Best pickleball paddles in 2023 - top 15 paddles for every skill level

Why we picked it

In June of 2023, JOOLA released the Perseus as an upgrade to the Hyperion CFS 16. Ben Johns gave up his Hyperion and started playing with this paddle right away, and so far, he's been getting impressive results.

We're still finalizing our testing notes and our full review of the Perseus, but it's already topping our list of paddles this year. Our initial impression is that it's a great improvement on the Hyperion, and has fixed many of the faults that paddle suffered from.

In the meantime, read our full JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS pickleball paddle review.

The head-heaviness issue has been solved, and the new 'unibody' design should help this paddle from breaking at the neck like the Hyperion.

JOOLA also brought the weight down, which gives it a lighter swing and makes it faster in the hand. Despite that, the Perseus still creates a surprising amount of power for a lighter-weight paddle.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced players with fast hands are going to love the Perseus. You can switch from offense to defense quickly, and it's easily maneuverable at the net. It also has great pop for a light paddle, meaning you can generate a lot of power with minimal effort.

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Features

JOOLA have listened to the public and taken the Hyperion feedback on board. Firstly, the Perseus features a 'carbon-framed design', which means carbon fiber is built into the paddle and runs right from the tip to the bottom of the handle. This strengthens it throughout, making the Perseus sturdier than the Hyperion.

JOOLA also added an additional layer to the previous carbon friction surface. This is designed to create poppier and more powerful shots. This new tech has worked—for a lighter paddle, the ball popped off with a surprising amount of power.

Finally, the head of the Perseus is slightly more square than the rounded version on the Hyperion. This has made it more aerodynamic, giving it a faster and lighter swing.

Design and feel

This paddle feels light and nimble in the hand, which is one of the more unexpected aspects for those who played with the head-heavy Hyperion. With the weight stripped away, you've got a paddle that shines in fast kitchen exchanges and is great for defense.

The Perseus also feels sturdy, delivering plenty of power despite its light weight. It's got good consistency, resulting in minimal fliers and mishits.

Performance

Let's talk power. Considering it weighs only 8 oz, this paddle can generate a surprising amount. By the feel of this paddle, you'd expect to have to really whack the ball from the back of the court, but this isn't the case. The performance on serves, third shot drops, drives, and reset was almost always impressive.

This power also shines when it comes to control. It's highly consistent in dink rallies and its nimbleness allows you to get the ball out from under your feet quickly and accurately. It's got excellent control in the kitchen, is easily maneuverable at the net, and is a great defensive paddle.

Spin is one aspect that lets this paddle down. For a paddle that plays soft, it really doesn't allow you to generate much spin at all. If you love spin in your game, this paddle isn't for you.

Value for money

At $250, this paddle is definitely a premium offering. For that price, though, you'll get Ben Johns' personal paddle and state-of-the-art technology that delivers excellent power, control, and speed.

Pros:

✔️ Deceptively powerful

✔️ Consistent and accurate shot placement—once you hit the sweet spot

✔️ Good control on dink rallies and offensive-defensive switches

Cons:

❌ Smaller sweet spot than the Hyperion, making it a bit less forgiving

❌ A real lack of spin lets this paddle down

The PCKL Launch Series is an excellent choice for players looking for a paddle that packs an impressive performance on the courts, without the premium price tag.

In my testing, I found this paddle surprisingly responsive from my first warm-up dink. It had great feel, more than you'd expect from a paddle this price. Spin was a bit lacking, but the paddle was forgiving, could generate plenty of power and had solid control.

The widebody design is what makes it forgiving, helping to avoid mis-hits as the sweet spot is impressively large. This makes it easier for beginners to develop their game and hit more shots.

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The weight and balance of the paddle make it feel strong and sturdy while remaining responsive. This means you can try more advanced touch shots like the 3rd shot drop, while having enough power to use drive shots in your game.

The fiberglass surface provides excellent pop, though not as much grip as the Onix Z5 for example, which is similarly priced. Again, this won’t matter to most beginners, but what will impress is the comfort of the paddle in the hand.

To learn more, check out our full PCKL Launch Series Review.

