Buying Guide: Paddle Shape How To Choose A Pickleball Paddle

At JustPaddles, we want to help elevate your game by finding the best pickleball paddles for you. Below, our Paddle Experts provide a complete guide on how to choose a pickleball paddle. From grip size to the hitting surface and everything in between, read on to learn more.

Paddle Shape

Because pickleball is a newer sport, players have experience with other sports before stepping on the pickleball court. The sport you are coming from will give you a better idea as to which paddle shape could be best for you. Below is a list of the paddle shapes with an explanation of each.

Standard
16” or Less

Dark green illustration of a pickleball paddle with a textured grip. A vertical line on the left indicates its height.

Balanced Control and Power for versatile play
Medium Sweet Spot for consistent performance
Ideal for Beginners and Intermediate Players

Shop Standard

Hybrid
16.1” - 16.4”

Dark green outline of a pickleball paddle with a textured handle. A vertical line indicates its height.

Balanced Reach and Control for versatile play
Moderate Sweet Spot for consistent hits
All Court Power and Speed for all-around performance
Enhanced Maneuverability for quick reactions

Shop Hybrid

Elongated
16.4” or More

A dark green pickleball paddle with a white face and textured grip. A vertical line indicates its height.

Extended Reach for better court coverage
Increased power on drives and smashes
Narrower Design for quick maneuvering
Enhanced Spin with longer surface contact

Shop Elongated

Wide
8” or More in Width

A dark green pickleball paddle with a white face and textured grip. A measurement line indicates its width.

Larger Sweet Spot for easier hits
Better Control for accurate placement
Forgiving Design for fewer mishits
More Power on volleys and smashes
Improved Blocking for defensive play

Shop Wide

The sport you were comfortable with before pickleball can have a major impact on the paddle shape best for you. Below is a breakdown of pickleball paddle shapes and which shape is the best for you.

Tennis — Leveraging their existing skills and athleticism as they transition to pickleball. Tennis players often find an elongated pickleball paddle gives them the most comfort and familiarity to a tennis racquet.
Table Tennis — Table tennis players bring racquet sport skills and quick reflexes to pickleball. A wide-body paddle with a short handle would be a great choice for table tennis players.
Golf/Bat Sports — Typically have strong hand-eye coordination, which is a valuable asset in pickleball. The ability to track the ball, make precise shots, and react quickly is crucial in both sports. A standard-shaped paddle or widebody paddle would be great options for these athletes.

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What is the best paddle on the market right now?

Once you have filtered your search on JustPaddles, our paddles are defaulted to list in the order of most popular. The best paddles on the market right now will depend on who you are asking. Here at JustPaddles, we carry a wide variety of great brands because we realize everybody has their personal preference.

Check out our blog on the Best Pickleball Paddles for an updated list of top pickleball paddles on the courts!

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