Prep yourself! Because, you are going to meet the 10 best pickleball paddle that have shined very well in the industry. They have charmed the players so deep that despite having minor cons, they are yet seen in the hands people. Among them, the test winner is ONIX Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle.
So, if you are someone who wish to own the game, then you will need a smart weapon. And for this, you will have to go through these pickleball paddle reviews for grabbing your favorite one. It’s a sure thing that a fab paddle is the only one who begins the actual game after Zero-Zero-Two!
So, let’s start!
Best Pickleball Paddle Reviews - Comparison
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Top Pickleball Paddle Reviews Updated 2021
Here is the complete review of each product considered as the best among all Pickleball paddle available out there.
Do you just ever wish to hit a ball with your best shot? then why not own this Z5 Graphite pickleball paddle from Onix?
Having a wide body gives it a different pride which means you will have more control of the game.
There is a very common rule: the wider the paddle, the taller and more controlling it will be. So, you will experience lesser miss-hits once you have this.
Onix Z5 weighs about 8 ounces. It might be found a little heavier than most of its rivals. However, the biggest power is that for its heaviness, you will get a great force in hand.
As for its material, the paddle has been made up of nomex honeycomb. It tends to be a cardboard like material that you will find tremendously hard and stable. And as it comes in honeycomb shape, you will feel it very light to hold.
The face has been constructed with graphite which is another light element. So all in all, this is a very winning paddle that gives us a reason to list it in pickleball paddle reviews.
Not just that, the brand also made sure to offer you 10 different colors of this paddle to pick from. So players, this is a great chance!
However, the main problem that lies in this particular paddle is its good amount of force. Having this much force can let you lose control over the way you will be maneuvering the ball. For this, it will lead to making the paddle bounce the ball off without any absorptions which will make your shots unpredictable
There are some other little issues which are like the loudness of the paddle. Since it does not have any noise dampening technology, it is expected to happen. Besides, some people faced problem with the handle coming out lose. So, you will need to check it before making a purchase.
Strengths:
- Superior ball control for its wide body.
- Durable and solid construction for the material.
- Great grip to smash the ball.
- Comes in 10 different colors.
- Very lightweight to hold.
Weaknesses:
- Force might make you lose control over the paddle and ball.
- Makes a great noise.
- Handles might come out loose.
This Epic paddle by Selkrik will be that paddle that thinks first before it dinks. So it will be a great bat for starters.
In 10.4 ounces, you will get a forgiving amount of weight from the guy.
Although it will weigh a bit more than the other competitors, it will yet have a kind of grip you want.
The face, being made up of FiberFlex, will give you a good vibe of high-quality construction with its weight. Having said that, you will get to witness its great responsiveness which will help you boost your balance.
Speaking more of the paddle, its great responsiveness will also show its bigger sweet spot. And this will also help you build your performance making it one of the best pickleball paddle for beginner.
As for the paddle’s performance, Selkrik has made sure to offer it with a new X5 technology in the head. This is a latest thick patent polymer material that warrants power shot bounces over the net. Its thickness in the face helps absorb power from the shot and will also help deflect it just fine. This is one of the reasons why it has been listed in this pickleball paddle reviews.
Epic will also give you an epic amount of choices to choose from. It means, you will get about 40 color options ranging from lightweight to mid-weight. So, there will also have grip options for you to pick.
However, the paddle might con you with its look in its advertisement since it looks longer and bigger in the picture. It has been stated to have ‘wide body’, but it seems to possess slightly less of it. This can be a minor con, but it’s nothing to worry about.
Strengths:
- Very great grip and power.
- Ideal responsiveness to boost your balance.
- Bigger sweet spot helps offer great performance.
- Well-built and solid construction.
- Thickness from X5 technology ensures power shot bounces.
- Comes in 40 colors ranging from light to mid-weight.
Weaknesses:
- Slightly less wide along the length.
- Weighs a little more than other competitors.
Have you ever wondered how a celeb paddle looks like? It looks like the tempest wave paddle by the brand paddletek.
