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I own 50-60 pickleball paddles as of today, and many of those are intermediate paddles, so now it was time to write the best paddles for intermediate player.
When I look for the best intermediate paddle, I am considering a value paddles that are made with the best materials for pickleball paddles that will allow me to improve power, control, and spin. Basically, I want to find a paddle that is around $100, but is actually a premium $200 paddle.
Let’s go through the best intermediate paddles in 2025. The paddle in the 5th position is the top budget intermediate paddle you can find under $50.
1. Joola Hyperion Ben Johns CFS 15 Control
The Joola Hyperion Ben Johns CFS paddle is an absolutely incredible paddle and is my overall favorite paddles of all my 50+ paddle collection.
I love this paddle so much that I wrote an entire review covering how well I play with this paddle. For example, I took a break to test and review many other paddles, but started playing again with this paddle in the last week.
I have not lost a game with this paddle since coming back to it. For example, I won 4 games yesterday, and one of the games was playing as a single against 2 solid players.
The paddle has a massive sweet spot and provides incredible control and spin. In addition, because the paddle is so well built, I am also able to get ample power on my serves. It’s the swiss army of pickleball paddles.
I mean, Ben Johns used to play with this paddle before switching to the Gen 3 Ben Johns Joola paddle. And, I have played with the Gen 3 Ben Johns Joola paddle, and I absolutely prefer this generation 2 paddle over the new Get 3 Joola Ben Johns paddle
So, I’ll discuss cost later, but I actually recently saw that this paddle is recently under $169 because I strongly believe this paddle is better than most of my $200+ paddles.
Also, just for your own information, USPA did not approve some Gen 3 paddle, but this Gen 2 is 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 $169 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.
2. Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm
The Vatic Pro is an incredible intermediate paddle. Using this paddle, I began to see my game improving so much that I was beating people I had never beaten before.
I love this paddle so much that I purchased both the 14mm and 16mm pickleball paddle, and wrote an entire article covering my experience. I’ll cover which one you may want to get a little bit later.
What’s best is that the Vatic Pro Prism Flash paddle is currently under $90 on Vatic Pro’s website, with the coupon code bepickleballer, which is even cheaper than Amazon. What’s amazing is that it is a carbon fiber paddle that also comes with a really nice paddle cover.
I am not sure how long this deal is going to last though as I have seen some of my favorite paddles discontinued.
Let’s chat about choosing between the 14mm vs 16mm paddle thickness.
Basically, if you are looking for a power paddle, consider the 14mm paddle, and if you are looking for control or spin, consider the 16mm paddle.
Finally, 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.
3. Warping Point Control Grasp Paddle
The Warping Point Control Grasp paddle is currently the second intermediate paddle to make the list because its an incredible paddle that allows you to stack a discount code, which I’ll cover later.
I love this paddle so much that I wrote an entire review about my experience. In my article, I mention how I have been undefeated with this paddle after many games, and the paddle has great spin potential.
The paddle is a control paddle with an amazing 20mm paddle face thickness and an edgeless design.
This is a $179.99 paddle that is currently discounted for the holidays that you can stack discounts, which leap frogged other paddles on the list.
In addition, you can stack the discount code bepickleballer to receive this incredible paddle for $90.00.
I do not believe that this deal will last much past the holidays.
In addition, for the $90, you receive a really fun unboxing experience that you do not get with Vatic Pro Prism Flash.
Check out all of the accessories you get with a box that is so nice that it reminds me of a Mac Book Pro box.
Not only is this a top intermediate paddle, this paddle is also the best pickleball paddle for control. Yes, this is not a power paddle, but I still felt that I had ample power to deliver powerful serves and returns to my opponents.
Finally, the Warping Point brand offers the best discount code in the industry that I have found that provides a 25% discount that you can STACK on other discounts.
25% discount code: BePickleBaller
One thing to note is that this paddle is only currently available on Warping Point’s direct website, and not available on Amazon.
4. Doctor Pickleball T700 Carbon Fiber Paddle (Best Budget Intermediate)
The Doctor Pickleball T700 carbon fiber surgical control pickleball paddle is the best budget intermediate paddle in my opinion.
Firstly, this paddle has an impressive 20mm paddle thickness. The paddle has provided me insane control on the courts from ralley, drives, dink and drops.
I’m still undefeated with this paddle, and recently won by a higher margin with this paddle than the Hyperion CFS 16mm.
I loved this paddle so much that I created an entire deep dive showcasing some of my game play.
One thing to consider is that some brands choose to spend more to get a more premium paddle, and forego the expensive cost of USAP approval. This is what Doctor Pickleball did, but Dinks USA stated that USAP approval is not necessary for a majority of pickleball players because that approval is only necessary for sanctioned tournaments.
Also, this is the only brand I know of that allows you to use the discount code ($10 off with bepickleballer) and use Amazon prime shipping on their website.
To do the hack, you would click on the link above to the company’s website, click on pay with Prime, and then use the discount code to get this paddle under $40.
Honorable Mention
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.