Pickleball is a game that’s played with a pickleball paddle. Pickleball paddles are a racquet that is used to hit a ball. You need to have the best pickleball paddle if you want to have the best returning and serving experience. Pickleball paddles range in pricing, and since there are so many of them, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the best pro pickleball paddles.
All of the paddles you see listed below are great for advanced pickleball players. So are you ready to level up your pickleball game? This guide will help you find the best pickleball paddles for advanced players and understand what the best options are for you.
Different Pickleball Paddle Features
The days of finding and using an old wooden ping pong paddle to play a game of pickleball are gone. Today’s pickleball paddles come in sizes, materials, weights, and shapes. It’s important to note that each of these features has some benefits as well as tradeoffs that you should be aware of.
Shapes
As stated previously, pickleball paddles come in a variety of shapes but there are shapes that are more common than others. The most common pickleball paddle shape is the rounded rectangle. Paddles with these shapes have a length of approximately 14 to 16 inches and a width of about 8 inches.
There is a different pickleball paddle shape that is becoming increasingly more popular, the elongated shape. Elongated pickleball paddles have the regular rounded rectangular shape; however, they’re longer than the standard rounded rectangle. These kinds of paddles are usually 17 inches long and 7 inches wide. The different shapes can offer either bigger or smaller sweet spots and can help provide a player have more finesse or power when playing.
Sizes
Size is important when it comes to pickleball paddles. This is because it affects how far you will need to stretch for the ball and the amount of jump the ball will have when it bounces off the face of the paddle. Choosing the right size is going to depend fully on your personal playing style and the type of grip you like.
Materials
In recent years, pickleball paddles have been made from different materials. Back when pickleball first started and up until a few years ago, a lot of pickleball models were made from wood. Wood is sometimes still used today, but it usually has some type of coating to help provide more durability, control, and impact on the ball.
However, players that are more advanced use paddles that are made from better materials like composite, graphite, and carbon fiber. These kinds of paddles also use better materials for the core, like Nomex, aluminum, and polypropylene.
Weight & Balance
Pickleball paddle weights can range significantly, anywhere from 6 ounces to 14 ounces. Pickleball paddles made from newer materials weigh around 6 to 9 ounces. It may seem like a few ounces wouldn’t make a huge difference, but you’d be surprised. When you swing the paddle to hit the ball countless times during a match, you’ll definitely notice the difference those few ounces can make.
Balance is another essential feature of pickleball paddles. You may find that some pickleball paddles are heavier towards the top, while others are heavier towards the bottom by the grip. Paddles that are balanced offer equal weight distribution in the middle of the paddle.
I want to quickly go over with you why balance is important. When you swing the paddle, the heavier side usually leads the shot. Meaning if the paddle is not balanced where you think it is, your shot may not go where you want it to. Don’t worry, though; it’s easy to check where a paddle is balanced. To check, lay your paddle horizontally over a few fingers. Wherever you place your fingers on the paddle and the paddle doesn’t tip shows where the center of the paddle is. If your fingers have to be placed at the top for this to happen, then the paddle is top-heavy. If your fingers are more toward the bottom of the paddle, then it’s bottom-heavy.
The Best Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players
Here are some of the best pickleball paddles for advanced players.
Selkirk Invikta Amped Pickleball Paddle
If you’re looking for a great competition-level pickleball paddle, Selkirk is known for making top-notch paddles that are loaded with some of the best features and materials around. With the Selkirk Invikta Amped Pickleball Paddle, you get awesome specs like a Polypropylene X5 Core, FiberFlex facing, and a large sweet spot that delivers excellently. It features FiberFlex surface and a polypropylene honeycomb core. One thing I love about this Selkirk model is that it comes in a lightweight and midweight option. On top of that, it also offers three different grip sizes. The lightweight version ranges from 7.3 – 7.7 ounces, and the midweight version ranges from 7.9 – 8.3 ounces. The heavier weight is a great option for those looking to add extra power.
Paddletek Bantam TS-5 Pro Composite Pickleball Paddle
The Bantam TS-5 Pro is a staple from Paddletek. You may not know this, but it’s one of their best-selling pickleball paddles. The Paddletek brand has been around since 2012. The Bantam TS-5 has a slightly wider playing surface than traditional paddles. This creates a large sweet spot which will give you consistency with all of your shots.
The paddle has an updated and thick polymer core that puts real strength in your shots without having to use additional force. The design of this paddle is truly legendary; it gives you an unbeatable playing experience and power without having to deal with any kind of lags and delays.
I also really like the extra-thick cushioning that’s on the grip. It truly stays comfortable in the hand when you’re playing longer games. Overall, this is a good quality and reliable paddle that is popular among advanced Pickleball players.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Another pickleball paddle best seller is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. The paddle was designed with unmatched accuracy and optimal user experience in mind. That’s why I love this paddle so much, you truly do get a cutting-edge gaming experience with optimal precision.
