Best Pickleball Paddles Under $100
Testing & Rating By Product Experts
Pickleball is a terrific sport where all you need is a ball and a paddle. While there are high-end paddles that can cost upwards of $100, there are also good paddles that fall beneath that price range. In the pickleball world, $100 may go a long way. Sure, you can buy additional equipment now and again.
We’ve tested the most economical paddles, looking at things like cost, overall quality, control, spin, sweet spot, and longevity. We will talk about our picks for the best value paddles available, based on our in-house testing!
| Category | Paddles |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Spartus Gladius Pickleball Paddle |
| Best Design | Swinton Hero Breeze Pickleball Paddle |
| Best For Control | XSPAK Tournament Pickleball Paddle |
| Best For Spin | SLK Latitude Pickleball Paddle |
| Best Lightweight | JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle |
| Best Under $100 | Tangerine Pickleball Paddle |
| Best For Beginners | Play Nettie Pro Control/Power Pickleball Paddle |
| Best For Budget | Recess Pickleball Paddle |
Our Favorites
Spartus Gladius Centurion Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$99.99 | Sold BySpartus | Shop Spartus Shop Amazon |
90
Overall Score
Some of the best pickleball paddles are those made by Spartus. It's clear that the Go Spartus crew put a lot of effort into the engineering of these paddles. To achieve the ideal mix of power, control, and spin, the Gladious is totally thermoformed from a single piece of 360-degree wrapped Toray T700 carbon fiber.
Because of the foam-injected walls, it boasts a large sweet spot and is incredibly robust due to its unibody construction. With a paddle under $100, you simply can't beat all this technology.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
Comes with a coverUSAPA ApprovedLow Swing Weight (118)
Cons
Swinton Hero Breeze Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$69.00 | Sold BySwinton | Shop Amazon |
80
Overall Score
We were drawn to the Swinton Hero Pickleball Paddle's distinctive features and patterns when we recently came across it. The premium graphite carbon blended face of the Swinton Hero paddle is paired with a conventional polypropylene core. For the best ball control, it is lightweight and perfectly balanced. It has a padded synthetic grip and a black edge guard. A fantastic paddle for beginning to advanced players is the Hero.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
Affordable beginner paddleUSAPA approved
Cons
XSPAK Tournament Edition Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$99.99 | Sold ByXSPAK | Shop Amazon |
90
Overall Score
The fact that the XSPAK has all the functions of a $150 paddle at a third of the price and a lovely, understated style is one of our favorite things about it. There are no obvious dead patches on the gripping surface, giving it a luxurious feel. It's perfect for playing in the kitchen, feels lightweight, and provides excellent control.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
USAPA Approved
Cons
SLK Latitude Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$59.99 | Sold BySelkirk | Shop Amazon |
83
Overall Score
A high-quality paddle at an affordable price is the Selkirk Latitude Pickleball Paddle. Simply put, Selkirk is recognized for producing excellent paddles, and this one is no exception. It is a great option for a variety of players due to its harmony of force and control. Overall, it feels quite robust but light. An excellent, reasonably priced paddle overall.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
USAPA ApprovedGreat for powerLightweightVery affordable
Cons
More for beginners
JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$56.00 | Sold ByJoola | Shop Amazon |
86
Overall Score
To improve your shot, the Joola Essentials Paddle is a terrific choice for players. Its heavier and bigger face provides more power and a sizable sweet spot. This paddle feels great in the hand and appears quite premium for a reasonably priced alternative.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
USAPA approvedGreat spin
Cons
Slightly heavier feel
Tangerine Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$85.00 | Sold ByTangerine | Shop Amazon |
83
Overall Score
Tangerine is the best option if you're searching for a reliable paddle at a reasonable cost. Tangerine offers the most variety of pickleball paddles, featuring over 15 distinct styles. Their paddles have a great sweat spot, a visually appealing design, and an incredibly comfortable grip. Tangerine paddles offer attractive hues and a decent price for what you receive.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
LightweightUSAPA ApprovedGood power and accuracyOver 15 design options
Cons
Does not come with cover
Play Nettie Pro Control/Power Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$79.99 | Sold ByNettie | Shop Website |
84
Overall Score
We can state with confidence that the Play Nettie Pro paddle is a game-changer in the pickleball world after using it extensively. While the pro-control utilizes 3k twill carbon fiber, the pro-power uses 18k twilled raw carbon fiber. This is the most advanced surface material technology available for pickleball paddles.
The premium carbon fiber surface is the toughest available. Their pro power paddle, which is marginally thinner but still offers more pop and power, is my personal favorite. All things considered, the handle is smooth, the design is quite clean, and the performance is on par with paddles in the same price range.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
USAPA ApprovedOption to purchase as a set of 2 (paddles, balls and headbands)Gift box for the set make a wonderful gift presentationComfortable grip
Cons
Expensive
Recess Pickleball Paddle
| Price * | Sold By | |
|---|---|---|
| Price *$86.00 | Sold ByRecess | Shop Website |
85
Overall Score
For intermediate pickleball players looking for a paddle that combines durability, power, and control, the Recess Pickleball Paddle is an excellent option. Its sensitive core, spin-friendly design, and carbon fiber face make it a dependable and adaptable instrument on the court. The Recess paddle offers exceptional value for money due to its performance, longevity, and general high-quality build, even though it may be slightly more expensive.
Product Details
Specifications
Pros
USAPA Approved Comes with coverGrip cushion
Cons
Not ideal for advanced players
What Factors may Influence a Pickleball Paddle’s Cost?
Pickleball paddles vary widely in price, which is reflected in the performance, feel, and materials used. That being said, you can find a nice paddle at any price range.
- Quality of materials: Pickleball paddles with better materials are typically more expensive. Depending on your style of play, carbon fiber is thought to be the ideal material for pickleball paddles. Fortunately, there are many carbon fiber paddles available within this price range.
- Weight: A standard pickleball paddle has a weight of 7 to 8.5 ounces. Because of the lower grade materials, a heavier weight paddle is typically less expensive.
- Manufacturer: Pickleball companies may target various market niches, which may have an impact on the prices they ask. Pricing may vary depending on the benefits that a company offers, such as lifetime warranties, free delivery, or a free paddle cover.
Pickleball is a rapidly expanding activity, but there aren’t many paddle options, so it’s still seen as novel. This gives manufacturers the opportunity to change their prices. There are still plenty of affordable pickleball alternatives available for under $100 that won’t break the bank if you’re seeking to start playing. Pickleball paddles are still reasonably priced when measured against other sports.
Written by
Kris Maine