Buying your first pickleball paddle in the Philippines is harder than it should be. You can walk into a store or scroll Shopee and see hundreds of paddles with confusing names, claims about carbon fiber and foam, and prices from ₱500 to over ₱20,000. A beginner does not need most of that. What a beginner needs is a paddle that is forgiving, easy to control and not so expensive that you hesitate to play.
This guide compares five beginner-friendly paddles sold in the Philippines through PickleballPH, an official local retailer, with peso prices from ₱2,990 to ₱5,880. It is a research guide based on the manufacturer specifications and listings, not a hands-on test, and I will point out where a number is the brand’s own claim.
What a beginner paddle needs
Before the paddles, it helps to know what actually matters when you are starting out. Skip the marketing words and look at four things:
- Weight. Mid-weight paddles, around 7.8 to 8.1 ounces, are easier to control than very light ones, and less tiring than heavy ones.
- Sweet spot. A bigger sweet spot, usually from a wider or more rounded shape, forgives mishits, which beginners hit a lot.
- Core thickness. Thicker cores (14 to 16mm) give a softer feel and more control. Thinner ones (10 to 13mm) are cheaper and pop more.
- Surface. A textured face helps you put spin on the ball, and a sandblasted or gritty finish is a good start.
What you do not need is the most expensive paddle in the store. Pro-level paddles cost ₱12,000 or more, and a beginner will not be able to feel the difference in the first few months. Your money is better spent on a good beginner paddle, a couple of overgrips and a pair of court shoes.
| Paddle | Core | Weight | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOOLA Essential Dash | 10mm | 7.8 oz | ₱2,990 |
| JOOLA Agassi Champion SS25 12mm | 12mm | 7.8 oz | ₱3,680 |
| JOOLA Perseus Astral | 14mm | 7.8 oz | ₱4,790 |
| SELKIRK SLK Valkyrie Widebody | 16mm | 7.9–8.1 oz | ₱4,980 |
| JOOLA Agassi Edge SS25 16mm | 16mm | 7.8 oz | ₱5,880 |
Prices are the peso prices listed at PickleballPH at the time of writing. Several of these showed as sold out when I checked, so confirm stock before you plan around a specific paddle.
JOOLA Essential Dash: the cheapest way in
The JOOLA Essential Dash, listed at ₱2,990, is the cheapest paddle here and the one I would suggest if you are not yet sure whether you will stick with the game. It has a 10mm core, a sandblasted fiberglass face and an average weight of 7.8 ounces. JOOLA describes it as lightweight and aimed at players who are new to the game.
The paddle measures 15.5 by 7.9 inches with a 4.75-inch grip, so it is a shorter, wider shape, and the wider face helps with mishits. It uses JOOLA’s Cool Press construction for durability, and the sandblasted surface adds grit for spin. It comes in pink, blue or green accents.
The trade-off is the thin 10mm core. Thin cores are livelier and less forgiving of power than thicker ones, so you may find it harder to keep the ball under control as your swing gets faster. For a first paddle at this price, that is a fair compromise.
JOOLA Agassi Champion 12mm: the easy-to-use recreational pick
At ₱3,680, the JOOLA Agassi Champion 12mm is the paddle that JOOLA positions most clearly for people who are learning the game. It is in the brand’s recreational class, with a 12mm core, a sandblasted surface and an average weight of 7.8 ounces. The paddle is 16.5 by 7.5 inches, with a 5.5-inch grip that leaves room for a two-handed backhand.
The listing says the Agassi shape extends the sweet spot into the upper edge and bottom corners, which makes it more forgiving for new players. It is USAP PBCoR 43 certified, so it is legal for sanctioned play, and it uses JOOLA’s Feel-Tec Pure Grip, which is designed to feel sticky and absorb shock.
This paddle suits players who want a step up from the entry-level without spending a lot. It is easy to maneuver, it has spin potential from the textured face, and it does not ask you to do much to get good results.
JOOLA Perseus Astral: a carbon fiber paddle at a beginner price
The JOOLA Perseus Astral, at ₱4,790, is a step up in materials. It uses a sandblasted carbon fiber surface over a 14mm core, with an average weight of 7.8 ounces. JOOLA calls it a reliable, easy-to-handle option for beginners and recreational players.
The shape is elongated, at 16.5 by 7.5 inches with a 5.5-inch grip, which gives you extra reach on shots at the cost of a slightly smaller sweet spot than a widebody. The listing says the carbon fiber surface gives clean contact and predictable ball control, and it comes with a blue Feel-Tec Pure Grip and a white edge guard.
If you want a paddle that you will not outgrow quickly, this is a good choice. A 14mm core is a good middle ground between control and power, and carbon fiber is the same kind of surface used on much more expensive paddles.
