Choosing a pickleball paddle is a bit like finding the perfect dance partner, the right match can make your game flow, while the wrong one might leave you tripping over your own feet. With so many paddles out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially as a new player. The truth is, the best pickleball paddle for you depends a lot on your experience level. What works for a seasoned tournament player may not be ideal for a beginner just learning the ropes. In this guide, we’ll break down what to look for in a paddle if you’re an Entry-Level, Intermediate, or Expert player, focusing on key factors like weight, shape, surface material, and core material. Let’s dive in!
Entry-Level Players (Beginner Paddle Guide)
So you’ve caught the pickleball bug and are ready to buy your first paddle! As a beginner, the paddle features you need are all about making the game easier and more fun while you learn the basics.
Beginner players benefit most from paddles that prioritize control and forgiveness, helping them keep the ball in play as they learn proper form. This typically means choosing a paddle that’s not too heavy, has a large sweet spot, and materials that offer a nice blend of feel and easy power. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for:
Weight: Go for a Comfortable Mid-Weight Paddle
One of the first things to consider is paddle weight. Mid-weight paddles (around 7.5–8.5 ounces) are ideal for most beginners, offering a good balance between power and control.
Aim for the mid-weight range (~7.5–8.0 oz) for your first paddle. This weight gives you balanced play.
A mid-weight paddle is often labeled as “balanced” or “all-purpose.” It’s popular for a reason: it lets you explore both soft dinks and harder drives while you figure out your play style.
Why not ultra-light or heavy? Lighter paddles are great for quick reactions and are easy on the arm, but they have less power. Heavy paddles crush the ball with power but can strain your arm and reduce control.
In short, pick a paddle weight that feels comfortable to swing for an hour or two of play.
Shape: Wide Body = Big Sweet Spot and More Forgiveness
Pickleball paddles come in various shapes, but as a beginner you’ll want a shape that makes it easier to hit the ball well, even if you don’t strike it perfectly in the center every time. Wide-body paddles (which have a broader face) are the popular choice.
Choose a standard or wide-body paddle shape. Most beginner paddles have a traditional rectangular-ish shape around 15.5–16 inches long and 7.5–8+ inches wide.
Avoid elongated paddles at the start. Elongated paddles are those that are made longer (up to 17 inches long) at the cost of being narrower. They have a smaller sweet spot and are less forgiving.
Another aspect of shape is the handle length and grip. Most beginner paddles have a medium handle length and a grip size around 4.0 to 4.25 inches in circumference, which fits most adults.
Overall, a wider paddle face with a standard shape will give you the most consistent results as you learn. You’ll have plenty of surface to work with and a paddle that’s designed to be user-friendly.
Surface Material: Graphite or Composite for a Nice Blend of Control
When we talk about the paddle’s surface, we’re referring to the material that covers the paddle’s hitting area. The common materials you’ll see are graphite, fiberglass (composite), and sometimes carbon fiber. For entry-level players, the goal is to get a face material that offers good control and a bit of pop, without being too wild or too expensive.
Graphite faces are a favorite for beginners because they are lightweight and tend to offer excellent control and a soft touch.
Fiberglass (Composite) faces provide more power and a grippy texture for spin, often at a slightly lower cost than graphite. A fiberglass composite paddle face is more flexible and can act like a trampoline. However, fiberglass faces typically have smaller sweet spots and can be a little less predictable if you miss the center.
Carbon fiber is often mentioned in high-end paddles and is similar to graphite (both are carbon-based). It offers great control and consistency, but paddles with raw carbon fiber surfaces tend to be more expensive and are often marketed to competitive players.
So what should you choose? For most beginners, a graphite or composite face paddle with a large sweet spot is ideal.
One thing to note: You might see super cheap paddles made of wood. Wooden paddles are usually the least expensive and very durable, but they are heavier and less responsive, which can hinder a beginner’s development. Unless your budget is extremely tight or you’re buying a simple set for fun, it’s usually worth investing a bit more. You’ll have a much better experience as a result.
Core Material: Pick Polymer for a Balanced, Forgiving Feel
Inside every pickleball paddle is a core, usually made of a honeycomb material that gives the paddle its thickness and feel. The core plays a big role in how the paddle reacts when the ball hits it. The three main core types are polymer, Nomex, and aluminum. For beginners, polymer is the go-to choice thanks to its balanced performance.
