Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners – 5 Top Choices

Best Pickleball Paddles For Beginners

With so many companies now competing to bring top-quality pickleball paddles to the industry, it’s hard to pick out the ones that we could say would be the best pickleball paddles for beginners. However, we are going to do our best to provide you with some recommendations and insight into some great beginner pickleball paddles. Either of these might be the one that serves as the best paddle for you if you are a beginner pickleball player.

If you are just starting out playing pickleball, it is important to choose the right paddle. There are a lot of different paddles on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. In this article, we will review some of the best paddles for beginners. We will discuss the features that you should look for when choosing a paddle, and we will recommend some of the best pickleball paddles for beginners. So if you are new to pickleball, or if you are looking to upgrade your current paddle, read on!

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports online. It has a nationwide growth of 4.8 million, with an increased rate of 39.3 percent. The sport is a fun combination of racquet games such as tennis, badminton, and ping pong while being versatile enough to fit both competitive and casual play.

With so many people learning and becoming familiar with the sport, there is a rapid climb in the pickleball industry. Plenty of beginners are already familiar with what is pickleball and its rules. And learning how to find good beginner pickleball paddles. That doesn’t mean that a beginner pickleball paddle is inferior. However, most beginners want to choose a quality paddle that is also affordable paddle.

When you find out that you want to commit to playing pickleball as a regular hobby, then you may want to invest in a paddle that is best for intermediate players and then eventually move up to a more top-of-the-line paddle.

If you want to get better at playing pickleball, then you need to have the proper equipment. Without the right paddles, beginners will have a hard time playing. Best overall paddles are mentioned frequently, but this is a list of pickleball paddles for beginners to help you find out what you’re comfortable with as you start your pickleball journey.

1.   Niupipo Pickleball Paddle

Niupipo makes paddles perfect for pickleball beginners. This set is made of fiberglass, and its shaft and frame material is graphite. Its grip size is four by four inches, which is ideal for a beginner pickleball player. These sets also come in two color combinations: first, blue and orange; second, black and grey.

Key Features:

·      USAPA Approved

This Niupipo is a USAPA-approved paddle, which means it’s suitable for official tournaments owing to its firm structure. The USAPA conducts a test on particular pickleball paddles to check if they will be able to withstand more intense games that

·      Quiet Paddle Set

This pickleball set has a polypropylene-honeycomb core, which makes it excellent for your very first paddle. It makes the paddle quieter and makes it vibrate less. Its material consists of a fiberglass face, which provides the ideal combination of stiffness and strength. A fiberglass face is more powerful compared to a graphite face. It cushions every service with a quieter pop. Polypropylene has larger honeycomb cells and is softer. Suffice it to say that this material will hold its own in a game.

·      Premium Grip

These Niupipo pickleball paddles work well and are easy to handle in a game. According to the USAPA standards, a pickleball set needs to be cushioned, perforated, and sweat absorbent. It allows for a better paddle grip throughout the game, and this paddle set comes with a premium grip.

·      Less Stress on Shoulder and Wrist

These are lightweight paddles which makes it significantly easier to play for a longer time. It will reduce your shoulder and wrist stress while playing. With this paddle weight of 8 oz, you can play for longer hours without worrying about so much fatigue and less danger of pulling a muscle or being overly sore the next day.

2.   ONIX Graphite Z5 Graphite

In the ONIX line, the Graphite Z5 is a very popular paddle. It is due to its ball control and outstanding grip. The Nomex core and graphite face give beginners a better feel of the ball, and the ONIX Z5 has a perfect balance between speed and power.

Key Features:

·      Excellent Grip

It provides a more connected grip for the player to play more easily, since it has a better grip circumference than most paddles on the market. It has a cushioned, perforated, and sweat-absorbent grip that is ideal for all skill levels, especially beginners. These paddles are mid-weight paddles and can make another great paddle choice for pickleball beginners.

This graphite paddle with a “comfort” grip is also more ergonomic than most, adding to its outstanding ball control. However, it is relatively heavier, requiring some arm strength. But it makes up for its weight when it performs well because of its edge protection and large sweet spot.

·      Widebody

ONIX Z5 has a wide body shape to its paddles, perfect for beginners and advanced players. It provides a large sweet spot to avoid any hits and serves with good power for a midweight paddle.

It’s recommended for players looking for excellent ball control that comes with a Nomex paddle while also remaining in the medium-weight range. Its handle resembles the shape of a table tennis racket because of its wooden handle.

·      USPA Approved

It is a necessary certification if you wish to play competitively. The dimensions of this set meet the USAPA’s requirements; 8 inches wide and 15 inches high from the sides. The actual grip size may vary, but it’s usually 4 inches.

3.   HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle

The HEAD Radical Elite paddle set is made of polymer material, with its shaft and frame material being graphite. HEAD made sure to incorporate new technology in its pickleball sets to improve the playing experience for every skill level including those who need a beginner paddle or for those intermediate players.

