Whether you call it tennis elbow or pickleball elbow, the root cause of this injury lies in your technique on the court – not your gear. That said, the wrong paddle can definitely make things worse.
The solution to elbow pain involves rest, rehabilitation, and improving your technique, but switching paddles can also help. A paddle that's lighter, well balanced, and easier on your joints may help reduce strain after you recover – or prevent flare-ups in the first place.
Let's get into the best paddles for tennis elbow – and what to keep in mind when choosing one.
Best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow at a glance
Best overall
Our Rating:
1. Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid
Best cheap
Our Rating:
2. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash
Best for power
Our Rating:
3. JOOLA Agassi Pro
Best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow
I've tested dozens of pickleball paddles, and after being laid low before with pickleball elbow, I'm happy to help if you're looking for a more arm-friendly paddle. The Pickleheads team also sought out advice on pickleball elbow from:
Dr. Elizabeth Matzkin
Noe Sariban
Tip: remember that if you are currently experiencing pickleball elbow, you should rest and recuperate before playing again.
Once you're ready to hit the courts, there are certain paddle attributes to look for that may prevent putting further strain on your joints. These include:
| Low swing weight |
Swing weight measures how heavy a paddle feels when it's swung, rather than when it's static. Swing weight is generally measured from 100-145. A paddle at the lower end of the scale feels lighter when swinging and should put less strain on your wrists, arms, and elbows.
The top paddle on this list (the Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid) has one of the lowest swing weights in pickleball at just 101. This is part of why I named it the best overall.
|
| Vibration & shock prevention |
Dr. Matzkin says that using a paddle with "shock-absorbing qualities can help reduce strain on the elbow", but what does that mean?
Some brands go out of their way to market tech that absorbs vibrations and shock. For example, the PRISM Flash has extra grip inserts to reduce shock, while Engage's premium paddles have "multiple vibration-dampening" tech.
Our reviewer Stephen Mijangos also commented that the JOOLA Agassi Pro "soaks up vibration".
|
| Balanced weighting |
Some paddles are more weighted toward the head, which can strain your forearm, irritating your wrist and elbow.
Engage and JOOLA both focus on this in their marketing, with JOOLA claiming that the Agassi Pro has "optimal weight distribution". The goal is to balance the weighting throughout to prevent drag or sluggishness when you swing, so your arm doesn't get fatigued.
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Now you know some of the things that make a paddle more popular with players who get pickleball elbow. Let's deep dive into our top three picks to help you make an informed decision so you can resume playing your game anxiety-free.
1. Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want built-in injury-prevention tech:
Engage's "vibration-dampening tech" adds composite injections into the outer cells to dampen vibrations and improve weight distribution.
You play a fast game:
the hybrid design (more aerodynamic) and crazy-low swing weight (101) make this a great paddle for fast hand battles as you don't feel any drag.
You want power and spin:
you can easily hit hard shots with top-tier spin without putting a strain on your wrists, forearms, or elbows.
Pass if:
You're on a budget:
this doesn't come cheap at $260, so check out the $100 Vatic Pro PRISM Flash.
You want an elongated power paddle:
the JOOLA Agassi Pro is my top pick for an elongated power paddle that's easy on your arms.
You want a square-shaped paddle:
Engage also offers great standard-shaped paddles with the same elbow-protecting tech, like the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody.
Paddle Weight
7.8-8.2 oz
Paddle Length
16.25"
Paddle Width
7.75"
Handle Length
5.375"
Grip Circumference
4.25"
Paddle Face Material
Toray T700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material
Proprietary MachPro Polymer
Core Thickness
12.7 mm (0.5")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
2. Vatic Pro PRISM Flash
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want a grip that absorbs shock:
Vatic Pro put two polyurethane inserts into the handle to reduce vibration and shock.
You want the best deal:
at just $99.99, the PRISM Flash was already the cheapest paddle on this list – take another $10 off with our exclusive discount.
You're focused on your touch game:
this is one of the best control paddles in pickleball, with a softer feel than the poppier Engage and JOOLA paddles.
Pass if:
You're a power player:
the JOOLA Agassi Pro is made for bangers who hit hard.
