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 Bread & Butter Loco, 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.
Best pickleball paddles at a glance
Best overall
Our Rating:
1. Bread & Butter Loco
Best spin
Our Rating:
2. Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF
Best budget
Our Rating:
3. Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro
Best speed
Our Rating:
4. Holbrook Fuze
Best power
Our Rating:
5. Honolulu J6CR
Best control
Our Rating:
6. 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2
Which paddle is best for you?
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:
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 200 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
The best intermediate pickleball paddles
That's the list. Now, let's dive into what I liked so much about them:
1. Bread & Butter Loco
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want a power paddle under $200:
the Loco Elongated is a top-tier power paddle that offers a big saving against its $250+ rivals from CRBN, Selkirk, and JOOLA.
You want the best spin:
the grit on the paddle face is so strong, amazing for generating spin on any shot.
You don’t want a paddle that’s too wild:
this isn’t one of those power paddles that you can’t rein in – when you want to soften your touch, you’ll find incredible control and accuracy.
Pass if:
You want a more forgiving paddle:
the sweet spot on the Honolulu J2NF is huge, making mishits rare.
You’re on a tighter budget:
the Loco is in the $150-200 range – check out the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro if you want the best $100 paddle.
You want more dwell-based power and touch:
the Holbrook Fuze edges the Loco for dwell time (i.e. a balanced feel of power and control based on the ball sinking into the paddle surface and launching off).
Today’s best deal
2. Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want incredible spin:
you'll get the highest levels of spin from this CFC (carbon fiber plus fiberglass) face.
You want a super forgiving paddle:
this is the most forgiving paddle I’ve played with that’s still competitive for intermediates – it offers a consistent bounce right across the face.
You want power too:
there’s a naturally aggressive pop off the fiberglass face when you need to take things up a notch.
Pass if:
You want a more plush feel:
the Holbrook Fuze has a softer feel if you need a paddle that has more natural-feeling control.
You want the best weighting:
I love the 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2's weight – light and maneuverable, and you can add lots of lead tape without upsetting the balance.
You want a budget alternative:
the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro offers incredible value at $100 (with our discount code)
Today’s best deal
3. Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want foam-core spin and control:
this paddle has a great foam feel that works best on touch shots with spin.
You like a light, fast paddle:
this is one of the quickest paddles I've played with – it excels in hand battles.
You want a step-up paddle without a big investment:
if you don't want to spend in the $150-200 range, the Vatic Pro is a steal at just $100 (with our discount code).
Pass if:
You need a big, forgiving sweet spot:
the Honolulu J2NF has a wider sweet spot for fewer mishits.
You want a power paddle:
try the Honolulu J6CR or Holbrook Fuze if you're ready to hit hard.
You're willing to spend up:
if your budget is closer to $200, a paddle like the B&B Loco gives you a boost in performance and long-term durability.
Today’s best deals
4. Holbrook Fuze
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want the fastest paddle:
if you want to win more hand battles and react quicker at the kitchen, this is my recommendation.
You want power plus control:
very few paddles score a 10 on power and control – the Fuze is one of those paddles.
You want a paddle to last until advanced levels:
you won't need to swap this out when you hit the 4.5 skill level. It has all the power that high-level players need.
Pass if:
You want max spin:
the Honolulu J2NF and B&B Loco both score 10 out of 10 on spin.
You want pop-based power:
the Fuze has a trampoline-like dwelly feel, so I'd try the Honolulu J6CR instead for a poppier power paddle.
You're on a tight budget:
you can save almost $100 with the Vatic Pro V-SOL paddle.
Today’s best deals
5. Honolulu J6CR
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want the most explosive intermediate paddle:
for any intermediate players who are ready to play aggressively, the J6CR is a rocket launcher.
You don't want to lose control:
this is controllable for intermediates because the sweet spot is large and forgiving.
You like fast paddles:
I love the weighting and speed here – it's so quick and balanced for an elongated paddle.
Pass if:
You want more control:
dinks and resets can be a little challenging as the pop works against you on touch shots, so try the 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 instead.
You prefer a dwell-based feel:
the power here is pop-based rather than trampoline-like, so I'd recommend the Holbrook Fuze.
You want extreme spin:
I can't generate as much spin as with Honolulu's other paddle, the J2NF.
Today’s best deal
6. 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2
Loading...
Power
Control
Spin
Forgiveness
Buy if:
You want a control paddle with aggressive spin:
touch and spin combine to deadly effect in this competitive control paddle.
You want long-term durability:
the HexGrit is known to hold its texture for months, while the Gen 4 core will last long too.
You like fast, maneuverable paddles:
this finely balanced paddle flies through the air easily – it's so user-friendly out of the box.
Pass if:
You want explosive power:
I'd recommend the Honolulu J6CR instead.
You want control and power to match:
the Holbrook Fuze scores a 10 on both.
You want a budget paddle:
the Vatic Pro is a crazy value at just $100.
Today’s best deal
How to choose the best intermediate pickleball paddle
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:
Paddle size/shape
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.
Paddle weight
Weight is really important and can affect everything from power to how tired you get. Pickleball paddles are usually divided into the following categories:
- Lightweight: 7.2 oz and under
- Midweight: 7.3 to 8.3 oz
- Heavyweight: 8.4 oz and over
Lightweight paddles
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.
Midweight paddles
Most intermediate paddles fall in the midweight category. These blend good control with more power than lightweight paddles.
Heavyweight 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.
Grip size
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.
Surface material
Carbon Fiber
As you can see from my list, most paddles are now made with a carbon fiber surface. This became so popular in the last couple of years because carbon paddles can generate great spin thanks to their rougher texture.
Fiberglass
Paddles with a fiberglass surface tend to be poppier, so some fast players prefer them. The smoothness of the surface does result in less spin, though.
Graphite
Paddles with graphite faces are becoming less popular as carbon fiber takes over. They tend to be lightweight and play with a bit less power. Often players add grit for more spin.
Core thickness
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.
Core material
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.
Durability
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.
Price
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.
What is an intermediate pickleball player?
According to the most commonly used pickleball rating system, DUPR, the levels are:
- Beginner: 2.0-2.5
- Lower Intermediate: 3.0
- Intermediate: 3.5
- Upper Intermediate: 4.0
- Advanced: 4.5
- Elite: 5.0 and over
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:
- Keep up with rallies
- Consistently score points against beginners
- Control the ball consistently
- Strategize how you play
- Have very few unforced errors
- Know how to serve backhand and forehand
- Hit all different types of shots (backhands, drop shots, etc.)
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.
Bottom line
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:
- Bread & Butter Loco Elongated – best overall
- Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF – best spin
- Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro - best budget
- Holbrook Fuze - best speed
- Honolulu J6CR - best power
- 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 - best control
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.
Recent updates
May 2026
The B&B Loco has taken the top spot in this update, replacing the Honolulu J2NF as the overall best intermediate paddle in 2026. The more I play with this paddle, the more impressed I am with how well-rounded it is. I'm keeping the J2NF (best spin): a solid option if spin is your priority, or if the Loco is out of stock.
I've added some new picks as well, including the Vatic Pro V-SOL Pro (best budget), the Holbrook Fuze (best speed), the Honolulu J6CR (best power), and the 11SIX24 Vapor Power 2 (best control). Read on for our full deep dives.
FAQs
