Guide
Best Pickleball Paddles for Tennis Players: Handle Length First
By Sukie Gao · Updated 2026-11-08 · How we research
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Short answer
Choose by handle length first: 5.5 in or more leaves room for a two-handed backhand, and an elongated face is optional. The JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm suits most tennis converts; the 11SIX24 Hurache-X Power 2 shares the longest handle we track (6 in).
Picture a club tennis player at their first open play, looking for the best pickleball paddles for tennis players and finding lists that bury the one spec that matters most to them: handle length. Their footwork, their eye for an angle and their topspin forehand come with them, and so does a two-handed backhand that suddenly has nowhere to put the second hand, because a standard pickleball handle is shorter than a racket grip. At the same time, the long, full backswing that wins points from a tennis baseline sends balls long on a court this small, and the soft game at the net is new.
So a tennis player needs two things from a first paddle: enough handle for the strokes they already own, and a face that forgives them while they learn the touch shots they don't. This page lists every paddle in our catalogue with a published handle of 5.6 in or longer, explains why an elongated face is optional rather than required, shows how to size the grip without relying on a tennis number, and ends with five picks spread across shapes and budgets.
Five paddles for tennis players, by handle and shape
1. Joint-longest published handle (6 in)
11SIX24 Hurache-X Power 2
11SIX24 gives the Hurache-X Power 2 a 6 in handle, the longest figure any maker in our catalogue publishes, on a 16.5 x 7.5 in elongated face with a 16 mm floating foam core and a published 8.0 to 8.3 oz. The maker classes it as a power paddle and lists a swing weight of 114 to 118. The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list.
Buy it if: Two-handed backhand players who want as much room on the handle as any paddle offers. Skip it if: You hit one-handed and want quick hands at the net; a long handle and long face both add reach at the cost of speed.
- Weight
- 8.0-8.3 oz
- Core
- 16 mm, floating foam core (Gen 4 construction)
- Shape
- Elongated (16.5 × 7.5 in)
- Handle
- 6 in
- Grip
- 4.125 in
- Face
- HexGrit surface
Specs: 11SIX24 product page (2026-11-08)
2. Best elongated paddle with a standard-length handle
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm
The Perseus Pro IV 16mm has a 16.5 x 7.5 in elongated face with a 5.5 in handle, a published 8.1 oz and a textured carbon fiber face, and the listing pitches it at intermediate to advanced players. It is on the USA Pickleball approved list (added 11/26/2024). It is the example a tennis player on r/Pickleball gave of an elongated paddle without an extra-long handle.
Buy it if: Tennis players who want reach on groundstrokes but a handle long enough for an occasional two-handed shot. Skip it if: Your two-hander is your main backhand; 5.5 in suits an occasional second hand, but the 5.6 in and longer handles in the table leave more room.
- Weight
- 8.1 oz
- Core
- 16 mm, PP core + EVA foam wall
- Shape
- Elongated (16.5 × 7.5 in)
- Handle
- 5.5 in
- Grip
- 4.25 in
- Face
- Textured carbon fiber
- USAP list
- Listed, added 11/26/2024
Specs: JOOLA product page (2026-11-08); JOOLA Paddle Compare page (2026-11-08); Amazon listing (manufacturer/seller-supplied text) (2026-11-08); USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List entry 10354 (2026-11-08)
3. Long handle around $100
Selkirk SLK Halo Power XL
Selkirk's SLK Halo Power XL has a 5.75 in handle on a 16.4 x 7.4 in elongated face, a T700 CarbonFusion carbon fiber face with Selkirk's Raw Spin Technology texture, a 13 mm Rev-Power polymer honeycomb core and a published 7.7 to 8.0 oz. Selkirk labels it the Power version of the Halo line. Two Halo Power XL generations are registered, so check the exact model on the official list.
Buy it if: Tennis converts who want a long two-handed handle and a carbon face without premium pricing. If you would rather have a thicker core, Selkirk's SLK Evo Control XL shares the 16.4 x 7.4 in shape and 5.75 in handle with a 16 mm core and usually costs less. Skip it if: You want a thicker core for a softer response; 13 mm is on the thin side.
