5 Best Pickleball Rackets For Intermediate Players

If you are a hardcore intermediate-level pickleball player and in search of the Best Pickleball Rackets For Intermediate Players that will give you the slight advantage you need then you’ve stepped into the right place.

Pickleball like any other sport is a crazy and energetic sport that helps you in staying physically active. It is not a popular sport like tennis but it needs the same amount of dedication and patience to master it tho.

This sport is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, it is also played both professionally and as a casual game.

To be best in any sport including Pickleball you need to make sure that you use high-quality and industry-standard equipment.

There are many other recommendations that you can find on the internet but most of them can be biased so you need to make sure you are getting the correct information from sources like ours.

In this blog post, we are going to discuss the best pickleball rackets that can be used by intermediate players.

How To Choose A Good Pickleball Racket?

Before diving deeper into our list, we need to know to make sure we know about the factors that make the pickleball racket the best.

If you are an intermediate pickleball player then you need to invest in this sport to get better. You are not on the same level as a beginner and thus even a slight advantage can be of great help to you.

There are many factors that you have to keep in mind while purchasing a pickleball racket and they are:

Weight

Weight is one of the important factors that you should keep in mind while buying a Pickleball racket because it decided the comfort and force that’s applied to the ball.

If you buy a Pickleball racket that is too light then you may not generate enough power to control the ball. On the other hand, if you decide to buy a Pickleball racket that is too heavy then it can cause discomfort, fatigue and may even result in an injury in a long match.

Pickleball rackets can normally weigh around 6 to 14 ounces and you should always choose the one which makes you feel comfortable. I’d suggest you choose between 7.5 and 8.5 ounces if you are an intermediate pickleball player.

Feel free to choose a Pickleball racket of any weight range as long as you find it comfortable and easy to control.

Grip Size

The size of the grip can affect the way you control your racket and the amount of power it can produce.

The normal grip size can range from 4 to 5 inches, and it is important to choose the one which suits the size of your hand.

A smaller grip size will give you much power when you hit the ball whereas a larger one will give you much more control than the smaller one. It is important for you to understand what’s more important for you, power or control.

Look for the size of your hand and choose a size between 4.25 inches and 4.5 inches. If you got a smaller hand stick with 4.25 and if you have a bigger one then adjust accordingly.

Head Shape

Yes, the shape of the head of a Pickleball racket matters a lot as they come in a variety of shapes and sizes from oval-shaped rackets to teardrop-shaped ones.

Each different shape of the head in the racket provides a different kind of comfort and advantage the oval-shaped rackets provide a sweet spot whereas the rectangular ones offer more control. Teardrop-shaped rackets on the other hand provide both control and sweet spot.

As an intermediate player, you should go with a Teardrop-shapes racket and it will provide you the control and flexibility that you need but you feel to choose one that fits you.

Material

Pickleball rackets are made from various different kind of materials and each of them have their own pros and cons.

Pickleball rackets that are made from wood are the most affordable ones you can on the market but they are usually heavier and less durable. They tend to break very fast and they can sometimes be very uncomfortable to handle.

Aluminum rackets are very light in weight but they can offer very less control compared to the other ones. You should avoid using them if you are an intermediate pickleball player.

Graphite rackets are lightweight and offer very good control and they are normally used by many Pickleball players worldwide. Although they are on the expensive side they offer a much higher level of control.

Composite rackets are made from a mixture of many different kinds of materials and they can provide good balance, control, and durability. These are the ones to choose if you intend to play professionally and if you are an intermediate-level player.

You can choose any type of material but Composite rackets are highly recommended. It can also depend on your preference but if you need the best material that is both affordable and durable then go for these ones.

Brand Reputation

The reputation of the brand you choose is important because it is a sign of trust, dedication, and hard work of the brand.

Always look for brands that offer high-quality products and are known for their reliability. The customer support of the brand should be very responsive and ready to take any replacement if required.

You should go with brands like Selkirk, Joola, Paddletek, etc as they are proven to be the best in the market and their products are targeted at intermediate players.

If you have any previous experience with a good brand then stick to that one but you are also free to explore new brands. We will list some good Pickleball rackets in this post so you can use them as a way to try new brands.

