Compiled together are USAPA-approved 10 best pickleball paddles for intermediate players. The suggested paddles go best with the needs of all types of players.
Assuming the fun and excitement it delivers, the wildly increasing love and fame of pickleball have made everyone fond of this sport.
With a wide range of pickleball gear available in the market, it is difficult to get the right and best pickleball paddle for a player that serves all his needs. From the core material to its ability to deliver a spin, everything is critical to deliberate.
If you are looking to purchase new pickleball paddles or looking forward to upgrading your gear, you need to think about each and every factor that plays its part in determining the power, control, and spin of that paddle.
Taking into consideration all the major factors that affect the quality and deliverance, compiled below is the list of the 10 best pickleball paddles for intermediate players.
Pro Kennex Kinetic Pro Speed
Quality features
Pros
Cons
With its medium weight range and comfortable 4” grip circumference, the Kinetic Pro Speed II paddle provides a balanced feel with solid defense. The wide square edge area offers an enhanced sweet spot for a variety of shots.
The impact-resistant polymer core provides noiseless, gentle, yet compact action. Ingeniously crafted, the Kinetic Pro Speed II paddle takes the gear to the next level. It comprises a specifically designed 7-layered coating that creates spin and enables easy, more controlled shots.
The Air-O-Guard edge guard enables players to simply replace the damaged piece instead of purchasing whole new equipment.
The Pro Speed II is the second and upgraded release of “Speed” by Pro Kennex Paddles. The premium design and exclusive versatility of this paddle are adorned with great touch and placement and make it one of the best pickleball paddles for intermediate players.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.3 – 7.85” OZ |
| Height | 15.43” |
| Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Grip Size | 4” |
| Technology | Air-O-Guard |
HEAD Radical Pro
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The dynamic shape and honeycomb construction of the Radical Head Pro power paddle give a large sweet spot and stability to the players to generate an excellent shot. The polymer core texture
provides a huge edge and great power with extra control. With its 8.1-ounce weight, it provides additional power to generate excellent reach without tiring the arm. The Ergo grip technology offers a soft, comfortable grip.
The wide polymer core face is designed to dampen the vibration and produce a great amount of spin on the shots. The diamond shape and fiberglass surface enable increased spin with enhanced power and control.
It is approved by USAPA and is loved by both professional and intermediate players as the best-rated pickleball paddle to stay at the top of the tournament.
Quality Features
- Available in a variety of gold, blue, red, and purple colors.
- Provides great spin for players who love to hit and win.
- USAPA approved for sanctioned tournaments.
Main Specifications
| Width | 230 g / 8.1” OZ |
| Length | 408 mm / 16” in |
| Material | Polypropylene / Graphite |
| Grip Size | 4 1/8” in |
ONIX Graphite Z5 Graphite
Quality features
Pros
Cons
Onix is one of the best pickleball brands, well-recognized for its premium quality and best-selling paddles in the market. The Composite Z5 by Onix is a decent choice for players who love controlled shots with great power to generate extra spin on their hits.
Though it provides a comfortable grip with an outstanding balance, the Onix Composite Z5 is also known as one of the heaviest pickleball paddles on the market.
The fiberglass surface and honeycomb core texture enable a great amount of spin and the wide face helps to generate more controlled power. However, Composite Z5 is not considered the best pickleball paddle for beginners as it is quite heavy for the newbies to train with.
The composite version by Onix is a great choice for players with their primary aim to spin.
For the players confident in their arm’s strength and want to deliver a powerful shot, the graphite version by Onix is highly preferred
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.5 – 8.2” OZ |
| Length | 15.5” |
| Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4” inches |
JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS
Quality features
Pros
Cons
Among the three best pickleball paddles from Hyperion Series, the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 is at the top. It is designed in partnership with world No.1 pickleball player Ben Johns and performs at the highest levels.
This USAPA-approved pickleball paddle is highly effective for players of all skill levels and is an outstanding blend of power, spin, and control. Its anti-slip ridge grip gives optimum hold and increases shock absorption. The CFS 16 creates less drag with increased stability and swing speed and offers more forgiveness to the play.
The upgraded Swift technology of JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 enables high strength and powerful strokes while keeping the paddle lightweight. The reactive polypropylene honeycomb core maximizes the level of consistency, hence increasing the control and reducing fatigue for longer games.
The hyperedge wall is injected into the paddle to enhance the weight and stability. It also increases the sweet spot to give better performance across the court.
Main Specifications
| Width | 8.24” OZ |
| Length | 16.5” inches |
| Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Grip Size | 4.25 inches |
| Technology | SWIFT Technology |
Pro Kennex Ovation Flight
Quality features
Pros
Cons
With the US Open and USAPA Nationals gold medalist pickleball players, the Pro Kennex released the Kinetic Ovation Flight paddle. The Oval shape design of this paddle reduces the chance of mishit and the responsive, touch-sensitive properties of the paddle dampen vibration.
The Cloud Core technology makes the paddle lighter with enhanced sweet spot, power, and strength. The superior consistency and accelerated ball velocity make this paddle an outclass performer.
The special chamber of this paddle is filled with tungsten to absorb energy and reduces the shock during impact. The Kinetic technology eliminates soreness and fatigue in the arm, elbow, and shoulder. It’s a professionally lightweight, high-quality paddle that allows players to focus on a high-level game.
The outstanding performance and excellent delivery make it the best pickleball paddle for intermediate as well as advanced players.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.2 – 7.75” OZ |
| Length | 15.43” |
| Material | Carbon with diamond frost face |
| Grip Size | 4” inches |
| Technology | Kinetic System Technology |
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The precisely designed Paddle Tek’s Tempest Wave Pro provides an excellent touch and better control with ultimate power and feel.