- Weight
- 7.7-8.0 oz
- Core
- 13 mm, Rev-Power Polymer Honeycomb
- Shape
- Elongated (16.4 × 7.4 in)
- Handle
- 5.75 in
- Grip
- 4.25 in
- Face
- T700 CarbonFusion Carbon Fiber; Raw Spin Technology
Specs: Selkirk product page (2026-11-08); Amazon listing (manufacturer/seller-supplied text) (2026-11-08)
4. Best if you want to try a wider face
11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 2
The Pegasus Jelly Bean 2 is a widebody (15.8 x 8.2 in) with a 5.5 in handle, a 16 mm EMA foam core, a HexGrit surface over a Toray T700 carbon and fiberglass face, and a published 8.0 to 8.3 oz. 11SIX24 lists a twist weight of 7.1 to 7.3, the highest it publishes for any paddle in our catalogue, and it is on the USA Pickleball approved list (added 01/27/2025).
Buy it if: Tennis players who already volley well and expect to spend their points at the net, where a wide, stable face helps. Skip it if: Reach on serves and drives is your priority; at 15.8 in, this is one of the shortest faces we list.
- Weight
- 8.0-8.3 oz
- Core
- 16 mm, EMA foam core
- Shape
- Widebody (15.8 × 8.2 in)
- Handle
- 5.5 in
- Grip
- 4.125 in
- Face
- HexGrit surface on CFC triple-layer face (Toray T700 carbon fiber and fiberglass)
Specs: 11SIX24 product page (2026-11-08)
5. Cheapest long-handle paddle on the approved list
Franklin Sports Signature Series Pro 16mm
Franklin's Signature Pro 16mm pairs a 5.6 in handle with a 16.5 x 7.5 in elongated shape, a fiberglass MaxGrit face, a 16 mm polypropylene core, a published 7.9 to 8.3 oz and a 4.5 in grip. It is on the USA Pickleball approved list (added 03/02/2022) and costs well under $60.
Buy it if: A tennis player trying pickleball for the first time who wants a long handle before committing to a carbon paddle. Skip it if: You have small hands; 4.5 in is the largest grip among these picks.
- Weight
- 7.9 - 8.3 oz
- Core
- 16 mm, polypropylene
- Shape
- Elongated (16.5 × 7.5 in)
- Handle
- 5.6 in
- Grip
- 4.5 in
- Face
- fiberglass (MaxGrit surface)
- USAP list
- Listed, added 03/02/2022
Specs: Amazon listing (manufacturer/seller-supplied text) (2026-11-08); USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List entry 3799 (2026-11-08)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2026-11-12 and are subject to change. Specs are the makers' published figures; we don't lab-test paddles.
Your 6 best matches, and why
1.Engage Pursuit V2.0 | Amplified Carbon Surface | Hybrid
15.2 mm core · Hybrid · 5.3 in handle · 4.25 in grip
- 5.3 in handle: room for a two-handed backhand
- Hybrid shape: between elongated and standard
2.Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm
16 mm core · Hybrid · 5.3 in handle · 4.125 in grip · USAP listed
- 5.3 in handle: room for a two-handed backhand
- Hybrid shape: between elongated and standard
3.Vatic Pro Saga Flash 16mm
16 mm core · Hybrid · 5.3 in handle · 4.125 in grip · USAP listed
- 5.3 in handle: room for a two-handed backhand
- Hybrid shape: between elongated and standard
4.Honolulu Pickleball Co. Sword & Shield J2
7.9-8.1 oz · 16 mm core · Hybrid · 5.5 in handle · 4.125 in grip · USAP: several similar entries, check the model
- 5.5 in handle: room for a two-handed backhand
- Hybrid shape: between elongated and standard
5.Honolulu Pickleball Co. Sword & Shield J2H
8.0-8.2 oz · 16 mm core · Hybrid · 5.5 in handle · 4.125 in grip · USAP: several similar entries, check the model
- 5.5 in handle: room for a two-handed backhand
- Hybrid shape: between elongated and standard
6.BREAD & BUTTER The Loco Hybrid 16mm
7.9-8.1 oz · 16 mm core · Hybrid · 5.3 in handle · 4.25 in grip · USAP listed
- 5.3 in handle: room for a two-handed backhand
- Hybrid shape: between elongated and standard
Specs are the makers' published figures (each paddle links its source). Prices from Amazon are as of 2026-11-12 and can change; we don't lab-test paddles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What carries over from tennis, and what doesn't
Some habits are an advantage from day one. Others will cost points until you adjust them, and the paddle can only help with a few.