Now that we have learned about the things to keep in mind while buying rackets for Pickleball, here is the list of the 7 best Pickleball rackets that are best for intermediate-level players.

Best Pickleball Rackets For Intermediate Players

Before we dive into the best pickleball rackets for intermediate players, let’s discuss what makes a good pickleball racket.

First and foremost, a good pickleball racket should be lightweight and easy to maneuver. This will allow you to move quickly around the court and react to your opponent’s shots.

Secondly, a good pickleball racket should have a comfortable grip. This will prevent your hand from slipping during gameplay and reduce the risk of injury.

Lastly, a good pickleball racket should have a large sweet spot. This will provide you with more power and control over your shots, ultimately improving your overall gameplay.

ok let’s list the Best Pickleball Rackets For Intermediate Players:-

1. JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 CFS Pickleball Paddle

Joola did a great job signing one of the best Pickleball players in the world and introduced three different rangles in rackets in the Ben’s Hyperion series. Hyperion CFS 16 is one of them in the series. It is fine-tuned and made using the best materials and is personally tested by Ben Johns himself.

Hyperion CFS 16 is one the best available racket in the market right now. It is very unique in its own aspect.

The feel while delivering the shots will be much more controlling and heavier as the handle is one of my favorite thing in it.

Joola introduces a new type of technology named Carbon Forged Handle that lets you control the complete shape of the handle. It is the first company in the market to introduce such technology.

Many other rackets have a handle that feels very thick and it is not comfortable to play for a longer duration of time but Carbon forged handle not only makes it comfortable to play for a longer duration of time but it can also produce a great amount of power while delivering the shots. It has a more controlled bond to it and you’ll feel the slight advantage you are going to have while delivering the complex shots.

The weight distribution is insane with this racket as you’ll feel the control and comfort when you take you out of the box. Finding a well-balanced, evenly weight-distributed racket can be very hard as they are mostly heavy on the handle part but will feel lighter on the main surface.

They also introduced Carbon-Flex5 technology which will make sure the amount of spin is super perfect. It will give the best raw performance and the spin will be greatly maximized.

The material used in the paddle is made of carbon which is only used in high-end rackets. Although you need to know that the use of carbon in the racket will leave some pieces of the ball in the racket after the practice session or game it is nothing to worry about as it’s completely normal.

The design is very minimal and aesthetic as the racket contains their logo along with a printed signature of Ben Johns and some good-looking patterns.

This racket also got a Hyper-Foam edge wall which heavily improves stability and absorbs sweat. It also gives the racket a more consistent feel.

The 6 in CFS is for thickness which simply means it is exactly 16 mm in thickness. The racket is 16.5” in length and 7.5” in width. The handle is 5.5” in size which usually lies on the longer side of handles and feels much more comfortable delivering the shots with both hands when needed.

2. Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle

The Amped series by Selkirk is one one the best series launched by Selkirk to date. This series contains a range of different rackets that can very unique in themselves. They launched 4 new types of paddles mainly which are S2, Maxima, Omni, and Epic.

This series gives a very powerful range of rackets that can provide everything from comfort to control. The rackets are thicker than the normal ones giving your shots the power they need.

The Selkirk Amped series rackets each have their own characteristics but they are similar in many aspects as well. The Epic racket comes with a polymer core and fiberglass face which make it one of the best-quality racket available in this range.

The length of the paddle are very similar in S2 and Epic and they are generally longer than the other ones. As an intermediate Pickleball player, you’ll instantly fall in love with these ones as they feel much much comfortable when hold.

Not only is the quality of the racket good but the visual satisfaction you will get by looking at it will also be much higher as they are a treat to the eyes when they are in action. They will for sure pop out of the other your Pickleball mates may be using. They come in mainly 3 primary colors – blue, purple, and red and are named differently.

Amped series are very special in themselves as they are using polypropylene for their core and they have named this technology “X5” which you can see on their title on Amazon. It is the material that makes it feel much lighter compared to the other ones at a similar price range.

Taking advantage of the core being lighter in weight they have made the paddle much thicker keeping the weight very light. This will give a completely new experience in itself as normally the thicker rackets are seen to be heavy and bulky.

