Foam (gen 4) versus Honeycomb (gen 3)

Nearly all new paddles have foam cores, but why? There are several reasons. 1. Manufacturing is easier 2. It is easier to get a larger sweet spot (according to reviewers) 3. It is easier to manipulate the feel (crisp versus plush). One can achieve softer slow hits (dinks) while maintaining good power and pop. 4. The core holds up better over time, although changes can be seen after several months of play. So, will honeycomb be a thing of the past? I don’t think so. Honeycomb is rather unique with almost immediate energy transfer and good consistency, despite reviewers claiming the sweet spot is often smaller. In short, foam cores are here to stay for now. They are preferred by most players and one has options of EPP versus MPP, which feel very different. Newer foams are entering the market. Foams are not perfect and may not have the longevity that was initially promised. Newer foams are being introduced that may have longer longevity.