Polymer Core (Polypropylene Honeycomb): By far the most common core in paddles today, polymer cores offer an excellent mix of attributes – a bit of power, a bit of touch, and a soft feel. Polymer cores are ideal for beginners because they are softer and more forgiving, meaning the ball has a slightly longer contact time which helps with control.
Nomex Core: Nomex is a hard, dense paper honeycomb. Nomex cores are all about power. The catch? They’re much harder to control.
Aluminum Core: Some paddles use an aluminum honeycomb core, which is light and offers a lot of control. This sounds great for a beginner in theory, but there’s a downside. Aluminum core paddles lack power and can feel soft or dead if you’re trying to hit deep shots.
In summary, stick with a polymer core paddle when starting out. It provides the most well-rounded performance and will make your introduction to pickleball more enjoyable.
What to Look for When Buying a Beginner Paddle
Let’s put it all together with a handy checklist. When you’re shopping for an entry-level paddle , keep an eye out for these characteristics:
Mid-weight design (approximately 7.5–8 oz)
Wide paddle face with a large sweet spot
Graphite or composite surface
Polymer honeycomb core
Comfortable grip size
Good value and durability
Finally, remember that as a beginner the main goal is to get a paddle that feels good and helps you develop proper technique. Almost any mid-range composite or graphite paddle from a reputable source will do the job. Once you’ve played for a while and improved, you’ll have a much better sense of what you might want more or less of.
Intermediate Players (Stepping Up Your Paddle Game)
Intermediate players often know a bit more about their own strengths and weaknesses, which means you can start tailoring your paddle choice to complement your style. Let’s break down the considerations:
Weight: Fine-Tune to Your Play Style (Mid-weight to Slightly Heavy or Light)
By the intermediate stage, you’ve experienced what different weights feel like, and you can handle more variety. The “ideal” weight broadens a bit depending on what you need:
Staying in the Mid-Weight Zone: Many intermediate paddles still fall in the mid-weight range (~7.5–8.5 oz) because it’s versatile.
Adding Power with More Weight: Perhaps you’ve developed confidence in your control and now notice your shots could use more depth or speed. Moving slightly heavier (say 8.2–8.5 oz, or adding a bit of lead tape to your current paddle) can give you extra power on drives and smashes.
Quicker Hands with a Lighter Paddle: On the other hand, maybe you find yourself excelling at the net game, reacting to fast exchanges (hand battles) at the kitchen line. In that case, some players go a touch lighter (closer to 7.5 oz or even high 6’s) to increase maneuverability and hand speed.
Many intermediates will try a few paddles in different weights to really dial in what feels best. The key is to match the weight to your style and physical ability.
Lastly, pay attention to weight distribution. Two paddles both weighing 8.0 oz can feel different if one is head-heavy versus evenly balanced. A head-heavy paddle (more weight toward the tip) will swing with more force (good for power) but might feel sluggish in quick exchanges. A more evenly balanced or handle-weighted paddle will feel nimble but won’t hit as hard.
Shape: Standard vs. Elongated (and Other Shapes) – Exploring New Options
Now that your consistency has improved, you might be ready to try shapes beyond the basic wide-body. The shape of your paddle can influence your reach, shot angles, and sweet spot size:
Standard/Wide Shape (Still a Good Choice): There’s no rule that says an intermediate must change paddle shape. If you’ve been using a classic shape (around 16" by 8"), you may continue with it because it provides a nice balance of reach and a comfortable sweet spot.
Trying Elongated Paddles: An elongated paddle (up to 17" long, typically around 7” wide) becomes more viable at the intermediate level. By now, you likely have better ball control, so you might handle the reduced sweet spot better than a beginner would. The payoff is a bit of extra reach and often more power on swings, since a longer paddle can act like a lever.
Other Shape Considerations: Some paddles have unique shapes like teardrop or semi-elongated designs, where the width is slightly reduced in exchange for length, or edgeless designs that maximize hitting area. As an intermediate, you can certainly explore these.
In essence, intermediate players have the freedom to experiment with shape to see what complements their game.
Surface Material: Upgrading to Textured Carbon Fiber or High-Performance Composites
At the intermediate stage, it might be time to level up your paddle face material. You’ve likely developed more ball control and perhaps the ability to add spin to your shots. Certain surface materials can enhance spin or power, so here’s what to consider:
Graphite vs. Fiberglass (revisited): The general rule still holds: graphite = control, fiberglass = power.
