The 12 Best Pickleball Paddles of 2023, Tested by a Gear Editor

HEAD's Radical Elite paddle is the ultimate wallet-friendly pick for those who are getting pickleball fever. I had the pleasure of first playing with the Radical Elite in a private pickleball lesson at Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas. At the lesson, I learned more advanced moves to improve my game, like putting spin on my serve and returning shots up close to the net while avoiding the non-volley zone (my favorite trick I learned is jumping at angle over the non-volley zone to return a dink shot).

After I finished my 90 minutes lesson, I realized I never had to think twice about my HEAD Radical Elite paddle underperforming. In fact, I was surprised when I later learned I could buy the paddle for $65—it feels more like a $80-$100 paddle in-hand. As far as design goes, the Radical Elite comes with a honeycomb core, a fiberglass finish, and a wide surface area to smack the ball. You also get a comfortable foam handle with a length similar to that of a tennis racket, so I was more than capable of using my two-handed backhand on returns.

After playing with a handful of different pickleball paddles in the past year, I noticed the Radical Elite was lacking in power. This is a model that prioritizes control and staying lightweight, so its a great paddle for precision and learning the game. You can definitely play competitively with the Radical Elite too, but as you see yourself progressing I'd probably recommend looking at paddle with a little more juice behind them. But remember, this paddle is less than $65, so the overall value is definitely the best you can find right now.

What else you should know: After playing with both colors of the Radical Elite, I think the orange color will stay vibrant much longer than the green. The green feels like it's prone to fading.

Weight: 8.1 ounces Dimensions: 9 x 16 inches Grip Circumference: 4.16 inches

My first introduction to Wilson pickleball paddles started with the Echo, and I quickly fell in love with its clean look and balanced design. That paddle is harder to find these days, and after playing with it on and off for all of 2022, I decided it was time to reach for the upgraded Echo Energy in 2023.

The Echo Energy has everything I loved about the original Echo. The paddle carries the same PO3 fiberglass composite makeup to ensure a lightweight, durable feel. Inside it still has a PolyCore-X honeycomb core, which I believe to help lessen vibrations and hit a more controlled shot. The measurements of the paddle head are even the same as the Echo. So what's the big difference? Two words: longer handle.

It might not seem like much, but the longer handle has payed off immensely in my gameplay. That's because the long handle gives me generous space to perform a two-handed backhand, which is my best shot in pickleball. (I have a little tennis in my background, and I have a long history of playing baseball and swinging a bat left handed.) Having the extended handle to for a two-handed backhand allows me to send off nasty line drives and put my opponent on their heels. Between the Echo and the Echo Energy, the Echo Energy takes the cake as a paddle that plays to my strengths and gives me the best chance at winning out on the court. It's my favorite paddle to grab when things are about to get intense. Those with tennis and baseball backgrounds, start here.

What else you should know: Wilson also makes my favorite pickleball shoe, the Rush Pro Ace Pickler. It performs like a high level tennis shoe and gives me a premium level of comfort for my wide feet and high arches. Consider matching the Echo Energy with a pair of the Rush Pro's in all-white.

Weight: 8.1 ounces Dimensions: 8 x 16 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

If you watch any professional pickleball events on TV, it's likely you'll notice Onix as a paddle in a few pro's hands. Onix has a wide array of paddles to choose from, but the Graphite Z5 is a trusted pick that's big on ball control and clean returns. The takeaway from the Z5 you get the best qualities of graphite paddle for a price point well under $100, which is a great value in my book. Graphite is a favorite for many pros due to the material's strong design and lightweight feel, making it easy to control each shot and finesse where you want your ball to go.

When testing, I was surprised to see how well balanced the Z5 is in hand. The nomex honeycomb core seemed to limit dead spots, and the paddle measurement of 8.3 x 15.5 inches gave me enough space to connect clean on most shots. (The shape of the paddle gives you a sneaky amount of surface area too.) In terms of where the paddle shined brightest, I feel like the combination of the paddle's weight with its sweet spot give it a superior rating. The paddle was especially great on my serve, as I was able to whip the ball over the net and get some good spin on my initial shot.

