Best Pickleball Paddles 2023 [Hands-On Testing] (2024)

Best Pick

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro Paddle

Best Graphite Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 7.6-8 ozGrip Size | ArrayCore Material | Graphite

The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro Pickleball Paddle is our top choice because it has all the required features for high-end performance. It has a wave design that improves aerodynamics while maintaining the paddle’s great stability and range of motion during matches. Players can hit shots quicker, more accurately, and with greater strength than ever, owing to this technology.

It is made with high-quality materials and offers unmatched performance for serious pickleball players who demand superior quality. A rubber grip provides improved control and comfort during gameplay while still being lightweight enough to allow swift movements on the court. This paddle will help you to improve your game skills.

We had the chance to try out the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro paddle and enjoyed it! The weight is perfect for a good swing, and the grip size is great for anyone. The core material is graphite, making it durable and strong. We found it does not come cover, which is a bit of a downside, but otherwise, this is an excellent paddle!

Furthermore, we were impressed with its high-grip handle, which aids in enhancing control while also making it easier to deliver the ball smoothly over the net. With its easy bounce-back feature, this pickleball paddle makes returning shots easier. Using this paddle, players can accurately hit hard shots while still being able to change directions quickly.

Paddletek Paddles are constructed from 100% fiberglass to ensure maximum performance and durability. In this version, the grip size is more appropriate for individuals who prefer a larger grip when playing Pickleball. Premium materials have been used to craft this paddle, which provides unmatched performance and precision. Compared to other high-performance pickleball paddles, it provides a softer feel.

The Tempest Wave Pro Pickleball Paddle’s durable design and textured graphite surface provide better control over the ball, allowing players to hit more winners. A special polymer core enhances paddle vibration at contact with the ball for extra power. With smart response technology incorporated throughout the paddle, it reacts faster than any other pickleball paddle available today.

Budget Pick

ONIX Graphite Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle

Best Lightweight Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 7.5-8.2 ozGrip Size | 4 ¼ inchesCore Material | Carbon fiber

Onix Z5 paddles are often seen in the hands of PPA Tour athletes. Graphite Z5 has a large body, making it more likely to execute those hard drop shots than other rackets. It is lightweight and features comfortable grip areas on both sides of the handle. The blade also offers excellent balance, making it easy to learn to play this sport with minimal effort.

It features a built-in pop bumper that allows you to control the direction the ball travels when you strike it. It’s also easy to hold and has a graphite finish, providing a good grip over the paddle. The Onix Z5 paddle is the perfect choice for the serious player who wants to generate power loads without sacrificing control.

With its elongated shape and sweet spot, the Z5 allows you to unleash your shots while maintaining excellent control over your game. With its superior performance and unbeatable value, the Onix Z5 is sure to take your game to the next level!

With its carbon fiber construction and aircraft-grade aluminum, this paddle provides superior touch without sacrificing power. It has a paper honeycomb core to reduce vibration, so your shots are smooth every time. Its wide body shape provides maximum contact area with the ball and offers superior control.

Staff Pick

JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion Pickleball Paddle

Best Spin Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 0.2 kgGrip Size | 16 mmCore Material | Plastic

We were quite impressed with the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion Pickleball Paddle that we tried out! This paddle is designed for players who want power and control over their game. Its lightweight design and large sweet spot make it easy to hit those hard shots. The graphite finish provides a good grip over the paddle with the ball for extra power. With smart response technology incorporated throughout the paddle, it reacts faster than any other pickleball paddle available today.

JOOLA Hyperion Pickleball Paddle has a carbon friction surface for excellent performance and control. This paddle is easy to hold because it has an ergonomic grip that does not slip. This Pickleball Paddle is made out of durable composites which give control, spin, and power. It provides an oversized grip compared to other paddles and gives a satisfying click when playing.

With this pickleball paddle, you can take your game to the next level, whatever your level of proficiency. It has been built using reactive polypropylene honeycomb material that maximizes power transfer and lessens the impact on joints during swings. The carbon-forged handle ensures a secure grip, optimal feel, and increased durability.

The Hyperion Pickleball Paddle is engineered to reduce vibration while maximizing ball control and consistency. The lightweight design ensures less fatigue during long matches, so you’re ready for another game as soon as possible!

HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle

Best Grip Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 8.1 ozGrip Size | 4 ¼Core Material | Graphite

HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle performed exceptionally well during the testing process. It has a large sweet spot, making it easy to hit those hard shots. And with its carbon fiber construction, it provides superior touch without sacrificing power. It’s also easy to hold and has a graphite finish, providing a good grip over the paddle. It also has a 16 mm oversized grip, making it easy to hold onto even when your hands are sweaty.

With its fiberglass finish, the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle is lightweight and durable. It is designed to deliver a high level of comfort and performance. This pickleball paddle provides excellent ball control with minimal vibration with a polypropylene honeycomb on both sides. HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle features a composite blade made from Carbon Fiberglass, which gives it exceptional strength.

The paddle has a good grip size for adults and children, giving them better control over the ball. It’s an economical option for those who have been playing pickleball but haven’t upgraded their paddles yet, or just starting in the sport and looking for quality gear at a reasonable price point. Its soft grip makes it easier to manage spin shots, and the overall design isn’t as aggressive as some other paddles available. Players looking to improve their skills without spending much money on a paddle will find it a great choice.

Onix Evoke Premier Pickleball Paddle

Best Control Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 0.27 kgGrip Size | 4 ½ inchesCore Material | Polypropylene core

Onix Premier Pickleball Paddle is a new addition to the line of Onix pickleball paddles that has quickly become a favorite among players. It has a large sweet spot grip, which provides greater power and control. Our team is impressed with the new Atomic13 Edge Technology, which disperses shock while increasing power and swing speed. It provides power without being too stiff, making it easier to control your shots on the court.

Onix Evoke Premier Pickleball Paddle meets and is approved by USAPA and USA Pickleball requirements deeming it acceptable for all official tournament play. With a polypropylene core, you’ll love its precision and performance. Its shock dispersion feature helps reduce arm fatigue while maintaining stability, even during repetitive shots. In our trials, we did not like the grip, which is a little slippy, so you can change it if you feel uncomfortable.

Onix Evoke Premier gives off just enough feedback while maintaining control over shots when it matters most, whether in competitive play or simply playing around with friends on the court! Compared to other recreational paddles, this paddle was designed with competitive players in mind. In addition, it had a great touch for dinking and drop shots that other paddles didn’t have.

Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball Paddle

Best Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 7.2-8.3 ozGrip Size | 4 1/8 – 4 3/8Core Material | Fiberglass

Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball Paddle is another excellent paddle from the Prince brand. We are also a fan of the bright color options available for this paddle that make it stand out on the court. The Prince Spectrum Pro is made with a fiberglass hitting surface that gives it a nice balance of power and control in your game. It is an excellent paddle for players who desire a lightweight paddle that doesn’t sacrifice power or control.

Due to its large sweet spot size, the Prince Paddle reduces disruptive vibrations during hard strokes, making it easier to control the ball while playing. It also has a comfortable grip and is lightweight, making it easy to swing. If you’re an expert player looking for some change-up in your game, our Disruptive Vibration technology will throw off opponents when they think they have their timing down. Handle provides excellent tactile feedback, while grip provides disruptive vibration dampening.

Prince Pro paddles feature a high-quality, honeycomb-surfaced surface and are engineered to maximize consistency. Its optimized weight distribution allows it to transfer the maximum energy from player to ball when hitting shots or volleys at any angle. The thick honeycomb design also provides more stability during gameplay than most other paddles on the market today. With its large surface area and quality construction, this pro pickleball paddle is everything you need to take your game to another level.

PROKENNEX Ovation Flight Pickleball Paddle

Best Responsive Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 7.2-7.75 ozGrip Size | 4 inchesCore Material | Cloud cell poly core

Prokennex’s Ovation Flight Pickleball Paddle is the ideal choice for players looking for a lightweight paddle with great power. Due to its ability to absorb smashes and not pop the ball is an excellent choice for competitive play. A significant advantage of this paddle is its ability to help players improve their game and its durability.

With a carbon fiber blade and diamond finish, this paddle is light and durable no matter where you play. Due to its design for powerful swings with little dead surface area is suitable for powerful swings. Due to his design, it is easy to generate power while maintaining good control and precision shots at the same time.

Compared to traditional paddles, it has a smaller flat surface area, which results in better ball contact. The low-weight profile of this pro-level pickleball paddle provides good balance and maneuverability that is perfect for players who want to take their game to the next level. It has a round face offers good stability during an aggressive backswing while allowing ample room for side spin shots.

