If you are looking for the best pickleball paddle for control which is specially designed for power, then you are landing on the right post.
I have brought you 2023 latest top quality list of pickleball paddles having great control and power.
Keep reading my article till the end, all your queries will be answered in the Buyer’s Guide Section of this article.
If you are in hurry and pick the best paddle for control then choose the Selkirk Amped X5, it is specially designed for control and have a range of shapes, colors, and style and recommended for all type of players (beginners to Pro).
Best Pickleball Paddle For Control vs Power
Table of Contents
A few years back the pickleball paddle has divided into power vs control, the novices assumed that if you pick the one feature then you have to sacrifice the other. The concept was generated from the weight of the paddle and its hitting surface.
It was thought that the heavier paddle has more power, you can smash deep shorts, and robust serves.
The 2nd thought was that if you want ‘control’ in court and for finesse shots you need a lightweight paddle having a graphite face.
Players thought that the lighter paddle is easier to maneuver, whereas the heavier paddle give more power on every shot you smash.
Now, the creation of new core material has tapered the gap between the power and control of the paddle. This new core offers a balanced mixture of the two.
The traditional pickleball paddle core materials are;
- Aluminum: it is the softest core, with some power and control
- Poly: Have More Control
- Nomex: best for power, but loudest and hardest core
With the passage of time, the pickleball paddle core technology has changed and come in advanced shape. The composite vs graphite vs. aluminum vs Nomex, and light vs heavy have been fuzzy.
New Pickleball Paddle Core Technology | For More Control
The latest core technology “Sensa Poly” has been introduced by major brands of pickleball
Sensa Poly Core Technology:
It is presented by Gamma Sports (a big name in the market Pickleball) in 2018 and it is specifically designed to boost the touch on the ball.
The Sense Poly Core helps to reduce vibration which allows you to hold the paddle sturdy. It also makes it relaxed to preserve control when smashing shots at off angles for example; if you hit a dink shot crosscourt at a high-pitched angle.
The sense core also helps you to hold the paddle balanced and certify the steadiness required for control shorts.
It also helps you to smash finesse shots that require accurate placement.
Check all the new Sensa core Paddles by Clicking Here.
Best Pickleball Paddle For Control 2023 | Comparison Table
Newly Launched |Top Quality | 5-Stars Rating | Better Control
| Product Name | Weight (oz) | Core Material | Price $$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selkirk Amped X5(Recommended) | 7.8 | Polymer Honeycomb | |
| GAMMA Poly Core (Editor's Choice) | 7.6 | Sensa Poly Core | |
| Onix Composite Z5 | 8.4 | Polymer Honeycomb | |
| ProLite Groove | 7.4 | Polypropylene Honeycomb | |
| Pro-Lite SuperNova Pro | 7.7 | Polypropylene Honeycomb | |
| Rogue SI Gel-Core | 7.6 | Hybrid silicone-Infused Aramid | |
| Pro-Lite Titan Pro | 7.6 | QuadCore Polymer Honeycomb | |
| Pro-Lite Rebel | 7.5 | QuadCore Polymer Honeycomb | |
| Onix Graphite Zen V2 | 7.3 | Aluminum | |
| Engage Encore Pro | 7.8 | Polymer Honeycomb |
10 Best Pickleball Paddle For Control 2023 | Products Overview
1. Selkirk Amped X5 Pickleball For Control (Recommended)
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.8-8.2 oz
- Surface: Glass Fiber Flex
- Height & Width: 15.75″ x 8 “
- Handle Length: 5.25 “
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4.25″
About:
If you are looking for a perfect pickleball paddle for control then Selkirk is the true beast. It is very accurate to the traditional shape of the Selkirk racquet, AMPED Epic combines a long handle with a wide striking surface.
There x5 fiber Fleck and it’s still a polymer core on the inside and it’s slightly thicker.
Its have a longer handle which is helping me out with my dink not just my basic dink but it has a little more play you can just know to flip it a little more and it’s also got power which I love so it’s got great combination between power control and play the surface is great and it’s the best paddle I have played with.
- It is made of all-new technology materials: The surface is made of glass fiber Flex and its basic construction is made with Polypropylene 5 times thicker.
- This palette impeccably mixes power and control. Its longer average handle facilitates two-handed backhands. This is our most versatile palette for the Pickleball player.