These paddles can be used for intermediate levels, and also functions very well as a beginner’s pickleball paddle. And the variety of different colors makes them more popular than other paddle sets. 

Key Features:

·      Dynamic Power Shape

This pickleball set has a tapper edge that slightly goes inward. This set structure offers more maneuverability and better accuracy when throwing hits or returning serves.

The fiberglass smoothness of this set allows for better pop when playing. These lightweight pickleball paddles feature a fiberglass hitting surface that will give the player an excellent feel and also plenty of power for the player.

·      Wide Body

This set weighs in at 8.1 ounces, which makes it relatively lightweight compared to some others. It also has a polymer honeycomb composition that makes for noiseless playing. Its 16 inches long, 7 inches wide, and four-and-a-quarter grip are ideal for beginners and intermediates. The large sweet spot this set deliver is unmatched and makes for accurate blows during play.

·      Single Construction

Single construction is a rare quality in pickleball sets. It means the entire set is made in a single sequence without boundaries. This way, you have more mobility, and the longevity of the paddle is excellent. With single construction, you don’t have to worry about the handle breaking off the paddle; you can enjoy a violent game with your opponent with this paddle set.

4.   Helium Versus

Helium versus is a pickleball paddle set, especially for beginner and intermediate skill levels. These two graphite paddles are 4.5 inches and the frame and shaft material of this set is graphite. THis is a great set for those who wish to spend some leisure time trying out pickleball.

Key Features:

·      Lightweight

The Helium Versus paddle set is built with a polymer honeycomb composition in high concentration. As a result, they are optimally balanced. It helps in better serving and provides more maneuverability.

Since it is lightweight, it does not fatigue the person playing. Each paddle weighs around 7.5 to 7.7 ounces. The soft yet firm grip, carbon fiber surface, and light-weaved graphite allow for easy and extended play.

·      Optimally Balanced

Helium creates its Versus paddles keeping reach, control, comfort, power, and balance in mind. They offer an excellent range for those who wish for balanced play with a good grip and powerful control. Helium Versus paddles are optimally balanced and designed to provide great performance.

·      Durability

This pickleball has a durable graphite carbon fiber surface. It has a polymer honeycomb core, which also provides excellent noise control, so if you don’t like the vibrations of each hit, this is a great fit for you. These qualities are essential if you want a durable pickleball set to last for a while.

·      Excellent for Socializing

Since they are a pair of pickleball sets, you can invite a friend to play with you. They are a great opportunity to test your capabilities against somebody you know. Whether it is to bond with someone new or reconnect with old ones, this set won’t fail you.

·      Premium Materials

These verses paddles are low in cost, but you won’t be able to tell the difference. They are built from high-end materials that are often seen in premium paddles. The soft, sturdy, and firm graphite and carbon fiber composition make this ideal for extended playing sessions.

·      Extra Accessories

These paddle sets come with four balls and a premium-looking sports bag. Pickleball has unique ball designs specific to the game, and since Helium offers them with the set, you won’t have to worry about buying them separately. The bag offers you enough room to adjust all the equipment with stuffing and add other accessories, like gloves.

5.   JP WinLook Premium Pickleball Paddles

JP Winlock Premium Pickleball paddle set is great for outdoor and indoor playing. It targets beginners who have just learned about pickleball sports. The JP Winlock paddles have an excellent reputation for providing some of the best beginner pickleball paddles that are easy to control and don’t put much physical strain on pickleball beginners.

Key Features:

·      Lightweight

Lightweight is an essential quality if you intend to play for extended periods. With 7.25 ounces of weight, this premium pickleball set is extremely lightweight. The last thing you need is to develop tennis elbow or other injuries common in racquet sports so it’s not a bad idea to start out with a lightweight paddle.

Although the paddle weight is light and not so physically demanding, it still can provide a lot of powerful hits while providing very good control.

Its honeycomb core composition doesn’t vibrate throughout the arm and doesn’t put physical strain on the player.

·      Ultra Cushioned Grip

The 4 inches grip circumference combined with 15 inches length gives this sweat-absorbing handle an excellent grip. Its non-slip and extra cushioning improve your experience during each game. You likely won’t even feel fatigued and strained after playing.

·      Extra Accessories

It is an excellent deal with three pickleball balls, a travel carry-on, and a pair of pickleball paddles. The carry-on bag will ensure that everything is convenient and secure to carry the paddles with you to another location. 

Final Thoughts

With the number of people discovering this fun and straightforward game, it is no surprise that manufacturers make many pickleball paddles for beginners. There are specific qualities that make them different from other levels, and with beginners, it is necessary to focus on the weight, grip, and feel. There are five pickleball paddles for beginners that ought to narrow down your search for the best ones. With the right paddle, you can enjoy this great sport to its fullest!