Best Lightweight Pickleball Paddles
A lighter paddle is easier to swing and quicker in a hands battle. The tradeoff is less stability on hard drives. Every paddle here is listed at 7.8 oz or lighter.
Top pick right now: Gearbox CX11 Elongated Power 7.8oz SSTCORE.
Our picks
Picks refreshed October 21, 2026 from each brand's own specs and buyer reviews. Not hands-on tested.
#1Gearbox CX11 Elongated Power 7.8oz SSTCORE
$100 · 7.8 oz · 11 mm · Elongated · Honeycomb core
- Listed at 7.8 oz
- 11 mm core
- Buyers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 47 reviews on the seller's store
#2Paddletek Bantam TS-5
$90 · 7–7.5 oz · 12.7 mm · Standard / wide · Honeycomb core
- Listed at 7–7.5 oz
- 12.7 mm core
#4JOOLA Agassi Champion 12mm
$21 · 7.8 oz · 12 mm · Elongated · Honeycomb core
- Listed at 7.8 oz
- 12 mm core
#6JOOLA Agassi Edge Heat Vision
$100 · 7.8 oz · 16 mm · Elongated · Foam core
- Listed at 7.8 oz
- 16 mm core
#7Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C
$200 · 7.5–7.8 oz · 12.7 mm · Standard / wide · Honeycomb core
- Listed at 7.5–7.8 oz
- 12.7 mm core
#8Paddletek Phoenix Genesis
$80 · 7.4–7.8 oz · 12.7 mm · Standard / wide · Honeycomb core
- Listed at 7.4–7.8 oz
- 12.7 mm core
How we picked
We have not tested these paddles. Each pick follows this rule over the brand's published specs and its buyers' review scores:
- Listed weight of 7.8 oz or less (the heavy end of the range if the brand gives one).
- Ranked by buyer rating, at most three per brand.
What the research says
Lighter builds also cut swing weight, which is why they come up so often in advice for players with sore arms. Pickleball Effect's Hot List shows tested results by playing style. Source: Pickleball Effect Hot List.
Frequently asked questions
Did you test these paddles?
No. We have not weighed, swung or lab-tested them. Picks are ranked by a published rule over the brand's listed specs and its buyers' review scores, and the rule is spelled out on this page. Where an independent lab has measured a paddle we say so on that paddle's page.
Are these paddles approved for tournament play?
Check each paddle on the USA Pickleball approved list before you enter a sanctioned event. Approval status can change after a paddle ships, and the list is the only authority.
Is lighter always better?
No. Very light paddles can twist and lose power on hard hits. Many players prefer 7.8 to 8.3 oz for stability.