The ability to make controlled spin shots is something that most of the top pickleball paddles offer. That’s no coincidence! Having a good spin on the ball will make it harder for your opponent to anticipate your next moves and increases your odds of winning the match.
Choosing the perfect pickleball paddle isn’t something that typically happens the first time around. You need a bit of hands-on experience to learn what you need from your paddle to improve your gameplay. View our recommendations to find the best pickleball paddle for spin that fits your needs!
What Does Spin Mean for Pickleball Paddles?
Not all pickleball paddles are created equal. Some pickleball paddles are better at adding power or control to a shot, and others are good at improving the ball’s spin. Pickleball paddles for spin are typically textured and soft enough to absorb some of the ball’s energy on contact.
Table Of Contents
- What Does Spin Mean for Pickleball Paddles?
- Why is Spin Important?
- Best Overall Pickleball Paddle for Spin
- Best Composite Paddle for Spin
- Best Graphite Paddle for Spin
- Best Fiberglass Paddle for Spin
- Best Affordable Paddle for Spin
- Best Heavy Paddle for Spin
- Best Lighter Paddle for Spin
- Best Paddles For Spin Runner-Up Choices
- Vinsguir Pickleball Paddle Set
- Rokne Curve Classic
- Nuipipo Pickleball Paddle
- Onix Evoke Premier
- Selkirk Amped
- Buying Guide
- Size
- Material
- Weight
- Texture
- Bottom Line
A pickleball paddle that’s good for spin should have something in the makeup of the paddle that sets it apart from the rest to improve your spin. This could be the surface material, the type of core, and a variety of other factors. Without something that can directly improve your ball spins on the court, it’s just another paddle.
Why is Spin Important?
Before buying a paddle to improve your spin, you have to understand why the ball’s spin is so important. Let’s start by acknowledging that every serve has some amount of spin. Pickleballs are light, and the paddles are textured, so it’s inevitable. A spin becomes a powerful tool when you can control the direction of the spin.
Controlling the direction of the spin means you can control where the ball goes before and after it bounces. This challenges your opponent because they must be able to read the ball’s spin and adjust their game accordingly. Balls can have a topspin, underspin, or side spin. Having a paddle that makes it easier to control the spin of the ball can have a big boost on your overall performance!
Spin control begins with finding the sweet spot on the paddle face. The sweet spot is the best spot for the ball to contact the paddle for good ball spin, control, and power.
Best Overall Pickleball Paddle for Spin
Selkirk 2.0 S2
The Selkirk 2.0 S2 may be pricey, but it’s well worth the investment. This paddle is the best pickleball paddle for spin overall, thanks to an extreme spin texture surface and a quantum-carbon fiber face. The paddle surface area is large, which also means a larger sweet spot!
Spin shots are a breeze, with the thick honeycomb polycore absorbing some of the ball’s energy upon impact. There are two weight options to choose from so you can choose the right paddle for you. Pickleball players who have reviewed this paddle note that this paddle has great ball control and comfortable grip size.
Pros:
- Lightweight and midweight paddle options are available
- Pro-spin textured surface
- Large surface area & sweet spot
- Durable edge guard
Cons:
- High cost
- Limited color selection
Best Composite Paddle for Spin
Engage Pickleball
Composite paddles are a popular choice for players who want to make power shots and put a massive spin on the ball. Playing pickleball with a composite paddle can be tiring because they’re heavier than other paddles, but most players adjust to the weight quickly.
Composite paddles are some of the best when you want more spin on the ball. The Engage Pickleball Encore Pro pickleball paddle is one of the few you’ll see, with only good reviews! This high-quality paddle has a polymer core and a textured fiberglass face. This paddle by Engage Pickleball also features a larger sweet spot and a midrange price tag, so it’s accessible to players of all levels.
Pros:
- Fiberglass face with a rough, textured design
- Large sweet spot
- Reasonable price point
Cons:
- Heavier materials
- Only found from online retailers
Best Graphite Paddle for Spin
Onix Graphite Z5
Graphite paddles have become increasingly popular, and some would argue they’re the top pickleball paddles on the market today. Graphite paddles are light to midweight, affordable, and offer great ball control. A lightweight graphite paddle with a textured surface and honeycomb core has a surprising amount of power behind it!
