To make your life easier, we’ve selected the best pickleball paddles under $50.
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Top Picks
niupipo
The perfect combination of power & weight with a comfortable grip.
- Nicely balanced
- Beginner-friendly
- Suits power players
- Reasonable control
Amazin’ Aces
Large sweet spot with a bias toward a power game.
- Solid feel
- Good power
- Large sweet spot
- Comfortable grip
Upstreet
Aimed at the beginner player who wants a full-feature paddle at an affordable price.
- Comfortable grip
- Good spin
- Good control
- Durable
We think that the best pickleball paddle under $50 is the Niupipo Pickleball Paddle. This paddle provides a good balance between control and power and spin. You can’t go wrong at the price and the generous sweet spot gives beginners the confidence to attempt shots that they may otherwise not be prepared to do.
The Amazin Aces is a great runner-up. This paddle is biased towards a power game with plenty of power on groundstrokes and volleys. The perfect option for the beginner player or a player who doesn’t want to break the bank.
Niupipo Pickleball Paddle
Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Weight: Midweight 7.8 oz
Paddle face: Graphite Carbon
Grip size: 4.25″
Grip length: 5.25″ length (Selkirk Comfort Grip)
Total length: 15.5″
PROS
- Nicely balanced
- Beginner-friendly
- Suits power players
- Reasonable control
CONS
- Lacks a textured face for really good spin
- The grip is not great in humid conditions
Paddle at a Glance
First off, this nuipipi paddle is USAPA-approved. This is important as many cheaper paddles are not. If you’re just playing socially, that might not be an issue, but if you want to enter a tournament, then you’ll need an officially approved paddle which makes this paddle a great option.
Hitting
Beginners will appreciate the forgiving nature of this paddle, which treads the fine line between power and control. While not as controllable as the more expensive paddles, it is a well-priced graphite paddle with a robust edge guard to protect the paddle from the inevitable scuffs and scratches.
Core & Surface
This paddle will allow you to learn the basics but lacks the textured face necessary to impart high levels of spin. This is not too important when you’re just starting, but will become more important as you improve your game, especially when it comes to imparting top spin on your groundstrokes.
The sweet spot is generous, as is the playing area, with the width being close to the official maximum size allowed. This does affect your ability to maneuver a bit, especially for smaller players. However, absorbing your opponent’s power shots close to the kitchen is easier with the heavier construction and the paddle is biased towards power and control rather than finesse.
Look & Fit
Overall, this is a solid beginner paddle. It has a high power level although, as expected, it lacks control and finesse. The paddle weighs in at an average of 8.2 oz. This makes it heavier than some and should be a consideration when selecting paddles for smaller players who may struggle with the extra weight.
While the perforated grip is designed to improve sweat absorption, players do report that the paddle becomes a bit slick in humid conditions. A bit of grip tape should solve the problem quite easily.
Upstreet Pickleball Paddle
Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Weight: 8.6 oz
Paddle face: Graphite
Grip size: 4.25″
Grip length: 4.5″ length
Total length: 15.75″
PROS
- Good value for money
- Provides good power
- A large grip that’s perfect for players with bigger hands
- 12-month warranty
CONS
- Heavy
- A large grip is not great for smaller players
- Not USAPA approved
Paddle at a Glance
This Upstreet pickleball paddle is an excellent upgrade from wooden paddles but may be a little too large and heavy for players with smaller hands. However, the paddle is quite responsive and the sweet spot is large. The polypropylene core provides a good balance between control and power.
Hitting
The polymer honeycomb gives the paddle a firm, crisp feel that allows players to develop consistency when playing a variety of shots. Whether you’re dinking, playing cross-court lobs, or firing back volleys, the paddle remains predictable and confidence-inspiring.
Core & Surface
This paddle can be used by both beginner and intermediate players with the graphite surface proving good spin characteristics. Combined with the stiff honeycomb core, the paddle gives a good account of itself when playing groundstroke with plenty of topspin.
Look & Fit
The paddle is fairly robust and withstands regular play quite well. While it is expected that paddles that are used regularly need replacement after about 6 months, you’ll find that the Upstreet paddle will outlast some of its more expensive competitors.
While the brand has experienced a few quality problems in the past, Upstreet stands behind its product with warranty claims being honored without any problems. At the price point, it’s good value and a big step up from a wooden paddle.
So, if you’re looking for a cheap pickleball paddle that includes some more advanced technology and provides the basics, then this beginner-friendly paddle is the perfect acquisition.
Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Paddle
Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Weight: 8.2 oz
Paddle face: Graphite
Grip size: 4.25″
Grip length: 5.25″ length
Total length: 15 7/8″
PROS
- Solid feel
- Good power
- Large sweet spot
- Comfortable grip
- USAPA approved
CONS
- Thick edge guard
- A bit too heavy for smaller beginners
Paddle at a Glance
This Amazin’ Aces pickleball paddle is ideal for beginners, with a standard-sized face that is well protected around the edges by a thick guard strip. This protects the paddle from scratches as well as reduces the force of impact when accidentally hitting the ground. While it appears at first that the edge will interfere with the playing face, the large sweet spot took care of most shots without a problem.
Hitting
The paddle is biased towards a power game and provides a crisp impact with plenty of power on groundstrokes and volleys. Easy to use on the groundstrokes and volleys.
Core & Surface
The paddle face does not have as much texture, compared with other cheaper pickleball paddles, so you are not going to be able to finesse the ball as much as you may want.
This is not too much of a problem as the paddle is aimed at beginners who are just learning the game and they will move on to more advanced paddles once their game improves.