It is stated to have made ‘waves’ in its business after the brand released the paddle.
Not just that, it also has been seen in the hands of pro players like Aspen Kern and Daniel Moore.
It weighs below 8 ounces which makes it very light paddle to hold. The only concern that we found is the people griping it to be light in the head. This might make your shots short. However, if you get a hold of it properly, it shouldn’t be a problem.
It has a bigger sweet spot and a great grip at 4.25 inch circumference. But what struck us is its Advanced ProPolyCore paddle technology that has been provided to dampen vibration. No wonder why players love owning it.
In addition to this, Tempest wave as a silent paddle so you won’t get distracted while at the game.
When it comes to its construction, the paddle has been made very well with polymer core. You will get an incredible control of the paddle while possessing power to hit the ball.
The face being made up of graphite also gives great support by being light and flexible enough to make you own the match. The way it adds ‘attack’ vibe to your shot is exception. It will feel hard and quick. The hitting surface might end up getting scratches, but it will not let you lose.
One of the best features that the brand offered is the long handle of the paddle. It is 5.25 inch long which helps provide you more responsiveness on manipulating its weight. The length also lets you hold the handle as if you’re choking it up so you can get more maneuverability and power, considered as best pickleball paddle for beginner.
Strengths:
- Vibration dampening technology.
- Long handle gives more maneuverability and power.
- Graphite face helps offer lightness and responsiveness.
- Strikes silently.
- Solid construction.
Weaknesses:
- Light in the head might make the shots short.
- Hitting surface might scuff up.
- Less color range.
Get yourself engaged into another great paddle named Encore pro which comes all the way from Engage Pickleball.
The highlighting feature of this paddle is that, it is stated to have the biggest sweet spot in their line. The core has been made up of polymer honeycomb while the skin being made up of fiberglass.
So, you will get both control and power benefit from the materials which make it stand out from the ordinary paddles.
To add more, the brand has boasted it to have ‘specialized skin’ that helps maximize the time of the ball staying on your paddle. That way, you will have all the control of both the paddle and the ball.
Aside from having the control, its rough and tough skin also helps enhance the spin to put on every shot making it one of the best pickleball paddle for spin.
As for the weight, it comes in a range of 7.8 ounce to 8.3 ounce indicating the mid-weight category. However, it still falls on the heavy side so you might need some time to get used to it.
Having a grip at 4.25 inch circumference, it does its job pretty well in terms of power.
So in a nutshell, the paddle owns incredible balance while feels easy to maneuver over the net. And as the face of it has adequate bite for producing spins, it’s obvious you will enjoy serving the ball with the paddle.
It does not have much color options, you will get 4 different color designs but the primary color will still be white.
However, some players found engage encore pro a little flimsy on the grip as it wore out faster. But it will not affect your shots. Other than that, this will be a great buy.
Strengths:
- Has a bigger sweet spot.
- Possesses power and control.
- The balance feels great.
- Hits the ball hard.
- Very responsive.
- Rough skin helps produce the spin.
- Has a comfortable grip.
Weaknesses:
- A little on the heavy side.
- Grip might wear out fast.
- Less color range.
Own the court with this amazing pickeball paddle that you can grab from the HEAD, one of the best pickleball paddle for spin.
This paddle is able to spin your opponent’s head as it comes in good textured design in the face. Its extreme spin texture helps provide ample of bite so it can produce extra spin on every shot you make.
The brand has smartly designed it with tapering it slightly in its edges that go a little inward. It will not only offer you maneuverability but power as well.
The hitting surface has been made up of Carbon Graphite so it will have a great amount of pop factor. You will find it soft as well as powerful.
Not just that, with tubular construction, the paddle is also able to create ideal playability for having polypropylene honeycomb core which makes it best for all levels of play.
The striking feature of the paddle has been found is its long handle. It comes in 5.25 inch and it will offer more responsiveness than the other competitors. Coming in about 8 ounces feels ideal as well for its weight. It neither weighs too heavy nor too light so the balance has been given perfectly.
