Whether you are a beginner or an advanced pickleball player, nothing will play to your advantage more than having the best pickleball paddle. Your ideal paddle will help you improve your overall game by contributing to better control, power, and drive.
When buying a pickleball grip, the three most important factors to consider are the materials it is made with, how heavy it is, and your grip size. When you get these three factors correct, the only thing that will be standing between you and success is your creativity.
If you want to buy a pickleball paddle, the following are five of the best in the market today, their pros, and cons. Additionally, this article will help you learn how to choose the best pickleball paddle for your game and body by reviewing the essential features you need to look for in the equipment.
Best Pickleball Paddle
1. Best Pickleball Paddle Overall: Selkirk Amped S2 Pickleball Paddle
If your goal is to join the ranks of the best pickleball players, this paddle is precisely what you need. It is crafted using the best technology to offer you power, control, and spin.
It features a shorter handle to accommodate a larger surface area, so all your balls find a place to land. It comes with a FiberFlex Fiberglass face for the best looks and unmatched ball spin to let you overcome your opponent effortlessly.
It is made with a Polypropylene X5 honeycomb core which is best for speed and feel. This core will help reduce vibrations when you hit the ball, thus preventing elbow and whole-body fatigue no matter how long you play. This paddle boasts advanced torque suppression that increases accuracy even in windy conditions.
The paddle for pro enthusiasts is made in the USA and approved for tournaments and international play by the United States of America Pickleball Association (USPA).
2. Best Medium-Weight: ONIX Z5 Graphite Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle with Cushion Comfort Grip
- GRAPHITE Z5 Most popular pickleball paddle in the Onix line
- SUPERIOR CONTROL Excellent touch paddle for superior ball control
- PADDLE SPECS Nomex, paper honeycomb core and graphite face
- WIDEBODY SHAPE Widebody paddle shape with 4-1/4" grip size
- PADDLE DIMENSIONS 15.5" L x 8.3" W x 1.5" H; Medium-Weight 7.5-8.2 oz
This paddle comes from the renowned Onix brand. It is a medium-weight paddle that features a graphite face and a Nomex honeycomb core. It is best for tennis players who want to start playing pickleball.
It comes with a tennis handle to mimic a tennis racquet, and this is a great feature if you play tennis and want to transition to pickleball. The familiarity reduces the extra pressure you would normally feel as a pickleball beginner.
This paddle also comes with a wide body shape, 15.5" L x 8.3" W x 1.5" H, to give you the feeling of control on the court so you can focus on your game. It also has a large hitting area to provide a large sweet spot and for better accuracy. It is made with a Nomex honeycomb core that provides just enough weight to improve any ball you play.
Its graphite face is the best addition to the Nomex core. It is lightweight and thus, increases ball spin, speed, and maneuverability. The paddle is beautifully designed and is available in different color options and at an affordable price range.
3. Best for Beginners: GRM Racket Graphite Pickleball Paddle Set
- USAPA Approved Pickleball Paddle Sets: We combine cutting-edge technology, high-end materials and...
- High Quality Pickleball Paddle Set: The interior of our pickleball racquet provides redefined...
- Pickleball Paddles Graphite: GRM graphite pickleball paddle is made of very durable graphite face,...
- Comfortable Grip: The circumference of this racket is 4.3" (about the medium size) and the length is...
- What You Get: Pickleball sets 2 paddles, 2 outdoor balls, 2 indoor balls and 1 carry bag. The...
This set comes packed with two pickleball paddles, four pickleball balls, and a carry bag. As a beginner, you want your paddles to be lightweight, have strong grips, and come with a strong construction so they can last you long as you train.
These pickleball racquets from GRM are made with graphite faces and Polymer Honeycomb Core to provide speed, control, and power. They are made to be durable and improve your overall performance.
The Polymer Honeycomb Core not only guarantees durability but also enhances the elasticity of your racquet. The graphite carbon fiber face is also lightweight and allows your balls to bounce easily from your paddle so you can enjoy the kind of accuracy you need to learn.
The pickleball paddles come with proprietary edge guards to prevent damage if they fall or hit the ground. Additionally, the paddles come with perforated and sweat-absorbent cushioned grips to improve comfort and prevent fatigue and injuries.
4. Best for Professionals: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro Pickleball Paddle
- CONTROL AND TOUCH - The Tempest Wave Pro delivers unmatched accuracy, power and forgiveness,...
- UNMATCHED CONTROL - Place the ball exactly where you want it with unmatched control and accuracy....
- BIG WINS INCOMING - This professional pickleball paddle delivers the power and performance you need...
- SMART RESPONSE TECHNOLOGY - This professional pickleball paddle features smart response technology...
- GRIP TYPE - This durable paddle comes equipped with our high tack performance grip. Thin Grip...
It is one of the best professional pickleball paddles on the market. It guarantees control, speed, and no dead spot.
It is a lightweight paddle that is made with a hyper-responsive Propylene core and a graphite face. The core guarantees a good shot in any circumstance. The graphite body is best for ball spin. It is the best paddle if you are a strategic player looking for more accuracy, control, and forgiveness.
It also comes with comfortable perforated grips that guarantee comfort and no fatigue even when you play for long periods. The only downside to this paddle is its high cost and paddle noise.
