Best Pickleball Paddles Under $100

There’s a common belief in pickleball that you “need” to spend $200+ to get a competitive paddle. We don’t think that’s true for most players, and we’ve spent the last six months proving it. We tested 23 paddles priced under $100 — the seven below are the ones worth your money.

Quick verdict

What you give up at the under-$100 price point

Before we get into the picks: be honest with yourself about the trade-offs.

• Face longevity. Premium carbon-fiber faces (T700 with proper hot-pressing) hold their grit for 12+ months. Sub-$100 paddles typically lose meaningful spin after 6-9 months of regular play. Plan to replace yearly.
• Edge-case build quality. $200+ paddles have tighter quality control. You won’t get unusual weight variance, paddle-to-paddle differences, or edge guard wobbles. Sub-$100 paddles have these issues at a higher rate (we saw ~6% defect rate in our 2026 testing of budget paddles).
• Slightly worse top-end performance. Spin RPM, exit velocity, and sweet spot consistency are all marginally lower than the premium tier. For most rec players, this is invisible. For tournament players, it’s a real ceiling.

What you don’t give up: the actual ability to play the game well. A $90 paddle can absolutely take a 3.5 player to 4.0. Equipment is not what’s stopping most people from leveling up.

#1 — Friday Original ($89)

The clear winner. We’ve written a full review — short version: 1,840 RPM (top quartile in our entire 83-paddle field), competitive build quality, DTC pricing means you’re paying for the paddle, not the retail markup. Sweet spot is the downside — 13mm core means less forgiveness on off-center hits.

Best for: intermediate players (3.0-4.0) who lean spin-heavy. Not for: new players who need a big sweet spot.

#2 — Selkirk SLK Evo Control Max ($99)

Our full review here. The most forgiving sweet spot in the entire test field (64% of face area). Selkirk’s brand backing and customer service make this the safest first-paddle pick for anyone committing to the sport.

Best for: true beginners (2.5-3.0). Not for: anyone who wants spin or power as a priority.

#3 — JOOLA Essentials Pro 16mm ($95)

JOOLA’s entry-level offering with a real polypropylene core and proper carbon-friction face material (the same family of face as their premium Perseus). Sweet spot is 58% — between the Friday and the SLK. Build quality is excellent for the price.

Best for: intermediate players who want a JOOLA-family paddle without committing $200+. Not for: anyone who specifically needs the 13mm pop.

#4 — Franklin Signature Pro ($79)

The most-widely-available pick. You can find Franklins at DICK’S Sporting Goods, Target, and most local sporting goods stores. Performance is solid (7.3 Lab rating) and at $79 it’s the cheapest paddle we’d recommend without caveats. Sweet spot ~56%.

Best for: “I need a paddle today” buyers, or someone who wants to start playing this weekend. Not for: maximum performance-per-dollar — Friday and SLK beat it.

#5 — Honolulu JT2Ti ($89)

The dark horse. Honolulu is a smaller brand, but the JT2Ti measures up well: 1,710 RPM, 50 mph exit velocity, surprisingly tight build. The 13mm core gives it more pop than the SLK or Franklin, similar to the Friday but with a slightly less crisp feel.

Best for: power-leaning players who want a budget alternative. Not for: anyone who needs widespread retail availability or strong warranty support.

#6 — Engage Encore Pro EX (older gen, $95)

Engage discontinued the original Encore Pro EX in 2025; you can still find new old stock and clearance pricing on the previous-gen version for $95 or less. At that price, it’s an excellent buy. 14mm core (rare middle ground), forgiving, all-around. The newer model is $200+.

Best for: old-stock hunters. Not for: anyone who needs current-warranty support.

#7 — CRBN 1X (older gen, $99)

Same story as Engage — CRBN’s older 1X model can be found new for under $100 on clearance. CRBN’s brand strength and the actual T700 carbon face make this a steal at the discounted price.

Best for: brand-aware buyers wanting CRBN feel for less. Not for: if you can’t actually find one — current stock is patchy.

What to look for in a budget paddle

Are cheap paddles worth it?

For 80% of pickleball players, yes. The trade-offs at this price are real but small. The trade-offs in your game — which come from technique, footwork, and decision-making — are much larger than what equipment can solve.

If you play more than 4 days a week, or you’re at 4.0+ DUPR and tournament-focused, upgrade to the premium tier. For everyone else, save the $100-150 and put it into a lesson or court time.

Bottom line

The Friday Original ($89) is our overall pick. It punches above its price and feels like a premium paddle when you play it. The Selkirk SLK Evo Control Max ($99) is our beginner pick, where the priority is forgiveness rather than peak performance.

Save the money you would have spent on a $200 paddle. Take a lesson. Buy a coach’s time. The investment that levels up your game most isn’t the paddle — it’s the technique.

Read next: the best paddles of 2026 overall or the paddle buyer’s guide.