a usability standpoint:

• Swingweight at ~111 keeps it quick in the hands
• Very high twistweight means excellent stability on mishits
• Sweet spot feels big and connected

It’s the most forgiving, most stable, and easiest to recommend for the majority of players.

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Power & Pop: Controlled Firepower

Across all three shapes, the Charm line behaves like all-court paddles with power you can “turn on”.

• On dinks, drops, blocks, counters: they feel controlled, manageable, and not overly jumpy
• On drives, serves, and full swings: the core cuts engage and you get a noticeable boost in pace

With the X and S especially, you feel more “activation” toward the tip when you hit through the ball.

Interestingly, that on-demand power doesn’t artificially over-boost counters and reflex volleys. You usually have to intentionally swing to access the extra pop. That means:

• Speed-ups and hand battles don’t launch uncontrollably
• You can be more confident flicking from off-balance positions without sending balls long
• You sacrifice a bit of raw counter-punching pace, but gain trust and consistency

If you enjoy paddles like the Boomstik or Loco that are always loud and fully juiced, the Charm series will feel calmer and more restrained. If you prefer a paddle that behaves itself in the soft game but still finishes points when you lean into it, the Charm profile makes a ton of sense.

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Control, Touch & Reset Game

This is where the Charm series really fits a wide audience, especially 3.0–4.25 players and even control-oriented advanced players.

Because the core doesn’t run “hot” at lower swing speeds:

• Blocks, dinks, and resets are easier to tame
• The launch angle is predictable across most of the face
• You can swing freely with your hands without feeling like the paddle is constantly trying to send the ball long

You also don’t have to babysit every touch shot. The paddle has enough liveliness that you’re not laboring just to get balls over the net, but it isn’t so jumpy that every mis-timed dink flies.

Clean mechanics + good contact = the paddle does its job without forcing you to overcompensate.

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Feel & Sound: Plush, But Communicative

Impact feel sits firmly on the plush, dense foam side, not the crispy, hollow Gen-3 side.

• You still feel the ball and get feedback, but
• There’s no harshness, no buzzy vibration, and less “boardy” sensation

Compared to other lines and styles:

• More solid and even than a classic Gen-3 “diving board” core that flexes too much in specific spots
• Heftier and more stable than the Apes Harmony series
• Slightly livelier, less muted than the Apes Pulse line
• Softer and denser than Selkirk Boomstik or Bread & Butter Loco, which sit on the crisper end of the foam spectrum
• A bit firmer than something like the Vatic Pro V-Sol Power, but still clearly in the “foamy” camp

If you like a quiet, connected, cushioned fee,  but not mushy — the Charm checks that box nicely.

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Sweet Spot & Forgiveness

Overall, the Charm series is forgiving and well-constructed, with clear differences by shape:

• Charm V:
  • Outstanding sweet spot
  • Very high twistweight supports stability across a large portion of the face
  • Feels extremely steady on off-center contact
• Charm S:
  • Plays more forgiving than its twistweight implies
  • Sweet spot is average for a hybrid but not as oversized as some premium hybrid shapes
  • Could benefit from a bit more width for players seeking maximum forgiveness
• Charm X:
  • Respectable sweet spot for an elongated design
  • Does not offer enough extra forgiveness to fully offset its higher swingweight

If forgiveness and easy play are your priority, the V is the clear standout in the family.

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Maneuverability

This is the one area where the line isn’t universally friendly. Two of the three shapes run on the heavier-feeling side.

• Charm V:
  • Best hand speed of the group
  • Swingweight around 111 feels ideal for a widebody: quick, yet with enough mass to drive through the ball
• Charm S:
  • At ~115, it’s a touch heavy for a hybrid but still manageable
  • Already feels solid stock; you don’t need to add perimeter weight
  • You can tweak balance with a bit of weight in the throat or butt cap if desired
• Charm X:
  • Clearly the heaviest mover
  • If you’re used to paddles under 120 swingweight, it will feel like a lot of paddle to control for long sessions

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Charm vs Other Apes & Gen-4 Foam Designs

Compared to Pickleball Apes Pulse & Harmony:

• More plow-through and mass behind the ball than Harmony
• More solid and stable than Harmony
• Slightly livelier and less muted than Pulse
• Big upside in long-term consistency thanks to the full foam core and reduced risk of core crush

Compared to other foam / Gen-4 style paddles:

• More consistent and less “trampoline/hinge-like” than classic floating foam designs
• More dense and plush than ultra-crisp foam paddles like Boomstik or Loco
• Similar all-court profile to something like Vatic Pro V-Sol Power, but with:
  • Better sweet spots out of the box
  • A slightly firmer, more connected feel

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Who Should Play the Pickleball Apes Charm Series?

In a world dominated by big, loud, always-on power paddles, the Charm series feels like a more realistic match for how most people actually play.

Great Fit If:

✔ You’re in the 3.0–4.25 range and want help keeping the ball low on dinks, drops, and resets
✔ You need access to power, but don’t want it fired at you on every touch
✔ You’re an advanced player who wins with precision, patterns, and consistency, and wants bonus put-away gear when you swing harder
✔ You prefer a plush, dense foam feel versus a crispy, hollow Gen-3 style hit
✔ You care about long-term consistency and want a core that won’t crush or change dramatically over time

Maybe Skip If:

✘ You want a paddle that’s always maxed out on power and pop
✘ You’re still struggling with frequent pop-ups and really need a pure control paddle
✘ You strongly prefer super-light, low-swingweight setups. The S and X might feel heavy
✘ You like sharp, stiff, loud feedback. These are more cushioned and full-feeling

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