The 11 Greatest Pickleball Paddles of 2025, Examined

Pickleball Paddles We Additionally Examined

We spent over 4 months testing 81 pickleball paddles to search out the perfect choices. Whereas the next paddles had some noteworthy qualities, they did not find yourself assembly our rigorous testing requirements to be included in our listing of prime picks.

• We predict the Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Wooden Paddle Set is a superb worth. Nonetheless, in comparison with the others we examined, this paddle felt heavier and fewer snug, inflicting wrist fatigue after an prolonged time period.
• The grip on JOOLA’s Ben Johns Hyperion C2 CFS 14 Pickleball Paddle held up on sizzling and humid days with out slipping out of our sweaty arms. Nonetheless, it could be troublesome for newbie and intermediate gamers to regulate the ball on this paddle till they get used to it.
• HEAD’s Radical Tour Uncooked EX Pickleball Paddle has an excellent snug grip and feels mild in our arms. Nonetheless, in comparison with different paddles we examined, its total efficiency simply isn’t well worth the worth.

What We have Up to date

• Since publishing our preliminary fully-tested roundup of the perfect pickleball paddles, we’ve examined 11 new paddles, spending over 4 months testing prime choices. We evaluated every choice for its consolation, grip, management, sturdiness, and worth.
• Primarily based on our new testing insights, we’ve reworked a few of our earlier picks, together with Greatest for Rookies, Greatest for Energy, Greatest With Massive Candy Spot, and extra.
• Primarily based on our testing insights, we’ve added 5 new superlatives, together with Greatest for Management and Spin, Greatest for Precision, and extra.
• We interviewed skilled pickleball participant Bellamy once more, in addition to a director of a pickleball facility, to assemble their enter on what you need to think about when selecting a paddle, know when to exchange your paddle, and extra.

What to Search for When Searching for a Pickleball Paddle

• Supplies: When searching for a pickleball paddle, take a look at its core and floor supplies—selecting the best choice for you depends upon your taking part in fashion and talent degree. Sometimes, the core is comprised of a honeycomb polypropylene chamber that helps cut back vibration and distribute vitality because the paddle contacts a ball. Floor supplies typically embody carbon fiber (finest for management), fiberglass (finest for energy), graphite (finest for fast photographs), and wooden. 
• Talent Stage: Pickleball paddles are an funding, so selecting a paddle that may evolve together with your expertise and taking part in fashion is a crucial consideration. When you’re a real newbie nonetheless studying the ins and outs of the sport, you could need to go for a light-weight and durable paddle, whereas superior gamers can profit from a powerful paddle that encourages optimum energy and velocity. 
• Taking part in Type: Are you searching for management, energy, or velocity? When choosing a pickleball paddle, think about your private taking part in fashion. For instance, if you happen to favor a fast-paced sport, you may want a paddle that generates energy and velocity, says skilled pickleball participant Kiersten Pappas. Carbon fiber paddles are finest for management, whereas fiberglass paddles are nice for energy. Some paddles are designed for each. 
• Weight: The burden of your pickleball paddle impacts management and energy. Lighter paddles are finest for management, whereas heavier paddles may give you extra energy and velocity. Swing weight, in line with Pappas, must also be thought-about. Swing weight refers to how heavy the paddle feels once you truly swing it.
• Deal with Size and Grip: Choosing the proper deal with size and grip circumference depends upon two issues: your swing fashion and hand dimension. Pickleball paddle handles normally are available an ordinary size for these with a single-handed backhand swing or an extended size for these with a two-handed backhand swing, says Bellamy. Grip circumference is usually round 4 inches, however you will discover smaller and bigger choices.
• Floor Space and Form: Typically, paddles with a bigger floor space have an even bigger candy spot, which so many gamers favor. Simply make sure you keep inside regulation dimension—in line with USA Pickleball, a paddle can’t be longer than 17 inches. Some, however not all, of our prime picks are USA Pickleball-approved. This designation could also be necessary if you wish to be part of a aggressive pickleball league or event. As for form, elongated paddles have higher attain, however they might have a smaller candy spot as a result of they’re narrower. Generally used standard-size paddles are a very good mixture of the 2.
• Edge Guard: The sting guard protects the paddle from cracking, scratches, and chipping. Paddles can vary from fully edgeless, that are usually lighter, to these with bigger edge guards, which may make them really feel a lot heavier and cut back floor space. If sturdiness is a precedence, think about a medium-sized edge guard that can assist shield your paddle with out including an excessive amount of additional weight.

