If you are new to pickleball and looking for the best pickleball paddles for beginners, you’re in the right place. Here at PickyPickleball.com we review all of the best pickleball paddles on the market – not least, the paddles that are great at getting you started.
Being completely honest, there is no point in investing $150 into a top of the range paddle if you are just learning the play. There are tonnes of better options at a more affordable price point that will give you really strong performance on-court. In addition, some of the more expensive paddles come with razor-thin edges, elongated paddle faces, and custom grip sizes. When you’re learning to play pickleball, it’s much easier to play with a medium or lighter weight paddle that is easy to move with.
Top 5 Pickleball Paddles For Beginners
Check out our list of the best pickleball paddles for beginners below. We give you affordable options that will work perfectly while you’re upskilling, and also feature slightly more expensive paddles that will get you started and continue to grow with you well into the future.
1. Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball Paddle
The number one pickleball paddle for beginners is the Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball Paddle. The Neo Composite is a brilliant pickleball paddle that is packed full of the latest pickleball paddle tech, without breaking the bank. Selkirk’s PowerCore technology sits at the heart of this paddle and will help new players master the art of control, touch, power, and spin.
The Selkirk Neo Composite Pickleball Paddle weighs a comfortable 7.6 – 8.4 ounces and measures 7 5/8″ across the paddle face. This makes the paddle ideal for beginners who are looking for a medium weight with plenty of hitting surface. The Neo Composite’s grip length is 4 7/8″ long which makes the paddle easy to hold and control, while the grip circumference is also comfortable at 4″. The Neo Composite has a polymer honeycomb core and a composite paddle face. This gives beginner players a paddle that will comfortably absorb shock/noise, whilst delivering pop and control off the paddle surface.
The Neo Composite is reasonably priced at under $50 and makes the perfect investment for new beginner pickleball players. If you’re just getting started, don’t hesitate to buy this paddle and start having fun.
Standout Features
- Comfortable paddle dimensions make the NEO Composite paddle easy to control
- PowerCore technology mixed with composite paddle face gives you optimal control over the paddle
- Excellent value for money and a great starter investment under $50
2. Rally Tyro 2 Pro Pickleball Paddle
The Rally Tyro 2 Pro is another awesome pickleball paddle for beginners. The Rally Tyro 2 plays like a paddle that costs twice the price, equipping players with a spec that can rival some of the best pickleball paddles on the market.
The Rally Tyro 2 Pro Pickleball Paddle is a medium weight paddle, weighing 7.6 – 8.2 ounces. The Rally Tyro’s paddle face measures 7-3/4″ giving you a large hitting area and sweet spot – making the paddle perfect for beginners. What’s more, the Rally Tyro 2 Pro contains Rally’s shock-absorbing honeycomb, polymer core, which gives new players the chance to get to grips with ball control, touch, and feel. The grip length is also slightly longer than the Neo Composite, at 5″ in length. This provides plenty of control for players who want to grip the paddle with one or two hands.
The Rally Tyro 2 Pro is a great option for any beginner pickleball player. The paddle will help you get to grips with the sport, and will give you a big dilemma when you think about moving on to your next paddle – it’s that good.
Standout Features
- Honeycomb polymer core give you a feeling of control, even defending touch shots
- Large sweet spot and long handle make it easy to hold the paddle
- Excellent value for money – many players believe this paddle should cost closer to $100
3. Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Next on our beginner pickleball paddles list is the famous Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle. The Onix Z5 sits at the top of our best pickleball paddles list, as the best value paddle on the market. If you fancy investing for the long term, you can’t go wrong with the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle.
The Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle is the perfect paddle to learn with. Firstly, the paddle is medium in weight and provides a huge hitting surface with an oversized sweet spot. In fact, the paddle weighs between 7.5 and 8.2 ounces and measures 8-1/8″ across. That means it is easy to move with and gives you a lot of paddle to connect with the pickleball when you get started. On top of this, the Onix Z5’s handle measures 5″ long, which provides great comfort when you’re just getting started.
The Z5 comes in eight different color options, making it easy to pick a paddle color that reflects your personality. What’s more, the paddle contains a Nomex core, with a graphite face. This gives plenty of snap and pop off the paddle face – perfect for beginner pickleball players who are learning to smash and spin the pickleball ball.
The Onix Z5 is admittedly a bit more expensive that the Tyro 2 Pro and the Neo Composite, however, if you want to buy a paddle for the long term, that is easy to learn with – the Onix Z5 is the perfect paddle.
Standout Features
- Large sweet spot, wide paddle face, long grip – perfect for new players
- Nomex core with graphite face provides extra emphasis for new players learning to smash and spin
- Excellent paddle that will grow with you as you develop
4. Selkirk Latitude Composite Pickleball Paddle
Fourth on our pickleball paddles for beginners list is the Selkirk Latitude Composite Pickleball Paddle. The Selkirk Latitude is a brilliant pickleball paddle for those who are new to pickleball. It has an oversized sweet spot, long handle length and come in a wide range of exciting color options.
The Selkirk Latitude Composite Pickleball Paddle is a great paddle for beginners and intermediate players. The paddle is super lightweight, weighing just 6.9 – 7.5 ounces – making it easy to move with as a new player. The paddle width is also great for new players, measuring 8 1/4″ across. This extra paddle width creates a big sweet spot for players to control the ball with. What’s more, the paddle contains Selkirk’s Polymer PowerCore which helps to take the sting out of hard shots and provide control when returning the pickleball ball. The Latitude’s grip length is also longer than most, measuring 5 1/4″ long – this additional space on the grip allows players to play with one or two hands.
