The sport of Pickleball is gaining hundreds and thousands of new followers and players every month and year in recent times, and for this reason, we roped in our two trusted paddle testers to give us insight into our 9 best Pickleball paddles for beginners. With a plethora of new paddles and brands popping up in the market, we know it can be confusing to find the ideal Pickleball paddle for your beginner journey.
In this guide, we delve into various unique Pickleball paddles that suit a wide array of beginners, from our complete newbies to experienced racket players moving over to Pickleball. After reading our review, you’ll have a better idea of some of the best pickleball paddles for beginners, taking into account their unique features, price, and benefits at the end of 2023.
Table of Contents
Summary Of The 9 Best Pickleball Paddles For Beginners
| Best Overall Paddle | Onix Graphite Z5 |
| Best Family Budget Paddle | Niupipo Paddle |
| Best Premium Paddle | Engage Encore Pro |
| Best Reach Paddle | Gamma Needle |
| Best Budget Paddle | Amazin Aces |
| Best Spin Paddle | Selkirk Latitude |
| Best Comfortable Paddle | PCKL Premium |
| Best Beginner to Intermediate Paddle | Head Radical Elite |
| Best Lightweight Paddle | Gamma Dart |
The 9 Best Pickleball Paddles For Beginners
Continue reading to find out our best pickleball paddles for beginners in 2023. The Onix Graphits Z5 took the prize for the overall best beginner Pickleball paddle owing to its high-quality features, wide body design, and decent price point under $100 for beginners.
Our 9 top options are suitable for a host of beginners, we included a few budget and premium options, paddles with sleek designs, paddles for spin and reach and the best beginner to intermediate paddle that suits our fast learning Pickleball enthusiasts moving up the ranks.
1. Onix Graphite Z5 – Best Overall Beginner Paddle
- Core: Nomex honeycomb
- Face: Graphite
- Weight: 7.5-8.2 oz
- Length: 15.5 inches
- Width: 8.125 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
- Grip Length: 5 inches
- Price: $89.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball paddle is one of the most popular paddles on the market due to the brands leading manufacturing reputation, and this paddle is their market leader of all their paddles. The Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball paddle won our best overall Pickleball paddle for beginners because it suits new and better beginners, experienced racket players starting Pickleball, and our beginners that improve rapidly and need a solid paddle transitioning to the intermediate ranks.
Read an In-depth Review Of the Onix Z5 Paddle Here
2. Niupipo Pickleball Paddle – Best Family Budget Paddle
- Core: Polypropylene honeycomb core
- Weight: 7.8 ounces
- Length: 10.87 inches
- Width: 7.8 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4.25in
- Price: $29.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The Niupipo Pickleball paddle is our best family budget paddle for beginners as it stands out for its incredibly cheap price, its wonderful array of designs that suit children through to our older Pickleball enthusiasts, and the paddle set option which includes sets of 2 paddles and balls or 4 paddles, balls and a bag, an excellent choice for families looking to play at home in the driveway, garden and eventually the Pickleball court.
Read More Reviews: The Niupipo Pickleball Paddle Set For Beginners
3. Engage Encore Pro – Best Premium Beginner Paddle
- Core: ControlPRO honeycomb core and FiberTEK skin
- Weight: 7.6 ounces
- Length: 15 1/2 inches
- Width: 8 1/8 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4 3/8 inches
- Price: $119.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The Engage Encore Pro Pickleball paddle takes the cake for the best Premium beginner paddle in our review. Although this paddle is not specifically designed for beginners, it is a great option for our experienced racket sport players with deeper pockets, who have moved over to Pickleball and are seeking a high-quality paddle at a suitable price but not wanting to spend over $200. Engage Paddles are used by many professionals and are very well-renowned.
4. Gamma Needle – Best Beginner Reach Paddle
- Core: Sensa Poly Core
- Face Materials: Textured Graphite
- Weight: 7.6 ounces
- Length: 16 5/8 inches
- Width: 7 1/8 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4 inches
- Price: $119.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The Gamma Needle Pickleball paddle bagged the top spot for the best beginner paddle for players searching for extended reach and a lightweight design. In spite of this paddles reputation as a more experienced players paddle, we found that it could suit our better beginner players who have ample racket experience and are seeking an elongated paddle that will help them reach those awkward shots and assist their spin-producing capabilities.
5. Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle – Best Budget Paddle
- Core: High performance polymer honeycomb
- Face: Durable graphite
- Weight: 8.5 oz
- Grip Circumference: 4.5 inches
- Grip Length: 4.75 inches
- Price: $37.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle Is our best budget option for beginners, coming in at $37.99 with a solid Amazon rating of 4.7 from 5 stars. This Pickleball paddle suits our pure beginners and newbies, and it is possible to continue using it when you enhance you game and become more serious about the sport. The brand, like Niupipo paddles, offer paddles sets of 2 with a few balls and a carry bag if you are looking to get a few paddles at a great price. Finally, the one-year warranty is rare, and they offer this on all their brands purchases.