Our Specialists

We spoke with specialists at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. Some helped us higher perceive which key options each pickleball paddle ought to have, whereas others offered insights that helped inform our testing course of. 

• Beth Bellamy, skilled pickleball participant and co-founder of the Nationwide Pickleball League
• Laurie Coyne, licensed pickleball coach at Aqua Lane Pickleball in Virginia Seaside, Virginia
• Wayne Dollard, skilled pickleball participant and founding father of Pickleball Journal and LevelUp Camps
• Laurel Heilman, licensed pickleball coach together with her personal follow in Pittsburgh
• Kiersten Pappas, Director of Pickleball Operations, Dill Dinkers in Frederick, Maryland

Regularly Requested Questions 

Is a costlier pickleball paddle value it?

Not essentially—it’s extra necessary to prioritize a grip that permits you to play comfortably and offers you a full vary of movement. When you’re a newbie, Bellamy says you don’t know what you’ll like but, so the most costly paddle won’t be the perfect match.

What pickleball paddles do most experts use?

Quite a few skilled pickleball gamers sport paddles from manufacturers like Selkirk and JOOLA. Extra importantly, aggressive gamers should select a USA Pickleball-approved regulation paddle.

How typically do you have to purchase a brand new pickleball paddle?

As a tough guideline, if you happen to play three days per week, three hours per session, your paddle ought to final for round a 12 months. You’ll know when it’s time to vary your paddle when it stops performing. The core will begin to deaden, says Coyne, and the paddle received’t be responsive anymore.

What’s one of the best ways to wash and care to your pickleball paddle?

To maintain your pickleball paddle acting at its finest, wipe down the face and grip of the paddle after every sport with a humid microfiber material. Keep away from harsh family cleaners as they might harm the paddle. As soon as your grip wears down, you should purchase a substitute grip or overgrip to assist your paddle last more.

Why Belief Verywell Match

Jennifer Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, has labored at Verywell Match since 2022 and is at the moment a author for the model. As an authorized train physiologist and avid exerciser, she makes a speciality of testing health and restoration gear, together with strolling footwear, basketballs, pickleball tools, therapeutic massage weapons, and extra. For this text, Jennifer hands-on examined eight pickleball paddles and interviewed pickleball specialists to assist readers discover the perfect choices potential.

Extra reporting contributed by Alena Davis, ISSA-CPT, and Amy Scanlin, ACE-GFI, MS

Alena Davis, ISSA-CPT, is a well being author and train fanatic who researches and critiques health merchandise for Verywell Match. As a former private coach and tennis novice, she appreciates the myriad advantages pickleball can present to these taken with taking part in the paddle sport and understands the significance of choosing tools that finest helps each your sport and your funds. On this roundup, she highlighted recommendation from skilled pickleball gamers and reliable pickleball paddle manufacturers that present high-quality, efficient merchandise.

Amy Scanlin, ACE-GFI, MS, is a Verywell Match author, licensed group health teacher, and pickleball fanatic who enjoys court docket time with household and mates. With gear being an integral part of the sport, she chooses merchandise based mostly on professional steering, suggestions from our checks, and her personal expertise. As an intermediate participant, she seems to be for paddles with a bigger face, which are properly weighted and are thought-about dependable and reliable by those that have tried them.