Paddle Finder
Answer four quick questions and you will have a much shorter paddle list. You do not need to know every material, core, or marketing term. Start with what you want the paddle to help you do.
1. What do you want more of?
More forgiveness and steadier defense
Start with a widebody shape. The larger face gives you a bigger sweet spot and usually feels quicker in hand at the kitchen.
- Pursuit Pro1 Widebody: strong value, fast hands, good power and forgiveness
- X2 Widebody: premium foam construction, high stability, power, and spin
More reach and attacking power
Start with an elongated shape. It gives you extra reach and more room for a two-handed backhand. The face is narrower, so it usually asks for cleaner contact.
- Pursuit Pro1 Elongated: power, reach, spin, and a long 5.875-inch handle
- X2 Elongated: premium power and spin with a 16mm foam core
- JOOLA Graf Pro V: extended reach, a connected feel, and a smaller grip for players who prefer a narrower handle
A balanced all-court feel
Look for enough pop to finish a point, with a predictable response on drops and resets.
- Engage Alpha: control and spin first, with 14mm and 16mm options
- Engage Aero: elongated reach, a 16mm core, and a design built for feel, spin, and quieter play
2. Which shape sounds right?
| Shape | Usually feels like | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Widebody | Quicker, steadier, and more forgiving | Newer players, doubles, fast kitchen exchanges, defense |
| Elongated | More reach, leverage, and room for two hands | Tennis backgrounds, drives, singles, two-handed backhands |
3. How lively do you want the paddle to feel?
- About 12.7mm to 14mm: quicker response and more pop. Good for players who want help generating pace.
- 16mm: a softer, more settled response with more time on the ball. Good for resets, drops, and players who already create their own pace.
Core thickness is a useful shortcut, but the full construction still matters. Two 16mm paddles can feel very different.
4. What is your budget?
- Under $150: Pursuit Pro1 Widebody, Pursuit Pro1 Elongated, and Aero
- $150 to $200: Alpha and Alpha Pro models
- Over $200: X2 Widebody, X2 Elongated, and JOOLA Graf Pro V
Fast answers for common players
- I am buying my first serious paddle: Alpha 16mm or Pursuit Pro1 Widebody
- I came from tennis: Graf Pro V, Pursuit Pro1 Elongated, or X2 Elongated
- I want easier resets and blocks: Pursuit Pro1 Widebody or X2 Widebody
- I want heavier drives and serves: Pursuit Pro1 Elongated or X2 Elongated
- I use a two-handed backhand: look first at the Pursuit Pro1 Elongated's 5.875-inch handle
- I care about arm comfort: start with 16mm paddles and models that call out vibration control, then pay attention to total weight and balance
Still between two paddles?
Send us your current paddle, the shots you like, and the one thing you want to improve. We will help you narrow it down without turning it into a science project.
Ask Walt's for paddle help or see the full paddle comparison chart.