When it comes to pickleball paddles, there are a lot of options out there. It can be tough to know what paddles work for different players.
That’s why we decided to do some research and find the best pickleball paddles for a variety of pickleball players who use different strategies. We talked to 5 experts and 4 players. We thoroughly tested 20 different paddles and talked with more than 30 players to find the ones that work best for them.
Based on our research and testing, we’ve compiled our findings into a list of the 5 best pickleball paddles. Our top pick is the Gearbox CX11E Power. We recommend it for anyone who likes to play with a lot of spin and control.
If you’re looking for a different type of pickleball paddle, be sure to check out our other picks. We hope our research will help you find the perfect pickleball paddle.
Here are the other top picks of pickleball paddles for 2022:
- Best Paddle in 2023: Gearbox CX11E Power
- High Quality Paddle: JOOLA Radius Pro
- Professional Pickleball Paddle: JOOLA Solaire
- Professional Pickleball Paddle: JOOLA Vision
- Advantageous Pickleball Paddle: Gearbox GX5
- Leading Pickleball Paddle: PELLO PXII 18K
Top 6 Pickleball Paddle For Spin, Control and Power
Best Paddle: Gearbox CX11E Power
- SOLID SPAN TECHNOLOGY (SST) - is a patented technology invented by Gearbox engineers. SST describes...
- 3K WOVEN CARBON FIBER - The CX collections have been crafted with 3K woven carbon fiber on both the...
- HYPER-BITE SPIN TECHNOLOGY - This technology creates spin starting from the SST ribbed core and...
We have tested the Gearbox CX11E Power Pickleball Paddle as one of the most popular pickleball paddles. Its made of 3K Carbon fiber material, its owns 11MM thickness, 24×16 and (length to width) at 5-1/2 inches. Its offers a comfortable handle for your grip. It also has 18 holes and weighs about 9.4 ounces.
The Gearbox CX11E Power is designed to fit most players hands. It has a pretty large sweet spot, a wide handle, a flared end, and an extended end to give you extra reach on the paddle.
Its perfect for intermediate level players looking for a paddle that offers control, spin, and power, and the heavier weight makes it a great option for adults or beginners. Its well-balanced and lightweight, so even the beginners as well as masters can use this paddle.
The Gearbox CX11E Power is constructed with 3K woven carbon fiber, which gives it great durability and control.
High Quality Paddle: JOOLA Radius Pro
- OFFICIAL PADDLE SPONSOR OF WORLD #1 PICKLEBALL PLAYER BEN JOHNS & THE PPA TOUR: An innovator &...
- BRINGING JOOLA's OLYMPIC HERITAGE TO PICKLEBALL: A ping pong inspired shape offering our largest...
- CARBON GRIP SURFACE (CGS) IS A GAME CHANGER: JOOLA's USAPA Approved CGS technology utilizes a...
We tested the JOOLA Radius Pro to see if it’s the best pickleball paddle on the market. We’re happy to say that we’re very impressed with this paddle. It’s easy to control the racket and the ball doesn’t come off of the paddle as quickly as it does with previous paddles that we’ve used.
The JOOLA Radius Pro is USA Pickleball Association approved, and we found that it spins the ball really well. When we tested it against other types of ping pong paddles, we found that the JOOLA Radius Pro provides solid control. Overall, we think this is a really great paddle for anyone who wants to start playing pickleball.
We only used one handle for the JOOLA Radius Pro, but we found that it would be easy to switch out if you decide to use a different handle. We would recommend the JOOLA Radius Pro to anyone who is just starting out playing pickleball.
Professional Pickleball Paddle: JOOLA Solaire
- OFFICIAL PADDLE SPONSOR OF WORLD #1 PICKLEBALL PLAYER BEN JOHNS & THE PPA TOUR: An innovator &...
- LOADED WITH NEW INNOVATION & MODERN TECHNOLOGIES: A USAPA Approved paddle offering a unique,...
- HYPERFOAM EDGE WALL: Specialized foam injected into the perimeter of the paddle adding weight and...
The JOOLA Solaire Professional is a USAPA approved pickleball paddle that offers a unique combination of new technology and old school features. This is a professional quality paddle, and JOOLA’s innovative design is really starting to take off.
JOOLA’s Aero-Curve Head Design helps to reduce drag and increase swing speed, giving you more control with your shots. The back edge of the paddle is made with JOOLA’s Hyperfoam Edge Wall, which adds weight and stability to increase the sweet spot. The handle is made with Carbon-Forged Construction, which offers maximum power and comfort.
JOOLA’s CFS technology uses a more durable, textured Carbon-Flex5 surface for spin, and the Reactive PolyPropylene Honeycomb Core improves the consistency of the bounce while reducing vibration. We loved this paddle for its cool features, excellent construction, and all-around performance.
The JOOLA Solaire Professional paddle is an excellent option for anyone looking for the ideal pickleball paddle!
Professional Pickleball Paddle: JOOLA Vision
- OFFICIAL PADDLE SPONSOR OF WORLD #1 PICKLEBALL PLAYER BEN JOHNS & THE PPA TOUR: An innovator &...
- CARBON GRIP SURFACE (CGS) IS A GAME CHANGER: JOOLA's USAPA Approved CGS technology utilizes a...
- MORE AGGRESSIVE SHAPE DESIGNED FOR POWER AND SPIN: This professional pickleball paddle offers a...
This pickleball paddle is a great option for intermediate-to-advanced players, and it’s designed for players who want to play with power and spin. We were able to generate a lot of spin on each serve, which is essential for getting started in the game. We also like the aggressive shape, which makes it easy to swing.
