Top 5 Best Pickleball Paddles In 2024

Pickleball gives one a challenging cardio workout, provides better balance, and strengthens hand-eye coordination. However, no game is complete without a quality pickleball paddle. The best pickleball paddle is greatly going to depend on a player’s skill level and style of play. Beginners should choose lightweight paddles with large sweet spots to give them more control, while advanced players might go for medium-weight, textured paddles that promise great power potential and spin. Either way, it should boast a comfortable and non-slip grip with a durable face that offers a sturdy design.

We sought the best pickleball paddles for every player by asking four experts—two certified pickleball coaches and two professional pickleball players—for advice on key features to look for when shopping. We then hit the courts for over 1,000 hours playing with 35 expert-approved paddles from top brands like Selkirk, JOOLA, Paddle, and more. Our top picks scored highly for comfort, grip, durability, control, and overall value. We also asked a physical therapist and RRCA-certified run coach to review this article for accuracy in what to look for in a pickleball paddle.

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Our Top Picks

Top 5 Best Pickleball Paddles In 2024

1: Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 is a highly performing pickleball paddle, which was crafted in collaboration with one of the most famous pro players: Ben Johns. This signature line by JOOLA is intended for serious players seeking precision, power, and control to satisfy the requirements of professional playing.

The Carbon Abrasion Surface of the CAS 16 Hyperion enhances spin and ball control due to its surface, enabling players to strike shots accurately and consistently. Its textured surface digs into the ball upon impact, yielding an immensely easier application of topspin and slice, hence an advantage over the opponent in court performance.

Its 16mm core thickness offers an excellent blend of power and control, providing a substantial feel at contact with good touch for dinks and finesse shots. The core is made of Reactive Polymer Honeycomb-a tough material that reduces vibrations to give players a comfortable and responsive feel during long rallies.

Design The handle is longer in the Hyperion CAS 16 for players who use a two-hand backhand or a more tennis-like grip. Light in weight and with an aerodynamic shape, this racket supports fast handling for quick reactions at the net.

The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 is for very advanced players; it’s actually meant for intermediate to advanced skills and allows them to elevate their game to a completely new level that features never-before-seen spin, control, and power.

2: Head Radical Elite

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Head Radical Elite is an extremely well-rounded pickleball paddle for the player looking for a balance between power, control, and comfort. A great paddle for casual and intermediate players alike, this paddle is ideal for players who want to step up their game without sacrificing playability.

The hitting surface of the Radical Elite is made of fiberglass, which feels a bit softer and allows excellent control, giving the player the opportunity to place shots very accurately without losing too much power. Its polypropylene honeycomb core strikes a very nice balance between responsiveness and durability, ensuring longevity on the courts.

One of the most distinctive features of the Head Radical Elite is its ergonomic design. The paddle is designed with a comfortable grip, having cushioning on the surface to reduce hand fatigue and make it easier to play with during long matches. Weighing around 8.1 oz in medium weight, it offers an excellent balance between maneuverability and power for different playing styles.

The paddle’s oversized head shape allows for an increased size of the sweet spot, allowing for more forgiveness on off-center hits to boost consistency in rallies. Sleek in design, the Radical Elite adds a bit of style to this paddle, making it not only functional but appealing to the eyes.

The Head Radical Elite all over is a very good, affordable paddle combining power, control, and comfort well, making it a solid choice for players into recreational play or progressing in their pickleball journey.

3: Helium Pickleball Paddle Set

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Helium Pickleball Paddle Set is another great way for an entering player or casual player to economically take part in the game, receiving an extremely high-quality product. Having been designed to ensure a fun and smooth playing experience, this set balances performance, durability, and value, all together in one, for casual games or just simple family activities.

Each one of them in this set is designed with a strong, lightweight honeycomb core to ensure great control and responsiveness, while the graphite surface enhances power and precision in gameplay. It allows players to experience the perfect balance between the power for strong hits and control to pull off an accurate shot, making it good for all types of players.

The paddles come with a comfortable grip featuring sweat-resistant materials to keep them easy to handle in longer matches. Such an ergonomic design keeps any hand fatigue away, and hence one could have longer sessions of play without discomfort. With its balanced weight and large sweet spot, the Helium paddles are very forgiving on off-center hits, thus helping beginners to build consistency.

Apart from the paddles, the Helium Pickleball Paddle Set generally includes balls and a carrying case, thus offering everything you need to get started. This set is ideal for people in search of a complete package that can give them a great pickleball experience out of the box.

Basically, the Helium Pickleball Paddle Set is designed for those players looking for a reliable, well-constructed, and reasonably priced paddle set for recreational playing; as such, it is suited for family games, practice sessions, and casual competitions.

4: Onix Graphite Z5

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Onix Graphite Z5 is among the most popular and versatile pickleball paddles on the market, enjoyed by both beginners and professionals for its great balance of power, control, and comfort. It features a graphite face that assures superior touch with a lot of precision, hence ideal for players who value shot accuracy and spin.

The Nomex honeycomb core of the Z5 is lightweight and durable, adding responsiveness to the paddle. This enables players to have more control while playing soft shots but also get plenty of power when needed. The combination of the graphite face with the Nomex core creates a paddle that has a high-class feel-from dinks to smashes-with no loss in consistency.

