Most pickleball paddles still look pretty similar. Black carbon fiber. Dark graphics. Serious branding. But summer is the perfect excuse for brands to loosen up and get creative. From popsicles and peaches to flamingos and patriotic graphics, these are our favorite pickleball paddles bringing summer vibes to the courts in 2026. Final thoughts Most paddle […]
When Breygan and Kasen Holbrook started Holbrook Pickleball from a small college apartment in Northern Utah, they weren’t trying to build just another paddle company. They were trying to build a brand for a specific type of player. The player who loves to compete. The player who is always looking to improve. The player who […]
A few weeks ago, we asked The Kitchen Facebook Group (which has more than 190,000 members) one simple question: “What is your favorite pickleball paddle right now?” The response was massive. Across three community polls and hundreds of comments, a clear group of paddles separated themselves from the pack. We compiled the full results into this […]
We recently asked members of The Kitchen Facebook Group one simple question: “What’s your favorite pickleball paddle right now?” The response was massive. Across three community polls and hundreds of comments from rec players, 5.0 tournament grinders, coaches and gear junkies, a clear group of paddles separated themselves from the pack. And one thing became obvious: […]
Every year in the spring, seemingly every pickleball paddle brand under the sun comes out with new models. This year was no different, with a flood of new releases in February, March and April that have shaken up the market and put new brands on the map as serious contenders in the “best paddle” discussion. […]
Over the past few years there has been a lot of movement in the cost of pickleball paddles as different brands try to identify the sweet spot between performance and price. Many companies have come out with mid-to-high tier options in the $180-$200 range, while most top-tier paddles still hover between $250-$300 (or more). If […]
Over the years several pickleball paddle companies have made “signature” paddles for their top pros. I recently spent several weeks playing and practicing with the latest signature paddles that were designed in conjunction with some of the best women’s pro players. I’m not a pro and I’m not very close, but I’m always trying to […]
While the game has trended toward power in recent years, we still think there’s room for the grinders out there – the players who love a long dinking rally and prioritize shot placement to keep their opponents off balance. If that describes your game, we think you’ll love one of these control-oriented paddles. Below you’ll […]
If you’ve just played pickleball for the first few times and are looking to start playing more regularly, you’re going to need a better paddle than whatever cheapo option you found at Target or Walmart or Amazon. We know you don’t think you need something fancy, but just trust us on this. Most new players […]
If you’re looking to dive into pickleball without overspending, we’ve got a few recommendations for you, featuring paddles that combine value with performance. Since everybody’s definition of “value” is a little different, we’re considering paddles under $150 for this guide. In many cases, using code “KITCHEN” at checkout will get you an added discount — using […]