- This paddle I found it had great control it had a good power I was really happy with it I played with this a lot when you compare it to the new amped version notice the thickness
- It is very well-balanced, the sweet spot is easy to hit even for two-handed play.
- The average weight is between 7.9 and 8.3 oz which will give you more strength and power from the bottom line.
- when I hit I also notice it was a lot quieter which for a lot of people doesn’t really matter what it sounds like but if you live in a community that cares about the noise the pickleball creates you might be interested in something like this because it does come off a lot quieter than most of the paddles.
- Brand new amped technology
- Great cushioning technologies
- None
2. GAMMA Poly Core: Best Pickleball Paddle for Control (Editor’s Choice)
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.6 oz
- Surface: Glass Fiber Flex
- Height & Width: 15.75″ x 8 “
- Handle Length: 5.25 “
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4″
About:
Gamma paddles really much higher quality quieter paddles, It is more responsive just all-around better.
This paddle is too powerful for you or you just don't like the composite feel you just want to try this one has a nice soft feel and it's got a textured surface you know it's got the sense of poly core technology and it just like the other gamut paddles do.
It is the long paddle and gives more reach to players and allow them to smash shots.
Also Read: Best Portable Pickleball Net System
- It has a graphite face, it used utilizes the sense of poly core still maintains that nice signature gamma honeycomb grip.
- It’s got a kind of unique shape and the grip is a little bit thinner than typical it’s about 4 1/8 inches around and it’s about four and a quarter inches long so it gives you plenty of room for your hand
- When you play with this paddle you’ll notice that it’s not you know top-heavy or tip heavy like a lot of these long narrow paddle
- Its weight about 7.6 ounces and it’s going to guarantee you have a little bit of touch and that little bit of extra reach that’s going to enhance your game try the needle never stop playing.
- It’s a little bit wider than most narrow paddles are so it plays a lot closer to a conventional sized paddle
- Best for indoor & outdoor play
- The Needle has a textured graphite face
- Not found any cons in this paddle
3. Onix Composite Z5
Key Specifications
- Weight: 8.4-8.7 oz
- Surface: Fiberglass
- Height & Width: 15-1/2” x 8-1/8”
- Handle Length: 5 “
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4.25″
About:
It is designed for both the beginners and the professional players as it contains super sweet spot as its weight is of medium, despite its being a graphite paddle the players enjoy its excellent ball control and the comfort has been enhanced for its Nomex type paddle.
This paddle is of various colored you can choose your own as the color does a great factor to the players to some extent though this game we mean the pickleball play is not a critical play it provides lots of fun to the players who always seek the newer forms of games.
Also Read: Best Pickleball balls For Indoor & Outdoor
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSqeLzATjXw]- The face of the paddle has a big and larger sweet spot, offers more power and spin.
- The beautiful graphic printed on the face of the paddle looks awesome.
- The Nomex core and graphite outward retains the paddle strong and reliable.
- It’s weight drives one to a great variety of comfort that precedes likings to the onyx paddle.
- The weight of this paddle is suitable for groundstrokes solid volley and serving you will certainly feel good for its touch shots for its excellent handle grip.
- Its lighter weight seemingly makes a positive change to one’s playing ability.
- The surface of the paddle is semi-rough that helps to have good control to the ball while serving it is also good for spinning the ball goes it works well even when your hand is something sweaty.
- A pickleball racket in onyx line this paddle is medium in weighs 7.8 – 8.2 ounces provides excellent touch for superior ball control.
- It has Nomex paper honeycomb core with graphite face the grip size is for 1/4 having a full body paddle shape
- Its handle length is 5’, the large sweet spot on Nomex type paddle good for a solid volley and serving provides excellent touch for ball and control.
- It has a nice handle grip sometimes it is taken as a very cheap play it’s light weight is a great concern for some because light weight causes vibration through the elbow to arms while making a thick stroke but it does not do so as it is expected to be like that most of the players get further having the onyx graphite z5 pickleball paddle for its being a quality one, so you might have one considering whether it is heavier by its positivity or not
- Manufactured from high-quality graphite materials
- Large sweet spot
- It has an Edge Guard
- None
4. ProLite Groove: PickleBall Paddle for Women
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.4-7.8 oz
- Surface: Fiberglass
- Height & Width: 15.75″ x 8 “
- Handle Length: 5.25 “
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4 3/16″
About:
The pro light groove designed specifically for women and here's how they designed it with a little bit of the smaller face but a super centralized and powerful sweet spot so when you connect with that sweet spot you're going to generate a little bit more power.
