Biggest Mistake When Choosing a Paddle

Let’s be honest, choosing a pickleball paddle in 2025 might seem like one of the hardest tasks you’ll face. With tens of thousands of options, 1,000+ manufacturers, and an overwhelming amount of proprietary materials, and exclusive technologies, making the right choice for your next pickleball paddle can be difficult! 

While picking the right paddle might be in depth and tough, a lot of players make the biggest mistake when trying to find the right fit. But let’s get to it. Without further adieu, what is that mistake so many players make? Playing with a paddle because a professional player plays with that specific paddle! Professional pickleball players are elite athletes with world-class skills, reflexes, footwork, stamina and and have spent years (or decades) perfecting their paddle skills. They’re incredible athletes with the ability to play at a world-class level with any paddle in their hand! 

It’s important that you pick the right paddle for YOUR game! Here are a couple of suggestions that can help you protect your investment and get you in the right fit to maximize your success.

1. Know your play style!
   • What type of player are you? Once you know this, it’s easy to find a paddle that can bring the best aspects out of your game and onto the court. 
     
     
2. Weight!
   • How much a paddle weighs has a significant impact on how it plays! A lighter paddle (7.0 to 7.9oz) will generally be great at the net and have a lighter swing weight, but the potential of generating less power.
   • A heavier paddle (8.0oz and above) will often be more powerful, and create stability in your paddle. Powerful, stable, while still maintaining its maneuverability, the 8.0-8.2oz range has become the market’s most popular paddle weight range!
     
     
3. Face Material
   • No one face material is better than the others! Sure, some might fit your play style better than others, but most paddles are made with premium materials and will provide excellent play!
   • Carbon fiber: The most popular material in the past few years, carbon fiber provides a light feel, high spin potential, generates power, and durability. 
   • Graphite: A lightweight material, graphite is well known for being a quick-playing material and providing a silky, soft feel.
     
     
     
     
4. Read up on what shapes are best!
   • Looking for power? Elongated is your shape!
   • Play a balanced game? Try the hybrid shape!
   • More of a control player? The widebody will be your best bud!
     
     
5. What does paddle thickness mean to my game?
   • In short, a thinner paddle (10mm-14mm) provides more feedback and power. So if you’re a power player or want more power out of your game, giving a thinner paddle a shot could work great for you!
   • As a paddle gets thicker (15mm-20mm), it provides more feel, comfort and focuses on control, and less on power. If you’re a control player or want to focus more on control, go for a thicker paddle!
     
     
6. Trust your manufacturer!
   • Going with a trusted manufacturer gives you the confidence in knowing that your paddle was designed by a true pickleball company, and stands behind their paddles!