Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and the paddle market has grown with it — which means walking into a first purchase is genuinely confusing. Carbon or fibreglass? 13mm or 16mm? Does 18K mean anything?
It does, and this guide explains what each spec actually changes when you're standing at the kitchen line. (A quick note for British players: paddle and bat mean the same thing. You'll see both.)
The four things that matter
1. Core thickness — the biggest single decision
The honeycomb core sits between the two faces, and its thickness is the main control on how the paddle behaves.
- 13mm — thinner core, more pop. The ball comes off faster with less effort. Great for putting drives away, harder to reset a soft dink. Suits aggressive players who want power.
- 14mm — the middle ground, and honestly where most players should start. Enough pop to attack, enough softness to control.
- 16mm — thicker core, softer feel, more control. Absorbs pace so dinks and resets land where you intend. Suits players who win points at the net rather than off the baseline.
If you're unsure: 16mm if you're learning, 14mm if you're improving, 13mm if you already hit hard.
2. Face material — how much spin you get
- Raw carbon fibre (3K, 12K, 18K, T700) — the gritty, unpainted surface grips the ball and generates serious spin. The number refers to the weave: 3K is a wider weave with a softer, more controlled feel; 18K is tighter and firmer with more pop. T700 is a premium high-tensile carbon with excellent bite.
- Fibreglass — more powerful and livelier off the face, less spin. Usually cheaper. A good first paddle.
Raw carbon does wear down. It is not a fault — it is the surface doing its job. Expect to replace a heavily used carbon paddle every 12–18 months.
3. Weight
Most paddles land between 7.3oz and 8.4oz.
- Lighter (under 7.8oz) — quicker hands in fast net exchanges, less power, easier on the arm
- Heavier (over 8oz) — more put-away power and stability against pace, slower to react with
If you've had tennis elbow or any wrist trouble, go lighter. It is not worth the risk.
4. Shape
- Standard (roughly 16" × 8") — balanced, biggest sweet spot, best for most players
- Elongated (16.5"+) — more reach and more leverage on drives, smaller sweet spot. Popular with players coming from tennis
What to buy at each level
🌱 Just starting
Get a 16mm fibreglass or entry carbon paddle in a standard shape, around 7.8oz. Don't spend big before you know whether you love it — and you almost certainly will, so leave room to upgrade.
🎯 Playing weekly, starting to compete
Move to 14mm with a raw carbon face. This is the biggest single jump in playing quality you'll feel. Spin becomes a weapon rather than an accident.
🏆 Competing seriously
Choose by role, not price. Net player and dinker → 16mm T700 or 3K carbon for control. Baseline driver and put-away hitter → 13mm 18K carbon for pop. Many players end up owning both.
Quick reference
| If you want… | Core | Face | Weight | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum control | 16mm | 3K or T700 carbon | 7.8–8.0oz | Standard |
| Maximum power | 13mm | 18K carbon or fibreglass | 8.0oz+ | Elongated |
| Maximum spin | 14mm | Raw T700 carbon | 7.8–8.0oz | Standard |
| Easiest to learn with | 16mm | Fibreglass | 7.6–7.9oz | Standard |
| Kindest on the arm | 16mm | Carbon | Under 7.8oz | Standard |
Three mistakes we see constantly
- Buying on power alone. Pickleball points are won at the net with soft hands far more often than they're won with a smash. Control beats pop for most players.
- Buying the pro's paddle. A 13mm 18K paddle in the hands of someone still learning to dink is actively harder to play with.
- Ignoring grip size. Too small and you'll grip too tight and hurt your forearm. Too large and you'll lose wrist snap. Ask us if you're unsure — it takes thirty seconds to check.
Why buy your paddle from Central Tennis?
- Genuine range — Head, Wilson, AIXO and more, from starter paddles to tournament spec
- Honest advice from people who actually play, not a spec sheet
- Grip fitting and overgrips in store
- Balls, shoes and nets so you can kit out in one place
- Free UK delivery on qualifying orders
Shop pickleball paddles at Central Tennis
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