This $90 Pickleball Paddle Is the Ultimate Pick for Beginners

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THE NUMBER OF pickleball brands continues to grow exponentially, which is only adding to the overload of choice when looking for a pickleball paddle that fits you best. Choosing a picklkeball paddle is even tougher if you are just starting to play, as there are only a handful of quality pickleball paddles under $100 that are worthy for serious beginners.

For over two years now, the editors and writers at Men's Health have been conducting steady testing of the latest pickleball paddles to hit the market. Like many Americans, a lot of us are recent beginners to the sport ourselves. The paddles you see here below are the slim few we're recommending to newcomers in 2024.

How Do I Choose a Pickleball Paddle for Beginners?

Just like shopping for running shoes, you can find pickleball paddles at all types of prices, for all types of experience levels. Generally speaking, you should expect to pay anywhere from $60-$100 for a beginner to intermediate level paddle. (There is one paddle on our list that goes lower than $60, but it's a rare exception.) Advanced paddles usually cost over $100 and are loaded with features that are optimized for competitive tournament play.

If you think you have to splurge on a competition-ready paddle, think again. "I say shoot for the $75 to $100 range for your first paddle if you plan on working to a competitive level," says Laura Gainor, USA Pickleball's Director of Media Relations. If you're a beginner to pickleball and you plan on playing for recreation most of the time, then you can lower your price point even further.

The list of paddles below reflects all types of new player types. There are entry-level paddles for those looking to break a sweat and dive into competition, and there are stylish, well made paddles for those looking to maximize enjoyment when playing for fun. Keep scrolling to see our full list.

Graphite Z5

Onix is one of the leading brands in the pickleball space. The Graphite Z5 is their most popular paddle. Its graphite face and wide surface area offer control and a large sweet spot that’s great for beginners who are still getting the hang of hitting the ball.

The Z5's 8.2 ounce build is perfect if you don’t know your ideal paddle weight yet. The grippy handle is designed like a tennis racket handle, and the padded comfort will offer your hand much needed relief as your power through matches.

We tested the Graphite Z5 hands on and appreciated how balanced it felt in hand, as well as how the nomex honeycomb core makes it easy to deliver powerful returns. In the event you drop this paddle, a lining around the edge provides protection against chipping and cracks.

The Z5 provides the best qualities of a graphite paddle for a price point just under $100, which is a excellent value in my book. You'll be able to take this all the way from beginner status to competitive tournament play.

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Radical Elite

Fiberglass paddles provide solid power and spin control, yet that are usually not as performance optimized as graphite paddles. The tradeoff by going with a fiberglass paddle, though, is its typically cheaper than a graphite paddle.

The Head Radical Elite is our favorite fiberglass paddle due to its lightweight build, excellent material strength, and balanced performance.

This paddle is great for long volleys where accuracy is crucial. The composite hitting surface reduces impact and gives a soft feel, thus allowing better ball control on returns. Though only available in an orange or yellow color, we tested this paddle in person and loved how much value you get for the low price of $70. The grip is longer than what you'd expect on a pickleball paddle, which is nice because it allows the ability to perform two-handed backhands.

Like the Onix Z5, you can play competitively with the Radical Elite, but as you see yourself progressing you may want to switch to a paddle with more power. If you're looking to focus more on control and accuracy (two essentials for newcomers to the game) then you simply can't beat the value for the price on the Radical Elite.

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SX4 Starter Pack

If you’re looking for a convenient combo to play with your significant other or a friend, leading brand Selkirk’s SX4 Starter Pack is the perfect option. It comes with two quality paddles, four balls, and a carrying bag. The paddles aren't cheap either. They have quality features like a polymer honeycomb core to reduce shot impacts, and an innovative G4 Control Graphic Surface with SpinFlex that gives beginners control of ball placement thanks to the textured surface.

The grips on these paddles are cushioned and absorb sweat, so there are no flying paddles here. Weighing a lofty 7.5 ounces, nearly all players will find this paddle easy to hold.

Recess Vista Pickleball Paddle

Austin, Texas-based Recess is known for its stylish pickleball gear and apparel. The Vista Pickleball Paddle, one of the brand’s best selling models, has almost 40 different colorways, from classic patterns to limited edition designs.

