A good pickleball paddle is an important tool for new players. The correct paddle helps a player control the ball, reduces mishits, and makes learning the game easier. For a beginner, a paddle that offers a large hitting area and good feedback is more useful than a paddle that creates maximum power. A paddle that is too heavy or unbalanced can slow skill development and cause arm fatigue.
After talking with certified pickleball instructors and spending over 40 hours testing more than 25 paddles, we have determined that the Onix Z5 Graphite is the best paddle for most beginners. It gives a superior mix of control, comfort, and value that will support a player as their skills improve.
Everything We Recommend
Top Pick The Best Pickleball Paddle for Beginners Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle This paddle has a large hitting surface and a balanced weight that helps new players feel confident. Its graphite face gives excellent ball control for learning soft shots. The handle shape is comfortable for most hand sizes.
Best for Power A Paddle for Aggressive Beginners HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle This paddle uses a fiberglass face that produces more power than our top pick. It is a good choice for beginners who have prior experience in racquet sports and want to hit the ball harder.
Best Value Set A Complete Starter Kit VINSGUIR Pickleball Paddle Set This set gives two paddles, four balls, and a carrying case at a low price. The paddles are lightweight and forgiving, which makes it a great choice for new players who want a complete package to start playing with a partner.
Also Great A Balanced Performer JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle This paddle finds a good middle ground between power and control. Its construction makes it a solid all-around choice for beginners who are still discovering their style of play.
Also Great A Lightweight and Forgiving Option Niupipo Explorer Pro Pickleball Paddle This paddle is known for its light weight and ease of use. It helps players react quickly at the net and has a large sweet spot that is forgiving on off-center hits.
Also Great A Comfortable Two-Player Set Uteeqe Pickleball Paddles Set of 2 This set offers two well-made paddles with comfortable, cushioned grips. It is another excellent option for pairs of new players who want quality equipment without buying everything separately.
How We Picked
To find the best paddles for beginners, we focused on the features that help new players learn the game well. We created clear standards to guide our choices.
Paddle Weight We focused on paddles in the middleweight range, from 7.5 to 8.3 ounces. This weight class gives a good balance. It is light enough for fast reactions at the net and does not cause too much arm fatigue. It also has enough mass to create good power on shots without needing a full, fast swing. For a beginner, control is the most important factor, and this weight range supports that goal.
Grip Size A comfortable and secure grip is very important. A grip that is too large can reduce wrist movement and control. A grip that is too small requires more muscle strength to hold, which can lead to fatigue. We looked for paddles with a standard grip circumference between 4.1 and 4.25 inches, as this size fits most adults.
Core Material and Thickness The paddle’s internal structure, called the core, changes how it plays. We gave priority to paddles with a polypropylene honeycomb core. This material is soft, which helps absorb the ball’s impact and gives players more control. It is also a very durable material. Core thickness is another key factor. We looked for paddles with a core between 12 and 14 millimeters thick. A thicker core increases the size of the sweet spot, which is the area on the paddle face that gives the best shots. This makes the paddle more forgiving of off-center hits.
Face Material The paddle face is the surface that hits the ball. We considered two main materials: graphite and fiberglass (also called composite). Graphite faces are stiff and light, giving excellent feedback and control. This helps beginners learn soft shots. Fiberglass faces are more flexible, which creates more power. We recommend a graphite face for most beginners but also identify good fiberglass options for those who need more power.
USA Pickleball Approved All the paddles we recommend are approved by USA Pickleball (USAPA) for tournament play. This confirms they meet the official rules for size, materials, and performance. While most beginners will not enter tournaments right away, using an approved paddle means they are learning with standard equipment.
How We Tested
We created a test panel of six beginner pickleball players who had been playing for less than one year. We also worked with two certified pickleball instructors who have taught hundreds of new players. The testing happened over four weeks at three different pickleball court locations.
Each tester played with every paddle on our list for at least three hours. They used the paddles in specific drills and in recreational games. The drills were made to test specific shots, including serves, returns, dinks, volleys, and third-shot drops. This let us measure each paddle’s performance in controlled situations.
Testers gave feedback on several key qualities:
- Comfort: How the paddle felt in their hand during long periods of play.