The 14mm Response polymer core that this paddle is equipped with helps reduce vibration and increase power. The honeycombs built into the core compress when the ball hits the paddle, which leads to a softer feel, and the increased shock absorption makes the paddle more comfortable to wear.
Overall, the JOOLA Vision is a great option, and we recommend it for intermediate-to-advanced pickleball players that want more control over their shots. If you’re looking for a tennis paddle that helps you generate power and spin on each shot, we recommend the JOOLA Vision.
Advantageous Pickleball Paddle: Gearbox GX5
- SLIM AERODYNAMIC FRAME - Maximized maneuverability, fast and responsive.
- CARBON FIBER EDGELESS FRAME - Larger hitting surface area, reduced mishits.
- MASSIVE SWEET SPOT - Optimized ball response from center of paddle to edgeless rim.
We’ve tested the Gearbox GX5 and were impressed by its light weight and massive sweet spot. The carbon fiber edgeless frame reduces mishits and maximizes the hitting area of the pickleball paddle, and the damper system provides an amazing feel. Overall, the Gearbox GX5 is our best pickleball paddle on the market.
The Gearbox GX5 is constructed from carbon fiber and it features a thin, aerodynamic frame that makes it easy to maneuver. The carbon fiber edgeless frame reduces mishits and increases the amount of surface area on the paddles, and the oversized sweet spot provides maximum ball response.
The Gearbox GX5 also comes with a Dampener System that provides vibration control and dampens hand shock. This system is similar to the dampening systems found on rackets. Overall, the Gearbox GX5 is an awesome pickleball paddle, and we highly recommend it to players of all levels.
Leading Pickleball Paddle: PELLO PXII 18K
- Ideal for players who like to create opportunities with angles, spin and precision, the PXII is a...
- SPIN & FEEL - Designed to improve ball pocketing, grip and the 18,000 individual woven carbon fibers...
- POLYPROPYLENE HYBRID HONEYCOMB CORE - The 13mm polypropylene core provides a firm feel and...
The PELLO PXII 18K is the best pickleball paddle we found. The paddle uses 18K carbon fiber, which increases the paddle’s durability and helps create a more consistent hitting surface.
Pickleball paddles often feature 300-grade carbon fiber, which usually offers less durability and inconsistent hitting surfaces. The PELLO PXII 18K also features textured carbon fiber, which helps the paddle last longer and absorb less shock.
The PXII paddle also uses two-handed backhands, and its handle length is generous at 5.25 inches. If you want to hit your shot without leaving your paddle, the PELLO PXII 18K offers the perfect grip. The grip is perforated and moisture-wicking, which makes it comfortable during long games.
The PELLO PXII 18K also features an ergonomic design that helps you swing the paddle. Our testing found that the PELLO PXII 18K helps create a more consistent swing and hits the ball with more force.
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How to Choose the Best Pickleball Paddle for Spin, Control, and Power?
When choosing a pickleball paddle, there are several factors you need to take into accounts, such as your playing style, the type of paddle, and the materials used.
Playing Style
Are you a power player or a control player? Do you like to play aggressively or do you prefer a more strategic game? Your playing style will dictate the type of paddle you need.
If you are a power player, you will need a paddle with a large sweet spot and a thick core. This will help you generate more power behind your shots. A control player, on the other hand, will need a paddle with a smaller sweet spot and a thinner core. This will help you place the ball more accurately.
Type of Paddle
There are two main types of pickleball paddles: graphite and composite.
Graphite paddles are made entirely of graphite, which is a lightweight material. These paddles are designed for power players who hit the ball hard.
Composite paddles, on the other hand, are made of a combination of materials, such as graphite, wood, and fiberglass. These paddles are more versatile and can be used by players of all playing styles.
Materials
The type of paddle you choose will also dictate the materials used. For example, graphite paddles are made entirely of graphite, while composite paddles are made of a variety of materials.
The type of material used in a paddle can affect its weight, balance, and feel. For example, a paddle made of all wood will be heavier than a paddle made of all graphite. A paddle made of all composite materials will be somewhere in between.
The weight of the paddle can also affect your playing style. A heavier paddle is more suited for power players, while a lighter paddle is more suited for control players.
The balance of the paddle is another important factor to consider. A balanced paddle is evenly balanced between the handle and the head. This provides more control and is better suited for players who like to place the ball.
A head-heavy paddle, on the other hand, is heavier in the head than the handle. This provides more power and is better suited for players who like to hit the ball hard.
The feel of the paddle is also an important factor to consider. A paddle with a softer feel will provide more control, while a paddle with a firmer feel will provide more power.
Size
The size of the paddle is also an important factor to consider. A paddle that is too small will be difficult to control, while a paddle that is too large will be difficult to swing.
The size of the paddle is measured by the length and width of the head. The length of the paddle should be between 15 and 17 inches, while the width of the paddle should be between 7 and 8 inches.
Grip
The grip of the paddle is also an important factor to consider. A paddle with a thicker grip will be more comfortable to hold, while a paddle with a thinner grip will be easier to control.
The grip of the paddle is also affected by the type of material used. For example, a paddle with a leather grip will be more comfortable to hold, while a paddle with a synthetic grip will be easier to control.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, The best pickleball paddle is the one that you feel most comfortable with. It’s the one that makes you feel confident, strong, and good about yourself. When you feel great about yourself, your game becomes better.
As you get more comfortable with the paddle, you will notice your stroke become smooth and controlled. This in turn will make you feel confident and strong. With that confidence and strength, you will see your ability to serve to improve as well.
So in the end, it’s the paddle that you are most comfortable with that will allow you to play the game that you enjoy the most.
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