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So, you started with the Onyx z5 graphite paddle or another beginner paddle, but now you are wondering what are the best paddles for intermediate player.
As an Intermediate player, I purchased 25-50 pickleball paddles in 2024 (embarrassed face by all these receipts) to find the best intermediate paddle to share with you.
What I looked for in these paddles is the best materials for pickleball paddles that will allow me to improve power, control, and spin.
Here’s a picture of the best intermediate pickleball paddles in 2024.
Let’s go through each paddle one by one.
1. Vatic Pro
The Vatic Pro is a true intermediate paddle. I started with the paddle as a beginner player but realized quickly that it is a great intermediate paddle.
I love everything about this paddle. It provides more control, power, and spin than my other beginner paddles like the Head Radical Elite or the Niupipo paddles.
When you decide on a Vatic Pro, you must choose between a 14mm and 16mm, so I wrote an article covering the differences between Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14mm vs 16mm.
Using this paddle, I began to see my game improving so much that I could beat a friend that I had never beaten before.
Also, I love that Vatic Pro provides a free cover with each paddle purchase and a $10 discount code (bepickleballer) that you can use to get this paddle under $90.00.
2. Joola Hyperion Ben Johns CFS 15 Control
The Joola Hyperion Ben Johns paddle has been my go-to recently. It has been my go-to paddle because it provides a larger grip than the Vatic Pro Prism Flash and a lot of power, control, and spin.
I originally purchased this paddle because I thought I wouldn’t want to own the same pickleball paddle series that Ben John’s plays with.
Also, this is the second version, so this is still an approved USPA paddle.
Finally, I also like that this paddle has continued to be on sale on Amazon. This paddle used to be well over $200, but it was under $175 at this time. I am not sure how much longer it will stay at this price.
The only downside to this paddle is that it didn’t come with a cover.
3. SixZero Double Black Diamond
One of the blogs I follow recommended that the SixZero Double Black Diamond was the #1 paddle in 2024, so I wanted to see all the commotion.
This is still the best intermediate paddle, but I would put this behind both the Vatic Pro Prism Flash and the Joola Hyperion Ben Johns paddle.
The sixZero double black diamond is currently higher priced than the Vatic Pro Prism Flash and the Joola Hyperion Ben Johns.
Thankfully, there is a pickleball paddle discount code of 10% though from JustPaddles (bepickleballer) to make this paddle more affordable.
4. Franklin Pilot (Best Budget Intermediate Paddle)
The Franklin Pilot Polypropylene Core Pickleball Paddle is a 10mm thickness paddle, so it’s a bit thinner than the other intermediate paddles above. That said, the grip size is 5 inches, and this paddle is made of polypropylene, which has the same feel as carbon fiber. which helps grip the ball, providing more control.
The Franklin paddle is also about 8 ounces which is a medium lightness paddle, so it can provide fast hand speed to spin the ball or hit the ball with power.
This budget intermediate paddle is under $50, and I would much prefer this paddle to other intermediate paddles that were slightly more expensive.
Conclusion
You are looking for the best intermediate pickleball paddle, so hopefully the Vatic Pro Prism Flash, Joola Hyperion Ben Johns, SixZero double black diamond, or Franklin Pilot will help you move from an intermediate to an advanced player.
If unsure, you can also consider taking this free pickleball paddle quiz to see which is best for you.