.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,960&ssl=1 "11 Best Pickleball Paddles in 2025, According to Experts")
Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport. So, if you’re looking to learn or level up your game, it won’t be hard to grab pals to join you on the court. The trickier part is finding the right gear to play with.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been playing for years, having good equipment matters. The best pickleball paddles can help you comfortably serve, volley, and drive the ball across the court. (Some can even help you get that killer spin.)
With so many options out there, we consulted coaches, pros, and avid players to help pinpoint the paddles that stand above the rest. We also got their advice on how to pick the right one for you—more on that below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Selkirk Halo, $90
- Best for Beginners: Tangerine Pickleball Paddle,
$85$55 - Best Splurge: Joola Ben Johns Hyperion, $220
- Best Paddle Set: Selkirk Latitude, $118
- Best Lightweight: Paddletek Bantam TS-5, $100
- Most Durable: Onix Z5 Graphite,
$90$72 - Most Comfortable Grip: The Recess Paddle, $68
- Best with a Large Sweet Spot: Friday Pickleball Paddle, $70
In this article
Shop the best pickleball paddles
Best Overall: Selkirk Halo
Selkirk’s Halo paddle is a favorite of Jessica Coughlin, a certified pickleball coach in Connecticut. She tells SELF that it offers stellar control and has a gritty surface that “helps you grip the ball better when making contact.” It’s not the least expensive option on the market—but it is approved by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), meaning you can use it to play in official tournaments.
Note: There are several variations of the Selkirk Halo that differ slightly in style and shape. Coughlin uses the Halo Parris Todd, named for a pro women’s pickleball player.
Weight: 7.6 to 8.2 oz. | Shape: Wide-body | Surface material: Carbon fiber
Best for Beginners: Tangerine Pickleball Paddle
Ready to upgrade from the paddles you rent at the court? “If you want something lightweight and super easy to handle, look no further,” one SELF tester says. “The grip feels snug and supportive in my hand, and the fiberglass face gives a really nice touch on the ball. It’s a total confidence booster on the court.”
We’re also fans of the bright stripes and fun floral patterns available that are sure to earn you a mid-game compliment or two.
Weight: 7.6 oz. | Shape: Elongated | Surface material: Carbon fiber
Best Splurge: Joola Ben Johns Hyperion
Both Coughlin and David Dutrieuille, Minnesota-based national pickleball director for LifeTime and certified professional with the Professional Pickleball Registry, recommend this USAPA-approved paddle, especially for intermediate to advanced players.
The curve of the head is designed to minimize drag and boost swing speed, while the honeycomb core provides ample power. It’s pricey—but if you’re always on the court, it could be a great investment to level up your game.
Weight: 8.4 oz. | Shape: Elongated | Surface material: Carbon fiber
Best Paddle Set: Selkirk Latitude
One big perk of pickleball is that it’s a really social sport, which is why it never hurts to have an extra paddle on hand. That way, you can “bring other people to the court without having to tell them to go and buy something,” Landon Uetz, PT, DPT, a physical therapist and certified TeachMe.To pickleball coach in Arizona, tells SELF.
With this bundle, you get two paddles, three balls, and a drawstring bag to haul everything around, all for under $100. These essentials are USAPA-approved, designed for all skill levels, and crafted by the well-known (and pro-favorite) brand Selkirk.
Weight: N/A | Shape: Wide-body | Surface material: Graphite
Best Lightweight: Paddletek Bantam TS-5
Coughlin’s other paddle of choice is the USAPA-approved Paddletek Bantam TS-5, which is crafted with a honeycomb core for good ball control. The lightweight design can help you make precise shots. Meanwhile, the shock-absorbing design is great for playing longer without your arms or wrists getting tired.
Weight: 7.5 oz. | Shape: Wide-body | Surface material: Fiberglass epoxy
Most Durable: Onix Z5 Graphite
The Onix Z5 was the first paddle Uetz used when he started playing pickleball. “It lasted me for a couple years playing recreationally,” he says. Ping pong players may find this option especially appealing, as the flared, wooden handle resembles the shape of a table tennis racquet. It’s USAPA-approved, comes in lots of colors, and has that familiar, wide-body shape with a generous sweet spot.
Weight: 7.5 to 8.2 oz. | Shape: Wide-body | Surface material: Graphite
Most Comfortable Grip: The Recess Paddle
Leather-covered foam makes this paddle’s handle sweat-proof, so all you have to worry about is your game. “Meet the most comfortable grip I’ve ever used,” says one SELF tester. “It’s soft without being slippery, and easy to hold for hours of play.”
The rest of the design holds up too: “The paddle has great control and pop, making it ideal for both casual games and competitive sets,” she adds. “Plus, all the designs Recess has to offer are so cute.”
Weight: 7.8 oz. | Shape: Elongated | Surface material: Fiberglass
Best with a Large Sweet Spot: Friday Pickleball Paddle
“Friday Pickle Paddle’s come in three variations—original, lightweight, and challenger,” one SELF tester explains. “I like the original because well, I’m not a beginner and I’m not a professional. The grip feels secure, even when I’m sweating through a long rally, and the lightweight build makes it easy to maneuver.” The paddle is also designed with a large sweet spot, for more ultra-satisfying volleys.
