The 6 Best Pickleball Paddles for Aspiring Pros and Weekend Players Alike

• Grip is sweat-absorbent and perforated
• Comes with balls and a carry bag

• Not as durable

If you don't want to break the bank on a pickleball paddle—or maybe you're not quite sold on the sport yet—don't worry, you don't have to. With over 1,000 raving ratings, this paddle proves that money can't necessarily buy skill. A cushioned grip makes for comfort, and the paddle features a wide sweet spot to give you some wiggle room.

• Thermoformed Edge is a carbon-wrapped perimeter to enhance stability and minimize stiffness.
• Reviewers love the sweet spot

• Pricier than others

Wilson has been crushing the court sports space since 1914, and its since taken its expertise over to the world of pickleball. The Blaze Tour 16 paddle is a high-performance raw carbon fiber paddle that debuts an elongated shape specifically made to optimize power, control and spin. It's intentional in all aspects of its design, which makes for the ultimate paddle.

• Aero Dura-Edge Edgeless technology makes for optimal control, spin, and power
• There is an option to customize the grip

• Some want more pop

If control is the name of your game, then you might want to learn a new name: Selkirk. The brand came into the market with the aim to create a paddle that focuses on control, as it noted that the vast majority of the industry was focused on power at the time. The key to its success is the transformative carbon fiber technology that expands the sweet spot, making for premium play.

• Made from honeycomb core and fiberglass surface materials for durability
• Custom grip softness

• Surface can wear or chip away with time

Sitting right at the intersection of aesthetics and features rests Tangerine's pickleball paddle. Inspired by the greenery found throughout the Long Island Sound and Gardiner’s Bay, NY, the paddle pops on the court.

• Comes with two paddles, covers, and balls
• Comes in other patterns and prints

• Less technical features than others

Jonathan Adler brings his singular brand of fun to the pickleball court. Leather-wrapped handles give a luxurious grip. The prints are whimsical, but the paddle faces are carbon fiber because, well, you're spending this much they really ought to be.

• A multi-stage cold and hot molding process refines the return of energy
• Comes with cover

• Complaints about lack of durability

This is the paddle for experts (or aspiring experts). Choose from two grip sizes to make sure that the paddle fits your needs. It's made with a polypropylene honeycomb core, and you can choose between thickness options as well. Opt for a thinner core for additional power, or go for the thicker core to harness more shot predictability and obedience. Either way, you can't go wrong with this paddle.