- Carries over: footwork, split steps and reading the opponent's contact point.
- Carries over: a topspin drive. The ball is lighter and the paddle has no strings, but the low-to-high swing path still works.
- Carries over: volleying instincts, if you played doubles at the net.
- Needs adjusting: the backswing. A compact swing keeps the ball in a court that is much shorter than a tennis court.
- Needs adjusting: a two-handed backhand, which needs a handle long enough for both hands (the main reason this page exists).
- New skill: dinks and resets, the soft shots around the net that decide many points. A forgiving face helps here more than extra reach.
Handle length: the spec that matters most
Across the paddles in our catalogue that publish one, handle lengths run from just under 4.9 in to 6 in, and 5.5 in is by far the most common figure, published for nearly half of them. For a one-handed player, almost any of them works. For a two-handed backhand, players and makers both point to 5.5 in or more; several makers in our catalogue, including Gearbox, Six Zero and YVmove, describe a longer handle as being for two-handed backhands.
Handle length and face length are separate decisions. The rules cap total length at 17 in and length plus width at 24 in, so a longer handle on the same overall length means a shorter hitting face, while an elongated face with a normal handle gives reach without changing your grip. A player on r/Pickleball made exactly that point, quoted below.
If you hit two-handed only now and then, a 5.5 in handle is usually enough. If your two-hander is your main backhand, look at 5.6 in and up: Franklin, Selkirk's XL-shaped Halo Power and Evo Control, the budget Royviva and Van-Win paddles, and the 6 in 11SIX24 Hurache-X.
You don't need to get a long handle for an elongated shape paddle. Joola Perseus and Hyperion paddles, for example, have 5.5" handles which is average length these days but the paddle face itself is longer.
— r/Pickleball user, "How did you choose your paddles?" thread (1ggpxrv)
Every paddle we track with a handle of 5.6 in or longer
The table lists every single paddle in our catalogue with a published handle of 5.6 in or longer (34 on the read date), longest first; paddles at 5.5 in are too many to list usefully here and appear in the paddle finder below. Grip is the circumference of the handle, a different measurement from its length. "Not published" means the maker's page or listing we read gives no figure; it does not mean the paddle lacks the feature.
| Paddle | Handle | Shape and face size | Grip | Weight | USA Pickleball list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11SIX24 Hurache-X Power 2 | 6 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.125 in | 8.0-8.3 oz | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Honolulu Pickleball Co. Sword & Shield J3k PRO | 6 in | standard, 16 x 8 in | 4.125 in | 7.9-8.3 oz | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Six Zero Double Black Diamond 15MM Elongated | 6 in | elongated, 16.6 x 7.2-7.4 in | 4.125 / 4.25 in | 8.1 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 15.2 Power Series | Raw Carbon Fiber | 5.875 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.25 in | not published | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Selkirk Boomstik ST Elongated | 5.8 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.45 in | 4.25 in | 8.0-8.2 oz | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Selkirk OMNI Elongated | 5.8 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.45 in | 4.25 in | 7.9-8.2 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 04/15/2026) |
| Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik Elongated | 5.8 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.45 in | 4.25 in | 8.0 - 8.3 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Selkirk SLK ERA Power Elongated | 5.8 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.45 in | 4.25 in | 7.9- 8.4 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean | 5.75 in | widebody, 15.82 x 8.04 in | 4.125 in | 8.0-8.3 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 01/27/2025) |
| CRBN¹ TruFoam Genesis (Elongated w/ Long Handle) | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.35 in | 4.125 in | 8.0 ± 0.2 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| CRBN¹ TruFoam Waves (Elongated w/ Long Handle) | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.35 in | 4.125 in | 7.9 ± 0.2 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Engage Pursuit Pro MX 15.2 | Raw Carbon Fiber | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.25 in | not published | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Honolulu Pickleball Co. Sword & Shield J1H | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.125 in | 8.1-8.3 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 12/19/2023) |
| Honolulu Pickleball Co. Sword & Shield J5 | 5.75 in | elongated, 17 x 7. in | 4.125 in | 7.9-8.1 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 10/07/2023) |
