The Best Pickleball Paddles To Dominate the Game in 2024

Pickleball, the innovative sport that any age can play, continues to grow in popularity across the United States. (Much to the chagrin of tennis players looking to use their local tennis court.) It’s been growing steadily ever since its humble origins in 1965, and as long as you have a pair of comfortable tennis shoes, plastic pickleball, aforementioned court, and a paddle, you can get in the game, too. With a huge range of pickleball equipment brands on the market offering their own unique models in a variety of sizes, shapes, and playstyles, newcomers may not know how to find the best paddle to suit their needs on the court. After personally taking up plenty of paddles and icing our pickleball elbows afterward, we can safely point brand-new and longtime pickleball players alike towards our top picks, as well as what to look for when selecting a new paddle.

Our Top Pickleball Paddle Picks

How do you choose the right pickleball paddle for your play style or skill level?

There are a few key factors to consider to narrow down the search for the best pickleball paddle for your unique gameplay needs:

Grip

Although the standard grip size of four to five inches will comfortably fit most pickleball players, those with larger or smaller hands may need a paddle grip to match. This is surprisingly important, as your grip directly affects not just your comfort, but the ball control and overall accuracy of your gameplay.

Weight

A paddle’s weight directly affects your gameplay; heavyweight paddles of ten ounces and above are well-suited for power shots, while lightweight models of seven ounces or less are made for speedier play and additional control. Beginners will appreciate midweight paddles, as they offer a reliable balance between power and control, and advanced pickleball players may lean towards a heavier or lighter paddle to better suit their playstyle.

Shape

A paddle’s shape impacts the size of its “sweet spot,” or the area of its face optimized for hitting the ball, as well as its reach. Most paddles utilize a square shape with rounded edges, offering a large sweet spot that beginners will appreciate. Rectangular paddles may have a slightly smaller sweet spot, but the extended reach is worth it for some players.

Experienced players may prefer an oval or teardrop shaped paddle, and although they have a much smaller sweet spot, these accurate players will appreciate the lighter feel, additional reach, and extra spin these advanced models provide.

How I chose the best pickleball paddles

There is no one-size-fits-all “best” pickleball paddle, but there are certainly models that are the best within their niche (control, spin, strength, etc.), and although it took plenty of research and testing to identify the most effective models for various proficiency levels and playstyles, and to find out for myself if each paddle lived up to the hype, these were the most important considerations I had while making this list:

Overall design

Whether it is a heavyweight model with a highly textured surface for power shots and maximum spin, or an elongated edition with a smoother face for a longer reach and more control, any paddle worth recommending needs to perform well in its specific niche. A paddle’s weight, thickness, grip size and length, core materials, edge guard or a lack of one, and texture are all worth considering before you buy, and between their popularity with verified buyers and my experience, these paddles all meet or exceed expectations.

Price

Novice pickleball players will want a paddle with more control and a bigger sweet spot for easier returns as they become acquainted with the sport, but there is no reason for beginners to overspend for more than what they should for a relatively basic model while they learn the ropes. Mid-level and advanced players who have developed a preferred playstyle and appreciate the feel of certain paddle grips, weights, and shapes over others should absolutely invest in a paddle that perfectly syncs with their skill level and approach.

The overall value for the intended level of ability, durability, and performance of each paddle when compared to its price was a vital factor for picking out the best models available today.

What types of pickleball paddles are available?

Pickleball paddles are most easily categorized by their materials and shape, and there are many combinations of these available to accommodate fresh-faced beginners and seasoned pros, who may prefer models designed for extra ball spin or power shots.

Materials

Most paddles are composed of fiberglass, graphite, carbon fiber, polymers, aluminum, or even wood. Each material has its own perks and drawbacks, such as additional ball control at the expense of power shots, or a heavier paddle for power shorts that is a bit slower to swing through the air.