HEAD Graphite Gravity Pickleball Paddle

Best Graphite Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 8.1 ozGrip Size | 4 ¼Core Material | Graphite

HEAD Graphite Pickleball Paddles offer a unique hitting surface that offers an excellent feel and increased control for a lightweight pickleball paddle. As a result of the paddle’s graphite construction, it is lightweight and durable, and its large hitting surface offers excellent ball control. Players can maintain a firm grip on the paddle throughout intense games due to the paddle’s comfortable grip.

It has extreme spin texture and grip, making it easy to control the ball and keep it in play. Thanks to its excellent feel and durability, this pickleball paddle provides power without compromising control through precise touch play, no matter the weather conditions. It’s specifically designed for pickleball with its comfortable handle, easy ball control, and powerful shots.

It is constructed from lightweight graphite, which provides stable handling and superior shot control. In terms of size, its sweet spot is nearly as large as its face, providing a greater area for hitting shots. According to our testing, this paddle is suitable for beginners as they can freely play with it to improve their skills. We used this paddle both for singles and doubles play, and it performed well in both situations. HEAD Graphite Pickleball Paddle is an excellent option if you want a versatile paddle.

Prokennex Pro Speed Ii Pickleball Paddle

Best Control Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 7.7-8.25 ozGrip Size | 4 inchesCore Material | Polypropylene honeycomb matrix

PROKENNEX Pro Speed II Pickleball Paddle is an excellent choice for those who love long elongated paddles. It has a 15.43inches long length handle that provides great reach and leverage. The polypropylene honeycomb matrix core provides great pop and power to your shots. The surface area of this paddle is really large, which gives you increased accuracy and power while playing. Its wind-resistant rubber grip provides superior control of shots by absorbing shock from impact, allowing players to react rapidly after a hit, making it an ideal travel paddle.

With its carbon fiber blade and fiberglass, this paddle increases speed while maintaining enough durability to withstand hard shots when needed. It provides excellent ball control with minimal effort while covering more court space than many of the other paddles available on the market today. Additionally, an easy-to-replace protective bumper Air-O-guard prevents damage from occurring when playing against rough surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt.

PROKENNEX Pro Speed II is an excellent pickleball racquet for players who desire to hit long, powerful shots. The large sweet spot of the paddle provides excellent pop and power, making it ideal for players who wish to strike the ball hard and keep their opponents on their toes. It is easy to control, even for beginners, due to its lightweight and comfortable grip. Overall, its weight is the only drawback. It may be too heavy for some people, but if you can handle its weight, this paddle is one of the best on the market.

ULAOUL Pickleball Paddle

Best Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight | 7.9 ozGrip Size | 4 ¼ inchesCore Material | Carbon Fiber

ULAOUL Pickleball Paddle is a great option for those looking for a lightweight paddle for children to teach them how to play. The paddle is also comfortable to grip and has a great shock-absorbent feel. Plus, the large sweet spot ensures more power and control when hitting the ball. It is designed with beginners in mind and comes with easy-to-handle paddles made of lightweight materials that are gentle on the arm and hand when making contact. Moreover, it comes with two balls, so you can begin playing immediately.

Due to their large handles, these paddles give you more control over how hard or soft you hit the ball. The paddle set features a carbon fiber face and provides excellent speed, control, and maneuverability. A carry bag is included with these paddles for storing them safely when they are not in use. ULAOUL pickleball paddle edge guards are made of carbon fiber and are sweat-absorbing. Guards protect the paddle from wear and tear, and they also improve grip. It’s comfortable to hold, easy to use, and helps you improve your game.

After playing with it, adults might find that it doesn’t have vibration absorbent after shots, which hurts. It’s better for indoor games where you don’t need to exert as much power. Definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their game and have fun playing with it.

What Pickleball Paddle Do the Pros Use?

Pros use different paddles depending on their style. Some use heavier paddles to get more power behind their shots, while others prefer lighter paddles for more control. Ultimately, it is up to the individual player to decide what type of paddle works best for them.

Are More Expensive Pickleball Paddles Worth It?

More expensive paddles generally have better grips, are made of better materials, and bounce more consistently. Investing in these features may be worth it if you’re serious about the sport. However, if you’re just starting, there’s no need to spend much money on a paddle. Depending on your budget, you may find affordable paddles.

Is Graphite or Fiberglass Better for Pickleball?

Graphite is a better material for pickleball paddles because it is denser and provides more power. Fiberglass, on the other hand, is a better material for tennis racquets because it is less dense and therefore provides more control.