When you start to level up your pickleball game, you may start to realize that there is a world of difference between pickleball paddles used by pros and amateurs. A quality pickleball paddle has the power to take your game to a new level, especially if you are still using the one of the pickleball paddles that came with a cheap starter pack. So if this is you, and your game is well into the intermediate level, you might want to upgrade your paddle.
So with that in mind, we talked to every solid pickleball player in each of the large cities we have presence in from east to west coast, as well as sourcing all of the feedback from players that have used the most well-known paddles in the pickleball world. In our research, we found the best paddles you can invest in if your pickleball play is starting to elevate into intermediate or upper-intermediate. Let’s look at some of the best pickleball paddles for intermediate players.
| Paddle | Category |
|---|---|
 Gearbox GX5 Carbon Fiber Paddle | Best Overall |
 Onix Evoke Premier Pickleball Paddle | Silver Medal |
 Onix Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle | Best under $100 |
 niupipo USAPA Approved Pro Graphite Pickleball Paddle | Best Budget Paddle |
 Selkirk Invikta Power Air Epic | Best Expensive Paddle (high rollers) |
 HEAD radical tour classic graphite | Best with Polymer Core |
 Selkirk Amped S2 Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle | Best with Fiberglass Surface |
 Kinetic PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle | Best for Elbow Pain / Tennis Elbow |
When am I considered an intermediate Pickleball player?
You might think that if you’ve been playing pickleball for a year or two you are an intermediate player. Pickleball takes skill and development to become a good player, but it isn’t like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Chess where the intermediate level takes many years, sometimes decades. So you can get pretty good at Pickleball within 6 months or so.
That being said, Pickleball has a ranking system within the sport that identifies beginner intermediate, and advanced players. The rankings go as such – a rating of 1.0-3.0 is a beginner, a ranking of 3.0-5 is intermediate and a 5.0+ rating is reserved for those that are advanced in Pickleball skills. If you want to do a deep dive into the rating system, the Pickler has a great article breaking down the ranking system in Pickleball.
In defining what an intermediate player is – if you can keep unforced errors low, know how to serve backhand AND forehand effectively, and can accomplish all of the different shots (drop shots, backhands, etc.) then you have ventured into intermediate player territory.. congrats!
Why do I need a new Paddle if I become an intermediate player?
If you read the last section and say to yourself, “hey, I think I’m an intermediate player now. I can confidently serve, and know how to execute all the shots…” then you might want to consider graduating from your beginner paddle. If you are playing effectively with a crappy paddle, imagine how much better your game will be with a good paddle that any respectable 4.0+ player would use?
That’s what we thought. The reason why you need a new paddle if you now have an intermediate skillset is to take your game to the next level and stop handicapping yourself. You’ll find that certain shots come easier and you’ll have more control over the Pickleball with a high quality paddle.
How much should I expect to pay for an Intermediate Pickleball Paddle?
Between $100-$200 usually. There are a couple paddles on this list in particular that dip below or above that range, but if you want a quality pickleball paddle that will give you the level of performance and durability that you will need to take your game to the next level, expect to invest average of $150 for the right paddle. If you can’t afford that, then its okay, we have a couple paddles on this list for budget friendly pickleball players!
What are quality pickleball paddles made up of?
You might be wondering at this point, why isn’t my beginner paddle good quality? If you are, you should know that a quality of a Pickleball paddle will depend mostly on 4 factors.
- Weight – If your Pickleball paddle is more than 8 ounces than it probably isn’t of optimal weight for a paddle. You will want a paddle that is maneuverable to get it where you want as quickly as possible. A paddle that weighs upwards of 10 ounces is probably affecting the quickness of your game.
- Surface Material – The surface of a paddle is largely important for a couple of reasons. In terms of how it affects play, the type of spin and trajectory of the shots you attempt will be by the surface material quite a bit. Whether its a graphite, wood, fiber glass or carbon fiber, the surface will make a difference as to how the ball ricochet’s off your paddle. Graphite surfaces will be more durable in general. Carbon fiber will give you the “truist” hit and be the most consistent. A fiberglass paddle will have more pop.
