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If you've recently caught the pickleball bug, we know exactly how you're feeling right now. You thought the rules were easy to understand, and you loved that you were playing your first match within minutes of being on the court. You had a blast and want to play more. But your friend's loaner pickleball paddle felt weird - so you've decided to purchase the best pickleball paddle and head to Google and key in "beginner pickleball paddles."
And BOOM. A wall of search results fills your screen. You now have a ton of questions and choices to make. You’re looking for the best pickleball paddles for beginners, but you’re lost and unsure how to choose a pickleball paddle for beginners! Should you choose graphite paddles over fiberglass? What is dinking? What is a honeycomb core? Middleweight paddle or heavyweight? What's the right grip circumference? If only selecting the right paddle was as easy as learning the rules of the sport, right?
Don't stress. The Paddle Experts at JustPaddles have created this comprehensive resource for beginners, covering everything you need to know about pickleball equipment for beginners. In this article, our experts quickly show you three important components of a paddle to look at before purchasing, then we'll shift gears and break down the best pickleball paddles for beginners. These paddles are in no particular order and are all fantastic options for a first-time player. We also have an entire guide on how to play pickleball as well as the best pickleball starter sets, but for now, let's jump right in.
Best Beginner Pickleball Paddles
Key Features
- Paddle Weight: 8.0 - 8.2 oz
- Paddle Face Material: T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
- Grip Size: Standard - 4 1/4"
- Core Thickness: 13mm
Why It Made The List
While it's a fantastic entry point for a new player, the SweetSpot MAXX is made to perform at any level. Its T700 Raw Carbon Fiber face provides the kind of spin and "bite" on the ball that you usually only find in paddles twice this price. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your current setup, the value here is simply unmatched.
ProXR delivers the performance—JustPaddles delivers the price. Get premium ProXR pickleball paddles, paired with unheard-of savings on their top-tier models. Shop the deals below and level up your game for less!
Vulcan V940 Middleweight Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
Key Features
- Paddle Weight: 7.8 - 8.2 oz
- Paddle Face Material: Carbon Fiber
- Grip Size: Standard - 4 1/4"
- Core Thickness: 13mm
Why It Made The List
We currently have the V940 at such a great deal that it’s a "no-brainer" for any player. It bridges the gap between a starter paddle and an advanced model perfectly. Its extended handle is a massive win for those just starting out, giving you a bit of extra reach and more room to find your most comfortable grip. If you want a paddle that is going to grow with your game, the V940 is the way to go.
We’ve marked down the highest-performing Vulcan pickleball paddles to prices you have to see to believe. Shop for savings below and power up your game today
JOOLA Journey Middleweight Composite Pickleball Paddle
Key Features
- Paddle Weight: 7.8 oz
- Paddle Size: Standard 15.8” x 7.8”
- Paddle Face Material: Multi-Layer Composite
- Grip Size: Thin - 4”
- Core Thickness: 10mm
Why It Made The List
With many different color options and advanced technologies in all of their paddles, JOOLA brings performance pickleball paddles to any level of player. Utilizing advanced technologies in all of their paddles, JOOLA brings performance pickleball paddles to any level of player. JOOLA’s top players have made their mark on the game with the JOOLA Journey, and now you can begin your own path to stardom!
PROLITE Bolt Middleweight Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
Key Features
- Paddle Weight: 7.4-8.0 oz (midweight paddle)
- Carbon Fiber Surface (paddle face material for control - also has a brushed polycarbonate texture for gripping the ball)
- Grip Size: 4” (popular size, but thin)
- Core Thickness: 10 mm (thin core, which helps with power)
Why It Made The List
The best pickleball paddles can sometimes be pricey for a beginner, but often when the price point starts to get low, so does the quality. That's not the case with the PROLITE Bolt - it's one of few paddles that let beginners take their game to the next level, at the right price point.
Key Features
- Paddle Weight: 8.0 - 8.2 oz
- Paddle Face Material: T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
- Grip Size: Standard - 4 1/4"
- Core Thickness: 13mm
Why It Made The List
The Quadra is a bit of a "cheat code" for hand speed. Because it’s an edgeless design, it cuts through the air with way less resistance, which is a massive advantage when you're caught in a fast-paced volley battle at the kitchen. We also love that it doesn't skimp on grit. The T700 Raw Carbon Fiber face gives you all the spin you need to keep your drives and drops under control. To get this kind of technology and quality at this price point is a rare find.