Selkirk is a great brand and produces only the best pickleball paddles on the market. If you are considering purchasing the Selkirk Latitude as a beginner paddle, you’ll be getting a quality paddle that will help you improve quickly.
Standout Features
- Oversized sweet spot, wide paddle face and extra grip length
- Contains Selkirk’s Polymer PowerCore, helping to take the sting out of opponents shots
- Wide range of exciting color options
5. Champion PolyPro Pickleball Paddle
The last paddle on our best pickleball paddles for beginners list is the Champion PolyPro Pickleball Paddle. The PolyPro is an extremely durable paddle that contains a reinforced fiberglass face. This is an excellent paddle for cushioning shots and developing your control playing in the kitchen.
The Champion PolyPro is a medium weight paddle, weighing between 7.5 – 7.9 ounces. The paddle face measures 7-3/4″ across and has 5″ paddle handle. Like other paddles on the list, this makes the PolyPro easy to control and move with – perfect for new pickleball players. The wide paddle face also provides an oversized sweet spot which means you can control the ball and pick your own shots more comfortably. The PolyPro’s polymer core is also great at dampening strong opponent play and taking power out of incoming shots. This is a great quality for a pickleball paddle that suits beginners.
Thanks to this same core, the PolyPro is also a very durable paddle that will last you for a long time. If you are looking to buy a paddle that can take hard knocks on-court, then this is the beginner paddle for you.
Standout Features
- Durable PolyPro core helps dampen strong opponent play and protects the paddle from long-term wear and tear
- Medium weight, long handle and wide face give you great control and movement on-court
- Good value for money considering this paddle will last beginner players a long time
Pickleball Paddles For Beginners Buying Guide
Now that we have completed our review of the best pickleball paddles for beginners, let’s review what you need to consider before making a paddle purchase. Here we review the trade-offs between price, material and time in which you plan to use the paddle so that you can make an informed choice when you buy.
Price
As a new player, it’s unlikely that you want to break the bank on your first pickleball paddle. As such, it’s important to maximize return on your investment by picking a paddle that is both affordable and capable of growing with you. The last thing you want to do is pick a paddle that either breaks or that you outgrow within a few months. To avoid this trap, our beginner paddle guide shows you paddles that are packed full of the best tech and materials, at an affordable price point.
If you want to push beyond this and purchase a paddle that is used by players at the top of the game, we’d advise you to check out our best pickleball paddles guide. Alternatively, if you would rather reduce your investment, check out our cheap pickleball paddles guide. Both contain great paddles that will help you improve your game.
Material
When it comes to choosing a pickleball paddle material, you have a couple of options. Firstly, you could opt for a wooden paddle that will cost you a lot less money than graphite, fiberglass or composite alternatives. While a wooden paddle is fun to play and learn with, it’s unlikely that it will serve you well if you plan to get more serious about the sport. Wooden paddles are prone to chipping at the edges, and will also not give you the same touch, control and feel when playing more intricate shots.
We’d advise that you stick with fiberglass, graphite or composite when picking your first pickleball paddle. All of the options on our best pickleball paddles for beginner’s guide use graphite, composite or fiberglass face – making this process easy for you. Side to this, pick a paddle that has a strong, durable core. The paddle’s core will help reduce noise and absorb shock when playing against big-hitting opponents. The majority of the paddles on this page contain a polymer core, which is a great material to help get you started. What’s more, it comes with the added benefit of ensuring your pickleball play remains quiet.
How Long Will You Use The Paddle?
If you are looking for a paddle that will both last you a long time, and grow with you as you improve, make sure to consider this now. While a cheaper pickleball paddle can be a great option for beginners, they likely won’t give you the same attributes that a more expensive paddle will when your game develops. The Onix Z5 Graphite Paddle is a great paddle for beginners that will also suit you as you advance to an intermediate (or even advanced) player.
As we mention above, an important consideration here is the price. If you want a pickleball paddle that will develop your game for years to come, you will need to spend closer to $100. Alternatively, options around $50 mark will work great for a shorter time period – perfect if you’re not sure how much you will play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Beginner Pickleball Paddles?
Beginner pickleball paddles are paddles that are designed specifically for players who are new to pickleball. They are more forgiving than pro-paddles, feature a larger sweet-spot and are usually heavier to help generate greater shot-power. Beginner pickleball paddles don’t have to be low in quality, it’s possible to pick up excellent beginner paddles that will help you improve your game so that you can level-up quickly.
What are the best Beginner Pickleball Paddles
There are so many options for beginner players when it comes to choosing the best pickleball paddle. Brands like Onix, Rally, Paddletek, and Selkirk all have excellent and affordable options for beginner players. Check out our top guide to beginner pickleball paddles to find out everything you need to know.
What are Beginner Pickleball Paddles made from?
Beginner pickleball paddles are often made from the same materials that make pro-paddle. With that said, they are more often composite paddles that are heavier in weight. This weight gives you a great ability to reduce shock in the paddle, control shots and generate power. If you are picking a new beginner paddle, opt for composite (fiberglass or carbon fiber) or a graphite paddle like the Onix Z5.
How much do beginner Pickleball Paddles cost?
Beginner pickleball paddles don’t have to break the bank. It’s possible to pick up some of the best beginner paddles on the market for between $50-100. These paddles will help you improve your game and level-up quickly. Avoid buying a super-cheap pickleball paddle (unless you’re purely playing for recreation), as it will not give you the quality that you need to progress.