The Onix Graphite Z5 is a graphite paddle with a large sweet spot and raving reviews from pickleball players. Like other graphite pickleball paddles, the face of the paddle is graphite, while the core is made of Nomex honeycomb. The grip size is comfortable, and a semi-rough surface makes putting a spin on the ball easier than ever.
Pros:
- Cushion comfort grip
- Affordable price tag
- Many color choices
- Midweight
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the handle materials
- Semi-rough surface – not as rough as some other paddles
Best Fiberglass Paddle for Spin
Radical Pro Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle
Fiberglass makes a heavier paddle than graphite, but the material is great at moving the energy of the ball to the core of the paddle. This creates a great “pop” when you hit the ball. In other words, a fiberglass surface makes the ball jump off the paddle! Strong ball-to-paddle contact like that is huge for a successful pickleball game.
The best fiberglass paddle for spin is the Head Radical Pro Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle. With every hit, this paddle has a comfortable grip size, a polymer core, and a textured paddle face for more spin. Reviews for this product have stated it’s easy to find the sweet spot too!
Pros:
- Ergo touch handle for minimal vibration
- Durable fiberglass surface
- Thicker core offers good control of soft shots
Cons:
- Limited color selection
- Designed for advanced players – may not be suitable for beginners
Best Affordable Paddle for Spin
Gamma Sports 2.0
Various pickleball paddles come in a wide range of prices. From less than $100 to more than $200, budgeting for a new paddle can be a serious guessing game. Affordable paddles are ideal for beginner pickleball players who are still learning what they like and dislike in a paddle. There are plenty of affordable options with a great design too!
The Gamma Sports 2.0 is a graphite paddle with a textured fiberglass face. This is a great paddle for optimal spin control without too much power. The lightweight design makes it easy to control not just the spin of the ball but the speed and direction too. A large paddle face and a sweet spot with a comfortable grip size make this one of the best spin paddles around. The price tag is just a bonus!
Pros:
- Low cost
- Multiple colors available
- Lightweight design
- Sweat absorbing grip
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the durability of the paddle
- Ideal for beginner players – may not be suitable for advanced players
Best Heavy Paddle for Spin
Onix Composite Z5
Heavy pickleball paddles are something that some players swear by while others can’t stand them. A heavy paddle makes it easier to put a lot of power behind your shots. The trick is to learn how to maintain control of the ball with so much power. If you’ve never tried a heavy pickleball paddle, it’s worth checking out!
Heavy paddles are especially popular with former tennis players who are used to the weight of a tennis racquet. Keep in mind that even if you prefer a heavy paddle, having a lightweight paddle on hand for long tournament play is good. Using a heavy paddle during tournaments can lead to early muscle fatigue and decreased performance.
If you want a heavy pickleball paddle that still offers superior spin control, the Onix Composite Z5 is a great choice. The paddle weight is 8.4 to 8.7 ounces. The paddle core is a Nomex honeycomb. A semi-textured fiberglass-hitting surface makes this the perfect paddle for more power and a better spin simultaneously.
Pros:
- Heavyweight design
- Great power and pop for power shots
- Durable materials
Cons:
- Only suitable for players with good ball control
- Semi-textured face – not as textured as some other paddles
- Player reviews say this paddle is louder than others
Best Lighter Paddle for Spin
PaddleTek Bantam Pro
Lightweight pickleball paddles can be game-changing for players who struggle to maneuver a heavier paddle through a match. Light paddles are easier to move and offer better control over the ball. A great spin begins with good control over your ball hits, so a lightweight paddle could be the key you’ve been missing!
The PaddleTek Bantam Pro pickleball paddle has a lightweight design with composite materials and a textured fiberglass face. The textured face offers a good ball grip, while the Bantam core improves consistency. A large paddle face and sweet spot make it easy to have good contact with the ball.
