Paddle Weight Guide
In this guide, you will learn about:
- Choosing by performance
- Choosing my comfort
- Why do paddles come with a weight range
- How much is 0.1oz?
- How much can I feel a difference in weight?
- Getting a guaranteed weight range
Choosing by Performance
Lightweight ~ Quicker Hand Speed
Our Lightweight models allow players to have quicker hands at the net. Lighter paddles also help to maintain more control. With Pickleball being a game of quick, controlled shots close to the net, this weight range will be perfect for you if you find yourself needing to speed up your hand game while still retaining your soft touch.
Midweight ~ More Power
Our Midweight models allow players to generate more power. The heavier a paddle is, the more power you will get. For those long shots from deep on the court, you need power to keep your opponents at their back line. The Midweight paddles are also better at blocking. The ball comes off of the face with just the right touch instead of dropping dead just short of the net.
Singles vs Doubles Paddles
Because a Lightweight paddle gives you quicker hand speed and a Midweight paddles give you more power, many players choose to use a Lightweight paddle for doubles and a Midweight paddle for singles. Since doubles are often played up at the net, a quick hand speed is vital...However, singles requires hard drives and passing shots to be successful.
Choosing by Comfort
When selecting the weight for your paddle, it really comes down to what's most comfortable for you. Do you have a heavier paddle, and it's hurting your arm? Try a Lightweight one. Does your current paddle feel a like a fly swatter? Bump the weight up on your next one. If you don’t know which weight you are most comfortable with, try the following:
- Choose based on your previous sport’s racquet/paddle weight
- Go with a Lightweight paddle since they are more popular and a safe bet.
Tennis Players
If you used an average weight to heavier weight racquet in Tennis, you probably will be most comfortable with a Midweight Pickleball paddle. If you preferred a lighter Tennis racquet, you probably will prefer a Lightweight Pickleball paddle as well.
Table Tennis Players
Most Table Tennis players gravitate to Lightweight paddles as they cater to the fast style of play most Pickleball players employ.
Racquetball/Squash Players
If you preferred an average to lighter racquet, you will probably like a Lightweight Pickleball paddle as well. If you used a heavier than average racquet, go with a Midweight paddle in Pickleball.
Why Do Paddles Have a Weight Range?
The very slightest elements can affect the weight, a little more adhesive used on this paddle, a little less grip length on this one. It’s nearly impossible to make paddles to a very specific weight every time. And 0.1oz is really not much of a change as described below.
How Much is 0.1oz?
Have you ever stressed out about getting an exact weight on your paddle? You shouldn't. A tenth of an ounce (0.1oz) is about the weight of a penny.* Try holding your paddle and then placing a penny on it. Can you feel a difference? If you thought you did, try doing it again blindfolded with someone else putting the penny on. If you don’t already have it in your head that you can feel the difference, you won’t.
*Pre-1982 pennies weigh about 0.11oz and pennies after 1982 weigh about .09oz.
How Much Does a Difference in Weight Matter?
It is something to note that the players who are least likely to need an exact weight for their paddles are the pro players. Many people tend to zero in on a particular weight for their paddle and swear that anything other than that exact weight will affect their game. When the truth of the matter is that slight differences in weights do not affect players’ performance. The Pros are able to put aside things that are “just in their head” to focus on what really makes them a better player.
Beginner with no previous racquet/paddle experience (2.5)
They generally can't feel the difference until there is a 1oz or greater difference (e.g. the difference in a performance paddle and wood paddle).
Beginner with racquet/paddle experience (3.0)
They generally can feel a difference between a Lightweight paddle and Midweight paddle (i.e. 0.5oz difference), but they don't really care about the difference and would be fine with either weight range.
Intermediate player (3.5)
At this point, you generally know whether you prefer a Midweight or Lightweight paddle. Changing from a 7.5oz paddle to an 8.0oz paddle probably will affect your game.
Advanced player (4.0 and above)
Some advanced players can feel the difference in about a 0.2oz weight range and prefer a paddle at a particular weight +/- 0.1oz. Most professional Pickleball players don’t see small differences in weight affecting their game.
Getting a Guaranteed Weight Range
Get a guaranteed weight range within 0.2oz difference
Based on the above, we do recommend that advanced players get a guaranteed weight range to meet their preference. The weight range guarantees you will get a weight within 0.2oz. For example, if your target weight is around 7.6oz, you can select a guaranteed weight range of 7.5oz - 7.7oz and you are guaranteed a 7.6oz paddle +/- 0.1oz. And a pennyweight difference won’t be noticeable, much less affect your game.
Different grips can affect available weight range
A 4.5” double grip paddles increase the weight of a paddle by 0.5oz. A 4” thin grip reduces the weight of a paddle by 0.2oz. This weight change will affect the options available for choosing a guaranteed weight range. To learn more about the different grip options and how they change the weight of the paddle, view our grip guide.
Choose Your AMPED Series Weight
Each shape in the AMPED series comes with two weight options, Lightweight or Midweight. Click on your shape to choose between the weight versions. After you select your weight version, you can also get a guaranteed weight range for your paddle on the product page.
