In the competitive game of pickleball, it’s crucial to keep your equipment updated with the best possible products. An essential component of one’s pickleball setup is the paddle, of which there are five primary types: standard, teardrop, blade, widebody, and elongated.
Many pro players prefer the feel and gameplay style offered by elongated pickleball paddles. Before purchasing your next paddle, you should review the pros and cons of using long-handle pickleball paddles and learn which options are worth your money.
Elongated Pickleball Paddles vs. Regular
There are several differences between elongated pickleball paddles and standard ones. As such, it’s important to determine your personal gameplay style, skillset, and preferences before buying one type or the other.
First of all, elongated pickleball paddles are longer than standard ones. While a standard paddle usually has dimensions of 16 inches long by 8 inches wide, elongated paddles have dimensions from 16 to 20 inches long and closer to 7 inches wide.
Additionally, elongated pickleball paddles tend to offer a larger sweet spot and more power per hit than standard paddles do. This makes them ideal for singles tournaments where a single player may need that extra sweet spot availability to hit the pickleball.
Pros and Cons of Elongated Pickleball Paddles
Is a longer pickleball paddle a good option for you? To find out, review the following pros and cons of using elongated pickleball paddles.
Pros
There are a few reasons why you might want to use an elongated pickleball paddle over a different type. Pickleball paddles with long handles tend to offer these features:
- Greater reach (perfect for singles)
- Flexibility in terms of finger placement
- Larger sweet spot than standard paddles
- More overall power and drive
Cons
Of course, no pickleball paddle shape is perfect for every player. Here are a few reasons you might not enjoy an elongated paddle as much:
- Less balanced gameplay
- Reduced reach and power
Pickleball Paddle Buying Guide
When buying a new pickleball paddle, there are a few factors you need to consider first. Familiarize yourself with these factors to make the best possible purchase for you and your reputation on the court.
Dimensions
As mentioned earlier, there are five main types of pickleball paddles. Each type tends to have different dimensions, with elongated pickleball paddles having the greatest length in most cases.
Long pickleball paddles can have dimensions that range from 16 to 20 inches long and about 7 inches wide. The longer the paddle, the more reach you will have during gameplay to hit those more difficult serves. However, more length also reduces the overall balance of the paddle.
Surface Material
The surface material of your pickleball paddle can drastically affect your gameplay. Before making a purchase, we recommend that you become familiar with the most common surface materials:
Composite
Composite is the most popular material used for pickleball paddle surfaces. This material tends to be more affordable than graphite or carbon fiber, for instance, while still delivering a healthy dose of power with each hit. It tends to be of medium weight, making it ideal for players at any skill level.
Graphite / Carbon Fiber
Though less popular and more expensive than polymer core material, graphite (also called carbon fiber) is preferred by more serious pickleball players. It offers greater strength and power than most other materials, tends to be light- to midweight, and is comfortable to hold for the duration of a game.
Aluminum
Pickleball paddles with an aluminum surface are cheaper than others on the market. They tend to be lightweight, which means they’re easier to hold but don’t deliver much power. We recommend aluminum paddles for new or casual players on a budget.
Hybrid
A hybrid surface can consist of any combination of different surface materials. Manufacturers create these to optimize their paddles for specific gameplay styles (such as to deliver more power or control, for instance). Hybrid paddles tend to be midweight and toward the middle of the typical price range for pickleball paddles.
Core Material
Like the surface material, your pickleball paddle’s core material can tremendously impact your gameplay. The four most common types of core materials are polymer, Nomex, aluminum, and carbon fiber.
Polymer / Polypropylene
Polymer (also called polypropylene) is the most common core material for pickleball paddles today. It provides good control, a softer surface and feel, greater flexibility than other materials, and a quiet game. While polymer paddles do tend to be more expensive, it’s worth every penny if you’re serious about improving your game.
Nomex
Before polymer cores were popular, people used paddles with a Nomex core. This material was the most commonly used for a long time, and it’s not hard to see why. Nomex offers greater durability and more powerful hits than other materials. That said, it does sacrifice some control and tends to be louder upon contact with the ball.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the ideal pickleball paddle core material for new or casual players who don’t have a lot on the line. It is lightweight and offers good control, but it also dents more easily than other materials and doesn’t offer much in the way of power. That said, aluminum paddles are the cheapest option on the market, making them ideal for players on a budget.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber cores are quite rare, considering that only one company (Gearbox) currently makes pickleball paddles with them. Though these paddles are on the higher end of the price scale, they tend to be quite durable.
Balance
With any pickleball paddle, you’ll want to ensure there’s a decent balance between power and control. Things that can affect balance include the surface material, core material, and dimensions of the paddle. Once you figure out your gameplay style, pick a paddle that best matches your preferences (more power vs. more control).
Price
Elongated pickleball paddles range in price from about $50 to $250. This difference in price is influenced by factors such as the brand or company, the materials the paddle is crafted from, and any special features that might be included.
USAPA-compliant
If you plan to play in tournaments, you must ensure that your pickleball paddle is USAPA-compliant. Before making a purchase, check the paddle’s specifications against those outlined on the USA Pickleball official website and ensure it’s advertised as “USAPA-compliant” or “USAPA-approved.”
