Choosing the Perfect Paddle For You Part 1

Choosing the perfect pickleball paddle is one of the most important decisions you can make to level up your game—but with so many options, where do you start? This post is Part 1 of a three-part series designed to help you find the paddle that fits your play style. We’ll kick things off by breaking down paddle shape—how it affects control, power, and quickness at the kitchen—and I’ll share my personal experience with each type. In this blog, we’ll explore other key features like paddle thickness, handle length, and face material to give you a complete guide to picking the right paddle with confidence.

One of the best places to start when choosing a pickleball paddle is figuring out which shape suits your game. Currently, there are four primary paddle shapes: Widebody, Hybrid, Elongated, and Extra Elongated.

Widebody

Widebody paddles are typically no more than 16 inches long and at least 8 inches wide. This is the shape I currently use and one I’ve really grown to love. Back in what now feels like the ancient days of pickleball—2021—manufacturers typically paired widebody paddles with short handles. As someone who prefers a two-handed backhand, I never gave them a second look.

Last summer, I tried the CRBN 2X 16mm and absolutely loved how it played. Unfortunately, the handle was just too short for my backhand, so I couldn’t commit to using it as my main paddle. Thankfully, the industry has evolved—most widebody paddles now come with longer handles to accommodate the growing number of players using two-handed backhands.

I made the switch to the 11Six24 Monarch All-Court last September. It’s a widebody paddle with a 5.7" handle, and since making the change, I’ve earned more medals with it than with any other paddle I’ve used. What I love most about this shape is the large sweet spot—it makes touch shots like dinks and drops more forgiving. Plus, the typically lower swingweight helps generate quick hand speed during firefights at the net.

Although I’m currently sidelined from live play due to injury, I’ve been coaching with the CRBN Trufoam Genesis 2. It’s another widebody paddle I highly recommend. While it does have a slightly shorter handle than my Monarch, it’s easy to adapt by wrapping an overgrip a bit higher up the throat—there’s plenty of room to do so. If you're interested in trying it out, you can take 10% off with my code: CTAYLOR at CRBN’s website.

Notable Widebody Paddles on the Market: 

• CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 Use Code: CTaylor for 10% off
  
  
• Joola Scorpeus Pro IV 
  
  
• Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 
  
  
• 11Six24 Pegasus Use Code: CTaylor for $10 off
  
  
• Bread & Butter Fat Boy 
  
  
• Vatic Pro Bloom  Use Code: CTaylor for $10 off

Hybrid

When I first started playing pickleball, hybrid-shaped paddles weren’t really a thing. I’d credit Six Zero Pickleball for popularizing this shape with their Double Black Diamond paddle, which had players buzzing throughout all of 2023.

A hybrid paddle is typically longer than 16 inches but not quite as long as 16.5 inches, landing somewhere between a traditional widebody and an elongated paddle. While I haven’t logged as much time with hybrids personally, I have played with the Double Black Diamond and the Vatic Pro Saga Flash. From what I’ve seen and heard, this shape is an excellent option for players who love the feel and forgiveness of a widebody paddle but are looking for just a bit more reach.

Notable Hybrid Paddles on the Market:

• Six Zero Double Black Diamond

• 11Six24 Vapor  Code: CTaylor for $10 off

• Gruvn Lazr 16HD

• Franklin C45

Elongated

Elongated paddles are extremely popular and produced in high volume by nearly every paddle brand. I wish I could get behind this shape—it would make paddle shopping so much easier—but for my game, hand speed and sweet spot size are too important to sacrifice.

By definition, an elongated paddle measures 16.5 inches or longer, and it’s designed to maximize reach and power. The extra length gives players more leverage, translating to greater force on drives and putaways. It’s also a go-to shape for players transitioning from tennis, as it more closely resembles the feel of a racquet and rewards longer, fuller swings.

Notable Elongated Paddles on the Market:

• Proton Project 3 Flamingo

• Joola Perseus Pro IV

• Paddletek Bantam TKO-C

• Engage Pursuit Pro1 

• CRBN TruFoam Genesis 1 Use Code: CTaylor for 10% off

Extra Elongated

At the time of writing this blog, there are only a handful of Extra Elongated paddles that I’m aware of. I’m sure if I really dug into it, I could find more—but I need to spend that time finishing the rest of this post!

Extra elongated paddles max out the legal length limit at 17 inches, offering the absolute most reach you can get within USA Pickleball regulations. These paddles are ideal for players who prioritize reach above all else—whether that’s to cover more court, extend for volleys, or simply to mimic the feel of a tennis racket. They may also appeal to players with larger hands or those who like a longer handle-to-paddle ratio.

Notable Extra Elongated Paddles on the Market:

• Pickleball Apes Pulse E
  
  
• Oya Phantom Max

Thickness

After selecting your preferred paddle shape, the next key decision is paddle thickness. I first learned to play using the original Diadem Warrior, which was 19 millimeters thick—an innovative move at the time, considering most paddles on the market were either 16mm or 14mm. Because of that early experience, I never liked the feel of 14mm paddles and typically stuck with 16mm options after moving on from the Warrior.