You want a lighter, faster paddle:
the PRISM does have a head-heavy feel – you can balance the weighting with lead tape, or splash out on the lighter-feeling Engage or JOOLA.
Paddle Weight
7.7–7.9 oz (14 mm paddle) / 7.9–8.2 oz (16 mm paddle)
Paddle Length
16 ⅓"
Paddle Width
7 ⅔"
Handle Length
5 ⅓"
Grip Circumference
4 ⅛"
Paddle Face Material
Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber
Core Material
Polymer honeycomb
Edge Guard
Anti-abrasion TPU
Core Thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (0.55" or 0.63")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it suits
"Put 1-gram lead tape from the throat of the paddle to the first corner and it will balance the weight of the paddle and relieve tennis elbow. It's worked for many of my students and for me too."
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deal
3. JOOLA Agassi Pro
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Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want an elongated power paddle:
this is my top elongated paddle and one of the best power paddles in the game, with no head-heaviness that tires your arm out.
You play a fast game:
the Agassi Pro excels in fast hand battles thanks to the tennis racket-like design, which boosts aerodynamics.
You have a high budget:
at $280, the JOOLA Agassi Pro is priced for serious players.
Pass if:
You want a softer paddle:
this is a poppy paddle, so check out the plush Vatic Pro PRISM Flash.
You're on a budget:
the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash is also my top pick if you're shopping in the $100 range.
You prefer hybrid-shaped paddles:
if you don't need the extra reach or power of an elongated paddle, try the Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid.
Paddle Weight
7.9 oz (14 mm) or 8.1 oz (16 mm)
Paddle Length
16.5"
Paddle Width
7.5"
Handle Length
5.5"
Grip Circumference
4.125" (14 mm) or 4.25" (16 mm)
Paddle Face Material
Carbon friction surface
Core Material
Polypropylene
Core Thickness
14 mm (0.55") or 16 mm (0.63")
Sweet Spot
Medium
Who it suits
Features
Design and feel
Performance
Value for money
Today’s best deals
Alternative pickleball paddles for tennis elbow
If none of these paddles suit your game, don't worry. Here are some that almost made my list:
Low swing weight
Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C
Standard shape
Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody
Speed and power
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0
Budget choice
Ronbus R1 PULSAR
What is tennis/pickleball elbow and what causes it?
Pickleball elbow is a form of tendinitis known as "lateral epicondylitis". To find out what causes it, we asked Dr. Elizabeth Matzkin, an orthopaedic surgeon at Mass General Brigham and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. She said:
"Pickleball elbow is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. Repetitive motions – like those involved in swinging a paddle – can strain these tissues, leading to tiny tears, inflammation, and pain."
The Pickleball Doctor (Noe Sariban) agrees. Dr. Sariban is a former pro player who works as Ben Johns' physical therapist and coaches pickleball camps all over the US. He is a founding member (and Pickleball Performance Director) of Train100, an online fitness platform geared directly to pickleball players. He claimed:
"The biggest cause of pickleball elbow is excessive wrist usage during play, especially on the backhand side. The repetitive nature of pickleball at the kitchen line leads to positional errors and excessive usage of the wrist into extension, which irritates the forearm extensor muscles and, over time, leads to pickleball elbow."
How to treat tennis elbow
The first thing you should do when you experience pickleball or tennis elbow is stop playing. You don't want to aggravate it even more. Dr. Matzkin says:
"Initial treatment includes rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and swelling. Physical therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises for the forearm extensor muscles can be very effective. A wrist brace to rest the wrist extensors can also be effective. There are other potential treatments for resistant cases, including injections and surgery, but these are rarely necessary."
Dr. Sariban recommends treating your injury with a combination of:
| Pain control |
Compression
Heat
Ice (only if the pain is unbearable; if the pain is tolerable, avoid ice) |
| Manual therapy techniques |
Joint mobilizations and manipulations of the elbow, wrist, and even the neck
Soft tissue mobilizations (e.g. massage, cupping, or instrument-assisted soft tissue work)
Compression and vibration techniques |
| Therapeutic exercises |
Progressive eccentric strengthening of the forearm musculature
Shoulder and scapular stability work
Return-to-sport exercises |
How to prevent tennis elbow
First, try adjusting your paddle. Here's a pro tip from our reviewer Stephen Mijangos. Stephen is a 5.0-level sponsored player, pickleball coach, and organizer.
