Whether you have a highly competitive standing pickleball match at your local court or you’re a racquet sport newbie looking to learn how to dink and wondering where the kitchen is, the right paddle is essential to improving your pickleball game. Like the best pickleball shoes, paddles come in all shapes, sizes, and fun colors and patterns. From durable carbon fiber options to more budget-friendly wood and fiberglass, there’s a lot to consider before you invest in a paddle. Warning: whatever you do, don’t call it a racquet.
Fortunately, Shape’s done the work for you. We tested dozens of the most popular paddles from various brands across a wide price range in order to find the best pickleball paddles for beginners. We also enlisted the help of experts Paul Lemley, the founder and CEO of Pickleball Union, and John Cowley, the director of vendor relations at Pickleball Central.
Here are the best pickleball paddles for beginners, according to pros, gear experts, and testers.
The Rundown
- The Franklin Sports Tour Dynasty paddle is a high-performing stable paddle that’s easy to use and comfortable for large and small hands, lefties, righties, and even former tennis players.
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 7.9 oz.| Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.5 inches
This paddle is all about control and spin. It has a grippy carbon fiber face, a sturdy and thicker anti-slip grip, and a protective barrier around the edge for added durability. This is a powerful paddle that’s on the heavier side, but it provides more leverage to return a rally. The core is made from plastic honeycomb, rather than foam, which provides a reliable, consistent pop with every hit.
Materials: Wood | Weight: 10 oz. | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
These are a very budget-friendly option for casual pickup games and kids learning to play. The set includes four wooden paddles, four balls, and a mesh carrying bag. These paddles are of average length and width but are slightly heavier than carbon fiber and fiberglass options. They’re highly durable and can take a beating, which makes them great for young players and travel.
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 7.6 oz. | Handle Length: 5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4 inches
This paddle is lighter, shorter, and has a smaller grip than most, making it a great choice if you have small hands or don’t have a ton of upper body strength. You can still get a great thwack on the carbon fiber surface without stressing your shoulder or elbow. The grip is a soft and shock-absorbing tape that minimizes the risk of blisters and won’t easily wear down.
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 7.8–8.2 oz. | Handle Length: 5.25 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
“The original Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro was one of the winningest paddles of all time,” says Cowley, adding that this updated version has “an enormous sweet spot” that’s highly forgiving. That means you don’t have to perfectly center the ball on your paddle face to get a powerful pop. This paddle is popular with experienced players and pros, but it’s light and mobile enough for newbies, too.
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 7.9 oz. | Handle Length: 5.75 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches
With an extended 5.75-inch handle and a 15 mm core, this sturdy paddle is a great choice for beginners looking to develop their skills. The longer handle offers better control and power, especially if you like to hit a two-handed backhand, and the carbon fiber face is great for adding spin when you get to that level.
“Too often players find themselves with a paddle that can’t keep up with their improvement. The spin texture on the VERSIX Raw is designed to last, and the wider version of the paddle offers the lightweight maneuverability players need along with a more forgiving sweet spot.” – Paul Lemley
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 8-8.2 oz. | Handle Length: 5.75 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches
This paddle comes in two sizes, and the larger 16 mm option with a 5.75-inch handle is comfortable for people with larger hands. Aside from its broad shape, the paddle is made from durable high-performing materials. The carbon fiber face returns energy to your ball for consistent strokes and the foam interior absorbs shock and keeps the paddle within a reasonable weight.
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 8 oz. | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches
The Gamma Obsidian 13 is a popular medium-weight paddle with a narrow grip and a shorter handle than most. It has a 13 mm core and tapered edges that are aerodynamic and easy to whip through the air. Though this isn’t the longest handle you’ll find, it’s also not the shortest, and the paddle does offer good reach and has enough space for a two-handed backhand.
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Paddle width and weight is appropriate for most levels
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Soft, shock-absorbing grip
Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 8.5-8.8 oz. | Handle Length: 5.6 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.3 inches
This is a great all-around paddle for all skill levels — especially beginners. The 16 mm paddle is a nice middle ground that offers both power and maneuverability. It has a textured carbon fiber surface that’s great for adding spin and an elongated handle for greater reach and court dominance. The interior is made from high-density foam that reduces shock and feels stable and easy to control.
“I have over 50 hours of playtime with this paddle and it continues to perform like it did on day one. And at $169.99, it’s a great middle-of-the-road price point.” – Paul Lemley, Founder & CEO of Pickleball Union
What to Know About the Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners
- Materials: More budget-friendly paddles will be made from wood, composite, and fiberglass, but pricier carbon fiber paddles have a grippier surface that offers better ball handling and control, so it’s worth the extra cost if you play regularly.
- Grip: It’s important to choose a grip that’s comfortable in your palm and won’t wear down easily with regular play. If you find a paddle you love but want to change the grip, you can always add rewrap the handle with the right tape.
- Handle Length: A standard paddle handle measures 5 inches or less and a longer handle, which gives you more reach on the court, measures 5.5 inches or longer. “The longer handle allows for two-handed shots and tends to add more power,” says Cowley.
- Weight: A lighter paddle is less taxing on your arm and easier to move, but some players prefer something heftier and with more leverage. Most paddles weigh around 8 oz., but you can find options as light as 7.5 oz. and as heavy as over 8.6 oz. “A thicker paddle means more control and a thinner paddle means more power,” says Cowley.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How to choose pickleball paddles for beginners?
Lemley says beginners should prioritize two things when looking for a paddle: How the paddle feels in your hand and the degree of control it provides during play. Holding the paddle and judging its weight, handle width, and shape will tell you a lot about how comfortable and confident you’ll feel with it on the court.
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What type of paddle is best for beginners?
Lemley recommends a 16 mm paddle for most beginners. This is on the thicker side but “will be more forgiving and offer more control,” he says. He also prefers a longer paddle for increased reach across the court and a carbon fiber face. “The gritty paddle texture may assist beginners, adding more control and offering more spin,” he says.
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How do you know what size paddle to get?
Paddle size includes shape and length. Shape, according to Lemley, is largely about personal preference and aesthetics. He suggests that beginners opt for an elongated paddle, which generally measures 16.5 inches by 7.5 inches. “Most beginners have no trouble maneuvering around the court, but injury statistics suggest beginners may overestimate their agility. An elongated paddle may prevent unnecessary stumbles by giving the player a slight reach advantage,” he says.
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Is it better to have a heavier or lighter paddle?
Most players prefer lighter paddles, as they’re easier to maneuver during a long afternoon of play. People with elbow or wrist injuries should prioritize a lighter paddle to ease the pressure on their joints.
Why Trust Shape
Lizzy Briskin is an avid pickleball player always looking for her next game (and the cutest skort to play it in). She’s a New York City-based health, fitness, food, and travel writer for outlets including PEOPLE, Real Simple, Women’s Health, and SELF. A former collegiate runner for Amherst College, she has run six marathons. She’s also competed in triathlons and is an avid swimmer, hiker, cyclist, pickleball player, and reader. She has a culinary degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and was formally the food editor at Food Network Magazine, and before that, at Real Simple Magazine.
The Shape team dinked, rallied, served, and dove to test the most popular paddles and select the best. We also consulted with pickleball experts to identify the most important features for beginners and seasoned players to consider.
Paul Lemley is the founder and CEO of Pickleball Union.
John Cowley is the director of vendor relations at Pickleball Central.
Read the full article here