A sanded-texture surface provides solid spin control and the honeycomb core makes for standard power. Each paddle also comes with a protective edge guard and logo’d canvas cover.

This paddle will gain some major style points on the court while also giving you the material essentials to make learning the game pain-free.

Essentials Paddle

Joola is one of the best names in the game and the Essentials paddle, though not their most advanced, is great for entry-level players who plan on becoming advanced players. It has a large sweet spot and soft touch for when you’re perfecting your shots.

The perforated grip provides breathability and helps keep the paddle where it’s supposed to be: in your hand. Created in collaboration with Ben Johns, a pro pickleball player in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), this paddle is designed with beginners in mind—who then might one day make a logical upgrade to the official Joola Ben Johns CFS tournament model.

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Curve Classic

If you’d rather start off with premium materials and design, Rokne’s Curve Classic has an advanced polypropylene honeycomb core that provides controlled power, alongside the brand’s signature PROGrit fiberglass surface for extra spin. It also has a long 5.5-inch wrapped grip that’s great for two-handed back hands.

What stands out the most about the Curve Classic is its elongated design, which makes it easier to stretch out and get hard-to-reach balls. The downside is the length, combined with its materials, means you have a slight sacrifice in power.

Alas, for $100, this is still is excellent paddle to select. Included in that price is a nice zippered cover to help protect your paddle, so there's some bonus goods involved.

V560 Control

This Vulcan paddle comes in at 8.4 ounces, one of the heaviest on the list, and has a classic shape with a large sweet spot. It's ideal for heavy hitters wanting to send line drive shots to their opponent. If you have large hands, you’ll also appreciate this paddle. The lengthy 5.5-inch handle and cushioned grip provides more than enough space for holding it securely.

Like the Curve Classic, the Vulcan paddle has an elongated shape. However, due to the fact it's more dense, you don't sacrifice as much power capability.

GoSports GS1

This tournament-approved paddle is a super affordable model if you’re just starting to explore the sport. With features like a 13mm honeycomb core for power and a textured fiberglass face for spin, this paddle can easily handle advancements in your game as you progress.

One downside about this paddle is its super lightweight at 7 ounces, which means you're likely to not get a ton of power. At some point, you'll likely want to upgrade to get better pop.

But at just $30, you’re unlikely to find a better priced quality pick to help you learn the ropes.

Paddle Set

Great for fast-playing styles, the Orca Charter is a USAPA-approved paddle that’s built to last. It has a slim edge guard for protection and a smooth surface that provides an acceptable amount of control for beginners.

Weighing at around 7.5 ounces, you’ll enjoy quick movements that allow for multiple games. The anti-slip grip gives solid control in just about every weather condition. Each paddle comes with an indoor ball and case for easy storage and transportation.

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Why Trust Men's Health

Pickleball has grown so much that we're starting to see an overload of gear. Now, in 2024, buying a pickleball paddle is so much more than what it used to be. For those new to the game of pickleball, we've learned there are a few key characeristics a pickleball paddle must have; and on the flip side, there are features a beginner pickleball paddle go do away with in order to save money and help one learn the ropes.

Aside from our own writers and editors who play pickleball regularly, we tapped a few experts to help us break down the fine details when buying a new paddle.

Those experts include:

• Ben Johns, a pro pickleball player in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)

• Laura Gainor, USA Pickleball's Director of Media Relations

• Carl Schmits, Managing Director of Equipment Standards & Facilities Development for the USA Pickleball Association

• John Crowley Sr., the Sr. Category Merchandising Manager of Paddles at Pickleball Central
  

How Do I Choose a Pickleball Paddle for Beginners?

If you're going to play more than two times a month, Johns says it's time to invest in a paddle, "The right time to upgrade your paddle is usually when you find yourself wanting to improve your skills as a player as opposed to just playing for fun every now and then."

Crowley Sr. also gave us tips on how to go about investing in a paddle. "When you go shopping have a budget in mind (the best value to price is no object). How much do you plan to play? What is your sports background and if you know, what style of player are you; power player, control player, or all court?" he says.

