Are you just starting out and looking for a good paddle for beginner pickleball players? You may not be ready to spend a lot of money, but we understand that you probably want a decent paddle.
There are several other top-rated options that we have reviewed for you below. This Paddle Pickleball Champion has also been one of the best-selling paddles on the market, and it is a reliable pick.
If you are a beginner, our honest opinion is that those options may not be the best for you, since starting out with features that you probably don’t need can end up costing you. With the rapid growth of pickleball, there are so many new paddles being launched, which can make the choices overwhelming.
So, we’ve come up with a top list of beginner paddle choices to help you narrow down your options, along with detailed reviews to find the budget and playing style that fits you best.
If you want to improve your game before the hit, Mike Branon’s practical and short series part 4 has some quick advice and tips for you.
Factors to Take into Account
Price
Currently, we sell pickleball paddles anywhere between $10 and $150. On our list of options, we have the greatest and latest paddles, but they are not the cheapest. Also, the cheapest paddles are not on our list. We have reviewed all beginner paddles here, which fall in the “mid-range” price spectrum.
Please continue reading further, this compilation is ideal for you… Not necessarily the best but a paddle of good quality that you desire… As you progress, you can use a paddle that suits your preferences if you intend to play pickleball on a somewhat regular basis.
If you are specifically looking for a cheap paddle, click here to see a list of affordable options that are under $30. However, if you’re trying out pickleball for the first time and you’re not even sure if you’ll be playing it for a long time, make sure to keep your low budget in mind.
Material
This list is intended for beginners, as it showcases the limits of what pickleball brands can offer with the use of specially textured faces and vibration-canceling cores in some high-end aircraft-grade composite paddles. We have excluded all cutting-edge technology paddles.
Enhance your topspin, “fluid graphite” is not necessary if you are still striving to get the ball across the net. Costly extras, many requirements that you may not truly consider, but these aspects can provide advantages for more experienced players.
Protective Edge Cover
Players often accidentally scrape their paddles on the ground when returning shots. To protect the paddle from normal wear and tear, all of these paddles have a protective guard around the edge. It also allows you to slam it on the ground without causing any damage.
If you’re interested in learning more about the design, I suggest reading this article. However, it’s not typically advised for beginners to use paddles without edges.
Weight
The weight is the most crucial purchasing factor in this range.
Drives long, especially shots from the baseline, will be enhanced by adding paddles that are heavier, which will give your shots an extra boost of power.
Engaging in play near the net, engaging in delicate shots and employing a slower strategy in the kitchen area can be advantageous when handling and maneuvering paddles that are lighter in weight.
If you do not have any injuries, especially arthritis or tennis elbow, you should be able to handle a heavier paddle. However, if you have any issues mentioned above, go for a mid-weight paddle somewhere in the range of 7.3 to 8.4 ounces.
Size of the Handle
If you are looking for a more detailed guide to buying your first paddle, please consider our complete pickleball paddle buyer’s guide. Here is a quick and easy way to determine the size of grip based on your height. When in doubt between two paddles, it is recommended to go for the smaller one of the two. We have listed the size of grip for each paddle. It is also important to select a grip size that fits your hand.
Versix Professional 6c
Sight at Pickleball Central.
In volley battles near the net, the well-balanced swing weight allows for quick movements and easy positioning. From the back baseline, it still provides a decent amount of force, although it may not solely focus on power. Players can maintain control during intense matches with the Versix Pro 6c, which is surprisingly maneuverable despite weighing 8 ounces. Even on off-center hits, minimal vibrations occur due to its forgiving nature and large sweet spot, along with effective dampening. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners looking for control, and transitioning to this paddle feels natural while providing consistent feedback. Unless you consistently mis-hit, slight texture inconsistencies on the left side have minimal impact on gameplay. The textured surface allows for easy slicing and topspin generation, enhancing ball spin. Despite appearing to be geared towards beginners, the Versix Pro 6c pickleball paddle exceeds expectations in performance, and it is offered at an affordable price of $84.
