The best pickleball paddles to help ease pain from tennis elbow
Last Edited
May 09 2025
Category
Gear
Even though pickleball paddles are lighter and generally easier to swing than tennis rackets, tennis elbow is still a common injury for pickleball players of all skill levels.
If you're experiencing elbow discomfort while playing pickleball, it might be time to consider switching to a different paddle. Even a minor change in the swingweight (a measurement that indicates how easy a paddle is to swing) or general feel of the paddle when making contact with the ball can make a big difference in easing elbow pain.
There are even some paddles designed specifically to combat tennis elbow.
In this article we'll go over some of the best pickleball paddles to help get rid of pain from tennis elbow.
What is tennis elbow?
According to the Mayo Clinic, tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that can result from overuse of the muscles and tendons in the elbow. Tennis elbow is often linked to repeated motions of the wrist and arm.
Despite its name, most people who get tennis elbow don't play tennis. Some people have jobs that involve repeated movements that can lead to tennis elbow, such as plumbers, painters, carpenters and butchers. And pickleball players.
The pain of tennis elbow occurs mainly where the tough, cord-like tissues of the forearm muscles attach to a bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Pain can spread into the forearm and wrist.
Pain and weakness can make it hard to:
Shake hands or grip an object.
Turn a doorknob.
Hold a coffee cup.
Tennis elbow treatment
Tennis elbow often gets better on its own, according to the Mayo Clinic. But if pain medicines and other self-care measures aren't helping, physical therapy might be the next step. A procedure, such as a shot or surgery, might help tennis elbow that doesn't heal with other treatments.
If symptoms are related to tennis, pickleball or job tasks, an expert might look at how you play those sports or do job tasks or check your equipment. This is to find the best ways to reduce stress on injured tissue.
A physical, occupational or hand therapist can teach exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons in the forearm. A forearm strap or brace might reduce stress on the injured tissue.
But before getting the doctors involved, the solution could be as simple as switching to a different paddle.
The best pickleball paddles to help with tennis elbow
1. JOOLA Collin Johns Scorpeus 3S
The new Pro IV series paddles from JOOLA feature added foam inserted near the bottom corners/throat area of the paddle, which helps with vibration dampening and makes the paddle feel more plush on contact. The 16mm core and wide-body shape of the Collin Johns model makes it more control focused than the other Pro IV shapes, but there's still good power when you need it.
Specs
Weight: 8.2 ounces
Swingweight: 112 (low)
Handle length: 5.25 inches
Paddle length: 16 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Paddle surface: Carbon Friction Surface
Core: Propulsion + Tech Flex Power
Core thickness: 16mm
2. Proton Series One Type A Square 15mm
Proton made a huge splash in 2024 with its Series One line of paddles, which feature a unique NanoTac face that grips the ball similar to a ping-pong paddle and produces top-tier spin. The 15mm core and standard shape of the Series One Type A make it a great option for players with tennis elbow because it has a plush feel and it can generate good spin without having to add a lot of wrist action, which can be a cause of tennis elbow in the first place.
Specs
Weight: 8.0 ounces
Swingweight: 118 (medium)
Handle length: 5.25 inches
Paddle length: 15.75 inches
Paddle width: 8.25 inches
Paddle face: NanoTac, Aerospace Grade carbon fiber
Core material: Proton polypropylene honeycomb
Core thickness: 15mm
3. ProKennex Black Ace 16
The 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core of the ProKennex Kinetic Black Ace 16 absorbs impact and offers an expanded sweet spot. The core also features Kinetic Technology that extends into the handle to eat up vibrations, create a soft feel and limit fatigue. It also has a very low swingweight, making it a very easy paddle to swing.
Specs
Weight: 7.9 ounces
Swingweight: 105 (very low)
Handle length: 5.3 inches
Paddle length: 16 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Paddle face: Toray Carbon Fiber (Carbon Fire)
Core material: Polypropylene honeycomb
Core thickness: 16mm
4. JOOLA Agassi Pro
The new JOOLA Agassi Pro is a great option for players with tennis elbow who still want to retain high-end power. It has a slightly softer feel than the Pro IV series paddles and the curved top edge of the paddle makes it easier to swing through the air. It's also a more familiar shape for players coming over from tennis.
Specs
Weight: 8.1 ounces
Swingweight: 117 (medium)
Handle length: 5.5 inches
Paddle length: 16.5 inches
Paddle width: 7.5 inches
Paddle face: Textured Carbon Fiber
Core material: Honeycomb Propulsion, Hyper-Foam Edge Wall
Core thickness: 16mm
5. ONIX Malice DB Open Throat Max Control
This paddle from ONIX features rubber inserts just below the hitting surface, which help reduce vibration while increasing power. The open throat design of this paddle also allows it to flex upon impact with the ball, which eases stress on the wrist and elbow.
Specs
Weight: 8 ounces
Swingweight: 103 (very low)
Handle length: 5 inches
Paddle length: 16 inches
Paddle width: 8 inches
Paddle face: Carbon Fiber
Core material: Polypropylene Honeycomb
Core thickness: 16mm
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