Pros:
- Multiple colors
- Two grip sizes to choose from
- Lightweight design
- Textured paddle face
Cons:
- Larger grip size than some paddles (4 ¾” compared to other paddles at 4 ¼”)
- Less power than heavy pickleball paddles
- It may not be suitable for novice players
Best Paddles For Spin Runner-Up Choices
If our top choices for best pickleball paddles for spin don’t quite do it for you, here is a selection of pickleball paddles that we feel also deserve to be on this list. Take a look and see if one of these is the best pickleball paddle for your needs.
Vinsguir Pickleball Paddle Set
This set of paddles from Vinsguir comes with two graphite paddles and four balls. With a 5-star overall rating from more than 2,500 customers, it’s clear these paddles are worth the buy! Graphite keeps the paddles light without compromising durability. The graphite paddle face and honeycomb core work together to provide the right balance of power, traction, and cushion for a great ball spin.
Rokne Curve Classic
The Rokne Curve Classic pickleball paddle uses single-piece fiberglass construction for better stability and control when you hit the ball. The pro grit texture adds grip to the ball, giving you more precise control over the spins you send to your opponent. A pro-grit surface is USAPA-approved.
Nuipipo Pickleball Paddle
Nuipipo is one of the most popular brands for affordable pickleball paddles. This paddle features a fiberglass face, medium weight, and polypropylene honeycomb core for powerful shots with a high-powered spin. Many of the materials used to make this affordable paddle and the same materials used by high-end pickleball paddle brands!
Onix Evoke Premier
Onix is the go-to brand for heavyweight paddles. The Onix Evoke Premier pickleball paddle weighs 8.2 – 8.5 oz. The minimal coating on the surface of the paddle works to soften the ball while still getting a good spin. This paddle is a tad longer than most, too, which makes it ideal for players looking to extend their reach on the court.
Selkirk Amped
The Selkirk Amped Pickleball paddle is another great choice for players who want a lightweight paddle without compromising the ball spin. This paddle weighs 7.4 – 7.7 oz. A fiberglass face with a large sweet spot makes it easy to get a good spin on the ball or diffuse your opponent’s ball spin.
Buying Guide
Shopping for pickleball paddles for spin is simple once you know what affects how a paddle can spin the ball. Use this buying guide to make informed decisions and only purchase the best pickleball paddles for spin!
Size
Pickleball paddles are allowed to have a total size of 24 inches per the USAPA. That means a combined length and width of 24 inches. Most players prefer paddles with a width of 8 inches. These paddles offer a good size sweet spot, making it easier to achieve the desired spin on the ball.
Material
Paddles come in a variety of materials. No material is necessarily better than the rest, but they all have their pros and cons. Graphite and composite paddles are more durable, while fiberglass paddles tend to be lighter. Different materials impact the price tag too! Explore each type of material to find the right combination of durability, desired weight, and price that matches your budget.
Weight
Pickleball paddles for spin come in light, mid, and heavyweight designs. The weight of your paddle is a personal preference. New players or those with previous injuries tend to prefer a lighter paddle. Players who like hard, fast hits will usually go for a heavy paddle. Each paddle weight can provide a good ball spin if you know how to use it.
Heavy paddles put more power behind each shot, but getting the precision you want can be harder. Light paddles offer more precise hits and spins, but you’ll need to put the power behind the shot. Midweight paddles are ideal if you want a little of both or aren’t sure what you prefer yet.
Texture
All the best pickleball paddles for spin have one thing in common: texture. A smooth paddle face doesn’t give the ball anywhere to get traction. Traction from a textured face allows you to choose when to spin the ball and what type of spin to put on it. Try to find a paddle with a textured surface that’s within USAPA standards, regardless of the material or weight of the paddle.
Bottom Line
Finding pickleball paddles for spin has a lot to do with personal preferences and how you play your game. The best pickleball paddle for one player won’t necessarily be the best for another. If you can, head to a store to try the best pickleball paddles for yourself! A pickleball paddle should feel comfortable above all else. Explore more pickleball product recommendations and info on upcoming tournaments in your area today!
