Buying guide for best pickleball paddles
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Pickleball’s rise to global court domination is far from over. Even the most stubborn of holdouts may be looking over pickleball equipment to see just what they’ve been missing. The right pickleball paddle can make the difference for beginners who want to get into the sport or aficionados who want to up their game.
The ideal pickleball paddle depends a lot on skill level, and can also vary from individual to individual. First-timers can get by with an inexpensive wooden paddle, but serious players find themselves opting for models made of lighter, more dynamic materials, such as carbon fiber, composite or fiberglass. A paddle with a protective edge rim is also helpful if you’re swooping low on the court.
We count pickleball fans and players among our writers and editors, so we’ve got a lot of experience picking the best pickleball paddles on the market. Our top slot goes to the Vatic Pro Prism carbon fiber pickleball paddle, thanks to its large sweet spot, durable build and lightweight construction.
Editors' picks
Vatic Pro Prism Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
Editors' Favorite
Dimensions: 16.3" x 7.7" | Grip Size: 5.3" | Material: Raw T700 Carbon Fiber | Weight: 8 oz |
The Vatic Pro Prism Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade from a cheaper paddle and take their game to the next level. Its foam edge walls make it easy to expertly place your shots and finish points, while the polyurethane inserts absorb shock and give you a better feel when hitting the ball.
It has an elongated handle, too, which makes it more comfortable to hold, even for two-handed backhands. The paddle is approved by the USA Pickleball Association and even comes with a zippered neoprene cover to protect it when not in use.
Selkirk Sport SLK Helix Pro Pickleball Paddle
Great Value
Dimensions: 16" x 7.9" | Grip Size: 4.25" | Material: Carbon fiber, fiberglass | Weight: 8 oz
The Selkirk Sport SLK Helix Pro is a solid choice for beginners who want something easy to use. The larger sweet spot makes shots more forgiving, so you don’t have to be perfect to get good results.
It also feels balanced. The carbon and fiberglass face gives you a mix of control and pop, which helps with dinks, spin and basic power. The main downside is durability. Some players say it holds up well, but others report wear or issues after a few months.
Overall, it’s a forgiving, affordable paddle that works incredibly well for newer players trying to get a feel for the game.
Selkirk SLK
Best Bundle
Dimensions: 15.67" x 7.8" | Grip Size: 4.25" | Material: Graphite, polymer | Weight: 7.5 oz
The Selkirk Sport Pickleball Paddle Set is an excellent entry-level option for casual play. The graphite face adds better touch and spin than basic paddles, so shots feel more controlled. On top of that, the core helps with consistency, while the polymer honeycomb design softens impact and makes off-center hits more forgiving.
The grip is comfortable, handles sweat well and helps reduce hand fatigue over time. You also get a full starter kit; two paddles, balls and a carry case that make it easy to get started.
The biggest drawback is that it's easy to outgrow. More advanced players may want better power and precision.
Still, it’s an awesome value for beginners or casual players, and we highly recommend it for those who are just getting started.
MTEN Pickleball Paddles
Best for Kids
Size: 15.67" x 7.8" | Grip Size: 4.57" | Material: Fiberglass with polypropylene honeycomb core | Weight: 7.78 to 7.8 oz
The MTEN Pickleball Paddle Set is a strong value option for recreational players. The fiberglass face and honeycomb core give you a good mix of power and control, while still keeping shots comfortable.
These paddles are forgiving, too; the wider shape creates a larger sweet spot, so off-center hits still feel decent. On top of that, the grip is cushioned, handles sweat well, and helps with control and wrist movement.
That said, grip size could be an issue for some. Players with smaller hands might need to adjust it.
Overall, it’s a durable, well-balanced set that works well for beginners to intermediate players without costing too much.
Selkirk Sport SLK Valkyrie Pickleball Paddle
Most Forgiving
Dimensions: 15.95" x 8" | Grip Size: 4.25" | Material: Fiberglass with polypropylene honeycomb core
The Selkirk Sport SLK Valkyrie PIckleball Paddle sits in a nice middle ground between beginner and intermediate paddles. The widebody shape and fiberglass face provide a larger sweet spot, which improves control and consistency.
Dinks and resets are easier to manage, especially if you’re still building confidence. At the net, the lighter weight makes it easy to react, but there’s still enough pop to finish points.
The grip is comfortable too. It has a slightly cushioned feel that helps during longer games. The biggest drawback is stability against hard shots. The lighter weight can make it harder to absorb strong drives.
Nonetheless, it’s a balanced, confidence-building paddle for players moving beyond the basics.
JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS Pickleball Paddle
Best for Power
Size: 16.5" x 7.5" | Material: Carbon fiber face with polypropylene honeycomb core | Weight: 8.3 oz
The Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS Pickleball Paddle features a textured carbon surface that grips the ball well, which helps with dinks and spin shots. It also feels smooth on contact. The 16-millimeter core absorbs vibration, so volleys and blocks stay controlled and predictable.
Some players report wear over time, so it may not hold up as well with heavy use. Still, overall, it’s a great fit for spin and control-focused play.
