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
- 2,262
- Share of paddles
- 54%
- of the 4,219 approved paddles with a listed core thickness
- Brands
- 826
- Approved list total
- 5,398
2,262 of the 4,219 approved paddles with a listed core thickness are 16 mm core paddles (54%). Computed live from the database; 1,179 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Pickleball | GoliathPro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 3, 2024 | |
| Pekzen | ONE-001 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jul 3, 2024 | |
| PBJ | SHERBET | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 3, 2024 | |
| Kulstof | Ultra Instinct | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| ARTI | TEXAS | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| MOZI | Gold Rush | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| Franklin Sports | Sweet Spot Trainer | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| BallDash | PRO4PROS | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| BallDash | SPICON 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| Fligon | PSC | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| Love Pickle | Pinnacle | Polymer (unspecified) | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| Maxwill | VICTORY PRO X 16mm | Other | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jul 2, 2024 | |
| GRÜVN | LAZR-16S | Foam + honeycomb hybrid | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jul 1, 2024 | |
| Parrot | PRO-FORMANCE | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 30, 2024 | |
| Parrot | SPORT SERIES | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Fiberglass | Jun 30, 2024 | |
| Astes | ENGINEER MAX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 30, 2024 | |
| Rally Paddles Pickleball | Code Red X | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 28, 2024 | |
| Pickln | Alecto | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Jun 27, 2024 | |
| Alpha Omega Pickleball | Ares | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Kevlar / aramid | Jun 27, 2024 | |
| Sinsham | T70-1 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 27, 2024 | |
| HUSTL Pickleball | STEALTH CONTROL | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 27, 2024 | |
| Bqgvgu | SBT-7X | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 27, 2024 | |
| Love Pickle | Ace | Polymer (unspecified) | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jun 27, 2024 | |
| Selkirk | AMPED Control S2 Midweight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Fiberglass | Jun 26, 2024 | |
| Niupipo | QUAKE | Polypropylene honeycomb | 15.5 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 26, 2024 | |
| Synergy Pickleball | EXPLORE 16mm All Court | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jun 25, 2024 | |
| Synergy Pickleball | ROYALE 16mm Control | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jun 25, 2024 | |
| Synergy Pickleball | ELEVATE 16mm Control | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 25, 2024 | |
| Cleaver (CLVR) | FlatSmacker.com | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 25, 2024 | |
| Qyntelix | TRAINER P | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 25, 2024 | |
| SLK By Selkirk | Fury | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| PickleBali | Garuda CF16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Selkirk | AMPED Control Invikta Lightweight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Fiberglass | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Vinsa | PRO VPB | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Ryz | Phoenix | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| CLEE | Precision 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Zen Pickleball | Fusion Pro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Battle Paddles | EL TORO | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Rokne | Republic R.E.D. 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| LOC Sports | Zenith - Aero RCF 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Spindna | X001 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Hybrid | Kevlar / aramid | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Full Choice | CARBON T700 16MM | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 24, 2024 | |
| Vinsguir | SMASHER PRO | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 23, 2024 | |
| Vinsguir | VIENTO X3.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 23, 2024 | |
| Vinsguir | VIENTO X2.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 23, 2024 | |
| Element 6 (E6) | Torrent | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Hybrid | Kevlar / aramid | Jun 20, 2024 | |
| Vulcan Sporting Goods | V575 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 20, 2024 | |
| Booma | RAW CARBON SERIES AERO | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jun 20, 2024 | |
| KVLR | POWTROL | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jun 20, 2024 | |
| Tecniq | ULTRAPLAY 3.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jun 18, 2024 |
Phantom Pickleball
GoliathPro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 3, 2024
Pekzen
ONE-001- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jul 3, 2024
PBJ
SHERBET- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 3, 2024
Kulstof
Ultra Instinct- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
ARTI
TEXAS- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
MOZI
Gold Rush- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
Franklin Sports
Sweet Spot Trainer- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
BallDash
PRO4PROS- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
BallDash
SPICON 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
Fligon
PSC- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
Love Pickle
Pinnacle- Core:
- Polymer (unspecified)
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
Maxwill
VICTORY PRO X 16mm- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jul 2, 2024
GRÜVN
LAZR-16S- Core:
- Foam + honeycomb hybrid
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jul 1, 2024
Parrot
PRO-FORMANCE- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 30, 2024
Parrot
SPORT SERIES- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Fiberglass
- Approved:
- Jun 30, 2024
Astes
ENGINEER MAX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 30, 2024
Rally Paddles Pickleball
Code Red X- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 28, 2024
Pickln
Alecto- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jun 27, 2024
Alpha Omega Pickleball
Ares- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jun 27, 2024
Sinsham
T70-1- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 27, 2024
HUSTL Pickleball
STEALTH CONTROL- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 27, 2024
Bqgvgu
SBT-7X- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 27, 2024
Love Pickle
Ace- Core:
- Polymer (unspecified)
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jun 27, 2024
Selkirk
AMPED Control S2 Midweight- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Fiberglass
- Approved:
- Jun 26, 2024
Niupipo
QUAKE- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 15.5 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 26, 2024
Synergy Pickleball
EXPLORE 16mm All Court- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jun 25, 2024
Synergy Pickleball
ROYALE 16mm Control- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jun 25, 2024
Synergy Pickleball
ELEVATE 16mm Control- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 25, 2024
Cleaver (CLVR)
FlatSmacker.com- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 25, 2024
Qyntelix
TRAINER P- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 25, 2024
SLK By Selkirk
Fury- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
PickleBali
Garuda CF16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Fiberglass
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Vinsa
PRO VPB- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Ryz
Phoenix- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
CLEE
Precision 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Zen Pickleball
Fusion Pro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Battle Paddles
EL TORO- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Rokne
Republic R.E.D. 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
LOC Sports
Zenith - Aero RCF 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Spindna
X001 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Full Choice
CARBON T700 16MM- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 24, 2024
Vinsguir
SMASHER PRO- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 23, 2024
Vinsguir
VIENTO X3.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 23, 2024
Vinsguir
VIENTO X2.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 23, 2024
Element 6 (E6)
Torrent- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Kevlar / aramid
- Approved:
- Jun 20, 2024
Vulcan Sporting Goods
V575- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 20, 2024
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jun 20, 2024
KVLR
POWTROL- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jun 20, 2024
Tecniq
ULTRAPLAY 3.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jun 18, 2024
Source: USA Pickleball Approved Equipment List. Specs not on the official list show as "Not listed" until we verify them.