Plain answers to the questions people ask before they buy a paddle. Every answer comes from the same tests I've run on every paddle in my database.
Written by Steven ShiplerUpdated October 16, 2026 · About me
Each one opens with the short answer, then shows the numbers behind it.
Guide
Start with your level, set a budget around $100 unless you want top spin, and then pick a shape. The best paddles under $100 sit near the top on power, pop, sweet spot and control, so top spin is the one thing that really costs more. Shape is what sets your forgiveness, since the typical widebody scores 83 out of 100 for sweet spot against 52 for the typical elongated.
Guide
The elongated hits harder, the widebody forgives more, and the hybrid sits in between. Ten models I've tested come as both an elongated and a widebody, and the elongated had more power in eight of them, typically by 7.5 points of power. The widebody had the bigger sweet spot and more control in all 10, typically by 28 points of sweet spot and 29 of control.
Guide
For most players, 16mm. I've tested 13 models that come in both 14mm and 16mm, and the 16mm had more control and a bigger sweet spot in all 13, and more power in 10. The 14mm had more pop in nine, so it's the better pick only if you already have good touch and win most of your points in fast hands battles at the net.
Ranked for what you want more of. Every list holds only paddles I'd pick today.
Every paddle goes through the same tests, done by me: a radar gun for power, pop and spin, a swing weight machine for swing weight and twist weight, and ball machine drills for sweet spot and control.
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