Best Composite Pickleball Paddles
If you’re looking to upgrade your pickleball paddle, you may be considering replacing it entirely with a composite paddle, rather than sticking with an aluminum one.
Composite paddles have some definite advantages, which is why they’re becoming so popular. If you aren’t sure whether or not you’re ready for the change, or you aren’t sure which composite paddle is the best, we’ve done some research and have come up with a list of 8 of the best composite pickleball paddles.
We’ve also done a lot of testing to find the best composite pickleball paddle on the market. Our top choice is the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro. It has a very lightweight design, a simple grip, and a nice, powerful feeling. And the grip doesn’t wear down over time.
Of course, there are a lot of great composite paddles on the market. If you’re looking for one, we highly recommend the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro. If you aren’t sure which one is right for you, be sure to check out our list of 4 of the best composite pickleball paddles.
Here are the best composites paddles:
- High Quality Pick: Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro
- For Hard Hitters: Topp Reacher Composite Blade
- Noiseless Shots: GAMMA Legend Composite Paddle
- For Beginners: Onix Composite Z5
- For 3.5 Players: Diadem Riptide
- Great Control: Gamma Mirage
- For Smaller Hands: Rally Power 5.0
- Lightweight Paddle: ONIX VERTEX
Top 8 Composite Pickleball Paddles in 2023
High Quality Pick: Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro
- GRIP CIRCUMFERENCE: Standard Grip 4 3/8" Thin Grip 4 1/8"
- GRIP LENGTH: 4 3/4"
- WEIGHT: 7.6 - 8.1 oz
Last update on 2023-06-10 at 00:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
After testing the Bantam TS-5 Pro, we are happy to report that it is one of the best pickleball paddles on the market. After a few months of use, we found that it offers impressive performance, and we like the 4 grip sizes and 2 weight range options that make it easy to find a paddle that’s perfect for you.
We also found a nice feature with the Bantam TS-5 Pro that most other paddles on the market don’t. The paddle comes with a protective carry bag that is perfect for travel. The bag will protect your paddle from damage, and it comes in a few color options, including black, blue, or red.
In addition to everything mentioned above, this paddle has a great look and doesn’t break the bank. Overall, we think it’s a great paddle for those who don’t want to spend a ton of money on a paddle but want one that’ll last for a long time.
For Hard Hitters: Topp Reacher Composite Blade
- Make sure this fits. by entering your model number.
- Length - 16"
- Handle Length - 4 3/4"
Last update on 2023-06-05 at 11:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is TOPP’s newest paddle, the Reacher, and it’s already picked up some rave reviews. Switching to a composite paddle was made pretty simple. You just need a few tools, a screwdriver, and a Phillips head. Once opened, you just remove the rubber grip. The average time to switch takes about 5-10 minutes.
The Reacher paddles are all composite and they give you the ultimate feel and control. The top cane on the Reacher paddle has a .75″ thickness. This gives you plenty of control to hit those pesky dinks, aces, overheads, and finesse shots.
They give you that slightly heavier feel on the surface. The Reacher is 7.5″ long, which makes it the longest-reach blade on the market. This should increase your reach and allow you to hit those dinks easier on volleys.
The reacher is 5/8″ thick at the core of the paddle. This composite core provides plenty of rebound power and allows you to snap off those hard drives. The core is made of a 3/8″ thick composite. This allows you to power off your serves.
Noiseless Shots: GAMMA Legend Composite Paddle
- HIGH-LEVEL PERFORMANCE: Experience professional power and control with the Legend Pickleball Paddle...
- UNBEATABLE CONTROL: Designed with our signature honeycomb cushion grip, Gamma pickleball paddles...
- BALANCE YOUR PLAYSTYLE: This pickleball paddle has NeuCore Technology, a 25% thicker large-cell core...
Last update on 2023-06-10 at 08:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We tested the Gamma Legend Composite Paddles to see how they compared to the competition, and we were really surprised by their performance.
