The Best Pickleball Paddles of 2025, Tested by Verywell Fit Editors

Core Materials: Polymer | Surface Materials: Carbon fiber | Weight: 7.8-8.2 ounces | Shape: Standard | Paddle Length: 10.2 inches | Paddle Width: 7.8 inches | Handle Length: 5.7 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.2 inches | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Best for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players who need a quality paddle for power and control.

One of the most important things to look for in any pickleball paddle is grip, as it’s essential for comfort and precision play. The grip on Selkirk’s SLK Evo Power 2.0 Paddle is exceptional—it’s well-ventilated, tacky, and cushioned without feeling thick or bulky in my hands. Even after hours on the court, I never experienced any soreness or discomfort, and the paddle never once slipped from my palm. 

I love this paddle for beginners to advanced players because it’s the ideal weight for precise control and speedy power. I also noticed that this standard-shaped paddle has a large sweet spot, making it even more desirable for beginners. Plus, the paddle’s surface features a fine, grainy texture, which helps with spin when you’re ready to level up your pickleball game.

• Though I found this paddle well-priced for its features, it's not as durable as other options on our list, so you may have to replace it down the road if you play frequently.

Core Materials: Polypropylene​ | Surface Materials: Fiberglass​ | Weight: 8.1 ounces | Shape: Elongated | Paddle Length: 16.0 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.8 inches | Handle Length: 5.0 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Best for beginner players on a budget prioritizing control and comfort.

HEAD's Attitude Core Pickleball Paddle offers the perfect combination of good control and durability, making it a great option for new players who don't want to spend a lot. Its wider body shape creates a larger sweet spot for more forgiving shots. I liked the slightly bottom-heavy feel of the paddle, which made it feel more stable and allowed me to practice better control.

This paddle was very comfortable and easy to play with for a long time. It has a slightly shorter handle than some other options, which fits my smaller hands perfectly. I also liked the smooth surface because it offered a crisp pop, which made volleying easier. The slick, smooth surface is very durable. There are no scratches or scuffs at all after a month of playing.

• When I used the paddle in the heat of summer, I found the grip got a little sticky when I was sweaty, which made switching from forehand to backhand cumbersome.

• This paddle has good control for beginners, but it doesn't seem to generate a lot of power, so it may not be a good option for more advanced players.

Core Materials: Polypropylene​ | Surface Materials: Carbon fiber​ | Weight: 7.8 ounces | Shape: Elongated | Paddle Length: 16.5 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.2 inches | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.12 inches | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Best for players new to pickleball looking for a well-balanced, quality paddle at a reasonable price.

As a beginner player learning the sport, a pickleball paddle that offers a balanced combination of control, spin, and power is ideal. Diadem's A52 Pickleball Paddle offers an elongated head for good reach, and a comfortable, tacky grip that makes it easy to use this paddle for long sessions. I also appreciate how budget-friendly it is for beginners who may not know exactly what they want in a paddle when getting started.

The sleek, edgeless design looks cool and minimizes interference and unpredictable bounces that I sometimes noticed with other paddles. The slightly narrower head and light weight made it easy to maneuver, and I found I could make quicker shots with it. This is a really good all-around paddle for beginning players that I found myself reaching for often during testing.

• I didn't notice any performance issues with this paddle, but since it has an edgeless design, it developed some dings and scratches around the perimeter after I played with it for a while.

Core Materials: Polymer​ | Surface Materials: Carbon fiber​ | Weight: 7.9 ounces | Shape: Elongated | Paddle Length: 16.5 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.4 inches | Handle Length: 5.4 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Best for intermediate players looking for maximum customizability.

Paddle speed and power can be affected by the weight of a paddle, and being able to adjust this can help you modify your play for different situations. GAMMA's Airbender 10 Pickleball Paddle is a great option for intermediate players, as it's customizable in terms of size and can be purchased with an accessory kit that includes end caps and throat inserts of different weights. The paddle features an open-throat design to minimize wind resistance and includes one removable, shock-absorbing rubber insert.

