Top Pickleball Paddles Choices of Professional Players
Everyone wants the same paddle their favorite player is using. It is natural for every person to have their own preferred paddle.
In the market, there are around 300+ brands that offer paddles. The majority of pros use only four of them. They are Franklin, Selkirk, Onix and Joola.
Since I recently covered Why are paddles so Expensive on my blog, it’s time to discuss What Pickleball Paddles Do The Pros Use.
There will be a short introduction to each brand, their history, the players they sponsor, and a short review of the top paddles they offer in this Guide.
Let’s start!
What Pickleball Paddles Do The Pros Use?
Pickleball Pros Mostly use Franklin, Selkirk, Onix and Joola paddles. The list of Pros who use these paddles are under
Joola | Selkirk | Franklin | Onix |
Ben Johns | Cammy Macgregor | James Wood Johnson | Matt Wright |
Simone Jardim | Parris Todd | Wesley Burrows | Altaf Merchant |
Alex Neumann | Susannah Barr | Jorja Johnson | Callie Smith |
Anna Bright | Dylan Frazier | Zane Navratil | Lucy Kovalova |
AJ Koller | Andrei Daescu | Hayden Patriquin | Cierra Gaytan Leach |
Rafa Hewett | Pablo Tellez | Christine Mcgrath | Jena Klett |
Various paddles types are used by different players at different times. Professional pickleball players often choose paddles based on their playing style, sponsorship deals, and the specific needs of high-level competition.
Through analyzing all the live tournaments and going through their social profiles, I have identified the top 4 brands that the pros mostly use.
The following are listed under.
1. Joola
Joola is a German company that has been making table tennis and other sports equipment for over 70 years. They entered the pickleball market in 2022 and quickly became one of the top brands in the industry.
Their first pickleball paddle was the Joola Ben Johns paddle, created in collaboration with pro player Ben Johns. Joola paddles often feature a carbon fiber face for enhanced performance.
It is also a sponsor of several top pickleball players, including Ben Johns, Simone Jardim, and Anna Bright.
Their paddles are now used by pickleball players from beginners to pros. Their paddles are known for control, spin, and power.
Pros Who Use These Company Paddles
Paddles of this Company are these players
Ben Johns
Ben Johns is the current #1 ranked men’s singles player. He is sponsored by Joola. His first pickleball match took place in 2016 while he was on vacation in Florida, and he took fifth place at the 2017 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships just a few months later.
Within a year, he started playing in tournaments consistently and won his first gold medal at the Riverbend RV Resort Pickleball Tournament. Ben Johns uses some of the best pro pickleball paddles, which are meticulously tested and trusted by top players.
Simone Jardim
Top 5 ranked women’s singles players. She is known for her aggressive play style and spins. She is also sponsored by Joola. Simone Jardim and other top players often use the same paddle model for consistency. She is a Former top-ranked women’s singles player. When Jardim moved to Florida in 2016, she took up pickleball full-time as a professional.
She won the women’s singles championship at the 2016 US Open. In the same year, she won the US Open triple crown with titles in singles, doubles (with Corrine Carr), and mixed doubles (with Oliver Strecker).
In 2018, she won the US Open triple crown, winning the singles title against her former student Lucy Kovalova and the doubles title with Corrine Carr and mixed doubles with Kyle Yates.
Alex Neumann
Twenty-four-year-old Alex Neumann is a professional pickleball superstar on the rise. His birth mother introduced him to the sport in 2021. Neumann played tennis on Northwestern University’s varsity team before discovering pickleball.
In no time, Neumann realized that his tennis background would greatly help his pickleball game. The tennis player has an incredibly powerful forehand and is incredibly quick on court. Whenever he plays aggressively, close to the net, and strikes the ball with powerful spin, Alex considers himself to be at his best.
His two favorite shots are his two-handed backhand speed-up and his forehand drive. He plays men’s and mixed doubles as a rising young star. Ground strokes are his specialty.
Anna Bright
She is a Former top-ranked women’s singles player. Anna Bright has a signature paddle released by Joola. She mostly plays doubles now. She is excellent at volleys and touch shots. Prior to being a pickleball superstar, Anna Bright played on the UC Berkeley women’s varsity tennis team and reached a career-high ranking of #13 in the country.
The Best Paddles From Joola
Joola’s top 3 paddles are high quality pickleball paddles designed for power players, featuring superior spin, a larger sweet spot, and advanced technology to provide both spin and power:
- Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16: This paddle is known for its excellent control and spin, making it a favorite among professional players.