5. Best Deal: Niupipo Pickleball Paddles
- USAPA Approve for Victory; The niupipo pickleball paddles use the latest technology to improve the...
- The Perfect Combination of the Graphite Honeycomb Core and Graphite Carbon Fiber Surface; While the...
- Cozy and Controllable;Â Paddle face dimensions: 10.63" L x 7.87" W x 0.59" H Lightweight pickleball...
- Every Part of the Pickleball Paddle is Well-designed; The handle of this pickleball racket has...
- Applicable to a wide range of people; Every Niupipo USAPA Pro pickleball set is designed to be an...
These Nuipopo pickleball grips are USPA-approved for sanctioned tournaments. While they are made with high-quality materials, they are also the best paddles you can buy if you want extra pickleball paddle covers. The set comes with two paddles and two covers.
They spot a vibrant exterior made with Graphite Carbon fiber which is lightweight and offers high-speed performance and power. The vibrant colors will also increase your confidence on the court and improve your moods as you continue learning.
The interior of these paddles is made with a polymer honeycomb core sandwiched between two layers of durable carbon fiber for durability and to provide great spins and power. They also come with perforated and sweat absorbent cushioned grips to improve comfort and allow flexible wrist action so you can improve your balls.
Nuipopo pickleball paddles also feature proprietor edge guards, which prevent damage from ground hits.
These pickleball paddles are great choices for beginners and intermediary pickleball players. They are ergonomically designed to prevent elbow and shoulder fatigue as every hit is comfortable and controlled. The affordable set comes with two paddles and two Neoprene Paddle Covers.
ESsential factors to Before Choosing a Pickleball Paddle
Before you set out to buy the best pickleball paddles, there are some very important factors you need to understand. These features determine how great your paddles will be and how much they can affect your game.
1. Pickleball Paddle Core Materials
The paddle core is the material beneath the paddle face. It can be made of different materials that work differently for everyone. The material affects the weight, durability, and how best you can play. These are the most common materials for pickleball paddles.
a) Nomex core
It is a nylon-based polymer known to be lightweight and flexible. When making pickleball paddles, Nomex is achieved by dipping a honeycomb framework into a polymer resin to harden enough.
When you are buying your pickleball paddle, this material is a great choice. Since it is not made with any cushioning, the paddle tends to make a lot of noise upon contact with the ball.
b) Aluminum core
Compared to Nomex, the Aluminum core is heavier and more durable. When making paddles, it is achieved using honeycomb shapes.
Aluminum core paddles are heavy, thus not very ideal for beginner or intermediate players. They are best for experienced pickleball players who have mastered ball control and are only looking for better accuracy and power.
c) Polypropylene Core
This material is used to make very lightweight paddles. It is a soft and flexible material that produces the best pickleball paddles with the perfect amount of bounce to prevent dead spots.
Because of the Polypropylene Core properties, the paddles come with a cushioning effect that allows more ball contact and quieter play.
2. Pickleball Paddle Material
A pickleball paddle is made with any of the following materials; make sure to pick the best depending on your skill level and style of play.
a) Polymer plastics
These are paddles made with a combination of plastic and resin. They are very famous paddles because they are lightweight and durable.
However, polymer pickleball paddles are only ideal for casual or beginner players. Even though the paddles are lightweight, they do not guarantee success in other areas of a game, such as power, speed, and ball control.
b) Wood
Wood pickleball paddles were the order of the day when the game was very new. However, the wood designs have now been refined to suit the rising demands of the game. Instead of hardwood paddles, you can now find plywood paddles made with ornate grips for better control and power.
c) Graphite pickleball paddles
Graphite paddles are lightweight and highly responsive, which makes them the ideal choice for most elite players. If you buy a graphite pickleball paddle, you will be guaranteed great results when dinking, a larger hitting surface, better shot accuracy, and more.
d) Composite Pickleball Paddle
The composite pickleball paddles rea made with high-quality, professional-grade materials. Some of these materials are; Fiberglass, vinyl, aluminum, and polymer surfaces. As expected, these are paddles made with elite players in mind and often the most expensive.
3. Pickleball paddle weight
Your ideal paddle weight depends on your skill level and style of play. If you are a beginner starting to learn the ins and outs of the game, you may be inclined to use heavier paddles, while as an advanced player, you will find lightweight paddles playing to your advantage.
4. Pickleball paddle grip size
It is imperative that you know your ideal grip size before buying a pickleball paddle. Your palm is the only part of you that makes contact with the paddle, thus very important when hitting the ball.
If you buy a paddle with a bigger grip, you risk the paddle flowing out of your hand, which could injure you or your opponent. On the other hand, a small grip can cause unnecessary tension to give you fatigue and other injuries. Either way, the wrong grip size will negatively affect your game.
Conclusion
Now that you have the best pickleball paddles to choose from and the features to look for in each buying an ideal paddle becomes easier.
The only things left to consider are our skill level, your best pickleball shots, and your playing environment. Additionally, the price of your paddle can play a big role in determining the quality you get.
For advanced players, the best paddle is made with graphite and composite materials, and these will be in the higher price range. However, most of them are cleared for tournament play. For a beginner, most mid-weight paddles are ideal for helping advance your skill levels.
