Playing a new sport can be a daunting task, and finding the right equipment is usually the first hurdle. But, choosing the right pickleball paddle doesn't have to be a difficult task - we are here to help. Your ideal pickleball paddle should align with your unique needs, playing style, and preferences. The process of finding the right paddle can be broken down into six categories: surface, core, shape, weight, price, and cover.

Surface

The surface is the material on the paddle that the ball is going to be hitting and bouncing off of. The surface material will affect the power, control, and size of the sweet spot. There’s a few different types of materials that can be used:

• Fiberglass(composite): This gives the most power. It’s not as stiff as the other materials, so the ball bounces off with more ease. 
• Carbon fiber: This tends to have a better feel and larger sweet spot than the fiberglass, but it also takes some power away. 
• There are hybrid versions of these that can improve on whatever the user wants.

We offer a strong textured fiberglass (composite) that gives you the most power. 

Core

The core is the type of material your pickleball paddle will be and how thick it is. There’s usually only one type of material, polypropylene, which is hard plastic. This is the best material because it’s durable, and gives a good power and touch balance. 

• Core Thickness: A thicker core (16 mm) will give a more soft feel, while a thinner core (10-14 mm) will give you more power.  

We offer a thinner core at 13 mm to give you more power. 

Shape:

The shape of the pickleball paddle affects the power, maneuverability, and the sweet spot. All pickleball paddles in the U.S. can’t be bigger than 24 inches. Within those restrictions, there are three different kinds of shapes for pickleball paddles: elongated, widebody, and classic. 

• Elongated shapes: 16.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. The elongated shapes are longer with a narrower face, which gives more reach, power, and spin, but gives a smaller sweet spot and less maneuverability. 
• Widebody shapes: 15.5 inches long and 8.5 inches wide. The widebody shapes have a shorter length with a wider face, which gives a bigger sweet spot and higher maneuverability, but with less reach and power. 
• Classic shapes: 16 inches long by 8 inches wide. Finally, we have our classic shapes which are basically a combination of the previous two and give more of a balance between them.

In simple terms, if you want more power, then we recommend elongated. If you want more control, we recommend widebody. And if you want something in between, we recommend classic shapes. 

In our pickleball paddles, we offer a perfect combination of the two: At 15.8 inches in height and 7.8 inches in width, you have the best of both worlds: higher maneuverability and more power. For a more in-depth explanation, you may find  A Pickleball Paddle Buyer's Guide: How to Pick the Right Paddle for You useful.

Weight

Pickleball paddles range between 7-8.5 ounces and are broken up into three categories: Lightweight (7-7.6 oz), midweight (7.6-8.2 oz), and heavyweight (8.2-8.5 oz). The lighter the paddle is, the easier it is to move around, but you don’t have as much power as you would have with the heavier ones. You don’t have to swing the paddle as hard with the heavier ones, and they’re more stable when you hit the ball, making it easier to play better. 

Our pickleball paddles have a weight of 7.7 ounces, giving you a good midweight feel. If that’s still too light for you, the good news is you can always add some lead tape to your paddle to give it some extra weight. 

Price

Pickleball paddle prices range from $15-$200 dependent upon material, quality, durability, etc. Like everything else, the more expensive, the higher the quality. Fiberglass (composite) pickleball paddles are usually somewhere in between $40 and $100. Our pickleball paddles are priced at $82, giving you good quality with a reasonable price. More about pricing here: The Best Pickleball Paddles for 2023 | Sports Illustrated Review.

Cover

Now for the fun part - the cover! This is where your personality comes into play. There’s a lot of options to choose from, whether you prefer a minimalist or colorful look, a serious or playful look - Single Double Pickleball offers a variety of options to choose from: Single Double Pickleball

Conclusion

In summary, choosing the right pickleball paddle may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With a little knowledge about the six essential categories, you can choose the best paddle for you based on your unique needs and preferences.

If you know you’re going to be playing with multiple people, you may be interested in looking at our sets. We offer a two paddle set for you and a partner, or a four paddle set for a group of friends! We also offer a set of pickleballs to complete the perfect bundle of pickleball essentials.

And there you have it! Now you have all the proper tools and materials to begin your pickleball journey! Go out there, make friends, and have fun!