5 Best Lightweight Pickleball Paddles

What is light for some may be heavy for others and vice versa. Although there is no official industry standard for what is lightweight, we consider that any weighing under 7.7 ounces an agile and speedy paddle.

For players new to pickleball, lighter paddles often lead to quicker mastery of their shots because how maneuverable they are. Paddles weighing less than 7.7 ounces also offer lots of room for improvement without having to buy another too soon because they are perfect for customization. It is far easier to add weight to a paddle than it is to remove weight.

Lightweight performance combined with the option of either more power or precision makes the Paddletek ESQ-C a versatile paddle choice. It is available in a weight as low as 7.6 oz in two core options, 12.7 mm (more power) or 14.3 mm (more precision). The compact shape enhances maneuverability, and its wider paddle face produces a huge sweetspot while keeping the ESQ-C stable on off-center contact of the ball.

If you like control, comfort and excellent spin potential in a lightweight paddle, the search ends with Selkirk’s AMPED Control series. There are three shapes to choose from. The S2 is Selkirk’s most compact design, the Epic is closer to a hybrid shape with a longer handle, and the Invikta is the elongated option around 16.5 inches overall. Regardless of your preference in shape, any of the three are available as low as 7.2 oz!

At a scant 7.3-7.7 oz, the Franklin FS Tour Featherweight paddles are sure to provide a high degree of agility and a lot more! If elongated shapes are your thing, the Dynasty Featherweight is an excellent choice. If you prefer a huge sweet spot and a connected feel to the ball that compact shapes afford, the Tempo is the way to go. Top-tier spin potential is on tap via the premium raw carbon fiber hitting surfaces. If there is any doubt whether these paddles lack power because of they are so light, their unibody construction and lively 12mm polypropylene cores will put that notion to rest.

Averaging 7.6 oz, the Wilson Blaze Edgeless pickleball paddle is the lightest edgeless paddle we have tested. The main themes of the Blaze Edgeless are a high degree of maneuverability, power and easy access to spin. Much of the power comes from a combination of its unibody construction, 13 mm core and extended length. A surface layer of raw carbon fiber backed up by a base layer of fiberglass issues spin potential plus a little extra oomph from the hidden ply of fiberglass.

What do you get when you get when you combine a “never late for a shot” level of paddle maneuverability along with precision and long-lasting spin potential? The entire Selkirk Vanguard Control family of paddles! Like most Selkirk paddle lines, the Vanguard Controls are offered in the compact S2 shape, the Epic’s hybrid compact paddle length with a longer handle and the elongated Invikta. The Vanguard Control Epic and Invika are available in a weight as low as 7.3 oz. The S2 is still light, but 7.7 ounces is as light as they come. Another standout trait is Selkirk’s use of four layers of premium carbon fiber (two on each side of the paddle face) for long-lasting and easy access to spin.

In the end it is up to players to determine which paddle weight, level of power, control, etc., best complements their approach to the game. Just like there are a variety of play styles and skill levels, there are a multitude of paddle options to consider. A paddle that is light enough to swing over a longer period of time yet heavy enough to remain stable against heavier struck shots, especially when ball contact is a bit off center, is ideal. Of course you also want the paddle to feel good in your hands and at contact of the ball. As players progress, their choice in paddles may change. No matter if you are hunting for an ultra-light, heavy or midweight paddle, Pickleball Warehouse strives to be an excellent resource for accurate product descriptions along with good advice.