Check out our comprehensive Versix review.
Crown Symbol 12mm
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Paddle this loved students intermediate My. Control and power of terms in rounded well very and forgiving quite be to Icon the found I. Paddle the of responsiveness and feel the to used getting After. Guard edge replaceable piece three its to face on coating polyurethane RP” “Spin its to from unique very be to Icon the found I. Diadem the Diadem the to stranger no is Diadem. World tennis and pickleball the toOutput: I found the Icon paddle to be very well-rounded and forgiving, providing excellent control and power for intermediate students like myself. After getting used to its responsiveness and feel, I discovered that the Icon paddle has a unique polyurethane RP coating on its face, which gives it a very distinctive spin. Diadem is no stranger to the world of tennis and pickleball.
This paddle is an exceptional choice for intermediate to beginner players who want a smooth transition into a more rounded paddle. I would say that I feel surprised at the amount of control and power this paddle offers, especially considering its thin core. The Icon paddle consistently generates spin at around 1400 RPM, which is great.
Check out our comprehensive review of Diadem Icon.
Selkirk Evo Control Max 2.0
Sight at Pickleball Central.
The paddleball 2.0 Max Control Evo Selkirk is an innovative addition to the Selkirk paddle lineup, designed to provide exceptional precision and control. It incorporates a few new features in this new version, building upon the success of its predecessor, the Max Control Evo. The paddle is crafted using a high-quality core honeycomb polypropylene, known for its responsiveness and durability, which enhances the feel and responsiveness while maintaining control of the ball.
Undoubtedly, it features a lively and attention-grabbing graphic design on the front. The Selkirk Evo Control Max 2.0 exhibits a smooth and contemporary appearance in terms of design. When compared to more expensive options, I observed differences in the quality of components upon closer inspection (refer to the complete review for specific details). I was intrigued by how they managed to achieve such affordability with a price tag of $100. Nonetheless, this appears to be an isolated flaw as I have never encountered it with any other Selkirk paddle, even though Selkirk is well-known for their exceptional craftsmanship.
Check out our comprehensive review of the Selkirk Evo Control Max 2.0.
Prince Pro Response
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If you are only playing doubles and you don’t plan on hitting the ball hard, maybe you should go with the lighter option. I would recommend the middleweight option with a standard grip for almost everyone, but there are also a few different weight options depending on your playing style. One of the reasons why the Pro Response undoubtedly has an oversized sweet-spot is because the pros use it. It is ironic that they were the first to create such a big sweet-spot on a tennis racket and now they have a patent on it. This gives them a great advantage and insight into what consumers really care about. If you haven’t heard of sports racquets since the 70s, then you probably haven’t heard of Prince either.
If you want to have fun, there are plenty of colors to choose from. If Simone Jardim chooses the Pro Response, I think it will make her feel safe and she can achieve a historic triple crown victory. The long handle allows Leigh Anna Waters to have a two-handed backhand. Usually, when I plan to hang out in the kitchen and play the soft game, I would look for a graphite material on the surface. The Pro Response actually has one significant advantage, which is a thick polymer core, rather than the usual expectation of a fiberglass face.
Check out our comprehensive Response Pro review.
Selkirk Omega Max
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The paddle feels consistently smooth and allows me to maintain a steady spin, resulting in blemish-free remains. Although the design features an edgeless rim, it still provides added protection for the tape. The coating is impressively tough. Despite intense hitting sessions, there are no signs of wear, and the finish is sturdy. I can confidently say that the paddle feels exceptionally well-made. However, my arm is sore after hitting over 300 balls with it, so I must commend its quality build consistently in terms of Selkirk.
The paddle initially gives a positive impression with its lightweight and maneuverable design. However, during testing, I found that the paddle lacks some functionality despite its fashionable appearance. The low swing-weight and head-light balance of the paddle can cause a reduced power and responsiveness, resulting in a decreased impact on the ball. On the bright side, the aerodynamic design of the paddle provides a less fatiguing and comfortable experience for the wrist and hands.