Table of Contents
- 1 Buyer’s Guide For Women
- 2 Materials Used In Pickleball Paddles
- 3 Shape Of The Paddles
- 4 Top 6 Best Pickleball Paddle For Women
- 5 Conclusion
Buyer’s Guide For Women
Women and men both have different physical capabilities, which is why most sports have specifically designed equipment for women and men. However, most of the equipment available for pickleball is unisex.
This means that the users must be well educated about pickleball paddles and what types of paddles there are in order to know what kind of paddle is best for them.
There are three things to consider while buying a pickleball paddle:
- Grip Thickness
- Paddle Weight
- Power
Grip Thickness
Unlike men, most women have smaller hands. This induces women to opt for paddles that have thinner grips. Doing this would ensure comfort and ease of use on the court.
Grip sizes of paddles on the market start from 4 inches. We recommend that women stay in the 4 to 5 inches range to make sure the paddle is comfortable in their hand.
Paddle Weight
There are three weight classes in pickleball paddles. These are:
- Lightweight Paddles – 7.2 ounces or lighter
- Middleweight Paddles – 7.3 to 8.3 ounces
- Heavyweight Paddles – 8.4 ounces or heavier
Women usually tend to prefer lightweight paddles. However, it’s never one size fits all. You have to evaluate your strength level and see what kind of paddles you can play with comfortably. Local pickleball clubs usually have paddles that you can pick up and start with. You can play with these paddles as a start to see what weight class of paddle would suit you the best.
Power
Since women tend to be less muscular than men, they also have lower strength levels. This means that they need a special type of paddle to compensate for that. graphite paddles are best for women because they can hit the ball quite far without the player putting in too much effort. However, they also tend to be quite expensive than regular paddles so consider buying them only if you can afford them.
Experience Level
Pickleball paddles are usually classified by their experience level. These experience levels are:
- Beginner Paddles
- Youth Paddles
- Intermediate Paddles
- Professional Paddles
Beginner Paddles
These paddles are for the folks that are just getting into the game and have limited experience. They usually have a low power level which provides control and accuracy.
Youth Paddles
These are paddles that are designed for children and young kids. These are usually smaller in size and weight to accommodate children. Just like beginner paddles, they also tend to have a lowered power level which provides more accuracy and control.
Intermediate Paddles
These are designed for players that have a good skill level at the sport and are looking to improve even more. These are designed to be moderately powerful because, at this level, you should be able to handle some paddle power without losing too much control or accuracy.
Professional Paddles
Professional paddles are designed for the pros. These pros compete at a higher level and need the best paddle on the market since that’s what their opponent would be using. These paddles are very high-tech and include features such as UV-Protection, Anti-Glare, and Anti-Vibration. These paddles also tend to be the most powerful and should only be held by people with a lot of experience for the most control and precision
Materials Used In Pickleball Paddles
There are three main types of pickleball paddles in terms of material construction. These are:
- Wooden Paddles
- Composite Paddles
- Graphite Paddles
Wooden Paddles
These are the old-school traditional paddles of the pickleball sport. These paddles are quite inexpensive and durable. However, they also tend to be quite heavy and the accuracy of these paddles tends to be a bit here and there. It’s because these paddles are made from wood and not some high-tech material designed in a lab.
Composite Paddles
These paddles are made from a number of different materials. These materials include polymer, fiberglass, etc. These are more expensive than wooden paddles but less expensive than graphite ones. These paddles last a long time and have a good power-to-weight ratio.
Graphite Paddles
As the name suggests, graphite paddles are made from graphite. These paddles tend to be very expensive but they also have advanced technology behind them. These paddles usually include Anti-Glare, UV-Protection, Anti-Vibration, etc. The power level of these paddles is also quite high.
Shape Of The Paddles
Pickleball paddles usually come in two shapes. These are:
- Square paddles
- Elongated paddles
Square Paddles
Square paddles, also known as the standard pickleball paddles are the most widely used pickleball paddles. These paddles are usually around 16 inches long and 7-8 inches wide. These paddles include a circular-shaped center of gravity and it offers more control and precision. They’re also quite light compared to the elongated paddles.
Square paddles are one of the best pickleball paddles for women due to their lighter weight.
