in-depth Pickleball Paddle Guide
Welcome to the in-depth guide to finding your perfect pickleball paddle. Make sure to bookmark this page and come back often as we will update it every time there are new developments in pickle paddle technology.
Overview
There are many different paddle choices out there. Finding the right pickle paddle for your needs doesn’t have to be complicated. With that in mind arguably the most important factors when first finding a pickleball paddle is paddle weight, followed by grip size. Other factors such as hitting surface material and core materials are important when fine tuning your game.
The following guide will cut through all the noise and help you find the best pickle paddle for you in your journey to becoming a better pickleball player. We hope you find this guide helpful in understanding the finer details in pickleball paddle construction and technology.
The last part of this guide will also offer some recommendations and answer frequently asked questions.
Use the table below to navigate easier through the page.
Pickleball Paddle Weight
The weight of your pickle paddle affects basically everything that has to do with the feel of the paddle. This includes the amount of power, ball control and also how comfortable your swing is while playing. Weight is a big factor in arm strains and fatigue during gameplay as well.
The main factors that determine the weight of a pickleball paddle are the materials it is made from and the thickness. Pickleball paddles are available in a range of different materials including wood, polymer, graphite, and composite materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass. The most popular pickle paddle cores are aluminum, Nomex, and polymer.
Most pickle paddles range in weight from approximately 6 (lightweight paddles) to 14 ounces (heavy paddles). A few ounces may not sound like much of a difference but it adds up if you are swinging a paddle for a couple hours. In general there are 3 options for weight in the paddles that are most frequently sold: light (<7.3 oz), medium (7.3-8.4 oz) and heavy (8.5-9.5 oz).
Power vs. Control
Light pickleball paddles (<7.3 oz) are easier to handle and tend to give the player more control. It is a great choice for players who like ball control and like to make precise shots. However the downside of using a lighter paddle is that it delivers less force when hitting the ball, meaning that more force is required to make faster power shots. Depending on your play style this can be more taxing on your muscles during a long game. Also using a much lighter pickle paddle can make you feel higher vibrations when hitting the ball. So if you have wrist or elbow injuries this may not be a good idea to use.
Medium weight pickleball paddles (7.3-8.4 oz) make for a happy medium between power and control. These will offer accuracy and allow for making power shots with ease. Also these are recommended if you are starting out and are not sure what weight is right for you yet. If you have any wrist or elbow injuries, medium pickleball paddles are also recommended as they will dampen vibrations and wont be too strenuous to swing during longer games.
Heavy pickleball paddles (8.5-9.5 oz) are great for making powerful shots but have less maneuverability. Heavier pickle paddles allow you to get more power and distance with less effort, giving you faster shots that keep you opponent on their toes. The downside of using a heavy pickleball paddle is that it is easier to accidentally overshoot your dink shots which can give your opponent extra time to return the pickleball. Also much heavier pickle paddles can slow down your paddle movement time making it a problem reacting to fast shots.
Summary
- Weight <7.3oz
- Best choice for those who play a pure control/touch/feel game, spending most of their time at the net and preferring “dinks” to hard shots or slams
- Provides more control, less power and pop
- Requires less arm strength
- Generates more head speed – good for hard hitters
- Requires more energy and momentum to swing, so not a good choice for those with shoulder/elbow/hand injuries or arthritis
- More popular for doubles players
- Weight 7.3-8.4oz
- A good choice if you’re unsure about what weight is right for you
- Best choice for those who play with both power and finesse
- Best choice for most beginners who haven’t figured out all of their preferences and play style
- Best choice for those with shoulder/elbow/hand injuries or arthritis
- Weight 8.5-9.5oz
- Best choice for those who play a pure power game, spending most of their time at the baseline and preferring big shots to “dinks” and finesse shots
- Provides more power and pop, which comes at the expense of some control
- Requires more arm strength
- Generates less head speed – good for light hitters
- Fatigues your arm faster and can aggravate your elbow, so not a good choice for those with shoulder/elbow/hand injuries or arthritis
- More popular for singles players
The following are tips for players who have had some exposure to pickleball or that have the ability to try out or at least hold the pickle paddle prior to purchasing.
Paddle feel in your hand
The feel of the paddle in your hand and its responsiveness is important. Pay attention to how it feels when swinging the paddle. Is it responsive when volleying? Does the paddle feel great when you first pick it up? How do you feel at the end of the game?
Playing style
As you gain experience playing pickleball you might realize that you enjoy playing with high speed power shots or discover that dinking is your jam! If you have identified what your strengths are weakness, you can get a paddle that either compensates for the weak parts of your game or makes the strong parts of your game even better. For example, if you are highly skilled at dinking, you could try a light paddle to further improve the ball accuracy of your game. If you need more power in your shots, you could try a heavier paddle to compensate for it. If you are a player with slow reaction times, it’s best to consider a light to medium pickleball paddle that allows for quicker movement.
