How To Choose The Right Pickleball Paddle For Your Play Style

Pickleball may be easy to pick up, but finding the right paddle isn’t always as straightforward. With so many shapes, core types and materials to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start — especially if you're buying your first paddle or upgrading after some experience on the court. Marketing labels like "control" or "power" can offer a rough guide, but understanding the actual design features of a paddle is what really matters.

This guide breaks down the key characteristics to look for when choosing the best pickleball paddle for your style. Below, we explain how the design of a paddle affects your performance and feel and what to consider when comparing options.

Key takeaways:

• Paddle weight impacts power, speed and comfort. Lighter paddles offer better control and agility, while heavier paddles add power but may lead to fatigue over time. Choose a paddle weight that aligns with your play style.
• Core material and thickness affect control and power. Polymer cores with thicker profiles offer a softer, more forgiving feel, ideal for beginners. Thinner cores add responsiveness and pop, better suited for aggressive players.
• Surface material determines spin and feel. Graphite and carbon fibre provide control and precision, while fibreglass enhances rebound and power. Texture on the face also improves spin potential.
• Paddle shape affects reach and sweet spot size. Standard shapes are well-balanced and great for beginners. Elongated paddles offer extra reach and power but require more precision.
• Grip size and handle length influence comfort and technique. A grip that fits your hand size improves control and reduces strain. Longer handles are ideal for two-handed backhands; shorter handles offer more hitting surface.
• If you're learning how to choose a pickleball paddle for beginners, focus on comfort, control and forgiveness to build confidence and consistency on the court.
• Choosing the best pickleball paddle depends on your goals, skill level and playing style — there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

How to choose a pickleball paddle: 5 features that matter 

If you're figuring out how to choose a pickleball paddle, these are the features that have the biggest impact on how the paddle performs during play. Each one plays a role in how the paddle feels, how much control or power it offers and how well it suits different types of players.

1. Paddle weight: how the paddle weight affects power and control

The overall weight of a paddle influences almost everything: swing speed, arm fatigue, shot control and power. Most paddles fall between 198 and 241 grams. Lighter paddles tend to be easier to manoeuvre and are preferred by players who prioritise speed and control, especially at the net. Heavier paddles generate more power and stability on groundstrokes or drives, but may lead to wrist or elbow fatigue if used for extended sessions.

There’s no single “best” weight — only what complements your play style. Players who rely on dinking and quick reactions may feel more at home with a lighter paddle, while those who like to hit hard and drive through the ball often prefer the added weight.

The bottom line: Lighter paddles boost control and quickness; heavier ones add power. When choosing a pickleball paddle, go for a weight that matches your strengths and style of play.

2. Core material and thickness: how core type and thickness influence your play style

When you choose a pickleball paddle, one of the first things to look at is the core material and thickness. Paddle cores are usually made from polymer (the most common), aluminium or Nomex — a lightweight honeycomb material. Polymer cores offer a balanced mix of power, touch and quiet play, which is why they dominate most recreational and club-level paddles. Nomex cores tend to be louder and harder, which can give you a crisp response but reduce touch sensitivity.

Thickness also matters. Thicker cores (typically 16 mm) offer more control and a softer feel. Thinner cores (around 13 mm) deliver more power and responsiveness but less forgiveness on mis-hits. If you’re still learning or value consistency in your shots, a thicker core is generally more forgiving. Players looking to maximise pop and drive off the face may prefer something thinner.

The bottom line: Thicker polymer cores provide control and consistency, which are ideal when learning how to choose a pickleball paddle for beginners. Thinner or harder cores offer more pop for power players.

3. Face material: how the paddle face material affects spin and control

The surface material impacts both feel and spin potential. Fibreglass faces tend to be more powerful and flexible, providing extra rebound on contact. Carbon fibre or graphite faces offer more control, with a stiffer response and better feedback. If your game relies on placement, angles and touch shots, a graphite or carbon surface will likely feel more precise. If you're still developing power or want a more reactive feel, fibreglass might suit you better.

Keep in mind that surface texture can also enhance spin. Some paddles have textured faces or grit coatings to help “grab” the ball on contact, which give players more control over slice and topspin.

The bottom line: Face material matters when choosing the best pickleball paddle for your playing style. Graphite and carbon faces give better control; fibreglass adds power.

4. Paddle shape and size: how the paddle shape affects pickleball performance

While standard paddles follow the typical 16" × 8" dimensions, elongated paddles are becoming more popular among players looking for extra reach and leverage. These can help generate more power and extend your reach at the net, but the trade-off is a narrower sweet spot. Off-centre hits are less forgiving.

Wide-body paddles, on the other hand, offer a broader face and more stability, making them ideal for newcomers still learning control and consistency. If you’re choosing the best pickleball paddle for a beginner, a traditional shape with a wider face is often the most comfortable and confidence-boosting option to start with.

The bottom line: Elongated paddles offer reach and power; wide-body shapes are more forgiving. Beginners should choose pickleball paddles with a wider face for better control.

5. Grip size and handle length: how to choose the right pickleball paddle grip size

Grip size plays a subtle but important role in how the paddle feels during quick exchanges and longer rallies. A grip that’s too thick can reduce control and tire out your hand, while a grip that’s too thin may compromise stability and cause wrist strain. Most paddles offer standard grip sizes, but it is worth checking before buying. 

Handle length also varies. Longer handles allow for two-handed backhands and more leverage but reduce face surface area. Shorter handles increase the hitting area and give players a closer connection to the paddle head. There’s no right or wrong — just what feels right for your hand size and swing preference.

The bottom line: Your paddle should feel secure and natural in your hand. Get the right grip size and handle length to avoid strain and stay in control during play.

How to choose a pickleball paddle based on your play style

Once you understand how paddle features affect performance, it’s easier to connect those traits to the way you play. Players who thrive on fast reflexes at the net, dinks and quick resets will benefit from paddles with thicker cores, lighter weights and more control-oriented face materials. These traits make it easier to keep the ball in play and handle fast-paced exchanges.

If you like to drive the ball and control points from the baseline, a slightly heavier paddle with a thinner core and high-power face material can help you hit deeper shots with confidence. Elongated shapes also come into play here, as they offer extra reach on passing shots and serves.

For all-rounders or beginners still discovering their strengths, a midweight paddle with a polymer core and standard shape offers a versatile feel. If you're still wondering how to choose a pickleball paddle for beginners, prioritising forgiveness, balance and comfort will usually lead to a better experience on court.

Pickleball paddle comparison table

Tips

This table supports both new players and those refining their gear after gaining court experience. Here are a couple of tips on how you can use it to help you choose a pickleball paddle for your needs:

• Mix and match traits. The categories aren’t rigid — many paddles overlap. Use this as a guideline when figuring out how to choose a pickleball paddle that suits your style.
• Dimensions vary by brand but shape, weight and material tend to be the biggest performance influencers.

Shop pickleball paddles at Buffalo Sports

Choosing the best pickleball paddle takes some trial and error, but it’s worth it once you find the right fit. At Buffalo Sports, we stock a wide range of pickleball paddles for schools, clubs and individual players. Our range includes plastic paddles for PE classes and play and even elite carbon and fibreglass models for serious competitors. You can also find class kits, nets and accessories to help run full PE programs or set up matches. Browse our product range today — we stock all equipment locally and dispatch them quickly across Australia.