5 Best pickleball paddles for women in 2024
Pickleball is a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity among both genders. The most important equipment in pickleball that directly affects your game is a paddle. Whether you are a male or female pickleball player, choosing the best pickleball paddle can improve your performance on the court.
In today’s comprehensive guide, I’m going to write the most important factors that you need to consider before buying any new paddle. Also, I’m going to mention some best lightweight pickleball paddles for women.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pickleball Paddle
This is necessary to find the best pickleball paddles for women. From the size, weight, grip, and sweet spot of the paddle, each element plays an important role in the player’s performance on the court.
So, before buying any pickleball paddle. First, you need to know about its grip size, weight, material, and about its sweet spot.
Weight
The high-weighted paddle directly affects your game. Women generally prefer the lightweight or best aesthetic paddles for their ease of movement during the game. The best lightweight pickleball paddle is between (6.5 to 8.5)ounces and gives you better control. If you prefer to play more aggressively you can use the heavier paddles (8.6 – above)ounces.
Grip Size
For better comfort and control, grip size of the paddle is very important. Most women prefer the (4.0 – 4.25 inches) grip size. Small grips are more comfortable and allow best wrist action and better control over the paddle.
Material
The face and core material of the paddle can impact its performance and durability. For long-term durability and responsiveness graphite and carbon fiber faces are good. Composite faces give a better balance of power and control.
Sweet Spot
A paddle with a large sweet spot makes it easier to hit the ball smoothly, which enhances your performance on the court. Paddles with large sweet spots offer better control than small spot, which makes them ideal for all skill levels.
Best Lightweight pickleball paddles for women
There are a variety of pickleball paddles available on the market. As a result, it is difficult to choose the best pickleball paddle. Here’s the list of the five best pickleball paddles for females. These paddles have lighter weight, smaller grip size, and better control which makes your game better on the court.
Best Pickleball paddles for women 2024
- ONIX Graphite MOD Z5
- Professor PhD Raw Carbon Fiber
- Selkirk SLK Halo Power XL
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro v3
- Joola Ben Johns Perseus
ONIX Graphite MOD Z5
The first paddle in my best lightweight pickleball paddles list is the Onix Z5, which is the most popular pickleball paddle on the market. I used this for about a year when I was transitioning from a 3.5 to a 4.0 player. I’ve won a couple of 4.0 tournaments with this paddle in men’s doubles, and it’s a great paddle to start with.
The Onix Z5 Pickleball Paddle is priced at $69.99. While there are cheaper options, this paddle is more middle-of-the-line. The graphite Z5 paddle is the most popular in the Onix line, known for its outstanding touch and ball control. Some paddles are more power-focused, while others are finesse-focused. This one provides a light touch and great control.
Specs
Compared to cheaper paddles, it offers more control. It’s a wide-body paddle with a 4.25-inch grip size, shaped like a tennis racket. The dimensions are 15.5 inches long, and 8.3 inches wide, with a 5-inch handle. The paddle weighs between 7.5 to 8.2 ounces and comes with a guard edge for added protection.
This paddle has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from 5,333 reviews. Some negatives include a slippery handle if you start sweating and difficulty controlling spins and power initially. However, most users find it durable and suitable for both beginners and advanced players. The Z5 is available in 11 different color options, allowing you to choose your preferred style.
Overall, it’s a good paddle for those looking to upgrade from a beginner paddle without spending too much on a high-end one.
Professor PhD Raw Carbon Fiber
The second paddle in my best lightweight pickleball paddles list is Professor PhD. Professor PhD paddle served as a good control paddle and it had great spin. I’ll put the different grades that I gave for the playability factors up on the screen as well, just as a reminder. For under $100 and even under $90 with the discount code, I don’t think you can go that wrong.
I think the most comparable paddle it plays like might be the Vatic Prism Flash or even the Rhombus R116, with all three of those paddles being kind of in the same ballpark, with the Professor Pickleball PhD paddle having just a little bit more of a plush feel to it, both in terms of when you hit the ball and when you feel the paddle face.
If you prefer playing with a paddle that has a plush feel, is really good on control, and has great spin, this might be a great paddle for you. People who may like the PhD a little less are people who like paddles with a lot of pop and a lot of power. I think it’s modifiable with lead tape, but it certainly leans more on the control side. Those are my thoughts on Professor Pickleball’s PhD paddle.
Specs
Professor PhD made of Toray T700 carbon fiber, comes in a hybrid shape, is 16 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches, and it has a 5 1/2 inch long handle. Professor Pickleball does offer a 14-day test drive period where you can play and test the paddle for up to 2 weeks after delivery, and you can return it if you don’t like it, but you do have to pay a restocking fee.
They also have a 90-day warranty against manufacturer defects. This doesn’t cover normal wear and tear play of the paddle, so where manufacturer defects end and normal wear and tear begin is hard to say, but time will tell. If you’ve had a chance to play with it, let us know what you think in the comments. I hope you enjoyed the review.
Selkirk SLK Halo Power XL
The third paddle in my best pickleball paddles for women list is Selkirk SLK Halo Power XL. SLK is Selkirk’s more budget-friendly, mid-market brand, but a lot of people are excited about this paddle in particular for a few reasons.
