The best pickleball paddles add serious power for deep shots and offer better control for those precise, finesse plays at the net. From weight and grip size to the materials used, every detail of a paddle can impact your game, whether you’re aiming for accuracy or looking to add some spin. After speaking with a USA pickleball expert and evaluating more than 15 paddles, I named the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 the best pick overall for balanced performance. If you’re looking for a slightly less expensive paddle, I recommend the Head Radical Elite for around $70.
The best pickleball paddles are designed to level up your game.
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As simple as a pickleball paddle may seem, each one offers a different experience, which is why you should “try as many different paddles as is practical,” says Carl Schmits, chief technical officer at USA Pickleball. To help you find the right one for your needs, I evaluated the grip size, weight, shape and materials of each contender to separate the best models from the rest.
Best Pickleball Paddle Overall: Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16
Best Budget Pickleball Paddle: Head Radical Elite
Best Pickleball Paddle For Control: Engage Pickleball Encore EX 6.0
Best Pickleball Paddle For Beginners: On Holiday Classic Paddle
Best Pickleball Paddle For Intermediate Players: Onix Graphite Z5
Best Pickleball Paddle For Advanced Players: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Best Pickleball Paddle For Power: The Owl CX
Best Pickleball Paddle For Spin: Joola Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16
Best Pickleball Paddle Set: Helium Pickleball Paddle Set
If a paddle is good enough for the greatest pickleball player of all time, it should probably be good enough for the rest of us. Named after the number one player in all three divisions for most of the last three years, Ben Johns, the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion features a responsive honeycomb core that’s 16 mm thick (hence the “CAS 16” moniker), a carbon abrasion surface for better control, edge-guard protection for durability and an elongated handle that’s perfect for two-handed shots. It’s a bit pricey when you can’t find it on sale, but for those in need of a do-it-all paddle that beginners can grow with and veterans can take full advantage of, this is the one to get.
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If you’d like to give pickleball a try without dropping a lot on a new paddle, Head’s Radical Elite model will serve you well (no pun intended). Featuring a fiberglass surface for excellent feel and power, it’s complete with a 4.1-inch handle and a polypropylene core that’s perfect for mid-level play. Head’s expertise in the tennis world plays a role in the paddle’s Ergo grip, which should add some confidence to your play as well. Best of all, the paddle’s $70 price tag makes it an affordable option, so you can get into the game with friends or play some pick-up in your free time without feeling guilty if you’re not on the court day in and day out.
It’s tempting to strike the ball with all your might as soon as it’s lofted over the net. But a paddle that prioritizes control to ensure technical shots land where you expect them to is key, and the Encore EX 6.0 is a standout performer in that regard. Rated highly among former tennis players that are used to playing with larger rackets, the paddle features a rough-textured skin that allows you to put more spin on the ball, and a larger sweet spot makes up for potential mistakes.
Weighing just over 8 ounces with a 15.8-mm thick polymer core, this paddle is technically on the heavier side, but the design is strategically engineered to ensure the core material doesn’t detract from the control. This paddle, like all Engage paddles, complies with USAPA guidelines, and it’s endorsed for sanctioned tournament play at U.S. and international pickleball events. So while it may be a bit pricey up front, you can grow with this paddle and take it to tournaments once you’re ready to level up your game.
While materials, weight and dimensions affect any player’s performance on the court, beginners should pay close attention to these details as they have a lasting impact on your long-term experience. When it comes to the On Holiday Classic Paddle, you get plenty of beginner-friendly features, from comfortable, sweat-resistant grips to a fiberglass face that provides a good balance of power and control. And as extra motivation, the Classic Paddle comes in a number of stylish designs that are sure to get you a few compliments on the court.
You can spot various Onix paddles at tournaments across the country, and the Graphite Z5 is no exception. The slightly elongated shape gives you extra reach and shifts the sweet spot upward, while the traditional width makes it easier to block shots or dink to your heart’s content. But most importantly, all that real estate allows you to generate loads of power without sacrificing control. If that’s your style, this paddle’s for you.
