Graphite Vs Composite Pickleball Paddles – Know the Differences

Are you looking to compare graphite vs composite Pickleball paddles?

As the names suggest – one pickleball paddle is made solely from graphite and the other is a composite of different materials.

Which is better: graphite paddles or composite paddles?  That’s like asking…which is better – an apple or an orange?

Both the composite and graphite paddle have their own qualities.  For instance, graphite paddles tend to be lighter than composite paddles. We will go into detail about these qualities of these pickleball paddles and which may suit your needs better.

Pickleball is a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity, not just across the United States but across the world.  If you are planning to get into the sport, be assured that knowing and choosing the right pickleball paddle is the first step towards a successful playing experience.

Here are the major differences between composite and graphite pickleball paddles…

 

composite vs graphite pickleball paddles

Composite vs. Graphite Pickleball Paddles – Our Comparison

Although a first look at the graphite and composite Pickleball paddles will make them seem similar, don’t be surprised when you hold them and play with them that you see stark differences.

They do come with a range of differences, not just in terms of the construction and the playing experience but also the accessory features.

Varying costs of pickleball paddles

If you are a beginner who doesn’t want to invest a lot of money at the beginning on Pickleball equipment, we’d recommend going for a composite paddle instead of a graphite pickleball paddle.  A composite paddle can easily cost under $50, which is considerably cheaper than graphite pickleball paddles.

As the names suggest – one pickleball paddle is made solely from graphite and the other is a composite of different materials.

Which is better: graphite paddles or composite paddles?  That’s like asking…which is better – an apple or an orange?

Both the composite and graphite paddle have their own qualities.  For instance, graphite paddles tend to be lighter than composite paddles. We will go into detail about these qualities of these pickleball paddles and which may suit your needs better.

Pickleball is a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity, not just across the United States but across the world.  If you are planning to get into the sport, be assured that knowing and choosing the right pickleball paddle is the first step towards a successful playing experience.

Here are the major differences between composite and graphite pickleball paddles…

pickleball

Material of pickleball paddles

You probably understand that a composite and graphite paddle do come with a lot of differences when it comes to the material.  Here’s a quick comparison of the two…

Composite paddle

Composite itself is not one material like graphite. Instead, composite Pickleball paddle is made with a combination of materials.

In other words, a composite paddle is made with a hybrid of different materials.  Composite Pickleball paddle is constructed with a mesh and molding construction that offers the paddle more structure and girth.

In terms of paddle core, the composite paddle is typically made with materials like polymer, aluminum or Nomex.

The combination of all these materials contributes to the durability, high-end quality, shape and texture of the composite paddle. It also leaves the composite pickleball paddle with a foam-like body that is easier and more ergonomic to play with.

Graphite paddle

As the name suggests, graphite is a single material construction.

This is one of the reasons why a graphite paddle is more expensive compared to composite paddle.  However, one similarity between both the graphite and composite pickleball paddle is the paddle core, which is made with similar components of aluminum, Nomex or polymer.

It is just the surface material that differs in both the graphite and composite pickleball paddles.

The graphite paddle is comparatively a lighter paddle and a lot easier to play with than the composite pickleball paddle.

 

pickleball

Weight of pickleball paddles

Moving ahead to the weight of these two pickleball paddles, we can vouch for the graphite paddle to be a lighter paddle. The graphite paddles can be about one or more ounces lighter than the composite ones.  This difference in the paddle weight is primarily due to the construction and the build of the graphite paddle.

Generally, the graphite paddles weigh around 7.5 oz while the composite paddles can weigh somewhere around 8.0 oz.  So, if you are buying one for professional tournaments, we’d recommend sticking to the graphite paddles. These types of tournaments require lighter paddles.

The graphite paddles also feature a staple honeycomb paddle core design which further contributes to durability and comfort. The touch and feel of graphite paddles contribute to a comfortable hit back to the opponent.

Durability of pickleball paddles

Last on the list of comparisons between graphite vs composite Pickleball paddles is durability.

Generally, if you had to choose a pickleball paddle for its overall durability, composite paddles are probably is better.

Pros and Cons – Composite vs. Graphite paddles

With the basic description and comparisons out of the way, let’s focus on the individual pros and cons of composite and graphite paddles.

Composite Pickleball Paddles

Pros of Composite pickleball paddles

  • Has a sleek and modern design and construction
  • If you like to add spin to your shot, this is your best bet
  • If you are into aggressive shots, this is great
  • They have a wide body and blade shape
  • They have a textured surface
  • Provides accurate baseline power to the shot

Cons of composite pickleball paddles

  • Doesn’t provide accurate dink shots
  • Soft control shots aren’t that great with composite paddles

Graphite Pickleball Paddles

Pros of graphite pickleball paddles

  • They have a light and rigid construction
  • Has a more textured surface
  • Ideal for playing in the kitchen zone
  • Ideal for dink shots and more control shots

Cons of pickleball paddles

  • Very lightweight and not ideal for aggressive hits
  • Generally more expensive than composite

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Conclusion

Because there are various types of pickleball paddles, it may be difficult to choose the right one for you. If you are still confused between graphite vs composite Pickleball paddles, we’d recommend starting the journey with composite paddles.

Even though graphite material results in a lighter paddle, composite paddles are more durable and support a variety of shots.  Composite paddles are also ideal for beginners. We’d recommend sticking to quality brands of pickleball paddles that have a good name. It’s important that you do your research and then buy the best pickleball paddle you can afford.