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Pickleball Paddle Buyer's Guide for Beginners
Let's look at three of the main factors to consider before purchasing a paddle after checking out our list of best beginner pickleball paddles: the weight of the paddle, the role of two materials, and grip sizes.
Pickleball Paddle Weight
When you first picked up a paddle, you might have been surprised at how light it was - most pickleball paddles will be in the range of 6 to 14 ounces. Arguably, the most important decision you'll make when selecting a paddle is deciding what weight to select.
Why is a Paddle's Weight Important?
From a performance perspective, the paddle's weight influences power and control. Weight can either help or hurt your game. A heavier paddle will add power to your game, but it can give you less control of your shots. And you guessed it, lighter pickleball paddles will give you more general control of your shots, but at the expense of power - without a certain level of power, you won't even be able to control your shot.
Pickleball Paddles Are Classified Into Three Weight Classes
- Lightweight Pickleball Paddles: Roughly 7.5 ounces and below
- Midweight Pickleball Paddles: Between 7.5 ounces and 8.4 ounces
- Heavy Pickleball Paddles: Greater than 8.5 ounces
Pickleball Paddle Materials
There are endless combinations of materials used in making pickleball paddles - and different materials for different parts of the paddle. The grip, the handle, the edge guard, etc. To simplify, we will focus on the materials of the paddle surface and core since they represent the clearest impact on play.
What Are Paddle Surfaces made of in Pickleball?
The most commonly used materials for paddle surfaces today are carbon fiber, composite and graphite. Due to the prevalence of composite and carbon fiber, it's where you should primarily focus as a newcomer.
What's the Difference Between Fiberglass and Graphite Pickleball Paddles?
Regarding playing, fiberglass leans more towards power, whereas graphite is closer aligned to control and finesse.
Graphite Paddles:
- Incredibly strong
- Lightweight
- Rigid structure spreads impact throughout the paddle
Composite Paddles:
- Heavier weight
- Have more give to them
- Absorbs, then slingshots power
- Highest performance paddles
- Gritty surface to add texture to paddles
- Used by all professional players
What is the Core of a Pickleball Paddle?
There are a few options for core materials:
- Nomex
- Aluminum
- Polymer
- Foam
Nomex core can add extra power to play, but the most popular core material in use today is polymer, sometimes referred to as polycore or polypropylene core.
Should a Beginner Choose a Thick or Thin Paddle Core?
A thinner core is going to create more power than a thicker core. For beginners, a thicker core is going to give you more control and create a bigger sweet spot, which is great for adding forgiveness to where the ball hits your paddle.
For anyone new to pickleball, it's recommended to choose a paddle with a thicker core.
Pickleball Paddle Grip Sizes
Grip size, also referred to as grip circumference or grip thickness, is the measurement around the base of your grip and one of the areas you'll want to give some thought to.
Every paddle manufacturer will list the circumference of their grips, which makes it easy to compare options. You'll have a lot of options on this front too: the most common sizes you'll run across will range from 3.875" to 4.25", increasing in increments of one-sixteenth inches.
Don't sleep on grip size as one of our paddle experts explains why it's one of the most important features!
What is the Recommended Grip Thickness for a Beginner?
Grip size is a matter of personal preference and what feels comfortable in your hand.
That said, there are a few common trends that can help you make an informed decision.
- The most commonly purchased grip sizes are 4" and 4 1/8" - this size provides a lot of room for players to customize the thickness with tape to fit their hand perfectly
- Err on the side of small if you aren't sure - you can also build up.
- JustPaddles offers 30-Day Paddle Assurance, so you can test the right grip and get it right the first time.
JustPaddles has a great resource for all the factors discussed above - even a chart that looks at your height and provides a recommendation on the best-fitting grip size. If you need more details, head over to the Pickleball Paddle Resource Guide.
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Additional Resources For Selecting The Best Pickleball Paddle for Beginners
You now know how to evaluate a paddle. You also know the 5 best paddles for beginners. But guess what? There are many other "best" pickleball paddles for beginners, which ultimately comes down to what's best for you. If you want to get a more personalized paddle recommendation, check out the Paddle Coach. Answer a few questions and get a custom recommendation in just a few clicks.
And, of course, JustPaddles is always ready to help you find the perfect fit as well. Contact the Paddle Experts via email at experts@justpaddles.com, call/text 866-382-3465, or you can click here to live chat at justpaddles.com.
