Pickleball is a sport that requires very little outside of a willingness to learn and good attitude. Most picklers find it’s the way to get the most out of the game. Sure, there’s fierce competition – everyone wants to run the court – but it’s all for the love of the game and community. It’s the largest pull for some, who find something special about the game that reaches outside the lines, and its accessibility is the number one reason the game has grown at the meteoric rate it has.
All you need is a paddle, pack of balls, and someone to play with down at your local courts.
But when there’s so few things needed to play, and there’s no shortage of equipment options, how do you know which paddle to pick? We’re not talking about picking a set of golf clubs here, there’s not 14 clubs you need to test out and hand select. You don’t even necessarily even need more than one paddle. So, with so many options on the market, Qranc has put together a comprehensive guide for picking the right pickleball paddle for your game.
There are four main factors to consider when purchasing a pickleball paddle:
- Weight
- Shape
- Material
Below, we’ll breakdown each factor to help you fight through the noise and figure out exactly which pickleball paddle is right for you.
The Factors
Weight
Weight is a significant factor when picking out a pickleball paddle as different weights correlate with different qualities of a player. Paddles have broken them down into three standard weight classes for your convenience.
Lightweight Pickleball Paddles:
These paddles are geared towards players who are looking to maximize maneuverability and paddle speed. Defined by the weight range of under 7.5oz, light paddles, these paddles can be good for smaller players, but typically lack the power, control, and size of larger paddles.
Heavyweight Pickleball Paddles:
Heavyweight pickleball paddles are built for power and stability. Defined in the range of 8.5oz and up, the extra weight in these paddles help give you added power and stability in your shots. However, they can be hard to use over time, as your arm will grow significantly more tired than you think when taking hundreds of shots in a row. You also lose a good amount of control with this type of paddle, which is not ideal.
Middleweight Pickleball Paddles:
Here at Qranc, we feel middleweight paddles are the perfect mix of the previous two categories and gives a pickler the most functionality across the spectrum of paddle weights, no matter your skill level or size.
This weight class is all about finding the right balance of power and maneuverability, while you’re still highly mobile with a paddle in this weight class, you’re not sacrificing on the power side of things – making for the perfect balance. Unlike a lightweight paddle, you’ll be able to hit winners with authority, and unlike a heavyweight paddle, you’ll still be able to get around the court, have the control to hit well placed dinks, and your wrist and shoulder won’t wear out over time doing it.
Check out Qranc’s selection of middleweight pickleball paddles, for players new to the game or those who are looking to take their skillset to the next level.
Shape
The shape of your pickleball paddle will affect the size of the sweet spot, power you can generate, and general maneuverability. According to the USA Pickleball Association, the combined length and width of your paddle cannot be greater than 24 inches. Whether you’d like a paddle that’s 12 inches by 12 inches, or 24 by two inches is what we’re here to help you decide.
Qranc feels there are two pickleball paddles that cover just about every type of player: the extended pickleball paddle and the classic pickleball paddle, sometimes referred to as a widebody paddle. All Qranc products are designed to be professional grade, approved by the USAPA for tournament play, and are backed by years of research.
The extended paddle, which has a slightly longer height and narrower width, gives you more reach to dig out those hard-to-reach shots. As a result of being a bit narrower than a standard pickleball paddle, extended paddles come with a bit of a smaller sweet spot. Take a look at Qranc’s TorQ Paddle if you’re confident in your game and looking to expand the range you’re currently covering on the court with your standard paddle.
Classic pickleball paddles are a bit more user friendly, as the Qranc ReaQtor Paddle has a body that is one inch wider than the extended paddle. If you’re newer to the game, but looking for professional grade pickleball equipment, this is the paddle you need to take a look at.
Materials
While Qranc sets itself apart from many in the pickleball community through their mission to help people play more pickleball to the best of their abilities, it’s our time, dedication, and research to finding top of the line, professional grade materials that we really feel make a difference on the court.
Pickleball paddle cores are by far the most important factor when looking into a new paddle. This is why Qranc has put in years of reach to find the right honeycomb polymer core with a carbon fiber surface. These ultra-lightweight, extra-duty materials have made Qranc the thickest USAPA approved pickleball paddle on the market without sacrificing any mobility.
No matter which Qranc pickleball paddle you choose, you know you’re getting top of the line, professional grade materials that can be used in tournaments. Even if you’re not playing competitively now, getting used to USAPA standards is important for any player. It’s easy to learn bad habits in any sport, so getting your swing motion down with the correct gear will only lead to better muscle memory for the long haul.
When picking a pickleball, it can be overwhelming, so we hope that you’re able to find your sweet spot with Qranc’s top of the line, professional grade pickleball paddles.