Skip to content
    Find my paddle

    Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) vs Mizuno AcroSpeed SX

    Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) 7.2oz 12.7mm pickleball paddle

    Franklin Sports

    C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)

    $229.99

    7.2–7.5 oz · 12.7mm core · Elongated

    Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
    vs
    Mizuno AcroSpeed SX 8.4oz 13mm pickleball paddle — MZ-36C carbon fiber with SpinKote grit face

    Mizuno

    AcroSpeed SX

    $255

    8.4–8.4 oz · 13mm core · Widebody

    Shop at Retailer (opens in a new tab)

    Pickle's 5-axis score

    Based on published specs, ranked against all 320 paddles we cover. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.

    Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)Mizuno AcroSpeed SX

    Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) vs Mizuno AcroSpeed SX across five scored traits: Power, Hand speed, Forgiveness, Touch, Spin.

    Comparing two is a start. Answer five quick questions and we'll rank the whole catalog for how you play.

    Find my paddle

    Reach vs. maneuverability

    Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) trades a touch of maneuverability for more reach at the line; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX is easier to whip around in hand fights.

    Side-by-side specs

    SpecFranklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)Mizuno AcroSpeed SX
    Weight7.2–7.5 oz8.4–8.4 oz
    ShapeElongatedWidebody
    Core thickness12.7mm13mm
    Core materialPowerFlex polymer coreENERZYCELL polypropylene honeycomb core
    Face materialT700 carbon fiber with 45-degree peel-ply texture (double-thermoformed unibody frame)MZ-36C carbon fiber with SpinKote grit
    Handle length5.1"5"
    Price$229.99$255

    What the spec differences mean

    • Weight. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) is listed at 7.2–7.5 oz; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX at 8.4 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) is 1.2 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
    • Core thickness. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) has a 12.7mm core; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX has a 13mm core, so the Mizuno AcroSpeed SX core is 0.3mm thicker. What core thickness changes
    • Length and width. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) measures 15.7" × 7.9"; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX measures 16" × 7.9" (elongated vs widebody). The Mizuno AcroSpeed SX is 0.3" longer. Paddle shapes and the size rule
    • Handle length. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) has a 5.1" handle; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX has a 5" handle, so the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) handle is 0.1" longer. What grip length changes
    • Face material. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) lists its face as T700 carbon fiber with 45-degree peel-ply texture; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX lists MZ-36C carbon fiber with SpinKote grit. Paddle face materials explained
    • Core material. Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) lists its core as PowerFlex polymer core; Mizuno AcroSpeed SX lists ENERZYCELL polypropylene honeycomb core. Paddle core materials explained

    Who each paddle is for

    Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)

    Best for advanced power players (4.0+) who can manage a hot face who play with a quick, hands-first style. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 12.7mm core delivers high pop with a tighter touch window, and the raw textured carbon face holds spin on rolls and resets.

    Mizuno AcroSpeed SX

    Best for advanced power players (4.0+) who can manage a hot face who play with an aggressive, planted swing. The widebody profile gives you a generous sweet spot, the 13mm core delivers high pop with a tighter touch window, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.

    Pickle's verdict

    Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.

    Pick the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) if…

    • you want quicker hands in fast kitchen exchanges
    • you like extra reach at the kitchen line
    • you spin a lot of rolls and topspin serves

    Pick the Mizuno AcroSpeed SX if…

    • you swing through the ball and want plow-through on drives
    • you want a bigger, more forgiving sweet spot
    Shop on Amazon C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature) (opens in a new tab)Shop at Retailer AcroSpeed SX (opens in a new tab)

    More matchups with the Franklin Sports C45 Aurelius 12.7mm (Anna Leigh Waters Signature)

    More matchups with the Mizuno AcroSpeed SX

    Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.