After years of research and development, on June 10, 2025, Diadem is launching what is perhaps the brand’s biggest innovation, implementing its proprietary BluCore technology into the Diadem Warrior BluCore series of pickleball paddles.
Diadem touts BluCore as “the most significant innovation in pickleball since the transition from wooden to composite paddles”, and is backing up the claim with a lifetime warranty against core failures such as delamination, core crush and more, making BluCore paddles what they believe are “forever paddles”.
How does the Diadem Warrior BluCore perform? We find out after months of testing two of the nine Diadem Warrior BluCore variants releasing with a WearTesters pickleball paddle performance review.
What is the Diadem Warrior BluCore?
The Diadem Warrior BluCore is a combination of the brand’s latest pickleball innovation in BluCore with the evolution of a paddle series that propelled the brand into notoriety (the Warrior series). This time, the Warrior releases in nine variants, two of which are included in this performance review the Warrior BluCore Pro 14 and the Warrior BluCore Max 16.
As shown in the above graphic, the Warrior BluCore series comes in three shapes and three core thicknesses, each depending on what you as a player are looking to add to your game via paddle performance. BluCore, an alternative to the growing popularity of foam core paddles (also sometimes referred to as “Gen 3” pickleball paddles). BluCore a proprietary EPP (expanded polypropylene) compound, tested for its durability. In fact, Diadem stands behind BluCore so much so, the brand offers a lifetime warranty against core failures and plans to offer BluCore in a lot more paddles over time.
Disclaimer: All retail Diadem Warrior BluCore paddles will be a black color and will incorporate minor graphic differences. Both paddles, including the green color Diadem Warrior BluCore Max 16 variant featured in this review, were designed specifically for review purposes only.
How did the Diadem Warrior BluCore perform?
Between the Pro 14 and Max 16, I found the BluCore paddles to be consistent between both for what the shapes and thicknesses typically offer in a paddle. The main things I attribute to both starts with dwell time and subsequently spin potential along with a nice sized sweet spot for both the long handle elongated and standard shapes.
Each paddle utilizes a carbon fiber and kevlar weave for the hitting surface, with the Pro series using a tighter weave for added pop and power. I’m not a huge fan of these type of paddle faces as they do not always feel gritty compared to other paddle face materials, but the lack of grit is made up for with the bite that the BluCore provides. This dwell time makes both paddles enjoyable to shape the ball and encourages a little bit of finesse to add something extra to shots during play.
Right out of the box, I enjoyed the Pro 14 as it meets my preferences with a longer handle and elongated shape. Though the thinner core and width of the paddle create a smaller sweet spot, the pop and power in exchange makes it easy to be more assertive on the court (once dialed in).
The Max 16, on the other hand, took me on more of a journey to feel like I got the most out of it. I typically find wider, shorter handle paddles a little awkward to maneuver, and this was the case with the Max 16. I noticed a habit of loosening grip too much that at the wrong times, led to bad block attempts (where are my NBA 2K folks at?) And dead resets under pressure. Once I added weight tape to the throat and sides of the Max 16 however, it became an almost entirely different paddle as it stabilized the area and made up for my shortcomings.
It was hard for me to pick a favorite between the Pro 14 stock and the Max 16 with modifications. The use of tungsten tape (which adhered better than lead tape against the waxy feeling edgeguard) on the Max 16 brought some extra pop to compete with the Pro 14 and has a wide sweet spot for an added layer of confidence, but the Pro 14 just feels more natural to me, and since I include two handed backhand shots in my game, the longer handle is a must.
Who is the Diadem Warrior BluCore best suited for?
With nine variations, its easy to recommend the Diadem Warrior BluCore to anyone with enough pickleball experience to know what they want out of their next paddle.
If you want to maximize control and sweet spot performance, start with the Max line. Looking for a more balanced or “all court” feel with a lower sweet spot? The Standard line is a good place to start. And just like with the Max, you can make your own call with any of the three core thickness options. The same goes for the Pro line if you want a higher sweet spot, room for two handed shots, and the maximum pop and power in exchange for a little touch.
And the best part is that all the paddles should perform consistently through the lifespan of the paddle and will be supported against core breakdown.
Disclosure
While Diadem Sports did send the Warrior BluCore Pro 14 and Warrior BluCore Max 16 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
