Your Pickleball paddle surface is crucial, but should you choose carbon fiber, fiberglass or a graphite paddle? I’ve purchased 25-50 pickleball paddles this year with each of the different surfaces, so I understand the differences.
Here’s what we are going to cover:
- My favorite paddle surface
- Carbon Fiber vs Graphite vs Fiberglass comparsion table and details
- Specific example reviews from different paddles types: Onyx z5 Graphite pickleball paddle, Niupipo Fiberglass pickleball paddle and Vatic Pro Prism Flash Carbon Fiber paddle.
- Cost considerations
- Alternative
1. What’s my favorite paddle surface?
Carbon fiber is hands down my favorite pickleball paddle surface.
The paddles provide a noticable difference in both control and spin. The paddle also provide profound power although potentially less than a premium fiberglass paddle.
Here’s a picture of a few of my favorite carbon fiber paddles.
Unfortunately, most of my favorite carbon fiber paddles are around $200, but I actually just found an amazing paddle that is under $50 on Amazon, which is currently my top budget pickleball paddle.
I wrote an entire review on that paddle here.
If your budget is slightly higher, you may want to check out the best pickleball paddles under $100.
That said, let’s look at a comparison table of the various face materials.
2. Comparison Table
| Material | Key Feature | Power | Control | Durability | Spin | Weight |
| Carbon Fiber | Precision & Finesse | Medium | High | High | High | Lightweight |
| Fiberglass | Power & Versatility | High | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium to heavy |
| Graphite | Lightweight control | Medium | Medium-High | High | Low-Medium | Ultra-lightweight |
Here’s a longer breakdown for carbon fiber, graphite, and fiberglass.
1. Carbon Fiber
- Performance: Known for exceptional control and precision. Carbon fiber paddles allow players to feel the ball more on the paddle face, which is ideal for dinking and finesse shots.
- Durability: Highly durable and resistant to wear, making it a premium option.
- Spin: Provides a textured surface for generating spin.
- Weight: Generally lightweight but with a slightly stiffer feel.
- Best for: Players who prioritize control, accuracy, and finesse over raw power.
2. Fiberglass (Composite)
- Performance: Offers more power compared to carbon fiber. The face is slightly more flexible, allowing for a trampoline effect that delivers extra pop on shots.
- Durability: Durable but less resistant to wear and tear than carbon fiber.
- Spin: Can also produce good spin but is usually less textured than carbon fiber.
- Weight: Often slightly heavier than carbon fiber, contributing to the extra power.
- Best for: Players looking for a balanced mix of power and control, or those who favor a more aggressive playing style.
3. Graphite
- Performance: Lightweight and responsive, graphite paddles deliver a mix of power and control. However, they often lean slightly toward control.
- Durability: Strong and durable, though thinner than carbon fiber or fiberglass surfaces.
- Spin: Usually has a smooth surface, so it’s less effective for generating spin compared to carbon fiber or textured fiberglass.
- Weight: Very lightweight, making them easy to maneuver.
- Best for: Beginners to intermediate players who want a lightweight paddle for control and maneuverability without sacrificing too much power.
3. Specific Examples
Let’s go through 3 of my reviews for the 3 different key paddle faces.
Carbon Fiber: Vatic Pro Prism Flash
The Vatic Pro Prism Flash is one of my favorite carbon fiber paddles, and it’s actually under $90 once you use the discount code: bepickleballer.
Here’s my complete review of the Vatic Pro Prism Flash pickleball paddle.
Graphite: Onyx z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
The Onyx z5 graphite paddles was one of my first beginner paddles. It hasn’t impressed me much, but here’s my complete review of that paddle.
Fiberglass: Niupipo Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle
Again, I purchase the Niupipo fiberglass pickleball paddle when I was a beginner, and it has not met expectations. Here’s my complete review of this fiberglass paddle.
Let’s discuss cost differences.
4. Cost Differences
Graphite paddles are generally cheaper than fiberglass ones. Carbon Fiber paddles can be up to $200+, but you can find a discounted paddle. Graphite paddles start at around $40, while fiberglass paddles often begin at $60. The prices can go up significantly for high-end models. For example, high-quality graphite paddles can cost up to $150, whereas top-tier fiberglass paddles can reach $200 or more.
Material Quality
One reason for the price difference is the material quality. Carbon Fiber paddles are usually lighter and more durable. They often have a sleek, smooth finish. I’ve noticed that the better the carbon fiber quality, the more expensive the paddle. High-end carbon fiber paddles might have layers of other composites, enhancing their performance and durability.
Fiberglass paddles, on the other hand, often use a combination of fiberglass and other materials. This mix can affect their price. Fiberglass paddles with advanced construction techniques or special coatings can be pricier. I’ve seen some fiberglass paddles with textured surfaces or reinforced edges, which can increase their cost.
Technology and Features
The technology and features also play a big role. Carbon Fiber and Graphite paddles with advanced technologies like vibration dampening, specialized core materials, or ergonomic grips tend to be more expensive. I’ve found that these features make a paddle feel more comfortable and improve playability. The latest graphite paddles might also have honeycomb cores or proprietary materials that enhance power and control.
Fiberglass paddles with extra features, like custom graphics, reinforced frames, or advanced surface textures, are also pricier. I’ve noticed that some high-end fiberglass paddles have unique designs or special features to boost spin and power, making them more appealing to serious players.
5. Alternatives
There’s really only one alternative (maybe a few) to carbon fiber, graphite and fiberglass paddles.
Wood: No one’s favorite
I am not even going to spend any time on wood paddles.
I do not honestly think that wood paddles are anyone’s favorite. Here’s a picture of my wooden paddle that looks almost brand new because it gets so little play.
Conclusion
You are considering whether carbon fiber, graphite or fiberglass pickleball paddle material is best for your next paddle.
I would argue that you should also consider carbon fiber paddles,
Hopefully, the pickleball paddle quiz can help you figure out which is best for you and a specific paddle.