Pickleball is all the rage right now. For those who are not familiar, it is a game played on a modified Tennis court that uses Pickleball paddles instead of a racket. People who just joined the craze would find it daunting to find the right equipment, but this article will help you fit with the right gears starting with the right Pickleball Paddle.
If you are looking for both quality and affordability that is taken into consideration, then the Apollo pickleball paddle is the correct paddle for you. The manufacturers took great care in designing a beautiful product that embodies the characteristics essential to a quality paddle: strength, comfort, and aesthetic appeal.
What Is the Difference Between a Cheap and an Expensive Pickleball Paddle?
Materials of a low price and quality are less robust, more brittle, and have a far higher probability of shattering under persistent impact than materials of a higher quality. In addition, they call for an increased amount of resin, which results in heavier paddles.
When subjected to constant or recurrent stress, such as hitting a pickleball, inexpensive materials have a greater tendency to lose their forms over time. Although not ideal if you are interested in purchasing with an eye on the long term, this factor is not the biggest contributor to the quality gap.
Paddles cost a lot because manufacturers have put money into making them as well as they can. Companies that sell more costly paddles often use higher-quality materials and employ more skilled workers.
Most retailers that provide low-priced paddles on Amazon are not experts in producing top-tier athletic gear. Their objective is to mass-produce inexpensive paddles. One solution is using robots and other forms of automation to produce large quantities of low-quality output. Automation in paddle production leaves limited flexibility for fixing problems or making impromptu upgrades.
When an edge guard isn’t properly attached, it will not fall out of the line and proceed to the next paddle. Likewise, dead areas are a major problem. Have you ever experienced a ball stop dead when it hit the “sweet spot” on your paddle? A void exists there. These develop when an area of skin separates from the underlying tissue. Put this down to shoddy production once again.
Instead, businesses might invest more in quality assurance when they are required to charge more for their products. Paddle makers focusing on quality assurance are proud of the paddles they produce. They only offer the highest quality paddles since they build and verify each one by hand, rapidly identifying and fixing any problems that arise. The guarantee is one of the main advantages for the customers. You may rely on them to fix your paddle if anything goes wrong with it.
There seems to be an excessive rate of change regarding pickleball paddle specifications and technological advancements. Some paddlers replace their paddles every few months to keep up with the competition. The vast majority of people have no need for it, yet technical progress is undeniably impressive. Simply put, internet store-purchased paddles are not using the most cutting-edge technology. Moreover, it is significant.
Playing pickleball ought to be a breeze, a lot of fun, and simple. Now that pickleball has been revolutionized by technology, players may spend less time fretting about their equipment and more time thinking about scoring. Paddles have gone a long way in the last three years, becoming more robust, forgiving, and silent.
Paddle makers have even developed methods to lessen vibrations, which may be a major factor in the recovery of tennis elbow. Even a cheap paddle can do if you’re really skilled or simply playing for pleasure. However, if you’re like the rest of us, you’ll have a far better time playing with a paddle tailored to your own playing style.
You may be shocked to learn that the cost of a pickleball paddle may vary from as low as $10 to more than $200 for the highest-end models. So, regardless of your requirements, the cost will undoubtedly be a major consideration in picking a paddle.
What Is Better for Pickleball, Fiberglass, or Graphite?
Now that you decided on your paddle’s budget, we move on to the material the paddle is made of. When it pertains to the sport of pickleball, the most common paddles that players use are split between two distinct categories: paddles made from fiberglass and graphite.
Paddles made of fiberglass have seen a surge in demand in recent years, contributing to the material’s rising popularity. These paddles certainly offer some distinct characteristics and advantages. Graphite, in contrast, hand, has characteristics and advantages that are one of a kind.
Although fiberglass paddles are lighter than graphite paddles, fiberglass paddles give more elasticity than graphite paddles. However, graphite paddles are more durable.
Graphite Paddles
Mass is often equated with strength. Weighted paddles are more effective because they allow for more forceful strokes. But graphite is a substance that defies this rule. Due to its high strength, even a thin coating may provide a significant amount of energy. Thin as a fingernail comes to mind. Because of this, graphite paddles may be lightweight without sacrificing the strength of a heavy paddle.
That’s why many serious pickleball players and pros opt for graphite paddles. Even so, amateurs shouldn’t be put off by that information. Graphite pickleball paddles provide a powerful boost and quick response because of their lightweight strength.
Those wishing to increase their power without compromising their finesse can use graphite paddles.
Fiberglass Paddles
Paddles made of fiberglass, also known as composite paddles, are designed with an emphasis on accuracy rather than power. Pickleball players may achieve precision in their play due to the material’s mild flex. Therefore, we suggest fiberglass for players who want to improve their accuracy and take their game to the next level.
How Much Is a Decent Pickleball Paddle?
In terms of improving one’s pickleball skills, spending $200 on a paddle will not do the trick. All that does is make them poorer. It’s true that a competent player doesn’t need to spend $200 on a graphite paddle when a wooden one would do the job.
While a high-end paddle could make the game more enjoyable, it is unnecessary and will not improve your game. In addition to being a top name in racquets, Wilson also produces high-quality paddles for players of all skill levels.
You can get a decent Pickleball paddle in the range of $80 to $120. This range is quite reasonable, will not break your bank, and provides you with a quality product.
What Is a Good Inexpensive Pickleball Paddle?
Here are a few inexpensive pickleball paddles that are a mix of both quality and sensible prices. They cost a little more upfront, but they might be well worth it in the long run.
Rally Meister Wood Pickleball Paddle
The Rally Meister stands out from the crowd because it has an elevated cushioned polyurethane grip, which you may not anticipate on a beginner’s paddle, as opposed to the tape that some badly manufactured wood paddles use. The handle seems like it came from a more expensive beginner composite paddle.
Kanga wood Pickleball Paddles
Despite its wooden construction, the Kanga Paddle stands out from the crowd thanks to its printed paddle face. The vivid hues of this Kanga paddle fooled me into thinking it was made of composite material or graphite.
Even so, the 7-ply hardwood construction ensures this paddle will endure for years. If the bright colors don’t entice you to jump the fence and play pickleball, the low price will. The weight of a Kanga paddle may be anything from 9 to 10.6 ounces, with 10.2 ounces being the typical value.
The cushion grip’s perforations and ribs provide a pleasant texture and give a moderate amount of padding. The length of the handle, at 5 14 inches, is sufficient even for the largest of adult hands.
Kanga also offers the same design in bundles of two paddles (with four balls) and four paddles (with six balls), which might be a cost-effective choice for organizations like schools, camps, and community centers in need of several paddles and balls.
Factors to consider when buying budget friendly Pickleball Paddles:
- Brand: In the last few years, there have been a lot of cheap paddles on the market, but many of them are made by small companies and vendors who sell a wide range of products. Buying from well-known brands might guarantee longevity, but it could cost you more for the name attached to it.
- Price: You are good at sticking to a price range and not over budget. You can find a good quality paddle that may cost you from $10 to $150. Anything beyond that might only be for professionals as it will be a luxury item for the commoner.
- Materials: In a low price range, wooden paddles are your best bet (but we did offer one inexpensive composite option). After you enter the realm of graphite and composite paddles, you’ll notice a significant price increase.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know what to consider when buying a budget-friendly paddle and the difference between cheap and luxurious paddles, you can now choose wisely. Having all of these in mind, the Apollo Pickleball is a good paddleball to start your pickleball journey. It is made from graphite and has a honeycomb core. Best of all, it is budget-friendly at only $27. Go ahead and do yourself a favor and add this to your cart.
