With tons of questions about the best pickleball paddle for beginners, when you initiate your search on Google, you might end up with infinite fantastic options. But which one is the perfect pickleball paddle for you to go on? What should be the right pickleball weight for you to begin with? Or which material gives the best service in the court?
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America where 4.8 million people played pickleball in 2021, this pastime is relishing a 14.8% of spectacular rise from 2020. With the public getting excited about playing this game, they also must know about the right pickleball paddle that serves them according to their requirements as a beginner.
In order to free everyone from this hassle, we have compiled a comprehensive list of pickleball paddles that are sorted out on the basis of important factors which make them the best pickleball paddles for men and women, even if they are just beginning to get in this sport.
Vulcan V530
Quality features
Pros
Cons
Where Vulcan is highly regarded for manufacturing exceptionally high-quality sports racquets, the Vulcan 530 Gold Lazer is another premium addition to their pickleball paddles. With its wide body shape and 8.6 oz weight, the Vulcan 530 Gold Lazer stands in the category of heavyweight paddles.
Its carbon fiber material and large sweet spot generate enormous power and enable the player to add extra forgiveness to their shots. Though 530 Gold Lazer provides great control to give a powerful shot and is best for both beginners and pros.
This paddle is not recommended for players with a comparatively smaller hand. The grip size of 4 3/8” provides a stronghold for any type of player, but will give an uncomfortable grip to the player with small hands like women and kids.
However, if you have been playing other sports like badminton or tennis, the Vulcan 530 will feel great in your hands and enables powerful shots, and winning hits. For beginners who love to smash, the maximum power and better control of the Vulcan 530 Gold Lazer gives one of the best options.
Therefore, when choosing the best pickleball paddle for beginners, you cannot go wrong with Vulcan 530.
Main Specifications
| Width | 8.4 – 8.6” OZ |
| Length | 4 ¾” |
| Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Grip | 4 3/8” |
| Paddle length | 14 ¾” |
| Player type | Beginner / Professional |
ONIX Graphite Z5
Quality features
Pros
Cons
Onix Z5 is one of the best pickleball paddles that are extremely balanced between power and control. It is one of the best-rated pickleball paddles in the market and surely the most popular one.
The wider face of Onix Z5 is helpful for beginners to practice net play with strong balance and solid control. With its perfect silhouette, mass, and construction, it offers a smooth feel on every swing. It is also one of the top-selling pickleball paddles as of its durability, performance, and reliability.
Onix Z5 is the perfect pickleball paddle for beginners who don’t know about the right paddle to ensure focus, power, and control on the court. It is also available in a variety of colors to get along well with the player’s style.
Prevailing at the top of the list among the best pickleball paddles for beginners has only one drawback being too pricey. However, when it comes to investing in the right and the best choice, Onix Z5 fits the one.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.6 – 8.0” OZ |
| Length | 15.5” |
| Material | Graphite |
| Grip | 4 1/4” inches |
| Paddle width | 1.5” |
| Player type | All |
Paddletek Phoenix G6
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The quality construction that made the Paddletek paddles the winning kit of this sport also added a bang for the buck again. This time Paddletek has come up with Phoenix G6 that sting with the player’s swing. The large sweet spot provides players with great overall control, accuracy, and forgiveness.
This medium-weight paddle enables a great balance of power and control.
The weight of these paddles is light enough to give a quick reaction at the non-volley zone and powerful enough to deliver the ball with authority.
The graphite polycore interior dampens the vibration, providing enhanced ball control and a comfortable game. This paddle provides as much forgiveness as possible and its large sweet spot helps beginners to excel in the game.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.8 – 8.1” ounces |
| Length | 15 5/8” inches |
| Material | PolyCore graphite |
| Grip Length | 5” inches |
| Edge Guard | 1/8” inch |
| Standard grip Size | 4 ¼ Inch |
HEAD Cyber Elite
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The best pickleball paddle for intermediate players, HEAD Cyber Elite is perfectly designed with premium quality materials.