- Control: The ability to place the ball where they wanted, especially on soft shots near the net.
- Power: How much speed they could create on serves and hard shots.
- Forgiveness: How the paddle performed on shots that were not hit in the center of the face.
- Overall Feel: Their general sense of the paddle’s performance and usability.
We collected all the feedback from our testers and instructors to make our final picks. We gave more importance to paddles that performed very well in control and forgiveness, as these are the most helpful qualities for a new player.
Top Pick: Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
The Best Pickleball Paddle for Beginners Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle This paddle has a large hitting surface and a balanced weight that helps new players feel confident. Its graphite face gives excellent ball control for learning soft shots. The handle shape is comfortable for most hand sizes.
The Onix Z5 Graphite is our top pick because it gives the best mix of features for new players. Its design is focused on control and forgiveness, which helps a beginner build a strong base of skills.
It has a widebody shape. This shape creates a very large sweet spot. Our testers said that even when they did not hit the ball in the center of the paddle, the shot still had good speed and went in the right direction. This forgiving quality reduces mistakes and helps beginners keep the ball in play longer.
The graphite face gives a high amount of control. During our tests, players found it simple to perform soft shots like dinks and third-shot drops with the Z5. The paddle gives a clear feeling of the ball on impact, which helps a player learn how to use the right amount of force for different shots.
At a weight of around 7.8 ounces, the Z5 is a middleweight paddle. This makes it easy to handle for most players. It is fast enough for quick volleys at the net but also has enough mass to create solid shots from the back of the court. The cushioned grip is comfortable and absorbs some of the vibration from hitting the ball.
The paddle’s construction is also very durable. The polypropylene honeycomb core is strong, and a protective edge guard defends the paddle from ground scrapes and chips. This means the paddle will last as a player improves from a beginner to an intermediate level.
Flaws but not dealbreakers The main weakness of the Onix Z5 is that it does not create as much power as paddles with a fiberglass face. Players who have a strong background in tennis or racquetball may find they need to swing harder to hit powerful shots. For most beginners, however, learning control is more important than hitting with maximum power.
Best for Power: HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle
A Paddle for Aggressive Beginners HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle This paddle uses a fiberglass face that produces more power than our top pick. It is a good choice for beginners who have prior experience in racquet sports and want to hit the ball harder.
For beginners who want a paddle that can add more speed to the ball, the HEAD Radical Elite is a great choice. It uses a fiberglass hitting surface, which adds more “pop” to shots and helps hit the ball with more pace.
During our tests, players could hit faster serves and drives with the Radical Elite compared to the Onix Z5. This is a direct result of the fiberglass face, which bends more at impact and returns more energy to the ball. This makes it a good fit for players who want to play a more offensive style.
The paddle also has a polypropylene honeycomb core, which is the same core material used in many control-oriented paddles. This helps to absorb some vibration and expand the sweet spot, so the paddle does not feel difficult to handle. Our testers found they could still control their shots well, even with the extra power. The paddle weighs about 8.1 ounces, which also helps create more power on shots.
Flaws but not dealbreakers The fiberglass face gives less exact feedback than a graphite face. Some of our testers said it was a little harder to perform very soft dink shots with the Radical Elite. There is a small compromise in fine control for the extra power the paddle gives. Also, its sweet spot felt slightly smaller than that of our top pick.
Best Value Set: VINSGUIR Pickleball Paddle Set
A Complete Starter Kit VINSGUIR Pickleball Paddle Set This set gives two paddles, four balls, and a carrying case at a low price. The paddles are lightweight and forgiving, which makes it a great choice for new players who want a complete package to start playing with a partner.
The VINSGUIR set is a very popular choice for beginners because it offers great value. It includes everything two people need to start playing immediately. The low price makes it easy for new players to try the sport without a large investment.
The paddles in the set have a fiberglass face and a polypropylene honeycomb core. They are lightweight, usually around 7.8 ounces, which makes them easy to swing and helps prevent arm fatigue. Our beginner testers found the paddles comfortable to use for long sessions. The large face and sweet spot are forgiving, which is helpful when learning.