They are using a fiberglass face that like to call “FiberFlex” which ensures the spin is top-notch and you feel impressed by it. It will give you all the satisfaction while you deliver the shots and they spin the way you want them to.

So, you can go for Amped series rackets and feel amazed by the feel of it. There’s no reason to dislike them if you are a fan of lightweight Pickleball rackets.

3. Paddletek Tempest Wave II Pickleball Paddle

Paddletek is one of the most reputable brands in the market that makes Pickleball rackets. Almost every single professional Pickleball player owns a set of their rackets and so you can get an idea about the brand’s popularity.

The best possible thing about the Paddletek Tempest Wave II is its “Consistency”. Each and every shot that you are going to deliver is going to land exactly on the point you target it at. The spin and the feedback are just too good in this one.

You can feel the level of comfort and power right out of the packing when it arrives. Each swing is going to feel controlled and it is very satisfying to hold in your hands.

The power in this one is not on the good side as you’ll need to put in a little effort while delivering the overhead shots. You need to utilize your raw arm power but the level of control will be amazing with this one. The core material used along with the texture makes the racket absorb some energy but this allows you to have a very controlled shot.

The graphite textured face gives you the best spin and control over shorter games along with consistency. As it is light in weight players are going to thank the maker for letting them hold it for a longer duration with fatigue.

The durability of it is very good and it is going to last for a minimum of 2 years without any degradation in the core of it. The edge guard is going to give an extra layer of durability to the handle of it.

The Tempest Wave II is a very aesthetic-looking well-made racket that is going to be eye candy while you are with your Pickleball friends. They’ll surely leave some good words about the design as it is very minimal and professional looking with a logo and name on one side and a stylish P on another.

If you are a control freak player and have a preference for control over power then you should definitely go with this one. The amount of control you’ll feel with this one is just mind-blowing and this is best for those who used to be beginners but are now in an intermediate phase of this game.

4. SixZero Double Black Diamond Control

SixZero is another brand that is not much talked about but they recently released some amazing rackets that can be best for intermediate Pickleball players. Double black control is one of them and they are best at providing your overall needs.

This one features a grit pattern that is very similar to the Legacy Pro one which is known to provide excellent spin. The pattern also gives a slight advantage over other patterns that are known to be resisting the receiving force once played.

The feeling while holding the paddle is also very pleasant and will give you a feeling of satisfaction. You will feel like holding a very premium grip that can give you an advantage when needed.

Many Pickleball players have this habit of taking the racket and giving it a swing to try out the feel for a spin. They usually want to go for the surface which is generally rough as the spin will be better in those ones. The case with different from SixZero Double Black Diamond Control tho as the surface is smooth yet they offer an amazing level of spin.

SixZero Double Black Diamond Control racket also offers a good level of control but still, it is heavier on the side and you should go for the ones which are made with original raw carbon fiber for better control.

The power of each and every single shot will be very high, you’ll need very less effort while receiving and throwing the ball. I have tried this racket in bad weather conditions to test the raw power while delivering straight shots and was very impressed by its performance. It will for sure feel like a rocket while delivering the ultra shots when needed, which can make you win the game sometimes.

While using the racket in games you will feel like the racket is an extension of your hand, it’s that good and efficient. The weight will feel like air because of the quality of the material used. If you are worried about the racket being bulky and unbalanced in feel, then you are for sure not going to regret buying SixZero Double Black Diamond Control because each piece of it is a raw of art and excellent engineering.

5. Vatic Pro V7

This is another great paddle that can offer a great amount of comfort and can be very reliable for a professional tournament. Vatic Pro V7 offers a wide range of flexibility and you can be sure that each and every delivery is getting noticed, yep! it’s that powerful.

Vatic Pro V7 is being used by players of all levels and it can suit you better if you are an intermediate player. The “Poopy” feel, as they like to call it, is what makes it different from others. You can feel the amount of comfort and softness when you hold it in your hands.

I’ve personally used this racket for more than 6 months and felt the control it provides is just top-notch, also the materials used in making the core make it very comfortable to play with it for a longer duration of time.

