Best Pickleball Paddles Shop in the UK

How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle

Your paddle is the most critical piece of equipment you will purchase. It’s an extension of your arm and directly influences your ability to control the ball, generate power, and impart spin. Understanding the different components of a paddle is the first step to finding the perfect one for you.

With so many options available, selecting a paddle can feel overwhelming. By focusing on 4 key factors—weight, grip size, thickness, and material—you can narrow down your choices and find a paddle that complements your game.

1- Paddle Weight: The Power vs. Control Trade-Off

Paddle weight is arguably the most important factor to consider. It affects your swing speed, power, and control, as well as your risk of fatigue or injury. Paddles are generally categorized into three weight classes:

Lightweight Paddles (Under 7.3 oz): These paddles offer excellent control and maneuverability. They allow for faster hand speed at the net, making quick volleys and dinks easier to execute. However, they generate less power, requiring you to swing harder to hit deep shots. They are a great choice for beginners, players with a focus on control, and those concerned about arm fatigue or conditions like tennis elbow.

Midweight Paddles (7.3 oz to 8.4 oz): This is the most popular weight range, offering a balanced blend of power and control. A midweight paddle provides enough mass to drive the ball with authority while still being manageable enough for quick exchanges at the kitchen line. It’s the ideal starting point for most intermediate players and many beginners who feel comfortable with a bit more heft.

Heavyweight Paddles (8.5 oz and over): Power hitters love heavyweight paddles. The extra mass does the work for you, allowing you to generate significant pace on your serves, drives, and overhead smashes with less effort. The trade-off is reduced hand speed and maneuverability. These paddles can also lead to arm fatigue more quickly, so they are best suited for strong, advanced players who can handle the weight.

Our Advice: If you are a beginner, start with a midweight paddle. It provides the most versatility as you develop your playing style. You can always adjust to a lighter or heavier paddle later as you identify whether you prefer a power-based or control-oriented game.

2- Paddle Grip Size: Comfort and Stability

Grip circumference is crucial for comfort and preventing injury. A grip that is too small can lead you to squeeze the handle too tightly, causing fatigue and potentially leading to tennis elbow. A grip that is too large can restrict your wrist movement, making it difficult to generate spin and control your shots.

Most paddles come with a grip size between 4 and 4.5 inches. To find your approximate size, you can use one of these methods:

The Finger Test: Hold the paddle with your dominant hand in a standard “Eastern” grip (as if you’re shaking hands with it). You should be able to slide the index finger of your other hand into the space between your palm and the tips of your fingers. If there’s not enough room, the grip is too small. If there’s too much space, it’s too big.

The Height Test: This is a rough guideline, but it can be a good starting point.

• Under 5’2″: 4-inch grip
• 5’3″ to 5’8″: 4 1/8 to 4 1/4-inch grip
• 5’9″ and taller: 4 3/8 to 4 1/2-inch grip

Important Note: It’s always easier to increase the size of a grip than to decrease it. If you’re in between sizes, choose the smaller one. You can add an overgrip to build up the circumference to the perfect size.

3- Paddle Thickness: The Secret to Feel and Forgiveness

Paddle core thickness has become a major point of innovation in recent years. It directly impacts the paddle’s feel, control, and sweet spot.

• Thinner Core (10-13mm): Thinner paddles often provide more power and a “poppy” feel. The ball spends less time on the paddle face, resulting in a quicker response. This can be great for power hitters but less forgiving on off-center hits. The sweet spot is typically smaller on thinner paddles.
• Standard Core (14-16mm): This is the sweet spot for many players. A 16mm core is the most common thickness on the market today, offering an excellent combination of power, control, and forgiveness. The larger core absorbs more of the ball’s impact, which enhances control for dinks and drops while still providing enough pop for drives.
• Thicker Core (17mm and above): Thick-core paddles are all about control and feel. They have the largest sweet spots and are incredibly forgiving. The thicker honeycomb core absorbs even more energy, keeping the ball on the paddle face for a fraction of a second longer. This gives players maximum control for soft shots and resets. The trade-off is a reduction in power.

Our Advice: For most players, a 16mm thick paddle is the perfect all-around choice. It provides the best of both worlds and suits a wide range of playing styles. Beginners will appreciate the forgiveness, while advanced players will enjoy the blend of touch and power.

4- Pickleball Paddle Materials Explained

The surface material and core of a paddle determine its performance characteristics, including feel, spin, and durability. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types.

Wooden Paddles

The original pickleball paddles were made of wood. They are by far the cheapest option, often found in introductory sets.

• Pros: Very inexpensive, durable.
• Cons: Extremely heavy, small sweet spot, offer very little control or feel.
• Best For: Absolute beginners on a tight budget, schools, or community centers that need durable, low-cost equipment. Most players will outgrow a wooden paddle within a few sessions.