Ironically, my current paddle of choice is a 14mm model—something I only adopted after a lot of hesitation. The turning point was the new foam core technology that CRBN is using, which offers a softer, more controlled feel than traditional 14mm builds. While it took some convincing, the performance and feel eventually won me over.

Paddle Thickness Breakdown

13/14mm Paddles (Thin)

Thin paddles tend to have a hard, crisp, almost board-like feel, making them excellent for drives, counters, and aggressive offensive shots. The downside? They can feel a bit less forgiving in the soft game—especially when it comes to dinks and drops. Control takes a slight backseat in exchange for pop and power.

16mm Paddles (Standard/Thick)

The 16mm paddle is the most popular and balanced option. These paddles have a noticeably softer, more “squishy” feel, offering great control and touch for soft shots. While they might not deliver the same level of pop as a thinner paddle, many players find that they offer the best of both worlds—solid power with dependable control.

19mm+ Paddles (Extra Thick)

Extra-thick paddles are built almost entirely for maximum control. These paddles shine in the soft game—perfect for dinks, resets, and drops—but tend to sacrifice power and speed. With only a few options currently on the market, these paddles are geared toward players who value precision and placement above all else. 

Less than 13mm Paddles (Extra Thin)

Extra-thin paddles—typically less than 13mm—are designed almost exclusively for power and speed. They thrive in singles play, drives, and fast hands battles at the net. However, their lack of softness and forgiveness makes them difficult to control in the soft game, especially for dinks and resets.

Because of this, they’re rarely used by amateur or intermediate players and seem to be falling out of favor in the broader market. Unless you’re an advanced player with exceptional touch, or you're playing singles where control matters less, these paddles can be tough to handle.

Face Material

When choosing a pickleball paddle, one of the key factors to consider is the face material. Paddles come in a variety of face types, including carbon fiber, Kevlar, titanium, paint grit, and various material blends. Each offers a unique feel and performance characteristic that can influence your play style. Personally, I’m open to most options—except paint grit, as it tends to wear off quickly. That said, different grades of carbon fiber and other materials offer distinct advantages in terms of spin, control, and durability, so understanding your preferences can help you choose the right paddle for your game.

Different brands also use unique variations of materials that can significantly impact spin, control, and feel. For example, Diadem uses a specialized carbon fiber that creates a triaxial weave, allowing for excellent spin generation from all angles. I also recently tested a paddle from a lesser-known company called BRZK, which featured a titanium/carbon fiber blend. The result was some of the best spin I’ve ever experienced—sharp, consistent, and easy to access off the paddle face.

Understanding how each material performs can help you find a paddle that truly fits your playing style. 

Handle Length
When choosing a pickleball paddle, handle length is an important factor to consider. Even if you don’t use a two-handed backhand, players with larger hands may find shorter handles uncomfortable. Conversely, hitting a two-handed backhand doesn't automatically mean you need an extra-long handle—your hand size and grip preference also play a role. Some players prefer placing a finger or two on the paddle face when using two hands, which can influence the ideal handle length.

Longer handles offer more space for a two-handed grip, but they reduce the available surface area on the paddle face. Handle lengths typically range from 4.8 to 7 inches. For reference, elongated paddles often feature handles around 5.5 inches, while standard (non-elongated) paddles commonly have handles closer to 5 inches.

Construction

Pickleball paddles have evolved significantly over the years, with each stage of development—often referred to as a "generation"—bringing new materials and manufacturing techniques that impact performance and durability.

• Generation 1 paddles were the original models, built with a polymer honeycomb core held together using epoxy or similar adhesives. These paddles laid the foundation for modern designs but were relatively basic in terms of performance and durability. 

• Generation 2 introduced the thermoforming process, where a plastic sheet is heated until malleable and then molded into shape. This allowed for stronger, more durable paddles with improved consistency.

• Generation 3 paddles took thermoforming a step further by incorporating injected foam into the edges and walls of the paddle. This construction increased power and pop but also stirred controversy over control and dwell time.

• Generation 4, the most recent innovation, features paddles with 100% foam cores. This generation prioritizes enhanced durability and a more uniform feel across the face of the paddle.

Each construction type brings its own advantages and trade-offs, so understanding the generation of a paddle can help players choose one that fits their style and needs. Gen 1 will get you the best feel for the soft game but the power/durability won't be as good. Gen 2 is more durable but some people may not like as it has a stiffer feel than a Gen 1. Gen 3 is great for advanced players looking for a leg up but may be hard for begginers and intermediates to control. 

Choosing the right paddle shape is a huge first step, but it’s only part of the equation. In Part 2, we’ll dive into swingweight and twistweight—two under-the-radar metrics that can dramatically influence your speed, stability, and performance in hand battles and resets. Then in Part 3, we’ll break down how to compare paddles by price, certifications, and overall value, so you can make the most informed purchase possible—whether you're buying your first paddle or upgrading to a tournament-ready weapon. Stay tuned—your perfect paddle might be closer than you think.

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