It is a lightweight paddle with a fiberglass-hitting surface and a comfortable grip. This paddle provides an excellent feel and ample power that enables players to keep playing for hours.
It dampens the vibration with its Ergo Grip technology and proves itself the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow. The elegant design and a perfect balance of power and control make Cyber Elite a perfect pickleball paddle for beginners.
Main Specifications
| Width | 230 g / 8.1” ounces |
| Length | 408 mm / 16 in |
| Material | Polypropylene honeycomb |
| Grip Size | 4 1/8 in |
| Player type | Beginner and Intermediate |
| Width | 7 7/8 In |
Engage Encore MX 6.0
Quality features
Pros
Cons
One of the market’s best men’s and women’s pickleball paddles, the Encore EX 6 features a rough textured skin that enables an excellent spin for the game.
Designed and manufactured by US-based suppliers, these pickleball paddles comprise ergonomic tech and provide a comfortable, sweat-absorbing grip. The core material provides better control and power and improves the reach. Core and Skin dimensioning technology enhances the sweet spot.
The Encore EX6 works best for all levels of players, especially for those with enhanced skills. But they are also highly recommended for beginners to practice better control during the game.
Main Specifications
| Width | 8.3” ounces |
| Length | 4 1 / 8 in the grip |
| Material | Other |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4 inches |
| Player type | Beginner and Intermediate |
| Age Range | Adult |
Franklin Sports Pro
Quality features
Pros
Cons
With the brand new MaxGrit technology from Franklin sports, their series of premium quality signature pickleball paddles have a new addition.
The Franklin Sports Pro with its stylish, prime-quality design featuring MaxGrit textured surface provides maximum spin and minimum vibration. The paddle is approved by USAPA and its surface provides great traction for increased spin rate with optimum control.
The propylene and fiberglass core ensures a strong, durable, and enlarged sweet spot. It is professionally designed to provide effortless shot after shot and proved as a winning gear during tournaments.
Main Specifications
| Width | 8.3” oz |
| Length | 5.6” |
| Material | Polypropylene |
| Grip Size | 4.75” |
| Player type | All |
| Core | 13mm |
Gamma Fusion 2.0
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The lightweight, fiberglass textured face of Gamma Fusion 2.0 provides greater touch and good control.
With its Aramid Honeycomb Core, the paddles offer a boost to players’ game across the court. The honeycomb core cushion provides sweat absorbing and comfortable grip.
This USAPA-approved paddle proves to be the perfect choice for beginners to boost their confidence and to provide better action to experienced players.
Main Specifications
| Width | 0.57 Pounds |
| Size | 8 oz |
| Shaft Material | Graphite |
| Grip Size | 4 inches |
| Player type | All |
| Frame Material | Graphite |
When looking forward to playing pickleball, then as a beginner there are some factors to consider that affect the performance of a pickleball paddle. For your convenience, the factors are suggested below
1: Weight of pickleball paddle
If you are a player then the most important thing that you need to look for is the weight of the pickleball paddles as they can both amplify your power or can weaken it.
Pickleball ball paddles are mostly lightweight and so most of the pickleball paddles will weigh within the range of sixteen to fourteen ounces. The weight of the USA-recommended pickleball paddle has no restrictions and a person can get a customized one based on his choice.
Why weight of the pickleball paddles is so important?
Paddle weight is actually a very important factor that can not be ignored. The weight of a paddle affects your power and control. Where heavier pickleball paddles provide great power, they also make it difficult to handle them.
Especially newbies who are inexperienced might end up straining their elbows. But a lighter pickleball will help you with the perfect shot if you ke
words, beginners must go for lighter-weight pickleball paddles as they proved themselves to be the best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow.
The other reason is that while playing pickleball you probably swing a lot during a game and if the paddle is heavy then it can drain you out at a fast pace. If the paddle is heavy then it can drain your energy very quickly as compared to a lighter paddle. This can happen even if there is only an ounce of difference.
