Apollo

For context I currently main the Mach 2 Forza 16mm weighted to 8.5oz. I moved to the M2F 16 from the Double Black Diamond 16mm. I drilled / played with an early Apollo unit from Spartus that is identical to the one currently in the USAP approval process. I will be purchasing an Apollo when it becomes available.

The Apollo has really good whip for 4ths and speedups, dinks feel solid, hand speed feels slightly better than the M2F 16 (which is already absurdly quick in the hands, part of the reason I upgraded from the DBD 16). Resets were plush and required very little thinking, it just kinda goes where you want. The low swing weight and spinny face leads to some very aggressive forehand and backhand rolls from below the net.

Power is easy and consistent. Pop feels like an upgrade from the M2F and DBD without feeling harsh. I really like the full Kevlar as it has a plush feel while still being powerful and poppy. It feels more powerful and poppy than the Ruby (which I demoed and didn’t like) and less harsh than my PLE S (I think the one I have is particularly harsh).

Random but I love the handle. It is pronounced enough to easily find your grip with great proportions. It is hard to describe but the edges of the handle bevels feel crisp without feeling sharp. One overgrip will be perfect, unlike some paddles that start very rounded and don’t have grip finding feel when you add an overgrip (the Hyperion C2 I demoed comes to mind). The handle length is quite good; two handed backhands feel very natural.

The Apollo is just as wide as my M2F 16 but very slightly longer (my M2F is almost exactly 8 inches wide). The Apollo is almost as long as my DBD (which is shorter than the specifications claim) and noticeably wider. Stability on the Apollos is excellent; It feels just as stable as my M2F despite being 8.08 oz vs my 8.5 weighted M2F (likely the twist weight is still similar). Spin feels at least as good as the M2F and noticeably better than the DBD. I’m excited for how solid the Apollo will be after adding lead tape.

My Mach 2 Forza 16mm is set up with one overgrip and weighted to 8.5oz with lead tape at the 4 and 8 positions. I will likely set up my Apollo similarly. Previously I have mained the LP 16, DBD 16, PLE S, Speedup Fire, R1P, R1, and others. I have demoed a large variety of other paddles. Play level is 4.5+

Spartus have built something really special here. The price point they have hit is absurdly low for a full Kevlar face widebody paddle. This paddle plays amazingly and hits a great combination of amazing control with solid power, pop and top tier spin.

I've had five sessions in now and this paddle is a WINNER! I haven't modified it except for an overgrip and it feels great right out of the box. The surface is gritty and my drives are dipping in more from the great spin. The power isn't as much as my Gearbox PPE but there is plenty especially on volleys. The biggest area this paddle excels are blocks and resets. There were so many points that I normally would have lost at the net but it bailed me out because it's so fast and the sweetspot is HUGE. Easiest recommend of my life!

I am an all round female player whose previous paddle was a Vatic Flash 16mm. As my game has evolved I’ve been looking for a paddle that could provide good power while still maintaining control and have found it with the Apollo.

What stands out me the most is how quick the paddle is in hand. I was able to get to shots in hands battles that I would not be able to with previous paddles I’ve used. As someone who often plays with faster and stronger players I’ve lacked confidence in hands battles but feel more comfortable the Apollo. After using the Apollo it was noticeable how slow my other paddles were when trying to react quickly to shots.

Besides hand speed I found that I was able to play a controlled game (drops, resets, dinks) without compromising on power. Other paddles I’ve used either leaned too far one way or the other whereas I found the Apollo is the perfect balance, especially as someone who needs a little help from the paddle to generate power.

On drives I was able to swing quickly and generate good spin. I noticed my shots dipping more than previously and have a lot of fun hitting my drives and serves with spin.

I love the distinct red face and found the grip had enough space for my two handed backhand. The grip is small enough for someone to add an overgrip or two for customization.

The Apollo is an awesome paddle and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great all round paddle.

Let me start by saying after spending many months reviewing different paddles, comparing stats, and reading reviews... I was super excited to order the Spartus Apollo pickleball paddle.

However, I was beyond disappointed when the paddles arrived with minimal protection. Only one sheet of bubble wrap separated the 2 paddles from each other. The paddles were shipped in a oversized envelope, not a box. Although the paddles don't appear to be damaged, I'm really concerned more care wasn't given to the packaging/shipping.

Easy recommendation all day. Incredible twist weight, sweet spot, top tier spin and low swing weight that allows you to customize it to your liking with added weight. The only negative I can find is that I can't keep the face clean. This thing eats balls like noting else. No amount of erasing or wiping removes all the ball dust.