- The groove the groove comes in a various shade of colors we’ve got yellow and teal we’ve got black and white we’ve got blue and black and we have the pink and green vibrant colors are funky funny and happy.
- It gives touch power and it’s maneuverable in the strike zone
- This paddle now weighs 7.4 to 7.8 ounces so it is a little bit lighter but kind of goes toward that higher end of the average scale so it’s going to hit both of your standards if you like a light paddle or more an average weight you’re gonna get both options.
- This paddle it’s got the fiberglass composite hitting surface for that control and that QuadCoreTM polymer core for that really soft touch.
- The grip size is a tiny bit smaller than 4 1/2 so for the ladies out there that have kind of average or smaller size hands this rectangular kind of four and a quarter size grip will be perfect for you.
- Exceptionally stable with light head weight
- Reasonably smaller paddle face, to the marginally smaller grip
5. Pro-Lite Super Nova Pro
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.7 – 8.0 oz
- Surface: Graphics
- Height & Width: 15 9/16″ x 8 1/8″
- Handle Length: 5 1/4″
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4 1/8″
About:
The first thing you're probably going to notice when playing with this paddle is the tremendous amount of grip and grab you get on the ball.
I've used and tested over 30 different paddles ranging from fiberglass to graphite to carbon fiber faces aluminum Nomex and polymer cores and this paddle has by far the best spin potential than any other paddle I've used it's almost like playing with a tennis racket.
Also Read: Pickleball Rules
- The Sleek design and beautiful graphics on the surface of paddle
- If you’re a power player or you’re looking to add more power to your game and this paddle is definitely worth a try
- when it comes to filling in touch with this paddle I would have to say it’s good but not the best I’ve ever felt in terms of sensitivity for deep shots it has good consistency but in my opinion, this is more of a power and spin style paddle
- Another great feature of this paddle is the power you get from the quad-core power polymer honeycomb core with the proper technique applied to your shots the power is near effortless.
- one thing I noticed about this paddle because of its unique surface is that it tends to carry a lot of dirt especially if you are playing outdoors so to maintain consistency you might want to wipe it off either with your hand a shirt or a towel periodically.
- Non slippy grip
- MicroEdge guard
- Approved for quiet zone, noise restricted communities
- USAPA Approved – Made in the USA
- Slightly heavy paddle
6. Rogue SI Gel-Core Best Budget Pickleball
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.6-8.0 oz
- Surface: Carbon Fiber
- Height & Width: 16″ x 8
- Handle Length: 4-5/8″
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4.25″
About:
The rogue SI players paddle very cool paddle, this is different than anything on the market that I've experienced
The handle is made by wind and they're also known for making golf handles I love this paddle solid all the way around.
- The Color coordination is perfect and well match with its grip
- It’s got a carbon-fiber face on it and it’s great to play with it you can hit hard with it.
- You can also dink well with it you can put spins on with it.
- The gel infused strategically placed throughout the paddle to absorb and move the vibrations around.
- It’s a great paddle like this lightweight people that have issues with their tennis elbow and the shoulders this does a great job of dampening the pounding that it will take anyway
- largest sweet spot
7. Pro-Lite Titan Pro
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.6-8.2 oz
- Surface: Carbon Fiber
- Height & Width: 15.5 x 7 .8″
- Handle Length: 5″
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4 1/4″
About:
- It’s got a really sleek cool-looking design but beyond that it’s got a hundred percent carbon fibre face it doesn’t have much texture.
- The polymer honeycomb core material is used, so it provides more spin and absorption. This core is also quiet and doesn’t bother your community that doesn’t like loud paddles.
- It has a nice diamond grip on it.
- Its carbon fiber face it really absorbs a lot of impact of the ball when the ball hits the paddle even though the carbon is a very hard part material
- It has the new diamond no sweat grip so it’s got diamond perforations in it , so when you sweat they kind of make their way into those holes creating a nice dry grip even if you’re playing out in the hot weather.
- The paddle weight about 7.5 to over 8 ounces so if you like a lighter paddle if you’re like a little bit heavier these are going to be options for you so you’re going to have a lot of weight options.
