How to choose the right Pickleball paddle for me?

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I’ve talked to so many people out there on the courts and one of most frequent questions I get is “How do I know what is a good paddle for me?” Now, more than ever there are so many different paddles out there and so many different things to think about when getting a paddle. There is the core, the weight, the handle, the manufacturer… etc.

So how do I find the right one for me?

I’ve made a list of things you should definitely consider when buying a paddle and I’ve tried to keep it as informative as possible for all types of players out there, so I hope this helps you out!

If you are just getting into Pickleball be sure to check out my beginner paddle review!

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#1 - Weight

Weight is #1 for me because before the handle feel, before the paddle core before anything else, you need to be sure that the weight is something you can handle and can use for hours of play. I’ve seen time and time again people buying paddles that are too light, or too heavy for them and not being able to hit shots or having pain in their elbows and wrists because of the constant use. My general rule for initial paddle weight is to match it based on your body weight, because body proportions and overall strength usually correspond with weight:

Less than 110 lbs = Lightweight paddle (7.0 oz - 7.5 oz)

110 lbs - 160 lbs = Middleweight Paddle (7.6 oz - 8.3 oz)

Greater than 160 lbs = Heavyweight Paddle (8.3 oz and above)

Now this is not an exact science and obviously there are exceptions to these rules, but I think as a general rule weight dictates how heavy a paddle you can swing. This system has worked for me and other people I have talked to and so far has been a good gauge of where to start looking for paddles. I also have a short list of things to look out for when a paddles weight may be bothering you that will dictate the weight of the next paddle you try:

Reasons to have a lighter Paddle than you have right now:

• Your paddle weight hinders approach/net game

• Your paddle weight is putting stress on joints (mostly wrist and elbow)

Reasons to have a heavier Paddle than you have right now

• You are feeling too much “shock” from ball going through the paddle during hits

• You want more power in shots

• You want more control (depends on the core/face as well)

• You normally swing a Tennis racket and that weight and motion doesn’t bother you

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#2 - Core Material

There are so many core materials out there and manufacturers are constantly making improvements to the cores of their paddles, but there are many commonly used paddle cores and I wanted to make a list of the pros and cons of each of the paddle cores.

Polymer Core

This is a tricky one because there are so many manufacturers that are making their own versions of a polymer core and each one is a little different. However, the common theme between all of them is a great all around combination of light, great control and an amazing amount of power.

Pros:

• Lightweight in form factors

• Great all-around game (power, control, finesse)

Cons:

• Many different types of polymers out there

• Can be expensive for high end polymers

Wood Core

I really do not recommend wooden paddles unless you really just want a paddle to hit around casually with. Wood used to be more of a viable option because of its price, but with advances in other paddle cores and the lowering cost of other great paddles the market is making wood cores obsolete.

Pros:

• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Not as consistent hits, dead spots on the paddle

• Usually on the heavier side

• Not viable for upper level play

Nomex Core

Nomex is one of the original honeycomb style cores for paddles that is still going strong today. These are generally harder, thinner paddles with amazing power, but lacking in control and finesse. It usually takes an extremely skilled player to control the amount of power generated from this core. Today, probably the most used Nomex paddles are the Onix Z5 and some GAMMA brand paddles.

Pros:

• Enormous Power all over the court

• Solid Feel

• Generally reasonable in price

Cons:

• Lack of control/finesse

• Can be banned for being too loud

Aluminum Core

If Nomex is all power, Aluminum is all control. This core is generally on the lighter side and really focuses on the control game. Unfortunately this means a substantial loss in power. I don’t usually recommend thees paddles because they just are not as well rounded as polymer, carbon fiber or even Nomex, but they can be really good for people with sever joint pain or kids that are just not strong enough to use a different paddle.

Pros:

• Great Control

• Lightweight and can be use by kids or people with joint pain

Cons:

• Not too much power

• Not as durable as other cores

• Can be hard to find

#3 - Face Material

After the weight and the core material are chosen, now you can focus on the facing. This to me is not a deal breaker for choosing paddles, but it can improve a paddles performance in areas that suit your game better. The main facing materials are Fiberglass (composite), Graphite, or Carbon Fiber and each material has its pros and cons, but you really cannot go wrong with any of the faces. Facing can be a little more subjective and sometimes it comes down to personal preference. I will give you my general opinion on the different types of facings.

Fiberglass (Composite)

Fiberglass (composite) is one of the most common types of facing out there and for good reason. It is very reliable and you can hit pretty much every type of shot out there with this facing. I think it probably gives the most amount of power out of all the facings because it is generally harder and more durable.

Graphite

Graphite is also a very common paddle facing and can be seen on many of the paddles out there today. It generally sacrifices some power for more control, but it really does matter on the pairing with the core inside. I definitely have felt like I have had more control with some of my graphite paddles and I overall like what the facing brings to the table

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is one of the newest facing materials and because it is so light weight and sturdy, some major manufacturers are creating carbon fiber variants of their paddles. It is a solid face that has great control, but some say that it lacks the power that a fiberglass (composite) paddle has. One other thing to keep in mind is that Carbon Fiber is usually a bit more expensive that other face so definitely take that into account when looking for paddles.

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Summary:

The main takeaway from this post is that you want a paddle that will be comfortable for you and your playing style. Honestly, there are so many great paddles out there that will do the job, but if you want to choose a paddle that is right for you and your game, these are the three big things you should look out for Weight, Core, and Facing. Every paddle company out there should provide you with all of this information so be sure to look out for these things in their Technical Specifications!

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DISCLOSURE:  My posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, I might get a small commission, without any extra cost to you.