If you are a beginner or intermediate pickleball player and want to know how to choose pickleball paddles, improving your skills should be your goal. Choosing a paddle that is both comfortable for an introduction to the sport and strong enough to enhance your gameplay over time is therefore essential. Once you have read our article and understand what factors to look for in a Pickleball paddle then take a look at our Reviews Of The Best Pickleball Paddles.
When selecting a pickleball paddle, you should consider important aspects, such as:
Table of Contents
The Pickleball Paddle’s Weight
Your speed and swing are directly affected by the weight of your paddle. Standard paddle weights are;
Light-Weight Paddle: 6.7 to 7 ounces
The best paddle for beginners and those with medical conditions affecting the wrist and arm is a lightweight paddle. Lightweight paddles are easy to maneuver and offer more control.
Mid-Weight Paddle: around 7.5 ounces
Mid-weight paddles are popular with most players since they provide a good balance between power and control.
Heavy-Weight Paddle: 8.3 ounces plus
Paddles of heavy weight are best suited for strong people. Even though they have excellent power, they are less controlled and can cause wrist or arm injuries after extended usage.
Different Materials Used in Pickleball Paddles
Pickleball paddles come in a variety of materials for the core and face. Stability and weight are provided by the inner part or core, while weight reduction is provided by the honeycomb pattern.
Pickleball balls make contact with the outer part or face of the paddle and is made from a polymer, aluminum or Nomex. The Nomex paddle offers good control, but it does not provide much power and tends to be loud.
Paddles made of polymer are softer, quieter, more powerful, but provide less control. A paddle made of aluminum is denser and offers less power but excellent control.
Fiberglass, carbon fiber, or graphite are the facing materials. Fiberglass is the most widely used and provides the most power. In spite of its durability, graphite offers medium control and less force.
In addition to being tough, durable, and powerful, carbon fiber has excellent control.
The Pickleball Paddle Grip
Different pickleball paddles have different thicknesses and circumferences, and the rim size is determined by your hand size. You need a larger circumference if your hand is large, and vice versa.
When a paddle has the wrong circumference, it will be difficult to grasp and control. The ideal grip size will depend on your height. Try the small grip size (4 inches) if you’re about 5 feet 2 inches tall.
The medium grip size (4 1/4 inches) is suitable for people between 5 foot 2 inches and 5 foot 8 inches tall. The large grip size (4 1/2) is best for individuals taller than 5 foot 9 inches.
Paddle Edge Guard
Edge guards are optional, so you can choose whether to use one. They protect your paddle in case you drop it during play or hit the surface of the court while playing a shot.
Even though edgeless paddles come with protective tape, it is less effective than an edge guard.
Conclusion
Knowing how to choose pickleball paddles is crucially important if you want to enjoy playing pickleball and want to get better at the sport over time. We hope that our article has given you the information that allows you to choose the best Pickleball paddle for you.