- Joola Vision CGS 14: With a focus on precision and power, this paddle offers a great balance for competitive play.
- Joola Essentials: Ideal for players seeking a combination of performance and durability, this paddle is perfect for all skill levels.
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pickleball Paddle
I have used many paddles in my career, but this is one of the best. The weight of the paddle is just right. It is also too comfortable to hold.
If you’re just starting, this paddle could be your secret weapon.
JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle
Beginners will find this paddle to be the best option. This is something I suggested to a friend who was just getting started. He loved this paddle. Their weight is good, and they play the ball well.
JOOLA Vision Pickleball Paddle
This is recommended for players who are intermediate in their skill level. I have noticed a significant improvement in my serve after using this one. My favorite thing about them is their grip. As a matter of fact, the best part is that it is lightweight.
2. Selkirk
The company was founded by Mike, Rob, and Jim Barnes, two brothers and their father, in 2010. The company is headquartered in Hayden, Idaho, (United States).
Their first paddles were made from a fiberglass surface which offered good touch and control. Selkirk paddles often feature raw carbon fiber for enhanced performance.
This helped establish Selkirk in the market. Several top professional players have partnered with Selkirk, including Dylan Frazier,Dylan Frazier, Andrei Daescu, and others.
Today, Selkirk offers paddles for all types of players and skill levels. Due to high-performance technologies and sponsorships of top professionals, Selkirk has become one of the leading paddle brands.
Check Out our article Top 5 Pickleball Paddles by Selkirk.
Pros Who Use These Company Paddles
Many pros use this company’s paddles as their everyday paddle. Their names and short intro is
Dylan Frazier
The only player without a high-level tennis background in the top-10 is Dylan Frazier. When Dylan was 14, he began playing pickleball and when he was 17, he began competing in professional events. Currently, he plays on the PPA Tour, where he has earned 26 podium finishes. In the year 2023, Dylan had his best season yet, but the year 2024 already looks bright with his first ever Masters gold medal in the men’s singles.
Aside from playing professional pickleball, Dylan is currently pursuing a Business Administration degree at the University of Missouri as an undergraduate.
Parris Todd
There is no doubt that she is one of the biggest forces in women’s and mixed doubles. At the nets, her sense of timing is mind-blowing. When Parris Todd was five years old, she asked her parents for a tennis racket.
Todd began to set goals leading to numerous titles and trophies. Developing into one of the top junior tennis players in the country, ranked #1 nationally and regionally. As a fourteen-year-old, Todd began playing the PRO ITF tour, traveling throughout the US and abroad. Todd has won over 85 tennis titles to date.
As the pandemic slowed down the globe, Pickleball emerged, and there was no going back. Since then, Parris has enjoyed herself more than ever on the courts and has won over 45 Medals on the APP & PPA tours.
She also holds 2 MLP titles in 2022 and is a triple crown winner at the US Open in 2023. She is also currently sponsored By Selkirk, known for their high-quality control paddles that offer excellent feel, stability, and forgiveness.
Susannah Barr
She is a Veteran women’s doubles specialist with decades of experience. Known for her consistent play and signature style, Susannah is one of the most accomplished players on the tour.
Susannah has played on the PPA and APP pro tours, and she is a member of the Las Vegas Night Owls in the 2023 Major League Pickleball season. In 2023, she won six of fifteen APP pro mixed doubles tournaments.
The Best Paddles By Selkirk
As a pickleball player, these are my top 3 Selkirk picks.
Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle
The Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle is considered one of the best control paddles, designed to absorb pace and make it easier to slow the ball down, perfect for executing softer shots like drops, dinks, and resets.
The paddle works best in the hands. Weight is perfect, neither too light nor too heavy. Suitable for both beginners and advanced players. It is lightweight and gives a good feeling when hitting the ball.
SLK Latitude Pickleball Paddle
Those looking for a paddle with a large surface will find this one to be the best. The SLK produces good power. The weight is comfortable. It is a great choice for both intermediate and beginner players.
The best part about this paddle is that it is durable which means you don’t have to buy the paddle every year.
SLK by Selkirk Pickleball Paddles
The grip of this paddle is comfortable and built with excellent quality. It is lightweight which means that you can easily swing shots on fast volleys. While playing, the surface is made of a material that is quiet enough and does not make noise.
3. Franklin
In 2009, Franklin Sports entered the pickleball market, bringing over 50 years of sports equipment experience.
With a focus on technology and sponsorships, Franklin has become one of the leading paddle brands. Franklin paddles often feature thermoformed paddle technology for enhanced performance.
