How Long Do Pickleball Paddles Last?

You just spent a nice chunk of change on your new pickleball paddle, and it’s time to get to the courts and put it to the test. You need your paddle to be a trusty partner every time you step between the lines. But how long can you trust your paddle to play at its peak performance, and how can you tell when it’s lost its luster? In this article, the Paddle Experts at JustPaddles will help you identify what to look for when your paddle is on the way out and how long you can expect it to last. 

As the popularity of pickleball continues to skyrocket, so does the research and development, and technology of the paddles. The construction of paddles in just the last few years has improved leaps and bounds, making paddles not only play better but last longer, too. However, at the end of the day, just like any piece of equipment, pickleball paddles are subject to dead spots, fractures, and just overall wear and tear that will affect its performance, putting you on the hunt for a new paddle. This leads us to the question our Paddle Experts get almost daily. 

How Long Do Pickleball Paddles Last?

So, how long should a paddle last? Well, the answer has so many variables. Pickleball paddles nowadays should last you between 1 and 3 years, depending on your game style, how often you play, and how you take care of your paddle between court times.

Here are three of the most important variables when determining how long your next pickleball paddle will last:

1. Pickleball paddle core materials. Keeping in mind that paddles are made of materials meant to keep paddles lightweight and flexible, paddles will naturally break down with repetitive use after 1 to 3 years. The most common pickleball core is a “polymer” core, which is a lightweight and soft plastic-like material that, over time, will begin to deaden with repetitive impact. On top of that is a thin layer of carbon fiber, graphite, or other very thin layers of material that will also start to lose performance after tens of thousands of hits.
2. Frequency of use. We had to state the obvious. A player that uses their paddle once a week and a player that uses their paddle five times a week is going to see different levels of wear and tear on their equipment. For someone stepping onto the court nearly every day, it might be a good idea to have a backup pickleball paddle readily available in case you feel your paddle's performance slipping.
3. Paddle Care. Check out our article on how to clean your pickleball paddle! Don't forget to pamper your favorite piece of pickleball equipment. When you’re done with your matches for the day, slide that paddle into a paddle cover, into your bag, and out of your hot (or cold) car! The clicking and clacking of a paddle just tossed into your bag are not helpful for long-term durability, and the constant temperature changes inside your trunk can wear down the properties of your paddle significantly faster. So when you roll back into your driveway, make sure to bring your pickleball bag inside for maximum longevity of your paddle.

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To recap, pickleball paddles tend to last anywhere from 1-3 years, depending on a variety of factors. And whether you play once a week or you sneak off to the courts every day, it might be a good idea to have a backup paddle in your bag for emergency use. Dead spots or broken paddles can happen in one swing, and if you’re in the middle of a match, that might be the difference between victory and defeat!  If you need more information, give us a call at 1-866-382-3465, email us at experts@justpaddles.com, or utilize our live chat to speak with a Paddle Expert today. We’re JustPaddles, and we’re with you from Click to Court!