Whether it’s your first time browsing for pickleball paddles or you’re a seasoned veteran, having a simple buyer’s guide to pickleball paddles can help narrow down your selection. Explore these five factors of a paddle to choose the best one for your game.
Weight Preference
Paddles vary in weight, ranging between 7 to 8.5 ounces. A lightweight pickleball paddle (7-7.5 oz) gives the player more maneuverability, aiding them during quick rallies at the net. One drawback of a lighter paddle is it requires you to swing harder to generate more power. Heavier pickleball paddles (8.5 oz and above) don’t require as strong a swing, giving you more control for delicate shots like dinks.
Type of Handle
A pickleball paddle handle will be between 4.5 and 6 inches. The length plus the width of a paddle cannot go beyond 24 inches. Therefore, any length you add to the handle must take away from the surface area.
Beginners are better off using a shorter handle because they need as much surface area as possible. Once your game improves, you can tinker with the handle length and decrease the surface area on the paddle. A longer handle creates more power and spin, so experienced players prefer it.
Differences in Shape
A classic paddle shape is a solid option for intermediate players, considering it’s in the middle of the widebody and elongated shapes. Thus, it’s the most balanced of the three regarding forgiveness, power, and spin.
Widebody paddles have a larger surface area, giving the player a larger sweet spot. A widebody shape is helpful when you’re getting your feet wet with pickleball because it’s the most forgiving.
An elongated paddle has a smaller sweet spot but provides the player more power and spin. Experienced players might prefer this paddle due to those aspects.
Surface Material
The paddle’s surface material is another facet a player must consider. Most paddles have carbon fiber, composite, or graphite faces, although hybrids use a combination of the three.
Composite gives you more power but less control because of the material’s trampoline effect. Carbon fiber is the premier choice for pickleball players because it gives you the best feel of the three, providing a large sweet spot. Graphite is strikingly similar to carbon fiber, so it’s a matter of preference.
The Core
Finally, let’s look at the paddle’s core and how it relates to the price. A vast majority of paddles use polymer in their cores. However, there are noticeable differences in the quality of some poly cores. If the paddle is pricier, it’s safe to assume the manufacturer used a higher-quality polymer. Thinner poly cores are helpful for a player on the attack, whereas thicker versions give players more control. The average thickness is around 14 mm, so you can go higher or lower from that point.
This simple buyer’s guide to pickleball paddles should give you insight when you want to
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