A minor con might be found at the grip as people felt it to run a little large. However, if you get used to it, the con won’t matter anymore.
However, the best part is that the paddle comes as one-single piece. It means, you will get to witness more of its stability and solidity making it a top paddle in the industry.
You won’t get a lot of options to choose in terms of its color. Head has made 3 types available for Radical tour line.
Strengths:
- Tapered edges for more maneuverability.
- Carbon Graphite for more pop and control.
- Tubular Construction optimized for producing playability.
- Extreme Spin Texture provides better bite and spin.
- Longer handle makes the paddle more responsive.
- Lightweight and balanced.
- Well-built and solid construction.
Weaknesses:
- Comes in three types to choose from.
- Grip might be found to run a little large.
If you ever wish to relish pickleball then you might want to own Gamma voltage 2.0 paddle. This is a kind of paddle that you really can’t resist yourself from having it.
2.0 clearly indicates being the second but upgraded version in the line of Gamma Voltage. It happens to sport a beefy rough texture in its hitting surface with graphite material so it can flaunt its performance by offering more spin shots.
Gamma Voltage 2.0 also happens to provide more power so you will find it to have that pop factor you want.
The paddle also owns the latest aramid honeycomb grip for which it gives comfortable feel in your hand. The design will tell you that it will be a great paddle for both experienced and beginners.
As for the grip, it comes in 4 1/8 inch circumference which helps you great to smash with confidence.
It has been stated to grab positive pickleball paddle reviews for its balance as well. Coming in 7.6 below, it feels light but balanced. The soft strike will be consistent. However, some of you might require time to get used to it.
Speaking of its power, you will find it have a large sweet spot so it will bestow you more power to make every shot sharp and perfect. It has a smart blend of control, touch and power so it is able to make you stand out of your opponents.
However, the material of the paddle has been well praised by many of its users though, but some didn’t find it to last long. Moreover, some people also found it to have a soft feeling while striking the ball. For this, it takes a bit time to generate power. This might work as a little con, but that will not be a big concern.
Strengths:
- Grip is comfortable and sticky that helps build confidence.
- Graphite hitting surface with rough texture promotes more spin shots.
- Has an excellent pop factor.
- Ideal for both experienced and beginners.
- Has a balanced weight.
- Offers sharp shot.
Weaknesses:
- Might not last long.
- Takes time in generating power.
Wanna ace out your opponents on the court? Then make sure you have this Signature pickleball paddle from the Amazin Aces.
This paddle features vibration dampening technology that has been possible only for using polymer honeycomb core. So if you want, you can play the sport with this without having any feel of tremor.
This particular grey model will be there with a set where you will get a total of two paddles and four balls. But we will just focus on the features of the paddle just to highlight how wonderful it can be while you are on the court.
The grey Signature will weigh around 8.5 ounces which falls on the heavier side. The heaviness might drain you at some point. However, you will get to enjoy its big sweet spot throughout the game. Because, this sweet spot will help distribute the weight evenly making the paddle well balanced to have your smash.
Although you will need extra power and strength, but it’s worth taking the effort.
The paddle will have 4.25 inch of the grip circumference. Thus, you can expect it to have a comfortable grip with its hand-stitched contour grip. In addition, it also feels easy to hold while giving some great spin shots.
Besides, it comes with a high-quality graphite face that has an unmatched mix of power and touch. It will offer a supreme feel and confidence.
Signature also features edge guards that will help a lot in keeping the paddle safe. You will also get an extra cover so you can protect it in a better way. So, there is no question on its production.
Strengths:
- Honeycomb polymer core offers high performance.
- Graphite face promotes high responsiveness.
- Set includes 2 paddles and 4 balls.
- Has a great mix of touch and power.
- Owns vibration dampening technology.
- Features big sweet spot distributing even balance.
- Provides great feel.
- Has a nice grip and easy to hold.
- Edge guards for keeping the paddle safe.
- Come with a protective cover.
Weaknesses:
- Might drain you as it is on the heavy side.
- Needs extra strength to smash.
