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What Type of Pickleball Paddle is Best for You?

Posted onFebruary 24, 2023February 24, 2023

Do you want to find the best pickleball paddle for your game? Picking the right paddle is important because it can make a huge difference in how well you play. There are many different types of paddles out there, and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages.

 In this blog post, we will go over what type of paddle would be best for various players.

Contents
  1. What Type of Pickleball Paddle is Best for You?
    • Aluminum
    • Wood
    • Carbon
    • Graphite
    • Fiberglass
    • Hybrid
  2. Different Style of Paddles:
    • Offensive/Attack Paddle
    • Defensive Paddle
    • Balanced Paddle
  3. Our Recommendations:
  4. Best Pickleball Paddle For Beginners:
    • JP WinLook Pickleball Paddles:
    • ONIX Graphite Z5
  5. Best Pickleball Paddle For Intermediate Players:
    • OLANNY Graphite Pickleball Paddles
    • GRM Graphite Pickleball Paddle
  6. Best Pickleball Paddle For Advanced Players:
    • HEAD Graphite Pickleball Paddle
    • Gamma Poly Core Pickleball Paddle
  7. Conclusion: 

What Type of Pickleball Paddle is Best for You?

The best pickleball paddle depends on your style of play and what you want out of a paddle. There are many different styles of paddles, each with their own advantages. We will go over the types below:

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Aluminum

Lightweight aluminum paddles are great for beginners. They are usually the most affordable kind of paddle due to their simple design and material.

Wood

Wood paddles may be slightly more expensive than aluminum, but they offer many advantages in both playability and appearance. The wood can give you a better feel when hitting the ball, making it easier to control your shots.

Carbon

Carbon fiber paddles are one of the most expensive types. However, they do provide some nice advantages that other paddle types don’t offer. This type is very lightweight and durable which can help players with their swings.

Bestseller No. 1 Niupipo Pickleball Paddle, Usapa Approved Pro Graphite...
niupipo Pickleball Paddle, USAPA Approved Pro...
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Bestseller No. 2 Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (Graphite Carbon Fiber...
ONIX Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (Graphite...
(4060)
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Bestseller No. 3 Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle
HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle
(1047)
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Last update on 2022-12-10 at 13:09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Graphite

Graphite paddles are a good middle ground between carbon and wood. They have the lighter weight of graphite, but still provide some of the feel that you would get from using a wooden paddle.

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Fiberglass

Fiberglass is one of the cheapest types available to players today. These paddles may not last as long as aluminum or other materials, but they do offer improved control for those who need it most.

Hybrid

The hybrid pickleball paddle offers the best qualities out of all three materials above. They can be made using any combination of aluminum, carbon or wood to create a unique feeling on contact with the ball. Some hybrids even use rubber-like material for increased grip so you won’t have to worry about losing your grip during intense games!

Different Style of Paddles:

There are many different styles as well:

Offensive/Attack Paddle

These paddles allow for maximum control over shots allowing you to play more offensively.

Defensive Paddle

If the defense is your game, then you should consider using a defensive style paddle. They are designed with less control so that players can quickly return balls without much effort needed.

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Balanced Paddle

The balanced pickleball paddle offers just the right amount of both power and accuracy in one stylish package! This type provides good speed on returns while still giving enough spin or lift to take down even pro level opponents! 

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  • Triumph Sports 4 Square Pickleball Game Set Transforms to Regulation
    Triumph Sports 4 Square Pickleball Game Set Transforms to Regulation Pickleball Net, Includes 4 Square net, Wood Racket Paddles, Pickleballs, Boundary Markers, Metal Frame, Carry Bag
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    Jazzminton Sport - Indoor & Outdoor, No Boundaries - Similar to Pickleball, Badminton and Tennis with A Whole New Spin On It - Fun Games for Kids & Adults
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    JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 Pickleball Paddle - Official Ben Johns Paddle - USAPA Approved Racket for Tournament Play - Edge to Edge Sweet Spot, Durable Max Spin Surface & Elongated Handle
  • niupipo Pickleball Paddle, USAPA Approved Pro Graphite Pickleball Paddle/Paddles Set,
    niupipo Pickleball Paddle, USAPA Approved Pro Graphite Pickleball Paddle/Paddles Set, Polypropylene Honeycomb Core, Cushion 4.25In Grip, Portable Bag/Paddle Cover, Lightweight Pickleball Racket
  • ONIX Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (Graphite Carbon Fiber Face with
    ONIX Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (Graphite Carbon Fiber Face with Rough Texture Surface, Cushion Comfort Grip and Nomex Honeycomb Core for Touch, Control, and Power)

No matter what your style, there is a paddle out there for you. If this all seems too complicated, don’t worry! There are many great paddles that offer both control and speed so players of any skill level can find the right pickleball paddle to suit their needs.

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Our Recommendations:

Here are our recommendations for the best pickleball paddle for beginners, intermediate players and advanced players.

Best Pickleball Paddle For Beginners:

JP WinLook Pickleball Paddles:

Jp Winlook Pickleball Paddles Set
View on Amazon

The JP WinLook Pickleball Paddles Set is the best pickleball paddles for beginners to professionals. These lightweight pickleball paddles have a composite core and are USAPA approved. 

