A lot of players are looking for the best budget pickleball paddles, but you might be reluctant to gamble on a cheap paddle. What if the quality is no good?
There are plenty of off-brand budget paddles on the market that are honestly not worth your money. Luckily, there are some amazing cheaper paddles to discover.
My fellow reviewers and I have selected our favorite paddles based on value. This doesn't just mean the paddles that cost the least – it means those that give you the best performance per dollar. See below for how we reach this consensus.
Best cheap pickleball paddles at a glance
Best overall
Our Rating:
1. Warping Point Neon
For just $90, the Warping Point Neon gives you the performance of a $200 paddle. Simply put, this is the best value in pickleball right now.
The 11SIX24 Jelly Bean has a massive sweet spot, great spin, and a widebody shape that makes mishits rare. An ideal paddle to learn (and start winning) with.
The versatile Ronbus Quanta R3 starts out as a great control paddle for beginners, but add lead tape and you've got a powerful foam paddle for just $100.
Power, spin, and speed, with great control too. The Maverix Havik 2 is the highest-performing value paddle, with a performance that usually costs over $200.
Before buying a paddle, it’s important to make sure it fits your game. That’s why I created a 30-second quiz that recommends the best paddles for your play style and budget.
Give it a try and see if any of these top paddles make the list:
Find the perfect paddle
I’ve personally tested over 200 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
To make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck, we've created a true value metric that equates the level of performance to the price of each paddle we test.
We score each of our paddles out of 10 across eight categories (power, spin, control, etc.) for a total score out of 80. We then divide the price of the paddle by this total performance score.
For example, our top paddle in this guide is the Warping Point Neon because it gives you the best value for performance:
$90 (after our discount) / 73 (score out of 80) = $1.23
Compare that against an expensive paddle like the Selkirk Boomstik, which costs $333 and gets a value score of $4.66.
Let's see the top six best-value pickleball paddles right now.
The best cheap pickleball paddles
Why should you trust Pickleheads? I spend hours testing every product I recommend. Only the cream of the crop makes it onto my lists, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Learn more about how I test and review products.
You want the best performance-to-price ratio in pickleball:
no paddle at any price beats the Neon in our value metric – an outstanding paddle for just $90 (with our 10% discount).
You want a massive sweet spot:
mishits are nearly impossible thanks to the huge sweet spot – this paddle has some of the best control and forgiveness on the market.
You want a paddle you can win tournaments with:
not just a beginner paddle – this is good enough to enter 5.0 events with, which almost never happens with a sub-$100 paddle.
Pass if:
You want big power:
you won't overpower opponents from the baseline – try the Maverix Havik 2 or Ronbus Quanta R3.
You want a Gen 4 foam paddle:
the Neon is Gen 3, so upgrade to the newer Warping Point Sophon if you want a foam-core version.
You want multiple shapes:
the Neon only comes in one hybrid shape – check out the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro for a choice of widebody, hybrid, or elongated.
Most $100 paddles play like budget paddles – they get you on the court but you feel the ceiling quickly. The Neon doesn't have a ceiling. It's one of the best control paddles at any price, with a sweet spot that extends across the entire face, so off-center hits still go where you aimed.
It really is astonishing that this paddle costs just $100. If it was double that I'd still be calling it out. Even better, we've got a 10% discount from Warping Point to make it just $90. It beat out every other paddle we've tested on our value metric.
The paddle feels soft and connected. Drops and dinks are where the Neon separates itself – the ball sits on the face long enough that you can direct it, and the massive sweet spot means you don't have to find the dead center every time. Resets absorb hard drives without rattling your hand. Spin is strong, with the raw T700 face generating enough grab to shape drives and roll dinks with bite.
Power is the one area where you're giving something up. Serves don't land as deep and drives don't carry the same weight as true power paddles. You can add lead tape to boost the pop without slowing it down much – this is a super-fast paddle and it stays quick even weighted. But the Neon's approach isn't about hitting through opponents. It wins points by placing the ball and making them uncomfortable.
This is one of a select few paddles that I recommend for any skill level. It's forgiving enough to be a beginner paddle, powerful enough to be an intermediate paddle, and quick and competitive enough to even be a great paddle for advanced players. My colleague Taylor won a 5.0 tournament with it. That's outrageous for a $90 paddle.
The triple-layer T700 carbon face is strong. This is a Gen 3 paddle. It might not have a foam core but its honeycomb core is bolstered by an EVA foam wall that boosts the sweet spot and the paddle's overall longevity. It's a hybrid shape only, with a 16 mm build. It comes with a magnetic case and a replacement grip, which is a nice touch at $90.
