If you are new to the sport and looking for a good pickleball paddle, or a veteran player who already owns one or more paddles, we assume you have arrived on this page because you are looking to buy a pickleball paddle or pickleball racquet. As some people mistakenly call it.
If you read the descriptions of some of the pickleball paddles on the market, you'd think we were buying a futuristic gadget for a trip to Mars! "Nomex™ Honeycomb", "Liquid Graphite Paddle Face", "Polymer Paddle Core"... Buying a paddle can be confusing!
Frankly, I think this trend is partly marketing hype. As more people start playing, brands are competing and trying to make their paddle stand out from the rest.
However, there are 3 factors that really matter when shopping for pickleball paddles.
If you're upgrading to a more advanced paddle, some new technologies will make a difference and will be detailed below.
Three main factors to consider when looking for the best pickleball paddle:
- Go with the weight you can handle best.
- Get the grip size that fits your hand.
- Get the shape and structure to suit your play style.
choose the right weight
Many shoppers prioritize purchasing decisions over price. I understand the need to stay within your budget, but pricing itself doesn't give you a complete answer. Just because a paddle is more expensive doesn't mean it's a better paddle for me personally.
Most pickleball experts agree, and we agree, that weight should be your overall top priority when choosing a pickleball paddle.
Paddle weights range from about 6 (light paddles) to 14 ounces (heavy paddles). A few ounces may not seem like much of a difference, but keep a can of soup in your hand and wield it for hours.
Paddle weight determines the "feel" of the paddle in your hand and the type of action you get when playing with it on the court. In general, the weight of a paddle is a personal preference that largely depends on one's fitness level and play style.