The smart response technology of this paddle makes it a good choice for experienced players who love to deliver well-balanced, finesse shots. The outclass accuracy, and extra forgiveness allow players to perform at their highest levels. The large consistent sweet spot and well-balanced weight of Tempest Wave Pro improves your game to another level.
The high-tech honeycomb core enhances the power and the excellent paddle texture provides controlled and precise play. With Tempest Wave Pro, a player can easily control the factors like speed and accurate hits, which makes them win at the highest levels of the tournament.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.6 – 8” OZ |
| Length | 15 7/8” |
| Material | Graphite |
| Grip Size | 4 3/8” |
| Technology | Smart Response Technology |
Gamma Micron 2.0
Quality features
Pros
Cons
One of the best pocket-friendly pickleball paddles on the market, the Gamma Micron 2.0 provides great control with enhanced power and excellent spin.
It is 215 grams lightweight pickleball paddle with a rough texture on its surface that reduces air resistance and enables spin on the stroke. The aramid honeycomb core technology gives a wide sweet spot and cushioned handle enables soft, comfortable, and sweat-free grip.
It is a lightweight paddle and reduces the risk of injury during practice sessions. The design of this paddle makes it the best pickleball paddle for beginners who are trying to improve their game without straining their arms.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.9″ OZ |
| Skill level | Beginner / Intermediate |
| Material | Graphite / Fiberglass |
| Grip Size | 4” |
| Technology | Aramid Honeycomb Core |
Engage Encore Pro
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The lightweight and comfortable design of Engage Encore Pro makes it a good pickleball paddle for both beginner and intermediate players.
With its liquid graphite surface and polymer-based core, it offers a large sweet spot that delivers extra spin and control. Though it’s slightly compromising in power, the paddle brings on an amazing spin on strokes with perfect accuracy.
Engage Encore delivers a soft comfortable grip to continue the play for hours without straining your arm. Providing its balanced control, great spin, and comfortable feel, the Engage Encore is the best pickleball paddle for players of all levels and skills.
Main Specifications
| Width | 8.3″ Ounces |
| Length Thin | 4 1/8 in the grip |
| Material | Other |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4” inches |
| Technology | Vibration Control Technology |
Gamma Sports NeuCore Poly Core
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The textured graphite surface and NeuCore technology of Gamma NeuCore Sports provide a good grip, greater spin, and a softer feel. The elongated face of this paddle helps to generate great spin with an expanded hitting surface.
The handle with a length of 4-3/4” allows a comfortable grip with swift position change. The compass of Gamma NeuCore is thinner than competitive paddles and provides different performances on the court.
Though Gamma NeuCore offers a high-level performance for professional players it is also the best-rated pickleball paddle for intermediate players and supports them hit with confidence.
With its 25% thicker and larger-cell core it provides a more responsive yet quitter feel during the play. The wider sweet spot and comfortable Ergonomic handle enable the player to win this game like a pro.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.75″ Ounces |
| Length | Elongated |
| Material | Graphite |
| Grip Size | 4 1/8” inches |
| Technology | NeuCore |
Onix Evoke Premier
Quality features
Pros
Cons
The Polypropylene honeycomb core of the Onix Evoke Premier paddle makes it the thickest and best pickleball paddle for professional players.
The composite fiberglass face enables a great combination of spin and control. While the Atomic-13 edge protector offers additional aerodynamic characteristics that provide shock absorption during impact. It also ensures to sweep away the impact by generating counter energy from back to the field.
With a thicker core and heavy weight of 7.8-8.2 oz, the paddle generates a perfect strength and consistent feel to hit harder in the court. The handle of Onix Evoke with 5 inches length and superior
grip enables a comfortable sweat-absorbing grip and powerful control. The Evoke Premier is the best pickleball paddle for intermediate players looking forward to bringing a change to their game.
Main Specifications
| Width | 7.8-8.2″ Ounces |
| Handle Length | 5 inches long |
| Material | Composite Fiberglass |
| Grip Size | 4 1/2” inches |
| Technology | Atomic13 Edge Technology |
FAQs
Which type of pickleball paddle is good for me?
First and foremost, it depends upon the type of player you are. Different types of paddles serve players with different skill levels.
Then you should consider the core thickness of the paddle. If you are looking for more powerful shots then you should go for thin poly core, fiberglass face pickleball paddles.
However, if you are looking forward to practicing more control then you must go for a graphite or carbon fiber paddle with a thicker core.
What is the name of the pickleball paddle with the widest sweet spot?
The S2 designed in corporation with the US silver medalist Tony Tollenar is said to have the widest sweet spot in the pickleball industry.
Is there any difference between cheap and expensive pickleball paddles?
Yes, the cheap pickleball paddles are made up of wood and the expensive pickleball paddles are made up of graphite.
When it comes to quality, there is no such thing as the best wood pickleball paddles.
As wooden paddles have very low-quality deliverance and affect the overall experience of the game.
What is the price of a good pickleball paddle?
The price of a good pickleball paddle generally depends upon the quality of the material used in its construction.
The pickleball paddles made up of wood usually cost between $15 to $35.
While the composite paddles cost between $40 to $100. The pickleball paddles comprising graphite material cost $90 to $100.
Is a lightweight pickleball paddle better than a heavyweight pickleball paddle?
The answer depends upon a player’s choice. The lightweight paddle gives better control with less drive while the heavyweight paddle gives less control with enhanced power and drive.
