The Different Materials & Sizes Available for Pickleball Paddles

How to find the perfect pickleball paddle for you

The year is 2025 and chances of anyone playing pickleball is extremely high and here at PickleBallersHub we honestly couldn't picture doing anything else besides playing pickleball. We may live in an imaginary world but we like it like that, with our days revolving around helping customers find the perfect pickleball paddle or simply just day dreaming about playing.

When it comes to the reason why you play the game we all love, the answer varies, and it ranges from playing for fun, or competitively. Regardless of why you play, your pickleball paddle can either set you up for success or hurt your performance when playing. With various materials, sizes, brands, and more, it can feel like an overwhelming procedure just to find a pickleball paddle for you. PickleBallersHub.com has an expert guide on selecting pickleball paddles. If you are too excited to keep reading our guide, checkout our Pickleball Paddles.

The different materials used for Pickleball Paddles

When shopping around for a pickleball racket, you will see a variety of materials being listed, and it's okay if you don't understand what they mean, or what they are. This is a common situation most players find themselves in, and the solution is to figure out what exactly are you looking for in your paddle. Are you looking for something lightweight? Heavy? Flexible? Durable? or if you aren't sure, let's dig into the different materials.

Fiberglass Pickleball Paddles

If you're a player who enjoys the precision aspect of the game and like to paint the corners with your incredible shots, fiberglass pickleball paddles are for you.

Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle Technology: Fiberglass Pickleball Paddles are extremely lightweight, they are considered to be light to mid weight range. Pickleball could be a long and exhausting game, it's the nature of the sport, but with the fiberglass pickleball paddle being lightweight, it causes less stress on your upper body, wrist, and arm, allowing you to push through when the competition becomes tired.

Pickleball players adore fiberglas technology because of the lightweight but yet durable capabilities. The fiberglass technology is extremely advanced and is great for players looking for a soft touch for accuracy, yet enough power for more assertive plays.

Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles

Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles are untouchable when it comes to a paddle that delivers unbelievable control and spin on the ball. Pickleball is constantly evolving with new technology, designs, models, and for now, Carbon Fiber Paddles are leading the pack.

Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle Technology: Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles tick off all of the boxes for aspects a pickleball paddle should encompass. The carbon technology is lightweight, durable, and absorb less stress on your arms. The stiffness of the carbon fiber allows for a phenomenal power transfer on your shots, with echoing sounds of graceful hits.

When it comes to finding the best pickleball paddle, the Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle is here to deliver exactly that!

Graphite Pickleball Paddles

Graphite is a natural occurring element and is one of the most popular materials used on the surface of pickleball paddles. Graphite Pickleball Paddles are a phenomenal choice and are often times on the more expensive side because graphite is more durable than other paddles on the market.

Graphite Pickleball Paddle Technology: Graphite paddles are a great choice for players who are looking for precision on the court. The graphite is a modern day superhero in the pickleball game and like most super hero, the graphite paddle delivers.

For all pickleball players, we would like a paddle that is durable, nobody likes spending money on something that will only last us a few weeks. Well, not to worry because graphite pickleball paddles are notoriously durable.

Composite Pickleball Paddles

Composite Pickleball Paddle feature a happy medium between power and control. The best part about composite paddles it their price point, as they are considered to be an affordable paddle, that performs exactly how you want it to.

Composite Pickleball Paddle Technology: The composite pickleball paddle is truly the whole package when it comes to a pickleball paddle. It delivers power, precision, style, easy to use, offer incredible consistency on hits, and is used by all skill levels. This delivers an incredible bargain for a whole lot of engineering behind your paddle.

Wood Pickleball Paddles

Here at Pickle Ballers Hub our customers love their wood pickleball paddle and who wouldn't? The sound of the ball coming off the wooden pickleball paddles is something that can't be mimicked.

Finding the Perfect Wooden Pickleball Paddle: Wooden Pickleball Paddles were used when the game of pickleball was first founded, and still plays a role in the game we play today. Although pickleball is evolving at a rapid rate, the wooden pickleball paddle is simple and elegant.