- Core Material – The core of your pickleball paddle will affect the power you can deliver on contact. Polymer cores are the most common but you could also find Nomex (more durable & powerful) or Aluminum ( ) as core elements of a Pickleball paddle.
- Grip – Whatever handle that comes with your paddle, make sure that the length of the paddle is just enough to fit your fist grip. In other words, it should be slightly longer than the width of your hand when balled into a fist. Pickler has a great guide on this here.
- Shape– Pickleball paddles come in all sorts of shapes. This comes down to preference in where you tyically make contact with the ball and what looks good to you. Types of shapes include Standard, Teardrop, Elongated and widebody.
- Edge support – In terms of edge support (the rubber piece that protects the edge) you’ll have to consider the tradeoff between edge support and no edge support. If you opt for edge support, your paddle will be more durable and prevent from chipping. If you don’t, then you’ll have a larger surface area to make contact with the ball.
Best overall paddle for Intermediate players – Gearbox GX5 Carbon Fiber Paddle
The Gearbox G5 has an amazing reputation in the Pickleball community, and for good reason. Gearbox is a fantastic paddle brand that was started over 15 years ago and has been creating some of the highest-quality paddles in the US.
Weighing about 7.8 ounces, the X5 has a slim aerodynamic frame that would allow for faster and more responsive movements. The carbon fiber edgeless frame also provides a larger hitting surface area and reduces the chances of mishits. The paddle also has a massive sweet spot. This paddle is also great for affecting a spin on the ball with its hyper-bite spin technology, so if you’ve been honing your spin game, this paddle might make your spin shot undeniable. The GX5 is a carbon fiber pickleball paddle you can’t go wrong with
The only negative reviews regarding the paddle we found were that the sweet spot is large and effective, but outside of the sweet spot the ball doesn’t have quite as much spring as other paddles. This might be subjective however since many others reported that they were happy with it and it was the perfect paddle to take their game from intermediate to advanced.
Additionally, the paddle is a little less than $150 which might come up on the more expensive side of things for a lot of folks. But if you are playing Pickleball 3x a week or more, its worth the long-term investment.
Best Intermediate paddle for under $150 – Onix Evoke Premier Pickleball Paddle
Although the Gearbox paddle featured above is technically in this price range, we thought we had to feature this paddle as well. Onix makes some amazing paddles and this one in particular is for intermediate to advanced players. This paddle was developed by two of the best pickleball players in the world, Matt Wright an dLucy Okvalova.
With a polypropylene honeycomb core, it has amazing power and is used today by many professional USA pickleball players. With some fancy technology baked in (Atomic13 Edge Technology and a DF Composite Face… strap in!) it has been designed like a rocket ship.
You can buy the paddle in three weights: light weight which is ~7.4 oz, Standard which is around 8 oz and heavyweight weighing at ~8.3 oz. This paddle has an edge guard, so if you like the extra surface area that non-edge paddles feature, you might want to go with the Gearbox paddle above at this price point. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either paddle.
Best Paddle for Intermediate Players under $100 – Onix Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle
Keeping with the Onix theme, Onix also makes a more cost effective paddle which is widely used in the community, the Onix Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle. This paddle will probably be within the price range for a larger majority of intermediate players who want to upgrade their paddle and get more serious about improving their game.
The paddle weighs a modest 8 oz, and like the previous Onix paddle has an edge guard. Everything about this paddle is solid. The weight and polypropylene core are of quality, and the sweet spot is very large.
This is certainly a respectable paddle to walk onto any court with. The only drawbacks you get are in the durability. For a lower price point than the other Onix paddles featured, customers reported some of the parts coming off after regular use. The paddle is made of mostly plastic, so durability is going to suffer. But in terms of performance, this is a great paddle for under 100 dollars.
Best Paddle for Intermediate Players under $50 – niupipo USAPA Approved Pro Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Now some of you might have seen the $150 price point for the Onix and Gearbox paddles, and said had a heart attack. Then you probably saw tyh 90 dollar price point for the Onix Pro above, and started shaking your head. If this is you and you are using a cheap $15 paddle and just want a minor upgrade, here is a paddle you can probably afford for about $40.
