Pickleball is a game that’s played with a pickleball paddle. They make the entire game! 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 size and weight making certain paddles not ideal, since women tend to have smaller hands a pickleball paddle with a long or wide grip can cause hand fatigue. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the best pickleball paddles for women.
All of the paddles you see listed below are excellent choices. I would like to note that even though these paddles are ideal for women if you’re someone, woman or not, who prefers smaller paddles whether it be a smaller paddle overall, a lighter weight, or just smaller grip size these rest assured that these are wonderful options.
It’s Not Just About Gender
As I’m sure you know, there are many people looking for an answer to the questions “What is the best pickleball paddle for men?” and “What is the best pickleball paddle for women?” While I understand where people are coming from I think that’s the wrong way to look at this. The best pickleball paddle for you is the one that has the most comfortable weight and grip size for you.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the latest and greatest pickleball paddles on the market with special features like textured paddle faces, better spin, and even new core technologies. I don’t blame you, I get caught up in them as well because they’re cool. However, buying a paddle should focus on what you need and not “nice to have” features. A Pickleball paddle should fit in your hand well, feels good to swing, and has the right balance and weight.
So that’s my point, we should stop thinking about gender and go back to the fundamentals to make sure you get the right paddle for you.
The Three Things to Look for When Shopping for The Best Pickleball Paddles for Women:
Grip Size
First and foremost, you should be taking grip size into consideration. To do this you should see what the circumference and grip of the handle are of the paddle you’re interested in buying. For the most part, handles are usually either thick or thin. For someone with a small hand, a paddle that has a slim grip and small handle size is the best option.
It gives better control and comfort to players with smaller hands when compared to handles that are extra-thick. Pickleball paddles that have a narrow grip usually don’t require much arm strength to both hold and swing.
I could give you tips on how to measure your hand and compare them to measurements online but I always recommend going out and trying the paddle for yourself. It’s the best way to get your ideal grip size. If the paddle fits in your hand without having to force your hand around it, go for it.
However, if you can’t get to the store to try them out and are shopping online, always opt for the smaller size. This is the best option because grip size can be increased but not decreased. To increase the grip size you can wrap it in thick tape or add a cover.
Paddle Weight
Many women with more physical strength tend to choose paddles that are on the heavier side. However, if you’re not someone who doesn’t have much muscle strength or is not a regular player, I can’t recommend a heavy paddle. They can cause fatigue and even injury.
How efficient you are in a game is going to highly depend on the weight of your paddle. Heavier paddles allow you to use less power when swinging and hitting the ball since the paddle weight provides strength. However, the extra weight will slow you down and sometimes causes wrist and shoulder strain.
On the other hand, lightweight paddles will give you the ability to move quickly. With a lighter paddle, you can play for longer hours allowing you to have more fun. However, with lighter paddles, you will have to use more of your arm strength to hit the ball hard.
You can find several different paddle wights, starting from under 7.5oz to over 8.5oz. Most pickleball paddles that weigh in at around 8oz and below are a good fit for people who don’t play regularly. Yet, I would recommend considering your strength and experience level before choosing a weight.
Experience Level
Another important factor people should keep in mind when looking for a paddle is their experience level, physical strength, and endurance. If you are a professional and competitive player, you should already be aware of what your preferences are and can make the right choice for you. However, women who are just getting into the sport should go for lighter weight or a mid-weight paddle. These kinds of paddles will provide better control and maneuverability during the game.
The Best Pickleball Paddles for Women
No two Pickleball players have the same technique, but there are tons of paddles out there. Here are some of the best pickleball paddles for women to consider when looking for the best pickleball paddle for you!
ONIX Graphite Z5
The ONIX Graphite Z5 paddle is a fantastic choice. It features an excellent touch that allows for more control over the ball. This paddle has a wide body shape to help you hit the ball from different angles.
This paddle has a very comfortable weight, it weighs between 7.5 and 8.2 ounces. It’s easy to move with on the court, all the while you’re staying in complete control. The Z5’s paddle weight ratio also means you can generate significant power when playing smashes.
