How long do pickleball paddles last before they need replacing?

Community discussion is blunt about this: even premium thermoformed paddles can show dead spots or grit wear within a few months of heavy play, and durability complaints surface even for $250+ paddles like the Franklin C45 and JOOLA Pro V. Budget paddles aren't necessarily worse on a cost-per-month basis; reviewers often recommend rotating two paddles to extend life.