In the market for a new pickleball paddle? Just started your pickleball journey? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we have outlined the best pickleball paddles for beginners.
If you’re just starting to learn how to play pickleball, there is not much worth investing in a top-range, $150 paddle.
There are various options available on the market for beginners at a reasonable price – providing you with some excellent support on the court.
In addition to this, you’ll find some of the paddles featuring elongated paddle faces, custom grip sizes, and razor-thin edges.
When it comes to playing pickleball, especially as a beginner, having a paddle that is light or medium weight is a more advantageous choice since it’ll be easier to move around with.
With this in mind, this article will explore the 5 best pickleball paddles for beginners, as well as a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you make the right choice.
Let’s get straight into it!
5 Best Pickleball Paddles For Beginners
Below, we have outlined the five best pickleball paddles for beginners.
Here, we have a range of affordable options that are sure to help you improve your skills, as well as some more expensive options if you’re looking to continue this hobby into the future.
A great paddle for beginners is the Rally Tyro 2 Pro. It plays like an expensive paddle without having the expensive price tag attached.
Thus, it provides players with a paddle that contains specifications that rival some of the best on the market.
It contains a medium weight of 7.6-8.2 ounces – making it comfortable for executing impressive shots.
Likewise, the paddle face itself measures 7-¾” providing you with the sweet spot and a large enough area to make all the right shots – great for beginners.
In addition to all of this, the Rally Tyro 2 Pro features their iconic shock-absorbing honeycomb polymer core – allowing players to become more accustomed to ball control, feel, and touch.
The grip length is slightly longer than some other beginner paddles, measuring 5” in length – ensuring players with enough room to grip the paddle with one or two hands if they prefer.
Overall, the Rally Tyro 2 Pro is the perfect tool for beginners.
It will provide you with everything you need to get used to the sport, ensuring you have the resources until you choose to upgrade.
Pros
Large sweet spot – This in addition to the long handle makes it easy to hold the handle and make some impressive shots.
Value for money – You’ll receive all the benefits of an expensive paddle without the expensive price tag.
Honeycomb polymer core – You’re provided with all the control you could need, even when you’re defending touch shots.
Cons
Decal – Some people have found the featured decal to begin bubbling if exposed to weather conditions, such as rain.
Known as one of the best paddles for beginners, this Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball Paddle has been a long-time favorite among novices to the game.
The paddle itself features all of the latest pickleball paddle technology, plus, you don’t even have to worry about breaking the bank.
At the core of the paddle, you’ll find PowerCore technology allowing beginners to master the technique of power, control, spin, and touch.
Weighing a comfortable 7.6-8.4 ounces and measuring a paddle face of 7 ⅝” – this is the ideal paddle for beginners since it contains a comfortable middleweight with a large hitting surface.
One notable feature here is the paddle’s grip length which measures 4 ⅞” long – ensuring that it is both easy to control and hold, with a grip circumference at a comfortable 4”.
In addition to this, the paddle contains a composite face, as well as a polymer honeycomb core.
This ensures that players will comfortably absorb noise/shock while delivering control and pop off the paddle at the same time.
At around $50, the Neo Composite is one of the most reasonably priced paddles – making it an ideal investment for beginners.
Pros
PowerCore technology – This in addition to the composite paddle provides beginners with optimal control of the paddle.
Value for money – It is the ideal investment for beginners that won’t break the bank.
Comfortable – The paddle contains comfortable dimensions making the Neo Composite paddle easy to control and maneuver.
Cons
Flimsy carry bag – Some have noted that the bag it comes with is poor quality and doesn’t contain any pockets.
The next paddle we have on the list is the Selkirk Latitude Composite Pickleball Paddle. This is a great choice for those new to the game.
The beauty of this paddle is that it contains a long handle length, oversized sweet spots, and comes in various colors, too!
If you’re a beginner to an intermediate pickleball player, then you can benefit from this bat.
It is one of the lightest paddles weighing 6.9-7.5 ounces – ideal for beginners to move around with. Plus, the width, measuring 8 ¼” across, is ideal for beginners, as well.