The sweet spot is consistent and large. It sits in the middle of the paddle, which allows you to hit back on the pickleball ball without having to worry about it slipping to the side. The surface of this pickleball paddle is graphite, and it also features a high-quality, high-tack sweat resistance grip.
I would like to mention that this paddle is USAPA approved, overall quiet, and weighs between 7.7 to 8 oz. This is one of my favorite advanced pickleball paddles.
Paddle Features to Keep in Mind
Here are some other features to keep in mind as you search for the right pickleball paddle for you.
Weight
If there’s one vital feature that you should pay attention to it’s weight. Weight determines how the paddle feels when you’re holding it, and it affects how well you swing.
Pickleball paddles can range significantly in this area, from anywhere from six to fourteen ounces. Lightweight paddles are those under 7.3 ounces, while medium ranges from 7.3 ounces to 8.4 ounces. Anything over 8.5 is considered heavy.
Grip Size
Every pickleball player’s goal is to take accurate, controlled shots, and finding the right grip is paramount to achieving that goal.
There is some debate about long vs. short grips. You’ll hear that longer grips offer more stability, while shorter grips deliver greater control. But in our humble opinion, the grip should be neither too long nor too short. For most people, a good rule of thumb is that it be roughly the same size as your palm and comfortable to hold.
Paddle Width
The paddle’s width is another feature to consider, as it influences how well you can hit the sweet spot. In most cases, paddle width should not exceed twenty-four inches.
Edge Guard
Some pickleball paddles have edge guards or protection for the edge of the paddle against chips and damage. Most people prefer medium-sized edge guards, though others go with large sizes, which increase the hitting surface. The trade-off with large edge guards is that the pickleball paddle’s weight increases, which may not be something you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
When looking for the best beginner pickleball paddles, you may have a few questions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or have some pickleball experience. You should learn as much as you can about paddles.
Here are some common paddle questions.
How Long Do Paddles Last?
The lifespan of a paddle depends on the materials and construction. If the paddle’s interior is thin and the exterior is too smooth, your paddle may not be good for long-term use. However, it can be good to get you started.
You should also consider that the area between the paddle and the handle is crucial. That can be a weak spot on a lot of paddles, and that can cause your paddle to break even when the surface is still usable.
If possible, feel the paddle and inspect the edges and the handle. Then, you can determine if it’s durable enough to last through many games.
What Paddles Give You More Power?
Heavier paddles have the most power. While lightweight paddles can be easier to hold and maneuver, they won’t be as strong.
You can also look for super-heavy-weight paddles for even more power. But if you just need an average amount of that, you can get a medium-weight paddle.
What Paddles Offer More Control?
While a larger paddle is more powerful, you may sacrifice control. Smaller and lighter paddles are better for players who need to respond quickly in a game.
You should look for a lightweight or medium-weight paddle for more control. A smaller head can help reduce the overall weight, so you can have more control over your shots.
How Should You Hold Your Paddle?
While playing, try to keep your paddle near your chest. That will help improve your reaction time, so you can make more shots early on.
You should also consider stretching before you play. Many pickleball injuries are preventable by warming up. Start by walking or jogging around the court, then stretch out your wrists and arms to help avoid fatigue.
Make sure your paddle feels comfortable and secure in your hand. If the handle feels too short, you may not have the best pickleball paddle for you. It shouldn’t feel like you have to strain to hold the paddle securely.
Wrapping Up
There are the Best Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players! Of course, you might be wondering what our top pick would be. While the competition on this list is close–and you can’t go wrong with any of the options listed–we do feel that there is one model that stands slightly above the rest. Our top pick would have to go to the Selkirk Invikta Amped Pickleball Paddle.
It has several features that we think are useful for players of all ability levels. For one, we like the core and face material and the price. Then there’s the comfortable weight, wide sweet spot, and control and power, all of which are characteristics that pickleball players look for in a paddle.
If you’ve found the information in this article useful and you’re ready to buy the best pro pickleball paddle, you can find it here.
Looking for more? Here are some other articles I put together:
Learn: About Pickleball, Why is it Called Pickleball?, Basic Pickleball Rules, Pickleball Court Dimensions, What is Pickleball?, Pickleball Singles vs Doubles – Strategies and Rules, Pickleball Strategy – Advanced, and What is the Most Aggressive Shot in Pickleball!
Equipment: What Type of Pickleball Paddle is Best?, Best Pickleball Shoes, Learn More About Pickleball Equipment and Where to Buy It, Best Pickleball Clothes for Men and Women, Best Pickleball Accessories And Must-Have Gear, and Best Pickleball Paddle.