Best pickleball paddles UK (2026)

Six paddles sold by UK retailers, from about £35 to £100, and what the specs actually mean.

Quick picks

What to look for in a pickleball paddle

• Core thickness: a 16 mm core gives more control, a softer feel and a more forgiving sweet spot. A 13 mm core gives more power but punishes off-centre hits. Most beginners do better with 14 to 16 mm.
• Weight: lighter paddles are quicker at the net and easier to control. Heavier paddles hit harder and block better.
• Face: fibreglass, graphite and carbon fibre are the main options. Graphite is light and gives a mix of power and control.
• Grip size: the standard is 4¼ to 4⅜ inches around. If you're between two sizes, choose the smaller.
• Tournament approval: if you'll play in tournaments under USA Pickleball rules, your paddle must be on the USA Pickleball approved list. For social play it doesn't matter.

The paddles

1. Kuikma Open: best on a budget

Decathlon's beginner paddle has a 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb core and a fibreglass face, which is exactly what a first paddle should have. Decathlon customers rate it 4.7 out of 5 from 235 reviews. It isn't on the USA Pickleball approved list, so it's for social play.

Price seen: £34.99 at Decathlon UK.

2. HEAD Boom XCEED 2026: power on a budget

A light (225 g), elongated paddle with a 13 mm polymer core and a fibreglass face. The thinner core means more pop but a less forgiving feel, so it suits players who already have some control. The retailer describes it as approved, but we couldn't find this model on the USA Pickleball list.

Price seen: £52.49, RRP £70, at Tennisnuts.

3. Franklin Signature Series Pro: elongated control

An elongated paddle with a 16 mm polypropylene core and a textured fibreglass face for spin. Decathlon labels it advanced and "USAPA certified", but we couldn't find this exact model on the USA Pickleball list (other Franklin Signature models are). We found no published reviews.

Price seen: £59.99 at Decathlon UK.

4. SLK Latitude 3.0: graphite on a mid budget

Selkirk's SLK range with a graphite face, a 13 mm polymer honeycomb core, a wide "Max" shape and a 4.25-inch grip. The thin core makes it livelier than beginners usually need. Earlier Latitude models are on the USA Pickleball list, but we couldn't find the 3.0.

Price seen: £69.99 at The Pickleball Store.

5. JOOLA Seneca CDS 16: carbon face, tournament approved

A 16 mm honeycomb core with JOOLA's Carbon Drive Surface face. It's on the USA Pickleball approved list (as "Seneca Carbon Drive Surface 16mm"). JOOLA's own customers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 109 reviews. The UK listing we found is a marketplace seller on Decathlon's site, not Decathlon itself.

Price seen: £89.99, RRP £129.99, at Decathlon UK marketplace.

6. Selkirk Amped Pro Air Invikta: the premium pick

An elongated paddle with a 16 mm honeycomb core, a fibreglass face and a 4.25-inch octagonal grip. It's on the USA Pickleball approved list. PickleballCentral praises its spin, manoeuvrability and grip, but finds off-centre hits a little harsh.

Price seen: £99.99, RRP £149.99, at The Pickleball Store.

Can you buy Selkirk paddles from the US?

Selkirk's own shipping policy doesn't mention UK delivery, so the simplest route is a UK retailer such as The Pickleball Store or Tennisnuts, which stock Selkirk and SLK paddles.

New to pickleball?

Start with what is pickleball and the pickleball rules.

Last checked: 1 November 2026