Best Pickleball Paddles 2021 - Updated Buyers Guide
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America. As more people flock to this fun, social game it can be difficult to keep up with all the newest pickleball equipment. This buyer’s guide to the best pickleball paddles of 2021 will focus on beginner to intermediate players. Once you start playing pickleball regularly your game will grow and you will figure out what type of player you are. Once you determine that you will want to get a higher-end pickleball paddle to complement your game. There will be a small section at the end with some of our favorite higher-end paddles.
Best Pickleball Paddles 2021 for Beginners
First off, if you have never played it doesn’t matter what paddle you use. Just get out there with a friend and play, like so many of us once you play you’ll be hooked. Pickleball is such a fun and social game it attracts players of all ages. In fact, we recommend borrowing a paddle the first couple of times you play. If this is not an option here are a couple of beginner sets and paddles that you should look at.
Beginner Pickleball Paddle Sets 2021
Best Overall
Slightly More Expensive
Good All-Around
Least Expensive
Pros:
- Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (over 3,000 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Carbon Fiber Surface
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Price < $70 for two paddles with covers
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Pros:
- Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (over 2,500 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Graphite Carbon Fiber Surface: better conrol and feel
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Well Balanced
- Price < $80 for two paddles, case, & balls
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Pros:
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars (over 1,200 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Smooth Graphite Surface
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
- Price < $60 for two paddles with covers and balls
Pros:
- Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars (over 1,700 reviews)
- Durable
- Inexpensive
- 1 Year Warranty
- Price < $25 for 2 paddles, carry bag, and balls
- Skill level: Beginner
Best Beginner to Intermmediate Pickleball Paddle 2021
Best Overall
Our Favorite
Good All-Around
Less Expensive
Pros:
- Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (over 2,000 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Graphite Face
- Nomex, Honeycomb Core
- Widebody Shape
- Designed for Control
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Price < $90
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Pros:
- Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (over 300 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Fiberglass Face
- 4X Honeycomb Core
- Balance of Power and Control
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Price < $80
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate and beyond
- Made in USA
Pros:
- Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars (over 800 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Fiberglass or Graphite Face
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Price < $75
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Pros:
- Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars (over 3,000 reviews)
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Carbon Fiber Surface
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: protects paddle
- Price < $50
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Best High-End Pickleball Paddles
When you get to the High-End paddles you should have a good understanding of your game and get a paddle that compliments it. You cannot go wrong with any of these, there are some major and minor differences however these are all designed for speed and control.
Slim Design Solid Feel
Control and Touch
Best Vibration Control
Great All Around Paddle
Pros:
- 5 Star Rated
- Designed for speed and control
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Carbon Fiber Edgeless Face
- Slim Frame
- Solid Core Technology
- Price < $200
- The same paddle used by many pros
Pros:
- 5 Star Rated
- Designed for speed and control
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Textured Graphite Face
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: Protects Paddle
- Price < $200
- The same paddle used by many pros
Pros:
- 5 Star Rated
- Good for players with tennis elbow
- Designed for speed and control
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Diamond Frost Testure Coated Graphite Face
- Honeycomb Core
- Replaceable Edge Guard: Protects Paddle
- Price < $200
- The same paddle used by many pros
Pros:
- 5 Star Rated
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
- Carbon Fiber Surface
- Honeycomb Core
- Edge Guard: Protects Paddle
- Price < $200
- The same paddle used by many pros
The Next Pickleball Steps
Now that we covered some of the basics for what pickleball paddle to buy, it’s time to get out there and start having some fun. Check out our pages on how to play and pickleball strategy to get your game up to speed.
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