Top 10 Pickleball Paddles for Beginners in 2025

Starting your pickleball journey begins with choosing the right paddle. A good beginner paddle should offer a balance of control, power, and affordability to help you develop your skills. To make your choice easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 pickleball paddles for beginners in 2025, highlighting their features, benefits, and why they stand out.

1. Selkirk Neo

• Weight: 7.5 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Polymer

• Face Material: Composite

• Key Features: Affordable, durable, and designed with beginners in mind. The large sweet spot helps with consistent hits.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Combines control and power for easy adaptability.

2. Onix Z5 Graphite

• Weight: 7.5-8.2 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Nomex

• Face Material: Graphite

• Key Features: Lightweight and easy to maneuver, offering excellent control and spin potential.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Versatile and forgiving, perfect for learning the basics.

3. Paddletek Bantam TS-5

• Weight: 7-7.5 oz (Lightweight)

• Core Material: Polymer

• Face Material: Fiberglass

• Key Features: Lightweight with a soft feel, ideal for control-oriented players.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Encourages finesse and placement, helping new players build precision.

4. Engage Encore EX 6.0

• Weight: 7.9-8.3 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Polypropylene

• Face Material: Fiberglass

• Key Features: Large sweet spot and vibration-dampening technology for comfort.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Reduces mishits and enhances confidence on the court.

5. Gamma Mirage

• Weight: 7.6 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Sensa Poly Core

• Face Material: Composite

• Key Features: Ergonomic grip and balanced design for control and power.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Comfortable grip and easy maneuverability.

6. Head Radical Elite

• Weight: 8.1 oz (Heavyweight)

• Core Material: Polypropylene

• Face Material: Fiberglass

• Key Features: Durable and provides great power for beginner players.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Offers stability and is budget-friendly.

7. Wilson Echo

• Weight: 7.6 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Polypropylene

• Face Material: Fiberglass

• Key Features: Sleek design and textured surface for spin control.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Stylish and functional, supporting skill development.

8. Franklin Sports X-40

• Weight: 7.8 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Polypropylene

• Face Material: Fiberglass

• Key Features: Durable and designed for recreational play.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Reliable and widely available at an affordable price.

9. Prince Response Pro

• Weight: 7.7-8.3 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Polymer

• Face Material: Fiberglass

• Key Features: Enhanced sweet spot and consistent performance.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Easy to handle with forgiving design for new players.

10. Rally Tyro 2

• Weight: 7.5-7.8 oz (Mid-weight)

• Core Material: Polypropylene

• Face Material: Composite

• Key Features: Lightweight, durable, and affordable.

• Why It’s Great for Beginners: Excellent value and performance for starting players.

Conclusion

Choosing the right paddle as a beginner is crucial to building a solid foundation in pickleball. The paddles listed here offer a mix of affordability, quality, and features designed to help new players grow their skills. Whether you’re looking for power, control, or a balanced option, there’s a paddle here for everyone. Try one out and start enjoying the exciting world of pickleball today!