Is Having 2 Pickleball Paddle Types a Good Idea?

TL;DR: Having two pickleball paddle types is a smart idea. It provides a backup in case of damage, adapts to your changing play style, and suits different game situations, such as singles versus doubles.

Main Points:

• A backup paddle ensures uninterrupted play if your primary paddle breaks or wears out.
• Different paddles help accommodate evolving playing styles (e.g., power vs. control).
• Certain paddles perform better in singles or doubles matches.
• Choosing a second paddle depends on your specific needs and playing goals.

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One of the truly great things about pickleball is the low barrier to entry. It’s not like ice hockey, golf, or any other sport requiring lots of expensive equipment to play.

As long as you have some very basic gear — a paddle, pickleball shoes, and a ball — you’re ready to step onto the court. That’s a big part of why pickleball has become so popular in recent years. Pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in 2022 and continues to attract more and more players.

That said, there’s a difference between the basics and the full range of available options for pickleball equipment. For example, you don’t need pickleball grips or grip tape to play your next game, but they could help you get better control of your paddle.

Similarly, you only truly need one paddle to play pickleball. However, having more than one type of pickleball paddle on hand can help you adapt to different conditions, develop your playing style, and always be ready for your next game. Let’s take a closer look.

Why Should You Have More than 1 Pickleball Paddle Type?

There are plenty of good reasons why players keep more than one type of pickleball paddle on hand. These include:

Having a Backup Paddle Ready to Go

Pickleball paddles generally last for about 6-12 months with regular play. Sometimes, players notice a slow drop-off in their paddle’s performance. They can keep using the paddle, but it doesn’t offer the power or control that it used to.

In other situations, pickleball paddles have a sudden failure. The edge guard may break or the paddle face might separate from the handle. In these cases, your day on the court is done unless you have a backup paddle.

Whether a paddle is slowly declining or breaks all at once, having a backup paddle helps you keep playing without any interruptions.

Changes in Playing Style

As you practice and play, it’s only natural for your playing style and on-court strategy to change. Some players may move from a more control-focused style to one that emphasizes power, or the opposite, for example.

Having more than one paddle on hand can make it easier to keep developing as a player. If you’re leaning toward more power in your game, you could buy a paddle designed for power players and keep your current balanced or control-focused paddle as a backup.

Different Playing Situations

Many advanced pickleball players have different types of paddles on hand to deal with different types of games and various weather conditions that affect performance.

Even if you’re not at a point where you want to keep many pickleball paddle types on hand, having more than one paddle can help with a common concern for players. Namely, the differences between singles and doubles games.

Singles play can sometimes favor power due to more open court space. Control can be more valuable in doubles games, where putting the ball in a hard-to-reach spot is more difficult. Having two pickleball paddle types, a power paddle for singles and a control-focused paddle for doubles, can help you easily adapt.

What Kind of Pickleball Paddle Should I Buy as a 2nd Paddle?

The answer to this question is different for everyone. It all comes down to your needs. The best kind of pickleball paddle is the one that fills a hole in your game or helps you make the changes you want to make to your playing style.

For some experienced players, the choice can be simple. Their knowledge of the game and different paddle types can make it easy to pick up a second paddle that fits their needs.

What if you’re a newer player, or have plenty of experience but still aren’t sure which type of paddle is best?

Our Ultimate Pickleball Paddle Buying Guide can help you find the right paddle for your game and style of play. We cover all the major attributes and qualities of pickleball paddles. And we make it easy to find paddles for spin, power, control, affordability, and more, with links to curated collections of pickleball paddle types.

Pickleball Paddle Types: Pickleball Superstore Has Them All

No matter what type of paddle you want as a second paddle (or third paddle, or fourth paddle!), Pickleball Superstore is here to help with the best paddles from the best brands in pickleball. Check out our paddles page to get started!