What to Look for When Buying a Pickleball Paddle

Weight: The average weight for a paddle is going to be around 8 ounces and fluctuate above and below that number. Anything at 9 ounces is usually too heavy and anything under 7 ounces is usually too light. "For weight, somewhere in between 7.5 to 8.3 ounces is a good range," says Johns.

Dimensions: The basic configuration most new players will want to use is called a "wide body paddle" according to Carl Schmits, Managing Director of Equipment Standards & Facilities Development for the USA Pickleball Association. "This configuration is easiest to maneuver and is also good for a controlled, more defensive style of play. Paddles that are close to 8 inches wide by 16 inches long are within the wide body category." says Schmits. "Players that have well-developed stroke mechanics from other sports may be most comfortable with paddles having a longer shape (between 16" and a maximum of 17") and some with a longer handle will better facilitate two-handed backhands, which is an increasingly common grip used very successfully by tennis converts."

Material: Carbon fiber and fiberglass composites are the two most common materials used in high-quality paddles, as they been shown to help players deliver speed and spin on the ball. A good pickleball paddle should also have zero dead spots, meaning when you make a quality hit on the ball it doesn't randomly underperform and fall flat. "When it comes to the material, I like to look for a polypropylene core with a fiberglass or carbon fiber face," says Johns.

A good pickleball paddle is usually thick, as brands can use the space to add their own technology to limit the odds of any dead spots. One popular interior makeup is a polypropylene core (also called honeycomb core design) which is a type of interior webbing that's made into a honeycomb shape to ensure the paddle is evenly balanced. Last to examine is the type of surface used on the paddle. Some paddles will have their own textured surface, thus making it easier to put spin on the ball. A few surface materials used for textured surfaces include carbon fiber and graphite.

Power vs. Control: Similar to how you might shop for a driver in golf, your pickleball paddle is going to have a formula of power and control that works for you. A power paddle will have a tight sweet spot and deliver a shot with more pop, while a control paddle has a larger sweet spot that's softer but allows for more consistent returns.

For a power paddle, look for something tighter and more compact in all areas of the design."Paddles that have thinner cores, like a 13mm-14mm, have longer configuration, and typically made with fiberglass faces will return more power, although hitting the ball with heat is as much a result of an efficient kinetic chain than anything," says Schmits.

If you want a paddle with more control, a design with maneuverable dimensions and a carbon fiber face (as opposed to a fiberglass face, which is harder) is recommended. "I'd look for at least 8 inches of width on the paddle head and for a thicker core that's 16 millimeters or more, or 5/8 inches or more," says Johns.

Grip Circumference: Our experts explained to us grip circumference carries just as much importance in pickleball as it does in tennis. They also noted there are fewer options when it comes to shopping for specific grip sizes pickleball (most brands use a standard 4.25" size). Most pickleball paddle grips will vary from just under 4" and no bigger than 5.5.

John Crowley Sr., the Sr. Category Merchandising Manager of Paddles at Pickleball Central, recommends starting with a smaller grip first (when picking between two paddles) and then adding an overgrip if needed. "Very few manufacturers offer different grip sizes and materials, so customizing with an overgrip wrap is the best way to build up the grip to a comfortable size," added Schmits.

Is Fiberglass or Graphite Better for Pickleball Paddles?

Fiberglass and graphite paddles have characteristics about them that can play to your natural strengths on the court. "You are trying to find the recipe that works best for you," says Crowley Sr.

In general, fiberglass pickleball paddles have more power but less control than a graphite paddle. This is mainly due to the fact fiberglass weights more. Graphite, on the other hand, is lighter and stronger due to the thinly layered construction of the material. Graphite paddles are often associated with better control, resulting in a better ability to place each return where you want it.

Fiberglass paddles are more wallet-friendly, and have been gaining in popularity due to their quality performance while staying at a good price point. Graphite paddles are more expensive and are often seen being used more by pros in tournaments.

One other paddle material to consider is composite. For example, you might find a composite design that incorporates carbon fiber and fiberglass in hopes to bring equal parts control and power. Composite paddles are usually high quality and exist at graphite-level prices (or higher), but it's important to make sure the paddle is USA Pickleball approved if you ever want to play competitive.

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