Tesla Aurum Pickleball Paddle by Selkirk: Is It Worth $295?
Last year, when Tesla’s first Plaid model hit the market, it sold out in just three hours. Players never expected a car company to jump into pickleball with that kind of interest. Now in August 2026, Tesla and Selkirk have teamed up to launch a new model called the Tesla Aurum pickleball paddle, and the same excitement is back among pickleball players.
The Tesla Aurum pickleball paddle went on sale Thursday, available only on Tesla’s website and in a very limited quantity. The tech is the same as the original Tesla Plaid paddle; only the color has been switched to gold.
How the Tesla and Selkirk deal got started
It kicked off in 2023 at the USA Pickleball National Championships. That’s where Tom Barnes, Selkirk’s director of research and development and co-owner, first met Tesla’s team. A little later, Barnes made a batch of custom black-and-white Tesla paddles just for fun and sent them to Tesla staff.
Things moved forward in March 2024. Barnes sat down with several Tesla designers, including Javier Verdura, Tesla’s director of product design. They began discussing how Tesla’s aerodynamics and vehicle design expertise could be applied to a pickleball paddle. From there, the two teams worked on the design together, built early prototypes, and tested them multiple times.
Tom Barnes has said the project is personal to him because he has always admired Tesla’s approach to engineering. What started as a fun idea between the two sides grew into a full Tesla x Selkirk partnership involving Tesla’s design and aerodynamics teams.
First Look and Feel in Hand
The Tesla Aurum has an elongated design, and its edges aren’t as prominent as those on traditional paddles. It features Selkirk’s open-throat design, which Tesla further refined through testing so the swing feels lighter and quicker. Its gold color, geometric patterns, and bronze logos give it a look inspired by the Cybercab. Overall, this paddle stands out as soon as you step onto the court.
Inside is a pure foam core that’s 16 millimeters thick. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) power ring runs along the edges to help reduce vibration and protect the core. The MOI tuning system distributes the weight to create a larger-feeling sweet spot and more balanced shots. The face uses Florek carbon fiber with an InfiniGrit surface that improves grip on the ball and helps generate spin.
On-Court Performance
Because this paddle is built on the same foundation as the Plaid, the earlier testing done on the Plaid gives a clear idea of its performance. Most of those tests especially praised its spin. Some tests recorded spin rates of 2,400 to 2,500 RPM, which is quite high among USAP-approved paddles. The InfiniGrit surface grips the ball well, making it easier to generate spin on serves and slices.
This isn’t a paddle built only for power. It strikes a nice balance between power and control. In your hand, it feels solid and a bit on the heavier side, with low vibration. The weight helps deliver good power on drive shots, but some players may find it a little slow for quick hand battles at the kitchen.
Who is this paddle better for?
This one works great for intermediate to advanced players, especially if you already generate your own power and care more about spin and touch than pure power.
If spin and feel are high on your list, it’s a solid choice. But if big, powerful shots are what you care about most, you’ll probably be happier with a different paddle.
Also, if you need a really large sweet spot or something super light, this isn’t the right option.
If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, read our complete guide on how to become a pro pickleball player.
Price and Availability
The Tesla Aurum paddle by itself costs $295. With the carrying bag, it costs $350. A matching T-shirt is available for $40.
Stock is very limited, and right now it’s available only through the Tesla Shop.
At that price, it’s no longer just sports gear; it becomes a style statement and a bit of a status symbol. If you mainly want solid performance and prefer to keep your budget lower, you can still find good paddles in the $200 to $280 range.
Conclusion
Tesla and Selkirk actually teamed up on this paddle, and it shows. The Aurum looks different from most paddles out there and plays solid too, especially if you care about spin and control. The design is pretty eye-catching as well.
If spin and touch are big for you, it’s worth considering. Just know it’s not cheap, and they didn’t make a ton of them. So if you like the look of it, you probably shouldn’t sit on it too long.