What else you should know: The colors on the Z5 are much more vibrant and colorful than most online retailer images show to be. The all red and all blue colors look sweet.

Weight: 8.2 ounces Dimensions: 8.3 x 15.5 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

So, I've heard a lot of good things about this carbon fiber paddle over the last several months, which prompted me to get my hands on it. It can only be found on Amazon right now, and the brand XS XSPAK is not as well known as other pickleball brands; however, when I was able to test the paddle I was throughly impressed. Like the Amazon reviews suggest, this is a high-performance carbon fiber model for a mind-blowing price.

After playing with the paddle, I can confirm it's one of the best deals you can find right now considering the materials used could make it easily a $175 paddle. Inside is a polypropylene XS28 core that I found to be great at limiting vibration and sending back slick returns. On the outside is the carbon fiber surface. It feels super gritty to the touch when taking it out of the box—almost like wood—but after you get used to it and start playing the gritty surface can lead to some wild ball spin.

What's nice is XS XSPAK maintains it's USAPA approved, so you can play in local tournaments with it. If you are just starting out to play in a league or playing tournaments, this is a solid paddle to try. If you are already playing competitively and have a go-to paddle, I'd recommend buying this one as a second-string paddle to keep for backup or use whenever you want to change things up on the court. Beware of the sides of the paddle though: I sent some lame duck returns out of bounds when the ball hit parts of the plastic edging.

What else you should know: The grip on this paddle is thick and feels like it will hold up for quite a long time. I also love how the handle is also long enough for two-handed backhands.

Weight: 8.0 ounces Dimensions: 7.4 x 16.5 inches Grip Circumference: 4.35 inches

A $250 pickleball paddle is no investment to take lightly, but those who want the best-of-the-best gear will find interest in the Power Air Invikta . This is the signature model PPA pro Tyson McGuffin uses right now, and after I played a match with this bad boy I now know why he likes it. For starters, the Air Invikta has an elongated shape that makes it bigger than the Onix Z5 and HEAD Radical Elite, yet smaller than the PCKL Pro Series.

Second, the paddle's performance is some of the best I've ever felt. Selkirk added the air opening to create faster swing speeds, and while I did not go that far in depth to measure the data if true, I could definitely feel my serves were much more crisp. I like to get real low and serve the ball via drop serve. Starting this way helps me get a fast and low shot over the net with some spin, and the Power Air Invikta played to my serve style and made it super fun to use.

A third key finding from playing with the Air Invikta was the overall feel of the paddle. It's like holding the pickleball paddle equivalent of a Ferrari: fast, lightweight, and sexy. The handle is luxe and cushioned, and the wrapping near the end is a little fatter to help get a more secure grip (helped me especially on two-handed backhands). What else is interesting about the paddle is there are no pronounced edges for the ball to take a weird shot off of, so there's actually a chance you can return a good shot even if you connect near the edges of the paddle don't center up your return.

The Power Air Invikta is meant for seriously players only. I'd recommend this paddle if you are in a weekly pickleball league or you are entering tournaments. It's the most advanced paddle I've ever played with, and the sleek design really plays up the fact you're using some of best technology in the game.

What else you should know: We previously highlighted the Selkirk Project 002, a performance paddle with similar tech as the Power Air Invikta. David Dutrieuille, a 5.0-rated traveling player and coach and the National Pickleball Director for Life Time, had recommended the Project 002 to us. "I love the Selkirk Project 002 because it has the best spin & power combination on the market. It really allows my shots to have more bang for the buck without over-swinging," says Dutrieuille.

Weight: 8.1 ounces Dimensions: 7.375 x 16.5 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

After playing with both the PCKL Power Series and the Pro Series, I'm much more likely to grab the Pro Series based on the elongated design and better control. Not only was I able to reach just a few more inches to get to the far sides of the court, but when I returned the ball off the end of the paddle I felt like I still felt like a sent enough power back without losing control.

