Pickleball Paddle Guide
Which Pickleball Paddle Should You Buy?
If you're thinking of buying a pickleball paddle you've come to the right place! Our comprehensive pickleball paddle guide covers everything from pickleball paddle dimensions & weights to paddle materials & grips, meaning you'll find all the information you need to buy a pickleball paddle with confidence.
Pickleball Paddle Dimensions & Weights
What are the dimensions of a pickleball paddle?
The official USAPA rulebook states that:
"The combined length and width, including any edge guard and end cap, shall not exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm). The paddle length cannot exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm). There is no restriction on paddle thickness."
In other words, pickleball paddles can be a range of widths and lengths, but the total length + the total width, cannot exceed 24 inches. With this in mind, if you opt to use a pickleball paddle with an elongated, longer face, the paddle will have to be narrower than traditional designs to meet regulation criteria.
Traditional Pickleball Paddle Dimensions
Elongated Pickleball Paddle Dimensions
How do pickleball paddles compare in size with rackets & paddles used in other sports?
One of the distinctive features of the sport of pickleball is the pickleball paddle. Pickleball paddles must adhere to the USAPA regulations mentioned above, meaning they are bigger than a table tennis bat, but smaller than a tennis racket.
Interestingly, the official rules for table tennis state that "The racket may be of any size, shape, or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid," meaning that in theory, you could play with a giant table tennis paddle if you wanted to.
How much do pickleball paddles weigh?
Whilst there is no restriction in the USAPA official rulebook regarding pickleball paddle weight, most pickleball paddles weigh between 7.0oz (204g) - 8.5oz (241g). Heavier paddles tend to provide more power, whilst lighter paddles give more control & precision. Most first-time players will opt for a mid-weight paddle, to get a good balance of both power & control.
Pickleball Paddle Grip Sizes
Getting the right grip size can be important for performance and comfort. Using a pickleball paddle that is too big for example, can cause your grip to fatigue relatively quickly, and can even cause tendonitis in the elbow or wrist in the long term.
How do you measure grip size for a pickleball paddle?
- Hold your hand out in front of you so your palm and fingers point straight up into the air.
- Place your fingers together - your thumb can point out to the side.
- Align the bottom of the ruler with the bottom lateral crease of the palm of one of your hands.
- Measure to the top of your ring finger.
In the image shown above, the pickleball player's grip would be 4.5 inches or a size 4 pickleball paddle. Once you've measured your grip, you can use the chart below to determine what size you need:
| Size in Inches | Size in CM | European Sizes | US Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.94" - 4.06" | 10.0 - 10.3cm | 0 | 4 inches |
| 4.06" - 4.17" | 10.3 - 10.6cm | 1 | 4 1/8 inches |
| 4.17" - 4.33" | 10.6 - 11.0cm | 2 | 4 1/4 inches |
| 4.33" - 4.45" | 11.0 - 11.3cm | 3 | 4 3/8 inches |
| 4.45" - 4.65" | 11.3 - 11.8cm | 4 | 4 1/2 inches |
| 4.65" - 4.72" | 11.8 - 12.0cm | 5 | 4 5/8 inches |
| 4.72" - 4.84" | 12.0 - 12.3cm | 6 | 4 3/4 inches |
Weight
Heavier paddles weighing more than 8.5oz offer additional power, whilst lighter paddles, weighing less than 7.3oz, offer more precision & control. Most players opt for a pickleball paddle that weighs somewhere in between, for a balance of power & precision. Medium-weight pickleball paddles are ideal for beginners, who are yet to establish a specific style of play.
Paddle Material
A number of materials are used in pickleball paddle faces, including fibreglass, wood and graphite. Graphite is a type of carbon fibre that has a reputation within the pickleball community for providing more precision than a fibreglass pickleball paddle and more power than other carbon fibre materials. Despite its strength and durability, graphite is also a relatively light material, meaning that your grip and arms are less likely to fatigue during a pickleball game when using a graphite paddle. If you are a beginner or someone looking for a cost-effective paddle, then you may also consider investing in one with a wooden face. Paddles with wooden faces tend to be solid wood and substantially cheaper than paddles made with other composite materials and provide a similar level of performance in terms of power. Wooden paddles are also said to be longer lasting than composite paddles.
Core
The first pickleball paddle cores were made with the material Nomex. Developed in the late 1960s for industrial clothing & appliances; Nomex quickly became the go-to choice for pickleball paddle cores. However, in more recent years pickleball paddles with polymer cores have become the most popular, thanks to the superior level of power and control that they offer. Providing a flexible and soft touch, paddles with a honeycomb-style polymer core can also provide an additional level of precision & a better “feel”. Another reason why polymer core paddles are so popular, is that they are not as loud as paddles with cores made from wood or Nomex. Something that is often an important consideration for players who have a pickleball court at home.
USAPA Approval
Another thing to look out for when buying a pickleball paddle - is to check whether it is USAPA (United States of America Pickleball Association) approved for competitive matches. Without USAPA approval, you may not be able to use a specific paddle in a regulation game or competition. The Vermont Venom Pickleball Paddle has been approved by USAPA and approved for competitive play.
PICKLEBALL PADDLE
Synco Pickleball Paddle Set | 1 Pickleball Rackets and 2 Pickleballs with Carry Bag | Fiberglass Lightweight Racket with Cushion Comfort Grip (16mm, Carbonium Red)
₹2,999 ₹4,999
Pickleball United Allround Pickleball Paddle| Ultralight Racquet Corksheet Core Wide Body, Sweat Absorbent Grip| Ideal for All Ages, Skill| Perfect Play for Indoors Outdoors w Precision Control | 1Pack
₹1,055 ₹1,199
Arrowmax Pickleball Paddles | Featuring a Multilayer Fiberglass and Graphite Pickleball Paddle Face | SX3 Honeycomb Core | Pickleball Rackets Designed in The USA for Traction and Stability
₹3,600 ₹9,900
HEAD Cyber Elite Pickleball Paddle, Fiberglass Surface, Black/White Color, Beginning to Intermediate Levels
₹14,163 ₹19,469
TANSO Kaze Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle with Free Full Pickleball Paddle Cover (220 Grams, 415mm, Fiberglass Surface Pickleball Paddle with Polypropylene Honeycomb Core) (Pink)
₹1,499 ₹2,499
Goodland Advance pickleball paddles (Racket) T700 18K Raw carbon fiber surface pickleball paddle16mm thick PP honeycomb material with cushion comfort grip 1 pickleball, pickleball cover USAPA Approved
₹8,340 ₹12,530
Pickleball United PowerDrive Pickleball Paddle| Lightweight Racket, Perforated Cork Sheet Layer, Graphite Surface| Cushion Comfort Grip Pickle Ball Paddle| Indoor/Outdoor Play Compatible - Pack of 1
₹1,143 ₹1,299
Airavat Pickleball Paddle Set, Prix Pickleball Paddle Set | Pickleball Set of 2 Pickleball Paddles Teal Color, 2 Pickleball Balls | Made of Carbon (Red- Single Piece)
₹2,379 ₹4,499