"Put 1-gram lead tape from the throat of the paddle to the first corner. This will balance the weight of the paddle and relieve tennis elbow. It's worked for many of my students and for me too."
Dr. Matzkin says that, to prevent pickleball elbow, "players should focus on using proper technique, warming up before play, and strengthening their forearm muscles. Adequate rest between pickleball games/tournaments and events is also very important."
It's also a good idea to find a pickleball coach who understands the importance of body positioning. As Dr. Sariban says:
"It is extremely important to address body positioning prior to the shot, in addition to proper form and technique during the shot to avoid excessive stress at the elbow. A backhand shot should very rarely be hit utilizing the wrist, and certainly almost never be hit with the wrist being the primary lever for the shot. Ensuring proper positioning prior to the shot will ensure the player can be effectively positioned to perform the shot properly."
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Does it matter what type of paddle you have?
This is up for debate. Some players prefer Engage paddles, with their vibration-dampening tech. Others say that lightweight pickleball paddles are best at preventing tennis elbow. However, our reviewer Stephen Mijangos claims you can solve weighting issues (and therefore tennis elbow) with lead tape.
Dr. Matzkin believes that "using a paddle with the right grip size and shock-absorbing qualities can help reduce strain on the elbow." Meanwhile, others, like Dr. Sariban, believe that the paddle doesn't matter:
"While companies claim to sell certain paddles that decrease vibrations, this is not a solution to the root cause. Plenty of people play tennis with rackets much heavier than pickleball paddles, and never experience tennis elbow. Positioning and mechanics are most likely the cause of the tennis elbow, not the weight of the tennis racket."
Instead, Dr. Sariban says it's your technique that needs work:
"The key is to first address the injury through proper treatment and rehabilitation. Then, once the injury is taken care of, get on the court with a qualified instructor and fix the positioning and mechanics that are faulty."
So, while you might get some relief from a paddle for tennis elbow, you must also address the root cause of your tendon pain.
If you want to hear more about pickleball health and wellness, Dr. Sariban has a great new podcast called The Pickleball Doctor Podcast on Spotify and YouTube. Guests include Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud. Check him out on Instagram at @thepickleballdoctor.
More tips for preventing tennis elbow
Here are some ways to avoid developing tennis elbow:
- Gently build up the muscles in your shoulders, arms, core, hips, and legs.
- Make sure you don't grip your paddle handle too tightly, and don't use a narrow handle (below 4-inch circumference).
- Adjust your technique. For example, use two hands for backhands to reduce the stress on your wrists.
- Ease into the game – don't go too hard too soon. Play a little bit of pickleball rather than marathon 3-hour sessions, at least until you're fully injury-free.
- Warm up before each game by stretching your shoulders, wrists, and arms. Stretch afterward, too.
- Apply ice to your elbows after each game, even if they don't hurt, to prevent inflammation. Rest them too.
- Watch tutorials or get lessons from a coach on how to achieve the correct technique.
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 80 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
Bottom line
If you're certain that you want a paddle with in-built tech for vibration-dampening and shock prevention, I recommend the Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid first. It's an overall great all-court paddle with one of the lowest swing weights I've seen. Here's a recap of my three picks:
- Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid – Best overall
- Vatic Pro PRISM Flash - Best budget
- JOOLA Agassi Pro - Best upgrade
I hope that whatever paddle you end up playing with, combined with good technique and preventative measures, offers you relief from your injury issues.
Recent updates
May 2025
I've named the Engage Pursuit Pro1 Hybrid as the new "best overall", replacing the Elongated model (though that model is still worth checking out). The hybrid model is lighter and faster, putting less strain on your joints.
I've included the powerful JOOLA Agassi Pro and removed the out-of-stock Grüvn RAW-16S. I also removed the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C to narrow the list down to three.
FAQs