The downside of playing with this paddle is it takes some getting used to due to the shape. The larger surface area feels different than a compact paddle like the Onix Z5, but the Pro Series paddle itself is actually still quite light. I wish the handle was a bit longer too for easier two-handed backhands. Nevertheless, the Pro Series turned out to be one of the paddles I turned out to really like after reviewing. You certainly get a ton of value for its $120 price point, and I'd pin it as a high caliber paddle that's worthy for competitive play.

What else to consider: I also have had the pleasure of testing the PCKL Starter Bundle. It comes with two quality paddles and four balls for just $65.

Weight: 7.5 ounces Dimensions: 7.5 x 16.5 inches Grip Circumference: ~4.25 inches

The Gamma Voltage 5.0 is another paddle I was impressed with. Most of the Gamma paddles I've been familiar with are much less than $100, but after swinging this paddle I'm confident in recommending players pay up for a higher Gamma model. The paddle features a 14mm thick polymer core, which gave me a great feel when returning shots and a shocking amount of power I was not expecting. It definitely carries more zip than one might expect.

There were two standout features I loved about this paddle when testing. The first was the textured surface allowed me to get some added spin on the ball. Gamma notes the surface is coated with a "micro-bead texture", and while it's one of my favorite paddles I tested when it came to getting spin on the ball I still do feel like the XS XSPAK paddle has the stronger texture. The second standout feature is the Voltage 5.0's handle. The holes in the tape felt like I could get a better grip that didn't slip when I got sweaty (by the time I was testing this paddle I was coated in sweat).

I don't like how pronounced the edging is on the paddle. With that being said though, this is a top-notch paddle I'd certainly recommend to anyone looking to join a league for the first time or have a backup for league play.

What else you should know: The Gamma 5.0 series also comes in a cheaper Neutron 5.0 model and a Micron 5.0 model. All three have the same retro color scheme but showcase different patterns.

Weight: 8.0 ounces Dimensions: 8 x 16 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

Nettie is a pickleball paddle brand that was born during the Pandemic. The brand's founder sought to create premium pickleball products with colorful, retro-inspired designs; and after holding this paddles in-hand I can definitely say Nettie has some of the best styles out of all the paddles you can buy right now.

The Ashbury is the groovy design that takes inspiration from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco. It features a polymer honeycomb core and a carbon fiber face, as well as a fine leather grip that I believe to be one of the most comfortable grips I tested. There weren't any performance qualities of the paddle that stood out to me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Overall, I view Nettie as a brand with reliable performance and excellent design. You can play with these paddles competitively in tournaments, but ultimately they are a fun choice for recreational play with friends.

What else you should know: Nettie paddles come in a bunch of different patterned designs, but the aesthetic of the brand all matches together, which makes the paddles fun to buy in a duo or bundle set.

Weight: 8.2 ounces Dimensions: 8 x 15.5 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

I always make a point to remind people that pickleball isn't all about competition. To me, the beauty of the game is the range in the ways you can participate. When testing Tangerine's paddles, I found them to be the perfect weight and build for leisure play. The brand has really made an effort to create fun, elevated designs (with beautiful carrying bags too) in order to add style to one's game.

Due to this paddle's makeup, you could probably get away with using it for league play. It does have a polypropylene honeycomb core and fiberglass surface, so you can rely on it to give you solid pop and an ability to put spin on the ball. I, however, see this paddle best in a set you keep at home and then breakout for entertaining guests. To this day, it's my favorite paddle to play one-handed while I sip on an ice cold beer in my other.

Buying this paddle gives unlocks great looks and trusted performance. So what if you're not trying to conquer the world of pickleball?

What else you should know: I briefly mentioned Tangerine's pickleball bags earlier, but to speak on them more, I believe they're some of the best looking bags in the sport. I suggest buying the full set of two paddles with the bag to get the full country club feel Tangerine gives off.

Weight: 7.6 ounces Dimensions: 7.7 x 15.65 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

The Halo Power XL is more refined carbon fiber paddle than the XS XSPAX Carbon Fiber. In terms of carbon fiber performance, the surface mostly feels the same, which allowed me to put seriously good spin on the ball yet again when testing the Halo Power XL after the XS XSPAX. I found the edging of the Halo Power XL were not as raised XS XSPAX, which was a positive in my book.