After you’ve got a few seasons of play under your belt, odds are you’re going to want to level up your paddle, at which point you should consider picking up the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Delivering unmatched accuracy, power and forgiveness, it features a large sweet spot and balanced weight to increase your finesse, speed and maneuverability. The textured graphic surface pairs with a tacky performance grip to improve accuracy and control through every shot, and Paddletek offers the Tempest Wave Pro in multiple colors to suit your style.
In full disclosure, we haven’t had the chance to test Owl’s all-new Owl CX paddle, but weighing 7.8 ounces and measuring 7.9 inches wide, the Owl CX appears to feature a larger sweet spot for more power, and a branded Tru grip looks to offer confidence-inspiring control. The real talking point here is the brand’s proprietary Acoustene composite material about the paddle face and edge guard that’s designed to mute the classic paddle “pop” noise. According to USA Pickleball, the Owl paddle line delivers a decibel level below 80, while traditional paddles, by comparison, have a near-harmful decibel range of 85-plus. Whether or not Acoustene significantly affects play remains to be seen, but for now, this is the answer to the sport’s noise complaints. Impressively, it’s also the only paddle series that currently qualifies for USA Pickleball’s new “quiet category” (more on that below), so you don’t have to sacrifice quiet play for power.
Once you’ve finally fallen in love with pickleball after a few months of play, you may wonder how your game might improve if you were to invest in a new paddle. When that day comes, consider picking up the Joola Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16 paddle—it makes for a suitable upgrade over your beloved entry- or mid-level model. The elongated handle improves grip in the midst of a heated match while a carbon surface and frame add texture and support, helping you put some added spin (and flair) on those placed shots. The paddle’s edge features a reinforced guard to strengthen the core, and a carbon fiber core offers better feedback and control over that of an entry-level model.
When you’re just getting started, shelling out over $100 for pickleball paddles, balls and a case can seem like a big commitment. For this reason, we recommend the Helium Pickleball Paddle Set for players looking to get into the sport without overspending. You get everything you need to play with your family or friends, including four paddles, four balls and a drawstring bag to stow your set.
The Best Pickleball Paddles Compared
Pickleball draws in players of all ages and abilities, and pickleball paddles aren’t one-size-fits-all. With this in mind, it’s important to find the right paddle for your specific needs, skill level and play style. In the following chart, we break down the features of our top picks to help you compare key factors like weight, paddle length and more.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has published an extensive library of gear guides, covering tennis and racket sports, golf and water sports among many other activities. Whether you’re looking for pickleball paddles for beginners or a capable pair of pickleball shoes, we’ve got you covered.
Forbes Vetted’s gear editor and author of this article Cam Vigliotta selected every pickleball paddle in this guide, and has been been covering outdoors and wellness topics for years. He holds a degree in kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts, where he served as a research assistant in the biomechanics lab. He evaluates outdoor and fitness products with a focus on how they interact with the body, ensuring they support movement, performance and overall well-being.
He also relied on the experience of fellow pickleball players on our editorial team, who recommended their favorite paddles for this guide. Forbes Vetted updates writer Fran Sales loves the On Holiday paddle for beginners because it’s comfortable and easy to use.
Vigliotta consulted Carl Schmits, chief technical officer at USA Pickleball, on the basic elements of a pickleball paddle and how they influence play, from grip size to surface texture.
We refresh this list regularly to ensure information, availability and prices are as accurate as possible. This article was last updated in March 2025 by gear updates writer Alexandra Garrett to add the grip circumference for each of our top picks and to refresh our buying advice.
How We Chose The Best Pickleball Paddles
To identify and recommend the best pickleball paddles, we relied on our own expertise, consulted and expert and other players with broad ranges of experience and read real customer reviews.
We gathered a list of more than 15 paddles from a variety of brands before analyzing their features, taking into consideration the grip size, weight, shape and materials that make up each paddle. That list of 15 was then cut to a total of nine, all featured in this guide.
We read through countless consumer reviews, determining which paddles are duds and which are truly capable when it comes to improving control, power and accuracy.
Upon evaluating different paddles, we spoke with Schmits to learn more about the differences between paddles and how to find the right paddle for your needs.
We tapped internal sources to find out what features other Forbes Vetted writers and editors look for in pickleball paddles, as well as which paddles they find most effective on the court.
