How Do You Choose the Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners?

Finding the perfect pickleball paddle is not an easy choice, even for an advanced player, but it’s even harder for a beginner. The market is full of different paddles with various sizes, weights, grips, and materials. As a beginner, no matter your age, I advise you to choose the one that is comfortable and maximizes control while you are still learning and improving. And it’s not only about adaptability, but also about avoiding injuries.

With this article, I want to help you find a pickleball paddle specifically designed for beginners. I’ll explain the key factors to consider when selecting a paddle and kickstarting your game in this popular sport.

Start With the Paddle Weight: Balance Power and Control

When comparing light-weight vs. heavy-weight paddles, lighter paddles are easier to handle and cause less muscle strain, while heavier paddles provide more power and stability.

The first thing that I want to highlight is the paddle weight, which can significantly impact the game and your performance. Weight influences your swing speed, power, and control. For new players, I recommend a mid-weight paddle as a balanced choice.

Light-weight pickleball paddles (usually 6–7.5 oz) are easy to handle and maneuver. And that’s not all; these paddles are also good when you need quick reactions and strong control. They don’t lead to shoulder fatigue during long games, especially for the players who are just starting and haven’t trained their muscles for the weight. However, light paddles generate less power, so you’ll need a faster swing to hit deep shots. And because they are very light, they can create more vibration on impact, leading to a condition known as tennis elbow. The probabilities are very high if you have old injuries or if your arm gets hurt easily.

Mid-weight (around 7.5–9 oz) paddles are the golden middle for me. They combine power and control, making these paddles, in my humble opinion and long experience, a perfect choice for players of all levels. They weigh enough to hit the ball deep into the opponent’s court, yet they are still light for soft shots at the net. This weight is also arm-friendly as it’s heavy enough to absorb some shock/vibration during a ball impact, but not so heavy that it quickly tires your shoulder or elbow.

Heavy-weight (generally > 9 oz) paddles, without doubt, have more power and stability. They are great advanced players who prefer strong serves and smashes. Heavier paddles are also very solid when you have to block hard shots, and they often have large sweet spots. But these paddles are not maneuverable; they can feel sluggish and will strain your arm over time. I suggest you buy a heavy paddle when you are already a pro player who knows your weaknesses and strengths and can use this paddle to your advantage.

Beginner Tip: Choose a weight you can play with for an hour. If you are not sure, go with a light or medium-weight paddle. You can always adjust it later with a lead tape.

Core Material Impact on Beginner Play

Most modern paddles (other than wood) have a honeycomb core. For example, all Dink’s paddles have a polypropylene honeycomb core, because, so far, it’s the best material for all levels of players.

Polypropylene honeycomb cores are a good choice for beginner pickleball players. They offer a soft, dampened feel at contact, with minimum vibrations from the ball and the sound is quieter (remember that many communities prefer “quiet” paddles). Polypropylene honeycomb cores are renowned for their lightweight composition and superior control, making them particularly suitable for novice players seeking to hone their skills. These cores allow easy maneuverability and precise shots. While polymer cores don’t generate as much raw power as some nomex cores, the difference is modest, and the trade-off in control is usually well worth it for a new player.

Our Advice: You can almost never go wrong starting with a good polymer core paddle.

Nomex cores are all about power and quick response. They are the hardest core material, so when the ball hits the paddle, the rebound is fast and lively. Although this leads to harder volleys and faster drives, the stiffness also means less control and touch. Nomex paddles also produce a loud sound on impact, which can be annoying.

Our Advice: For beginner pickleball players, the nomex core shouldn’t be the first choice. And remember, some communities with noise rules can restrict paddles that make a lot of noise.

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Pickleball Paddle Face Materials: What it Means for Beginners

The paddle’s face material (surface) is not just about design and colors. It greatly affects how the ball hits the paddle, so pay extra attention to it when buying a paddle. I know there are many different materials, but you don’t need to know all variations; focus on the most common surfaces: carbon fiber, fiberglass, graphite, and composite.

A Side Note: There are also wooden paddles, or other cheap materials, as affordable alternatives, but I really don't recommend them.