Through innovation and partnerships with professional players, Franklin grew into a top pickleball paddle company.
Pros Who Use These Company Paddles
Franklin is used by major pro players in the pickleball world which are mentioned below.
James Wood Johnson
He is an experienced mixed doubles player. As a winner of several major tournaments, he has a great deal of experience. In 2005, JW Johnson moved with his family from Pittsburg, Kansas, to Naples, Florida, in order to pursue a tennis career with his sister, Jorja. Their new community encouraged them to play pickleball.
Besides him, his mother and sister are also top tour players. Since then, Johnson has been playing pickleball and is one of the top 10 players in the world. At the age of 19, he became the youngest player to win the men’s singles title.
During 2022, he won 47 medals, including 3 triple crowns. Johnson attributes part of his success to using the perfect paddle, which is tested and curated to fit his play style and needs.
Wesley Burrows
Wes was introduced to pickleball by his childhood friend, ATP legend Sam Querrey, when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in medical sales.
Despite not being fully committed to playing professionally, he has maintained status on the PPA Tour and MLP.
Wesley plays mixed doubles and men’s doubles. In terms of his control around the net, he is excellent.
Jorja Johnson
Originally from Kansas, Jorja Johnson moved to Florida to help her brother concentrate on tennis. After moving cross-country to Naples, FL, her family started playing pickleball as a way to find community after she didn’t have a tennis background. She has been playing since she was seven years old.
She is the daughter of James Wood Johnson. She ranks among the best as a junior girl’s singles and women’s doubles player.
Best Paddles Of Franklins
Below are my top recommendations for Franklins paddles
Franklin Sports Pro Pickleball Paddles
Franklin paddles are beginner-friendly, and if you’re just getting started in pickleball, you may find this one to be lifesaving. The weight and the paddle are just perfect and can help you as a newbie. It also has a grit on it that helps in spin.
Franklin Sports Pickleball Paddle
A Good choice for beginners. These paddles are durable, which means they are the best choice for those who are on a budget. The handle shape is perfect, and it fits the hand perfectly.
4. Onix
The company entered the pickleball market in 2009 as the sport was growing. Aluminum was used in their early paddles.
A graphite composite paddle was released in 2010 by Onix that offered players more control and touch while playing.
By innovating materials and partnering with top players, Onix has become a leading paddle brand.
Pros Who Use These Company Paddles
The following pro players use these company paddles.
Matt Wright
A member of a local country club spotted Matt Wright playing a makeshift mini-tennis game and suggested he try pickleball. Matt Wright uses the ‘VANGUARD Power Air Invikta’ paddle for its power and spin.
He first played pickleball in 2016 and immediately fell in love with it. At the 2016 US Open, Matt and Lucy Kovalova won the 19+ age division in mixed doubles in their first tournament together.
Their performance at that event gave them confidence they could compete at the highest level. Since then, he has won gold in each of the three major 2018 Pro Pickleball tournaments in the open division.
In the men’s singles category, he is ranked in the Top 10. His competitiveness and power make him a well-known figure.
Altaf Merchant
During his time at Southern Illinois University, Altaf Merchant was a top-ranked tennis player in India. As a member of the Indian team, he won the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships.
As he transitioned to pickleball play, he also enjoyed success in his new sport. Altaf Merchant has medaled at both the US Open Pickleball Championships and the National Championships.
Callie Smith
Callie Smith turned pro in 2019, and since then she has built a reputation as someone hungry for victory and an impressive force on the court. Smith often competes against top players like Anna Leigh Waters. Smith played D1 tennis at the University of Utah.
She teaches tennis, and pickleball, when she’s not traveling on any tour. Several junior national titles have been won by this rising young doubles player. She plays both women’s and mixed doubles. She plays very well around the net.
Best Paddles They Offer
ONIX’s best paddles include
Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
This premium paddle is a best choice for all levels of players. This one provides a larger spot making it a best choice for players whose shots are a bit off. It generates some serious power in the shots too.
Onix Evoke Premier Pickleball Paddle
I just love this paddle and This is one is a go to paddle in my collection. I like this one because it’s lightweight, so my hand doesn’t get sore after long games. It has larger sweet spots making it easier for you to take dink shots and drop shots effectively.
Check the Official website of Onix For More Paddles
Wrapping Up
Here we have covered all the things that a beginner needs to know about What Pickleball Paddles Do The Pros Use? The Brand history, the best paddles they offer and the names of players who use these companies with their short intro.
I hope this guide was helpful to you.
Thanks for reading along. Have a nice day!