The 4-¼ in grip size is perfect for anyone, offering comfort while playing. The set comes with 2 graphite light weight USAPA approved racquets, 3 pickle balls, 1 racket bag, and 4-¼ in grip size. They work great indoors or outdoors and can be used by men or women of all ages!

ONIX Graphite Z5

Onix Graphite Z5 Graphite
View on Amazon

ONIX Graphite Z5 graphite carbon fiber pickleball paddle with cushion comfort grip is made of graphite carbon fiber material, which provides a powerful and resilient playing experience. This paddle comes with a cushioned grip for maximum control and accuracy during play. 

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The ONIX Graphite Z5 features a unique open-cell foam structure that shuttles moisture away from your hand to provide a cooler, drier, more comfortable environment.

Best Pickleball Paddle For Intermediate Players:

OLANNY Graphite Pickleball Paddles

Olanny Graphite Pickleball Paddles
View on Amazon

OLANNY Graphite Pickleball Paddles are the best pickleball set for beginners, intermediate players and advanced players. OLANNY Graphite Pickleball Paddle Set is premium quality made of graphite fiber face & polymer honeycomb core. This high-end pickleball paddle features 4 pickleball paddles + 6 balls 4 replacement soft grip + 1 bag that you will love to play with!

GRM Graphite Pickleball Paddle

Grm Graphite Pickleball Paddle
View on Amazon

GRM Graphite Pickleball Paddle is the best pickleball paddle for beginners and intermediate players. It features lightweight graphite construction, a larger sweet spot, and an ergonomic design that will help you improve your game.

The GRM Pickleball Paddle has a large sweet spot to maximize your power on every swing. The grip is comfortable and easy to hold onto with the use of dual-density foam. This paddle comes equipped with two paddles, four balls, and a convenient carry bag so you can take it wherever you go!

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Best Pickleball Paddle For Advanced Players:

HEAD Graphite Pickleball Paddle

Head Graphite Pickleball Paddle
View on Amazon

The Radical Tour is HEAD’s lightest paddle in the Radical series. The lightweight design is perfect for players who want to play with a lighter weight paddle without sacrificing power, durability or control. This paddle has a honeycomb polymer core that gives it great power and control.

The Radical Tour comes with an ergonomic, high density comfort grip that reduces hand fatigue during long matches. It also features a Power Bridge design which increases power while reducing vibrations for more comfortable play.

Gamma Poly Core Pickleball Paddle

Gamma Poly Core Pickleball Paddle
View on Amazon

Gamma Poly Core Pickleball Paddles are the perfect paddle for both indoor and outdoor play. The textured graphite surface gives you a firm grip, while the honeycomb cushion grip offers great support. These paddles are approved by USAPA for adults & kids, so they’re safe to use in any game!

Made with a graphite polymer core, the Gamma Poly Core paddles are extremely durable. They’re also very light-weight, so you can move them quickly for better agility on the court. This set of 2 is great to use at home or in your club’s pickleball program!

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Conclusion: 

We hope this article has helped you decide the best pickleball paddle for your needs. The final decision is up to you, but we feel confident that our list of top picks should help narrow down the options and make it easier for you to find a great option! 

Happy shopping!

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Avatar Of Kevin K. Shaw
Kevin K. Shaw

Kevin is a pickleball coach and former professional player. He’s been playing pickleball for over 10 years and has won multiple championships. He’s also the founder of PickleballSpots.com

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Why Trust PickleballSpots?

Our team of experts has years of experience playing Pickleball and testing out the latest products. We know what to look for in a good paddle or pair of shoes, and we’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest gear. Read more about us!

  • SLK by Selkirk Pickleball Paddles | Featuring a Multilayer Fiberglass
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  • Triumph Sports 4 Square Pickleball Game Set Transforms to Regulation
    Triumph Sports 4 Square Pickleball Game Set Transforms to Regulation Pickleball Net, Includes 4 Square net, Wood Racket Paddles, Pickleballs, Boundary Markers, Metal Frame, Carry Bag
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    JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 Pickleball Paddle - Official Ben Johns Paddle - USAPA Approved Racket for Tournament Play - Edge to Edge Sweet Spot, Durable Max Spin Surface & Elongated Handle
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  • ONIX Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (Graphite Carbon Fiber Face with
    ONIX Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (Graphite Carbon Fiber Face with Rough Texture Surface, Cushion Comfort Grip and Nomex Honeycomb Core for Touch, Control, and Power)

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  • PADDLES
    • Best Pickleball Paddles
    • Best For Beginners
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    • Best for Advanced Players
    • Best For Spin
    • Bests For Control
    • Best for Power
    • Best Lightweight
  • Shoes
    • Best Pickleball Shoes
    • Best Pickleball Shoes Under $100
    • Best Pickleball Shoes For Narrow Feet
    • Best Pickleball Shoes For Wide Feet
    • Best Running Shoes For Pickleball
  • Buyer Guides
  • Tips & Tricks
  • FAQ
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