Long-Handle Pickleball Paddles or Short: Is One Better?

TL;DR:

Pickleball paddles come in long, standard, and short-handle versions, each suited for different play styles. Long handles provide more power and spin but reduce sweet spot size, ideal for experienced players. Short handles offer better control and a larger hitting surface, suitable for finesse players and beginners.

Main Points:

• Long handles: More power and spin, better for two-handed backhand.
• Short handles: Larger sweet spot, easier control, better for finesse.
• No best handle length: Depends on personal play style and preferences.
• Try different paddles: Experiment to find the right fit.
• Pickleball Superstore: Wide selection of paddles available.

Pickleball paddles are at the heart of each and every game. There’s plenty of pickleball gear that can make playing easier or help you out on the court. However, along with a ball, the pickleball paddle is truly foundational.

That means finding a paddle that matches your skills and style of play is especially important. Whether you’re a power player, focus on finesse, or are somewhere in between, the right pickleball paddle can make a big difference.

Today, we’ll look at a key quality of all pickleball paddles. Specifically, the handle length of each paddle. Let’s start by answering a common question asked by newer players: Is a long-handle pickleball paddle better than one with a short handle?

Long Handle vs Short Handle Pickleball Paddle: Not Better, but Different

Because pickleball players have different strategies and styles of play, there’s no “right” or “best” handle length for everyone. With paddles for pickleball, handle length affects the overall performance of the paddle. Why is that?

It all starts with USA Pickleball’s equipment rules, which specify two key measurements for maximum pickleball paddle combined length and width and paddle surface length. Those are:

• 24 inches for the paddle length and width overall, including handle, butt cap, and any other pieces.
• 17 inches for the pickleball paddle length.

These dimensions set limits for the paddle’s length and total size. Paddle manufacturers have the parameters set for them and must work within those limits.

To keep the paddle face large enough and provide options to players, paddle makers normally offer pickleball handle sizes between roughly 4 ½ inches (short handles) and 5 ½ inches (long handles).

Long-handle pickleball paddles are generally between 5 ¼ and 5 ½ inches. A standard paddle has a handle length of around 5 to 5 ¼ inches. Anything shorter than 5 inches is a short-handle pickleball paddle.

As we explain in our Ultimate Pickleball Paddle Buying Guide, “The length of the handle has an impact on overall weight balance and the feel of the pickleball paddle in your hand.”

Qualities of Long-Handle Pickleball Paddles

Long-handle pickleball paddles help players generate more power and spin for each shot. The longer handle offers more leverage, making it easier to hit the ball harder and put more spin on it.

If you have a power-playing style, that often makes a long-handle paddle the best choice. Additionally, if you favor a two-handed backhand, a long handle makes it that much easier to get a good grip for that shot on the pickleball court.

Long-handle pickleball paddles are also often a great fit for tennis players who also want to start playing this game, in large part because they make two-handed backhand shots easier. They’re more similar to tennis rackets than other paddles in terms of their dimensions and overall feel in a player’s hand during a pickleball match. For many tennis players, a long-handle paddle makes the transition to pickleball a little simpler.

However, the longer handle also reduces the size of the paddle’s sweet spot. And, the paddle face has to be shorter to accommodate the longer handle and stay within the length requirements. For those reasons, long-handle pickleball paddles are a good choice for experienced players but may not offer the best experience for newer players.

Qualities of Short-Handle and Regular Pickleball Paddles

Compared to long-handle paddles, short-handle and regular-handle paddles give players more hitting surface. That can make the game a little easier. It can also help players who have a finesse-focused or balanced style of play, even if they have plenty of experience.

The drawback, of course, is that shorter handles make it difficult to generate maximum power and spin. If you try out a short-handle or regular-length paddle and find yourself wishing for more power, a long-handle pickleball paddle may be a better choice.

Our Favorite Long-Handle Pickleball Paddle

We carry plenty of exceptional long-handle pickleball paddles, but we want to call one out in particular. It offers the longest possible body length and an exceptionally long handle — 6.5 inches!

That means great control for two-handed backhands. And an easier time overall transitioning to pickleball for tennis players.

The CRUSH RQT pickleball paddle also features high-performance thermoform RAW carbon fiber. Compared to traditionally assembled paddles, it can generate 20-25% more power on the court. With vibration-dampening foam incorporated into the handle, playing with power can still be very comfortable.

Whether you’re an experienced power player or a tennis devotee trying out pickleball for the first time, this is the paddle to use. This paddle has exploded in popularity among our customers. We want to make sure you can consider it for your game, too.

Final Thoughts on Pickleball Paddle Length

There’s no “best” pickleball paddle or handle length for all players. Instead, you should look for the paddle length that best matches your current play style and the way you want to play the game going forward.

Our advice is to try out different paddles. The next time you play a pick-up game (a court is never far away with our pickleball court locator) or take lessons, ask if you can try out a few of your fellow players’ paddles. That way, you can find the best paddle for you as an individual.

Remember that pickleball paddle handle length is just one of several qualities that affect how a paddle performs. Grip size, paddle weight, paddle face thickness, and other factors all have an influence, too. The more you can try out paddles with different qualities, the easier it is to pick the right paddle for your style of play.

The Best Selection of Pickleball Paddles at Pickleball Superstore

Choosing the right pickleball paddle for you is half the battle. We stock a wide range of paddles, so every player can find a paddle that works for them. Head to our paddles page now to get started!