- Not too heavy, Not too light
- It has a nice low profile edge guard
- Soft smooth grip
8. Pro-Lite Rebel Powerspin Composite
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.5-8.1 oz
- Surface: Fiberglass
- Height & Width: 16″ x 7.8″
- Handle Length: 5.25 “
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4.25″
About:
This paddle is also called the power spin rebel, as it generate alot of spin in the court. This paddle is very famous now a day and mostly used in pickleball tournements.
This beasts has an extra-long 16-inch length, the largest paddle allowed by USA Pickleball Association standards.
- It is designed for nonconformist players.
- The indigo color with the logo of a rebel on the surface looks awesome.
- It is made from a polymer core and textured fiberglass hitting surface offers high strength and control.
- The edge guard areound the paddle, ensure the security & reliablity of you paddle.
- When I talked about its performance, it provide a high amount of reach due to its length and help players to smash tough shots.
- It has extended sweet spot, which allows the player to control over the angles.
- It is USAPA approved paddle for tournament matches.
- This pickleball allowing a higher level of control & swinging.
- It has a power spin surface
- It a bit heavy paddle, provides great powers.
- The grip is very comfortable
- A lot of spin
- sturdiness and ease
- Quadcore Polymer Core
- Not suitable for beginners
- larger handle
9. Onix Graphite Zen V2
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.3-7.7 oz
- Surface: Graphite
- Height & Width: 15.6″ x 7.8″
- Handle Length: 5.25 “
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4-1/4 ”
About:
It is not a heavy and not lighter paddle with astonishing touch & rectangular design, and this thing makes this paddle great for every player (novices to pro).
- It has a graphite face and aluminum core to provide exceptional control.
- The face of the paddle is big enough with the concentrated sweet sport for enhanced power and exacting ball placement.
- It a medium weight paddle and just perfect for all type of players.
- The edge guard around the paddle ensures its safety.
- The over-all length on this paddle is 15-1/2”, and it measures a substantial 7-5/8” wide offers you to smash shorts at any angle.
- The medium grip size is great for the majority of players.
- The vinyl decal above the graphite face supports makes this paddle a ‘green zone’ noiseless paddle that is accepted for play in communities.
- Durable and longlasting
- Available in many colors
10. Engage Encore Pro Noiseless pickleball
Key Specifications
- Weight: 7.8 – 8.3 oz
- Surface: Specialty Fiberglass
- Height & Width: 15 1/2″ long x 8 1/8″
- Handle Length:
- Handle Grip / Girth: 4.25″
About:
The racket used by national champions and professional Pickleball players Brian Staub, Marcin Rozpedski and Phil Bagley. The Pickleball 'Encore Pro' offers players the advanced features desired by the best players in the world.
- It designed with the Encore’s renowned specific skin that drives the limits of allowed surface bumpiness.
- The Specialty Fiberglass surface making it an impulsive to put a spin on balls.
- The Handle Style is Perforated Cushion Handle Manufactured by Gamma Handle
- Optimized for ultimate control and power. A “sweet spot” wider than the “Encore” legacy and an improved feel when the ball comes in contact allow players to have even more control over the ball.
- The composite and polymer material combination makes this a fanciful paddle for control.
- It allows for sufficient strength behind your hits as well.
- It is used by Nationally ranked pickleball players.
- This paddle weighs between 7.8 to 8.4 ounces, giving it a little extra heaviness.
- It has a width of 8” and a total length of 15-1/4”.
- The handle measures 4-3/4” in length, with a standard grip to fit most hands.
- Great heart of the strike
- Available in different colors
- Best ball placement
How to Pick Best Pickleball Paddle For Control 2023 | Buyer’s Guide
There’s a few basic things that you should consider;
The Shape & Size of Pickleball Paddle
The first is the shape of the paddle what kind of shape do you like so this is more a traditional shape where the handle is about yay big you see a relatively square kind of face and this is a pretty standard model paddle but you see some that are a little bit different.
The advantage of a longer paddle well you get more reach and reach is great whether you're at the kitchen line and you're trying to reach forward into the net to get something that you can maybe pounce on and put away or whether someone lobs you and you want to reach high into the air to be able to get it.