| Paddletek Bantam Jolt Elongated | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | not published | 8.0 ± 0.2 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Paddletek Honeyfoam TKO-X | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | not published | 8.0 ± 0.2 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Paddletek Tempest Veyra Elongated | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | not published | 7.5–8.0 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Selkirk SLK Evo Control XL | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.4 x 7.4 in | 4.25 in | 7.6-8.1 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 03/24/2024) |
| Selkirk SLK Halo Power XL | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.4 x 7.4 in | 4.25 in | 7.7-8.0 oz | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Six Zero Coral 16mm Elongated | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.3-7.5 in | 4.0-4.13 in | 8.0-8.3 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 11/07/2025) |
| Six Zero Coral Pro 16mm Elongated | 5.75 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.3-7.5 in | 4.0-4.13 in | 8.0-8.3 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| RoyViVa T700 Raw Carbon EPP Foam 16mm | 5.7 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.17 in | 8.11±0.18 oz | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| VAN WIN T700SC Elongated 16mm | 5.7 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | not published | not published | We found no matching entry on the USA Pickleball list on 2026-11-08 |
| Franklin Sports C45 Carbon Fiber Dynasty Pro 16mm | 5.6 in | elongated, 16.4 x 7.6 in | 4.3 in | 7.6 - 8.0 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 04/17/2025) |
| Franklin Sports FS Tour Series Dynasty Pro 14mm | 5.6 in | shape not published | 4.3 in | 8 - 8.4 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 10/26/2023) |
| Franklin Sports Signature Series Pro 13mm | 5.6 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.25 in | 7.5 - 8 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 03/02/2022) |
| Franklin Sports Signature Series Pro 16mm | 5.6 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.5 in | 7.9 - 8.3 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 03/02/2022) |
| Selkirk Boomstik ST Widebody | 5.6 in | widebody, 15.95 x 8 in | 4.25 in | 8.0-8.2 oz | The maker registers several similar models; check the exact model on the official list |
| Selkirk OMNI Widebody | 5.6 in | widebody, 15.95 x 8 in | 4.25 in | 7.9-8.2 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 04/15/2026) |
| Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik Widebody | 5.6 in | widebody, 15.95 x 8 in | 4.25 in | 8.0 - 8.4 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Selkirk SLK ERA Power Widebody | 5.6 in | widebody, 15.95 x 8.0 in | 4.25 in | 8.0-8.3 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Selkirk SLK Geo Widebody | 5.6 in | widebody, 15.95 x 8 in | 4.25 in | 7.8-8.1 oz | On the USA Pickleball approved list (added 10/29/2025) |
| Volair CMD EL Pickleball Paddle 16mm | 5.6 in | elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 4.125 in | 7.8 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
| Volair CMD HYB 16mm (Dylan Frazier) | 5.6 in | hybrid, 16.25 x 7.75 in | 4.125 in | 7.85 oz | Not yet checked against the list |
Do tennis players need an elongated paddle?
No, and experienced converts say so. In the same thread, a player who came from tennis described being "surprised how well I adjusted to hybrid or wide body paddles" and preferring the quick maneuverability of a shorter, wider face because they spend as much time at the kitchen as they can. That is one player's experience, not a rule, but it matches what the specs suggest.
An elongated paddle (around 16.5 x 7.5 in) adds reach and moves the sweet spot away from your hand, which suits players who drive from the baseline and serve hard. A widebody (around 16 x 8 in or shorter and wider) gives a bigger, more stable face for hand battles. A hybrid sits between. Lists of the best pickleball paddles for tennis players tend to fill up with elongated shapes, but if your tennis game was built at the net, a hybrid or widebody may suit you better.
Also don't just assume that you need an elongated paddle because you're a tennis player.
— r/Pickleball user, "How did you choose your paddles?" thread (1ggpxrv)
Grip size: don't reuse your tennis number
Grip circumference is measured differently from handle length, and the paddles in our table run from about 4.0 in to 4.5 in. Selkirk's sizing guide, which we use for the method only, describes the tennis index-finger test as a misconception for pickleball. Its ruler test measures from the middle crease of your palm to the tip of your ring finger; that length, usually between 4 and 5 in, is your grip circumference.
