We’ve received some decent feedback about our post on wooden paddles for beginners, actually, that post angered a lot of people. We don’t have many Luddites in our audience, and people were angry that we would spend so much time and energy reviewing paddles that beginners would never really use. Well, sorry. We thought wooden paddles have a nice kitsch appeal and offer an easier entry bar than other paddles. But I get it: wooden paddles make you looks like a tad of a tool on the court, and if you’ve got cash to spare, then why on earth wouldn’t you buy something nicer?
So here are some of the Graphite paddles that our team has tested. These are in the $100 range and offer good value for money. You will recognize the brand names here as some of the biggest and most trusted in the industry.
Top 5 Best Affordable Pickleball Paddles Constructed Primarily of Graphite
1
SLK by SelkirkPremium brand at a beginner price
POSITIVES
- Selkirk brand, nuff said
- Great feel and balance
- Works for intermediate players
NEGATIVES
- Durability in some climates
- Too light for some players
| Dimensions | 16 x 2.3 x 7.8 inches |
| Weight | 7.5 oz |
| Handle Size | 4 ¼ inches |
| Material | Multilayer Fiberglass & Graphite |
| Price | ＄＄＄＄＄ |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
2
Paduka Power PB 2 Paddle SetBudget Friendly to the max
POSITIVES
- Cheapest Entry into the land of carbon fiber
- Extra Padded Grip
NEGATIVES
- Weird sound on some dinks
| Dimensions | 15.75 x 7.95 x 0.63 inches |
| Weight | 7.8 oz |
| Handle Size | 4 ¼ |
| Material | Graphite with Carbon Fiber Core |
| Price | ＄ |
| Skill Level | Beginner / Intermediate Beginner |
3
ONIX Graphite z5Most Popular Onix paddles
POSITIVES
- Nomex Honeycomb core
- Mimics Tennis handle shape
- USAPA Approved for tournament play
NEGATIVES
- Handle Unravels for sweaty hands
- Pricey and doesn’t come as a set with balls
| Dimensions | 17.56 x 9.45 x 1.42 inches |
| Weight | 7.5 oz |
| Handle Size | 4 ¼” |
| Material | Multilayer Fiberglass & Graphite |
| Price | ＄＄＄＄＄＄＄ |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
4
Diadem ICON Performance Pickleball PaddleComes in a light version
POSITIVES
- High-density polymer honeycomb core and High end Japanese carbon fiber face
- Incredible balance
- Lightweight version for smaller or weaker players
- Sleek and flush edging
NEGATIVES
- The paint on the white version may get smudged with certain balls.
- Edge Gaurd not flush with the paddle face.
- Only comes in 4″ grip size
| Dimensions | 16.54 x 9.69 x 1.54 inches |
| Weight | 7.7 oz |
| Handle Size | 4″ |
| Material | Carbon Fiber and Graphite |
| Price | ＄＄＄＄＄ |
| Skill Level | Beginner – Pro |
5
Matrix Pickleball Paddle Future 003Futuristic but not regulation
POSITIVES
- Aerodynamic throat increases swing speed by 23%.
- Edgeless tech means light handling.
- Classic shape with carbon handle
- The coating gives the face texture for extra spin
NEGATIVES
- You will go through a lot of edge tape with this stick.
| Dimensions | Length: 15.7″ Width: 8.07″ |
| Weight | 7.5 oz |
| Handle Size | 4 ¼” |
| Material | Graphite |
| Price | ＄＄＄＄ |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
POSITIVES
- Widebody design offers a very forgiving sweet spot.
- Longer handle for two-handed players.
- Lightweight for its size.
NEGATIVES
- The paint may chip on the pink version.
- Underpowered on forehand drives.
| Dimensions | 15.5″ x 8.25″ |
| Weight | 7.75 oz |
| Handle Size | 5.25″ / 4.25″ |
| Material | Dual Layer Graphite / Polymer Power Core |
| Price | ＄＄ |
| Skill Level | Beginner – Intermediate |
Dink Evaluator at Pickleballologist
Hey there, I'm Mike. I'm a pickleball aficionado by day, pickleball dreamer by night, and honestly, the only thing I'm probably worse at than avoiding tripping over my own shoelaces is resisting the addictive allure of pickleball.
I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.
As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!
My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.
I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.
As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!
My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.
Latest posts by Mikhail Ricci (see all)
- Paddle Review: The Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air Invikta - September 15, 2023
- Keep Your Achilles Tendons Dancing on the Pickleball Court! - August 31, 2023
- Maui Strong Pro-Am Event: A Pickleball Fundraiser You Don’t Want to Miss! - August 23, 2023