I especially liked the thin, sleek profile of the paddle head and the ventilated, textured grip that made it easy for me to control and maneuver all over the court. It also features a textured edge, which helps prevent scratches. I also found I had good control and placement with this paddle.

• The ventilated and textured grip of this paddle is super comfy, but the white color started showing dirt after only a couple of games.

• The paddle is one of the priciest on our list, so it may not be suitable for beginners. However, I think its exceptional quality and customizability make it well worth it.

Core Materials: Polypropylene honeycomb | Surface Materials: Fiberglass | Weight: 7.7 ounces | Shape: Standard | Paddle Length: 15.7 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.8 inches | Handle Length: 4.8 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.3 inches | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Best for someone just getting started with the sport who wants to explore their preferences without making a significant upfront investment.

When you’re new to any sport, it’s impossible to know what works for you (and what doesn’t) until you jump in. Panel Sound's Pickleball Paddle Set is a low-stakes option for novice players looking to work on their game and identify which paddle features matter most to them. I love that it also comes with four pickleballs, a carrying case, and towels—no additional accessories required.

During testing, I enjoyed the lightweight paddle and its secure, comfortable grip so much that I played much longer than intended. I easily navigated a full range of motion and felt satisfied with the contact of each hit. I was also pleased that the grip suited smaller hands, and I ended each session without any elbow strain. What’s more, a strong fiberglass face and polypropylene honeycomb core give this paddle great durability, with no signs of wear or chipping after extended use.

• I had a difficult time generating enough power with these paddles to feel truly confident in my serves.

Core Materials: Polymer​ | Surface Materials: Carbon fiber​ | Weight: 7.8-8.2 ounces | Shape: Elongated | Paddle Length: 16.5 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.5 inches | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Best for those who play pickleball regularly and want to improve their reach, power, and spin in their game.

Take your skills to the next level with Engage Pickleball’s Aero | Raw Toray T700 Paddle. Its elongated shape makes it easier to reach shots I might otherwise miss, and it allows me to work on my spin without losing too much control of the ball. Overall, it feels very stable, and I appreciate the precision assistance of the extended sweet spot.

The ultra-comfortable, non-slip grip becomes one with my hand, supporting several hours of play and practice without any wrist or arm soreness. This paddle's open-throat design keeps it lightweight and fast, making it easy to keep playing for extended periods of time. I can move through a full range of motion without any elbow or shoulder strain. Plus, it handles impact very well, too, showing no signs of wear and tear after intense, repeated use.

• My only real complaint about this paddle is that it’s a bit pricey, which may not be ideal for some. You may want to consider purchasing it on sale or viewing it as a high-quality investment.

Core Materials: Foam​ | Surface Materials: Carbon fiber​ | Weight: 8.1 ounces | Shape: Elongated | Paddle Length: 16.5 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.3 inches | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Best for players looking to improve power on serves and drives.

Diadem's Infinity Pro Pickleball Paddle generates great power for hard shots. I noticed that my confidence in baseline play improved significantly with this paddle. I was able to generate good spin and plenty of power for drives and serves. This paddle is slightly heavier than some of the other paddles I tested, but I didn't notice any fatigue. And the heavier weight definitely contributed to the power I could generate.

This paddle's smooth grip never got slick or sticky when my hands were sweaty, and it didn't cause any hand irritation. I love that the surface grit promotes good spin and control, which I noticed while playing with it. I especially like the replaceable edge guards, which add another layer of durability to this paddle, ensuring it will last for a long time.

• This paddle has great power and good spin, but it's one of the pricier paddles on our list, so it may not be suitable for those new to the game or on a tight budget.

Core Materials: Polymer​ | Surface Materials: Fiberglass | Weight: 8.2 ounces | Shape: Standard | Paddle Length: 15.5 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.9 inches | Handle Length: 4.75 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.0 inches | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Best for beginner, casual, and recreational players who want a solid, budget-friendly paddle with a large sweet spot.