A paddle made from either carbon fiber or graphite is the best material for pickleball paddles on the surface – the best choice depends on whether you prefer control or power. If you have a softer touch or have a racquet sports background, you might lean toward a carbon face for its control and lightweight feel. 

If you feel you need a little extra power help, a carbon fiber paddle provides a lively hit, is more beginner-friendly and often more durable. You can’t go too far wrong as long as you avoid very heavy wooden paddles or overly “pro” specialized paddles until you have more experience.

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Grip Size: Comfort, Control, and Injury Prevention

Now, let’s talk about choosing the correct grip size (circumference of the paddle handle), because if measured wrongly, it can lead to poor performance and even serious injuries over time.

Why grip size matters, especially for a beginner: A paddle should perfectly fit in your hand. It shouldn’t be so big that you can barely wrap your fingers, and not so small that your fingers overlap. For example, if the grip is too big, you’ll instinctively grip harder to avoid dropping the paddle. This will strain your forearm muscles and shift your attention from the game. The right size allows you to hold the paddle without extra effort. It lets you focus on improving your skills instead of adjusting your hold constantly.

✅Find out more: How to Measure Hand Size to Determine the Correct Pickleball Paddle Grip?

My Advice: Start with a smaller size if you are not sure. It’s a safe choice because you can always build it up with an overgrip wrap. This will increase the thickness by about 1/16 to 1/8 inch.

Core Thickness

The core thickness directly impacts the paddle's performance, control, and power on the court.

Different pickleball paddles have different core thicknesses, including slim (less than 8mm), medium (9–13mm), and thick (greater than 13mm). If you prefer power to control, go with a slim core, but if you want to really gain the upper hand, you must choose a medium thickness to balance power and control.

So, you already guessed my choice: for beginners, I recommend a medium or thicker core. 

Paddle Shape: Standard vs. Elongated

Pickleball paddles come in a few different shapes and affect the paddle’s sweet spot, balance, and reach. For beginners, I suggest sticking to a standard (wide-body) shape paddle to maximize forgiveness.

The traditional and most widespread paddle shape is the standard or wide-body shape - often around 15.5–16″ long and 7.5–8″ wide. It means the paddle has a larger sweet spot; even if you don’t hit the ball right in the center, you’ll still get a decent shot.

Elongated shape: These paddles are longer (up to the legal maximum 17″ length) and consequently narrower (often 7″ or less wide). They have a smaller and more eccentric sweet spot, usually higher toward the tip of the paddle. The shape also tends to be less maneuverable in quick exchanges due to the added length. Generally, we recommend elongated paddles for more experienced players or those with specific needs (for example, a tennis player).

Of course, you may find other shapes as well, like “hybrid” shapes (somewhere in between standard and elongated) or specialized designs (like edgeless paddles or ones with longer handles for two-handed shots). As a general rule, we advise going with the standard-shaped paddles that are perfect for all levels of pickleball players – there’s no need to get too fancy without real impact on your game.

Read also: What are Pickleball Paddle Dimensions for Optimal Play?

Price Range

Of course, the price doesn’t directly affect how the paddle performs. However, there is a saying: ¨You get what you pay for.¨ At the end of the day, the budget you have will determine the paddle that you choose. Paddles come in a wide range of prices, from budget-friendly options to more premium ones. I understand that opting for the cheapest option is tempting, but investing in quality and durability is a good choice that will affect your performance and save you money in the future, when cheaper paddles wear out.

Check our related article - Best Pickleball Paddle Under $50: Why the Mystery Paddle is Your Top Choice

I understand that the budget is a very important factor for all of us. So, the beginners should aim for a balance between the paddle’s affordability and quality, ensuring they get a paddle that meets their needs without breaking the bank. But don’t just stop there: understand the features and materials that influence the paddle’s cost. This will help you make more informed decisions and prioritize your preferences within budget constraints.

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Why are Custom Paddles the Best Option for All Skill Levels?

I believe custom paddles offer unparalleled benefits for players of all skill levels, making them the optimal choice for anyone serious about their pickleball game. Firstly, customization allows players to design their paddle however they want, including weight, grip size, and material composition. This ensures the best performance on the court, regardless of skill level.

Ultimately, the ability to customize every aspect of a paddle makes custom options the best choice for maximizing performance and enjoyment at all skill levels.