Pickleball paddle guides

Short answers to the questions players ask most, each followed by the paddles the finder ranks highest for it, from 957 paddles' published specs.

• Best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow and arm comfortThe paddles gentlest on the arm, ranked by published specs: high twistweight, widebody, moderate swingweight, midweight.
• Best pickleball paddles for beginnersWhat a first paddle should have, by the published guidance, and the paddles that fit it best: 16 mm core, midweight, forgiving shape.
• Best pickleball paddles for a two-handed backhandHow long a handle a two-handed backhand needs, and the paddles with room for both hands, from brands' published handle lengths.
• 14 mm vs 16 mm pickleball paddlesWhich core thickness to choose, what the guides and lab analysis say, and the top 14 mm and 16 mm paddles by published specs.
• Widebody vs elongated vs hybrid pickleball paddlesHow paddle shape changes forgiveness, reach and comfort, and the top paddles of each shape by published specs.
• Light pickleball paddles (under 7.8 oz)Light pickleball paddles under 7.8 oz by brands' published weights, with what the guides say about going light.
• Best pickleball paddles under $100Pickleball paddles at $100 or less on their brand's own store, ranked by the finder's rules for an all-court player.
• Best pickleball paddles under $150Pickleball paddles at $150 or less on their brand's own store, ranked by the finder's rules for an all-court player.
• High-twistweight pickleball paddlesPickleball paddles whose published twistweight is high for their shape: steadier on off-centre hits, gentler on the arm.
• Control vs power pickleball paddlesWhat makes a paddle play for control or for power, by swingweight for its shape, and the top paddles for each.