These pickleball paddles weigh ~8 ounces and have a sleek, black design. The hourglass shape gives you great control, and the textured grip provides maximum comfort.
The Gamma Legend Composite paddles have NeuCore Technology, which provides a quieter, more responsive feel during play. Like other pickleball paddles, these paddles have a balanced honeycomb cushion grip, and they come with an included pickleball set. An optional nylon carry bag is also available.
The Gamma Legend Composite Pickleball Paddles were designed for a professional competition, but they are a great choice for beginners as well. If you are looking for lightweight pickleball paddles under $100, we highly recommend the Gamma Legend Composite Pickleball Paddles.
For Beginners: Onix Composite Z5
- Offers more pop from the base line
- Excellent power for players with good ball control
- Nomex, Paper honeycomb core and fiberglass Face
Last update on 2023-06-03 at 12:52 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Onix Composite Z5 pickleball paddle offers a great balance between spin and power. In our lab tests, we found the paddle to be approximately 1.5 to 2 points harder compared with the Onix Original Z5 paddle.
The paddle face is made of fiberglass and Nomex, which gives it long durability than traditional 100% paper core paddles. The paper honeycomb core and fiberglass face give the paddle superior flex and a dead-on sweet spot.
We’re impressed with this Onix model because it offers significantly more pop and a more consistently clean performance than lower-priced paddles. The paddle offers more power for players with good ball control, making it a great option for players who want a combination of speed and control.
The paddle has a 4-1/4″ grip making it comfortable for players of all sizes, and the light-weight 8.4 – 8.7 oz. makes it extremely maneuverable. Overall, the Onix Composite Z5 is a fantastic paddle that other players are going to want to get their hands on!
For 3.5 Players: Diadem Riptide
- POWER & CONSISTENT FEEL: Made with 12 mm high density polymer honeycomb core solid, reactive play...
- ADAPTABLE BALANCE: This paddle straddles the line between power and control in a light medium 7.5 -...
- ENHANCED BALL SPIN: HMT fiber face creates a textured feeling which helps to grip pickleballs for...
Last update on 2023-06-05 at 11:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We’ve tested the Diadem Riptide to see if it’s the best paddle for intermediate and advanced players. We were impressed by its lightweight design, responsive feel, and customizable balance, and found that it significantly improved our game. Overall, the Diadem Riptide is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality, lightweight paddle that won’t break the bank.
The Diadem Riptide is made with a 12 mm high-density polymer honeycomb core, which is solid, reactive play, and balanced feedback feed. The reduced thickness improves power and creates an impactful connection between paddle and player.
The paddle straddles the line between power and control in a light-medium weight of 7.5 – 7.7 oz. We found that the Diadem Riptide is easy to maneuver at the net, has plenty of pop from the backcourt, and provides excellent ball spin.
The face is made with HMT fiber, which creates a textured feeling which makes it easier to grip pickleball. An extra strong edge guard protects players from accidental contact, and an extra long shape makes it easier to cover the entire court. The Diadem Riptide also comes with a 1-year warranty.
We highly recommend the Diadem Riptide to anyone looking for an excellent all-around paddle that won’t break the bank. It’s our top pick for 3.5 players.
Great Control: Gamma Mirage
- TEXTURED COMPOSITE PICKLEBALL PADDLE: USAPA approved for tournament play, the GAMMA Sports Mirage...
- COMFORTABLE RACQUET GRIP: Well-designed pickleball racquets allow you to keep a comfortable grip, so...
- DESIGNED FOR POWER & BALANCE: GAMMA SENSA Poly Core technology enhances the touch on the ball and...
Last update on 2023-06-10 at 02:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Gamma Mirage is a great composite pickleball paddle designed for players of all ages and abilities to use outdoors or indoors. We tested this pickleball paddle to see how it held up and were impressed by its performance.
The Gamma Mirage has textured graphite or composite surface, which makes it more comfortable to hold and easier to control. We also liked the honeycomb cushion grip, which made it more comfortable to grip.
