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
- 2,272
- Share of paddles
- 52%
- of the 4,365 approved paddles with a listed core thickness
- Brands
- 826
- Approved list total
- 5,398
2,272 of the 4,365 approved paddles with a listed core thickness are 16 mm core paddles (52%). Computed live from the database; 1,033 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | CLASSIC ELITE | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Oct 1, 2024 | |
| ARTI | Kristen&Kristy | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Oct 1, 2024 | |
| Kingpin pickleball | Neo | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Oct 1, 2024 | |
| Kingpin pickleball | Defender | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Oct 1, 2024 | |
| jbotsports | THRUSTER | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Oct 1, 2024 | |
| jbotsports | RUDDER | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Oct 1, 2024 | |
| Facolos | ELITE PRO SERIES | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 28, 2024 | |
| Chorus | Shapeshifter EX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 28, 2024 | |
| Chorus | Shapeshifter SX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 28, 2024 | |
| Augocean | 3K CFS PRO AN-01 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 28, 2024 | |
| Zocker | Happy Premium Quality | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 28, 2024 | |
| Anywhere Pickleball | Aristocrat | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 27, 2024 | |
| Recly | Xprt | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 27, 2024 | |
| Recly | SilverStrike | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 27, 2024 | |
| NXTgen Sports | ValorPro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Hybrid | Carbon fiber | Sep 27, 2024 | |
| Volair | Ctrl 1 Forza 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Sep 27, 2024 | |
| Luxe Pickleball | Signature | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 27, 2024 | |
| Gamma Sports | MB Rainmaker 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 26, 2024 | |
| Exodus | Finesse 1 | Polymer (unspecified) | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 26, 2024 | |
| Sevics | Pro Series | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 26, 2024 | |
| Pickle Place | Classic | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 24, 2024 | |
| Flamingo Pickleball | Fuego | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 23, 2024 | |
| Recly | The Champion | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 23, 2024 | |
| EdgeTech | Maximus | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 23, 2024 | |
| passion002 | Power Tour | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Lunar | Lunar LIT Pro 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Rokne | Republic 3.16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Yobi Paddle | Kai 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Splash | Hang10 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Splash | Slasher | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Hybrid | Hybrid blend | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Supra | Eclipse | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Dazeal | JK7 MAX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Asteriskk | Karma | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Arvo | EDITION 002 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Gatorstrike | VINCIMUS AIR CONTROLLER | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 20, 2024 | |
| Forte | Sole EP | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Sep 18, 2024 | |
| Titan Pickleball | Ignite Carbon T700 16S | Polymer (unspecified) | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 18, 2024 | |
| Spikopoll | SPI-PRO | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 17, 2024 | |
| Velarta | XLR8 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 17, 2024 | |
| 30 Degrees Sports | Signature 3.0 | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 17, 2024 | |
| KC Paddles | Amped 2 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Sep 16, 2024 | |
| Body Helix | X5 | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Sep 14, 2024 | |
| Niupipo | DRIFT | Polypropylene honeycomb | 15.5 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 13, 2024 | |
| Niupipo | CLASH | Polypropylene honeycomb | 15.5 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 13, 2024 | |
| Pickleball Apes | MAX E | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Sep 12, 2024 | |
| Pickleball Apes | MAX S | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Sep 12, 2024 | |
| ABPK | CAPTAIN | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 12, 2024 | |
| HUSTL Pickleball | LEGEND X15 PRO 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 12, 2024 | |
| HUSTL Pickleball | Voyager PRO16mm Power Series | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Sep 12, 2024 | |
| A11N Sports | EMPIRE CONTROL MAX 16MM | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Sep 12, 2024 |
Boulder
CLASSIC ELITE- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Oct 1, 2024
ARTI
Kristen&Kristy- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Oct 1, 2024
Kingpin pickleball
Neo- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Oct 1, 2024
Kingpin pickleball
Defender- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Oct 1, 2024
jbotsports
THRUSTER- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Oct 1, 2024
jbotsports
RUDDER- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Oct 1, 2024
Facolos
ELITE PRO SERIES- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 28, 2024
Chorus
Shapeshifter EX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 28, 2024
Chorus
Shapeshifter SX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 28, 2024
Augocean
3K CFS PRO AN-01- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 28, 2024
Zocker
Happy Premium Quality- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 28, 2024
Anywhere Pickleball
Aristocrat- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 27, 2024
Recly
Xprt- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 27, 2024
Recly
SilverStrike- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 27, 2024
NXTgen Sports
ValorPro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 27, 2024
Volair
Ctrl 1 Forza 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Sep 27, 2024
Luxe Pickleball
Signature- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 27, 2024
Gamma Sports
MB Rainmaker 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 26, 2024
Exodus
Finesse 1- Core:
- Polymer (unspecified)
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 26, 2024
Sevics
Pro Series- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 26, 2024
Pickle Place
Classic- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 24, 2024
Flamingo Pickleball
Fuego- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 23, 2024
Recly
The Champion- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 23, 2024
EdgeTech
Maximus- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 23, 2024
passion002
Power Tour- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Lunar
Lunar LIT Pro 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Rokne
Republic 3.16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Yobi Paddle
Kai 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Splash
Hang10- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Splash
Slasher- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Supra
Eclipse- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Dazeal
JK7 MAX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Asteriskk
Karma- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Arvo
EDITION 002- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Gatorstrike
VINCIMUS AIR CONTROLLER- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 20, 2024
Forte
Sole EP- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 18, 2024
Titan Pickleball
Ignite Carbon T700 16S- Core:
- Polymer (unspecified)
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 18, 2024
Spikopoll
SPI-PRO- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 17, 2024
Velarta
XLR8- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 17, 2024
30 Degrees Sports
Signature 3.0- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 17, 2024
KC Paddles
Amped 2- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 16, 2024
Body Helix
X5- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Sep 14, 2024
Niupipo
DRIFT- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 15.5 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 13, 2024
Niupipo
CLASH- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 15.5 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 13, 2024
Pickleball Apes
MAX E- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 12, 2024
Pickleball Apes
MAX S- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Sep 12, 2024
ABPK
CAPTAIN- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 12, 2024
HUSTL Pickleball
LEGEND X15 PRO 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 12, 2024
HUSTL Pickleball
Voyager PRO16mm Power Series- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Sep 12, 2024
A11N Sports
EMPIRE CONTROL MAX 16MM- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Sep 12, 2024
Source: USA Pickleball Approved Equipment List. Specs not on the official list show as "Not listed" until we verify them.