Best pickleball paddles for intermediates 2025

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, some are made for power, some do it all like the Honolulu J2NF, my top pick.

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 size of your paddle makes a difference to your game. Standard/square-shaped/widebody paddles are usually 16 inches (length) x 8 inches (width). Their wider face gives them a larger sweet spot for more forgiveness. They're more popular with beginners and lots of intermediates too.

Elongated paddles are usually 16.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. They tend to play with more power and reach, but less control. This can make them a challenge to some intermediates.

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 are usually 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 to 5 inches. 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.

Until recently, most paddles had a core made from polypropylene, a type of polymer plastic. Newer paddles are starting to use foam instead, and it could even push out polypropylene. Foam paddles tend to be more durable, so longer lasting. They aim to boost power and control. The Honolulu, Bread & Butter, and CRBN paddles on this list are newer foam paddles.

Currently, foam paddles are still more expensive than polypropylene, but the price is dropping as this material becomes more common.

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.

The intermediate paddles on this list cost anywhere from $100 to $280, and you usually get what you pay for. However, some paddles offer incredible value for money. The Honolulu is a great example, offering the performance of a $250 paddle for under $200.

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

According to the most commonly used pickleball rating system, DUPR, 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.

Here's a recap of my top five intermediate paddles this year:

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.

This year has been very exciting in the development of paddle tech, with foam paddles really taking center stage. Nowhere has this been felt more than in the intermediate paddle market. New paddles like the Honolulu J2NF and Bread & Butter Loco are offering insane performances and specs at intermediate-friendly prices.

I added the Honolulu J2NF as the top pick here. I also included the awesome budget paddle, the 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean. Finally, I included the CRBN TFG4 for anyone who’s ready to splurge on a real premium paddle.