JOOLA Agassi Heat Vision 16mm Pickleball Paddle
Best for Former Tennis Players
Dimensions: 16.5" x 7.5" | Grip Size: 5.5" | Material: Carbon fiber surface with honeycomb core | Weight: 7.8 oz
The Joola Agassi Heat Vision Pickleball Paddle features an elongated sweet spot that makes contact feel more even across the paddle. The feel is controlled but not dull. The carbon face adds touch and spin, and the core helps reduce vibration without losing feedback.
At around 7.8 ounces, it makes it easy to react quickly and keep going during longer games.
The main downside is power; it definitely leans more toward control. Still, overall, it’s a quick, control-focused option that works well for precision and touch, but it's not ideal if you want maximum power.
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16mm Pickleball Paddle
Best for Spin
Dimensions: 16" x 8" | Grip Size: 4.13" | Material: Carbon fiber | Weight: 8.1 oz
The Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro leans into a foam-core build, and you can feel that right away. The carbon face grabs the ball well, while the EPP foam and EVA ring make contact feel softer and more stable than a typical honeycomb paddle.
The sweet spot is noticeably wider. Mishits don’t drop off as hard, which helps with consistency on drives and resets.
The surface gives you a good bite without that overly gritty, stiff response some paddles have. But the trade-off shows up in hand speed. The wider shape can feel a bit sluggish if you rely on fast wrist flicks or quick counters.
Overall, it’s a forgiving, spin-friendly paddle that's a great choice if you're looking for spin.
Warping Point Neon Gen 3 Pickleball Paddle
Best for Tournament Play
Size: 16.4" × 7.55" | Grip Size: 4.25" | Material: Raw T700 carbon fiber face | Weight: 26.8 oz
The Warping Point Neon Gen 3 features a raw T700 carbon face with a fine grit that really grabs the ball, especially on topspin drives and roll volleys, so placement feels more intentional.
The EVA-reinforced edges help keep mishits from twisting the paddle as much, which shows up when you catch the ball near the frame on quick exchanges. Weight distribution is more noticeable than the spec suggests. It doesn’t feel heavy, but it carries a bit of swing weight, which adds stability on resets and blocks but can slow you down slightly in fast hand battles.
The trade-off is fatigue over time. That added stability comes at the cost of a bit more effort during long sessions, especially if you’re used to lighter paddles.
Overall, it’s a control-and-spin paddle with real stability on contact, but it asks for a bit more effort than lighter, smoother options.
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control Pickleball Paddle
Best for Professionals
Grip Size: 4.5" | Material: Carbon fiber face and frame | Weight: Not specified
You feel the control immediately with the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control Pickleball Paddle. The 16-millimeter core has a softer, almost cushioned response, so when you’re dropping the ball or resetting pace, it tends to stay low instead of popping up.
The raw carbon grips the ball just enough that roll shots and controlled topspin feel more deliberate, especially on slower swings where some paddles feel slippery.
Its slightly flared design gives you a bit more forgiveness across the face, so if you catch it high or toward the edges, it still comes off reasonably clean instead of dying.
The trade-off shows up when you try to speed things up. It doesn’t give you much free power, so drives and put-aways rely more on your swing than the paddle helping out.
Overall, it’s tuned for soft game control and spin, but it's best for those who already have a good idea of what they're doing.
What to know before you buy a pickleball paddle
Game basics
Pickleball is played with either two or four players. At 44 by 20 feet, the court is smaller in area than a tennis court but has the same surface (and pickleball lines are often overlaid on tennis courts). Also, the net for pickleball is positioned slightly lower (34 inches in the middle) than the net for tennis (36 inches).
Pickleball uses a hollow plastic ball with holes in it that resembles a Wiffle ball but is smaller. After the ball is served (underhand), it must bounce once outside the non-volley zone near the net (called the “kitchen”) before being returned. The serving team must also let the returned ball bounce once before hitting it. After that, as long as the player is outside the kitchen, they can volley the ball.
Points are only scored by the serving team. In doubles, if the first server on a team loses the point, the second team member serves until they lose a point and the serve goes to the other team. The first team to score 11 points with a two-point lead wins. Games can also be played to 15 or 21 points.
Paddle materials
Pickleball paddles are made of graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, combinations of these or wood. Each material has its pros and cons.
Graphite: High-end paddles are made of graphite. These paddles are light and thin but incredibly strong. They are good for players who depend on finesse rather than power. The higher price of graphite paddles makes them a better option for serious players.
Carbon fiber: This is a different form of graphite. It is also rigid and light, but it’s more durable because of the way it’s constructed. Carbon fiber paddles offer great control and spin and about the same power as graphite paddles.
Fiberglass: This is probably the most common material in paddles used by recreational players. The paddles are incredibly durable and surprisingly light. They offer a lot of power, but the sweet spot is smaller, so control can be more difficult.
Hybrid: You’ll see many pickleball paddles that are made of a combination of materials. The particular combination can offer lighter weight, greater control, a larger sweet spot, more power or other desired characteristics.