Elongated Paddles
As the name suggests, elongated paddles are longer than standard ones. These paddles are generally 17 to 24 inches long and 7 to 8 inches wide. These paddles have an oval-shaped center of gravity which makes these paddles either top-heavy or bottom-heavy depending on the manufacturer.
These paddles are also heavier than square paddles. The only real benefit they offer is a longer reach on the ball. That being said, if you learn to control these paddles in your hands, there is nothing like an elongated paddle.
Top 6 Best Pickleball Paddle For Women
1. Tempest Wave Pro Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Specifications:
Brand: Paddletek
Grip Circumference: 4.375 inches
Grip Length: 5.25 inches
Colors: Five
Experience Level: Professional
Weight: 7.6 to 8 ounces
Material: Graphite
Paddletek’s Tempest Wave Pro is one of the best paddles available on the market. It is a paddle made for strategic play because of its control and precision. You can also expect a great response from this paddle on the court. It is a standard-sized paddle and not an elongated one.
It’s a great paddle for a slower and more strategic game, however, it also comes in clutch when you need to make those powerful smashes.
2. Engage Encore Pro Pickleball Paddle
Specifications:
Brand: Engage Pickleball
USAPA Certifications: Approved
Grip Circumference: 4.75 inches
Country: Made in the USA
Material: Composite
Weight: 7.9 to 8.3 ounces
Although not a paddle specifically designed for women, muscular/larger-framed women can use this paddle with ease. It has a rougher surface that hugs the ball a bit longer than the usual paddles. This also allows you to spin the ball if you so desire.
It is a USAPA Approved paddle which means you can also take it to an official pickleball tournament. It also includes Anti-Vibration technology which leaves less of a shock on your wrist when you hit the ball.
3. Prince Spectrum Pro Pickleball Paddle
Specifications:
Brand: Prince
Weight options: Light: 7.2 to 7.6 ounces or standard 7.7 to 8.3 ounces
Grip Circumference: Light: 4.125 inches or Standard: 4.375 inches
Grip Length: 5 inches
USAPA Certifications: Approved
Colors: Four
Quite a lightweight paddle, the Prince Spectrum Pro is a perfect choice for women. It is a composite paddle which means it is made out of a number of materials. It offers two variants, a lighter one, and a standard one.
It is a perfect fit for women of all sizes. Smaller framed women can go for the lighter one while larger framed women can pick up the standard version.
4. Franklin Christine McGrath Signature Pickleball Paddle
Specifications:
Brand: Franklin Sports
Experience Level: Professional
Material: Composite
Weight: 7.6 to 8.1 ounces
Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
Grip Length: 5 inches
USAPA Certifications: Approved
Colors: Three
This a paddle used by the professional player Christine McGrath. This paddle is designed with a female athlete in mind. It is also one of the very few paddles designed specifically for women.
This paddle suits women best because it was designed and manufactured with the specifications of Christine McGrath in mind. It is a composite paddle made with different cutting-edge materials. This paddle suits larger framed women the best because of its middle-weight construction.
5. Selkirk Amped Epic Lightweight Composite Pickleball Paddl
Specifications:
Brand: Selkirk
Material: Composite
Weight: Depends on Shape
Shapes: Standard, Elongated, Large
Grip Length and Size: Depends on Shape
USAPA Certifications: Approved
Country: Made in the USA
Colors: Six
The lightweight version of this paddle is the best suited for women because it provides stability and controllability of the ball. It also feels very comfortable in the hand due to its extended handle. It is a USAPA Approved paddle that you can take to the official Pickleball tournaments
6. Head Extreme Tour Lite Pickleball Paddle
Specifications:
Brand: Head
Weight: 7.2 ounces
Grip Circumference: 4.125 inches
Material: Graphite
Grip Length: Not Specified
USAPA Certifications: Approved
The Head Tour Extreme Lite is one of the best lightweight pickleball paddles for women. The lightweight composition of this paddle puts less strain on the user’s wrist and the thin grip ensures comfort in hand.
The paddle also allows for a great spin of the ball and since it is a graphite paddle, you can expect great power from it. The only real downside of this paddle would be its price but that’s a problem with all graphite paddles.
Conclusion
The amount of pickleball paddles available on the market is overwhelming. However, if you just know about the types of paddles and what materials they are made with, you can easily judge which paddle would be best suited for your needs.
If you need any additional help related to pickleball, our blog is always here to help you.
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