This niupipo paddle will most likely give you what you need. It is a solidly performing graphite pickleball paddle that will give you what you need. It’s also USAPA approved if you are looking to compete as well. It has most, if not everything, you would need in a paddle. The core and surface provide a nice bounce. It has a wide-body shape, cushioned grip, and perfect handle size, and comfortable grip. It has an edge guard that protects the edges of the paddle and it comes with a zippered neoprene cover for protection. Its also fairly light for a $40 paddle weighing at under 9 oz.
There are a couple of downsides to report, however, which isn’t a surprise given what you are paying for the paddle. Customers have reported that the handles are a bit too short, so if you have big hands this paddle might not be for you. Also, the sweet spot isn’t the largest. Additionally, if you have elbow pain this paddle might hurt your elbow as it is slightly head heavy.
Best Paddle for Intermediate Players with unlimited Budget –Selkirk Invikta Power Air Epic
This wouldn’t be a pickleball paddle list without featuring a Selkirk paddle. This Selkirk Invikta model is not cheap, but for those with deep pockets, you might want to seriously consider it. The paddle has an amazing combination of power control and maneuverability at an incredible weight of 6.7 ounces, making it one of the best paddles on the market for pickleball players who are serious about their play
This paddle is made from includes a carbon fiber face (considered the highest quality) ,and a polymer honeycomb core for excellent power, control, and durability. It is customizable in terms of weight and grip size, and has a unique aerodynamic design that reduces wind resistance. The paddle also has a large sweet spot and balanced weight distribution, making it an excellent choice for serious players who want optimal power and control.
Of course, not all of us have $250 to drop on a paddle. But if you do, you’ll be using this paddle for many years to come.
Best Pickleball Paddle with a Polymer Core – HEAD radical tour classic graphite
If you are looking for a pickleball paddle with a polymer core for enhanced power, look no further than the HEAD Radile Elite Pickleball paddle. With a graphite-hitting surface and honeycomb core on the inside, this is one of the most popular and well-designed pickleball products from HEAD. This paddle is also pretty lightweight coming in slightly less than 8 oz, so you can drive power into the ball. The grip is ergonomic as well and has been reported to be an amazing paddle upgrade for beginner to intermediate players.
The only downside is that the paddle is a bit on the expensive side and that there aren’t sizing options for different weights or styles of play. But if you are comfortable with HEAD products, want a polymer core pickleball paddle, and consider yourself a 3.0 or above player, this paddle is perfect for you.
Best Intermediate Paddle with a Fiberglass Surface – Selkirk Amped S2 Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle
Selkirk is one of the most well-trusted brands in Pickleball, which is why they are featured multiple times here. With a wide variety of high-quality paddles, their Fiberglass surface paddles are top-notch. This paddle is worth the investment and if you are looking for a fiberglass paddle that will last you years, the Selkirk S2 Amped will deliver on most if not all needs for an intermediate to advanced Pickleball player. This paddle features a polypropylene honeycomb core and a fiberglass surface and a very large sweet spot that extends to pretty much the whole paddle. It is also quite a light offering both a midweight and lightweight option, you’ll have your choice between a lightweight and super-lightweight version of this paddle.
The only downside we can see is that this paddle has been reported as ideal for advanced or very advanced players given its performance. So if you consider yourself on the upper intermediate side of the spectrum, then this could be a great paddle to usher you into the advanced league of pickleball competitors.
Best intermediate pickleball paddle for those with elbow pain – Kinetic PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle
Many pickleball players are ex-tennis players, and those with arm pain are all too familiar with tennis elbow. Even though swinging around a pickleball paddle has much less impact on your elbow. The Kinetic PROKENNEX is a fantastic paddle all around not even considering the elbow support. It has a patented technology that reduces vibration and a great balance of power and control. In terms of the benefits for those with elbow pain, the paddle is super lightweight and will bode well for you folks. It is very easy to maneuver and control.
As for drawbacks, the price point is high at ~$180, but you’ll get one of the best paddles on the market for both performance and to alleviate elbow pain.