The repetition with a heavy swing will be stressful for the body and it can also lead to injury.
Though your sole focus should be on your performance, if you wind up choosing the wrong paddle then it can affect your performance. Therefore, if you are a person who is new to pickleball then you should choose a lightweight or middleweight pickleball.
The weight of the pickleball paddles is divided into three categories
- Lightweight Pickleball Paddles: These paddles are roughly 7.5 ounces and below.
- Midweight Pickleball Paddles: These are between 7.5 ounces and 8.4 ounces.
- Heavy Pickleball Paddles: These are greater than 8.5 ounces.
It is actually quite difficult to notice the weight difference between pickleball paddles. How can someone actually feel or distinguish the difference between a lighter 7.3-ounce paddle in comparison to a heavier 8.5-ounce paddle? The answer to this question is that a professional or a seasoned player is experienced enough to guess the weight just by holding the pickleball paddle.
But the question of the weight goes back to performance and physical considerations of the player and it is also a very important factor to know how the weight of the paddle affects the ball.
According to the USA Pickleball sanction the ball has to weigh between 0.78 ounces and 0.935 and it is actually very light.
Pickleball paddles mostly weigh from 6 to 18 times the weight of a ball. However, the difference in weight of the paddles will make a tremendous impact on each shot.
Although there are a few specificities as one can be better than the other.
1. Lightweight Pickleball Paddles
What beginners mostly don’t consider is a lightweight beginner-friendly paddle.
For someone who is new to the sport, playing more naturally is important. In simple words, there will be less resistance to where your hand, wrist, and arm are moving which will allow you to get a better shot.
If you choose a lighter paddle then it will help you get a good shot but sometimes lack of power can also occur. This is often a good choice if you are new to the game or are playing doubles then lightweight could be a great choice.
2. Midweight Pickleball Paddles
For a beginner choosing a midweight pickleball paddle is a great choice since it will balance the lightness for control with a bit more weight for power behind your shots.
It is the most common reason why amateurs chose a midweight paddle.
It will also be helpful if you’re playing a mix of singles and doubles. This is because a midweight paddle lends itself to drinking in doubles, and power for singles, where there will be less drinking.
3. Heavy Pickleball Paddles
As mentioned earlier heavier paddles are going to give you more power behind your shots. But they will require a bit more skill to maintain control and accuracy of your shot.
It is possible that you can have both power and control with a heavier paddle, but it will likely take some time to master it.
And to get used to it you will need a lot of practice.
If you primarily play singles then you might be considering a heavier Paddle. The reason is singles play depends more heavily on power shots.
2: Material of the Pickleball Paddle
Pickleball paddles are composed of different inner and outer cores according to their use and materials.
The inner core ensures stability regarding the shape and weight and the honeycomb pattern keeps the weight light. The inner can be of aluminum, Nomex, or polymer. The Nomex paddles provide enough control but less power is required and a bit louder.
If you want good control over the paddle then Aluminium paddles are a good choice as they are dense and offer less power.
The facing material of most of the pickleball paddles is composed of Graphite fiberglass and carbon fiber. Fiberglass ensures the most power is most commonly used. However, graphite is durable but it offers medium control and less force. So, we can say that
- Polymer paddles are quieter and softer but more powerful.
- Aluminum paddles are dense and they offer less power
- Carbon fiber is hard and durable but ensures good control and enough power.
3: The grip of the Pickleball Paddle
The size of one’s hand determines the Pickleball paddles size, shape, thickness, and circumference to offer enough grip, for example
If you have a large hand, you will need larger but lightweight paddles. If you use the wrong paddle, it will be difficult for you to hold your grip and stability to control.
The most effective way to discover and get accurate grip size is by measuring your height.
