Pickleball Paddle Guide

Imagine the paddle as a small orchestra: each feature plays its own instrument. Only through their interplay do you get the feeling of playing.

We'll help you through the paddle jungle.

Which pickleball paddle is right for me?

You want to play safely, learn quickly, and have fun.

Recommended

  • Weight : light to medium (215g-230g | 7.6–8.2 oz)
  • Shape : Standard shape with a large sweet spot
  • Thickness : 16 mm
  • Core : Polymer honeycomb
  • Surface : Carbon or fiberglass
  • Balance : rather handle-heavy

Why?
High error tolerance, good control and a calm playing style will help you build consistency and develop confidence in the game.

Various forms

The shape determines the sweet spot, range, and handling. It strongly influences forgiveness and playing style.

Examples

  • Standard shape (wide head) : large sweet spot, high stability, ideal for consistent play.
  • Elongated shape : more reach and leverage, stronger for drives and volleys.
Selkirk AMPED Control Invikta Pickleball Paddle Lightweight Blau

Elongated

Selkirk Amped Control Epic Midweight Green Pickleball Paddle

Square

Drag

surface

The surface influences spin, touch, and how strongly the ball "grips." It is crucial for topspin, slice, and controlled drops.

Examples

  • Carbon / Raw Carbon surface : high ball grip, high spin potential, very good control
  • Fiberglass surface : more lively, more power, direct ball bounce

Carbon

Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 Pickleball Paddle

Fiberglass

Drag

Handle

The grip affects control, comfort, and wrist action. It determines how well you can guide the paddle.

handle length

  • Shorter handle : more stability, ideal for one-handed backhand strokes
  • Longer handle : better for two-handed backhand, more leverage

Grip circumference

  • Do you have small/narrow or rather large hands? An overgrip can also help you change your grip size.

The most important thing about the grip is that it doesn't slip, so we always recommend an overgrip. Why an overgrip and not just grip tape? Well, an overgrip is quick and easy to change. Replacing a grip takes a bit more time.

Selkirk LUXX Control Air S2 Blau Pickleball Paddle

Short handle

Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta Rot Pickleball Paddle

Long handle

Drag

thickness

The thickness regulates how much energy the paddle absorbs or transmits. It has a significant impact on control and power.

Examples

  • 12-14 mm paddle: stiff, often found on inexpensive paddles but also on some pro-level paddles. Offers a lot of power, but less control.
  • 14 mm paddle : faster, more explosive, more power
  • 16 mm paddle : more damping, smoother play, better control in soft games
  • 19/20 mm paddle: very soft for lots of control, easy on the joints.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta Midweight Grau Pickleball Paddle

12.7 mm

DIADEM Warrior V2 Pickleball Paddle

19 mm

Drag

More

Paddle properties

core

The core determines the basic feel upon ball contact. It influences power, control, and how much the ball is dampened at impact.

Examples

  • Polymer honeycomb core : soft, controlled feel, quiet ball contact, very forgiving
  • Foam cores are softer and allow for a longer dwell time. This results in improved ball feel and more control. They typically offer a larger, more consistent sweet spot compared to traditional honeycomb cores and are quieter. They are said to offer a good balance of power and comfort, sometimes due to greater core thicknesses (e.g., 16 mm or 19 mm).

Sweet spot size

The sweet spot determines how forgiving a paddle is and how consistently strokes are achieved.

Examples

  • Large sweet spot : high consistency, ideal for beginners and defensive players.
  • Small sweet spot : precise feedback rewards clean technique

Weight

Weight affects power, agility, and fatigue over longer matches.

Examples

  • Lightweight (approx. 7.5–7.8 oz) : very maneuverable, easy on the arm, ideal for fast net play
  • Heavy (approx. 8.3–8.8 oz) : more penetrating power, stable with hard balls

balance

Weight distribution affects the feel of the swing and the reaction speed.

Examples

  • Head-heavy : more power on drives and baseline shots
  • Handle-heavy : faster at the net, better control on volleys

Spin potential

Spin is created by the interplay of the paddle's surface, core, and flex.

Examples

  • High spin : aggressive topspins, more effective drops and passing shots.
  • Lower spin : more direct ball flight, more control on flat shots

Playing style orientation

A paddle should suit and support the playing style, not work against it.

Examples

  • Control paddle : ideal for dinks, drops, and strategic play.
  • Power-Paddle : ideal for aggressive drives and quick point finishes

Vibration damping / arm-friendliness

Important for comfort, control and injury prevention, especially with frequent play.

Examples

  • High cushioning : soft feel, protects elbows and wrists
  • Low damping : direct contact, more feedback, but harder on the arm.

Color

The color only has a psychological influence on you ;) but it can massively boost your self-confidence - so find a paddle that you like and that you'll enjoy for a long time.

Examples

  • Bright, high-contrast colors : better visibility in the peripheral field of vision.
  • Dark, matte colors : calmer look, less distraction, often found on performance paddles

Quick Check

3 questions that will help you

Do I gain points more easily with patience or with power?
→ Patience = Control | Power = thinner & longer


Do I play more at the net or from the baseline?
→ Net = grip-heavy | Baseline = head-heavy


Do I want forgiving gameplay or maximum precision?
→ Forgiving = large sweet spot | Precise = small sweet spot