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Top Pickleball Paddles

Testing & Rating By Product Experts

With nearly five million players in the U.S. alone, you too may be tempted to give the sport a try, in which case you’ll only need a paddle to get started. And while there isn’t one paddle that’s perfect for every player, the best pickleball paddles will help you enjoy (and improve upon) every match.

Our Favorites

Prolite Titan LRG Pro LX

Price * Sold By
Price *$174.95 Sold ByProlite Shop Amazon
93 Overall Score

Prolite is renowned for creating the first pickleball paddle in 1984, and their goods are clearly in a class apart. This also applies to the Titan Pro LX. There are two sizes available; the large offers an enlarged sweet spot for the most power and control.

The Titan Pro is Prolite's top-tier paddle, constructed with three layers of carbon fiber and an end cap with a unique shape that resembles a tennis racket. By allowing air to pass through the edge, the edge guard reduces drag. We strongly advise advanced players to use the Prolite paddle.

Product Details

Specifications

Material: Hyperweave Carbon FiberLength: 15 3/4″Weight: 7.9-8.2. oz.Grip: ProTac Cushion GripEdge Guard: Aero Channel Edge

Pros

Made in the USAUSA Pickleball ApprovedCustom edge guard and premium grip

Cons

Expensive

Yonex Vcore Pickleball Paddle

Price * Sold By
Price *$139.99 Sold ByYonex
95 Overall Score
VCORE paddle features a unique slightly more rounded design compared to other pickleball paddles. This optimal shape makes the paddle more aerodynamic for plenty of control and pop, with an advanced sweet spot. Manufactured in Japan.

Product Details

Specifications

Weight: 7.6 -8.1 oz Length: 15.8"Width: 7.91"Thickness: 15 mmHandle Length: 4.5"Handle Shape: HexagonGrip Size: 4.25"Face Material: Fiberglass + high tensile graphiteCore: Extra thick polypropylene honeycombTextured Face: Yes, Micro-particleGrip: PerforatedEdge Guard: Yes

Pros

USAPA approvedReduced vibrationSpinPrecise ball placementIdeal for intermediate and advanced playersMid-weight and lightweight options

Cons

Shape may take a few hours to get used to

Electrum Model E Elite

Price * Sold By
Price *$149.99 Sold ByPickleball Madness Shop Website
90 Overall Score

Overview: The Elite model of the Model E delivers a significant improvement, building on the success of the original model. Its 16mm thermoformed core gives it an extended shape. It has great reach and a great mix of spin, power, and control. The Electrum paddle is foam injected marginalizing any dead spots. Edge to edge is an amazing paddle.

Performance: One of the most notable features of the Electrum model E Elite is the blend of graphene and carbon fiber in the face. This face material grit is going to make it much more durable and allow spin of up to 1,800 RPM. The paddle does have a noticeably large sweet spot. Overall this paddle has a softer feel for a thermoformed paddle without the ball jumping off it. This is likely due to the high twist weight. It's a very sturdy paddle built with solid materials. The handle is carbon forged, but I wasn’t a fan of the oval handle shape compared to the traditional octagon.

Product Details

Specifications

Thickness: 16mmWeight: 8-8.3ozHandle Length: 5.25"Grip Circumference: 4.5"Paddle Length: 16.5"

Pros

Cons

JOOLA Method CTS 12 Pickleball Paddle

Price * Sold By
Price *$99.95 Sold ByJoola USA Shop Amazon
85 Overall Score
For the novice player seeking the most power and control possible. It gives off a lot of spin and has a sizable sweet spot. Increased edge guard protection to aid in maintaining the paddle core's structural integrity and preventing surface delamination. The rough Carbon Flex3 surface grabs the ball to increase spin. Reduces vibration and has a wide sweet spot that is perfect for dinks, blocks, and drives. It also has incredible feedback, feel, and control.

Product Details

Specifications

Avg. Weight: 8.2 ozLength: 15.5”Width : 8.3”Thickness: 12 mmHandle Length: 5.5”Handle Shape: ElongatedGrip Size: 4” (may vary)Face Material: Carbon touch surfaceCore: Honeycomb polymer-smoothShape: TraditionalSpin: 85/100Grip: Perforated sure-gripEdge Guard: YesColors: 1

Pros

USAPA approvedGenerous sweet spotControl rating 93/100Power rating 86/100Spin rating 85/100

Cons

Limited warranty- 6 monthsPaddle is a bit shorter than others

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

Weight: 7.5-8ozGrip: 4.25"Surface: FiberglassCore: 0.53” thick honeycomb interior

Pros

USAPA Approved Comes with coverGrip cushion

Cons

Not ideal for advanced players

Big Dill Flight Pro XL

Price * Sold By
Price *$125.00 Sold ByBig Dill
88 Overall Score
The Big Dill Pickleball Paddle stands out with its distinctive and eye-catching design. The paddle features a proprietary fine grit carbon fiber face that offers excellent durability and ball control. Considering its performance and durability on the court, this paddle is a remarkable choice for the price point.

Product Details

Specifications

Weight: 7.8Surface Material: High-Tech Rough FiberglassDimensions: 7.5 x 16.5 inchesGrip: 5" Cushioned

Pros

USAPA ApprovedIdeal for advanced playersGood grip and spinSweat wicking grip

Cons

Only 1 color option

Gearbox CX14H Pickleball Paddle

Price * Sold By
Price *$199.99 Sold ByGearBox Shop Amazon
94 Overall Score

Overview: The CX14H with Gearbox is loaded with technology. It’s built out of pure carbon fiber giving it an extremely strong frame, hence why the edge guard is not needed on a paddle like this. The face feels very smooth, but don’t let that make you think it doesn’t produce spin. With its revolutionary SST core rib structure it can make over 1,800 RPM of spin.

Performance: The CX14H has a very unique feel to it. Given it’s made from a solid carbon fiber core it almost feels like a wood paddle. You will need to get used to a paddle like this as they are some of the softest paddles on the market. The CX14H is definitely more of a control paddle preferred by those who play a softer and more controlled game with a lot of dinks.

Product Details

Specifications

Weight: 8.5 ozLength: 15 ⅝"Width: 8.0"Thickness: 14 mmHandle Length: 5 ⅝"Handle Shape: StandardGrip Size: 3 ⅝" Warranty: 1 YearFace Material: 3K Woven Carbon FiberCore: Ribbed SST Core T-700 Canon FiberShape: H: HyperTextured Face: Urethan Face Coat with TextureGrip: Gearbox Smooth WrapEdge Guard: No

Pros

Large sweet spotUSAPA approvedEnhanced spin technologyReduced VibrationSofterImproved perimeter weighting; Stability

Cons

Best for advanced playerspower
Kris Maine
Written by

Kris Maine