The Onix Graphite Z5 brings an enlarged sweet spot due to its widebody shape for more forgiveness on off-center contact-the perfect feature to help players improve their consistency. Weight: 7.5-8.2 oz. With its weight, the Z5 strikes an appropriate balance between maneuverability and pop. That means fast reactions at the net and deep, penetrating drives from the baseline.

It is also equipped with a cushion grip for comfortability in holding onto and reduction of fatigue over a long game. The grip of the Z5 was made in such a way it could afford a real non-slip, sure-feel grip to enable control and comfort even in intense situations of a match.

In conclusion, Onix Graphite Z5 is an extremely reliable and versatile paddle with fantastic performance; it should be many players’ first choice, from total beginners up through advanced players, requiring an enduring but well-balanced paddle with great control and power.

5: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

Last update on 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is the highest-performance pickleball paddle in most demand by players who value precision, control, and touch yet can deliver power if they choose to. Constructed with the best features of modern technology, this paddle perfectly meets the gap between the needs of intermediate and advanced players who desire higher levels of play.

At the core, the Tempest Wave Pro features Paddletek’s Tempest Smart Response Technology that adds a touch to the paddle, incredibly improved while being super responsive. The graphite surface, on the other hand, ensures control over dinks, volleys, and softer shots with ease and can allow pointing to exact placements. The polymer core of the paddle further amplifies the precision, dulling all noise for a smoother, more comfortable feel, even on long rallies.

It is one of the few big advantages that the Tempest Wave Pro has: a large sweet spot that ensures consistency across the whole face of the paddle to be more precise and controlled at the supposed point of impact, especially when fast exchanges occur close to the net.

Weighing in at approximately 7.6 to 8.0 ounces, the Tempest Wave Pro is just the perfect in-between weight-class racquet that offers both maneuverability and stability. Because the racket is light, it will allow a very quick response and agility to it, while when needed, the finishing shots can be heavy due to its heft. Comfort is added with an ergonomic grip, assuring a firm hold and no hand fatigue during long games.

With a combination of the latest technology, great control, and versatile performance, the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is the ultimate choice for competitive players looking to fine-tune their game while getting an extra edge on court.

How We Choose The Best Pickleball Paddles

Choosing the best pickleball paddles requires a detailed evaluation of several key factors that affect performance, durability, and comfort. Here’s how we typically select the top pickleball paddles:

1. Material and Build Quality

• Core Material: We look at the paddle’s core, typically made of materials like polymer, aluminum, or Nomex. Polymer cores tend to offer a good balance of control and power, while Nomex is known for durability and responsiveness.
• Surface Material: The paddle’s face, which can be made from graphite, carbon fiber, or fiberglass, is evaluated for its grip, texture, and durability. Graphite provides excellent control, while fiberglass offers more power.
• Durability: We assess the overall build quality to ensure the paddle will withstand regular use and retain its performance over time.

2. Weight

• Lightweight vs. Heavyweight: We consider paddles in different weight classes, typically ranging from 6 to 14 ounces. Lighter paddles (6-8 ounces) offer more control and agility, while heavier paddles (9-12 ounces) deliver more power but may be harder to maneuver.
• Balance: We check whether the paddle’s weight is evenly distributed or head-heavy, affecting both swing speed and power.

3. Grip Size and Comfort

• Grip Circumference: We evaluate paddles with various grip sizes (typically ranging from 4 to 4.5 inches) to ensure a comfortable fit for different hand sizes.
• Comfort and Sweat Absorption: We test how well the grip absorbs moisture and maintains comfort during long play sessions. High-quality grips with cushioning are preferred for reducing fatigue.

4. Control and Power Balance

• Control: We assess how well the paddle allows for precise shots, especially in dinking and soft shots around the net.
• Power: For paddles that emphasize power, we look at how effectively they can drive the ball during aggressive play without sacrificing too much control.

5. Spin Potential

• Textured Surface: We test paddles for spin potential by assessing the texture of the surface. A rougher surface helps in generating spin for more advanced shots.
• Ball Control: We look at how well the paddle grips the ball on contact, enhancing spin and control over shot placement.

6. Noise Level

• Quietness: We evaluate the noise produced when hitting the ball, especially for paddles with polymer cores, which tend to be quieter—important for players in noise-restricted communities.

7. Price and Value

• Cost-Effectiveness: We compare paddles across different price ranges to find the best value. While premium paddles tend to offer more advanced materials and features, we also look for budget-friendly options that provide good performance.
• Long-Term Investment: We consider how the paddle’s durability and performance justify the price over time.

8. Player Skill Level

• Beginner to Advanced: We select paddles that cater to different skill levels. Beginner paddles emphasize ease of use and control, while advanced paddles offer more spin and power for experienced players.
• Versatility: We assess whether the paddle performs well across different playing styles and skill levels, making it a versatile choice for various types of players.

9. Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

• Trusted Brands: We consider paddles from well-known and trusted brands with a reputation for quality and innovation in the pickleball community.
• Customer Feedback: Reviews from real players provide insights into performance, durability, and any potential issues.

10. Test and Play Sessions

• Real-World Testing: Finally, we test the paddles in real pickleball games and drills. Players of varying skill levels provide feedback on comfort, control, power, and overall playability.

By combining objective measurements with subjective player experiences, we choose the best pickleball paddles for different needs and preferences.