The Warping Point Neon is the best value in pickleball. It scores perfect marks on control and forgiveness, with speed and spin right behind. I've tested paddles at three times the price that can't match those scores. If you want the most performance per dollar, start here, no matter your level.
the widebody shape gives the Pegasus one of the largest sweet spots – off-center hits still go where you aimed
You want a beginner paddle that doesn't feel cheap:
the quality, spin, and control on this sub-$100 paddle easily rivals paddles at $150+.
You want a long handle:
the 5.75-inch handle is great for players coming from tennis and anyone who likes to hit two-handed backhands.
Pass if:
You want a more advanced paddle:
try the Maverix Havik 2 if you're ready to move on from a beginner or intermediate paddle.
You want a faster beginner paddle:
the Warping Point Neon is lighter and quicker through the air.
You want foam-core tech:
the Jelly Bean has an earlier-gen honeycomb polymer core, not foam like the Vatic Pro V-SOL.
The 11SIX24 Jelly Bean's widebody "Pegasus" shape gives it one of the largest sweet spots I've tested on any paddle at any price. That's what makes it so good for beginners. When you're learning, every other shot catches the edge or the throat, and most paddles punish you for it. The Jelly Bean doesn't.
This paddle comes in at $100, with our discount link bringing it to $90, the same price as the Warping Point Neon. It's tough to knock one over the other, but I'd recommend the Pegasus more as a beginner paddle because its extra-wide face gives you an easier and more playable surface compared to the hybrid Neon. Both are incredible budget paddles under $100, though.
The Jelly Bean is a top control paddle with a responsive feel, and you can place dinks and drops with ease. The fiberglass layer on the surface adds nice pop on drives and the carbon fiber face generates enough grab to shape shots with topspin. I can hit all kinds of spin – high-to-low dip, side spin, slice – and the ball does what I want it to.
It's a genuine shock that a paddle this well-built costs under $100. The quality of the face and the feel in your hand feel like something at least $50 more expensive. 11SIX24 has made a name for themselves by offering paddles that outperform their price, and the Jelly Bean is the best example.
The 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean is the paddle I hand to friends who are just starting out. The massive sweet spot means fewer frustrating mishits while you learn, and the control and spin are good enough that you won't outgrow it in a month. It's good enough to be your intermediate paddle as you rise up the ranks. At $90, it's one of the best values ever offered in the world of pickleball.
this moves through the air so quickly that I'm sometimes too early on counters – that's how fast it is.
You want foam paddle tech for $100:
the V-SOL Pro is one of the only paddles with Gen 4 foam in this price range, giving you dwell time that budget paddles usually can't offer.
You want elite spin at a budget price:
the spin from the foam core and carbon face lets you shape shots and generate dip to rival $200 paddles.
Pass if:
You need a large, forgiving sweet spot:
the sweet spot is tighter than the Warping Point Neon or 11SIX24 Jelly Bean.
You want more power:
the Ronbus Quanta R3 has a poppier, livelier feel if you want more punch.
You're an advanced player:
the Maverix Havik 2 is the best-value pickleball paddle for high-level players – an all-court weapon.
If you want a super-fast, spinny paddle, the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro is a steal. It cuts through the air so quickly that I find myself arriving early on counters. It's such a joy to play with in hand battles at the kitchen. The only paddle that matches it for speed here is the Maverix Havik 2, which costs $50 more.
The V-SOL Pro retails for $110, but our exclusive 10% discount brings it to $100. At that price, you're getting a foam-core paddle. Most foam paddles start at $150 minimum so it's great to see this long-lasting tech, which boosts paddle durability, used in such a cheap paddle.
This paddle's speed isn't just good for hand battles. It improves spin also. The faster you accelerate through the ball, the more RPMs you generate, and the foam core adds dwell time on top of that, making this one of the top spin paddles for the price. I was rolling balls from below net height with shape that I don't normally get from pickleball paddles under $100. Control is strong too – the dwell lets you steer the ball rather than just hitting it and hoping.
The lightweight paddle feel can work against you. Without lead tape, this paddle can turn in your hand on off-center hits and the ball pops up when you want it to stay low. The sweet spot is a little tighter than pure control paddles have. For that reason, I see this more fitting for an intermediate player's game rather than it being a pickleball paddle for beginners.
I added lead tape to my paddle and it fixed both issues – the paddle stayed fast but felt more stable. Some players like it light and will leave it stock. Either way works.
Three shapes are available: Bloom (widebody), V7 (elongated), and Flash (hybrid). The foam core should hold up well over time – foam doesn't crush the way honeycomb does, which is a real advantage when you're spending $100 and don't want to replace the paddle in six months.
The fastest paddle in the $100 range, the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro is also a foam paddle with incredible spin. If you play a fast, spin-heavy game and you're shopping on a budget, this paddle gives you the most bang for your buck.
