Three brands keep coming up when players ask me what to buy: Selkirk, Franklin, and Paddletek. I've hit with all three, and the honest answer is that they're built for different players. A 16mm core and a 12.7mm core aren't the same animal, even if the price tag looks similar.
Core thickness is the first thing to figure out
Thicker cores are softer. A 16mm paddle like the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro-C 14.3 Pickleball Paddle sits in that middle ground — the honeycomb absorbs pace, so dinks and resets stay low off the face. Step down to a 12.7mm and you get a firmer, poppier hit. The Paddletek Bantam TKO-CX 12.7 Pickleball Paddle is that kind of paddle. It rewards players who drive the ball and finish points at the net rather than grind out long rallies.
Which one should you pick? If you're still learning the soft game, go thick. If you've been playing a year and your drives keep getting blocked, the thinner core gives you something back.
Widebody or elongated?
Shape matters as much as thickness. A widebody gives you a wider sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits. Elongated paddles stretch the reach, which helps on low balls and around the net, but you lose a bit of hand speed on fast exchanges.
- Widebody: better for beginners, better for doubles players who block a lot
- Elongated: more reach, more leverage, better for singles and big servers
The Gearbox Ultimate Power 14mm Elongated Pickleball Paddle shows the trade-off clearly. Great reach on serve returns. Slightly slower in a firefight.
What the face material actually changes
Carbon fiber faces grip the ball and generate spin without a rough texture that wears out. The Franklin line leans hard into this. The Franklin PARRIS TODD C45° SERIES - 13.25MM Pickleball Paddle uses a layered construction that feels stiff on contact — good for punch volleys. Diadem goes the other direction with the Diadem Edge 18K Speed Pro Pickleball Paddle, where the 18K weave adds a bit more bite on cut shots.
Neither is "better." If you hit flat, a stiffer face suits you. If you slice a lot, you'll feel the difference in the first five minutes.
Bundle or single paddle?
Selkirk sells both. The Selkirk Reflex Pickleball Bundle packages a paddle with accessories, which makes sense if you're buying your first setup and don't want to research grips and bags separately. Buy a Selkirk SLK Halo Power Max Pickleball Paddle on its own, though, and you pick exactly the specs you want. That's the better path if you already know your preferred weight and grip size.
Don't forget the stuff in your bag
Two things get ignored until they matter. Grips — the Selkirk Vanguard Geo Pickleball Grip is an easy swap when yours gets slick in July. And eye protection, because a ball off a mis-hit at the kitchen line comes fast.
If you play outdoors on windy days, that second one stops being optional. Ask anyone who's taken one to the cheekbone.
Start with core thickness, then decide reach versus hand speed. The rest — face material, brand, color — is fine-tuning. Grab a paddle, play three games, and you'll know within an hour whether it's the one.