Carbon Fiber Surface: A lot of new paddles for intermediate to advanced players feature carbon fiber surfaces. These are popular because they tend to offer great control, good power, and a ton of spin potential due to their textured nature.
Surface Texture and Spin: By now, you might be incorporating spin into your game. If so, look for paddles that mention a “textured” surface or specific spin-enhancing technology. As an intermediate player who understands the control vs. power trade-off, you can appreciate that a rougher surface helps impart spin, which can give you a strategic advantage.
Durability & Quality: If you started with a bargain paddle, moving up to an intermediate level paddle often means better build quality. You’re likely playing more often now, so durability counts. Graphite and carbon fiber paddles are generally very durable.
To sum up, intermediate players should look for a paddle face that complements their improving skills. Many opt for carbon fiber surfaces for the control and spin benefits, or a quality fiberglass composite that offers a controllable power boost.
Core and Thickness: Control vs. Power Adjustments
While the core material for most intermediate paddles is still likely polymer, the thickness of that core and subtle tweaks can make a difference in play:
Thicker Core (15mm–16mm): A lot of control-oriented paddles designed for intermediate/advanced players have a thicker polymer core (around 16 mm, which is roughly 5/8 inch). A thicker core generally means the paddle will feel a bit softer and more controlled.
Thinner Core (13mm–14mm): On the other hand, if you’ve noticed your shots lack punch or you want to drive the ball harder, thinner core paddles (around 13 mm, or 1/2 inch thick) are built for power.
Core Density and Materials: While polymer is standard, not all polymer cores are equal. Higher-end paddles might boast specialty polymer cores with smaller honeycomb cells for added stiffness or larger cells for softer feel. You might also encounter Nomex core paddles marketed for power players. As an intermediate, you could consider a Nomex core if you really desire a hard-hitting paddle and you’ve developed the control to manage it.
Vibration Dampening: Some intermediate-level paddles incorporate features to reduce vibration, While not a must-have, if you’ve had discomfort, you might look for paddles advertising a comfortable or dampened feel.
In essence, decide if you want to bias your paddle toward more control or more power, and use core thickness as one of your levers. If you’re unsure, a medium thickness is a fair middle ground.
What to Look for When Buying an Intermediate Paddle
When you’re ready to upgrade from your beginner paddle or pick out a paddle to match your improving skills, consider the following points:
Balanced weight (or weight tuned to your style)
Shape that complements your game
Upgraded surface material
Core optimized for your preference
Quality and comfort features
A paddle that complements your developing strategy
As an intermediate, you’re in a fun zone where you can appreciate the subtle differences between paddles. The key is, whatever you choose should feel like it enhances your strengths while shoring up your weaknesses.
Expert Players
If you’re in this category you have excellent control, refined technique, and a strong sense of your playing style. At this level, the differences in paddles become more about fine-tuning performance.
Advanced players often seek paddles that amplify their skills, even if that means sacrificing some forgiveness. Features like a smaller sweet spot, extra weight, specialized materials, and customizability come into play here. Let’s dive into what an expert player might look for:
Weight: Personal Preference Rules
Heavyweight Power: A heavier paddle (often 8.5 oz and up, even into the 9+ oz range) can be a weapon in the hands of an advanced player. You have the strength and conditioning to use it without fatigue, and the extra mass translates into more powerful drives and smashes.
Lightweight for Reaction Speed: Not all pros use heavy paddles. If your game is built on lightning-quick volleys, countering hard shots, and out-maneuvering opponents, you might keep your paddle weight in check (say 7.5–8.2 oz) to maximize agility.
Customization: Perhaps the biggest thing for advanced players is customization. You know exactly what you want from a paddle, and if the stock model isn’t perfect, you’ll tweak it. This often means adding lead tape to adjust weight and balance.
Shape: Specialized Shapes for Specialized Skills
Advanced players can truly take advantage of non-standard paddle shapes, because you can adapt to their quirks and squeeze the benefits out of them:
Elongated for Maximum Reach and Power: A lot of expert singles players and aggressive doubles players use elongated paddles. The elongated shape gives you extra reach and a bit more leverage for power shots.
