6 Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners — Get Started with Quality Equipment!

Pickleball is a fun and addictive game which allows people of all skill levels to compete and socialize with family and friends while burning off calories. If you are a beginner at this game, you need something special and quality to start with to shorten the learning curve and advance your skills to the next level.

After researching several models on the market and comparing individual features, customer feedback and reviews from experts, we narrowed down to six of the top-rated products. They include Gamma New 2.0 Pickleball Paddle which was our Editor’s Choice for the best pickleball paddle for beginners because it provides the right balance between feel and control and ticks all the boxes when it comes to speed and accuracy.

Among the features we considered during our research are the surface and core materials, weight, surface width, and grip size. The type of material used for the playing surface will impart the power, spin and speed of your shots whereas the core material and the paddle weight will help you to establish the best model that will suit your individual playing style in terms of control, power, maneuverability, and accuracy. As a novice player, a wider width makes the best pickleball paddle for beginners because it maximizes the sweet spot and the playing surface. Finally, getting the right grip size for your paddle will ensure comfortable play. As well as a comprehensive buying guide which expounds the key parameters you should factor in prior to your purchase, our article also features a comparison table and in-depth reviews of each product, including the pros and cons.

Top 6 Pickleball Paddles for Beginners Review 2024

Features to consider while choosing a pickleball paddle for beginners

The following are the most fundamental features that will play key roles in the overall quality of your pickleball game.

Surface material

The playing surface is a key aspect that will impact the quality of your pickleball game. A surface that is responsive and texturized provides sufficient friction that enhances your spin and gives you more control over the ball.

Wood was used to make the first paddle ever and it continues to be the preferred choice for power players because of its heavy weight.

Other materials commonly found on the surface of majority of the models are graphite and fiberglass which have their individual strengths and drawbacks. Graphite is lightweight and it makes a smooth surface which increases response time whereas the texture of fiberglass grips the ball to produce excellent spins and more controlled shots. The Gamma Fusion 2.0 Pickleball Paddle incorporates a hybrid of graphite and fiberglass composite in its playing surface to maximize the benefits of the two materials while minimizing their respective weaknesses.

Some entry-level models feature a polymer surface because it is affordable, lightweight and durable.

Core material

The next important feature you should consider before buying the best pickleball paddle for beginners is the core material. The core influences the strength, responsiveness, feel, and weight of your paddle.

Polymer, Nomex and aluminum are the materials that are mostly used in core construction.

Aluminum such as the one featured in the Refresh Sports Pickleball Paddle comes in honeycomb designs. It is soft and sturdy but light enough to give you more control and make the paddle easy to maneuver. However, it is more prone to dents.

Nomex comes in small honeycomb shapes which have been hardened with polymer resin to make a durable and strong core which is more resistant to damage. It lighter than aluminum, flexible and it offers the best speed and control among the three materials. However, Nomex paddles are the noisiest because they produce a loud “pop” sound.

Paddles made of polymer like polypropylene are the softest and quietest in the market. They are lightweight, resilient and durable, and the soft and flexible foam material has a cushioning effect which absorbs powerful shots from your opponent and generates the right amount of bounce.

As you may have noticed, small honeycombs result in harder cores while large honeycombs such as the ones used to make polypropylene pickleball paddles produce a softer, cushioned core.

New technology used in polypropylene and polymer cores makes these materials a popular choice because it they offer good control and significant power. The Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle and the Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Set have a polypropylene core while the A11N Premium Pickleball Paddle and the Sports Adventure Pickleball Paddle Set use polymer in their core construction.

Average weight

Pickleball paddles come in varied weight ranging from 6 to 14 ounces to accommodate a broader range of playing styles and individual preferences as well as health conditions such as arthritis and tennis elbow.

The best pickleball paddles for beginners are lightweight and mid-weight because they have a high swing speed and precision and their maneuverability makes it easier to control the ball. They also allow you to play for several hours without getting fatigued or incurring elbow and shoulder injuries from inexperienced swings.

Experienced players and novices whose playing style favors power and deflection over control would be most suited by heavyweight paddles that require less effort to generate hard and deep shots.

For the right balance of power and control, consider the products we have featured in this review which are all mid-weight. Their weight ranges from 7 ounces for the Refresh Sports Pickleball Paddle to 8.3 ounces for the Sports Adventure Pickleball Paddle Set.

Surface width

When shopping for the best pickleball paddles for beginners, you will notice that there are more models with a surface width of 8 inches and a length of 15 to 16 inches than paddles which feature a width and length of 5 and 19 inches respectively. Smaller hitting surfaces make for quicker returns while a wider body offers a bigger sweet spot.