This extra paddle width ensures an enhanced sweet spot, allowing you to easily control the ball.
In addition, the paddle features a Polymer PowerCore – ensuring you can remove some of the stings from those hard shots and control the ball more effectively.
What’s more, the handle length itself is much longer than the average measuring 5 ¼” – with this additional space, players can grip the handle with one or two hands if they prefer.
If you’re looking for a notable and trustworthy brand, then Selkirk is known for only producing the best of the best paddles.
If you purchase this paddle, you’ll be impressed by its quality and how it allows you to improve your skills quickly.
Pros
Perfect for beginners – Wide paddle face, oversized sweet spot, and extra grip length.
Options – There are tons of colors to choose from to help reflect your personality perfectly.
Polymer PowerCore – Removes some of the stings from your opponent's shots.
Cons
Loud – Some people have noticed the paddle face to be notably louder than others when the ball makes contact with the surface.
Another excellent paddle for pickleball beginners is the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle. This paddle is reserved at the top spot when it comes to the best value for money.
Therefore, if you’re looking to invest in something that will last you a while, then you get wrong with this paddle.
If you’re a beginner in the game, this is the perfect paddle to choose from. First, it features the ideal hitting surface with an oversized sweet spot.
Plus, with its medium weight, it is perfect for all aspects of play.
In fact, the paddle itself measures 9-⅛” across the face and weighs between 7.5 and 8.2 ounces.
This ensures beginners as much maneuverability as possible while ensuring the paddle can make impressive connections to the pickleball.
In addition to this, the paddle features a handle measuring 5”, providing you with both comfort and control when getting started.
Moreover, there are eight different colors to choose from – allowing you to purchase something that perfectly reflects your personality.
Plus, it even contains a Nomex core and a graphite face – providing your paddle with plenty of snap and pop. This is great for beginners learning to spin and smash the pickleball ball.
When compared to some of the other paddles on this list, the Onix Z5 is comparatively more expensive. However, if you’re looking for a long-term option, then this is the perfect option.
Pros
Ideal for beginners – Wide paddle face, large sweet spot, and a long grip.
Grow with you – As you develop your skills, you’ll have a paddle that will accommodate this.
Nomex core and graphite face – This provides new players with an enhanced emphasis when leaning to spin and smash the ball.
Cons
Stuck together with electrical tape – The handle grip can become loose over time due to sweat and rain. Therefore, you may need to rewrap the handle.
Another impressive paddle for pickleball beginners is the Champion PolyPro Pickleball Paddle.
This is an extremely durable paddle thanks to it being reinforced with a fiberglass face – making it ideal when it comes to cushioning shots and guaranteeing control in the kitchen area.
The paddle itself is medium weight, weighing between 7.5 - 7.9 ounces. The paddle handle has a grip of 5” with a face measuring 7-¾” across.
Like all the other paddles featured on this list, this makes it ideal for controlling and moving your paddle – great for beginners.
What’s best is that the wide paddle face guarantees an enhanced sweet spot, ensuring you can control and choose your own shots easily and comfortably.
Moreover, the PolyPro’s polymers core makes it ideal for dampening strong opponents' shots, removing some of the power that comes with the force – this is ideal for beginners to the game.
This same core allows the PolyPro to be incredibly durable, meaning that it is sure to last you a long time.
Therefore, if you’re looking for something that can take on some impressive on-court knocks, then you’ve found what you’re looking for.
Pros
Durable – Its featured PolyPro core ensures that any strong opponent's play is dampened. Plus, this helps protect the paddle from wear and tear over time, too.
Value for money – Even though this paddle is targeted at beginners, you’re provided with all the ideal specifications that will keep you going.
Control – Featuring a long handle, medium weight, and a wide face, you’ll have everything you need for advanced on-court movement and control.
Cons
Quality – Some people have found that the quality of the paddle isn’t up to standard.
Now that we have explored all the best pickleball paddles for beginners, let’s now take a deeper look into all the considerations you need to make when deliberating which pickleball paddle to choose.
