Onix Z3 Composite Pickleball Paddle

Polymer is the most common core material used by brands. More than 96% of paddles use a polymer core. You’ll see brands reference it as polymer, poly, polypropylene, or similar.

Polymer is durable, quiet, and offers a good balance of power and touch which is why it is the most popular core material. Not all poly cores are created equal.

Simply put, the more expensive paddles are using a higher quality polymer that doesn’t breakdown as easily and gives you a more consistent feel across the face. Allowing for more consistent play.

There is three materials for the facing or surface of the paddle. Fiberglass, carbon fiber, and graphite. The facing of the paddle will affect the power, control, and size of the sweet spot.

1. Fiberglass (Composite)

Fiberglass used to be the most common material but carbon fiber has taken over. Of the three common facing materials listed here, fiberglass offers the most power. You’ll see it called composite sometimes, so just know that composite is the same thing as fiberglass.

Fiberglass is not as stiff as carbon fiber and graphite, so it acts as a sort of trampoline that takes the energy from the ball and transfers it right back. Because the material is not as stiff, it will also diminish the size of the sweet spot compared to carbon fiber and graphite.

2. Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is known for having better feel than fiberglass, but a little less power. It is a very stiff and durable material. Because the material is so stiff, the energy of the ball at impact is spread throughout the entire face and into the handle. This gives you better feel and a larger sweet spot but will take some power away because less energy is transferred back to the ball.

3. Graphite

Graphite is a type of carbon fiber that is a little more cost effective for brands but plays very similarly to a carbon fiber face. It is also known for having better feel than a fiberglass face and produces a similar amount of power as a carbon fiber face. From my testing of paddles, it’s hard to tell the difference between a graphite and carbon fiber face.

4. Hybrids

You’ll see some brands use a combination of the three materials.

Paddleshape

1. Elongated Shapes

This shape is longer and is usually about 16.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. An elongated shape will give you more reach, power, and spin, but has a smaller sweet spot and has less maneuverability compared to other shapes.

2. Widebody Shapes

These are paddles with a wider face around 8.5 inches and a shorter length around 15.5 inches. This design offers the largest sweet spot and high maneuverability but at the sacrifice of reach and power.

3. Classic Shapes

This shape was the original paddle shape and is usually about 16 inches long and 8 inches wide. This shape sits between an elongated and widebody shape and as you can guess, offers a balanced mix of power, spin, forgiveness, and maneuverability.

How Does the Shape Impact What Paddle I Choose?

You’ll find all sorts of shapes there. As long as the shape complements the core and facing, then you’ll be good. 

For example, if you want an elongated paddle for the extra reach and power, then try to find one with a carbon fiber facing to help increase the size of the sweet spot. If you have an elongated shape with a fiberglass face, then that’s two elements of the paddle shrinking the sweet spot which may not be the best combination.

Handle Length

The length of the handle can vary between 4.5 to 6 inches. Because the total length plus the width of the paddle cannot exceed 24 inches, every inch you add to the handle length takes away some surface area of the paddle face.

• The longer the handle the more power and spin you can generate
• Longer paddles equal more power and spin
• Lower level players generate more power on average with shorter, wider paddles because they aren’t as consistent at hitting the center of the paddle

Paddles will weigh between 7 – 8.5 ounces. Anything in the 7 – 7.6 oz range is considered lightweight, 7.6 – 8.2 oz is considered midweight, and anything greater than 8.2 oz is considered heavyweight. Some brands may vary slightly in the ranges they use for each weight class, but these classifications give you the general idea.How Does the Weight Impact What Paddle I Choose?

The lighter the paddle the easier it is to maneuver, which can be a big advantage while at the net when you get into fast exchanges with your opponents. The downside of a lighter paddle is that you have to swing harder to get more power out of it. 

With heavier paddles, you don’t have to swing as hard to produce power because there is more weight behind the ball. This is nice when you’re dinking because shorter swings reduce the room for error and it gives you more time to get back into a ready position.

I’ve found that heavier paddles tend to be a little more stable at impact too, and don’t wobble as much if you hit the ball closer to the edge of the paddle. This increases consistency and reduces errors.

It’s not uncommon for players to add lead tape to the edge guard of their paddles, so if you get a lighter paddle and wish it was heavier, then you can always add some lead tape.