HEAD is the leading global manufacturer and provider of world-class, high-performance, and premium-quality sports equipment for players of all levels. Since its launch in 1950, HEAD is a well-known brand for its excellent and cutting-edge design and highly reputable performance for all types of athletes.
HEAD was born out of engineering a better way to ski and play tennis and in present days the same attention has been given to Pickleball. Among its superior quality pickleball paddles, compiled below is a list of the best HEAD pickleball paddles for 2023.
HEAD Radical Elite
Quality features
Pros
Cons
Radical Elite is considered the best head pickleball paddle for beginners and is also
perfect for a wide range of players. Its main features including a Dynamic Power Shape Head Radical Elite provides a larger sweet spot. Head engineers have optimized the Tubular Construction (OTC) of the polypropylene honeycomb core to create perfect playability, which is suitable for all players. The Composite Hitting Surface (CHS) offers maximized power with a softer feel and with more power as well for all levels of play.
Also, with a new Radical smooth fiberglass surface and color, the Radical Elite will give you the power and playability you are looking for.
Main specifications
| Weight | 9 Ounces |
| Material | Polymer |
| Color | Orange and Black |
| Dimensions | 16 x 9 x 2 inches |
| Ratings | 4.7 out of 5 stars |
HEAD Cyber Elite
Quality features
Pros
Cons
When you will compare pickleball paddles to the exclusive HEAD Cyber Elite pickleball paddle, you will notice that the main feature that makes it a standalone among others is its dynamic power shape.
The dynamic shape of Cyber Elite makes you go for a thicker and larger sweet spot and the honeycomb core enables great playability. And with a new fiberglass surface that is both durable and lightweight, the cyber elite will give you the power and playability you are looking for.
With the optimized Head performance, this paddle is born out to be revolutionizing in all its features as the Elite series is ideal for the mid-level club pickleball player and also for professional players too.
Main specifications
| Weight | 0.26 Kilograms |
| Material | Polypropylene |
| Color | Black and white |
| Grip size | 4 1/8 inches |
| Ratings | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
HEAD Graphite
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The Head Graphite Pickleball Paddle is a perfect head pickleball paddle for longevity and also serves a wide range of pickleball players. The Gravity offers a massive sweet spot that combines the impressive and strong power that you desire with a softer impact.
The Hybrid Hitting Surface provides a truly superior blend of power, control, comfort, and stability. While the Head’s Sweet spot Power Core takes care of the powerful impact and unique soft feel.
It has extreme handle stabilizer technology and 3D spin that makes the premium Gravity model perfect for players. This graphite paddle takes advantage of Head’s most advanced tech and is designed for pros.
Main specifications
| Weight | 215 Grams |
| Material | Graphite |
| Color | Teal and Crimson |
| Dimensions | 16 x 8.5 x 2 inches |
| Ratings | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
Head Extreme Elite Fiberglass Paddle
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The extreme elite features a Head’s Diamond shape for more control and an OTC honeycomb polymer core that creates the perfect feel and sound for all levels of players.
With Its smooth fiberglass surface and ergo grip it offers you excellence in a powerful shot. It has the Ergo grip which gives you the power and playability you are looking for when you step on the court.
Main specifications
| Weight | 220 Grams |
| Material | Fiberglass and honeycomb |
| Color | Green |
| Dimensions | 16.14 x 7.87 x 1.57 inches |
| Ratings | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
HEAD Extreme Tour Max Pickleball Racquet
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The HEAD Extreme Tour Max is the best pickleball paddle and is the strongest and heaviest of the extreme tour paddles at 8.1 oz for optimal touch and additional power.
It features an Optimized Tubular Construction (OTC) honeycomb polymer core and carbon graphite hitting surface (GHS) for great control and power.
With its unique diamond shape, it offers control and extreme spin texture for more bite on the ball, the extreme tour max gives you the extra power you need.
Main specifications
| Weight | 230 Grams |
| Material | Graphite |
| Color | Yellow |
| Dimensions | 16 x 8 x 1-inch |
| Ratings | 4.1 out of 5 stars |
Factors to consider when choosing the best Head pickleball paddles
Pickleball games performance highly depends on paddles along with many other factors. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been playing pickleball for years and are ready to upgrade your pickleball paddle then you should keep in mind a few factors otherwise you wouldn’t be able to know which is the right paddle for you.
When it comes to paddles then there are hundreds of options on the market and a huge variety of different sizes, weights, materials, and prices to choose from.
Pickleball is both an outdoor and indoor sport in which there are either two players who play singles or four players who play doubles. In this game, wooden paddles are commonly used to hit a perforated hollow polymer ball over a 36-inch high (0.91 m) net.
In order to choose just the perfect paddle there are a few factors that you should keep in mind.
There are many factors that you need to look for when choosing the right Head paddle however there are four main factors that are very important to consider and should not be overlooked.
Buying the right paddle includes considering these factors because the right Head pickleball paddle helps to elevate your game while minimizing your risk of injury and also it allows you to play in comfort.