The set also includes four pickleballs and a durable bag to carry all the equipment. This convenience is a major benefit for new players. The quality of the paddles is good for the price and is suitable for learning the basic skills of the game.
Flaws but not dealbreakers The paddles in this set are made for beginners. While they are great for learning, a player who advances to an intermediate level may want to upgrade to a paddle that offers more specific performance features, such as greater power or more precise control. Also, the included balls are basic and may wear out faster than premium balls.
Also Great: JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle
A Balanced Performer JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle This paddle finds a good middle ground between power and control. Its construction makes it a solid all-around choice for beginners who are still discovering their style of play.
The JOOLA Essentials paddle gives a mix of the benefits found in our other picks. It has a fiberglass face, which helps with power, but its design still provides a good amount of control for a beginner. Our testers noted that it felt solid and stable on all types of shots.
The paddle weighs about 8.2 ounces, which puts it in the middleweight category. This weight helps create power but is still light enough for most beginners to handle without problems. The sweet spot is large, and the paddle is forgiving on hits that are not in the center. The handle is also comfortable and has a reliable grip. For a beginner who is unsure if they prefer a power or control style, this paddle is a very safe and effective choice.
Flaws but not dealbreakers Because it is a balanced paddle, it does not excel in any single area. It does not have the top-level control of the Onix Z5 or the raw power of the HEAD Radical Elite. It is a very good paddle, but a player may eventually want a more specialized paddle as their skills grow.
Also Great: Niupipo Explorer Pro Pickleball Paddle
A Lightweight and Forgiving Option Niupipo Explorer Pro Pickleball Paddle This paddle is known for its light weight and ease of use. It helps players react quickly at the net and has a large sweet spot that is forgiving on off-center hits.
The Niupipo Explorer Pro is a very popular paddle among beginners, and for good reason. It usually weighs between 7.6 and 8.0 ounces, making it easy to maneuver. This light weight helps players get their paddle in position for fast volleys at the net. It also reduces stress on the arm and wrist.
The paddle face is made of fiberglass, but it is designed to give a good balance of power and control. Our testers found it easy to control their dink shots but could also hit serves and drives with good speed. The polypropylene honeycomb core helps make the paddle feel stable and forgiving. The paddle is also very durable, with a strong edge guard to protect it.
Flaws but not dealbreakers Some players may find the paddle to be too light, especially if they are trying to hit very powerful shots from the baseline. A heavier paddle can provide more power with less effort. However, for most beginners, the lightweight nature of this paddle is a significant advantage.
Also Great: Uteeqe Pickleball Paddles Set of 2
A Comfortable Two-Player Set Uteeqe Pickleball Paddles Set of 2 This set offers two well-made paddles with comfortable, cushioned grips. It is another excellent option for pairs of new players who want quality equipment without buying everything separately.
The Uteeqe set is another great value for beginners. Like the VINSGUIR set, it provides two paddles, balls, and a carrying case. Our testers particularly liked the grips on the Uteeqe paddles. They are cushioned and absorb sweat well, which keeps the paddle secure in the hand during play.
The paddles themselves are lightweight and have a fiberglass face, giving a good mix of power and control suitable for new players. The construction quality is high for a set in this price range. The paddles feel solid and are forgiving on off-center hits. This set is a strong choice for anyone who plans to learn pickleball with a friend or family member and values comfort.
Flaws but not dealbreakers Similar to other beginner sets, these paddles are designed for new players. They are very effective for learning the game, but a player who becomes more serious about the sport will likely want to upgrade to a more advanced paddle in the future. The included accessories are functional but basic.
How Our Picks Compare
| Model | Price (Approx.) | Weight | Face Material | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onix Z5 Graphite | $90 | 7.8 oz | Graphite | Maximum Control |
| HEAD Radical Elite | $65 | 8.1 oz | Fiberglass | Power |
| VINSGUIR Set | $50 | 7.8 oz | Fiberglass | Best Value Set |
| JOOLA Essentials | $60 | 8.2 oz | Fiberglass | Balanced Play |
| Niupipo Explorer Pro | $70 | 7.8 oz | Fiberglass | Lightweight Feel |
| Uteeqe Set | $60 | 7.8 oz | Fiberglass |