9 Best Pickleball Paddles Under 100 (High Quality for the Price)
Pickleball is a game that has taken the world by storm, and for good reason. The game is easy to learn, fun to play, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Playing pickleball requires some basic equipment, most importantly a good paddle.
However, you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality pickleball paddle. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best pickleball paddles available under $100.
All of these popular paddles offer great performance and value for the price, so you can improve your game without spending a fortune.
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What Makes the Best Pickleball Paddles Under 100?
When it comes to pickleball, the right paddle can make all the difference in your game. But with so many options available, how do you know which one to choose? The best pickleball paddles under $100 are those that possess key attributes such as quality of construct, grip, and face material.
A well-constructed paddle not only ensures durability and a longer lifespan, but is key to performance on the court.
A comfortable grip allows for better handling and control during gameplay. Additionally, a good quality face contributes to a quicker response time and better overall shot accuracy. Things like weight and paddle size also matter, relative to your skill level and preferences. But most important is that the combination of features line up to deliver the best paddle for the pricepoint.
By investing in a paddle that offers these features, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the court without breaking the bank.
With all that in mind, we’ve sourced 9 of the best pickleball paddles under $100.
What are the Best Pickleball Paddles Under 100?
Best Overall: SLK by Selkirk: EVO Hybrid 2.0 Max
- Shape: Traditional
- Grip size: 4.25″
- Weight: 7.6 – 8.0 oz
- Length: 16″
- Width (Max version): 7.85″
- Handle Length: 4.85″
- Face: C7-Flex Hybrid Fiberglass
- Core: 13mm Rev-Hybrid Polymer Core
Photo: Amazon
The SLK by Selkirk offers great value for money with its hybrid construction blend of composite and polymer core. It has a medium weight, which gives it a solid feel, and its paddle face features a unique edgeless design that increases the sweet spot for maximum ball control. This is a great paddle choice for most skill levels.
Choose between the Max shape for the largest surface area and sweet spot, or the XL shape for extended length and added power.
The SLK By Selkirk Evo Hybrid 2.0, is a versatile paddle meticulously designed for both power and control, making it an ideal choice for beginner and advanced pickleball players alike.
Broad Appeal: Head Radical Elite
- Shape: Traditional
- Grip size: 4 1/8“
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- Length: 16″
- Width: 7 7/8″
- Thickness: 3/5″
- Material: Polypropylene + Fiberglass
Photo: Amazon
The Head Radical Elite is a great choice for a wide range of players looking for a midweight, comfortable, and excellent-value paddle.
The Radical Elite features a Dynamic Power Shape for a larger sweet spot and a thicker OTC honeycomb core for great playability. With its smooth fiberglass surface, the Radical Elite will give you power and playability, while maintaining durability.
One thing to note is this paddle has less surface texture than other models, so spin abilities may be affected. Priced at under $60, the Head Radical Elite paddle offers a great value for the price.
Best for Intermediate Players: Onix Graphite Z5
- Shape: Traditional
- Grip size: 4.25″
- Weight: 7.5- 8.2 oz
- Handle Length: 5″
- Material: Nomex honeycomb core, graphite face
Photo: Amazon
The Onix Graphite Z5 is widely popular on both the tournament circuit and community courts. The graphite face and nomex core give players superior feel of the ball, and with a total paddle weight of 7.5-8.2 ounces, the mid weight Z5 strikes a nice balance between power and speed.
The widebody shape on the Z5 is great for beginner through advanced level players with its large sweet spot. Because of its broad appeal, we rate this as an excellent option for intermediate players.
Wide Body: Engage Encore Pro
- Shape: Wide Body
- Grip size: 4.25″
- Weight: 7.5 – 7.8 oz (LITE), 7.8 – 8.3 oz (Standard)
- Length: 15.5″
- Width: 8.125″
- Handle Length: 5″
- Face: Fiberglass
- Core: Polyprophylene / Polymer Honeycomb
Photo: Amazon
Engage’s Encore Pro pickleball paddle provides players with advanced characteristics desired by the top nationally ranked players in the world. Optimized for the ultimate in control and power. A larger ‘sweet spot’ than the legacy ‘Encore’ and an enhanced feel when the ball makes contact allows players to have even more control over the ball.
The Encore line of paddles have always been about control and ball placement, and the Encore Pro Wide is an excellent paddle to do just that (what you want with the ball) whether you hit hard or soft.
Best Beginner: Head Extreme Pro
- Shape: Traditional size, unique shape
- Thickness: 11 mm / 7/16 in
- Weight: 7.8oz
- Length: 16 in
- Width: 7.875 in
- Handle Length: 5 in
- Grip Size: 4.125 in
Photo: Amazon
Key Features: The Extreme Pro combines HEAD’s latest technologies and a unique Diamond Shape for the perfect combination of power and control.
It also incorporates a Comfort Grip for less vibration and more comfort and a Composite Hitting Surface for increased power. The Extreme Pro offers a mid-weight option for a great balance of control and power on each shot.
What to consider: Many players agree this paddle is great as an starter choice, perfect for beginners. It’s lighter weight and graphite face offer a bit more on the control side, but still allow for power plays as you grow into the sport.
