Playing pickleball today is easy to learn but harder to master. Learning the essential pickleball shots can be hard and it requires patience and practice. Even if you are just starting, understanding the basics of pickleball and having the right equipment is essential. It's also important to wear comfortable pickleball clothing when playing.
Here is a list of great pickleball paddles you can choose from.
Selkirk
Selkirk is a famous brand for producing quality pickleball paddles. They are also the first to have a research & development department called Selkirk Labs. Players can participate in the Selkirk Labs by collaborating, testing products, and providing feedback.
Selkirk Series
This series focuses on more professional players and produces high-quality and premium products.
Selkirk Power Air is an innovative paddle first developed in the Selkirk Labs. It focuses on power and spin that’s designed for controlled, aggressive drives.
- Selkirk VANGUARD for effortless control and satisfying spin.
- Selkirk VANGUARD Control Air - Invikta is best for switching from continental grip to other grips.
- Selkirk AMPED - Epic is the best all-around and high-performance paddle.
SLK Series
The SLK series is more budget-friendly and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate players.
The SLK Halo is beginner and professional-friendly and focuses on spin and control. It has two types: XL and Max. You can also choose between Power and Control, whichever you want to focus on.
The SLK Latitude pickleball paddle is the best budget pickleball paddle for beginners. It has a larger sweet spot, better spin, and control for an enhanced performance.
The SLK OMEGA pickleball paddles focus on power and spin. This is the best budget pickleball paddle for beginners who want to experience high performance at an affordable price. It also has two types: XL and Max.
Selkirk/SLK Paddle Shapes
- The Standard Paddle has a square shape that gives a bigger sweet spot that enhances speed and flexibility when switching hands.
- S2 has the largest sweet spot and is a favorite among dedicated pickleball and tennis enthusiasts.
- Epic is considered the best all-around shape.
- Max (SLK) is similar to Epic but has a slightly longer design.
- Invikta is a popular choice for intermediate to expert players with its extra spin, reach, and power.
- XL (SLK) provides comfort for two-handed players.
Prince Pickleball
Prince Pickleball has been around for quite some time in providing racquet sports paddles. Prince partnered with Paddletek in 2018 and launched Prince Pickleball paddles. It has a larger sweet spot for wherever the ball strikes on the paddle for better return and forgiving shots.
Diadem
Diadem paddles and tennis rackets were first manufactured in 2015 and live by their philosophy “Live to Play” as a reminder that when you play sports, you are doing something humanly.
- Diadem Hero includes two paddles and balls. It is lightweight and easy to swing and has a large surface spot for ball contact.
- Diadem Team Paddles is perfect for fun games with family and friends.
- Guy Harvey Limited Edition Paddles in collaboration with Guy Harvey. It provides comfort while still focusing on power.
- A52 is the best intermediate pickleball paddle that’s affordable. It offers power, precision, and style.
- First Responder Series V2 - Rush serves to elevate your game while honoring the true American heroes. It has three designs: Nurse, Teacher, and EMT.
- Rush offers excellent maneuverability to amplify control and power.
- Riptide is the best cheap pickleball paddle for serious players. It’s perfectly balanced and easy to swing.
- Edge 18K gives a competitive edge by amplifying spins at every angle of contact. There are three models you can choose from: Standard, Power Pro, and Power.
- Edge 18K Speed Pro focuses on speed and maximizing power and responsiveness.
- Warrior Edge is incredibly flexible for quick resets and recoveries.
- Warrior V2 is targeted for dinks while still powerful enough for hard hits.
- First Responder Series V2 - Warrior Edge also serves to elevate your game while honoring the true American heroes. It has three designs: Police, Firefighter, and Military.
- Icon V2 is a power paddle that is the most comfortable and arm-friendly. It's available in two sizes: Standard and XL.
- Vice has a soft paddle that combines power for control and spins for touch.
JOOLA
JOOLA has been around for 15 years and was founded from the love of table tennis.
*Both are designed for speed.
- JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 14 Swift
- JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16
- JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 13.5
- JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16
*These are designed for more aggressive, offensive play.
- JOOLA Vision CGS 16 is an aggressive paddle that has an expanded hitting area that adds incredible spin.
- JOOLA Seneca FDS 14 is for leveling up more powerful and accurate shots.
- JOOLA Seneca CDS 16 is for advancing players to control their shots.
Volair
Volair pickleball equipment has been produced with the belief that the best sports deserve the best gears that can withstand many games. Their paddles focus on spin, control, and power.
Franklin
Franklin was founded with the principle that “Sports make life better”. With leather scraps, different athletic equipment was born.
101Pickleball
101Pickleball is new in the industry but that doesn’t mean it can’t keep up with the established brands.
Once you’ve already decided on pickleball paddles, don’t forget the pickleballs. Check out the list below for the best pickleballs. You can play pickleball indoors and outdoors, however, it requires different kinds of balls.
Outdoor
Indoor
Choosing the right pickleball paddle and ball can be a lot and overwhelming at first, especially if you’re new. Of course, you wouldn’t want to waste money on the equipment that wouldn’t work well with you. Don’t rush. Take your time and study what you want to focus on so that when you buy the equipment, you’ll get the right one with no regrets.
Key Takeaways
Brand |
Best For |
Notable Series/Models |
Selkirk |
All levels |
Power Air, VANGUARD (power/control), SLK (budget) |
Prince |
Better control |
Spectrum, Response |
Diadem |
All players (beginners to advanced) |
Edge, Warrior (power/spin) |
JOOLA |
High-performance, top pros |
Hyperion, Scorpeus (spin/power) |
Volair |
Durability, spin, control, power |
MACH series |
Franklin |
All skill levels |
Signature, Pilot (spin/control) |
101Pickleball |
Budget-friendly |
Infinity Balance, Zen Control (comfort/precision) |
Pickleballs |
Outdoor and Indoor play |
Franklin X40, Dura Fast40 (outdoor); Franklin X-26, Onix Fuse, Penn 26 (indoor) |