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this paddle is like a blank canvas – if you add lead tape you can turn it into a powerful weapon.
You want Gen 4 foam tech for $100:
the foam core is long lasting and it expands the sweet spot to give you more forgiveness than most elongated power paddles.
You want a quick paddle with nice spin:
even when weighted, this is a fast paddle and it generates great spin from its raw Toray T700 carbon fiber face.
Pass if:
You want maximum control:
both Warping Point paddles score a 10 on control and forgiveness.
You want the fastest paddle:
the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro is quicker through the air.
You want a widebody shape:
the R3 is elongated only – try the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean for a wider face.
The Ronbus Quanta R3 is the most powerful paddle under $100 I've tested, but with a catch. Out of the box it plays like a solid, well-made control paddle. It's forgiving and responsive, with a premium Gen 4 foam feel that surprised me at this price. Add lead tape and it transforms into a power paddle for players on a budget.
This paddle retails at $120, but our big $20-off code brings it to $100. For a Gen 4 foam paddle with this kind of customizability, the value is unheard of.
To begin with, this is a softer lightweight paddle that excels on forgiveness. Its big sweet spot means off-center hits don't punish you the way they do on some elongated paddles, which tend to have tighter sweet spots and more dead zones near the edges.
It's a great pickleball paddle for spin. There's premium grit on the face to shape drives and roll dinks with topspin. Power initially is pretty average. Once I decided to add weight to my paddle, it transformed. It kept its quick speed but serves started resulting in aces and drives picked up a lot of pace.
The addition of lead tape also balanced out the lightness, which was causing me some issues with stability. Light paddles like this can twist in your hand when you don't hit cleanly. That's why customization is one of the R3's best features – you can make the paddle you want. Not everyone will want to bother with this, so try a paddle like the 11SIX24 or Vatic Pro for a smoother feel out of the box.
This is an elongated paddle with raw Toray T700 carbon fiber. The standard 5.5-inch handle gives room for two-handed backhands. As I mentioned, it has a proper foam core, which is super rare at this price point. It should outlast polymer cores.
The Ronbus Quanta R3 is a great-value paddle for anyone who likes to customize their paddles. It can be a light touch paddle for beginners, or a power paddle for intermediate players. For players who want to hit hard without spending $200, start here.
You want an advanced paddle performance without paying $200:
the $150 Maverix Havik 2 competes with paddles that cost $75-100 more.
You want aggressive power and spin:
this is a powerful paddle for attacking players, with awesome spin generation.
You want a paddle with an aerodynamic design:
the genius cut-corner design makes it one of the quickest paddles ever made.
Pass if:
You're a beginner:
the pop may overwhelm newer players – try the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean instead.
You need a larger sweet spot:
the two Warping Point paddles offer the biggest, most forgiving sweet spots.
You want to stay under $100:
this paddle costs $148.50 (with our discount code).
If you want an affordable paddle that's built to compete at the highest level, get the Maverix Havik 2. This is one of the best values I've seen in the last year – an aggressive, fun, attacking paddle for 4.0+ players in the $150 range.
It actually retails for $165 but our 10% discount code makes it $148.50. That's incredible value for a paddle that competes with the best advanced pickleball paddles in the $250 to $300 range.
The first thing you'll notice is the distinctive cut-corner elongated shape. It works wonders to reduce drag, making this one of the most aerodynamic, fastest paddles I've played with. You can use that speed to attack your opponents. I barely had to swing to hit speed-ups, overheads, and drives with pace.
Spin is amazing also. The grit is great quality and the foam core provides the dwell time to shape the ball just as you want. It scores high on control too. Lower-level players might struggle with the pop and the medium-sized sweet spot but if you're a 4.0 or above, you'll have no problem keeping the ball in.
The quad foam core (EVA and EPP) and raw T700 carbon face are high quality. The cut-corner shape deserves another mention. Maverix trimmed the corners of the elongated frame to reduce air resistance, and you feel it. The handle is slightly smaller at 5.33 inches but not small enough to be uncomfortable. I was really impressed with the weighting. It feels light but not unstable, and even if you add lead tape it stays quick.
The Havik 2 is the paddle for the advanced player who doesn't want to pay advanced-paddle prices. At under $150, you're getting raw power and some of the best spin in a super-aerodynamic paddle. If your game is already competitive and your budget matters, nothing on this guide plays at this level.
You want the best control with the largest sweet spot:
no matter where you hit the face, the ball comes off with a reliable bounce.
You want a foam paddle under $150:
the three-layer foam core gives you Gen 4 durability that honeycomb paddles at this price can't match.
You want power from a touch paddle:
the Sophon brings a nice power boost for a control paddle.
Pass if:
You want stronger spin:
this carbon face doesn't grab the ball as aggressively as grittier paddles like the Vatic Pro V-SOL and Maverix Havik.
