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Best Pickleball Paddles for Tennis Players
Quick picks
- Our top pick: Selkirk Boomstik (Elongated) 路 Check price on Amazon
- Runner-up: JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion (CAS 16 or Pro V) 路 Check price on Amazon
- Also great: SLK Dauntless Elongated by Selkirk 路 Check price on Amazon
Tennis players usually want reach, a higher sweet spot, a handle long enough for a two-handed backhand, and enough swing weight to feel plow-through on groundstrokes. That points to an elongated paddle (about 16.5 in long) with a handle of roughly 5.5 in or more. The catch: elongated paddles are narrower, so they forgive off-center hits less than a widebody, and a heavy swing weight slows your hands in fast kitchen exchanges. These are paddles commonly recommended for tennis converts as of October 2026. Prices change often, so check the current price before buying.
1. Selkirk Boomstik (Elongated)
Pros- Elongated shape with a 5.8 in handle, plenty of room for two hands
- High swing weight gives the plow-through tennis players are used to
- One of the most expensive paddles on the market
- Heavy swing weight can feel slow at the net
2. JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion (CAS 16 or Pro V)
Pros- Elongated shape with a 5.5 in handle for two-handed backhands
- Textured carbon surface for topspin forehands and slice
- The Pro V version is premium-priced; the older CAS 16 is the budget route
- Narrower face than a widebody
3. SLK Dauntless Elongated by Selkirk
Pros- Elongated version of Selkirk's 16mm foam-core paddle at a lower price than Selkirk's top models
- Perimeter weighting (MOI Tuning) for stability
- Control-leaning, so big hitters may want more pop
- Shorter handle than the Boomstik
4. 11SIX24 Jelly Bean
Pros- Very long handle (about 6 in) aimed at two-handed backhands
- Elongated shape with a 16mm core
- Long handle shortens the face, so the sweet spot sits lower
- Smaller brand with less retail presence
5. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control (Elongated)
Pros- Raw carbon face with strong spin for tennis-style topspin
- Extra-elongated shape for reach
- Low twist weight, so off-center hits twist more
- Mid-to-premium price
Buying tips
- Shorten your swing at the kitchen. Full tennis strokes on dinks are the most common convert mistake.
- If you hit a one-handed backhand, you do not need a long handle; a hybrid shape gives more forgiveness.
- Pickleballs are light and do not compress like tennis balls, so a stiffer, heavier paddle replaces the power you used to get from strings.
- Check the USA Pickleball approved list for the exact model if you play sanctioned events.