There’s a misconception that the best pickleball paddles come with a hefty price tag, which is something that can discourage pickleball players on a budget. This list of the best pickleball paddles under $50 proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy some time on the pickleball court.
Expensive paddles have their place, but there are plenty of quality pickleball paddles to be found at a reasonable price point.
From wooden paddles to graphite and beginner to advanced, we’ve assessed the pros and cons of the best pickleball paddles under $50 currently on the market.
Best Wooden Paddle Under $50
Wooden paddles are often the paddle of choice for beginner pickleball players, especially those who are just dipping their toes in and figuring out if this is a sport they want to invest in. The reason wood paddles are often chosen by new players is their price point. They’re among the most inexpensive paddles, with several reputable brands offering wood paddles in their lineup.
While they’re inexpensive, wooden paddles have a few downsides. The first is their weight. Wood tends to be the heaviest of pickleball paddle materials, which can add stress to wrists and elbows, especially if you’re new to racquet sports.
The second is durability. Multiple layers add strength to wood paddles, but compared to other paddles, they tend to sprinter and suffer from compromised quality with less use than other materials.
Still, there are some really good inexpensive paddles made from wood. Plus, wood offers a bit of nostalgia since the very first pickleball paddles were wooden.
Winner – ErPils Wood Pickleball Paddles
This wooden pickleball set by ErPils is a great deal, and the fact that it comes in a set with four paddles means that you can play with family or friends. Even for single players, it’s nice to have a few backup paddles on hand.
What makes this wooden paddle stand out is its durability. Most other wood paddles are made with a 7-ply structure. This paddle is 9-ply, adding both stability and durability.
It’s also a wider paddle, offering a more generous sweet spot. This is a feature that’s also ideal for beginners and casual players.
The downside is the weight, hovering close to 10 ounces, which is the upper end of the appropriate pickleball paddle weight.
The cost is right around $50 for four paddles, a carrying case, pickleball balls, and cooling towels. Considering the quality and the extras, you really can’t go wrong with this set if you’re looking for durable wood paddles. This set is also often on sale, making it an even better deal.
Pros:
- 9-ply construction for improved durability
- A wide paddle face provides a larger sweet spot
- Sweat-wicking cushioned grip improves comfort
- Weight is nicely balanced, making play easier for new players
Cons:
- Paddle weight might be uncomfortable for players with sensitive wrists and elbows.
- You’ll likely want to level up to a new paddle once comfort and skill on the court increases.
- The handle may feel a bit small for larger hands
Runner Up – Rally Meister Pickleball Paddle
The Rally Meister Pickleball Paddle is a well-liked wooden paddle that comes in well below the $50 threshold. Compared to the top choice in this category, the Rally Meister wooden paddle is 7-ply instead of 9-ply, which makes it lighter and possibly more comfortable for beginning pickleball players.
The paddle is made from alternating layers of white maple wood, giving it a more durable construction than other wood paddles. Rally Meister is a paddle that you’ll commonly see in community centers and schools.
Another nice feature of this paddle is its grip. The grip is cushioned and moisture-wicking, and honestly feels like it belongs on a more expensive paddle.
It also includes a wrist strap, which is a nice extra for new players as it helps keep the paddle in their hands rather than slipping out and flying across the court. Plus, the Rally Meister is approved for USAPA tournament play, which is something many wooden paddles can’t claim.
Best Graphite Paddle Under $50
Graphite paddles are a good step up once you’re ready to leave your first paddle behind, but they’re really a good option for all skill levels. A graphite paddle surface offers the perfect combination of being both strong and lightweight.
However, a typical graphite paddle will often cost in the $80-$100+ range, which might be more than you’re looking to spend on a pickleball paddle. These graphite paddles from Autosan and Hudef offer all the positives of a graphite face at an affordable price.
Winner – Autosan Pickleball Paddle
The Autosan Pickleball Paddle offers everything you’re looking for in a high-quality graphite paddle without the hefty price tag.
The Autosan is a lightweight paddle with a super strong graphite composite face. It’s constructed with a Nomex core and offers a great pop when you hit the ball.