The durability is another important point to notice in Vatic Pro V7 as it can easily get you covered for at the very least 2 years without any physical tear. Although you should keep in mind there will be some minor scratches if you hit it hard in the ground or collide it with another racket.

If you are a control freak and prefer control over power then Vatic Pro V7 can be an excellent choice for you as this racket not only provides good control but it also has enough power to make the delivery noticeable. The spot you target will definitely get hit with superb precision with this racket.

The design of the paddle is very control oriented and lighter on the weigh side. Don’t feel sad about the racket being lighter as it offers excellent power as well. This racket is perfectly balanced and you’ll feel the difference for sure.

If you are an aggressive player who loves to play in an attacking style then this can be perfect for you because of its low-pop nature. It will give them a slight advantage in the critical matches.

The soft paddle allows your swings to be much smoother giving you another advantage when needed. With good durability and control, you don’t have to worry about breaking it mid-game.

FAQs

How do I know if I’m an intermediate pickleball player?

There are three main categories of players in every game and they are beginner, intermediate, and advanced. But how to know which one are you?

Don’t worry! Let me explain it to you. You can be considered an intermediate if you have played around 500-600 of Pickleball earlier and you know the basic rules.

You also find it very easy to beat beginner-level players regularly. You know about the spins and how to deliver a shot successfully. You can make a strategy for the game and find it comfortable to play all the major shots and variations.

Even if you are an intermediate player, you need to learn a lot to become an advance level player. You have to practice with players above your skill level and gain basic momentum for it.

Is it worth investing in an expensive pickleball racket as an intermediate player?

The whole question depends on one major factor: How committed are you to this sport? If you are sure about sticking with Pickleball for more than 2 years then you can for sure go with an expensive pickleball racket as it will be a very good investment.

Another reason to keep in mind while buying an expensive racket is are you interested in playing tournaments in future? If yes, then you need to go for these higher-level rackets.

Be sure to know about your play style before investing in expensive rackets as it is going to be a great investment. Stick to the ones that fit and complement your playing style. Choose from different weight levels. Go for softer ones if you need control and heavier ones if you choose to make your shots powerful.

How often should I replace my pickleball racket?

It depends on how often you play Pickleball. If you are a regular player that plays multiple times a week then you need to replace your Pickleball racket frequently but if you are an occasional player then you rarely need to replace it.

If you are an intermediate-level player then it’s safe to assume that you are planning to play Pickleball daily and need to change your racket frequently. But it can also depend on the quality of your racket.

If you purchase a good quality racket from the ones mentioned above then you can be safer in the longer run. You can easily expect a minimum of one year from them.

What’s the best way to take care of my Pickleball racket?

There are many ways to ensure the safety of your pickleball racket but you have to make sure you give it enough importance fast. Some of the ways to take care of your Pickleball racket are:

• Store it in a cool area properly, and try to use a case or cover to prevent any dust from reaching it.
• Clean it on a regular basis. Use soft clothes and cold water to clean the parts where there can be dust received from the ball. Never use any type of toxic chemical to wash it as it can cause more damage than helping it.
• Don’t expose the racket to hot temperatures as it can damage the frame and paddle in a way that will make it unable to use.
• Regularly check for any damages in your racket such as cracks or scratches, and if it is damaged then get your racket repaired as soon as possible or get it replaced completely.

Conclusion

So, we have suggested the 5 best rackets that you can buy as an intermediate player and we also mentioned how you can choose a good racket.

Pickleball can be tough and even a small advantage can be of greater help in an intermediate-level game. So, you need to take advantage of that you need by investing in a good Pickleball racket.

There are many different types of rackets and you need to find the one which suits your style of play and compliment your games by giving a slight advantage. The handle and its size can give you an advantage when tackling hard shots.

The weight of the racket can also provide different functionality and you need to choose one according to your need. You need to decide if you want more control or power, if you want power go for the heavier ones and opt for the light ones if you need more control over the shot.

The material used on the surface can also decide the level of spin the racket can provide. It is good to go for the rougher surface rackets as they offer an insane level of spin and control. Also, the length of the grip can make your longer games more comfortable.

So, you got the list and are free to choose anyone from it as they are well-researched and proven to be the best Pickleball racket in the market for intermediate-level players. Keep playing hard!!!