Best intermediate pickleball paddles - top 5 compared

So, you're ready to move on from your beginner paddle. There are so many great intermediate paddles on the market these days. Some are more control-oriented, others have better spin, and some are made for power.

To help you decide which is best for you, I've made a list of the best intermediate pickleball paddles. Take a look below and see which paddle best fits your game.

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 intermediate paddles make the list:

That's the list. Now let's dive into what I liked so much about them:

As you step up from beginner level, choosing a paddle can be hard. There are almost too many out there. Some are similar and some are wildly different.

I not only personally tested dozens of pickleball paddles this year, but I also talked to experts, other reviewers, and paddle manufacturers to get you the best info to help you choose your paddle.

Here are some things you should take into consideration when choosing a paddle:

The standard size for a pickleball paddle is 16" (length) x 8" (width). The size of your paddle makes a difference to your game.

Meanwhile, elongated paddles are longer than 16" and thinner than 8". They tend to play with more power, spin, and reach, but they will have less control. This can make them a challenge to some intermediates.

Square-shaped paddles have wider faces. This gives them a larger sweet spot for more forgiveness. They're more popular with beginners and lots of intermediates too.

Hybrid paddles fall in between the two. They aim to find the balance between reach and control. Hybrid paddles can be great for intermediates.

Weight is really important and can affect everything from power to how tired you get. Pickleball paddles usually weigh somewhere between 6.5-9 oz and are divided into the following categories:

These are mostly beginner paddles. The lighter weight is good if your only focus is your touch game, mastering dinks, and drop shots. However, these paddles are usually made from cheaper materials and lack the power that intermediates need.

Most intermediate paddles fall in the midweight category. These blend good control with more power than lightweight paddles.

These tend to have the most power. The heavy swing weight leads to powerful shots but can tire out less advanced players. Most intermediates will struggle with the heaviness of these on the court.

The average grip size on pickleball paddles is between 4-5". Sometimes it's hard to know how to choose between two options. I'd recommend choosing a smaller grip.

Intermediates are at the level where they can start adding overgrip as needed, since they better understand how they want the grip to feel.

You'll see "core thickness" mentioned a lot when referring to pickleball paddles. Many paddles have a core thickness of either 14 mm or 16 mm. Thinner cores often have more power and pop, while thicker cores offer greater control and stability.

So, if you want to play aggressively, you'll probably choose a 14 mm paddle over a 16 mm. If you want more control on dinks, a 16 mm paddle will probably suit you better.

This refers to the material that makes up the interior of the paddle. The way this is constructed is actually really important because it affects how the ball responds to the paddle.

Most paddles nowadays have a core made from polypropylene (a type of plastic), though you'll sometimes see it referred to as a "polymer" core. These tend to be light and cushioning so the paddle has a flexible response when the ball hits it. This is great for control.

You want a paddle that's going to last you a long time, preferably until you're ready to step up to an advanced level.

Paddles made with cheap materials can start to wear and break within months. Make sure you research a paddle's durability in customer and professional reviews before buying.

All the paddles on this list scored high for durability. It's a very important category for me when I give my overall score on a paddle.

Intermediate paddles can cost anywhere from $50-250, and you usually get what you pay for. However, new paddles are becoming available that are incredible value for money. The Vatic Pro PRISM Flash and the Friday Original are two examples of high-quality paddles at very affordable prices.

I've included a section in each of my reviews on value for money because I know how important it is.

According to the pickleball rating system, the levels are:

So, how can you tell if you're an intermediate? At this skill level, you should be able to do most (if not all) of the following:

Opinions differ on when you've reached intermediate level. Personally, I'd say that if you're getting a lot more comfortable and confident, and you're winning matches against beginners, it's time to upgrade to an intermediate paddle.

You'll know when your beginner paddle just isn't giving you what you need anymore.

Whatever you end up choosing, intermediates are spoiled for choice these days with a whole range of great intermediate paddles on the market.

After testing many of them myself, I went with the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S as the best overall intermediate pickleball paddle. It's similar to the Six Zero DBD Control in that both have an amazing all-court blend of forgiveness, spin, control, and power. The Energy S suits more players, though, because its pop is easier to adjust to.

Here's a recap of my top 5 intermediate paddles:

Once you find the paddle that best suits your game, you'll keep growing in confidence. You might even be looking for an advanced paddle before you know it.

In this new update, I've introduced three new paddles: the Friday Original (best cheap), the PIKKL Hurricane Pro (best for control), and the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control (best for spin).