It’s absolutely normal to have these thoughts going on for smashing the ball in such so you can outshine your opponent. Pro-lite crush powerspin paddle will give you that feel.
Out of its three versions, this one is Surf paddle that comes with vibrant color grip in red. The head has stunning graphic print that feels appealing.
However, it’s not all about its splendor edgy style, there is an ample of brawn included as well.
When it comes to Surf, you will find it having a light fiberglass surface that will benefit you for its textured Spintac technology. For this tech, it is likely to enrich spin control smartly and you can consider it as best pickleball paddle for spin.
In addition to spin production, the paddle features QuadCore Power Polymer for the core material. With this honeycomb cell technology, the Surf can survive any challenge it faces.
Besides, it comes in around 7.6 ounces making it a light paddle to hold. You will also find it very balanced so it will offer you a bunch of crushing function.
It has a 4.13 inch grip that is great for average players to improve their performance. Combined with big sweet spot, the paddle will help a lot in giving a good smash.
Not only it is great in its responsiveness, it deserves equal amount of praise for its noise reduction technology.
However, you might find one little gripe which is again for its lightness. Due to this, you might not like hitting all types of balls with the paddle. That said, it does not take a step back in the race for its outstanding performance.
Strengths:
- Solid construction.
- Textured Spintac technology helps enhance spin control.
- Light fiberglass surface offers great responsiveness.
- Has a great grip.
- Feels light to hold.
- Features a big sweet spot for a good smash.
- Feels balanced.
- Comes in vibrant color grip in red.
Weaknesses:
- Might not perform great in hitting all types of balls.
If you want to meet your match, then have a look at this amazing Niupipo pickleball paddle.
Coming in composition of graphite honeycomb, it will give you a great mix of firmness and strength. You will find your shots precise while having a great control over the paddle.
As for the interior, it has used polymer honeycomb that has been crammed in between fiberglass sheets. Its resilient material helps the paddle endure all the hard strikes from the ball.
Besides, it also comes with an edge guard which will work as a protection to save your paddle from ground hits.
The paddle has 4.25 inch cushioned handle that provides a fine grip while you are at long-period matches. Not only it will allow powerful shots, but also will give fast agility and spinning. However, you might still find the handle at the short side, so many of you might not feel comfortable at the first place.
Speaking more of the grip, you will find the paddle having sweat-absorbent element so that it does not get wet and slide down from your hand. Not just that, the grip also feels easy to hold helping you add more control to your hand.
It comes in 8 ounces that makes it a light paddle to have. That said, its even weight distribution also deserves appreciation.
To add more, the paddle comes with a fiberglass surface. with this, you can expect it to produce extra spins on the ball.
The grip helps a lot in making the paddle comfy and easy to hold. It also adds control during gameplay.
As the model comes in a set, so you will get 2 paddles with 2 covers so you can keep them protected. The paddles come in blue which looks great but there is no other color option to choose from.
Strengths:
- Comes with sweat-absorbent element for offering great grip.
- Cushioned handle feels comfortable to hold.
- Honeycomb polymer core for high performance.
- Graphite face offers high responsiveness.
- Comes with a great mix of touch and power.
- Set includes 2 paddles with 2 covers.
- Produces spin smartly.
- Distributes even balance while being light.
- Has a nice grip and easy to hold.
- Provides great feel.
- Edge guard for keeping the paddle safe.
Weaknesses:
- Handle is a little short.
- There is no color option other than blue.
Here is the very last one in the pickleball paddle reviews but still it has all the qualities which an outstanding paddle should have. Rally NX by Pickleball center will come in a set so you will literally get 2 beasts from it with four balls. Both the paddles have the same features.
It comes in a fine combo of honeycomb and graphite materials. So, while the honeycomb core will engage it into giving high performance, the graphite face will offer responsiveness giving you a great hold of it.
Rally NX weighs around 7.7 ounces so you can expect it to weigh light in your hand. Besides, it comes in 4.25 inch at grip circumference which feels just right to get both comfort and control.
As for the head, the brand states it to come in XL size so you will have the option to have large playing surface for maximum ball hits.
