Core thickness
16mm Pickleball Paddles
A 16 mm core is the most common choice for control-oriented play. The extra depth absorbs more impact, which tends to make dinks and resets easier to keep low, with a little less pop than thinner paddles.
By the numbers
- Approved paddles
- 2,286
- Share of paddles
- 52%
- of the 4,389 approved paddles with a listed core thickness
- Brands
- 828
- Approved list total
- 5,398
2,286 of the 4,389 approved paddles with a listed core thickness are 16 mm core paddles (52%). Computed live from the database; 1,009 of 5,398 approved paddles don't have this spec listed yet.
Top brands
- JOOLA42 · 2%
- GRÜVN36 · 2%
- Honolulu Pickleball Company33 · 1%
- Selkirk32 · 1%
- Vatic Pro27 · 1%
- Pickleball Apes21 · 1%
- ProXR Pickleball21 · 1%
- 11six2420 · 1%
Trend by approval year
| Year | Paddles | Share of that year* |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25 | 11% |
| 2022 | 142 | 34% |
| 2023 | 409 | 45% |
| 2024 | 752 | 59% |
| 2025 | 549 | 62% |
| 2026 | 382 | 78% |
* Of that year's approved paddles with a listed core thickness.
All 16 mm core paddles
Filter these in the database| Brand | Model | Core | Thickness | Shape | Face | Approved | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Strike Pickleball | Strike Force | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| TMPR Sports | NIMBUS | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| Alien Pickleball Sports | Pro-1 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| 247 Athletic | MYSTIC | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| Alpha Omega Pickleball | Cronus | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| Porsvik | PHOENIX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| Porsvik | ATHENA | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 8, 2025 | |
| Orca Paddle Company | Streak | Polymer (unspecified) | 16 mm | Not listed | Fiberglass | Feb 7, 2025 | |
| Vatic Pro | Prism Bloom 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2025 | |
| Spartus | Orion 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Feb 6, 2025 | |
| Spartus | Odyssey | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Feb 6, 2025 | |
| Hndrd | Phantom 60 Wide 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 6, 2025 | |
| Hndrd | Zephyr 80 Extend 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 6, 2025 | |
| Chorus | Supercourt SX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Chorus | Supercourt EX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Hoopis Pickleball | Aegis Kevlar | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| FAFO Sports | Raptor | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Movesport | Reverb Carbon | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Roore | Solana | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Roore | Balboa | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Strikepro | Elite | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Paddle Me | The Viper | Polymer (unspecified) | 16 mm | Hybrid | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| wakdop | VENOM | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| ZOEA | Z3 Pro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| X SPAK | 6.0 SPIN | Aramid / Nomex honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| Hndrd | Phantom 80 Wide 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2025 | |
| American Pickleball League | APLPRO+ | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 4, 2025 | |
| 11six24 | Hurache-X All Court 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jan 27, 2025 | |
| 11six24 | Pegasus Jelly Bean 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jan 27, 2025 | |
| SLK By Selkirk | Catalyst | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 24, 2025 | |
| Honolulu Pickleball Company | SWORD & SHIELD J2Ti+ | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 24, 2025 | |
| Honolulu Pickleball Company | SWORD & SHIELD J2k+ | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Jan 24, 2025 | |
| Pvusa | PV PRO BLUE CAT | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Jan 24, 2025 | |
| Pickleball Apes | Pulse X | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jan 23, 2025 | |
| Ramsports | METAL 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 22, 2025 | |
| Ramsports | PURE 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 22, 2025 | |
| Ramsports | IGNIS 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Hybrid | Kevlar / aramid | Jan 22, 2025 | |
| PicoPro | Pro V | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 22, 2025 | |
| Slayer Pickleball | Oddball XP1 Pro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jan 22, 2025 | |
| Monarch Pickleball (Dick’s Sporting Goods) | Mercenary Carbon | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Graphite | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| Monarch Pickleball (Dick’s Sporting Goods) | Golden Axe Carbon | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Graphite | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| Selkirk | Project 008 Tour 16mm | Foam | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| Luzz | PRO2-SABER | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| Luzz | PRO2-ARCHER | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| Tame Lands | Control Freak | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| Tame Lands | Powie Wowie | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 20, 2025 | |
| 11six24 | Vapor Power 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 16, 2025 | |
| 11six24 | Pegasus Power 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 16, 2025 | |
| JOOLA | Hyperion IV 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 15, 2025 | |
| JOOLA | Magnus IV 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 15, 2025 |
First Strike Pickleball
Strike Force- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
TMPR Sports
NIMBUS- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
Alien Pickleball Sports
Pro-1- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
247 Athletic
MYSTIC- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
Alpha Omega Pickleball
Cronus- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
Porsvik
PHOENIX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
Porsvik
ATHENA- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2025
Orca Paddle Company
Streak- Core:
- Polymer (unspecified)
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Fiberglass
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2025
Vatic Pro
Prism Bloom 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2025
Spartus
Orion 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Feb 6, 2025
Spartus
Odyssey- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Feb 6, 2025
Hndrd
Phantom 60 Wide 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 6, 2025
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 6, 2025
Chorus
Supercourt SX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Chorus
Supercourt EX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Hoopis Pickleball
Aegis Kevlar- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
FAFO Sports
Raptor- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Movesport
Reverb Carbon- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Roore
Solana- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Roore
Balboa- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Strikepro
Elite- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Paddle Me
The Viper- Core:
- Polymer (unspecified)
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
wakdop
VENOM- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
ZOEA
Z3 Pro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
X SPAK
6.0 SPIN- Core:
- Aramid / Nomex honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
Hndrd
Phantom 80 Wide 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2025
American Pickleball League
APLPRO+- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2025
11six24
Hurache-X All Court 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jan 27, 2025
11six24
Pegasus Jelly Bean 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jan 27, 2025
SLK By Selkirk
Catalyst- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 24, 2025
Honolulu Pickleball Company
SWORD & SHIELD J2Ti+- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 24, 2025
Honolulu Pickleball Company
SWORD & SHIELD J2k+- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jan 24, 2025
Pvusa
PV PRO BLUE CAT- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jan 24, 2025
Pickleball Apes
Pulse X- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2025
Ramsports
METAL 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 22, 2025
Ramsports
PURE 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 22, 2025
Ramsports
IGNIS 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jan 22, 2025
PicoPro
Pro V- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 22, 2025
Slayer Pickleball
Oddball XP1 Pro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jan 22, 2025
Monarch Pickleball (Dick’s Sporting Goods)
Mercenary Carbon- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Graphite
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
Monarch Pickleball (Dick’s Sporting Goods)
Golden Axe Carbon- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Graphite
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
Selkirk
Project 008 Tour 16mm- Core:
- Foam
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
Luzz
PRO2-SABER- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
Luzz
PRO2-ARCHER- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
Tame Lands
Control Freak- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
Tame Lands
Powie Wowie- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 20, 2025
11six24
Vapor Power 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 16, 2025
11six24
Pegasus Power 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 16, 2025
JOOLA
Hyperion IV 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 15, 2025
JOOLA
Magnus IV 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 15, 2025
Source: USA Pickleball Approved Equipment List. Specs not on the official list show as "Not listed" until we verify them.