The 4 Best Elongated Pickleball Paddles
Not all pickleball paddles are worth your money, especially if you’re a competitive player with a lot on the table. Below is Nicol Pickleball’s list of the best long pickleball paddles on the market today.
Selkirk Amped Invikta Pickleball Paddle
Specs
- Dimensions: 16.5” long x 7.375” wide
- Surface Material: FiberFlex fiberglass technology
- Core Material: X5 polypropylene
- USAPA-compliant: Yes
Selkirk is renowned as a pioneer pickleball product company; it has been creating top-performing pickleball gear since its inception in 2014.
The Amped Invikta Pickleball Paddle is a light- to midweight paddle with a large sweet spot and length to boot. This paddle comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which isn’t surprising considering its smart construction and proven success in gameplay. Here are some features to love:
- 4 colors to choose from
- USAPA approved
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Cushioned grip
- Patented technology
- Large sweet spot
At the time of this writing, Selkirk offers this product on its website for only $150—quite a bargain, considering its wealth of useful features.
HUDEF Elongated Pickleball Paddle
Specs
- Dimensions: 16.3” long x 7” wide
- Surface Material: Carbon fiber
- Core Material: Polypropylene honeycomb
- USAPA-compliant: Yes
HUDEF opened its doors in 2017. In the short period of time since its inception, this pickleball company has carved a name for itself in the sports industry. When you shop from HUDEF, you can expect quality pickleball products that exceed your expectations on the court—or, at least, that’s what numerous pickleball players around the world are saying.
Its Elongated Pickleball Paddle is one of our top choices for players in need of a new paddle, and for good reasons. Its graphite surface is ideal for the serious player, offering the durability to last game after game and the anti-slip capabilities to help you with every shot. Here are some quick facts:
- 4 colors to choose from
- Lightweight construction
- Comfortable grip
- Double buffering technology
- Edge guard
This is one of the most affordable items on our list of the best elongated pickleball paddles, costing about $55 on Amazon at the time of this writing. We recommend this one for serious players on a budget.
GAMMA Needle Paddle
Specs
- Dimensions: 16 ⅝” long x 7 ⅛” wide
- Surface Material: Textured graphite
- Core Material: Sensa Poly Core
- USAPA-compliant: Yes
While GAMMA was founded to improve gameplay performance in tennis, it is known today for its array of impressive pickleball equipment. GAMMA has been a major player in the racket and paddle sports world since 1974, so it’s safe to say this company is here to stay.
The GAMMA Needle Paddle is the first elongated pickleball paddle that this company produced, and its evergreen qualities make it a favorite even today. This lightweight paddle (7.6 ounces) is loaded with features designed to improve gameplay:
- Lightweight design (7.6 ounces)
- Touch-power balance
- ½”-thick core
- Made in USA
- USAPA approved
At the time of this writing, the paddle costs about $119.99 on the GAMMA website.
Nicol Pickleball P-One Elongated Pickleball Paddle
Specs
- Dimensions: 16.22” long x 7.56” wide
- Surface Material: Frosted carbon fiber w/ twill weave
- Core Material: Polymer HexCore Honeycomb
- USAPA-compliant: Yes
The founders of Nicol Pickleball sought to achieve one goal: to create the ultimate pickleball, one that overcame the shortcomings of so many others on the market.
Our P-One Elongated Pickleball Paddle is a top performer in the world of pickleball. Its success can be attributed to its array of well-thought-out features, the result of passionate and dedicated trial and error. Here’s what you have to look forward to:
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight design (7.9 ounces)
- Frosted spin technology
- Stiff, consistent paddle face
- Aerodynamic curve
Order yours today ($128 at the time of this writing), and prepare for a more enjoyable pickleball experience every time you hit the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions or doubts before buying a pickleball paddle? Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding elongated paddles.
Are elongated pickleball paddles better?
There are some areas where elongated pickleball paddles tend to outperform standard ones. For example, they offer greater forgiveness and more overall power per hit. That said, they’re less ideal for players who prefer a balanced gameplay style.
How long is an elongated pickleball paddle?
An elongated pickleball paddle can be anywhere from 16 to 20 inches long.
What is the longest pickleball paddle?
The longest a pickleball paddle can be, according to official USA Pickleball rules, is 20 inches.
Do pro pickleball players use elongated paddles?
Yes, some of them do! Professionals who use elongated paddles do so for their larger sweet spot, increased power and drive, and ideal design for singles tournaments. Of course, many professionals prefer standard or other types of paddles.
How long do pickleball paddles last?
This depends on a number of factors, such as how often you use your paddle and under which conditions you use it. Generally speaking, pickleball players replace their paddles every one to five years. Just pay attention to the wear and performance of your paddle.
Final Thoughts
Elongated pickleball paddles offer a wealth of benefits to the players who use them. These include things like a more prominent sweet spot, increased reach, more power and drive, and a design that’s perfect for singles tournaments in particular.
While there are several long pickleball paddles on the market, there is only a handful we would recommend spending your hard-earned money on. Among our picks is the P-One Pickleball Paddle from Nicol Pickleball, specially designed with serious pickleball players in mind.
Take your time, make a purchase you’ll love, and get ready to level up your game.