Besides, it tends to make the ball fly and spring back straight due to its rotating seamless mold with patent hole pattern.
The sad part is that it does make sound as there is no sound dampening technology. However, it is still not a big concern. What we found a big concern is that it does not last long. So, you will face issues with its shorter durability. Ironic! We know.
Strengths:
- Great mix of control and power.
- Makes the ball fly and spring back straight.
- Honeycomb core provides high performance.
- Graphite face will give great responsiveness.
- Comes in a set with 2 paddles and 4 balls.
- Weighs light and offers even weight distribution for balance.
- Have large playing surface with big sweet spot.
- The grip feels good.
Weaknesses:
- Does make sound.
- Might not last long.
The History of Pickleball
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, an American politician. He wanted to play badminton with his family on a lazy afternoon, but he failed to manage a shuttlecock. He then improvised a game on a badminton court, with a dropped net, wooden rackets, and a plastic baseball.
Since then, the sport has been evolving, and today it has more than 3 million players in the United States alone.
The game is counted in 11 points, like in table tennis. The rules are pretty subtle: players serve with a paddle and volley, and following the service, each team must hit a ball from the baseline before volley. Then volleys are allowed, except in the "kitchen," the area closest to the net.
Pickleball is one of the most popular sports at the moment; it has seen an increase of more than 35% in the number of participants in the United States in recent years.
Usapickleball.org has described complete timeline of Pickleball history, from the beginning to today's date.
How Did Pickleball get its name?
Pickleball was invented by a US representative on an old badminton court in 1965. According to legend, the family dog Pickle, used to have fun hiding balls, so the game was named Pickle's Ball, then Pickleball.
Another version claims that the sport takes its name from the pickle boat, which brings together rowers who have not been chosen to join the crew of other boats. We can quickly guess which explanation the followers prefer.
Why is pickleball getting popularity?
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. There are many reasons why Pickleball has caught the interest of sports fans. Pickleball is a competitive game that allows players to get out and exercise.
People who have played tennis, ping-pong, racquetball, or badminton at some point in life can start playing Pickleball right away without having prior experience.
Since the court is considerably smaller than a conventional tennis court, it does not require the same amount of stroke to reach the ball.
Thus, senior players can compete more easily with younger players. Because the players are closer to each other, it promotes more communication during the game. And whoever made the rules of the pickleball did an excellent job.
The Biggest Brands Of Pickleball Rackets
There are many manufacturers of pickleball equipment around the world, particularly in the United States. You can buy a fantastic paddle or can go wrong buying a paddle. The most popular Pickleball brands are as follows:
- Engage Pickleball: Engage Pickleball is an American manufacturer specializing in Pickleball and takes it to the next level. They have a bunch of innovative and creative engineers who develop the design and test their products. The procedure is comprehensive and involves rigorous testing with players of all skill levels. Engage Pickleball creates equipment suitable for all experience classes.
- ProLite : ProLite was created in 1984 by Neil Friedenberg, a prominent pickleball player. It is a company specializing in the manufacture of pickleball paddles and equipment. ProLite produces pickleball paddles in all shapes and sizes, meeting the demands of players using budget ranges. They create some of the cheapest (and most expensive) pickleball paddles in the industry.
- Onix Pickleball: Onix Pickleball was established in 2005 with a mission to provide top-notch pickleball equipment using innovative technology. Their paddles are made "by players, for players." A group promotes current products and develops new products. Onix Pickleball products are the best sellers.
What is the difference between paddle tennis and pickleball?
Have you ever wondered what the differences between paddle tennis and pickleball are?
Considering the equipment used, many people confuse paddle tennis with pickleball.
Although these are both racquet sports and use one ball, the similarities end there are significant differences.
The main difference between paddle tennis and pickleball is the scoring system, which theoretically involves longer pickleball games.
Another difference is the ball which is rubber in the paddle tennis, while plastic in the pickleball.
You also serve sneaky in pickleball, which allows for a different type of service that is theoretically easier to return.
With less bounce off the ball than paddle boarding, different techniques and strategies are needed to be successful at pickleball.