You want fast hands:
the head-heavy feel makes it a little sluggish in hand battles – try the Neon, Vatic Pro, or Maverix.
You prefer a slim handle:
the grip is bulkier than most and may feel slow in the hand compared to the Ronbus.
Warping Point is aggressive in offering affordable prices, so it's no surprise that two of their paddles ranked the highest in our value metric. They already made the best cheap control paddle with the Neon. The Sophon is what happens when you add a foam core to the mix. The sweet spot is enormous – one of the biggest I've tested at any price, and power is boosted too.
For the foam core, you're paying an extra $50 compared to the $100 Neon. However, our 10% Warping Point discount still applies, which takes it down to $135, a very reasonable price for a powerful control paddle with a longer-lasting core.
When I started playing with the Sophon, I was happy to find the same control and forgiveness as the Neon. I wasn't expecting the power. My returns went deep and counters punched back with authority.
That power comes from a head-heavy weighting. Warping Point seems to have added internal weight to stabilize the face, which is what makes the sweet spot so forgiving and the putaways so punchy. The foam core adds dwell time that helps you push through the ball cleanly on resets and drops without the face turning in your hand.
The tradeoff with head-heavy paddles is a lack of speed. The Sophon doesn't fly through the air. In hand battles at the kitchen, it feels stable but not quick. If your game relies on fast reactions and light hands, look elsewhere.
I was also surprised that spin generation wasn't as impressive as the cheaper Neon. This may also be a byproduct of the heavier weighting. A faster paddle can help you whip up spin.
This paddle works for every skill level, from beginners who need forgiveness (and don't mind the weighting) to advanced players who want an affordable touch paddle with good power.
The foam core should outlast honeycomb paddles at this price, which adds value over time. The 5.6-inch handle is long enough for two-handed backhands. The grip has a lot of cushion – comfortable but bulkier than most.
Warping Point keeps delivering paddles that play above their price. The Sophon's control and forgiveness is next-to-none, and the foam core means it should still feel the same months from now. If you want the best touch and the biggest sweet spot and don't mind a heavier paddle, the Sophon at $135 is excellent value.
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My criteria for choosing the best budget pickleball paddle
I always like to offer variety in my paddle lists, and that's what I've done here in my list of cheap paddles. There are so many budget options, so it can be overwhelming when trying to choose a pickleball paddle.
Here's what I looked for when deciding how to choose the best cheap pickleball paddles:
Price: $60 was the limit of my price range here. The only exception I made was for the SLK NEO 2.0, which currently costs $90. Since this is a set and includes two paddles, I felt it was OK to include it. Each paddle technically costs you less than $40.
Value for money: value is very important. The fact that my top choice (the JOOLA Essentials) is also the most expensive at $60 shows that sometimes you get what you pay for. It's not always that simple, though. For example, the GoSports GS1 is only $28 but gets a mention for still being great value.
Features: after reading a paddle's features, I see from my testing if they actually make a difference on the court. I try to differentiate between marketing claims and actual performance. For example, if a paddle has a textured face, does it actually generate good spin?
Design and feel: if a paddle looks cool, I'll mention it, but the feel of a paddle is more important for me. With youth paddles, though, I do think design is more important because it helps make pickleball more fun for young learners.
Performance: as always, how the paddle actually plays is the most important factor. I put each paddle on this list through its paces on the court, and you will always get my honest opinion. I cover power, control, spin, and forgiveness. However, the grip, durability, weighting, and aerodynamics also influence my overall verdict.
Bottom line
You can find great deals on cheap pickleball paddles if you know where to look. I hope I've helped you decide on one that suits your needs, whether you're looking for a top-quality set, the best budget kids' paddle, or the best overall bargain paddle.
Here's a recap of my five favorite cheap pickleball paddles:
Cheap paddles are usually made from cheaper materials. That's why they tend to be geared more toward beginner players. It makes sense: why spend $200 on a paddle made with premium materials for an enhanced performance if you're not going to be able to handle it yet?
This is why it's great that there are so many good cheap paddles to choose from. You can learn the game without spending a fortune. Once you're ready, you can step up to an intermediate paddle, and eventually an advanced paddle.
There are way too many factors to be able to tell straight away. You have to do research, read reviews, and if possible, test it out yourself.
That's why I hope my reviews help people. Not only do I thoroughly research each paddle, but I put it to the test on the courts too. I judge each paddle on categories like power, spin, weighting, and durability to come up with an overall rating for my readers.
Generally, if you need reach, an elongated paddle is the one for you. If you want more forgiveness, a standard-shaped or hybrid paddle will suit you better.
If you're having difficulty picking the right paddle, take our handy pickleball paddle quiz to see what we recommend for your needs.
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.
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