Selkirk also gives a height fallback: under 5'3" suggests 4 in, 5'3" to 5'8" suggests 4.25 in, and over 5'8" suggests 4.5 in. If you are between sizes, the smaller grip is easier to fix, because an overgrip adds circumference and nothing removes it. Our grip size tool runs the same calculation from your measurement.
Power, control or all-court for a tennis swing?
Tennis players already generate pace, so many lean toward control or all-court paddles that tame it, but the advice is not one-sided. Makers in our catalogue label paddles by intent: 11SIX24 calls the Hurache-X Power 2 a power paddle, Selkirk labels the Halo Power XL its power version, and JOOLA doesn't label the Perseus Pro IV at all.
Core thickness is the published spec most often linked to that feel. As a general rule, a thicker core (16 mm) gives a softer, more controlled response and a thinner core (13 to 14 mm) a livelier one; our 14mm vs 16mm guide explains why. Four of our five picks have 16 mm cores for that reason; the Halo Power XL is the 13 mm exception for players who want more pop.
Players disagree here as everywhere. One reply in the 1ggpxrv thread recommends "an all-court paddle over a control one" because control paddles make you work harder against strong players. Treat labels as a starting point and the core thickness as the spec to compare.
A short path from tennis racket to paddle
If you want a quick decision rather than the whole table, these steps narrow the best pickleball paddles for tennis players down to a sensible first paddle.
- Decide on handle length from your backhand: 5.5 in for an occasional two-hander, 5.6 in or more if it is your main stroke.
- Pick a shape from where you like to play: elongated if you win points from the back, hybrid or widebody if you win them at the net.
- Measure your grip with the ruler test rather than copying your tennis grip size.
- Check the exact model in our USA Pickleball approved paddles lookup if you plan to play sanctioned events.
- Run the paddle finder below with the tennis option on; it filters for longer handles and explains each match.
Questions people ask
- What handle length do I need for a two-handed backhand?
- Most players look for 5.5 in or longer. Paddles at 5.6 in and up, such as Franklin's Signature Pro and C45, Selkirk's Halo Power XL and the 6 in 11SIX24 Hurache-X Power 2, leave the most room for a second hand.
- Is an elongated paddle better for tennis players?
- Not necessarily. Elongated faces add reach for drives and serves, but tennis converts who play at the net often prefer hybrid or widebody shapes. Handle length matters more for a two-handed backhand than face shape.
- Can I use my tennis grip size for a pickleball paddle?
- It's better not to. Selkirk describes the tennis index-finger test as a misconception and measures from the middle palm crease to the ring fingertip instead. Paddle grips in our table run from about 4.0 to 4.5 in.
- Should a tennis player start with a cheap paddle?
- Many experienced players say no: one r/Pickleball reply advises athletes from other racket sports not to waste money on a starter set. A budget long-handle paddle like the Franklin Signature Pro 16mm is a reasonable middle ground.
- Why do tennis players hit the ball long in pickleball?
- The court is much shorter, the ball is lighter and a full tennis backswing produces more pace than the space allows. A compact swing fixes most of it; a thicker-core paddle can soften the response while you adjust.
Sources & further reading
- USA Pickleball Equipment Standards Manual, Rev 3.0 (Jan 2025)
- USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List (read 2026-11-08)
- 11SIX24 Hurache-X Power 2: 11SIX24 product page (read 2026-11-08)
- JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm: Amazon listing (manufacturer/seller-supplied text) (read 2026-11-08)
- Selkirk SLK Halo Power XL: Amazon listing (manufacturer/seller-supplied text) (read 2026-11-08)
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean 2: 11SIX24 product page (read 2026-11-08)
- Franklin Sports Signature Series Pro 16mm: Amazon listing (manufacturer/seller-supplied text) (read 2026-11-08)
- Selkirk: How do I know my pickleball grip size (method only, read 2026-11-08)
- r/Pickleball: How did you choose your paddles? (player opinions)
Read next
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- Pickleball Paddle Grip Size
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- Best Paddles for Intermediate Players
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- How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle
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Part of Best Pickleball Paddles. Back to the Pickle & Spin home page.
Sukie Gao · Founder & Editor
Sukie Gao is the founder and editor of Pickle & Spin. She builds the site's paddle catalogue from manufacturer spec sheets and the official USA Pickleball approved-paddle list, and writes the buying guides. Pickle & Spin does not lab-test paddles; every number on the site links to the place it came from.
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