Best Pickleball Paddles of 2024

At Pickleball Central, we test hundreds of new paddles every year, and only the best pickleball paddles are selected to be sold on our site. We take playtesting seriously because we stand behind every paddle we sell, and we want our customers to have the best experience possible. Among the paddles we bring on, there are those that stand out to us for overall for build quality and performance.

While these selections are endorsed by our team of experts, paddle preferences are subjective, and it's important to note that there are fantastic paddles that won't be on this list. If you're looking to learn more about paddles—and which one is right for you—check out our in-depth Paddle Guide.

All-Court paddles are the "Jack of all Trades" paddles that allow players to play a balanced game with a fantastic blend of power and control. Players struggling to find a place to start looking for a new paddle should consider an All-Court option. To learn more, check out our Top 5 All-Court Pickleball Paddle List.  

Everyone knows the feeling of popping a ball up and having it slammed back at them. Control paddles are designed to keep the ball low and place it where you want it to go. While your drives and putaways may not be as powerful as with other options, there aren't better options than these on the market for developing your soft game.

Placement is crucial, but for those who have soft enough hands to place the ball with any paddle or who just want to blast the ball past their opponents at will, there are a select few paddles that specialize in power production. In order for power to be advantageous, one must have enough spin potential to bend the ball back into the court, so each one of the paddles selected here offers top of the line power and great spin.

No paddle factor has changed the game of pickleball more than spin, and these days, players have a huge selection of paddles that claim to produce the most spin in the game. Playtesters and paddle nerds at Pickleball Central have identified the top spinning paddles on the market to make sure if spin is what you're after, spin is what you'll get.

As pickleball paddles have evolved, price tags have understandably risen to accommodate research and development, pro player contracts, and higher end materials. While there is definitely a place for pushing the boundaries of technology, what about those who want quality equipment but don't want to break the bank? We've put together a list of what we believe are the highest performing paddles on the market for a reasonable price.

Still unsure?