Pickleball Paddle Grip Size
When looking at grip size, it usually refers to the circumference of the paddle grip not the length of the handle unless otherwise stated. It is essential to select a pickleball paddle that has the correct grip size for your hand. If you play with a paddle grip too big it may slip in your hand and cause elbow strain.
Almost all paddle grip sizes are between 4 to 4 1/2 inches in circumference. Like tennis, pickleball grips are broken down into 1/8 inch increments. The important thing to remember is that you can increase the size of the pickle paddle grip by adding an overgrip, but there is no way to decrease the grip size. Therefore when in doubt buy a size that is one step down (⅛ to ¼ smaller) and then add overgrip or tape to match your grip size as needed.
How to measure grip size
Measurement based off your height:
- Player height under 5’3” usually 4” grip is best.
- Player height between 5’3’’ and 5’8’’ usually 4 ¼’’ grip is best.
- Player height over 5’9’’ usually a 4 ½” grip is best.
Please note, this is not as exact as the hand measurement method below.
Ring finger measurement:
Refer to the pictures on the left.
Use a ruler to measure the distance from the tip of your ring finger, down to the middle crease of your palm.
To check if the grip size is correct, grab the paddle with your normal natural grip and slide your index finger from the opposite hand between your fingers and the heel of your grip hand. You should be able to snugly fit your finger without having to move your fingers. If you have extra space between the heel and your fingers and your index finger isn’t touching the grip is too big. If you have to move your fingers to get your index finger to fit in the gap, the grip might be too small. Again if between two sizes, go smaller.
Larger Grip vs. Smaller Grip
Smaller paddle grip allows for more wrist action, which makes it easier to put a spin on the ball and improves control. Increased wrist movement can also add extra power to your serve.
Larger paddle grip will provide more stability and be easier on your arm. Again the caveat here is that using a paddle handle that is much too large for your hand can lead to elbow strain, so you can see that it is important to find the right size for your hand.
Summary
- Grip size refers to circumference of handle, not handle length.
- Player height under 5’3” usually 4” grip is best.
- Player height between 5’3’’ and 5’8’’ usually 4 ¼’’ grip is best.
- Player height over 5’9’’ usually a 4 ½” grip is best.
- Try smaller first if deciding between two sizes
- More wrist action makes it easier to add spin to ball
- Improved control
- Extra power to serves
- More stability
- Eases strain on wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints
- Too big will lead to strains and slippage
High-end paddles will usually come with a premium grip which adds a level of comfort and also absorbs sweat. However, if you are concerned about the quality of your paddle grip or if it wears out after you have used it for some time, you can replace the stock grip with a new premium grip.
One of the most overlooked pickleball accessories is the grip. Adding an extra layer of overgrip to your existing grip or replacing the existing paddle grip can help match your ideal size to get a comfortable fit for your hand. Competitive pickleball players often customize their paddle grips using an over-grip to re-wrap their paddle exactly to fit their personal preference. Proper grip size is key to finding the right pickleball paddle.
If you come from a tennis background try a thicker grip as it will feel closer to that of a tennis racket. If you come from a badminton background, then a narrower grip will feel closer to that of a badminton racket.
Pickleball Paddle Material
Pickleball paddles are usually made from either wood, graphite, or some sort of a composite material. The material that a pickleball paddle is made from has a huge impact on the weight, roughness, and deflection of the paddle.
Pickleball paddle roughness and deflection
Before moving on to the different material explanation it is important to also understand what paddle deflection refers to.
Higher deflection means that the paddle has more ‘spring’ in it compared to a low deflection paddle. This in turn translates to being able to hit the ball with less effort, but it also means you have less control over where the ball goes. When you are receiving a fast pickleball shot with a high deflection paddle, it may overshoot your target or go out of bounds. Controlling dinks can also be more difficult with a high deflection paddle.
Lower deflection paddles are easier to control, but as expected the downside is that you have to use more force to hit the ball back.
For official tournament play the USAPA tests paddles by placing a weight on the face of the paddle and testing how far it bends. This test is performed to make sure pickleball paddles do not have a ‘trampolining’ effect like tennis rackets have.
The roughness is also tested by the USAPA for many paddles to make sure that the surface is not unfairly textured to allow for extra spin on the ball.
Wood Pickleball Paddles
Wood was the original material pickleball paddles were made out of. Over the years, wooden pickleball paddles started incorporating wrist straps and fancy grips, as well as using lighter plywood instead of hardwoods. These paddles are a great choice for beginners who aren’t sure if they want to invest in more expensive equipment as they are very cheap, reliable, and durable.
