How We Research Pickleball Gear

Our method is public because transparency is how a gear site earns trust. Here is exactly how we put a guide together.

Step 1: Manufacturer specs

We collect weight, core thickness, face material, shape and price from the maker’s own product page, and we note when a spec is listed as a range or changes between sizes. We do not weigh or measure paddles ourselves.

Step 2: Published sources and owner discussion

We check the USA Pickleball approved paddle list for tournament eligibility, read published reviews and lab data where it exists, and look at what owners report about spin, control, forgiveness and durability. Where owners disagree, we say so.

What we compare

Weight and balance as the maker lists them
Core thickness and face material
Shape and sweet spot size
Price and what owners report about durability
Owner reports on control, power, spin and feel

What we do not do

We do not run on-court or lab tests, and we do not publish 1 to 10 ratings. Comparison tables show manufacturer specs only. No star ratings are fabricated to win rich results. No product receives preferential treatment because of an affiliate relationship.

Updates and corrections

Guides show a last-updated date and are refreshed each season. If you spot an error, email hello@paddlory.com and we will check it.