Shapes

Paddles are generally made in four core shapes: Square, rectangle, oval, and teardrop. Square and rectangle paddles sport a large and forgiving “sweet spot” for easily hitting the ball back, making them a top option for beginners, while alternative paddle shapes are geared towards advanced players who are happy to trade a smaller target zone for a much more aerodynamic design for faster gameplay.

How to take care of pickleball paddles and extend their lifespan

Although heated gameplay and time will naturally wear down your pickleball paddles, there are a few key tips to keep them on the court in tip-top shape for as long as possible:

• Only play pickleball with your paddles. It may be tempting to play with tennis balls, but your favorite paddle was explicitly designed for use with pickleballs, and playing with anything else will do more damage than you may expect.
• Care for your grip. Your grip will naturally get sticky and grimy from your sweat over time, so take a few moments to wipe down a paddle’s handle with a towel after you play to keep its handle feeling fresh and comfortable for longer. If the grip becomes uncomfortable or too gross to fix, a fresh application of grip tape may solve the problem.
• No taps. Avoid accidentally tapping your paddles against the ground, the net, and your equipment, as this will shorten its lifespan and worsen its performance over time.
• Store your pickleball paddles properly. Always place your paddles in a cover when you’re done playing, and place them in a temperature-controlled area of your home. Keeping a paddle in your car or in a shed will expose it to extreme heat and cold, which will deteriorate and warp its surface and core.

Which pickleball paddles do the pros use?

There are many premium pickleball paddle manufacturers on the market, including Joola, Niupipo, Paddletek, and Vulcan. Joola is a particularly popular brand, as pickleball champion Ben Johns personally uses a Joola Perseus CFS 16 paddle, and top-10 player Collin Johns plays with a Joola Scorpeus CFS 16.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the ideal weight and size of a pickleball paddle?

There is no set perfect weight and size of a pickleball paddle, because every player has their own preferences, style, and level of experience that help to determine the best paddle for their personal needs. With that said, lightweight pickleball paddles weigh six or seven ounces, while heavier models weigh in at ten ounces and up. Generally speaking, lightweight paddles provide more control and speedier play, while heavier options trade that finesse for reliable power shots. We recommend that beginners start with a mid-range pickleball paddle of seven to nine ounces, to learn whether they’d eventually prefer a lighter or heavier paddle in the future.

When it comes to shapes, pickleball paddles tend to be shaped in a rounded square, longer rectangle, oval, or a teardrop design. Each shape affects the size and location of the “sweet spot,” or the optimal part of the paddle to strike the ball; square and rectangular paddles have bigger sweet spots, making them a top pick for beginners, while oval and teardrop paddles ops for a lighter and more maneuverable overall design.

In a nutshell, it’s best to start with a midweight square or rectangular model, going from there once you learn your preferred playstyle in the future.

What are the differences between graphite, composite, and wood pickleball paddles?

Graphite: These paddles sport a slim layer of graphite lining their paddle surfaces, and are some of the lightest options available. Graphite pickleball paddles are best known for speedy play and a higher level of control, at the cost of power and spin.

Composite: These paddles are composed of multiple materials, but most often carbon fiber, a polymer, or fiberglass. Composite paddles tend to provide more spin and power, but a bit less control and speed than their graphite counterparts.

Wood: Although wooden pickleball paddles tend to be affordable, rugged, and are usually optimized for power shots, these thick and heavy models aren’t known for their comfort, speed, and overall control.

How to properly grip and hold a pickleball paddle?

The easiest and most reliable grip is to hold the handle as though you were shaking another player’s hand; simply place the grip across your hand with your thumb on one side and your four fingers curled around on the other side. Close your hand around the grip and keep the natural “Y” shape at the top of the grip that forms between your thumb and index finger pointed inward towards your body. This hold is most commonly known as the “continental grip.”

How long do pickleball paddles last?

The average pickleball paddle may last anywhere from one to five years, depending on its construction and how often and how hard you play. If you notice a different sound coming from the paddle when you hit the ball, broken parts of the paddle, or a drop in performance, it’s probably time to replace your paddle with a new one.