This final list reflects the paddles that reviewers, as well as my internal sources, consider to be the best on the market.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Pickleball Paddle
While each model of the best pickleball paddles looks nearly identical from one to the next, they’re not quite the same. In reality, a handful of factors differentiate one paddle from another, and how you blend these factors dictate your play.
Dimensions
The most popular pickleball paddle size is 8 inches wide and 15.75 inches long. This size is officially sanctioned by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and is the standard size used in most official pickleball tournaments. While there are other sizes available on the market, the 8 by 15.75-inch paddle size has become the norm for most players—it offers a balance of power, control and maneuverability. It’s worth noting that players of different ages and skill levels may have different preferences when it comes to paddle size, so some players may find that a larger or smaller paddle better suits their playing style.
Grip Circumference
A paddle’s grip circumference dictates comfort and control. “Paddles usually come in just one grip size,” notes Schmits. “Players build up grips with overwraps to find a comfortable size. The grip should be large enough to avoid injury-causing over-clenching, but not so large that the wrist cannot be used to snap through an overhead.” In most cases, paddle have grip circumference between 4 and 4.5 inches. The correct grip size should allow you to comfortably hold the paddle while maintaining a relaxed grip.
Weight
“Weight plays a significant role in hand speed, power and swing efficiency,” says Schmits. “A heavily weighted paddle may have the mass to generate good power in baseline play, but may slow hand speed and reaction time during kitchen shootouts.” On the other hand, “A paddle that is very light will not feel stable on off-center hits and, with so little mass, will rely on the player to generate all the power.”
To summarize, a heavier paddle (over 8 ounces) adds power and stability to every shot, but comes at the cost of speed. If you’re a beginner, consider investing in a lighter paddle (less than 8 ounces) that allows you to focus on control before progressing to power.
Power Vs. Control
The shape of a paddle typically dictates the level of power and control; elongated paddles (like the Head Radical Elite mentioned above) offer more power to help you drive shots, while a squared paddle has a bigger sweet spot and offers more control. “We typically see longer handles and head shapes with higher level players, and those with a racquets background,” notes Schmits. “Shorter, wider paddles are typically a good choice for beginner to intermediate, providing a lighter swing weight and good stability for off-center hits during kitchen play.”
Surface Texture
“Surface roughness plays a critical role in creating spin,” says Schmits. “While there is a tightly controlled upper limit to roughness, manufacturers produce paddles with different texture patterns, coatings and applications to create as much spin as possible.”
Keep in mind that you can add texture to a paddle with tape or adhesive about the handle or frame, but very strict rules dictate how you can manipulate the face. Consult the official pickleball rulebook before modifying the face of your paddle to ensure it meets regulations.
Material
The surface material of a pickleball paddle determines how the paddle will perform during play. Paddles are typically made with either fiberglass, graphite or carbon fiber. Fiberglass is generally best for powerful swings, plus it’s a more affordable option than graphite or carbon fiber. Carbon fiber paddles are a bit easier to control since they are lighter in weight, making them a better match for intermediate to advanced players who want a paddle with more precision.
Price
Pickleball paddles range in price from $50 to over $200. We recommend considering your skill level, frequency of use and any additional features you need when setting your budget. Beginners can opt for a less expensive pickleball paddle with more basic features, which usually costs around $50. Intermediate and advanced players may want a more premium paddle, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $200.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The #1 Rated Pickleball Paddle?
According to our research and testing, the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 is the most highly rated pickleball paddle. It provides an ideal balance of control and power for a wide range of players.
Is A Joola Or Selkrirk Paddle Better?
Although both brands make high quality pickleball paddles, Joola edges out Selkirk due to its overall performance. We especially appreciate the control, power and construction of the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 and the Joola Ben Johns Perseus CFS 16, our picks for the best pickleball paddle overall and paddle for spin, respectively.
Is There Really A Difference In Pickleball Paddles?
In short, yes. Despite appearances, subtle differences like grip size, weight, shape, thickness, core type and surface texture set pickleball paddles apart. All of these factors can drastically influence your gameplay and the overall longevity of the paddle. Some paddles come with more unique features that help provide offer an on-court advantage (like improved consistency, accuracy and power).