The next thing you notice when handling the paddle is its large hitting area. The Z5 has an 8-⅛ inch wide face which means it has a large sweet spot. Alongside the large hitting area, the Onix Z5 also has a classic widebody paddle shape, a 5-inch handle length, and a grip size up to 1/8″. This balance provides you with a constant feeling of control while playing on the court.
The Z5 comes in a host of different color options, including green, blue, orange, yellow, red, pink, purple, and white. The Onix paddle itself has a beautiful ‘Z’ screen printed onto its black graphite face. This wide selection of colors means you can pick something to suit your style to either stand out or blend in.
Features that stand out:
- Paddle has a nomex honeycomb core and graphite face that keeps the paddle durable and long-lasting
- Has a large sweet spot that provides ball power, control, and spin
- Paddle costs less than $100, excellent value for money
HEAD Extreme Tour Lite Pickleball Paddle
One of the best pickleball paddles for women, the HEAD Extreme Tour Lite pickleball paddle is HEADs lightest paddle. It’s made from advanced technology and high-quality material. It has a unique diamond shape which gives the user extra control. This shape allows you to dink and lift the ball into the air without fearing of it hitting the ground and causing damage.
The Optimized Tubular Construction is paired with a honeycomb polymer core and carbon graphite surface. The lighter head and spinning technology add more value to the paddle overall. All these features allow the player to have more power and swing without losing control.
A very comfortable grip allows for peak performance. The 4 1/8 inch grip size puts it in the category of the thinnest grip handle pickleball paddles. The 7.2 oz weight is perfect for women who are looking for an extremely light paddle without sacrificing control.
Features that stand out:
- USAPA approved
- Very lightweight paddle
- It uses Optimized Tubular Construction
- Provides great spin
Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle
Many women want a paddle that will give them more control and power without the extra weight that can cause injury. If you’re looking for the same thing, Selkirk Amped Epic paddles are for you!
These pickleball paddles are made with high-quality material and use leading-edge technology!
The face is Fiberflex fiberglass and helps you to play spin shots better. That combined with a thicker Polypropylene X5 Core to absorb the impact gives you more power and a smoother feel when swinging.
It weighs between 7.4 oz to 7.7 oz, has a grip size that’s 4 ¼ inches in circumference. Selkirk Amped Epic paddles are a perfect choice for players with wrist issues, tennis elbow, and for women who want something light and not too big for their hands.
Its large face surface area allows the paddle to have a big sweet spot. They are also protected with edge guard and are approved to be used in tournaments by USAPA.
The Amped Epic paddles come in a host of different color options, including blue, green, red, and purple. The paddle itself is emblazoned with a stunning ‘S’ screen printed onto its face. This wide selection of colors means you can pick something to suit your style to either stand out or blend in. Each color also comes in a lightweight and midweight option.
Features that stand out:
- Shock-absorbing handle
- Large sweet spot
- Fibergalss face
- Approved by USAPA
Frequently Asked Questions
When looking for the best pickleball paddle, 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.
Can a Good Paddle Help a Beginner?
Many things can help beginner pickleball players, and the right gear is essential. You don’t need the most expensive paddle, but you do need a good quality one that won’t break the first time you use it.
As a beginner, you may want to start with a lighter paddle. While it won’t be as powerful, it won’t strain your wrist. Once you start playing more, you can decide if you want a heavier, more powerful paddle.
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.
Are Expensive Paddles Better?
While many expensive paddles are of great quality, they aren’t always the best. You should consider your current paddleball experience and your needs.
Sometimes, paddles are more expensive because they’re thicker and heavier. So if you want something lighter, you may prefer a more affordable option.
Wrapping Up
There are the best pickleball paddles for women! 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 Onix Z5 Graphite 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.
Overall, Onix helps players achieve a fun, dynamic play with this model, and you’ll notice lots of pop when you hit the ball. Lastly, the price makes this pickleball paddle attractive. You can get a well-performing model at a price that won’t break the bank, which many new to the sport will appreciate.
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.