Other Niche Shapes: Some advanced paddles come in shapes that tweak the traditional form – maybe a shorter handle with more face area, or a longer handle for two-handed backhands. There are paddles with more squared-off corners to extend the surface outwards, etc. As an expert, you can identify if any of these designs cater to your unique style.
Edgeless Designs: Many advanced paddles feature a low-profile or edgeless design. This means fewer mishits off an abrasive edge and a bit more surface area to work with. Advanced players often appreciate this because it provides a more consistent response.
Sweet Spot considerations: It’s worth noting: advanced paddles often intentionally have a smaller sweet spot or one focused in a certain area, because they’re designed for players who will hit that spot most of the time.
At this stage, the paddle’s shape is a tool to accentuate your strengths. Pick the shape that aligns with what you do best on court.
Surface Material: Premium Carbon Fiber, Gritty Textures, and Cutting-Edge Tech
When it comes to paddle face materials for advanced players, the industry is loaded with high-tech options, and you probably have a keen interest in the nuances:
Raw Carbon Fiber and Other Premium Composites: Most top paddles for advanced players feature some form of carbon fiber surface. Why carbon fiber? It provides a superior mix of control, consistency, and spin potential.
Spin-Boosting Tech: Some high-end paddles use a proprietary grit paint or a sand-infused epoxy on the face for extra spin. Others use etched or ridge surfaces that grip the ball. As an expert, you’ll want to take advantage of these if spin is a key part of your game.
Face Hardness – Graphite vs Fiberglass vs Carbon Blend: Even at the top level, some players still prefer a fiberglass composite face if they want pure power. A few advanced paddles might combine carbon fiber and fiberglass layers to try to give a controlled power feel. If you’re one of those players who can generate your own spin and mainly wants every bit of power, you might not dismiss fiberglass entirely. But the trend does lean towards carbon for most expert paddles because of the control/spin advantage. Graphite in its traditional form is also used in some advanced paddles, often to provide a stiffer, more controlled face.
Consistency: You want to know that when you hit the sweet spot, the ball will behave the same way every time. High-end materials like carbon fiber are prized for providing that consistency across the face.
To boil it down: advanced players should look for paddles with the highest quality face materials that align with their style. Love spin and control? Go carbon fiber all the way. Want raw power and don’t mind a bit less finesse? Maybe a composite with a fiberglass lean could serve you.
Core: Tweaks, Alternatives, and the Importance of Touch vs. Power
Polymer – High Density / Specialty: Most advanced paddles still use polymer cores, but often they’ll be optimized: smaller honeycomb cells for more stiffness or specific polymer blends for durability.
Thick vs Thin – Your Choice: Just like intermediate paddles, advanced paddles come in thick (16mm) or thin (13mm) versions.
Nomex or Other Cores: A few advanced players still swear by Nomex core paddles. Nomex core paddles are for those who can control a live wire, essentially. But most modern advanced paddles have moved to polymer because technology has improved to give polymer cores plenty of power while keeping control.
Aluminum – Rare at Pro Level: Aluminum cores are very uncommon in advanced paddles simply because they lack the power output that high-level play often demands.
What to Look for When Choosing an Advanced Paddle
If you’re at the top of your game, here’s a rundown of factors to ensure your paddle keeps up with you:
Optimal weight (with customization potential)
Shape that suits your specialized needs:
Premium surface for spin/control/power (as you require)
Advanced core features
Overall feel and feedback
Reliability and legality
In summary, the best paddle for an expert player is one that feels like a natural extension of your arm and accentuates your playing style.
Conclusion: Evolving with Your Paddle (and When in Doubt, Get Coaching!)
Your pickleball journey is an evolution, and so is your choice of paddle. The paddle that’s perfect for you as a beginner might start to feel limiting once you gain more skills. Intermediate players often need gear that keeps up with their improving techniques, and by the time you’re an advanced player, you’re looking for that extra edge to complement your mastery.
Remember, the “best” paddle is ultimately the one that feels right for you. It’s easy to get caught up in specs and trends, but always consider your own experience: when you hit with a paddle, does it inspire confidence?
Finally, while having the right paddle can certainly enhance your game, nothing replaces skill development. One of the best ways to boost your skills is through personalized coaching. If you’re serious about progressing, consider taking 1:1 pickleball lessons through TeachMe.To. TeachMe.To offer your first lesson free, so you can give it a try with no risk. And if you want to practice pickleball by yourself you can find our guide here.