- Players of height about 5ft. 2 inches, try the small grip size (4 inches)
- For players whose is height between 5 ft.2 inches and 5ft. 8 inches, a medium grip of size (4 ¼ inches) is most appropriate.
- The grip size should be large for players who are taller than 5ft. 9 inches.
4: Edge Guard
An edge guard is optional, so it depends on your choice. It ensures protection to your paddle if you lose it during the game. The main purpose is that it provides the surface area that comes into contact with the ball.
However, edgeless paddles also have a protective tape covering which is less effective as compared to the edge guard.
FAQs
Which are the best brands for pickleball?
The usage of brands keeps on changing depending on their qualities. However, the #1 brand on this list will be Selkirk sport with is currently producing the best quality sports products. Paddletek is greatly known for its reliability and durability during intense competition
Onix is the third-best brand that came in 2005 and has supported the game to reach the professional level.
While for your convenience below is a list of the top ten pickleball brands.
1. Selkirk Sport
2. Paddletek
3. Onix
4. Engage in Pickleball
5. PRO-LITE Sports
6. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Composite Pickleball Paddle
7. GAMMA Hellbender Graphite Pickleball Paddle
8. Gearbox GX6 Control Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
9. Head Extreme Tour Max Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
10. JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Heavyweight Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle.
Which are the best pickleball paddles?
If we take about the best paddle brand for pickleball then these few are worth talking about.
Selkirk Amped Epic has reached the top ranks as it amplifies the power and control of the player.
It has that traditionally shaped paddle with a 15.75″ performance grip length and a cool graphic design that catches the eyes of users.
It has proven extremely well in soft dinking and power volleyball battles. It also has a great balance which is great for swings. There are other amazing paddle brands as well.
Head Radical Elite just fits the budget of the player and also provides the highest quality paddles
Prolite bolt is the best pickleball paddle for beginners.
Paddletek tempest wave pro works best for elite players.
Where can you buy a pickleball paddle?
There are more than 25 top brands all over the world to buy from. A lot of them are expensive however there are also budget-friendly brands as well.
Let’s talk about $100 to $150 dollar paddles from brands like Pro-Lite, Paddletek, Prince, Pro Kennex, Gamma, Wilson, Gearbox, and Engage.
If you’re new to this game and are an amateur then you could buy Tempest from Paddletek.
It is superior to all of the paddles when it comes to power, spin, and control for new players. If you’re more experienced then you should try Prince Response Pro.
These two paddles are amazing and offer exceptional levels of touch, feel, and accuracy. Both of these can be bought online and from Amazon.
What are the qualities of a good pickleball paddle?
If you play pickleball then choosing the right paddle is very important as it greatly affects your performance. Choosing a paddle that adds to your own power is a smart move.
If you are a control player then you may want a paddle that will hit hard and will help you put a ball away. You can also look for a paddle with great control to help you place a shot precisely where you intend it to be. In the end, all paddles have some elements of power and control.
You should also check the thickness and thinness of the core along with the material with which it is made. It can be made of some light composite materials like aluminum and graphite.
A lot of pickleball paddles are also made of wood but it is also hard to find the best wood pickleball paddle as they are generally not good enough
What is the material used to make a pickleball paddle surface?
From wooden paddles to fiberglass, carbon fiber, and graphite, pickleball paddles are manufactured from various different materials that are used to design the paddle that varies from each other. However, the most commonly used materials are graphite and fiberglass.
What does the core of pickleball made of?
The core of pickleball is generally composed of Aluminum, Nomex, and polymer.
The Polymer core provides durability and flexibility to the paddle and also enables the balance of power and control.
On the other hand, the Nomex core adds extra power to the play and is being used in paddle material for quite a while
Thin paddle or a thick one, which one should a beginner buy?
A thin-core paddle is designed to enable more power while a thick-core paddle gives more control and a bigger sweet spot.
Along with that the thick core paddle also enables extra forgiveness when the ball hits your paddle. Therefore, a thick-core paddle is recommended for beginner players.