6. Selkirk Latitude – Bets Spin Paddle
- Core: Polymer Honeycomb
- Face: Composite
- Weight: 6.9-7.5 oz
- Length: 15.65 inches
- Width: 8.25 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches
- Grip Length: 5.25 inches
- Price: $70.00
Why it’s great for beginners: The Selkirk Latitude Pickleball paddle is a Amazons Choice, mid-range price option from the reputable and popular Selkirk brand. This paddle is a fantastic option for any beginner, but it suits the better or more experienced beginners seeking some form of precision and spin in their beginner Pickleball game.
7. PCKL Premium Paddle – Best Comfortable Beginner Paddle
- Core: Polypropylene honeycomb
- Face: Textured Fiberglass
- Weight: 7.5 oz
- Length: 16 inches
- Width: 8 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
- Price: $89.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The PCKL Pickleball Paddle owns the ultimate prize for the most comfortable beginner paddle after our extensive paddle testing session. We noticed that it is very lightweight, has a wonderful cozy grip and is super responsive compared to other beginner paddles. You have to pay slightly more for this paddle, however it is a great choice for beginners that want to improve quickly and take the game more seriously in their future journey.
8. Head Radical Elite – Best Beginner to Intermediate Paddle
- Core: Power Core (OTC Honeycomb)
- Face Material: Smooth fiberglass
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- Length: 16 inches
- Width: 7 7/8 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4 1/8 inches
- Price: $69.95
Why it’s great for beginners: The HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball paddle almost took our overall best Beginner Pickleball paddle prize thanks to the brands incredibly vintage court sport reputation in the market. Having used this paddle personally for years now, I can vouch for its efficiency. It was my second paddle ever as a beginner-intermediate player and worked a charm for my Pickleball development. When I improved a lot, it started to lack the pop and power I wanted, but I still have it in my bag as a back up paddle.
Read our in-depth review of the HEAD Radical Elite paddle Here
9. Gamma Dart – Best Lightweight Paddle
- Core: Poly Core
- Face Materials: Fiberglass
- Weight: 7.3-7.5 oz
- Length: 15.625 inches
- Width: 7.5 inches
- Grip Circumference: 4-1/8″ inches
- Price: $69.99
Why it’s great for beginners: The Gamma Dart is our final contender on the best Pickleball paddles for beginners list, boasting a 4.8 from 5 star Amazon rating. We found this Gamma Dart paddle super lightweight and responsive when hit out of the middle, my only gripe is that I would prefer a bigger sweet spot for pure newbie players. My father did enjoy his first experience with this paddle and mentioned it was easy to swing and he was not worried about his past tennis elbow issues.
Watch Here: How To Choose A Pickleball Paddle For Beginners
Key Features When We Consider The Best Pickleball Paddles for Beginners
1. Paddle Material
The specific material of a pickleball paddle is a critical factor in its overall performance. For our best pickleball paddle for beginners, composite materials offer a ample balance between power and control. These paddles are lightweight, durable, and provide exceptional ball feel, like the Gamma Dart paddle.
2. Weight
A light to medium-weight pickleball paddle is ideal for beginners, offering a decent combo of balance, consistency and control. Paddles weighing between 7.5 to 8.5 ounces are recommended for comfortable maneuverability and effective shots on the Pickleball court.
3. Grip Size
A comfortable and well-sized grip is crucial for beginner Pickleball players to prevent slipping and discomfort in your hands and start on the right foot from the beginning. Beginners should opt for paddles with a medium grip size, accommodating a wide range of hand sizes. A great option is the PCKL Pickleball paddle for grip size.
4. Paddle Shape
Widebody paddles, like the Onix Z5 known for their larger hitting surface, are generally more forgiving and enhance accuracy and control for beginner Pickleball players. This makes them an excellent choice for beginners still honing their skills.
5. Edge Guard
A sturdy and solid edge guard protects the paddle from damage due to accidental hits or paddle scraping against the Pickleball court or other objects around you.
Final Thoughts
Our best Pickleball paddles for beginners review taught us that there are overwhelming options in the market, with more and more coming in each week. My advice to you is to go for quality brands like Selkirk, Gamma, Onix and Head paddles as they have a tried and tested reputation in the market. The Onix Graphite Z5 and Head Elite Pro are always exceptional options for beginners, however, if you are looking for a Pickleball paddle set for the family and kids, with balls, a bag and multiple paddles, take a look at our Pickleball paddle set reviews arrticles.
For more in-depth reviews and information on pickleball equipment, feel free to explore our website and let us know if you have any questions or doubts.