Something that we often see in less expensive paddles is a bit of clunkiness in the design. This isn’t the case with Autosan graphite paddles. The weight is nicely balanced, and it feels good in your hand, with not too much resistance as you swing. It features an edge guard, which is great for durability, but it’s low profile, so it doesn’t have the frustration of it getting in the way when you’re trying to hit the perfect shot.
The best part? The Autosan graphite face pickleball paddle is priced at about $30, so it’s a very budget-friendly option.
Pros:
- Lightweight paddle offers precision and control
- The thin edge guard doesn’t interfere with shots
- Nomex core offers stability and a good “pop” on the ball
- Comfortable grip
- Suitable for all skill levels
Cons
- The paddle weighs 7.2 ounces, which is too light for really powerful shots
- Not the largest sweet spot
- The graphics are vibrant, which some players might not like
Runner Up – Hudef Pickleball Paddle
In full disclosure, the list price on this Hudef paddle is closer to $55 than it is to $50, but it’s a great paddle for the price, and it falls below $50 when you can catch it on sale.
This paddle features a graphite carbon face, a honeycomb core, and a nice comfortable grip, and it’s USAPA-approved for tournament play.
All of these features add up to a product that you would swear was a more expensive pickleball paddle than it actually is.
Best for Spin Under $50
By the time you’re ready to start perfecting the spin you put on the ball, you’ve probably leveled up to an intermediate level of pickleball play. New players aren’t worried about tactics like spin right off the bat, so they can get away with using a cheap paddle that doesn’t necessarily offer all the important features for a good spin.
What we’re trying to say here is that they’re aren’t a lot of options for an affordable paddle that knocks it out of the park (or pickleball court) where spin is concerned.
Normally, you might want to lean toward slightly heavy paddles for spin due to the weight distribution and power they supply. The type of material on the paddle face matters, too. Generally speaking, a composite paddle is a good choice for spin. However, our top choice in the under $50 category is a lightweight paddle with a graphite face.
Winner – Uteeqe Lightweight Graphite Paddle
Uteeqe makes one of the best pickleball paddles for spin that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. This is a good, durable, and affordable paddle that offers a nice blend of power and control. The paddle face is slightly rough, which is just enough to grip the ball and give it some spin. It’s also a very forgiving paddle face with a large sweet spot.
Even though the paddle face is slightly textured, it’s still USAPA-approved for tournament play.
Pros:
- Lightly texture surface
- Large sweet spot
- 7.8 ounces, so it teeters on the line between a lightweight and middleweight paddle
- Balanced weight
- Moisture wicking comfortable grip
Cons:
- A bit light for really powerful shots
- It might not have the features that more advanced players are looking for out of a pickleball paddle.
Best for Beginners Under $50
When you’re just starting out playing pickleball, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money on your first or even your second pickleball paddle. If you’re not even sure how much you’re going to like playing pickleball, then a cheaper paddle makes sense.
At the end of the day, expensive pickleball paddles matter to the more advanced players who have the technique and skill to take advantage of each of those fancy paddle features. New pickleball players have the most options for the best paddles under $50 because so many options in this price range offer the basics that new players need.
Winner – Niupipo Pickleball Paddle – Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Niupipo isn’t one of the huge names in pickleball paddles, but they’re building a solid reputation for themselves, and this pickleball paddle, in particular, gets rave reviews. It’s an engaging paddle that’s comfortable to hold and maneuver.
The Niupipo pickleball paddle is a lighter paddle, so it won’t cause excess stress on wrists or elbows. It offers a graphite face, a honeycomb polymer core, an edge guard for durability, and a comfort grip. Plus, this pickleball paddle is USAPA-approved for tournament play in case you want to get in on some of the local tournament action.
Pros:
- Exceptional reviews, especially among pickleball paddles under $50
- Lightweight paddles to help build control
- Honeycomb core
- One of the better affordable paddles, especially for durability
Cons:
- Great for beginners, but most will choose to upgrade to a higher-quality paddle.
- Not heavy enough for solid power shots
- The grip might be too small for larger hands
Runner Up – Dink Pro Finesse Graphite Pickleball Paddle
The Dink Pro Finesse Graphite paddle has all the basics covered, and it’s a good option for both youth and adult players. For paddles under $50, this one ranks pretty high among composite paddles.