Composite Paddles (Fiberglass Face)

Composite paddles typically feature a fiberglass hitting surface combined with a polymer honeycomb core. Fiberglass is a flexible material that provides a lot of “pop.”

• Pros: Excellent power, relatively affordable, large sweet spot.
• Cons: Can be less control-oriented than graphite or carbon fiber. The “poppy” nature can make soft shots more challenging.
• Best For: Beginners and intermediate players who want more power in their game without a hefty price tag.

Graphite Paddles

Graphite paddles feature a thin layer of graphite on the hitting surface. Graphite is a very stiff and lightweight material, which translates to excellent touch and control.

• Pros: Superb control and feel, lightweight, quick at the net.
• Cons: Generate less power than composite paddles; you need to provide your own. Can be more expensive.
• Best For: Intermediate to advanced players who prioritize placement, dinking, and a control-oriented game.

Carbon Fiber Paddles

Carbon fiber is the premium material in the pickleball world today. Raw carbon fiber surfaces have a naturally textured finish (often called a “gritty” surface) that is exceptional at gripping the ball to generate spin.

• Pros: Maximum spin potential, great blend of control and power, large sweet spot, excellent feel.
• Cons: The most expensive paddle type. The textured surface can wear down over time.
• Best For: Intermediate to professional players who want the best possible performance, especially those looking to add heavy spin to their serves and drives.

Best Pickleball Paddles by Skill Level

Beginner Paddles

When you’re starting out, your focus should be on consistency. A good beginner pickleball paddle should be forgiving, easy to handle, and affordable.

What to Look For:

• Weight: Midweight (7.5 – 8.2 oz)
• Material: Composite (fiberglass) for a good mix of power and control.
• Thickness: 14mm or 16mm for a larger sweet spot.
• Price: Look for paddles in the £40-£80 range. Many starter sets in the UK offer great value, often including two paddles and a few balls.

Intermediate Paddles

Once you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll start to develop a personal style. You might be a power player who loves to drive the ball or a control player who excels at the net. Your paddle choice should reflect this.

Price: Expect to pay between £80 and £150 for a high-quality intermediate paddle.

What to Look For:

• Weight: Tailor it to your style (lighter for control, heavier for power).
• Material: Graphite for control players, or a raw carbon fiber paddle for those wanting more spin and an all-court game.
• Shape: Consider an elongated shape for more reach or a standard shape for a wider sweet spot.

Advanced & Pro Paddles

Advanced players need a paddle that offers precision and maximizes their strengths. This is where premium materials and specialized technologies come into play.

What to Look For:

• Material: Raw carbon fiber is the dominant choice for its spin and feel. Technologies like thermoforming (which creates a unibody construction) offer more power and stability.
• Core: Many pros use 16mm paddles for a balance of attributes, but some prefer thicker (19-20mm) for maximum control or thinner (12-14mm) for more pop.
• Customization: Advanced players often customize their paddles with lead tape to adjust the weight and balance to their exact specifications.
• Price: High-end paddles typically cost £150 to £250+.

Pickleball Paddles Durability and Performance

Two common questions beginners ask are: “Do pickleball paddles wear out?” and “Do expensive paddles really make a difference?”

Do Pickleball Paddles Wear Out?

Yes, they do. A paddle’s lifespan depends on how often you play, your style, and the paddle’s quality. Here are signs it might be time for a replacement:

• Loss of Surface Texture: On carbon fiber and graphite paddles, the gritty surface that generates spin will wear down over time. If you notice you’re not getting as much spin as you used to, the surface is likely worn.
• Dead Spots: If you hear a dull thud or notice the ball coming off the paddle with significantly less pace in certain areas, the core may be breaking down.
• Cracks or Dents: Visible damage to the paddle face or edge guard is a clear sign it’s time for a new one.
• Rattling Noises: If you hear something loose inside the paddle when you shake it, a piece of the honeycomb core has likely broken off. The paddle’s performance will be inconsistent.

On average, a casual player might get 1-3 years out of a paddle, while a competitive player who plays several times a week might need a new one every 6-12 months.

Do Expensive Paddles Make a Difference?

Yes, but with a caveat. An expensive paddle won’t magically make a beginner an expert. Skill, strategy, and practice are far more important. However, for a player who has developed solid fundamentals, a high-quality paddle can make a noticeable difference.

• Control & Consistency: Premium paddles offer larger sweet spots and more consistent performance across the entire face. This means fewer mishits and more predictable shots.
• Spin: High-end raw carbon fiber paddles generate significantly more spin than basic composite or wooden paddles. This is a game-changer for serves, returns, and topspin drives.
• Feel: Advanced materials provide better feedback, allowing you to feel the ball on the paddle face. This enhances touch for delicate shots like dinks and drops.

Bottom Line: A beginner does not need a £200 paddle. Start with an affordable, quality paddle. As your skills improve, you will be able to appreciate and leverage the performance benefits of a more advanced model.