Wood: The first pickleball paddles were made of wood. It’s inexpensive and provides good enough performance and durability for kids or beginners. But it’s heavy compared to the other materials and offers little in the way of control or spin, so it’s never recommended for competitive play.
What the paddle’s core is made of and its thickness are just as important as the rest of the paddle. Polymer is by far the most popular because of its control, power, low noise and durability.
Paddle size and weight
For competition, USA Pickleball states that the size of a pickleball paddle (including the handle) cannot exceed 24 inches, while the paddle part can’t exceed 17 inches. There are no restrictions when it comes to thickness. The average paddle is 8 inches wide by 15 inches long. There are longer or narrower paddles and longer or shorter handles. The paddle you choose will depend on comfort and your skill level.
The ideal weight of a paddle is a preference. A player needs to swing a light paddle harder for a powerful shot, but they have more control. Conversely, a heavier paddle can give a player less control but more power, but a heavy paddle is more tiring.
Edged vs. edgeless
The edge guard on a pickleball paddle helps protect it from damage that may occur from hitting it on the ground during gameplay. The raised edge guard can affect control if you hit the ball with the edge. You might opt to sacrifice this protection to get an edgeless paddle to maximize the paddle’s playing surface and sweet spot.
Grip
It’s important that the grip on your pickleball paddle is the right size for maximum control while playing. To find your grip size, measure from the middle crease in your palm to the tip of your index finger. This distance is usually somewhere between 4 and 5 inches. When you hold the pickleball paddle as you would when playing, there should be a finger’s width of space between the fingertips and palm of the hand that’s holding the paddle.
Tips for playing pickleball
- Learn the fundamentals. Before you can have fun playing pickleball, you need to learn the basics. Take the time to develop skills such as serving, volleying and dinking. After learning the basics, you can adapt them to your style of play.
- Don’t be afraid to play near the net. The fastest, most exciting pickleball game is played right near — but not inside — the kitchen line.
- Don’t hit on the run. Whenever possible, set yourself up for a shot with a solid stance. You’ll have more control over where you place the ball.
- Aim for your opponent’s feet. One strategy that works in almost all situations is to aim the ball at your opponent’s feet. This puts them at a disadvantage because they’ll need to hit the ball up to get it over the net.
- Watch your placement for the overhead smash. As in tennis, the overhead smash can be a devastating, point-winning shot, but not if you’re in the kitchen when you hit it! You can step in the kitchen to hit a ball only if the ball bounces first.
FAQ
Q. How much do pickleball paddles cost?
A. The most affordable paddles are wood and cost less than $50. These are heavier than other paddles, but they’re fine for kids and beginners on a budget. For $50 to $100, you can buy paddles made of better materials that deliver good control of the ball without being too heavy. High-end, high-performance paddles can cost as much as $200, which is probably more than most casual players want to spend.
Q. Why do some people put lead tape on the edge of their pickleball paddle?
A. When you add lead tape around the edge of a paddle, you add weight. If you don’t have a health condition, such as tennis elbow, that would make the extra weight a detriment, then your game can benefit in two ways. First, the added weight gives you more power, which can give you an edge with overhead shots. Second, and maybe more important, the weight increases the size of the paddle’s sweet spot. This makes it easier for you to block and dink, two low-power strategic shots.
Q. Do I need a heavier or lighter pickleball paddle if I have tennis elbow?
A. The best paddle to get if you have tennis elbow is one that weighs 7 to 8 ounces. A paddle that’s too light requires you to swing harder and doesn’t absorb the shock as well. If you choose a paddle that’s too heavy, the weight could inflame the nerve and cause you pain.
Q. Can I make any alterations to my pickleball paddle?
A. According to pickleball rules, you can. However, these alterations are limited to edge guard tape, lead tape and changes in the grip, such as adding overgrip tape. You may also add markings for identification as long as they don’t change the texture of the paddle and they’re in good taste.
Q. What’s the difference between replacement grip and overgrip tape?
A. You use replacement grip tape when you’re dissatisfied with the grip that came on your paddle or when the original grip begins to wear. This process involves removing the old grip and replacing it with a new one. Overgrip is applied on top of the regular grip to reduce sweat buildup and give you greater comfort and more control.
Q. Who invented pickleball?
A. While there are many accounts of how this sport originated, one seems to be more popular than all the others. In 1965, a congressman named Joel Pritchard wanted to create a game that his whole family could play. Using items he already had, he came up with pickleball.
Some say the name of the game comes from the family dog, Pickles, that kept stealing the ball. However, other individuals cite a pickle boat, which is made up of a crew of leftover rowers who weren’t chosen by other teams, as being the inspiration for the name.
Our expertise
Allen Foster has researched, tested and evaluated products for BestReviews since 2018. Before that, he sold outdoor equipment at one of the largest home improvement chains in the country.
Jmar Gambol has written more than 100 articles for BestReviews, from tech to household appliances to sports equipment. In his free time, he enjoys smartphone photography and cooking.
