How to Choose the Best Pickleball Paddle: A Complete Buyer's Guide

If you walk onto any court in the U.S. pickleball is likely the first thing you'll see. Once a game for retired folks in backyard patios, pickleball has leagues, tournaments, and weekend warriors as one of the fastest expanding sports in the U.S. from every corner of the country. Ask pickleball players what makes an outstanding game, and they'll likely agree — it all starts with a paddle.

Whether you are picking a paddle for the first time, or you're an experienced player looking for a paddle that stands up to the competition, this guide gives you pointers on how to buy a pickleball paddle online. We'll also provide you with information on shopping for pickleball balls, apparel, and accessories to help you create the ultimate pickleball kit.

Why you should consider your paddle a game partner

Paddles are more than just tools of the trade. Poor selection can lead to fatigue, poor shot timing, and an overall lack of control. Quality selection should allow the player to concentrate on strategy and leave the gear in the background.

We understand the importance of paddles, which is why we spend all our resources designing and manufacturing carbon fiber pickleball paddles. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete, you're sure to find the improvement you're after.

Is a Carbon Fiber Paddle Better than Fiberglass for Pickleball?

This is a very common question with 3 main categories: feel, durability, and spin potential.

1. The surface of a carbon fiber paddle is stiffer, therefore having a more consistent surface. This leads to a more predictable ball response and better control of dinks and resets.

2. Fiberglass paddles have a bit more of a soft feel because of flex, but this can lead to less durability.

3. A raw carbon fiber paddle, meaning one that has an unpainted and untreated surface, has a more textured surface that can lead to a better grip and more spin.

If you are looking for a paddle primarily to generate spin, this is a very important factor to consider. Our raw carbon fiber paddle, utilizing our T700 carbon fiber pickleball paddle tech, has a face designed to grab the ball and help you to generate more spin.

Introducing Our Paddle Line-Up

To help everyone, we designed a unique collection of paddles to fit different styles without a one-size-fits-all approach.

ELITE T700 Raw Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle

Designed for players that want a paddle that helps with a tournament level performance, this is our professional paddle. It is designed to help you dominate the court with our stiff and precision rewarding surface.

Prestige T700+3K Raw Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle

By using T700 and 3K carbon fiber layers, the Prestige develops a paddle with both power and touch. This pickleball paddle is for players who want to take control of the pace of the rally, and who want the ability to finish the rally when the opportunity presents itself.

Strykr — Recreational Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle

The Strykr is one of the best lightweight pickleball paddles for players who want an affordable pickleball paddle to learn the basic skills of the game and is a part of our starter set. Additionally, not everyone needs tournament specs on day one.

All three paddles offer USAP approval, meaning they will meet the equipment standards for sanctioned play. You can practice, and be confident, knowing your gear will pass the inspection at an actual tournament.

How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle: The Short Version

With numerous available paddles, the selection can be overwhelming, but consider:

1. Weight: Quick hands and less arm fatigue can be achieved using a lighter paddle (7.3–7.8 oz), whereas a paddle with greater weight can provide additional power.

2. Core thickness: A softer feel and greater control can be achieved with a thicker core (14–16mm) and a thinner core will provide a pop.

3. Surface Material: A larger control area is available using raw carbon fiber, and a more forgiving sweet spot can be achieved using a smoother surface.

4. Certification: If you want to play in sanctioned leagues or tournaments, make sure to check the paddle is USA pickleball approved.

There are great budget-friendly pickleball paddles under $100, and premium quality paddles if you're ready to spend for an edge in competition.

There’s also pickleball balls. The difference matters!

Having a great paddle won’t matter much if your ball is bad. Indoor balls are designed for the lower bounce environments of a gym, hence the larger holes and lighter construction. Outdoor balls have smaller holes, a heavier construction, and a tougher surface to protect them from asphalt and wind. While it's definitely important to have the right ball, using the wrong ball in a setting can ruin your timing and can be detrimental to your paddle.

Building Out Your Pickleball Kit

Having the right ball is only part of your Pickleball setup. Having the right Paddle Tape Grip and protective Neoprene Paddle Covers and other Pickleball accessories, as well as proper Court-side Pickleball Apparel that is light in weight with moisture control will help tremendously with your comfort and performance. So will proper Pickleball Court Apparel, my favourite Pickleball Shirts and Hats. Upgrading your apparel for the long matches of a Round Robin on a Saturday is a worthwhile expense.

If you’re completely new, this pickleball carry bag, two paddles, and two balls bundle is a great way to avoid having to buy items separately.

Shop Local: Konnek Sports, Arcadia, CA

If you're in Southern California, skip the ordering based on guesses from product photos. Konnek Sports specializes in pickleball equipment from their location in Arcadia, CA, and supports players from the greater Los Angeles community and beyond. Konnek Sports is on the same pickleball turf whether you're looking for a pickleball shop in Arcadia CA, pickleball gear statewide in CA, or want to get your hands on a pickleball paddle in Arcadia CA before you buy it.

For players outside the Los Angeles pickleball scene, we offer nationwide shipping to make us your preferred online pickleball store no matter which side of the US you're playing on.

Final Thoughts

Pickleball is a relatively inexpensive sport and doesn't have to be complicated. You first want to choose the paddle that is appropriate for your skill level and style, then get the balls and court accessories to complete your set. This could be your first starter paddle or a premium paddle for tournament play — either way the goal should be to have gear that supports you in your best game.

Shop Konnek Sports to find your gear to level up your game with a paddle, balls, or your favourite new match day outfit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which pickleball paddle should beginners get?

Strykr Recreational Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle is a lightweight and forgiving paddle that beginners should consider to get started with pickleball. As a beginner, you should look for a paddle that is easy to control and fairly cheap, and this paddle will help you with fundamentals before you decide to buy a paddle that is more expensive.

2. Why is T700 carbon fiber paddle different from paddles made from other materials?

Paddles made from T700 carbon fiber will help you placement of your shots more accurately, as the material paddle is made from is stiff and has high strength to weight ratio, meaning that with these paddles it will be easier to control the placement of your shots and create spin with more precision than paddles made from composite materials.

3. Will a spin paddle help you create more spin than a standard carbon fiber paddle?

Definitely. A standard carbon fiber paddle has a smooth surface, meaning that there will be a lower friction when the paddle strikes the ball. The friction of a spin paddle will allow the player to control spin a lot more, which is great for controlling dinks, resets, and slice serves.

4. How do I know if a paddle is approved by the usapa?

Go to the usa pickleball equipment database or the paddles manufacturers page. All of Konnek Sports paddles are approved by usa pickleball so they can be used in sanctioned tournaments and leagues.

5. What are the differences in indoor and outdoor pickleball balls?

Indoor balls are lighter than outdoor balls and have more holes than outdoor balls. A ball with outdoor surfaces is heavier and has less holes than a ball with a indoor surface and is designed to be more durable and withstand harsher outdoor conditions.

6. Do paddles designed for power mean I can't use it for spin?

While paddles can be designed for one or the other, it's very common for power paddles to have a thinner core with a stiffer face while paddles designed for spin have a textured surface made from raw carbon. Balanced paddles, like the Prestige, give players options of both power and spin.

7. Where can I find a website to purchase pickleball paddles?

Paddles can be purchased through konneksports.com as we have a wide selection of paddles and we offer shipping nation-wide. We also have paddles for sale in our Arcadia, CA store location and we welcome visitors.

8. What's a pickleball starter set for beginners?

A starter set comes with two paddles, an indoor or outdoor ball set depending on the location the player will be playing, and a set to hold everything in. Our Strykr Starter Set provides for everything a beginner player needs to get started in the game.