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Best Pickleball Paddles for Small Hands
Small hands do better with a shorter handle and a paddle that is quick to move. We filtered to handles of 5 inches or less and ranked them for a player who wants a short grip and stability.
1
Head
Radical Pro 15$200
SW:120
TW:6.85
Weight:8.5 oz
Power:55.8 MPH
Spin:1937 RPM
Wide body15mmGen 3Firepower Balanced
+Exceptional stability — 6.85 twist weight is 82th percentile (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Heavy swing weight of 120 (81th percentile) delivers extra momentum and plow-through on drives
+Wide body maximizes the sweet spot for more forgiveness on off-center hits
−Shorter face reduces reach compared to elongated paddles
−On the heavy side at 8.5 oz (top 4%) — may cause fatigue for players with arm issues
2
$259.99
SW:113
TW:7.6
Weight:8.1 oz
Power:54.8 MPH
Spin:1980 RPM
Wide body15.2mmGen 1Firepower Soft
+Exceptional stability — 7.6 twist weight is top 1% (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Wide body maximizes the sweet spot for more forgiveness on off-center hits
−Below-average power at 54.8 MPH (12th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Lower pop at 35 MPH (14th percentile, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
3
Franklin
FS Tour Tempo 14mm$149.99
SW:115
TW:7.14
Weight:8.4 oz
Power:56.2 MPH
Spin:2091 RPM
Standard14mmGen 2Firepower Control+
+Good spin generation at 2091 RPM (66th percentile)
+Exceptional stability — 7.14 twist weight is top 8% (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Thin core (14mm) gives a crisp, responsive feel with fast feedback
−On the heavy side at 8.4 oz (top 6%) — may cause fatigue for players with arm issues
Code: PBSTUDIO — 10% OFF
4
Engage
Pursuit Pro EX$259.99
SW:107
TW:6.64
Weight:7.9 oz
Power:55.2 MPH
Spin:1997 RPM
Standard13mmGen 1Firepower Balanced
+Solid pop at 36.6 MPH (65th percentile) for net exchanges
+Quick hands — swing weight of 107 is in the 13th percentile (avg 114), easy to maneuver
+Thin core (13mm) gives a crisp, responsive feel with fast feedback
−Below-average power at 55.2 MPH (17th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Very thin core can feel harsh on mishits and may cause arm fatigue
Code: PBSTUDIO — 20% OFF
5
Wilson
Vesper Control 17 17mm$249
SW:114
TW:6.15
Weight:8.1 oz
Power:54 MPH
Spin:2013 RPM
Wide body17mmGen 3Firepower Control+
+Wide body maximizes the sweet spot for more forgiveness on off-center hits
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
+Latest-generation thermoformed construction for premium feel and consistency
−Below-average power at 54 MPH (bottom 6%, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Lower pop at 34.8 MPH (bottom 9%, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
6
Tecnifibre
TF Command 15mm$209
SW:109
TW:6.78
Weight:8.2 oz
Power:55 MPH
Wide body15mmGen 2Firepower Control+
+Exceptional stability — 6.78 twist weight is 80th percentile (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Quick hands — swing weight of 109 is in the 19th percentile (avg 114), easy to maneuver
+Wide body maximizes the sweet spot for more forgiveness on off-center hits
−Below-average power at 55 MPH (15th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Shorter face reduces reach compared to elongated paddles
7
Revolin
Drift Pure$174.99
SW:109
TW:6.55
Weight:8.1 oz
Power:55.6 MPH
Spin:2072 RPM
Wide body16mmGen 1Firepower Balanced
+Quick hands — swing weight of 109 is in the 19th percentile (avg 114), easy to maneuver
+Wide body maximizes the sweet spot for more forgiveness on off-center hits
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
−Shorter face reduces reach compared to elongated paddles
−Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
8
$150
SW:111
TW:7.1
Weight:7.9 oz
Power:55.1 MPH
Standard14mmGen 2Firepower Control+
+Exceptional stability — 7.1 twist weight is top 10% (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Thin core (14mm) gives a crisp, responsive feel with fast feedback
+Competitive price at $150 (below the $197 average)
−Below-average power at 55.1 MPH (15th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
Code: INF-PBSTUDIO — a digital gift card
9
Hudef
Apex Pro 16mm$89
SW:112
TW:6.92
Weight:8.1 oz
Spin:1818 RPM
Standard16mm
+Exceptional stability — 6.92 twist weight is 84th percentile (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
+Great value at $89 — cheaper than 99% of paddles (avg $197)
−Limited spin at 1818 RPM (16th percentile, avg 1988) compared to newer paddles
−Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
Code: PBSTUDIO — 10% OFF
10
Joola
Magnus 3S 16mm$239.95
SW:114
TW:6.31
Weight:7.9 oz
Power:58.4 MPH
Spin:2117 RPM
Elongated16mmGen 3
+Elite power — 58.4 MPH puts it in the top 7% of all paddles tested (avg 56.4)
+Solid pop at 37 MPH (80th percentile) for net exchanges
+Good spin generation at 2117 RPM (75th percentile)
−Narrower face means a smaller horizontal sweet spot
−Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
Not sure which one is right for you?
Our quiz matches you to the best paddle based on your play style, skill level, and preferences across all 812 paddles.