The Gamma Mirage is USAPA-approved, which makes it great for competitive play. It has an overall length of 21.5″, a 14″ handle, and a 3.25″ width, giving you more control over the ball.
Best of all, the Gamma Mirage is backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee, which means you can return it within 90 days for a full refund if you are not satisfied. Overall, the Gamma Mirage is a great way to improve your game.
For Smaller Hands: Rally Power 5.0
- IMPROVE YOUR GAME - The Rally Power 5.0 graphite pickleball paddle features optimized power and...
- MORE POWER – All new quad layer design featuring Polymer Honeycomb core and Graphite Polymer...
- BETTER BALL CONTROL & ENHANCED SPIN – Extra thick 9/16” core and larger paddle face greatly...
Last update on 2023-06-10 at 09:12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our testers put Rally Graphite Power 5.0 through its paces over several months to get a realistic view of what it’s capable of. With a sturdy frame, great feel, and enhanced sweet spot and spin, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best pickleball paddles on the market.
Its new quad-layer design features a Polymer Honeycomb core and Graphite Polymer Hybrid face, which work together to create a paddle that’s both durable and powerful. The Rally Graphite Power 5.0 features an enhanced Vertigrab Wave design that makes it easier to control the ball and spin it on the fly.
All Rally Graphite Power 5.0 paddles come with two grip options and are made using advanced molecular bonding techniques to lock in comfort and strength. The grips are made from a comfortable rubber material and come in both standard size as well as thin (4-inch) options for players with smaller hands.
Our testers found that it’s easy to manipulate the Rally Graphite Power 5.0 paddle and it stored energy well, which made it easier to create off-the-table shots. The added weight also made it easier to control volleys and stay in rallies. We found the paddle had good pop on its sweet spot and produced a consistent, powerful shot.
Overall, we were very impressed with the Rally Graphite Power 5.0 paddle and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best pickleball paddles on the market. It’s well-crafted, has a great feel, and produces consistent power shots. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line paddle, the Rally Graphite Power 5.0 should definitely be at the top of your list.
Lightweight Paddle: ONIX VERTEX
- PICKLEBALL PADDLE – Provides more surface area perfect for volleying and protecting the net
- HEAVY WEIGHT – Paddle offers better power and strength to shots
- COMPOSITE FACE – gives pickleball more spin and maximum control
Last update on 2023-06-03 at 13:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We tested The ONIX Vertex to compare it against more expensive paddles. We found that the ONIX Vertex offered many key benefits, including outstanding durability, great control, and a comfortable feel. If you’re looking for a new ball paddle to improve your game, we think you’ll love the ONIX Vertex.
The ONIX Vertex is made from a composite with a high-strength polypropylene core. This provides unbeatable power and control, allowing you to make hard shots that stick to the court. The paddle also features a precision cut face that maximizes spin and boosts your accuracy.
Our testers loved the overall design of the ONIX Vertex, and they appreciated the fact that the handle was long and comfortable and that the edge was incredibly durable. We also loved the ONIX Vertex’s lightweight design, which is ideal because it gives you greater control.
Overall, we think that the ONIX Vertex is one of the best composite pickleball paddles on the market and we highly recommend it.
Why Do You Need Composite Pickleball Paddles?
They are ideal for anyone looking to play long-term. The composite material is very durable and will not warp or become damaged easily, which means you don’t have to worry about buying a new paddle every few months of playing.
Which Is Better: Composite Or Graphite Pickleball Paddles?
Both materials are very durable, but graphite is slightly more lightweight. Composite picks tend to be around six ounces while graphite paddles typically range in weight between five and seven ounces depending on the brand. This can make a big difference for some players when trying to hit fast shots with precision accuracy.
Conclusion
With a wide range of sizes, weights, and materials to choose from, finding the best pickleball paddle for your needs is easy. If you’re looking for something durable that will last through many seasons of gameplay, being able to invest in a composite pickleball paddle is definitely worth it.
Not only are they more expensive upfront but they’re also a better investment in the long run as you won’t have to keep buying new paddles.