Pickleball Paddle Recomendations

Updated: 4/21/2025

I see three price points of pickleball paddles that are worth it today. $40 and below, the $120 range , and top-end $200+

<$40: For people wanting to try out pickleball, grab a set to take to your local park. Plenty of great paddle deals here. The necessary paddle features here are carbon fiber surface and a polypropylene honeycomb core.

This set of 4 paddles for $70 looks great, the paddle face looks like an actual carbon fiber sheet. Any equivalent looking bundle should do.

https://a.co/d/jgaj5cc

$70-120: Good paddle investments for planning to play for at least a year. Some pro/tournament level paddles in this range. Expect a better quality finish, much of the same features. T-700/Carbon fiber surface, Carbon fiber/fiberglass sandwich, thermo formed finish, foam core.

11six24 Vapor ($120)

Friday Original or Challenger ($50-90)

Vatic Saga ($130)

$200+: Lots of representation among the pros and in the tournament scene. Top end paddles tend to range from $140 - $300. There is not much correlation between price and features within this range.

Players tends to choose between preferences in paddle core tech, weight, balance, and paddle shape/handle length.

Reputable top-end paddle brands include Joola, Selkirk, Gearbox, CRBN, Paddletek, Ronbus, Franklin, Volaire and Flamingo

Currently recommend Joola 4 series, Paddletek Bantam, and CRBN Trufoam (for tennis players)

Local Company Highlights:

Neonic and Gherkin also make great paddles at the $150 range