To avoid confusion, I'm going to break down the Power XL portion of the Halo name. You can buy the Halo is a control version, which I did not test. The Power XL is the one I did play with, and that comes designed with a 13mm Power Core as opposed to a 16mm Control Core from Selkirk. The "XL" on the paddle represents its extended handle, which makes the paddle feel more like a tennis racket and allow for two-handed backhands.

In terms of weight, performance, and look, the Halo Power XL checks all boxes. It's absolutely capable of showing up in league play and in tournaments, and it will give you just the right amount of power and spin you need. This paddle probably has the best combination of power and spin, but the tradeoff is there's some difficulty when making touch shots—dinking the ball over the net was more harder to locate on this paddle than I would've liked.

What else to consider: The faux leather handle is one of the best grip materials on this entire list. From a design standpoint, I loved the brown handle and trimming over the carbon fiber makeup.

Weight: 8.0 ounces Dimensions: 7.4 x 16.4 inches Grip Circumference: 4.0 inches

Legacy tennis brand Babolat has ventured into the game of pickleball, and after taking a look at one of their top paddle offerings it's safe to say they're making a splash in sport. I was finally able to test the Mnstr Power, and getting to hold it in hand made me realize this is another excellent option for those who want a power paddle with good spin potential.

Babolat mentions the paddle has a layer of SWC Pure Feel to help add texture and create spin. It's a little reminiscent of a carbon fiber surface, but not quite as gritty and textured like carbon fiber can give off. Nevertheless, I still felt like I could put adequate spin on the ball in my serves and on some returns. As for inside the paddle, Babolat says it uses a technology used in aerospace called SMAC to help filter vibrations. When playing with the Mnstr Power I felt it was among some of the best when handling vibrations.

The $139 price point makes me a bit resistant of this paddle, as I'd prefer to buy the SLK Halo. The SLK Halo has a better textured surface and more pure power performance, but what I did find is the Mnstr Power handled dink shots much better than the SLK Halo Power XL. If you are looking for a league play paddle and want graphite over carbon fiber, then the Mnstr Power is a smart pick to choose.

What else you should know: Babolat also makes pickleball shoes, and I found the Propulse Fury to be one of the better high-end pickleball shoes for competitive play. You can match your Babolat paddle with the matching shoes and have a 1-2 punch for your league or tournament play.

Weight: 8.1 ounces Dimensions: 7.8 x 16.1 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches

While I am more a fan of the HEAD Radical Elite due to it's overall value for the price, the Radical Tour is a worthy upgrade to make if you plan on playing in leagues and tournaments. It's about $100 more than the Radical Elite, making it one of the more expensive paddles on our list, but after playing with this paddle I can say I definitely did feel the added features.

What stands out to me the most is the Radical Tour is thicker than the Radical Elite (15mm vs 13mm). HEAD's reasoning for this change was to extend the power core of the paddle, which translated to me feeling much more juice behind my returns when centering up the ball. The second feature that I also noticed off the bat is the graphite surface. The Radical Elite uses a fiberglass surface; and while it works great for most levels of the play, the graphite surface on the Radical Tour took my game to the next level by making it easier to create spin on the ball. HEAD even adds a technology called "SpinOn", a type of lacquer that's applied to the surface to create more friction and better spin. The last difference I will mention is the Radical Tour felt lighter than the Radical Elite; and after playing I found our the Radical Tour is 0.2 ounces lighter (or 5 grams less) than the Radical Elite.

So where does this paddle fall into my rankings? I think the Radical Tour is a solid paddle upgrade you can make once you've been playing pickleball long enough and decide you want to get into higher competitive play. The paddle is lighter, more powerful, and better at creating spin than the balanced, under-$100 paddles like the HEAD Radical Elite and the Onix Z5. Just remember you're paying $150 for the paddle, so make sure it gets the playing time it deserves so you can get your money's worth.

What else you should know: Similar to how the Onix Z5 paddle shows color, the HEAD Radical Tour is much brighter and more vibrant than some of the web images lead it to be. I personally love how the orange streaks on the paddle create a three-dimensional look.

Weight: 7.9 ounces Dimensions: 7.875 x 16 inches Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches