What do pickleball paddles and aerospace engineering have in common? More than you think.
When pickleball was invented in 1965, it was played primarily with makeshift equipment, including paddles that were made of wood. However, once the sport began to rise in popularity the paddles rapidly evolved. Many of pickleball’s early adopters lived in Seattle, also known as “Jet City” since Boeing was born there. Local aerospace engineers enjoyed playing pickleball, but they knew their paddles needed improvement. Accordingly, they figured out how to make paddles made of ultra-light aerospace materials—the modern pickleball paddle was born.
But that’s enough history for today. If you’re reading this, you’re probably considering buying a pickleball paddle…
That can prompt plenty of questions:
- How much money should I spend?
- What type of paddle is best for me?
- Where should I buy my paddle?
And that’s just the beginning. But don’t worry, we’ll answer those questions and more in the following sections. Choosing a paddle is the most important decision a new pickleball player can make, so be sure to study before stepping on the court!
What paddle do we recommend for beginners?
Beginners should opt for a mid-weight, composite pickleball paddle in the $50 range.
Of course, there are dozens of factors to consider based on age, skill level, and budget. Below we cover all the attributes of choosing a paddle. If you’re interested in the best paddle picks based on skill level and price, check out our pickleball paddle reviews.
Pickleball Paddle Weight
Weight is almost universally the most important factor when choosing a pickleball paddle. Paddles range from six to 14 ounces. To a novice, this might seem insignificant. But between those eight ounces is a world of difference. Let’s explore why that is.
Heavy Paddles
A pickleball paddle that weighs 8.5 ounces or more is considered heavy. The main benefit of a heavy paddle is that it allows players to drive the ball more easily, much like a heavy baseball bat. However, there are two caveats here.
- Heavy paddles can decrease how much control you have with your shots, especially if your arms aren’t exceptionally strong.
- Over the course of a game, a heavy paddle can wear your arm out quickly and place strain on your elbow.
For reference, you should only use a heavy paddle if you’re an experienced player with significant arm strength.
Mid-Weight Paddles
Most pickleball instructors advise new players to start with a mid-weight paddle, which ranges between 7.3 and 8.4 ounces. This allows players to easily determine whether they need to scale up, down, or stay right in the middle.
Mid-weight paddles are the most popular primarily because they offer an ideal balance of power and control. In other words, they can be adapted to any style of play.
Lightweight Paddles
Lightweight paddles, which weigh less than 7.3 ounces, may be appealing because they’re easier to swing. However, what you gain in control you lose in power. Think of it like a bowling ball: a light bowling ball is easier to aim, but doesn’t knock as many pins down.
A lightweight paddle may also put undue stress on your muscles and joints since they require players to exert more energy each time they hit the ball. Lightweight paddles also absorb less vibration, which can hurt your hand.
Paddle Weight and Injuries
If you’re part of the 23% of adults who have arthritis, you should pay especially close attention to your pickleball paddle weight. Paddles that weigh more than 8.4 ounces can wear down your joints, especially if you play for long durations of time.
“The rotator cuff tendons can get irritated as they rub against the undersurface of the acromion with overhead motions while playing [pickleball],” says Dr. David Geier, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, SC. “The bursa between the acromion and the tendons can get inflamed, causing shoulder pain.”
As mentioned above, playing with a paddle that’s too light can cause problems as well. Anything lighter than 7.3 ounces will require you to swing extra hard, which may lead to strained muscles if you go for a big swing.
Bottom line: you won’t go wrong starting with a mid-weight paddle. Chances are you’ll stick with it, anyway.
Pickleball Paddle Grip
Grip size is the second most important factor to consider when choosing a pickleball paddle. Grip size refers to the circumference of the handle on the pickleball paddle. Accordingly, if your grip is too large or too small, you’ll have a hard time controlling shots, not to mention it will be uncomfortable.
Wondering how to determine your grip size? Here are the two most popular methods.
1. The Height Test
The height test for grip size is simple and reliable. All you have to do is match your height with the corresponding grip size.
5’2” or shorter: use a 4” grip
5’3” to 5’8”: use a 4 ⅛” to 4 ¼” grip
5’9 or taller: use a 4 ½” grip
If you’re on the fence, go with a smaller grip size.