Pros

✔️ Wide body is ideal for beginners

✔️ Extra large sweet spot

✔️ Bright, colorful design

Cons

❌ Not as much spin as the Onix Z5

❌ Too light for some players

Pricing

The PCKL Launch Series is a solid and forgiving paddle that punches well above its weight. For only $64.99, try it yourself and see how its wide design will improve your game.

The SLK NEO 2.0 paddle is a great entry-level pickleball paddle, delivering versatile on-court performance at an affordable price.

It beats our pick from last year, the Niupipo pickleball paddle. Having tested both personally and with beginners, the SLK sports a better build quality, enhanced feel, and a more forgiving sweet spot compared to the Niupipo.

You’ll pay a slight premium for these over the Niupipo, but you get the Selkirk name—one of the best in the industry—and two quality paddles that can take you well into the intermediate level.

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The SLK NEO 2.0 paddle features a multi-layered fiberglass and graphite face with a honeycomb core for reduced vibration, making it easier on your paddle hand and creating a sweeter pop off the face. The face itself gives excellent traction for increased ball control and has a large sweet spot.

The paddle face is protected by a durable edge guard so you won’t have to worry when the paddle gets knocked about a bit. The grip is moisture-wicking and padded for extra comfort, with players regularly saying how great the grip feels in the hand.

Pros

✔️ Great for beginners

✔️ Affordable price point

✔️ Superior performance to other entry-level-priced paddles, like the Niupipo

✔️ Lightweight paddles good for players with injuries

Cons

❌ Lacking in performance for more advanced players

❌ Lightweight—unsuitable for players wanting heavier paddles

Pricing

Overall, the SLK NEO 2.0 is lightweight, great for beginners, and plays like pricier paddles such as the Onix G5. For only $79.99, try these paddles and get the Selkirk brand name at an excellent price.

Update: The Paddletek Tempest Wave II has been discontinued and replaced by the Tempest Wave v3. The Wave v3 features Paddletek's 'ICED carbon surface', which has more grit for longer-lasting spin. Watch out for our full review of the Wave v3, coming soon.

The Paddletek Tempest Wave II is designed to give you excellent control and accuracy, and is the perfect paddle to help you fine tune the depth of your shots as you progress your game.

I played with the Tempest Wave II for one week in April 2023, and can say it played as advertised. It’s a control paddle—and that forgiveness is why we placed it as our best for intermediates.

It shines on the 3rd shot drop and dinking at the kitchen, but I did miss the power of my Selkirk Power Air. It’s got just enough power for drives but you have to really swing it hard.

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This paddle's textured graphite surface makes it easy to place the ball exactly where you want it, and you’ll see many reviewers raving about its feel at the net.

It’s an ideal choice for strategic players who love the dink game—the velvet-textured surface of the face gives awesome spin and control over the ball.

The Tempest Polycore uses vibration-damping technology to deliver a smooth shot that’s easier on the hand and arm. Though it's primarily designed for sensitivity and control, the Tempest Wave II still has enough power to use drives in your game.

The Wave II comes with a cushioned, high-tack performance grip so you can keep a firm hold of your paddle when performing precision dinks and sneaky spin shots. All in all, an excellent intermediate paddle that will help you move to the next level.

Pros

✔️ Superior touch at the net

✔️ Balance of pop, control, and spin

✔️ Advanced paddle that will help your game progress

✔️ Reviewers note a superior feel

Cons

❌ Lacking power at times

❌ Higher-end price point

Pricing

At $130, this paddle is a little on the expensive side, but it's built to last and comes with a limited lifetime performance guarantee. Try it yourself and see how your dink game improves.

The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta delivers complete power, devastating spin and enough control to dominate the kitchen.

This has been my go-to paddle since January 2023. The power on this paddle is unlike anything I’ve played with before. It does have less forgiveness and control than the JOOLA Perseus, which is why it’s a bit further down our list.

But for the power player, and advanced players who can handle a paddle with less control, the Power Air Invikta is a perfect option.

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The elongated design, formulated by pickleball pro Tyson McGuffin, not only gives you excellent reach, but adds enormous power to your shots. It’s great against defending the lob, and your putaways pack a serious punch. Combining this with the edgeless face and ‘Air-Dynamic’ throat for reduced air resistance makes for an impressively fast swing.