On the other hand, wooden paddles are heavy usually between 9 and 11 ounces and may affect the way you play the game. Also if you have injuries these might not be the best choice.
Polymer Composite Plastic Pickleball Paddles
Polymer pickleball paddles are a blend of plastics or resins. They are lightweight, affordable, and durable. Most polymer composite paddles weigh around the 7-8 ounce mark. Therefore polymer pickleball paddles are known for being a happy medium, since they are affordable and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. These are also the most common type of paddles used by non professional players including sporting clubs and schools.
Graphite Pickleball Paddles
Graphite pickleball paddles are very light, responsive, and strong. The graphite skin on the face of the paddles is very thin, usually only a few mm thick. They have excellent control and are great for dinking but also for driving the ball down the court without too much effort. Most graphite paddles weigh around the 7-8 ounce mark. Graphite pickleball paddles are a popular choice with competitive and professional pickleball players.
The only downside to graphite paddles is price. Although the price has come down for this type of paddle they can still get very expensive depending on the build quality and paddle cores.
Composite Pickleball Paddles
Not to be confused with polymer composite, these pickleball paddles are made of a combination of different materials such as fiberglass, UV resistant vinyl, aluminum, and carbonfiber. Many of these composite materials used to make pickleball paddles are very technologically advanced and produce a variety of responsive surfaces.
Composite paddles are usually lighter than wood or polymer paddles, but heavier than most graphite paddles. They offer a great deal of control and power from the back of the court. Most composite paddles weigh around the 8 ounce mark.
These paddles are becoming more popular as some have textured surfaces that are approved by the USAPA standards. Carbonfiber pickleball paddles in particular are a great choice as they are light but strong with a bit a texture allowing competitive players to put spin on the balls much easier. Due to the wide variety of technologies for these paddles the cost of composite paddles varies greatly as well.
Summary
- The original material pickleball paddles were made of.
- Lowest price point, reliable, and durable.
- Best for just starting out.
- Usually heavy (9-11oz).
- A blend of plastics and resins.
- Lightweight, affordable, and durable.
- Recommended if you are just starting out over wood if you have concerns with past arm injuries.
- Most common paddles for people who don’t play in professional tournaments.
- Thin surface graphite layer.
- Expensive, lightest, and very responsive.
- Used by most professional looking for precise ball control.
- Recommended if you are an intermediate or advanced player in order to take full advantage of this technology.
- A blend of material like fiberglass, aluminum, or carbonfiber.
- Most technologically advanced surface.
- Expensive, light, and powerful.
- Usually heavier than graphite but offers the same ball control with more power.
- Some have slightly textured surfaces for more ball spin
- Recommended for intermediate to advanced players in order to take full advantage of the technology.
If you are just starting out or are not interested in competitive play, a polymer composite paddle is your best choice. They are very affordable and provide the basics you need for playing pickleball.
The higher end graphite pickleball paddles are great if you want to upgrade your game and are comfortable with advanced pickleball strategies. Keep in mind the price can vary greatly depending on the build quality and the type of cores inside the paddle.
The composite pickleball paddles are for player who play competitively as they often have slightly textured or rougher surfaces for making ball spins easier. Special consideration to carbonfiber paddles as some pros prefer them due to the surface texture that get rougher over time as the paddle wears out a bit.
Pickleball Paddle Core Material
The technology behind the inner core of the pickleball paddle makes a difference in the way the pickle paddle feels, pops, and most importantly performs. The cores are usually a honeycomb design and include aluminum, Nomex, and the newest addition polypropylene(poly). The honeycomb design provides strength for the paddle and also helps keep the weight down.
Aluminum Core Pickleball Paddle
Aluminum core paddles offer the lightest weight out of the cores. These pickleball paddles are a favourite among players who prefer to play with more finesse and manuverability over drive and power.
Theses paddles have a unique feel to them as they tend to be very light, responsive and snappy. While most paddles with aluminum cores are in the lightweight category, you will also find some mid-weight paddles using aluminum cores. Also these paddles tend to be quieter than Nomex paddles but not as quiet as the poly cores.
Nomex Core Pickleball Paddle
Nomex is a strong polymer material that is used in many applications. The cores for pickleball paddles are made by dipping a cardboard-like honeycomb framework into a polymer resin and it hardens to become an extremely tough material that does not compress easily. This rigidness makes them very hard and gives the paddle a lot of driving power while still remaining light in weight.
Nomex was the first material used to create composite paddles and is still a preferred choice in the pickleball industry by many competitive players. The hardness of the paddles makes them the loudest out all the cores and gives them their signature ‘popping’ sound.
