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All guides

Best Thick Core Pickleball Paddles (17mm–20mm)

Cores thicker than 16mm are rare, and they are the softest, most forgiving paddles you can buy. We filtered to every paddle with a core over 16mm and ranked them for a control player.

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1
$250
SW:112
TW:6.35
Weight:8.1 oz
Power:51.2 MPH
Spin:1873 RPM
Wide body20mmGen 1.5/EdgelessFirepower Soft
+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
−Below-average power at 51.2 MPH (bottom 0%, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Lower pop at 33.1 MPH (bottom 1%, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: INF-BRAYDONU

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

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2
$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
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBEFFECT

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3
$249.99
SW:109
TW:7.11
Weight:8.3 oz
Power:50.3 MPH
Spin:1881 RPM
Standard20mmGen 1.5/EdgelessFirepower Soft
+Exceptional stability — 7.11 twist weight is top 9% (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
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
−Below-average power at 50.3 MPH (bottom 0%, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Lower pop at 32.9 MPH (bottom 1%, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: INF-PBSTUDIO — a digital gift card

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
4
$280
SW:108
TW:7.45
Weight:8.4 oz
Power:54.9 MPH
Spin:1926 RPM
Wide body19mmGen 4Firepower Control+
+Exceptional stability — 7.45 twist weight is top 2% (avg 6.3), very forgiving on off-center hits
+Quick hands — swing weight of 108 is in the 17th percentile (avg 114), easy to maneuver
+Wide body maximizes the sweet spot for more forgiveness on off-center hits
−Below-average power at 54.9 MPH (13th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Shorter face reduces reach compared to elongated paddles
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBEFFECT

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
5
$249
SW:114
TW:6.04
Weight:8.1 oz
Power:55.6 MPH
Standard17mmGen 3Firepower Control+
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
+Latest-generation thermoformed construction for premium feel and consistency
−Lower pop at 35 MPH (14th percentile, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
−Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
See current price on Amazon

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
6
Pickleball Apes
Pulse S 16mm
$199.99
SW:114
TW:6.26
Weight:8 oz
Power:57.7 MPH
Spin:2183 RPM
Hybrid16.5mmGen 3Firepower Control+
+Above-average power at 57.7 MPH (84th percentile, avg 56.4)
+Solid pop at 36.9 MPH (77th percentile) for net exchanges
+Outstanding spin at 2183 RPM — 85th percentile for heavy serves and thirds (avg 1988)
−Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBSTUDIO — 10%

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
7
$280
SW:117
TW:5.83
Weight:8.1 oz
Power:54.2 MPH
Spin:1993 RPM
Elongated19mmGen 2Firepower Soft
+Elongated shape gives extra reach on defense, overheads, and two-handed backhands
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
−Below-average power at 54.2 MPH (bottom 7%, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Lower pop at 35.3 MPH (19th percentile, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: INF-BRAYDONU

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
8
Pickleball Apes
Pulse V 16mm
$199.99
SW:111
TW:7.4
Weight:8.2 oz
Power:57.4 MPH
Spin:2160 RPM
Wide body16.5mmGen 3Firepower Control+
+Above-average power at 57.4 MPH (80th percentile, avg 56.4)
+Solid pop at 37 MPH (80th percentile) for net exchanges
+Good spin generation at 2160 RPM (82th percentile)
−Shorter face reduces reach compared to elongated paddles
−Thick core trades some pop and hand speed for control
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBSTUDIO — 10%

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
9
$229.95
SW:116
TW:6.5
Weight:8.3 oz
Spin:1588 RPM
Elongated19mm
+Elongated shape gives extra reach on defense, overheads, and two-handed backhands
+Thick core (16mm+) provides a soft, controlled feel with a large sweet spot
−Limited spin at 1588 RPM (bottom 7%, avg 1988) compared to newer paddles
−Narrower face means a smaller horizontal sweet spot
See current price on Amazon

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer
10
Babolat
WZRD 20mm
$219
SW:109
TW:6.41
Weight:8.6 oz
Power:55.4 MPH
Spin:2192 RPM
Wide body20mmGen 2Firepower Balanced
+Outstanding spin at 2192 RPM — 86th percentile for heavy serves and thirds (avg 1988)
+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 55.4 MPH (20th percentile, avg 56.4) — you'll need to generate pace with technique
−Lower pop at 34.5 MPH (bottom 6%, avg 36.1) — may feel sluggish in fast hands exchanges
See current price on Amazon
Creator code: PBEFFECT

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes the rankings. How we make money

Full specs & lead tape optimizer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 20mm pickleball paddle too thick?

For players who want maximum softness and control, no. The trade-off is less pop and a duller feel on drives. Most players find 16mm a better all-round choice.

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.

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