Paddle tennis is more like standard tennis thanks to the rubber ball. The only real difference is that instead of a tennis racket, you use a paddle.
There are some special rules in both pickleball and paddle tennis that offer other differences as well.
One crucial difference is the extended area from the net, known as the "kitchen." Volleys are not allowed in the "kitchen" unless the ball has first rebounded.
Otherwise, the games are rudimentary and similar, and many who play one will often try the other.
Pickleball has grown significantly over the past decade, especially in recent years, thanks to the combination of ease of play, association membership, and relatively inexpensive equipment with tennis courts.
How to Select The Best Pickle ball Paddle
Weight Of The Paddle:
Paddle weight is one of the most important factor to look closely. Weight plays a very important role on the court.
Paddle comes in a range from 6 ounces being the lightest to 15 ounces being the heaviest. Most of the paddles come in around 7.3 ounces to 8.4 ounces indicating it to be in the mid-weight category, it still is stated to be fairly light. However, both the light and heavy paddles have their own kind of pros and cons.
The weight of pickleball paddles determines the feel of it when you will be holding it. It will also determine the type of action you will get during the match.
Lighter Paddle:
Plusses:
- Easier to maneuver.
- Can hold it for longer hours without having ache.
- More control of the ball paddle contact.
- Lesser stress on elbow.
Minuses:
- Difficult to smash long or hard shots.
- Lacks stronger swing.
- Lesser power.
- Vibration feel in your hand.
Heavier Paddle:
Plusses:
- Easier to smash balls harder and deeper.
- Delivers more powerful whack.
- More power.
- Offers stronger swing.
Minuses:
- Takes time to get a hold of maneuverability.
- Tough to hold it for longer hours increasing fatigue.
- Lesser control of the ball paddle contact.
- Occurs ache in arms and elbows.
Power and Control - What do you prefer?
Power and control are two of the most vital factors that you must consider in terms of performance.
Make sure you get yourself a paddle that will possess enough power and control so it can strike the balls quick just the way you want.
You might also need to check the combo of surface and core materials, weight, grip as they have a great impact over how efficient the swings will be and how you will handle the paddle.
Besides, the weight of the paddle also play a great role in power and control.
If you want to enrich control of ball paddle contact, then opt for a lighter one. But, if you want to work on increasing power and force drive, then choose a heavy paddle. If you have no idea what you want, then start with a mid-weight paddle so you can understand your style.
Grip Of The Racket
Each paddle grip comes with different circumference. For this, you will need to fist take a look at your hands and observe the size. If you have big hands, then you will need big paddle. But choosing an oversized paddle is still not a solution either.
If you ever grab a bigger paddle, it might result in injury. So, it gets essential to measure the grip size so you can have a good handle of it.
While bigger grip helps enrich your strike stability, smaller grips helps offer more wrist action making it very easy to produce spins on the balls and enrich control.
Before jumping to the grip size guideline, there are some other elements that you should also consider regarding the grip. Make sure you get a paddle that has over grip or grip tape wrapped around the handle. It helps customize the circumference as well as meet your personal preferences.
Also, it’s better if your paddle has sweat absorbing factor as it will prevent the handle sliding from your hand for the sweat.
However, here is a little guideline of the grip circumference size that will help you understand better:
Grip circumference size - Your height
4 inches – 5 feet 2 inches or below.
4.125 inches to 4.25 inches – Between 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 8 inches.
4.5 inches – Above 5 feet 9 inches.
Core Material Of The Pickleball Paddle
The material of core offer strength to the paddle. You will find most of the paddle using honeycomb core as it is found to be a stronger structure. The shape helps a lot in absorbing energy and resisting damage.
Wooden: Wood materials tends to be a great pick if you want you r paddle to be durable as well as low in cost. Not only it can be used heavily but also you can perform better with this.
Aluminum: Core that uses aluminum is found to be heavier and denser. Hence, you can expect such paddle to be strong offering decent control. Nonetheless, these paddles will be loud that might damage the weapon for the shape of honeycomb and nature of metal.