Best Budget: Amazin’ Aces Signature
- Shape: Traditional
- Grip size: 4.5″
- Weight: 8.2 oz (average)
- Handle Length: 4.75″
- Material: Honeycomb polymer core, graphite face
Photo: Amazon
Amazin’ Aces leads with the motto “An amazing paddle doesn’t need to cost a fortune,” and we couldn’t agree more. This is especially true for beginners who are starting out in the game of pickleball.
The Amazin’ Aces Signature paddle has many bells and whistles at a value price. It features a polymer honeycomb core with vibration dampening technology. The responsive polymer core paired with a graphite face offers a blend of power and touch. The premium grip gives the paddle a nice feel in your hand. It also features an edge guard to protect your outer paddle from wear.
Weighing in at an average of 8.2 oz, this mid weight paddle has a large sweet spot and balanced weight distribution. It is great for all types of players.
Even the “Under $100” category for pickleballs needs a budget option, and we say the Amazin’ Aces Signature paddle really is amazing for the price.
Best Advanced: Paddletek Bantam EX-L
- Shape: Traditional
- Face: Polycarbonate
- Grip size: 4.25″
- Weight: 7.8- 8.4 oz
- Length: 15.75 in
- Width: 7.75 in
- Handle Length: 5″
- Material: Polymer Composite Honeycomb
Photo: Amazon
The Paddletek Bantam EX-L Pickleball Paddle is considered one of the most durable paddles on the market today.
It features an advanced composite face and an aluminum honeycomb core that delivers well balanced combination of control, power, and durability. It’s perfect for intermediate to advanced players looking to up their game.
Comfy Grip: GAMMA Fusion LE
- Shape: Traditional
- Grip size: 4.125″
- Weight: 8 oz
- Handle Length: 5″
- Length: 15.625″
- Width: 8.25″
- Core Material: Poly honeycomb
- Surface Material: Fiberglass
Photo: Amazon
The Gamma Sports Fusion paddle gives you a fantastic composite face for excellent power and ball control with a Nomex honeycomb core that delivers solid maneuverability.
It’s perfect for intermediate to advanced players who want a comfortable grip paddle with a medium weight that offers excellent balance. At just $40, this is a great option among the best pickleball paddles under 100 category.
Best Beginner Under $60: JOOLA Essentials
- Shape: Traditional
- Grip size: 4.0 in
- Weight: 8.2 oz
- Handle Length: 5.25 in
- Length: 15.5 in
- Width: 7.9 in
- Material: Carbon Fiber Polymer Composite Honeycomb
Photo: Amazon
JOOLA’s go-to pickleball paddle for rec players, the JOOLA Essentials’ response polymer core with fiberglass surface provides great pop. This paddle is great for pickleball beginners who are just starting to develop their strokes.
What is Pickleball?
Created in the summer of 1965 by three dads in Washington state, pickleball is a fun, social sport that blends badminton, ping pong and tennis. Played on a badminton sized court with a modified tennis net, the game consists of hitting a plastic ball with a paddle.
Although Pickleball has steadily grown as a sport over the years, it flew under the mainstream radar. That has changed as interest in pickleball has recently exploded, making it one of the fastest growing sports in America.
The concept of the game is simple – 2 to 4 players use a paddle to hit a plastic ball on a court that is about a quarter of the size of a regulation tennis court. A blend of badminton, ping pong and tennis, pickleball offers a fast paced, social game and is taking communities by storm.
Played indoor or outdoors, you don’t need much to get started – just a paddle, ball, decent shoes and access to a pickleball court with a net.
What makes the Best Pickleball Paddle Under 100?
A paddle is the main ingredient in pickleball gear. A traditional pickleball paddle measures about 7-8 inches wide by 16 inches long.
Paddles also come in a longer version (elongated) that offers less width and more length. The elongated paddle offers a smaller sweet spot for hitting and greater reach, which often suits more experienced players.
Although the overall size of the paddle is something to consider, the most important factors in choosing a paddle are weight and grip size. How the paddle feels in your hand will impact your ability to control the ball and make those power shots. Also, the right weight will help you avoid wrist and arm pain in the process. In general, whether you prefer a lightweight paddle or something heavier will depend on the overall feel and your preferences.
Once you’ve worked out your ideal weight and grip size, you can look to other features like the materials, shape and design.
Pickleball paddles are made from a variety of materials. The original paddles were made from solid wood, which were heavier and harder to control. Nearly all of today’s paddles have interior cores made polypropylene (polymer). The surface is usually made of fiberglass, graphite or carbon fiber.
Finally, pickleball paddles come in all types of color and designs – which you can use to add style and personality to your play.
The best pickleball paddles are the ones that feel best in your hand and deliver the spin, ball control and power that take your game to the next level.
In the best pickleball paddles under 100 category, there are plenty of really great options to choose from. Think about whether you are a beginner or more advanced player, and how you think you’ll use the paddle on court. Then consider features like weight, paddle shape and surface materials in your decision.
What Other Accessories Do I Need to Play Pickleball?
The sport of pickleball requires a few essentials to be successful on the court.
Things like a solid pair of pickleball shoes (both men and women need a sturdy set of court specific shoes), a paddle, a couple of pickleballs (in case one gets lost) and a hitting net are the key ingredients to play pickleball.
Happy shopping and pickleball play!
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