JOOLA's Essentials Pickleball Paddle's good control and large sweet spot make a great combination for recreational and casual play. I liked that I could easily control everything from drives to dinks with this paddle. And I had no trouble generating plenty of power when I needed it. I liked the wide head because it felt like I could get more shots off with fewer mishits.

The smooth fiberglass surface creates a nice pop when the ball is hit, and it helps me keep the ball in the air. I also liked the comfy, ridged grip for better handling. During testing, I banged the paddle on the court several times, reaching for low shots, and there was barely any wear and tear or scuff marks on it—illustrating its excellent durability. The budget-friendly price of this paddle makes it a great value.

• Paddle handle length is mostly personal preference, but the handle on this paddle felt uncomfortably short for me, and I worried about dropping it.

Core Materials: Polypropylene​ | Surface Materials: Charged carbon​ | Weight: 7.8 ounces | Shape: Wide | Paddle Length: 16.0 inches |  Paddle Width: 8.0 inches | Handle Length: 5.25 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Best for intermediate to advanced players who want precise control.

JOOLA's Anna Bright Scorpeus 3S Pickleball Paddle offers good control and accuracy for serves and dinks. The JOOLA brand is well known and trusted in the pickleball world, and this is a signature paddle of one of the top athletes in the sport. It's solidly constructed and durable. And I liked the wider head that helped me control where my shots landed.

The slightly wider head also created a larger sweet spot, while the lighter weight made it super easy to move with precision. You can also authenticate your paddle and unlock a unique user experience through JOOLA Connect just by tapping your phone to the handle of the paddle. This is a great paddle for advanced players who prioritize precision in their game.

• This paddle is one of the priciest picks on our list and may not be an appropriate investment for beginners.

• While I loved the control and precision of this paddle, I found it only generated average power.

Core Materials: Polypropylene | Surface Materials: Raw carbon fiber​ | Weight: 7.8-8.3 ounces | Shape: Elongated | Paddle Length: 16.5 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.5 inches | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Best for players who want a lightweight pickleball paddle with a longer handle.

I love the extended handle of Onix's Hype X Pro Raw Carbon Pickleball Paddle for its extra reach and easy switches from forehand to backhand. I felt like I had a really good range with this paddle. It's also very lightweight despite the longer length, so it was easy to maneuver and felt good to play with. I got good power and great spin on serves, and good control for softer shots.

The ventilated and textured grip kept my hands from overheating and allowed for a secure hold for better control. I appreciate that the paddle is available in three different colors, and the edge guard is thick enough to provide ample scuff protection without adding unnecessary weight to the paddle or compromising quality shots. This paddle is a good value for the control, precision, power, and spin you get.

• The cushioning on the handle was very thin. I didn't play for more than 30 to 45 minutes at a time, but longer sessions may require a more cushioned handle.

• After several games, I noticed the grip wrap starting to curl at the edges.

Core Materials: Polymer​ | Surface Materials: Carbon fiber​ | Weight: 7.7-8.5 ounces | Shape: Hybrid | Paddle Length: 16.3 inches |  Paddle Width: 7.5-7.7 inches | Handle Length: 5.5 inches | Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Best for players who want to prioritize spin and precise placement of dinks, drops, and serves.

Six Zero's Double Black Diamond Control Pickleball Paddle is USA Pickleball-approved and creates great spin, especially on serves. I like that it comes with a zippered, neoprene cover for protection and added durability. As a beginner player, I'm still working on control and the ability to add spin, and this paddle really helped me with that during my games. The carbon surface made it feel almost effortless.

I liked the stability of this paddle, thanks to the slightly sticky feel of the grip that gave me a very secure hold. It made me feel like I had good control of the paddle and my shots. The flared head shape of the paddle extends the reach and gives it a nice, balanced feel. For a beginner like me, this feels like a high-end paddle that's super high quality.

• I love this paddle for its control, but I felt like it didn't generate as much power as some other paddles I've used.