The Nomex core is also a good choice for singles play where the games tend to be faster paced as these paddles perform best If you are looking for speed and power on your shots.
Polypropylene (Poly) Core Pickleball Paddle
Polypropylene cores are the newest addition to the pickleball paddle core technology and they are also the most popular cores found in paddles. Apart from being the quietest of the three cores, these paddles are softer than aluminum and Nomex. You can still put power behind your shots, but the core does dampen the shot allowing for great ball control as well.
Poly core pickleball paddles are the middle ground between power and control and the most widely adapted paddles. As pickleball becomes more popular noise level has become an issues in some communities so this quiet core is the approved choice.
Summary
- Lightest core material.
- Best for players who play with finesse.
- Sacrifices power and drive for superior control.
- Medium sound level.
- Light, strong, and rigid
- Most power out all the cores, sacrifices control.
- Best for power and speed type of play.
- High sound level.
- Polymer plastic, light and durable.
- Middle ground for power and control.
- Well rounded core good for all types of game play.
- Quietest noise level.
If you are just starting out or want a well rounded paddle, a well built polypropylene core pickleball paddle is the best choice. These pickle paddles are made in a variety of surfaces, sizes, and shapes, making them adaptable for a wide variety of game styles.
As you gain more experience we encourage you to try all the different cores to see the difference for yourself. Nomex paddles especially can get addictive with their signature ‘popping’ sound, but these may not be for you as they offer less control and are meant for a fast style of play.
Pickleball Paddle Shapes
The official pickleball regulation for the dimensions of approved pickleball paddles is based on the length multiplied by the widest width and should not exceed 24″ inches total (including edge guard and butt cap).
While edge guards are common in most paddles, the shape of the pickleball paddle itself can vary dramatically if you are looking to fine tune your game.
Pickleball paddle edge guard
Most pickleball paddles have rubber or plastic edge guard on the edges of the paddle face. This is for added protection on the paddle if dropped or banged against hard surfaces.
‘Edge-less’ pickleball paddles are paddles that don’t have the protective rubber or plastic guard around the edges but instead have some sort of tape along the edges that doesn’t interfere with the hitting surface of the paddle. Some players prefer to have ‘edgeless’ pickleball paddles as they maximize the playing surface of the paddle. However the downside is that it makes the paddles more vulnerable to chips or nicks.
Wide Body Pickleball Paddles
These are the most common and classic shape for pickleball paddles. They measure approximately 8″ wide by 15.75″ long. The wide body pickleball paddles are well rounded paddles that are adaptable with all styles of game play.
Oversized Pickleball Paddles
Oersized pickleball paddles are similar in design to the wide body paddle but more length is added to the hitting surface and the handle is shortened to keep in line with the 24″ total length.
The added length to the hitting surface allows for an increased “sweet spot” (the part of the paddle face where you get the best shots) which can make this a better choice for beginner players.
Elongated Pickleball Paddles
Fairly new to pickleball paddle shapes are the elongated pickleball paddles. These paddles have the longest length up to the maximum allowed by the USAPA of 17″.
This type of pickleball paddle is sometimes refered to as a ‘blade’ style paddle. The longer, thin paddle shape gives these pickleball paddles a narrow sweet spot which makes it harder for novice players to hit consistently. Also you can find these paddles in a more ‘tear drop’ kind of shape that has more surface length at the top of the paddle.
Elongated pickleball paddles are more appropriate for experienced players looking for added reach, or if playing in singles matches these paddles can be the key to controlling the court.
Summary
- Edge guard is to protect the pickleball paddle from damage.
- Edge-less paddles have no edge guard and slightly increase the hitting surface of the paddle.
- “Classic” pickleball paddle shape.
- Well rounded paddle shape for all situations.
- Recommended for everyone.
- Usually approx. 8″ wide by 15.75″ long.
- Similar to wide body paddles with added hitting surface length.
- Usually shorter handles.
- Largest “sweet spot”.
- Recommended for beginners.
- Longest length up to max of 17″.
- ‘Blade’ style paddle, thin, and long.
- Longer reach but narrow “sweet spot”.
- Recommended for intermediate or advanced players, and for singles games.
The classic wide body shape is the best pickleball paddle to go with if you are looking for a well rounded paddle that you can still use as your skill level advances. Over-sized paddles do offer the largest sweet spots and also a good choice in the long run as they will still be good when you progress your game.
The elongated pickleball paddles are hard to use at first and you might get frustrated with the lack of consistency in your shots. We recommend this paddle if you are playing singles games or if you are ready to fine tune your game and can utilize the extra reach effectively.