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Gear Guide

How to choose your first paddle

About 4 min readUpdated: October 10, 2026

For your first paddle, the usual advice is to try paddles before buying and pick a mid-weight paddle with a standard shape. Knowing what to compare makes it easier to notice the differences when you try them.

For your first paddle, a mid-weight paddle with a standard shape is recommended (Pickleball.com). Your own playing preferences are said to become clear only after you have played for a while (Pickleball.com).

Try before you buy

  • Trying out various paddles before buying is recommended (Racquet Science)
  • Even with the same listed weight, the grip's thickness and length change how heavy the paddle feels when you swing it. Checking this by trying it out is said to be a good idea (Pickleball.com)

Start with something easy to handle

  • Until you know how you play, the advice is not to spend too much on a paddle. Your technique and time on court are said to matter far more for improving than the paddle's price (Pickleball.com)
  • Light paddles put less strain on the joints and are said to suit beginners and people coming back from injury (Pickleball.com)
  • Heavy paddles can lead to shoulder fatigue and elbow strain over long sessions (Pickleball.com)

What to compare

PointWhat to look atGeneral tendency
Shape and lengthWide standard shape or long, narrow shapeThe standard shape has the largest hitting area. The long shape gives more reach but a smaller hitting area (Pickleball.com)
WeightAnywhere from light to heavyLight paddles are easy to move in fast exchanges at the net. Heavy paddles give power and stability with less effort (Pickleball.com)
Grip sizeThe distance around the handleA grip that is too thin or too thick is said to strain the forearm muscles (Pickleball Union)
Grip lengthThe length of the handleA long grip makes two-handed backhands easier. A short grip makes two-handed shots harder (Pickleball Effect)
Thickness (core)How thick the hitting face isThick paddles are easier to control with a softer feel; thin paddles give more power (Pickleball.com)
BalanceWhether the weight is toward the head or the handleHandle-side balance is said to be easier to control (Pickleball Effect)
StyleControl type or power typeWide shapes are said to suit beginners and control-focused players; long shapes suit power-focused or advanced players (Pickleball Effect)

For tournaments, use an approved paddle

  • At tournaments played under USA Pickleball rules, you use a paddle on the USA Pickleball approved list (18.A)
  • You can see the approved list on the USA Pickleball equipment site (USA Pickleball)
  • The size rules are summarized in Paddle rules
  • At a Pickleball Japan tournament in Japan, there has been a case where any paddle approved by UPA or USA Pickleball was allowed (PJ Pickleball Championships 2026). Check which paddles are allowed in the guidelines of the tournament you enter

Balls also come in indoor and outdoor types

Apart from paddles, the ball also comes in indoor types with large holes and outdoor types with small holes. Outdoor balls are thicker and harder, and indoor balls are softer and said to be easier to control (Selkirk). For details, see Ball rules.

Common mistakes

  • Replacing your paddle right after starting: It is said to be fine to wait until you have played regularly for about 3 to 6 months and know how you play (Pickleball.com)
  • Buying the same paddle as a strong player: Long, narrow paddles are common among pros, but they suit power-focused or advanced players; wide shapes are recommended for beginners (Pickleball Effect)
  • Deciding only on popularity or advertising: The advice is not to switch shapes just because a paddle is popular or heavily advertised (Pickleball Effect)

Sources

Last reviewed: October 10, 2026

How to read the sources: numbers like (8.F.4) are rulebook sections, and links are outside sources. An "Author's note" is the author's personal experience, not an official rule.

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