To match that speed and power, and tame its effect on the ball, Selkirk developed the "Quadflex" 4-layer hybrid face with "ProSpin" and "NextGen" micro-texture technology, which provides a long-lasting spin surface and outstanding ball control.

If you want to learn more about this paddle, read our full Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta Review.

Pros

✔️ Long handle and paddle face

✔️ Large sweet spot

✔️ Awesome power

✔️ Excellent ball control

Cons

❌ Edgeless design means it’s easy to damage

❌ Expensive price tag

Pricing

This paddle doesn’t come cheap, but you’re getting some of the best pickleball paddle technology out there. Pick one up at Pickleball Central for $249.99 with free shipping and 30-day returns.

The CRBN-2X Power is a seriously heavy hitter, ideal for the banger or players who use a 3rd shot drive in their game.

That extra power is generated by the reinforced unibody design and injected foam walls which add up to a hitting surface that creates exceptional pop and drive.

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The handle is fortified with extra carbon fiber to reduce vibrations and allow for even more force. The face doesn’t let you down when it comes to grip, and the CRBN-2X Power Series achieves an impressive amount of ball control for a power-focused paddle.

If you want to learn more about this paddle, read our full CRBN-2X Power Series pickleball paddle review.

Pros

✔️ Reinforced throughout for power and durability

✔️ Top-of-the-range materials

✔️ Two core thickness options available

✔️ Comes with a free CRBN paddle cover

Cons

❌ Premium price tag

❌ Other advanced paddles, like the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16, use edgeless faces

Pricing

This one doesn’t come cheap, but the power upgrade will be worth the investment. You can currently get this paddle for $229.99.

The Gearbox CX14E generates massive amounts of spin, so for those wanting to add the element of surprise into their game, this is the paddle for you.

"This is my primary paddle. The paddle is so soft at the net and gives me tons of control and spin. You can really feel it grip the ball. The sweet spot is more narrow than the intermediate paddles I came from, but when you hit it right, it feels incredible."—Max Ade, Pickleheads Founder & CEO

It uses ‘Hyper-Bite’ spin technology to achieve this enhanced spin, which consists of laying a urethane coating and advanced textures on top of the ribbed core, allowing for maximum ‘bite’ on the ball.

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Rather than using honeycomb design in the core, like Joola or CRBN, Gearbox have their own patented ‘ribbed’ core. Gearbox called this their ‘Solid Span Technology’ and it consists of hundreds of layers of woven carbon fiber molded into a one-piece construction of core, face and perimeter, creating an ultra strong and responsive paddle.

The ‘E’ in CX14E stands for ‘elongated’ and this extra length allows you to generate more power, while also giving the opportunity for even more spin.

The 14mm profile and aerodynamic edgeless frame make for great maneuverability and reaction speed.

Pros

✔️ Unparalleled spin

✔️ Elongated body shape

✔️ 1 year warranty

Cons

❌ Expensively priced

❌ Edgeless design means it’s easier to damage the paddle

❌ Small grip circumference doesn’t suit players with large hands

Pricing

At just under $200, this is a premium-priced paddle that delivers premium performance. Grab one now on Pickleball Central and take your spin game to the next level.

The Engage Pursuit Ex 6.0 Graphite paddle is designed and engineered in the US with a heavy focus on control and accuracy. It achieves this through a number of high-tech features.

This heavily-textured paddle face really grabs the ball, allowing you to place shots exactly where you want them. The grip is actually built into the omnidirectional friction-based graphite skin, rather than overlaid onto it, meaning it won’t wear off.

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The core, designed to be the softest on the market, delivers controlled compression and increases the accuracy and responsiveness of the paddle. This makes it easy to drop light dinks in your short game, but also means you can hit a serve or a fast return with confidence that the ball will go where you aim it.

Finally, Engage has gone to great pains to make this a quiet paddle, meaning it adheres to most community noise regulations and green-zone approved, so your neighbors will have one less thing to complain about!

Pros

✔️ Specially designed paddle face offers ultimate accuracy

✔️ Two weights to choose from—standard and lightweight

✔️ Optimized for community noise requirements

✔️ Proudly manufactured in the USA

Cons

❌ Expensively priced

❌ Not as much power as a heavy hitter like the CRBN-2X Power

Pricing

This paddle is among the most expensive on the market, but if you’re looking to hone your dinks and 3rd shot drops, invest the $219.99.