With a composite face, honeycomb core, and forgiving wide-body shape, this paddle will help new players master basic shots and gain confidence on the court.
Best for Intermediate Under $50
Winner – Head Cyber Elite Pickleball Paddle
Head is a respected name among pickleball paddles for intermediate players, but their paddles typically cost closer to $100 than they do to $50. This is why finding this Head Cyber Elite paddle is such a steal.
Head Cyber Elite paddles offer a graphite face and polymer core. These paddles stand up to more strenuous and intense play. The paddle construction is rock solid, and it comes in a little over 8 ounces, which puts it in the perfect mid-weight paddle range.
This Head paddle is ideal for players just stepping into the intermediate range and feeling they’ve outgrown their beginner stage and are ready to try other paddles.
Pros:
- Ergo grip minimizes vibration from impact
- The right pickleball paddles for players just stepping up into the intermediate level
- Midweight paddle offers both power and control
- Ideal weight distribution for developing more advanced shots
Cons:
- Not the most generous sweet spot of pickleball paddles on this list
- If you’ve played with other Head paddles, this one might feel a little lackluster
- You might want a lighter paddle if you haven’t yet mastered control
Best for Advanced Players Under $50
So, you’ve been working on your game, playing for a while, and have finally earned the status of being an advanced player. One might say that now is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to one of the best pickleball paddles that money can buy, but a “sky’s the limit” budget isn’t something all of us have.
There aren’t a lot of great pickleball paddles for advanced players in this price range, but when looking at all of the best pickleball paddles under $50, there were two that stood out as good options for more advanced pickleball players.
Winner – Fila Pickleball Paddle
Fila is a sports brand that most people are familiar with, but they’re not that big in the realm of pickleball. When looking at the features of this pickleball paddle, it was easy to see that it had many of the same benefits as more expensive paddles, with the quality construction that Fila is known for.
With a skill level rating of “professional,” this is definitely considered one of the more advanced paddles. Those that have played with it regularly say that it offers exceptional power for a lighter-weight paddle, the control is on point, and the movement is swift and non-jarring.
The Fila Pickleball Paddle is equipped with a cushioned grip, reinforced handle, graphite face, and a well-balanced design. The list price on this paddle hovers just about the $50 mark, but you can often find it on sale.
Pros:
- One of the few truly advanced paddles in the pickleball paddle under-$50 category
- Good weight distribution, power, and control
- Comfort grip
- Very reasonably priced paddle for the quality
Cons:
- If you’ve played with as many paddles as most advanced players, you might miss some of the bells and whistles of more expensive paddles
- This is a fairly plain paddle with no real outstanding aesthetic features to set it apart
Best Paddle for Youth Under $50
With pickleball being such a fast-growing sport, it’s not a game that’s only played in retirement centers anymore. More and more young people are coming to the sport, which means there’s a growing demand for pickleball gear that’s designed for smaller hands.
The thing about youth pickleball paddles is that you never really know how long your child or teen is going to stick with the game, so you don’t necessarily want to spend a ton of money on pickleball equipment that you’ll find buried in the back of the closet a couple of months down the road. These two options are the best pickleball paddles under $50 for young players.
Winner – Helium Pickleball Paddle
In our opinion, the Helium pickleball paddle set wins for best pickleball paddles under $50 for little hands. This set is really geared for kids who are twelve or under, so it’s not the best pickleball paddle set for teens. Still, these paddles are colorful, fun, lightweight – and easy on your pocketbook!
These are graphite paddles with a smaller-than-average face. Due to their dimensions, these pickleball paddles are not USAPA-approved, and they’re definitely not what you would call a power paddle (but considering the small hands that they’ll be in, this is a good thing!).
Pros:
- Small grip size for little hands
- Durable graphite construction
- Fun, colorful graphics
- Comes in a set of two, so kids can play with their friends
- The set of two costs only $45
Cons:
- Kids who are serious about playing pickleball will likely outgrow these fast.
