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I own over 50 different pickleball paddles (you can see some of them in the picture below), and I’m here to show you the best budget paddles you can get without breaking the bank. If you are looking for the best paddles regardless of budget, you can check out this post highlighting the best pickleball paddles overall.
As you’ll notice, 30 of my paddles are made up of low-cost, budget-friendly paddles not the priciest ones you’ll find.
When I’m hunting for a budget paddle, I’m aiming to find something that feels like a $200 paddle (think Warping Point Grasp or Volair Mach 2 Forza) but comes in under $50. So let’s dive into my top picks.
1. Best All Around: Doctor Pickleball Surgical Control
This year’s top pick is a brand-new 2025 release made with top-tier T700 carbon fiber and a thick 20mm build, and it’s seriously a wild bargain. In my opionion, this is also the best beginner pickleball paddle out there.
It’s the Doctor Pickleball Surgical Control Paddle. Firstly, I love the clean, minimalist look of this paddle. The “Doctor Pickleball” name is fun, and the paddle really delivers on the “surgical control” promise.
I have not yet lost…
You might not believe this, but I recently played a buddy who’s probably ranked in the 4.0–4.5 DUPR range. I used the Doctor Pickleball paddle in game one and won. Then I switched to two other solid budget paddles (the PBVMUTG and the Fanovae), and I lost the next games, securing this paddle’s spot at the top of my list.
Even more telling, here’s what happened when I used four different paddles over four games, which is incredible.I felt so locked in,it was like I could place every shot exactly where I wanted. The paddle’s grit grips the ball, and the 20mm core provides great control.
Quick heads-up: some brands skip USAP certification to spend more on quality materials. That’s what Doctor Pickleball did. According to Dinks USA, unless you’re playing in sanctioned tournaments, USAP approval isn’t critical for most players.
This paddle was $69.99 but recently dropped to $49.99 on sale, so check it out when you get a moment.
2. Roore Solano Pickleball Paddle
The Roor Salano paddle might look amazing, but let’s be honest; how it plays is what really counts. So let’s dive in.
Right off the bat, the control was top-notch. In my first few games using this paddle, I cruised to multiple wins. Still undefeated with it, actually! Serves, drop shots, dinks, drives, you name it, I could place the ball exactly where I wanted. It felt great to finally use a paddle that delivered what I needed, when I needed it.
Now for the spin. In a recent match, I started with a different paddle and lost to a ~4.0 DUPR opponent in the first match. Then I switched to the Coronado paddle and won the next game 12-10.
That smooth carbon fiber weave gave me all the grip I needed to add spin and shape my shots. Check out this close-up of the carbon fiber face;i t’s as functional as it is pretty. When serving from the right side, I could curve the ball into the back right corner, forcing my opponent into a tough backhand. That kind of control with spin? Game changer.
Sometimes, paddles give you great control and spin but leave you wanting more on power.
That’s not the case with Roore paddles.
With Roore, you get the trifecta: spin, control, and power. I could tell right away, my serves and forehand returns had the pop I was looking for. No shortage of power here.
3. PBVMURTG Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
This one took some digging to find. The name PBVMURTG isn’t exactly catchy, but the value is legit.
I had been using a $200 paddle and lost three straight games to my friend (again, likely 4.0 DUPR). Then I picked up the PBVMURTG paddle for the fourth game and won 11-3. I was stunned.
Even better, this paddle is priced under $50 on Amazon. And it’s made with carbon fiber. I don’t think this price will stick around forever, my previous go-to, the Anything Sports Carbon Fiber paddle, got discontinued. That was a bummer. But I tested this paddle side by side with that one and liked it even more.
A nicely added plus is that this paddle came with a nice box, a cover, carbon fiber erasor, and other goodies.
This paddle also looks super similar to the JoJoLemon paddle, which often costs twice as much.
4. Best Name Brand: Franklin Pickleball Paddle
Here’s another solid option, though a bit thinner at 10mm, so it may not be the best pick for total beginners. Still, it has a 5-inch grip, and it’s made with polypropylene, which gives it a feel close to carbon fiber and helps with ball control.
The Franklin paddle weighs in at 8 oz, which I find to be a sweet spot for newer players.
I also appreciate how the paddle shows the sweet spot on the face, it’s a nice visual aid for learning where to strike.
Between the Head Extreme Elite, Onyx Z5, and Hello Friday paddle, I’d pick this Franklin model any day.
5. Best ~$25: YOURUN T300 Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle
I purchased around 5 YOURUN T300 paddles as it was a graphite paddle that had texture to allow for both control and spin. And this paddle was around $10-$15.
Per Amazon, the graphite surface gives this paddle a generous sweet spot, so you get clean, confident contact more often. At 15.75 inches long and 7.87 inches wide, it’s built for precision, and you can really feel that on the court.
It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and great for all levels, from beginners just getting into the game to intermediate and even advanced players who want reliable performance without breaking the bank.
Also, I could only find this link as this paddle appears to sell out often, and this paddle may come as a set? That would be cool.
6. Best Cheapest Paddle Set: VOICEPTT Pickleball Paddle Set
The VOICEPTT Pickleball Paddle is one of the most budget-friendly paddles I could find, great for testing out the sport without spending much. I picked up a set of two paddles for about $10.
These kinds of deals come and go, so I’ve included a link to a broader search for paddles under $15.
This paddle still manages to carry a 4.4-star rating across more than 20 reviews.
It’s surprisingly comparable to many paddles in the $10–$25 range, even though it’s not marketed as heavily. I actually wrote a review of the MTEN paddles, and those felt almost identical, even though they were priced way higher.
Fun fact: I’ve bought multiple sets of paddles at different prices, only to realize they were probably produced by the same manufacturer. This is pretty common on Amazon, especially with imports.
Final Thoughts
Pickleball paddles can get pricey, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to find the best budget paddle.
Whether you’re after spin, control, or power, there’s likely a high-performing, low-cost paddle here that fits your needs and your budget.