One, Selkirk recently signed Parris Todd, one of the top female players out there, and this is the paddle she plays with. Second, this is a raw carbon fiber face paddle. Raw carbon fiber paddles have been flooding the market this year, but Selkirk hasn’t made one yet until now. And then, three, this paddle is retailing for $125, whereas paddles from their competitors with a similar build are retailing for $170 plus.Â
So, the big question I have for this review is how this paddle stacks up against their competitors’ models that are selling similar paddles at $170 or more. If this plays the same or similar, that’d be fantastic you could save a few bucks and pick this up for $125.
Specs
The Halo comes in a few different models. They have an XL shape and a Mac shape. The XL is a very elongated shape. It has an extra-long handle of 5.75 inches. Then they have a Mac shape, which is more of your standard shape, a little shorter, a little wider. It has a shorter handle. Within each shape, they have a control model and a power model. This is the control model. It’s 16 millimeters thick. The power model is 13 millimeters thick. For this review, I have both the power and the control in the XL shape.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro v3
The fourth paddle in my best pickleball paddles for women list is the Tempest Wave Pro V3. Tempest Wave Pro V3 comes in at $209, and the Tempest Wave V3 non-pro model comes in at $199. Both of these paddles utilize Paddletek’s new iced carbon fiber Perma Spin technology, which according to Paddletek, provides a much more durable face and won’t wear down as quickly, resulting in high spin numbers for a longer period of time.Â
The sweet spot on the pro model is top-tier for sure. The non-pro model has a solid sweet spot, but the pro model has a pretty incredible sweet spot. When I’m play-testing a new paddle for a review, I always let my partner know that I’m testing for a sweet spot, and I’ll hit a bunch of intentionally off-center shots during gameplay to gauge how well a paddle performs. And the pro model passed this test with flying colors—plush and incredibly forgiving.
These paddles are ultimately made for a control-oriented player, the pro model being the plush reset king with a huge sweet spot, and the non-pro model making dinks and hand volleys a breeze with very minimal effort due to the pop advantage. As far as control goes, the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro V3 is solid.
Specs
The weight of the non-pro Tempest Wave V3 comes in at 7.4 to 7.8 oz, whereas the pro version comes in at 7.6 to 8 oz. The grip length of both models is the same at 5.25 in, which is a bit shorter than some of the longer-gripped paddles we’ve seen releasing. It is a bit snug for two-handed backhands for sure. You’ll have to place your index finger up on the paddle and sort of overlap a touch on your placement here if you’re that type of player. The grip circumference on the non-pro model has two options: the thin grip at 4 inches and the standard grip at 4.25 inches, and the circumference on the pro model also has two options: the thin grip at 4.125 inches and the standard grip at 4.375 inches.
The swing weight of the pro model is 105 and the non-pro model is 110, but this will vary a bit depending on which weight you choose. The non-pro model’s thickness is 12.7 mm and the Wave Pro model has a thickness of 14.3 mm. The length and the width are the same though, thankfully, so the general shape is identical.
Joola Ben Johns Perseus
The fifth and last paddle in my best pickleball paddles for women list is Joola Ben Johns Perseus. The price is now 250 dollars. It comes in 16-millimeter and 14-millimeter variants and has the same polymer core that it had in the original Hyperion. It’s an elongated paddle but no longer has the rounded head at the top; now it’s more squared off like a lot of traditional paddles. If you hold up the original Hyperion to it, to be honest, there really isn’t much of a difference. They’re almost exactly the same.
Specs
The handle length is 5.5 inches, the grip circumference is 4.25 inches, the weight is between 7.8 ounces and 8.2 ounces, and one of the most exciting things for most people is that the swing weight has been lowered drastically. The 16-millimeter variant is 116, which is down from 127 on the original Hyperion, which we all know is very head-heavy. The 14 millimeter is 112.
Both of those are great numbers to see, and the paddle should be much faster in the hand now. Joola still has a six-month warranty on their paddles.
FAQ’S
What is the best material for pickleball paddles?
The best material for pickleball paddles depends on player preference and play style. Common materials include graphite, fiberglass, and composite. Graphite paddles offer a lightweight and responsive feel, while composite paddles provide a good balance of power and control.
What paddles do pro pickleball players use?
Pro pickleball players often use paddles from well-known brands such as Selkirk, Paddletek, and Engage. They prefer paddles made from high-quality materials like carbon fiber or composite for their durability and performance. Player endorsement and personal preference also play a significant role in their choices.
Why are pickleball paddles so expensive?
Pickleball paddles are expensive due to the advanced materials and technology used in their construction. High-quality paddles feature durable cores, such as polymer or Nomex, and premium face materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass. Additionally, research and development, brand reputation, and production costs contribute to the higher price.
How long does a pickleball paddle last?
The lifespan of a pickleball paddle varies based on usage, playing style, and material quality. On average, a paddle can last between 1 to 5 years. Frequent players may need to replace their paddles more often, while casual players can expect a longer lifespan.
What is the lightest pickleball paddle?
The lightest pickleball paddles typically weigh between 6.5 to 7.3 ounces. These paddles are often made from materials like graphite or lightweight composites. Brands like Selkirk and Onix offer models that prioritize lightweight construction to enhance maneuverability and reduce arm fatigue.