2. The Finger Test
The finger test is a bit more involved, but it can also be more accurate. You’ll need a ruler or tape measure for this method.
You’ll notice that your palm has three major creases. Use a ruler to measure the distance between the middle crease and the tip of your ring finger. This distance will determine your grip size. Again, if you’re on the fence you should opt for a smaller grip.
These two methods will get you on the right track when searching for your ideal pickleball paddle grip size, especially if you’re shopping online. However, the best way to test paddles is to try a few out and see what feels best in your hand.
Pickleball Paddle Face Materials
While many pickleball paddles look similar to the naked eye, it’s actually what they’re made of that impacts a variety of factors including weight, power, and even noise level.
Pickleball paddles are typically categorized into one of three categories based on their material:
- Wood
- Graphite
- Composite
There are several factors to consider when deciding which material to choose, so let’s break down the pros and cons of each.
Wood Pickleball Paddles
The very first pickleball paddles were constructed from wood, and although they aren’t as popular today, they’re still a viable option for beginners or bulk orders. Most instructors and competitive players opt for composite or graphite paddles, which are generally easier to play with.
Pros: cheap, durable
Cons: heavy, difficult to handle
Graphite Pickleball Paddles
These paddles are characterized by a thin (about three millimeters) layer of graphite on both sides. Most graphite paddles weigh between six and nine ounces, making them lighter than wood paddles while offering more stability and power.
Pros: very reactive, affordable, easy to control
Cons: fragile
Composite Pickleball Paddles
“Composite” refers to a paddle that is constructed from a combination of materials. The faces of most composite pickleball paddles may include graphite, fiberglass, polymer, and hybrids. There are dozens of combinations a manufacturer can use, all of which determine a paddle’s weight, energy absorption, and sweet spot.
Pros: easy to put spin on the ball, lots of options
Cons: can be more expensive
Pickleball Paddle Core Materials
Now that you’re familiar with the materials that make up the face of a pickleball paddle, it’s time to learn about what’s on the inside. The cores of pickleball paddles have evolved significantly over the past few decades, ushering in a new era for the sport.
There are four basic types of paddle cores—let’s take a look at each.
Polymer
Polymer is the newest pickleball paddle core material. It consists of plastic blended into a structure that resembles honeycomb, which provides strength. Polymer is relatively flexible, which leads to compression upon impact with the ball (this is known as deflection).
Pros: quiet, soft touch, easy to control
Cons: can decrease shot power
Nomex
Remember in the introduction when we mentioned aerospace engineers improving their pickleball paddles? That’s where Nomex comes in: a cardboard-like material dipped in resin to create a more durable structure. Nomex core paddles have numerous benefits and are used by professionals and amateurs alike.
Pros: great for shot speed and power, durable, reliable sweet spot
Cons: shots produce a loud noise
Aluminum
Aluminum pickleball paddle cores are similar to nomex in that they’re stiff and put a lot of energy into the ball, making them ideal for power-oriented players.
Pros: powerful, durable, reliable sweet spot
Cons: shots produce a loud noise, not as suitable for control-oriented players
Pickleball Paddle Size
Pickleball paddles come in a variety of sizes, but there are a couple of regulations.
- The combined length and width of a pickleball paddle cannot exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm)
- The length of the paddle cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm)
Many paddle manufacturers create oversized paddles. Here, the face of the paddle is lengthened while the handle is shortened, keeping the overall size within regulation standards.
If you’re looking for extra reach, you may want to consider an elongated paddle. Elongated paddles have a shortened width in order to increase the length up to 17 inches. These paddles can be difficult for beginners to use because it can be hard to find the sweet spot on them.
How Much Should You Spend on a Pickleball Paddle?
Now, for the question you’ve been waiting for: How much is a pickleball paddle going to cost me?
You might be shocked to find paddles that cost upwards of $100, but there are plenty of high-quality, reliable paddles that are much cheaper. Your best bet is to find a graphite or composite paddle in the $50 range. With proper treatment, that paddle will likely last you a few years. Even if you play once per week, that works out to just pennies per game.
If you’re on a budget or buying in bulk, you can find paddles starting around $15. On the opposite end of the spectrum, competitive players spend up to $120 per paddle.
Have you weighed all of your options? Great—now pick a paddle and go have some fun!
Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite paddle? What do you love about it?