The ONIX Graphite Z5 is a solid choice for anyone looking for an all-rounder without the pro price point. With its classic widebody shape, it’s forgiving for beginners, yet also appreciated by more advanced players.

The Z5 offers plenty of spin potential and ball control due to its gritty surface, allowing you to hit more precise dinks. Nomex makes for a solid, durable core and an excellent feel of the ball.

Nomex isn’t used as much these days, probably because it’s the loudest of all cores, but it definitely provides a satisfying ‘pop’ and a decent amount of power.

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This paddle is considered pretty lightweight, but ONIX makes a Z5 with a composite face which is about an ounce heavier.

An interesting feature of this paddle is the flared, wooden handle which mimics a tennis racquet handle. This is especially praised by ex-tennis players, but is generally considered a very comfortable shape overall.

It'll come as no surprise that it's the best-selling paddle in both ONIX's lineup and on Amazon. This paddle is built with advanced materials and plays just like the $150+ paddles featured on our list.

Pros

✔️ Great value—plenty of performance at an attractive price point

✔️ Large sweet spot

✔️ Widebody shape that's good for beginners through advanced players

✔️ Outstanding touch and ball control

Cons

❌ Less durability than more premium-priced paddles

❌ Loud Nomex core

Pricing

This paddle delivers a lot of value for the price. Pick it up for around $90 on Amazon or Pickleball Central.

The JOOLA Essentials Series Paddle offers much of JOOLA’s pro-level technology and quality for a budget price tag.

Despite the low price, this paddle uses reinforced fiberglass layers for the face, with a polypropylene honeycomb core. These are the same materials used on much more expensive paddles like the Prince Response Pro, which we’ll look at later.

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The paddle comes as standard with a JOOLA ‘Sure-Grip’ which features anti-slip ridges, a moisture-wicking surface, and increased shock absorption. This means longer play and more consistent shots as your paddle hand won’t tire as quickly. This grip is praised by users as super-comfortable in the hand.

As an entry-level paddle, it also features edge-shield protection to save the paddle face from scrapes and knocks on the ground. Overall, a great paddle for the price.

Pros

✔️ High-tech construction

✔️ Protective Edge Guard

✔️ Comfortable Grip

Cons

❌ Smooth face with little grip

❌ Short Handle for a heavier paddle

Pricing

Pick up this paddle from the pro’s favorite brand for just $59.85 as a step up from your starter paddle. You’ll feel the difference over budget options commonly found on Amazon.

Niupipo Graphite Pickleball Paddles are an Amazon bestseller, and a solid choice for someone looking to play pickleball for the first time. They make a good beginner set because of their modern, lightweight composite build.

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This paddle uses the same design features as more expensive paddles like the Joola Essentials, such as the lightweight but ultra-strong and responsive honeycomb core. It also comes with a cushioned, sweat-absorbent grip and a carry case to protect it between sessions on the court.

The Niupipo was my beginner paddle years ago. And even though there are now better options at the price point (like the SLK NEO), it’s still a solid budget buy if you’re brand new to the game. If you’re not sure how much you’ll be playing, or need a few extra paddles for visiting friends or family, the Niupipo is a great option.

Pros

✔️ Entry-level price: under $40

✔️ Good balance of power and control

✔️ Designed for comfort with a perforated, sweat-absorbent cushioned grip

✔️ Suitable for beginner to intermediate players

Cons

❌ Lacks specs for more advanced players

❌ Short handle may be unsuitable for players with larger hands

Pricing

As the cheapest paddle on our list, we can’t argue with its spec! Grab your Niupipo for just $45.99 now.

The Selkirk AMPED Invicta X5 FiberFlex paddle has the longest handle and face of Selkirk’s AMPED range of paddles. This shape allows for a larger sweet spot than traditional power paddles while still delivering impressive amounts of power when swung correctly.

This paddle is perfect for players who are looking for extra reach and power, and ideal for ex-tennis players as the shape mimics that of a tennis racquet. The polymer core is thicker than usual, and also soft, which is surprising for the amount of power it generates.

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The elongated handle helps defend against the lob and give more reach to your volleys. This is a similar model the Power Air Invikta (#5 on our list) used by pro Tyson Mcguffin, though at a more intermediate level and price point.