Pickleball paddle weight
This first factor is the weight of the head pickleball paddle. Pickleball paddles usually come in three weight classes:
Lightweight which is Less than 7.2 ounces mid-weight which is about
7.3 – 8.4 ounces and finally comes the heavier paddles which are more than 8.5 ounces.
Lightweight head pickleball paddles
These paddles are easy to swing and offer more control and allow you to hit with greater finesse. Head pickleball paddles lightweight is gentler on your wrist and reduces fatigue and so they are a great option for petite or new players as well as those with a lighter touch.
Using these head paddles facilitates you however they also include the risk of swinging too hard and missing or not having enough power behind your shots, and vibrations from hitting a ball too hard with a lightweight paddle can exacerbate tennis elbow too.
Mid-weights paddles
These head paddles are typically a good option for nearly all players, whether beginners or professionals.
Players who prefer power and also have the strength to handle the heft will want to shop for heavyweight pickleball paddles.
These pickleball Head paddles are amazing as they offer a good middle point for both power and control. These head paddles aren’t so heavy that they strain a player’s wrist or cause the tennis elbow to flare up.
Another factor that makes these paddles great is that they swing faster and strike the ball with more force, making them ideal in singles matches.
However, it is crucial that you avoid choosing a pickleball paddle that is heavy as heavy paddles can lead to pain in your wrists, flaring up your tennis elbow, or injuring your shoulder.
It is important to check all these factors before buying a pickleball paddle.
Pickleball Head paddle grip size
This factor might not seem like a serious issue, but holding the wrong size pickleball paddle grip is similar to wearing the wrong size shoes for jogging and it can cause serious problems and affect the game that you are playing.
Playing with the wrong paddle will be highly uncomfortable and there will be a greater risk of injury, and your performance will also suffer. And that’s the reason why finding the right circumference is extremely important as it will help you to hold the paddle comfortably and firmly.
Paddle height can be used to determine the right grip size:
- Under 62 inches: 4-inch grip size or less
- 62 inches to 68 inches: 4.25-inch grip
- 69 inches or taller: 4.5-inch grip
It is very important to know your grip size. There are methods that’ll help you in finding the right grip size.
In 1st method, you have a pickleball or tennis racquet with a known grip size that has not been built up. Hold the racquet with an Eastern Forehand Grip, the palm of your hand should be placed against the same level as the string face on the racquet then place the index finger in the gap between the ends of your fingers and the palm of your hand.
If there isn’t enough room for your index finger then the grip is too small and if there is a lot of space between your fingers and palm then the grip is too big. Using a grip that is either too large or too small can adversely affect your game with tennis elbow and can cause injury.
Material of paddle
Another important factor when choosing the best Head pickleball paddle is the material the paddle is made from that is either composite or graphite Pickleball Paddle.
While wood paddles are the traditional and most commonly used paddles as they are durable and tend to be less expensive. Because of this, more and more players are looking at composite or graphite paddle options.
If we compare pickleball paddles then composite pickleball paddles have a hitting surface made of at least two materials. These tend to be stronger and heavier than graphite paddles and their textured surface feels like it can “grab” the ball.
Composite paddles offer more powerful shots and better spin.
- These paddles are typically less expensive.
- These paddles aren’t ideal for lighter shots.
Graphite pickleball paddles, on the other hand, are extremely lightweight and rigid, so they provide excellent response, greater control, and better accuracy at the net. Unlike composite paddles, they can be tricky to use and you might struggle with power because it’s so lightweight. The materials used in this head paddle are also expensive.
You can choose the right paddle for you after considering all the above-mentioned factors. Another major factor that is often overlooked by people recommending how to choose a pickleball paddle is your budget because there is a wide range of pricing with pocket-friendly wood paddles and high-end graphite paddles priced at well over $200.
When choosing a budget-friendly it is important to consider how often you play pickleball.
If it’s only once a year, you may want to choose a good quality affordable option, however, if you’re playing once or twice a week, you will want to invest more to get better performance.
Paddles for beginners
If you’re new to playing pickleball then the best head pickleball paddle for beginners are easy to use because they have a shape that maximizes the sweet spot and they are cheap and easy to use.
Using a paddle with a long handle, large face, and small grip size is a good choice as it blends power and improves control for excellent all-around performance.
A heavyweight pickleball paddle may be more challenging for smaller beginners and amateur players.
Best Paddle for Control
Most players usually prefer to play at the net or are more likely to play doubles pickleball. And if you’re for a paddle that offers more control then it’s a good choice to go for a mid and lightweight pickleball paddle that will give you the best feel and greater touch.
Longevity
When choosing a paddle, it is important to know about the head pickleball paddle’s longevity. Where most paddles are worn out in a year head pickleball paddles’ longevity may last up to 3 years.
Mostly a competitive player will replace their paddles about once a year, although they can switch even earlier if they get new paddles from their sponsors.
Average recreational or beginner players should get about 2-3 years out of graphic or composite paddles. As Time passes by you will get “dead” spots on your paddle.
