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If you like singles pickleball like me, you will want a pickleball paddle that has power for deep baseline drives with good reach and the ability to provide fast hands movement.
To provide you the best pickleball paddles for singles play, I looked at paddles that had the following characteristics:
- Power and sweet spot with a bit more pop.
- Slightly head-heavy feel generates added power on drives.
- A stiffer paddle gives immediate energy return for baseline slams.
- Higher weight in the 8.0 to 8.4 ounces.
- Longer elongated paddles for better extension.
Let’s look at the top pickleball paddles for singles.
1. RPM Friction Pro
The RPM Friction Pro is my top choice for singles, and it really wasn’t close. This paddle just does a lot of things well when you’re on an island by yourself. It’s not surprise that this is the best pickleball paddle period.
The first thing I noticed was how confident I felt swinging hard. In singles, I don’t want to baby the ball. I want to drive it, keep it deep, and apply pressure.
The Friction Pro lets me do that while still feeling connected to the ball. There’s a bite to the surface that makes topspin feel natural instead of forced.
Serves come off heavy, passing shots stay low, and when I’m pulled wide, I still feel like I can get enough on the ball to stay in the point. It also doesn’t feel overly stiff, which matters during longer singles rallies when your arm starts feeling it.
The paddle is an investment, starting at around $250.00, but the team has been really generous to provide me a 15% off discount code below that you can use to make this nearer to $200.
15% Off Discount Code: Bepickleballer
2. Joola Perseus Pro IV
Right behind it is the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV. This paddle feels like a refined weapon. It’s powerful, and sometimes a bit wild.
When I’m playing singles, I want to know that if I swing with intent, the ball is going to go where I think it’s going. The Perseus Pro IV gives me that trust. Drives feel solid and predictable, and I don’t find myself second guessing my swing path.
What I really like about it for singles is that it transitions well. I can grind from the baseline and then move in without suddenly feeling like the paddle is too hot or too muted.
It feels stable throughout the entire point, which is something I value a lot in singles play.
This paddle cost me over $300 after tax, and unfortunately Joola does not provide a discount code.
Check out my full review and my comparison to the paddle below.
3. Best Budget Under $50
The Doctor Pickleball T700 sits comfortably in the third spot. This paddle has always felt like a really balanced option to me, and that balance works well in singles.
It has enough pop to keep the ball deep, but it doesn’t feel jumpy. I can roll the ball crosscourt, hit controlled drives down the line, and still soften my hands when I need to reset. In singles, control often shows up in less obvious ways.
It’s about missing fewer balls long and keeping returns from sitting up.
The T700 helps with that. It doesn’t demand perfection, and that forgiveness matters when fatigue starts creeping in.
4. Best Budget Under $100
The Vatic Pro V-Sol Power is next, and this paddle surprised me when I first played with it. It is very clearly built for players who like to swing. In singles, that matters.
You’re not winning points by just blocking balls back. You’re creating offense.
The V-Sol Power gives you that extra gear when you step into a serve or a drive. The ball comes off faster than you expect at first, but once you adjust, it becomes a fun paddle to use in singles.
I wouldn’t say it’s the softest or most forgiving paddle on this list, but if your singles game is built around aggression and depth, it fits.
$10 Discount Code: Bepickleballer
Summing It All Up
When I think about singles paddles overall, I always come back to the same idea. Singles exposes weaknesses fast.
If a paddle feels unpredictable or forces you to pull back on your swing, it shows up immediately. The paddles on this list all let you play full swings with confidence. They support aggressive baseline play but don’t punish you when points get long.
If you mostly play doubles, some of these might feel like too much. But if singles is where you compete, train, or just have the most fun, these paddles make the game feel cleaner, simpler, and more controllable.
That’s usually how I know I’ve found the right paddle.
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