Pros

✔️ Top brand used by pickleball pros

✔️ FiberFlex™ technology produces spin and offers control

✔️Designed and Assembled in the USA

Cons

❌ Not as much grip as the Gearbox CX14E

❌ Elongated design takes some getting used to

Pricing

At $149.99, this paddle offers premium performance and build for a very reasonable price.

The Prince Response Pro pickleball paddle is our top choice for those of you who are coming to pickleball from tennis. Welcome to the fun side, by the way!

This was my paddle-of-choice all of last year and I still break it out often. I have the light-weight option and for touch and control, it really shines. I feel it most with precision on my third shot drops and during lengthy dink exchanges at the kitchen.

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This paddle has a unique, rounded design, paired with a long, 5.5" handle, making it resemble a tennis racquet. If you’re coming from tennis, like I was, this paddle will feel natural in your handsit has a tennis racket-shaped face and a big, forgiving sweet spot.

Given the price, this is one of the best intermediate step-up options out there, whether you’re coming from tennis or not.

The long handle also allows for comfortable two-handed backhands while generating plenty of power for serves and smashes.

Prince definitely hit their mark with this paddle, and Simone Jardim swears by her Prince Response Pro.

Pros

✔️ Widebody design

✔️ Extra large sweet spot

✔️ Weight and grip size options

✔️ Engineered and manufactured in the USA

Cons

❌ Lightweight version too light for many players

❌ Not as much spin as other paddles, like the Gearbox CX14E

Pricing

At under $130 this paddle represents good value for money. Pick one up at Amazon or Pickleball Central now, and get a one-year dead spot guarantee.

The Prokennex Ovation Flight is a unique paddle in so many ways. It was scientifically designed over several years specifically to prevent arm and elbow damage, making it perfect for anyone recovering from an existing injury.

This Prokennex Kinetic ‘arm-saving technology’ was found to reduce vibration by 43% by using internal tungsten-filled chambers in the core of the paddle. These focus the energy more efficiently into the ball and away from the hand, to reduce the impact on the player while increasing the speed of the ball.

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The paddle, which is made from a single piece with graphite inlay, has micro-tungsten beads embedded into the paddle’s perimeter, further absorbing vibration. It’s ultra lightweight, with a thin grip and an oval-shaped face for faster and easier rotation.

This paddle is lightning quick in your hands, and fast and responsive on the court due to its aerodynamic design. When it comes to performance, it won’t pack the punch of a heavier paddle like the CRBN 2X, but the face delivers excellent touch and spin. This is generated by the 7-layer carbon face which features a soft skin and a ‘diamond frost’ surface, which gives maximum grit exposure on the ball.

Despite its light weight, when used correctly this paddle can deliver quite a bit of ball speed. Finally, the low-profile, replaceable edge guard means that the Prokennex will last for years, while saving you from arm stain and the dreaded pickleball elbow.

Pros

✔️ Super lightweight

✔️ Designed to reduce arm and elbow strain

✔️ Free paddle cover and 22 online lessons

✔️ 30 day money-back test period

Cons

❌ Thin handle not ideal for bigger hands (can add new grip)

❌ Lightness takes getting used to

Pricing

This paddle doesn’t come cheap, but all that research and development makes for an excellent paddle for anyone with an injury, or looking to prevent one. Grab one on Pickleball Central for $180.

Nettie’s ‘The Ashbury’ pickleball paddle is named after and inspired by the famous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, birthplace of the 1960s hippy movement.

The vibrant, retro colors hark back to the summer of love and are sure to make this paddle stand out on the court. It's not all just good looks, however, as this paddle also has some quality features that make it great to play with too.

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The paddle core is made from lightweight but strong honeycomb polymer, and the face is made from a grippy graphite. The paddle also features an octagonal shaped, premium vegan leather grip.

Overall a well-built, beautifully designed paddle that’s ideal for beginners and intermediate players who want their paddle to stand out from the rest.

Pros

✔️ Super-stylish, eye-catching design

✔️ Affordably priced

✔️ 30 day free returns

Cons

❌ Not suitable for advanced players

❌ Slightly smaller sweet spot

Pricing

Grab your Nettie paddle direct from the manufacturer, or on Amazon, for only $79.99.