Weight: 8.0 to 8.3 oz. | Shape: Elongated | Surface material: Carbon fiber
More great options
Experts recommended these paddles to us for more advanced players. If you’re a tournament regular or you’ve already played your way through some beginner paddles, check out these picks.
Best for Intermediate Players: PCKL Pickleball Power Series Paddle
Folks who are ready to step up their game will love this paddle from PCKL. “The most impressive feature for a paddle at this price is that it’s edgeless, which creates a slightly larger hitting surface. It’s also thinner and lighter than most paddles,” David Satka, a Professional Pickleball Registry coach and author of Winning Pickleball, tells SELF.
He adds that this paddle is designed to give players some more “pop” on their shots, so it’s best for players who already have some pickleball experience.
Weight: 7.5 oz. | Shape: Wide-body | Surface material: Carbon fiber
Best for Balancing Power and Control: Engage Pickleball Pursuit MX 6.0
“The Engage brand is one of the industry leaders and long-time makers of top-quality paddles,” Satka says. This elongated model has an extended, 7.75-inch long handle that makes it a great choice for tennis players and those with a two-handed backhand, he notes.
It combines the friction of a grippy carbon fiber surface with a soft polymer core that “allows a player to ‘feel’ the ball much better,” Satka says. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to prioritize power and control at the same time.
Weight: 7.85 or 8.4 oz. | Shape: Elongated | Surface material: Carbon fiber
Best Elongated: CRBN 1 Control Series
This paddle’s shape will feel more familiar to tennis players, thanks to its longer body and handle. It comes in two different thickness options—Satka says the 16-millimeter paddle will help players with control.
“This is an excellent choice for the more experienced intermediate-level player,” he says. “CRBN’s claim to fame is the use of a ‘raw’ carbon fiber hitting surface that is said to allow for maximum spin.” We’re game.
Weight: 8 to 8.1 oz. | Shape: Elongated | Surface material: Carbon fiber
How we chose the pickleball paddles on this list
First, SELF editors dug through dozens of pickleball paddles online and considered thousands of customer reviews. Then, we combined that intel with advice from four pickleball coaches and several actual pickleball players (including ourselves)—who’ve played hundreds of combined hours of the sport—to find the top paddles on the market. Only the best of the best earned a spot in our final list of recommendations.
What to consider when shopping for pickleball paddles
Every paddle’s a little different—so, how do you find the right one? Experts recommend paying attention to these key factors while you shop.
Most paddles weigh between 7 and 8.5 ounces, Uetz says. Heavier ones often deliver more power, helping you hit the ball faster, while lightweight options are easier to control.
Not sure what you prefer? Go for a midweight option—between 7.5 and 8 ounces—that’ll strike (heh) a comfortable middle ground, says Uetz.
Some paddles are wide-body (which looks square-ish), while others are elongated (which looks rectangular), Coughlin says. Wide-body paddles have a bigger sweet spot—the area where the ball bounces off best—making them a solid pick for beginners. Elongated paddles may be easier for folks with a background in court sports to use, since their shape resembles a tennis racquet.
You want a paddle that’s comfortable to hold, Dutrieuille says. That “feel” can be tough to suss out online, which is why Uetz suggests heading to a local sporting goods store and testing a few paddles of varying weights and shapes—you can use that intel to make your purchase. “It’ll at least give you an idea as to where to start,” he says.
Material isn’t just a matter of personal preference—it also affects how much a paddle costs and how it performs. Wood paddles tend to be less expensive, but they have a small sweet spot, says Uetz. Plus, you may find that they make it more difficult to control the ball, and they also tend to be less durable.
Instead, go with a paddle made from a composite material, graphite, or carbon fiber, says Coughlin. She also suggests looking for thicker ones crafted with a honeycomb core, which offers more control because it helps them absorb the impact of the ball.
Spins often make it harder for your opponent to hit the ball back, so if you’re an intermediate or advanced player, you may want a paddle that can put a twist on your shots. Look for paddles that have some sort of gritty or grainy texture—this might be called a “raw surface” or “raw carbon fiber surface,” meaning a textured carbon fiber sheet was adhered to the paddle, then peeled off to create a textured weave on the surface.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really a difference between pickleball paddles?
Yes! “There’s definitely a difference between paddles. Swing weight, feel, and performance can vary widely,” Tony Roig, an IPTPA Master Teaching Professional and co-creator of online pickleball academy, Better Pickleball, tells SELF.
As pickleball has gained popularity, the technology behind the paddles has improved, with lots of input from professional pickleball players, Todd Jungling, an IPTPA Master Teaching Professional, pickleball instructor at the Ohio Pickleball Academy, and co-founder of PickleballMAX, tells SELF. Paddles vary in their cores and surfaces, with some leaning more towards power or control. Some have longer handles or larger “sweet spots,” all of which can make a difference to a player.
“If a player is going to swing an object for two to three hours during a pickleball session, it’s worth the time finding the right paddle,” says Roig.
Is it worth buying an expensive pickleball paddle?
“You can get a solid paddle in the $100 to $150 range,” says Roig. More expensive paddles (think $200+) may have more bells and whistles, but aren’t necessary for most players.
Jungling agrees that a pricey paddle can only do so much. “Having the latest and greatest pickleball paddle technology will certainly help. But it won’t make up for the skills, instincts, court-positioning, anticipation, and strategies that haven’t yet been fully developed and honed,” he says.
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