On the other hand, paddles with narrow width are advantageous for extended reach in tournaments and high-intensity games.

The official regulation size for paddles approved by USAPA is a maximum of 24 inches. This size is calculated by multiplying the length by the overall width which factors in the surface, the edge guard and the butt cap.

Grip length and circumference

The best paddle for pickleball beginners should feel like an extension of your hand. To find the right model that will comfortably fit in your hand without slipping or straining your wrist, you will need to confirm both the length and circumference of the grip prior to purchasing your intended paddle.

Wrist action improves spin, control and power of your shots. Longer grips offer greater reach and ease pressure off your wrist, elbow and shoulders whereas short grips are better at ball control and accurate shots.

The grip circumference typically ranges from 4 inches to 4.5 inches. Manufacturers indicate grip sizes in their products, based on different heights; 4 inches for players who are up to 5’2″ tall; 4.125 to 4.25 inches for players with a height of 5’3″ to 5’8″; and a grip size of 4.5 inches for 5’9″ or taller pickleball players.

If you are still unsure of the grip size that can match your hand and playing style, consider a smaller grip which you can later pad with an overgrip. An overgrip is a soft and padded fabric-like tape that you wrap around the grip to expand the circumference for a snug and comfortable fit. It also cushions you against vibrations and absorbs sweat to avoid slippage.

Warranty

The length of warranty will depend on the pickleball paddle you will select. Most models, including the Gamma Fusion 2.0 Pickleball Paddle and the Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Set offer a warranty of one year while the Sports Adventure Pickleball Paddle Set offers a full 5-year warranty. The Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle comes with a limited lifetime warranty and the A11N Premium Pickleball Paddle has an added incentive of free exchange, return or refund service within 60 days.

While researching online reviews of the warranty and performance of your prospective paddles, also check out feedback on customer care and other aftersales services. The Sports Adventure Pickleball Paddle Set and the Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Set have earned glowing reviews by buyers for being the best graphite pickleball paddles for beginners with exceptional customer support.

Extra features

Design options: All the models we have recommended come with a protective edge guard which protects the playing surface from chipping and enlarges the sweet spot to reduce mishits and inaccurate shots. The Gamma Fusion 2.0 Pickleball Paddle and the Sports Adventure Pickleball Paddle Set also feature ergonomic sweat-resistant grips. The Refresh Sports Pickleball Paddle is available with either aluminum honeycomb or polyurethane core. The latter is softer than wood and heavier than honeycomb products.

Accessories included: The Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Set tops our list when it comes to accessories. Its package includes two graphite paddles, four balls, one mesh bag for improved portability and storage, and “The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Pickleball” free e-book with rules and tips to get you started in the game right away. Another great choice that comes with multiple goodies is the A11N Premium Pickleball Paddle which can also be purchased in a set of two paddles, two outdoor balls, two indoor balls, a cover, a pickleball overgrip, and a drawstring bag.

Certifications: The best paddles for pickleball beginners have been tested and approved by USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), the national governing body which promulgates official rules, sponsors and sanctions tournaments and ranks players. The Gamma Fusion 2.0 Pickleball Paddle and the Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle boast of this approval which makes them ideal paddles for both beginners and competitive players.

How to play pickleball?

• Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with paddles and a ball that is similar but smaller than Wiffle Ball.
• Pickleball is played in singles or doubles.
• The game begins after a coin toss to decide which side serves first.
• The ball is served diagonally with the paddle below the waist.
• The ball should be served diagonally with an underhand swing, with the paddle below the waist and both your feet behind the back line.
• The serve should clear the net and the no-volley zone and land in the receiver’s playing area.
• The receiver should let the ball bounce once before returning it.
• You score points if your opponent hits the ball out of bounds, fails to return it or volleys it in the marked non-volley zone within 7 feet of the net.
• The game is won when one side reaches a score of 11 with a 2-point lead.

FAQ

Wrapping It Up

The Gamma Fusion 2.0 Pickleball Paddle features a hybrid construction of graphite and fiberglass composite to improve responsiveness of the playing surface and to generate and increase spins with tricky trajectories that will confuse your opponent. The USAPA-approved paddle also comes with a cushioned and perforated grip with a circumference of four inches to suit small hands and wick sweat to avoid slippage.

The Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle is one of the best paddles for pickleball beginners and intermediate players who enjoy lighter models for more control and faster gameplay. It is approved by USAPA and recommended by customers who like the thick core’s ability to absorb and deflect powerful shots. The limited lifetime warranty is the icing on the cake.

The Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Set comes with two graphite paddles, four balls, one mesh bag for improved portability and storage, and “The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Pickleball” free e-book with gaming rules and tips, providing the best graphite pickleball paddle for beginners.