Material
When looking at the type of material to choose for the best pickleball paddle, there are tons of options to choose from.
For instance, opting for a waddle paddle is much more cost-effective than choosing one made from fiberglass, composite alternatives, or graphite.
That said, while wooden paddles can be fun to mess around with and practice your shots, it is unlikely that they will serve you efficiently if you’re looking to enhance your skills and get more serious in the game.
This is due to the fact that wooden paddles are extremely prone to chipping away at the edges.
Plus, they don’t provide you with the ability to make some of the more intricate shots as a result of the touch, feet, and control of the paddle.
Therefore, when it comes to choosing the best material, we recommend sticking to something that is made from a composite alternative martial, fiberglass, or even graphite.
While these tend to be slightly more expensive, you’ll benefit from their features longer.
In this guide, we provide examples containing all these materials – graphite, composite, or fiberglass face – ensuring you have an easy experience when it comes to choosing the best paddle for you.
What’s more, you’ll want to choose something that contains a durable, strong core. Without one, you’ll be left with a loud and somewhat annoying paddle to handle.
A paddle’s core ensures that any receiving shock is absorbed, plus, it helps to remove any shock from some of the more advanced players, too.
In this guide, most of the paddles come equipped with a polymer core, this is an ideal material to help you get started in the world of pickleball. The best part?
You’ll receive all the benefits of your pickleball remaining quiet throughout the game.
Price
If you’re new to the sport, it is unlikely that you’ll want to break the bank on your first paddle.
Therefore, it is important to invest in something that contains all the features of a durable and efficient paddle without the expensive price tag attached.
The last thing you want is to purchase something that will either break after a couple of uses or completely outgrow you in a couple of months.
Therefore, to avoid this, you should take a look at all our recommendations where we have outlined the best paddles – featuring only the best materials and technology.
And, of course, at an affordable price point, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to choosing the best pickleball paddle, it isn’t as simple as opting for the first one you see on a particular website.
Instead, you’ll want something that will stand the test of time. With the help of our guide, you’re sure to achieve this.
That said, undoubtedly, you’re sure to have some questions, too. That’s why we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to choosing the perfect pickleball paddle for beginners.
What Are The Best Paddles For Beginners?
When it comes to choosing the best paddles for beginners, there are a ton of options to choose from. Some notable brands include Selkirk, Onix, Paddletek, and Rally.
These are all excellent and affordable options that are sure to enhance your skills as a beginner player.
What Are Beginner Pickleball Paddles?
Beginner pickleball paddles are designed for those new to the sport. Unlike pro-paddles, they are more forgiving.
Typically, these feature a larger sweet spot and are slightly heavier to help you generate a stronger shot.
Even though these are marketed to beginners, this doesn’t mean they have to be bad quality.
You can choose an excellent paddle that contains all the features that will help you improve your skills as a beginner.
What Materials Are Beginner Paddles Made From?
Typically, pro paddles and beginner paddles are all made from the same materials. That being said, composite paddles are often heavier.
This is ideal for beginners since it reduces shock in the paddle, generates power, and enhances shots.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a beginner paddle, then choose something made from composite materials (carbon fiber or fiberglass) or even a graphite paddle, such as the Onix Z5.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to playing pickleball, you’ll want to make sure you have the best equipment to help you improve your skill and beat your opponent.
If you are just starting out, chances are you don’t want to splurge, therefore, opt for one of the options featured in this guide instead.
Here, you’re provided with the best pickleball paddles with similar features to the pro-paddles all without the price tag.
Hopefully, this guide has informed you about the best pickleball paddles for beginners.
Hello, I’m Damien Dansel and I have been playing pickleball for almost six years now. It all began in my first year of college when I was drowning in coursework and finals. I needed a stress reliever, but none of the usual suspects were working.
That’s when I saw that the pickleball court was free. I had a paddle, a ball, and a dream, and plenty of stress to unload. I encouraged some of my friends to come and play with me, and eventually, we even started a pickleball club at our college.
I started this site to get more people clued in and excited about pickleball. Please, take a look around and get as excited about this underrated sport as we are!