- Offers a comfort grip but may still slip easily out of children’s hands
- More mature kids might find the graphics on the paddle too cartoonish
Runner Up – Gamma Fusion Pickleball paddle
Our choice for the runner-up of the best pickleball paddles under $50 for youth is this beauty by Gamma. The Gamma Fusion pickleball paddle is sleek and comfortable. This isn’t a paddle that was specifically designed for youth, but we’ve heard more than one person say that their teens love how this paddle fits in their hand and how it handles.
At a price point that’s just below $50, this paddle makes for a good investment for pre-teens and teens who are showing interest in pickleball.
Buying Guide
When considering the best pickleball paddles under $50, you really have to pay closer attention to some of the basic details than you would if you were considering a more expensive paddle. Some of the details that are just taken for granted with a higher price tag can be hit or miss with a pickleball paddle under $50.
There are many points to consider, but here are a few of the most important.
Price
It might seem repetitive or unnecessary to talk about price here since you’re looking only for the best pickleball paddle under $50, but the price does still matter. Believe it or not, there are actually a lot of cheap options out there. In this price category, paddles range anywhere from $20-$50. We’ve even seen super cheap paddles at retail locations like Five Below.
We have one word of advice. Don’t fall for the allure of the super cheap price tag!
Just because we’re in the “cheap” category doesn’t mean you need to settle for a pickleball paddle that’s not even suitable to play with. Our best advice is to not fall below the $30-$35 threshold if you want a quality, inexpensive paddle.
Durability & How Often You Play
Whether you plan on playing once a month or as much as you possibly can in your spare moments should factor into the pickleball paddle you choose. Inexpensive pickleball paddles aren’t typically known for their durability, but the more often you play, the more important durable paddles become.
The best pickleball paddle for durability will have an edge guard, at least in this price range. There are some very durable paddles without edge guards at a higher price point, but you’re not going to find that type of solid construction below $50, and if you do, consider it a unicorn.
Composite and graphite paddles are the more durable paddle materials that you’ll find in this category. Stay away from wood unless you play infrequently or don’t mind the idea of needing to upgrade your paddle in a few months once it starts to splinter and crack.
USAPA Certified
If you love pickleball, you never know when you might decide to put yourself out there and join a tournament. Most tournaments aren’t for pros but are for players just like you that have a little bit of pickleball skill under their belt but are a ways off from even thinking about the pro circuit.
Because you never know when pickleball tournament fever might strike, having a pickleball paddle that’s USAPA-certified for tournament play is a bonus. USAPA certification includes details like size, weight, material, and surface texture.
Materials
Look for quality materials that indicate that even though the paddle is less expensive, there was still some care and thought put into it. $50 for a pickleball paddle is still a good chunk of change, so don’t settle for inferior materials when there are better options available at your price point.
Look for a graphite & carbon fiber face or a durable honeycomb core. Nomex is another quality paddle core material. If there’s an edge guard, check out how durable it looks and feels, and assess how firmly it’s attached to the face. What about the grip? Is it a comfortable, moisture-wicking grip, or one that feels like slick plastic and will likely slip out of your hand once it gets sweaty?
Comfort Features
Finally, a pickleball paddle needs to feel good in your hand and not cause any discomfort when you play. When choosing your best pickleball paddle, consider your strengths and limitations.
Lighter paddles might create more vibrations, which can irritate the tennis elbow. Heavier paddles can put additional stress on elbows and wrists. For this reason, a midweight paddle is a good place to start until you have a better idea of which paddle feels best.
Take a look at the grip size and make sure that it’s a proper size for your hand. Poor grip size is one of the easiest ways to cause hand fatigue and wrist strain. Good pickleball paddles, even in the $50-and-under category, offer moisture-wicking cushioned grips for more comfortable play.
Key Takeaways
- The right pickleball paddle can be found for under $50 – it just takes a bit of searching.
- The more advanced you become, the more difficult it is to find really good pickleball paddles in this price range.
- Cheaper paddles aren’t always good for mastering more finessed techniques, like drop shots and spin.
- Beginners have lots of great options for pickleball paddles under $50
- Even well-known names in pickleball make solid pickleball paddles under $50
- If you think you might want to play in tournaments, look for a pickleball paddle that’s USAPA-approved
- You don’t have to spend a fortune to have fun playing pickleball!