Nomex: Core that uses Nomex material has the lighter paddles in its bag. So, it will offer more control of the ball and paddle. The size of honeycomb will be slightly small so it will help resist damage.
Polymer: This element in the core will be more durable than many of the other materials. However, the minor con is that you will lose some control in exchange for resilience.
Face Material:
Face material is the outer surface of paddles that affect your swing and the ball trajectory.
Graphite: The layer of this material will be thinner but it will make the paddle lighter and stronger.
Composite: Such kinds of paddle are made up of composite material with either carbon fiber or fiberglass hitting surface. Composite paddles are a great option if you want to enrich spin shot on the ball.
Carbon fiber: This material tends to be more durable than other types. However, the measures of durability also become one of the reasons to make the paddle less responsive.
Paddle Length :
There are many paddles that feature shorter handle for longer breadth and width. Then again, there are many of them that feature thinner handles.
Majority of the paddle handles comes in a range of 4 inch to 5 inch long. If you have small or wide hands, then you might pick 4 inch handle paddle. But if you have big hands, then definitely choose 5 inch handle.
Thinner paddle helps offer a good whipping motion, yet you need to be more precise while serving your shot.
But there is a big perk of owning longer paddle. And that is, you can own more reach to strike with added speed. However, the minor con will be the difficulty in its maneuverability.
Edge guard vs. Edgeless
Edge guard refers to the protective guard that sits up around the edge of paddles. It helps in protecting the edge from damaging that is likely to happen for ground hits. That said, there are many people who might still prefer edgeless paddle that lacks this feature. Because, it helps maximize the hitting surface of the paddle. So, it completely depends on your preference that which of the benefits you would like to pick.
USAPA Approved or Not?
The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) developed a ranking system that set specific requirements for pickleball equipment and paddles used in official tournaments. We don't recommend entering tournaments right away if you are a newcomer, but it can give you a head start if you are intended to play in the tournament.
The truth is, there are tons of paddles available with gadgets or upgrades to alter the flow of a match, but this is not accepted by the USAPA, which means you won't get the hang of it. Possibility of relying on these paddles in a rivalry.
Alternatively, you can use a USAAPA approved paddle early on and still understand exactly what an "official" paddle looks like just if a big game comes up.
On the other hand, you don't have to worry about it if you are just playing pickleball for garden sport or a fun hobby.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What do you mean by Sweet Spot?
A: Paddle comes with a sweet spot that refers to the center of the playing surface. It is the area where the paddle will be most beneficial or effective for striking a ball. It is said that the wider the playing surface will be, the bigger the sweet spot. And if you have a paddle with bigger sweet spot then it will be easier to strike the ball back perfectly.
Q: Why ‘wide body’ became so popular in the paddle industry?
A: In general, the official dimensions of the paddle should be on the basis of the length multiplying by the highest width. However, it shouldn’t surpass 24-inch counting edge guard as well. For this, the most mainstream paddle shape that became popular is ‘wide body’. Because, it comes with a measurement of about 8 inch wide by 15.75 inch long.
Q: Why do most of the composite paddles come with overlaying edge guard?
A: Majority of the composite paddles come with an edge guard. Because, this feature helps in maintaining the quality of the cover while keeping the honeycomb core from the getting displayed. If the paddle does not have an edge, it will let the core expose. And if it’s exposed, there is a higher chance of the laminate getting peeled of leading to damaging the paddle. For this, it’s good to have an edge guard over the paddle edges as it will help it last longer.
Q: Should you consider handle length while making a purchase?
A: it will be wise if you think about the handle length before getting one. Because, paddles that come with 5-inch length or longer offer more reach when it comes to ground whacks, extra force on serve and more control on the whole.
Wrap up
If you want to find an ideal paddle, you literally should ask your skill level to yourself. That way, it gets easier to get one that matches your style and experience. This is the reason why we chose the models that will be ideal for different level players. And If you want to avert disappointment, then have a thorough read on the reviews as we have highlighted both the best sides and the worst sides.
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