What is the Best Material for a Pickleball Paddle?

Pickleball paddles have a three-layer construction, and materials are different for the surface and core layers. Based on the materials used, the paddle’s performance can be different. When investing in a paddle, you must have a good understanding of each material and how it can affect your game. Once you understand this, you can match the materials to your skill level and play style. 

To help you make a correct decision, I’ll cover common paddle materials, their pros and cons, and a guide for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. If you want to skip the whole reading part, you can just jump to the checklist at the end of the article.

Paddle Construction Basics: Core vs Face

When we talk about pickleball materials, many players (mainly beginners, but also intermediate or pro players) confuse the core material and the face material. Many of them think that the paddles are wholly made from one material. But, in reality, we have the core material and the face material, and they are entirely different. You may think that you don’t need this information, but believe me, knowing these details about your paddle will help you to improve your game. Let me explain it:

• Paddle core is the base structure that gives the paddle its thickness. The core material affects the paddle’s weight, stiffness, power and vibration dampening.

• Paddle face or surface is the outer material on both sides of the paddle that actually hits the ball. The material influences the paddle’s control, spin, and surface durability. 

Basically, imagine a burger or a sandwich, where the core is the filling, and the bread is the surface.

Remember - you can’t overlook the core or face materials, or think that if you focus only on choosing one of them, that’s already enough. You should choose the best combination of both materials.

Pickleball Paddle Core Materials and Their Characteristics

Now, after giving you the basic idea, I can explain the common core materials: polymer honeycomb, nomex, and a few others.

Polymer Core (Polypropylene Honeycomb)

The polypropylene honeycomb core is the most commonly used material. In fact, all Dink’s paddles are made of polypropylene honeycomb. I think I won’t be too far from the truth if I say that over 85-90% of paddles today use this core, as it’s one of the best materials that has proved itself over the years. 

So, what exactly is polymer (often referred to as PP)? It is basically a plastic blend built in a honeycomb structure. The size of cells affects how the paddle performs: small cells lead to a firmer paddle; larger cells result in a softer paddle. This material offers a balanced mix of traits, like good chemical, fatigue and heat resistance, which is why it’s so popular. It’s sometimes just called “poly core” or “PP core.”

Nomex Core

Nomex is one of the oldest pickleball materials; it’s been used since the 1970s. It’s a type of aramid fiber that is built in a honeycomb and coated with resin, leading to a very rigid core.

Although once it was a popular choice for many pickleball paddle manufacturers, nowadays, it’s used in fewer and fewer paddle productions.

Other Core Materials (Wood, Foam, Innovations)

A side note: I skipped the aluminum cores deliberately, as they’re not on my list of the best paddle materials.

While polymer and nomex are the primary core materials, you may encounter a few others:

• Wood: You may find it interesting knowing that the very first pickleball paddles were made of solid plywood. And some cheap starter paddles are still made of wood today. A wooden paddle doesn’t have a layered construction; it’s just one solid material. You have already guessed that these paddles are heavy and very rigid; they are hard to maneuver and don’t provide stable control over shots. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend wooden paddles to anyone, even to beginners or casual players. If you want to enjoy the game even for 5 seconds, it’s better to borrow a good paddle, but don’t invest in wooden ones.

• Polymer foams have low density, good sound insulation effects, and are an emerging material in pickleball paddle manufacturing. However, there are not many paddles out there fully made of polymer foam, as the material doesn’t last under pressure. As the core is not thick enough, it affects the paddle’s performance.

• Kevlar honeycomb is quite costly and has a high production complexity, and that’s why it’s not widely used as a core material. Although many manufacturers market their paddles as Kevlar paddles, but it’s usually only the face, not the core.

Important Note: Nomex is rarely allowed in noise-sensitive clubs and courts!

Paddle Face Materials and Their Characteristics

Now that we have already covered the core materials, I’ll cover the paddle’s surface materials as they heavily affect the paddle’s performance. 

The most common face materials in pickleball are graphite, fiberglass (composite), and carbon fiber, with some newer entrants like Kevlar. Many paddles use a blend (hybrid) of materials. Here we will explain each, with pros/cons and suitable players.

Composite

A composite surface isn’t made from one material; in fact, it’s a blend of different materials, like fiberglass mixed with carbon fiber or other materials. Based on the materials blend, the paddle’s performance can differ - it can provide more power or more control.

Graphite Face

The graphite surface is a few millimeters thick sheet of graphite on both faces of the paddle. It is a very rigid material delivering a stable performance. I recommend using graphite-faced paddles if you want to improve control without adding weight.

Fiberglass Face (Composite)

Fiberglass is a very common paddle face material. It’s a woven glass fiber fabric embedded in resin. They are thicker and more flexible. Because of flexibility, the energy from the ball is stored and then returned in the form of increased power.

Carbon Fiber Face

This is the "star" material in pickleball paddle surfaces. It is very stiff and strong, but even more durable. Although they often come only in black or dark colors, at Dink, we have a customization option, so you can create a design that you like. Right now, I can confidently say that carbon fiber is the most common face material in higher-end paddles. It provides a softer feel, a larger sweet spot, and high spin potential.

You may be interested in - What are the Key Factors for Finding the Best Value Pickleball Paddle for Money?

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Comparing Material Performance: Power, Control, Spin, Weight, Noise, Durability

As I already detailed the core and surface material, now I want to compare them across key performance factors. Use the table below as a quick reference on how materials stack up:

Read also: How Long Do Pickleball Paddles Last?

A Short Buyer’s Checklist

So, at the end, what is the “best” material? How do you know which pickleball paddle to choose? If you didn’t want to read the above text (you just need a quick summary) or you were really dedicated to read it all (my respects), here’s how to finalize your choice just in short steps:

1. Decide on core first: a polymer core paddle is the best all-around choice so far. It balances power and control and is suitable for all skill levels. But if you are a sworn power player, go with a Nomex core. But, in my experience, in 90% of cases, the polymer core will perform well in most situations.

2. Choose the face material: for power, choose fiberglass or carbon fiber faces; if you prioritize control/feel, lean towards graphite or carbon fiber faces. Let’s not forget about spin: if you rely on spin, the carbon fiber face is the top choice currently.

3. Player level: as a beginner, stick with a polymer core, graphite/carbon fiber face. As an intermediate, choose based on your style. For the advanced players, you probably already know, but I advise going with carbon fiber or fiberglass.

4. Weight, grip size, shape, and thickness: these factors play huge roles in a paddle’s performance. Many manufacturers (Dink, as well) have charts or selectors displayed on the website or under the specific product, so read before buying.

5. Budget and upgrade path: If you’re a new player, not sure how long you’ll play, invest in composite/fiberglass/ surface + polymer core paddles. If you’re already hooked or are an intermediate/advanced player, it’s worth investing in a premium carbon fiber paddle. Also, remember that paddles wear out no matter how good they are; expect to replace them in several months (competitive players) or in a year (more if you are just a casual player). 

Also, compare pickleball Paddle Prices vs. Quality.

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Conclusion: Finally Choosing Your Optimal Paddle

As a conclusion, I would say the “best” paddle material is the one that complements your playing style and skill level. Use this guide as a roadmap or a checklist. Understand what you value most in your game; Is it power, control, spin, feel, noise level, or durability? Choose the core and face material combo that ticks those boxes. And remember, technique and practice are crucial; the paddle isn’t a magic wand and it won’t improve your performance overnight. And, of course, check our custom pickleball paddles or personalized paddles. Create your own design, mix and match and move to the advanced levels.