Wood is a heavier material and with various other options on the market today, wood is the heaviest pickleball paddle available, but you simply can't replace the historic wooden pickleball paddle. The heavier paddle is of course heavier but it still delivers more power behind your shot, an elegant design, and a beautiful sound when the ball comes off the paddle. The durability of wood makes these paddles a long-lasting option.

Aluminum Pickleball Paddles

Aluminum pickleball paddles are designed for players seeking a balance between control and power, which is a very even styled player. It's important to find a paddle that fits your style of play and we are here to help you along this journey.

Aluminum Pickleball Paddle Technology: Aluminum pickleball paddles have the construction that features a very durable yet lightweight paddle. Aluminum pickleball paddles are engineered with a composite or polymer core, which helps reduce the overall weight while enhancing the paddle's responsiveness.

An aluminum pickleball paddle is a great choice for beginner and intermediate players. Whether you're looking to begin or play or have reached the competitive levels, an aluminum paddle is an excellent choice among pickleball players.

Various Sizes and Thickness of Pickleball Paddles are Available

What sizes of pickleball paddles are available? What size pickleball paddle do I need to use? These are all common and very great questions, which can set you up for success of failure when playing.

The Lengths of pickleball paddles:

When exploring the various sizes, there are the following available: Standard length, Elongated paddles, and Hybrid Size. Each length for paddles, comes with a specific type of player, and knowing this can help you reach your full potential when playing.

• Standard Pickleball Paddle Length: The standard and most common size paddle, is 16 inches long.
• Hybrid Pickleball Paddles Length: The hybrid length paddle is 16.25 inches long
• Elongated Pickleball Paddle Length: The length of the largest pickleball paddle is roughly 16.5 inches long.

What does each different Length mean?

Now, as you can imagine, every paddle length is different for a reason, and this is because every player prefers a different length paddle.

A standard pickleball length, is a paddle that offers an amazing amount of foregivness, but lacks in less reach than a larger paddle. The standard paddles provide control and also stability, making for a great middle ground paddle.

Hybrid Pickleball Paddle, is the a paddle that comes with a mix of everything you find in standard and elongated paddle. Hybrid paddles come with control, power, spin, and bring various important paddle aspects to a single hybrid paddle design.

Elongated Pickleball Paddles, is the largest paddle out there, that is designed for increased reach, more power, and the most spin.

Different Paddle Thickness that's available: 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm

There isn't a one size thickness when it comes to paddles, there is 12mm, 14mm, and also 16mm. Each thickness has a different way the paddle plays, performs, and feels. This is crucial to understand, as all paddles are built differently.

There is no right or wrong on which thickness you should use, it really comes down to what you feel is best, and the type of player you want to be on the court. Someone who aims for speed, power, precision, stability, and the list can go on. Understanding each paddle will set you up for success.

What does the pickleball paddle thickness mean?

12mm Pickleball Paddles: The Pickleball Paddles that are 12mm are the lightest paddles on the market. They are designed for speed and power on the court. If you have used a 12mm paddle, there is a very good chance you felt like you can be anywhere and everywhere during the big match.

14mm Pickleball Paddles: Known to be the intermediate paddle size, the 14mm paddles offer a mix between power and speed, with it being a great mix. 

16mm Pickleball Paddles: The largest thickness out there would be the 16mm paddle and it brings the max of stability to the game. This is a great paddle for control and precision on the court.

Understanding What you need from your Pickleball Paddles

With various sizes, lengths, brands, styles, colors, and the list goes on, when it comes to finding a pickleball paddle, it's important to find a paddle that you feel will support the way you play. There is no right or wrong, it comes down to what you enjoy.

If you are looking for a beginner pickleball paddle, anything under $50 dollars should do the trick. For competitive pickleball paddles, you will want to invest in a paddle that has technology which will allow you to perform your best.