The weight of the pickleball paddle is one of the most important specs to consider. Your paddle’s weight influences how hard you can hit the ball, how fast you can move your paddle through the air, how you manipulate the ball, and how tired your shoulder, elbow, and wrist become.
Most paddles range from 7.0oz, the weight of 1 cup granulated sugar or an adult hamster, to 13oz, the importance of two hamsters or a little less than an American football. This spectrum usually breaks paddle weights into three categories: lightweight, midweight, and heavy. Each weight has pros and cons, and a significant weight change can impact your play.
Ultimately, you want to find whatever weight feels most comfortable for you. So how do you do that? It all depends on your play style, strength, and experience. Let’s break it down by paddle weight!
Why Does the Weight of a Pickleball Paddle Matter?
The weight of a pickleball paddle influences every aspect of playing Pickleball. The paddle’s weight directly affects the power a player can apply to a ball, ball and paddle speed and control, arm strength, and endurance during a game.
Weight is determined by everything on the paddle, from the edge guard and surface material to the handle length and jewel. When it’s on the paddle, it adds weight.
The Weight of Your Paddle Impacts Technical Performance
Weight is a tradeoff between power and control, with one side being more powerful and the other being more controlled.
You gain more power with a heavier paddle but at the expense of less control and agility. The inverse is also true for a light paddle, which provides greater control but less power by comparison. A paddle finds the balance with some weight in the middle.
The Weight of Your Paddle Impacts Physical Performance
Aside from this oversimplification of performance, weight plays a significant role in your body.
Do you ever think about how many times you swing a paddle during a game? The number is easily in the hundreds – your wrists, shoulders, and even your heads matter regarding these moves.
Even if the difference between a lighter and a midweight paddle is only one ounce, it increases when multiplied by hundreds of shots. You can quickly experience a decrease in arm strength throughout a game due to this.
Playing with too heavy paddles is a quick way to injure yourself. But, playing with too little of a paddle can also cause aggravation. So, choose a pickleball paddle according to your need.
The shock of a ball will be absorbed significantly more effectively by a heavier paddle than by a lighter paddle. When you use a spare paddle, the shock energy can cause your arm to vibrate, which can cause problems, especially if you repeat the action often.
These are just a few reasons picking the right paddle weight is so important, yet most people overlook factoring their bodies into the equation.
What Is The Best Weight For a Pickleball Paddle?
All this is to say that paddle weight affects both technical and physical performance. Because weight is so significant to playing Pickleball, and since every ounce matters, pickleball paddles are divided into three weight classes to make it easier for players to tell the difference quickly. Let’s have a closer look at all three pickleball paddle weights and if you wanted to Make a Pickleball Paddle we have guide for that as well.
Light Weight
Known for their control, lightweight paddles are great for touch players who enjoy drinking and shooting drop shots. A faster response time is also advantageous when you are at the net, and a ball is hit at you. You will benefit from lightweight paddles if you are switching from ping pong or racquetball to Pickleball due to the wristy action in these sports. When hitting the ball with a lighter paddle, your elbow must overcome more vibrations and stress. A lightweight paddle is not the best fit for you if you are prone to tennis elbow.
Mid Weight
Power and control are good characteristics of midweight paddles. They are suitable for hitting serves and serve returns with authority without a swift swing but still have control when you want to drink at the net. Mid-weight paddles are also a good fit if you suffer from tennis elbow. Lightweight paddles have to overcome the weight of the ball, stressing your elbow, while heavyweight paddles crush the ball weight more than a light paddle. In addition to adding weight to your elbows, they can also fatigue them over time. Mid-weight pickleball paddles are a better choice for tennis players because tennis players tend to use less wrist action to generate power.
Heavy Weight
Heavyweight pickleball paddles are usually used by players that prefer power over control. These paddles are generally around 8.5 to 9.5 ounces; paddles over 9.5 ounces are typically made of wood and are rarely used. In the case of older players with a slower swing speed, heavier paddles can generate more pop… once again, force is equal to mass times acceleration. As a result of the heavier weight, the heavy paddles can fatigue you more rapidly; it can also be a problem for players who suffer from tennis elbows. A heavier paddle is also suitable for you if you play singles. Played like tennis singles, Pickleball emphasizes power over finesse. As opposed to doubles pickleball, singles, dinks, and drop shots do not play a significant role in Pickleball.
Choosing a Pickleball Paddle
Besides the pickleball paddle weight, you should consider other factors before choosing one. Here are some essential considerations that should be considered when selecting a perfect pickleball paddle.
Choosing by Performance
The paddle you choose for your play should fit your play style. If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be more successful. Consider the type of paddle you are looking for and how you play, such as speed or power shots, before choosing something for your next game.
Lightweight ~ Quicker Hand Speed
Using lightweight paddles allows players to have quicker hands at the net. It is also easier to maintain more control with lighter paddles. Pickleball is a game of short, controlled shots close to the net, so this weight range is perfect if you want to speed up your hand game while maintaining a soft feel.
Midweight ~ More Power
Power can be generated more easily with midweight paddles. Generally, the heavier the paddle, the more power it will produce. To make those long shots from deep on the court, you need to be able to keep your opponents on the back line. Also, Midweight paddles are more effective at blocking. When the ball is hit with the right touch, it comes off the face instead of dropping dead just short of the net.
Singles vs. Doubles Paddles
Many players choose a Lightweight paddle for doubles while using a Midweight paddle for singles because a Lightweight paddle gives you faster hand speed. Since images are often played up at the net, a quick hand speed is vital…However, singles require strong hand movement and pass-through shots.
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Choosing by Comfort
Choosing the weight of your paddle should be based on what is most comfortable for you. Do you have a heavier paddle, and it hurts your arm? If you want a lightweight one, try one that is lighter. Would you describe your current paddle as a fly swatter? It would help if you made your next one heavier. Try these pickleball paddle weight if you have no idea what is the best weight for a pickleball paddle most comfortable with:
- Choose based on your previous sport’s paddle weight
- You can’t go wrong with a lightweight paddle since they’re more popular and a good choice
FAQs
With a Lightweight paddle, you get faster hand speed, while a Midweight paddle gives more power; this is why most players prefer using a Lightweight paddle for doubles and a Midweight paddle for singles.
Lightweight paddles are those under 7.3 ounces. Mid-weight paddles are 7.3 to 8.4 ounces, and heavyweight paddles are 8.5 ounces and above. The advantage of a light paddle is that it allows you to shoot more accurately at the net and with more control.
Pickleball paddle weight is one of the most important specs to consider. It impacts how hard the ball can be hit, how fast the paddle travels through the air, how the paddle is controlled, and how tired your wrist, elbow, and shoulder become.
So, what weight pickleball paddle do the pros use? Professional female pickleball athletes typically use paddles that weigh between 7.2 OZ and 8.4 OZ. Professional male pickleball athletes typically use paddles between 7.6 OZ and 8.6 OZ.
Conclusion
Go for a lighter paddle if you want a more forgiving paddle on your joints that offer more control and the ability to position yourself more easily on the court. A heavier paddle provides much more powerful shots at the cost of controlling where you want the ball to go. It’s also more taxing on the wrist and forearms.