SELKIRK SLK Valkyrie Widebody: the most forgiving shape
The SELKIRK SLK Valkyrie Widebody, at ₱4,980, has the largest sweet spot on this list. Selkirk lists the shape at about 15.95 by 8 inches, with a 5.6-inch handle and a skill level of beginner to intermediate. The wide face is designed to give more stability and a more consistent feel on off-center hits.
It uses a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core and a Fiberflex fiberglass face with a ProSpin+ NextGen micro-texture for spin, and the listing gives an average weight of 7.9 to 8.1 ounces, a swing weight of 110 and a twist weight of 7. It also comes with a one-year U.S. warranty,.
Of the five paddles here, it is the one I would pick for a player who wants the safest, most forgiving option. It was also the only paddle on this list showing as in stock when I checked.
JOOLA Agassi Edge 16mm: for beginners who learn fast
The JOOLA Agassi Edge 16mm, at ₱5,880, is the most expensive paddle here and the most advanced. It sits in JOOLA’s performance class, with a 16mm honeycomb core bonded to a carbon friction surface, an average weight of 7.8 ounces and the same 16.5 by 7.5 inch shape as the Champion. It is certified by UPA-A and USAP PBCoR 43.
JOOLA says the bonded core lets you flow between power and a delicate touch, and the Agassi shape keeps the sweet spot extended. This is the paddle for someone who picks up the game quickly and wants something that will last through the intermediate stage. If you are the type to play several times a week from the start, the extra money is worth it.
Core thickness explained
Core thickness is the number most beginners ignore, and it shapes how a paddle feels more than almost anything else on the spec sheet. A thin core, like the 10mm Dash, gives the ball a more direct, snappy response. It is easy to get power from, but it is harder to slow the ball down, and shots can jump off the face when you are not expecting it.
A thick core, like the 16mm Valkyrie and Agassi Edge, absorbs more of the ball energy and gives a softer, more controlled feel. That is why many players and retailers suggest a thicker core for learners: it is easier to dink, drop and block, which are the shots that win most points at the beginner level. The 12mm and 14mm paddles sit in between.
Mistakes beginners make when buying a paddle
- Buying the most expensive paddle. A pro-level paddle will not fix your technique, and the sweet spot is smaller on many of them.
- Buying the lightest paddle. Very light paddles can twist on contact, so a mid-weight is usually easier to control.
- Ignoring the grip size. A handle that is too big or too small causes wrist strain, so check the grip circumference.
- Buying from an unknown seller. Fakes are common online, so go through official stores.
- Never trying it first. If a local shop or club lets you demo a paddle, use that chance.
Your first week with a new paddle
Spend your first sessions on the basics, not on power. Hit a lot of soft shots at the net, practice dinks cross-court, and work on keeping the ball low. A new paddle also has a different feel from what you may be used to, so give yourself a few sessions before you decide whether it suits you. Add an overgrip if the stock grip feels too slick or too thin, because that is a cheap fix for a common complaint.
Where the Enflexy paddles fit
If your budget stretches, I have also reviewed two paddles from Enflexy, a newer brand that sells foam-core paddles at lower prices than the big names. The Mjolnir is a poppy foam-core paddle that rewards a controlled swing, and the Noir is the one I like the most because it gives me power and control together. Both are better suited to a player who has been playing for a few months than to someone on their first day, but they are worth keeping in mind.
Avoiding fakes
Counterfeit JOOLA and CRBN paddles are circulating on Shopee, and a fake will play badly and may not be legal for tournament play. Buy from Shopee Mall, LazMall or Preferred Sellers, or directly from an official retailer. Check for the NFC chip on JOOLA paddles, which lets you authenticate it with your phone, and be careful of any price far below the official one.
How to choose between them
- Tight budget, still testing the game: JOOLA Essential Dash.
- Want a safe all-round starter: JOOLA Agassi Champion 12mm.
- Want carbon fiber and longevity: JOOLA Perseus Astral.
- Want the biggest sweet spot: SELKIRK SLK Valkyrie Widebody.
- Learn fast and want to grow into it: JOOLA Agassi Edge 16mm.
What to buy alongside your paddle
A paddle is only part of what you need. A pair of court shoes comes first, because running shoes are a common cause of ankle rolls. After that, buy a few overgrips, a paddle cover and a couple of balls. If you want to read more, my guides to the best pickleball shoes and the best pickleball balls cover the other essentials.
My picks
- Best budget: JOOLA Essential Dash (₱2,990).
- Best overall for beginners: JOOLA Agassi Champion 12mm (₱3,680).
- Best for growth: JOOLA Perseus Astral (₱4,790).
- Most forgiving: SELKIRK SLK Valkyrie Widebody (₱4,980).
- Best if you learn fast: JOOLA Agassi Edge 16mm (₱5,880).
Whatever you choose, play with it a few times before you decide if it is right. A paddle that feels comfortable in your hand and keeps the ball in the court is the right paddle, whatever the price.
