Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners

What Should You Look for in a Pickleball Paddle as a Beginner?

If you’ve started playing recently, you’re probably wondering how to find the pickleball gear that best fits your game and helps you grow as a player. So, what’s the perfect paddle for a new pickleball player?

Every pickleball player is different, although everyone lands somewhere in the control-balance-power range in terms of playing style. Starting with a paddle designed for balance can help you better understand how you want to play the game.

We go in-depth on all the specifics of choosing the right pickleball paddle in our Ultimate Pickleball Paddle Buying Guide. Here’s a breakdown from that guide of what to look for in a paddle based on your current playing style, or the style you want to build as a newer player:

• For more control: Choose a shorter handle, 16mm core, wide-body shape, and a carbon fiber face for your paddle.
• For balanced play: Choose a standard handle, 14mm core, whichever paddle shape you prefer, and a hybrid paddle surface for your paddle.
• For more power: Choose a longer handle, 13mm core, elongated paddle shape, and a fiberglass face for your paddle.

One of the best ways to find the best beginner pickleball paddle for you is to try out other paddles when you have the opportunity. You can always ask your fellow players if they’ll let you borrow one of their extra paddles. Whether it’s for a game or just to casually hit back and forth, testing out paddles will help you learn what works for you.

Why are Pickleball Paddle Grip Size and Handle Length Important?

Having a firm, steady grip on your paddle makes it easier to reliably hit shots and understand how the ball will move off the paddle. The right pickleball paddle grip side is dependent on the size of your hand and personal preference.

Here’s an easy way to test if a beginner pickleball paddle has the right grip size: The pointer finger of your off-hand should fit between the fingertips and palm of the hand holding the paddle.

Handle length affects the weight balance of your paddle and influences how the ball will move when hit. For more power and spin, look for beginner pickleball paddles with longer handles. If you prefer to use two hands for backhand shots, look for a handle length of about 5.5 inches.