Look & Fit
The handle is solid with a very comfortable grip. However, the weight is centered more on the paddle head, which makes the paddle a little more difficult to maneuver around the non-volley zone (kitchen). It comes into its own when playing powerful ground strokes and volleys and this is where the paddle excels.
Smaller players may struggle with this paddle, so it is better suited to players with a stronger grip. This can have negative consequences for swing speed and will slow you down when approaching the net or dinking.
ProBetter Pickleball Paddle
Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Weight: 7.9 oz
Paddle face: Graphite
Grip size: 4.25″
Grip length: 5 1/8″ length
Total length: 15 3/4″
PROS
- Comfortable ergonomic grip
- Good control
- Large sweet spot
- Sturdy construction
- USAPA approved
CONS
- Not as much spin as its competitors
- Needs more power
Paddle at a Glance
Thes ProBetter pickleball paddle weighs 8 oz, making it quite a heavy paddle which can be a problem for smaller players. However, it does provide good control and absorbs powerful groundstrokes easily. There isn’t enough pop off the face for really attacking play and this paddle is better suited to a player who is comfortable playing around the kitchen.
Hitting
Once you’ve got used to the feel, dinks and cross-court lobs are a pleasure and baseline shots are accurate and a bit of topspin will ensure that the ball lands inside the court every time.
Core & Surface
The textured surface provides a decent spin, but it is not as good as some of its competitors.
The graphite carbon fiber face is hard wearing and this paddle should last a long time even with hard, regular usage. While this is an entry-level paddle, both beginners and intermediate players find the paddle easy to play with, and for players who concentrate on finesse over power, it’s well worth the money.
The face is standard size with a slightly curved edge. Singles players may find that their reach is a little limited and will have to do a bit more work around the court.
Look & Fit
The cushioned grip is extremely comfortable and is small enough to be adjusted to fit most hand sizes. With both cushioning and perforations, the grip provides excellent control even when it’s hot and humid.
Upstreet Silver Fox Pickleball Paddle
Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Weight: 8.6 oz
Paddle face: Graphite
Grip size: 4.25″
Grip length: 4 3/4″ length
Total length: 15 3/4″
PROS
- Comfortable grip
- Excellent feel
- Durable
- Good control
CONS
- Not too much power
- Small sweet spot
Paddle at a Glance
This Upstreet Silver Fox pickleball paddle is heavier than most entry-level paddles and can be a bit awkward to play with if you’re a smaller player. You need a fairly firm grip to make the most of this paddle, which will exclude smaller players and children. However, the paddle does provide excellent control off the graphite face and the honeycomb core is strong and forgiving.
Hitting
Maneuvering close to the kitchen can be a little difficult as the paddle is more difficult to get into position due to its heavier construction. It does, however, absorb power shots well and beginners will appreciate the ability to soak up opponents’ volleys while staying in control.
Core & Surface
The paddle is durable, with a strong edge covering protecting the honeycomb core layers from nicks and scratches. However, the sweet spot is smaller than expected, so you need to be accurate when striking the ball or whatever power there is, will be lost.
This can affect crosscourt drop shots and dinks, which may fall short unless you give them the right amount of power. The paddle does provide a good feel though and it gives good feedback when playing shots.
Look & Fit
The grip is comfortable with perforated tape providing excellent grip even when your hands are sweaty or the conditions are humid.
For its price, the Upstreet Graphite paddle is excellent value for money and its sturdy, high-quality design will give players many months of enjoyment.
Gamma Fusion LE Pickleball Paddle
Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Weight: 8 oz
Paddle face: Fiberglass
Grip size: 4 1/8″
Grip length: 5″ length
Total length: 15 5/8″
PROS
- Solid quality paddle
- Comfortable grip
- USAPA-approved
CONS
- Feels very heavy
- Hard on your joints and muscles
Paddle at a Glance
This Gamma Fusion LE pickleball paddle is a big, heavy paddle that is not suited to smaller players. If your game is focused on power, then this is the paddle for you.
It is suitable for both beginners and intermediate players, but you must understand that the paddle is heavy. It will take time to get used to its weight and build the muscle strength necessary to play comfortably with it.
Hitting
You will notice that your arm will tire when you first use the paddle, but this goes away over time and is well worth the extra effort to get used to it. Slicing and topspin are easy to achieve after a bit of practice and players feel confident that they can rely on the paddle to perform when they need the extra control to nail dinks and drop shots.
Core & Surface
The honeycomb core provides an excellent feel, while the fiberglass face offers the extra pop and power that this paddle is known for. The textured fiberglass face provides reasonably good spin and groundstrokes from the baseline, where it is a pleasure to hit.
Look & Fit
The paddle comes into its own when volleying and you can put a lot of power into your shots, secure in the knowledge that your ball will still drop inside the court. The slightly wider face helps with accuracy, providing a more comfortable surface to play off and allowing players to make shots that may otherwise have been a mishit.
The paddle provides a good compromise between power and control and will give beginners a much-needed boost to their confidence.
Summary – Best Pickleball Paddles Under $50
If you’re new to the sport of pickleball and looking for a reasonably priced paddle, it’s hard to tell them apart. Hopefully, we’ve made your life easier, by summarising the best quality pickleball paddles under $50.
We think that the best pickleball paddle under $50 is the Niupipo Pickleball Paddle. This paddle provides a good balance between control and power and spin. You can’t go wrong at the price and the generous sweet spot gives beginners the confidence to attempt shots that they may otherwise not be prepared to do.
The Amazin Aces is a great runner-up. This paddle is biased towards a power game with plenty of power on groundstrokes and volleys. The perfect option for the beginner player or a player who doesn’t want to break the bank.
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