It also gives you a little bit more leverage when you're hitting that serve so if you want to hit hard a longer paddle is actually really nice but there's a drawback can see how much narrower it is as well all right.
when you use a narrow paddle like this it's a little bit less forgiving you've got to be really good at hitting right in the center of the paddle so it's tougher to play with you'll see more and more companies coming out with paddles that are sort of a hybrid they're a little bit longer and they're a little bit narrower but not too extreme so people who still want to have that a little bit of extra reach that little bit of extra leverage.
Pickleball Paddle Weight
The 2nd thing you should consider is the weight of the paddle how heavy is it so they range all the way from see here is 7.8 ounces will 7.8 ounces that's pretty much middle-of-the-road not too high not too low it's sort of a Goldilocks effect 7.5.
so even later so if you're maybe a smaller person maybe you don't generate a lot of speed yourself you want something a little bit lighter that's really nice now the downside of the trade-off to a lighter paddle is that it's a little bit less stable on those off-center hits imagine you were playing with.
I don't know a brick wall if the ball hits the edge of the brick it's not gonna twist very much is it it's gonna be a little more stable so a heavier paddle will give you more stability but a lighter paddle is likely to give you more maneuverability
Now the best thing to do is to get a bunch of demos like these to go to your local pickleball store or wherever you get your demo piles to ask your friends beg to borrow steal and go out and try them hit with all the paddles and don't just hit em four or five shots hit a bunch of them hit some Bali's hit some serves hit some Dinks hit some groundstrokes hit some smashes hit some drops and my suggestion is that you try all of them in sort of a systematic way
why don't you just line them up in one place go out to grab one play with it see what you think to put it back grab another play with it see what you think by doing it this way you can get sort of real-time comparisons between one and the other and you can find out what feels good at the end of the day that's what matter what feels good you want to go out and play with a paddle that feels terrific that doesn't hurt your body that you've got confidence when you hit the balls with it you can mostly do what you want.
Paddle Grip Size
Consider grip size is important, you have to pick the paddle according to your hand size. The large grip for small hands obviously not suitable, but you can pick a larger grip for steadiness. The too-large can easily slip from your hand and causes injury.
The perfect grip size allows you to control the spin.
So the question arises what grip size is best for me?
The answer is;
- If you are under 5’2’’ height then pick 4-inch grip
- If you are between 5’3’’ to 5’8” height then pick 4 ¼ -inch grip
- If you are above 5’9’’ height then pick 4.5 -inch grip
The badminton player prefers narrower handles while the tennis player desire for thicker handles. If you don’t know what handle to pick, then trying different rackets, you will find the best one for you.
Paddle Hitting Surface Size
The wide hitting surface is always better if you are a novice in the court of pickleball. If the surface is big the dinking will be easier and lessor the number of shots missed. But remember the wider paddle will always be heavier.
The experts prefer the narrow hitting surface because it’s cut down the weight of the paddle. Pickleball paddles differ in many shapes and sizes and offer flexible options for everyone.
Paddle Construction Materials | Face of Paddle
Another thing to consider is what the paddle is made of specifically what is the face of the paddle-like.
The great brand called Selkirk and they have something here called fiber flex if I reflex is this material I'm no chemist but this material that interacts the ball and really impressive ways so that you can get more control, more power more speed and more spin it's really great paddle for all-around play whether you're a high-performance player or just getting started.
There are different types of materials used in the construction of pickleball.
- Wood: The wood paddles are cheap, reliable, and long-lasting, but they are heavier
- Polymer Plastic: Another types of material used in pickleball are polymer plastic, these are lightweight, economical and durable. This type is not very famous among pickle players.
- Graphite: This is a famous material used in pickleball and used by many professional players. Its inner core is honeycomb and graphite skin makes them exceptionally solid and responsive.
- Composite: This is advance type material used in pickleball, it usually uses fiberglass to create a responsive surface. Its lightweight and has great control as well as power with ideal performance.
Colors
I guess one of the other factors maybe we should consider is what it looks like you know you want your paddle to look great and so one of the reasons I really like working with soccer is they have all these super cool colors all the paddles are available in a bunch of different colors if you're feeling scary you can use the black ones too and so you know you can find your own style a little bit by choosing the paddle color that you like.
Conclusion
Picking the Best Pickleball Paddle for Control required thorough research which I already did for you. You just have to pick the paddle according to your skill level, height & paddle weight.
Always remember that pickleball is a trendy game for all ages.
I hope you like my detailed guide and it will help you to make a buying decision.
Good Luck …
I shared this with my dad and found out he owned one of these.