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
- 1,972
- Share of paddles
- 60%
- of the 3,277 approved paddles with a listed core thickness
- Brands
- 772
- Approved list total
- 5,398
1,972 of the 3,277 approved paddles with a listed core thickness are 16 mm core paddles (60%). Computed live from the database; 2,121 of 5,398 approved paddles don't have this spec listed yet.
Top brands
- HONOLULU PICKLEBALL COMPANY33 · 2%
- JOOLA29 · 1%
- Selkirk Sport28 · 1%
- GRÜVN26 · 1%
- Vatic Pro22 · 1%
- 11SIX2419 · 1%
- Pickleball Apes19 · 1%
- Chorus17 · 1%
Trend by approval year
| Year | Paddles | Share of that year* |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 289 | 46% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zen Pickleball | Hybrid | Other | 16 mm | Hybrid | Hybrid blend | Feb 10, 2024 | |
| OWL SPORT, INC. | CXE | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Other | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| OWL SPORT, INC. | CX | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Other | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| Vulcan Sporting Goods | V1200-TL | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| Vulcan Sporting Goods | V1100-JD | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| Gambit Pickleball | Knight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| MOZI | QUICKDRAW 12K PRO | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| Orlando Squeeze | Citron Pro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 8, 2024 | |
| Thrive | SURGE | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Helios | The Astraeus | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Longevity Sport | # Nano-Fiber EK | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| 20x44 | EL | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Triple Ace | Horizon Ultra-G | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Rokne | Republic 3.16 Widebody | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Widebody | Raw carbon | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Cameo | Series 3KPRO 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| KiwiLabs Pickleball | Cannon | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Rhino Pickleball | X-16 PRO | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Picklemaster | I | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| PB5star | Balance | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Fiberglass | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| PB5star | Control | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| SPORT BEATS | Versatil 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| Triple Ace | Viktor G | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Fiberglass | Feb 7, 2024 | |
| First Strike Pickleball | Pro-Tour | other_polymer | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 6, 2024 | |
| Friday | FRIDAY-LABS-02 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 5, 2024 | |
| Selkirk Sport | Vanguard Control S2 Midweight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| Selkirk Sport | Vanguard Control S2 Lightweight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| Selkirk Sport | Vanguard Control Epic Midweight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| Selkirk Sport | Vanguard Control Epic Lightweight | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| Bond Pickleball | Pioneer Neo 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| Plaer | Resolute | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| Bond Pickleball | Pursuer | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| MOZI | Hyperdrive | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Feb 4, 2024 | |
| PB Pro | INFINITY NXTGEN Arch XL 16.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 2, 2024 | |
| PB Pro | Infinity Falcon Lite 16.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 2, 2024 | |
| Professor Sports LLC | Professor PhD Pro | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Feb 1, 2024 | |
| SLK By Selkirk | Evo Control Max | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 31, 2024 | |
| PKZK | PKZK-C01 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 31, 2024 | |
| STINGER | MC-2 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 30, 2024 | |
| Cheetah Pickleball | Cheetah Predion 5 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 26, 2024 | |
| Grafton | TERRA 1.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 25, 2024 | |
| VUFOXT | V16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 25, 2024 | |
| KONDOR Pickleball, LLC | El Capitan 1.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 25, 2024 | |
| Thrive | AZUL | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Hybrid blend | Jan 23, 2024 | |
| Mino | Carbon Bloom | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 23, 2024 | |
| Gamma Sports | RCF Obsidian 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 23, 2024 | |
| Gamma Sports | RCF Airbender 16 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 23, 2024 | |
| PRIMAL BIRDS | CONTROL PLUS 2.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 15.5 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 23, 2024 | |
| PRIMAL BIRDS | POWER PRO 2.0 | Polypropylene honeycomb | 15.5 mm | Not listed | Raw carbon | Jan 23, 2024 | |
| Dinker Drinker | Catwalk | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Not listed | Carbon fiber | Jan 19, 2024 | |
| SPORT BEATS | Deft 16mm | Polypropylene honeycomb | 16 mm | Hybrid | Carbon fiber | Jan 18, 2024 |
Zen Pickleball
Hybrid- Core:
- Other
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Feb 10, 2024
OWL SPORT, INC.
CXE- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Other
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
OWL SPORT, INC.
CX- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Other
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
Vulcan Sporting Goods
V1200-TL- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
Vulcan Sporting Goods
V1100-JD- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
Gambit Pickleball
Knight- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
Orlando Squeeze
Citron Pro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 8, 2024
Thrive
SURGE- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Helios
The Astraeus- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Longevity Sport
# Nano-Fiber EK- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
20x44
EL- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Triple Ace
Horizon Ultra-G- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Widebody
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Cameo
Series 3KPRO 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
KiwiLabs Pickleball
Cannon- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Rhino Pickleball
X-16 PRO- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Picklemaster
I- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
PB5star
Balance- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Fiberglass
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
PB5star
Control- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
SPORT BEATS
Versatil 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
Triple Ace
Viktor G- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Fiberglass
- Approved:
- Feb 7, 2024
First Strike Pickleball
Pro-Tour- Core:
- other_polymer
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 6, 2024
Friday
FRIDAY-LABS-02- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 5, 2024
Selkirk Sport
Vanguard Control S2 Midweight- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
Selkirk Sport
Vanguard Control S2 Lightweight- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
Selkirk Sport
Vanguard Control Epic Midweight- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
Selkirk Sport
Vanguard Control Epic Lightweight- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
Bond Pickleball
Pioneer Neo 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
Plaer
Resolute- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
Bond Pickleball
Pursuer- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
MOZI
Hyperdrive- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Feb 4, 2024
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 2, 2024
- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 2, 2024
Professor Sports LLC
Professor PhD Pro- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Feb 1, 2024
SLK By Selkirk
Evo Control Max- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 31, 2024
PKZK
PKZK-C01- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 31, 2024
STINGER
MC-2- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 30, 2024
Cheetah Pickleball
Cheetah Predion 5- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 26, 2024
Grafton
TERRA 1.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 25, 2024
VUFOXT
V16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 25, 2024
KONDOR Pickleball, LLC
El Capitan 1.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 25, 2024
Thrive
AZUL- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Hybrid blend
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2024
Mino
Carbon Bloom- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2024
Gamma Sports
RCF Obsidian 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2024
Gamma Sports
RCF Airbender 16- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2024
PRIMAL BIRDS
CONTROL PLUS 2.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 15.5 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2024
PRIMAL BIRDS
POWER PRO 2.0- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 15.5 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Raw carbon
- Approved:
- Jan 23, 2024
Dinker Drinker
Catwalk- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Not listed
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 19, 2024
SPORT BEATS
Deft 16mm- Core:
- Polypropylene honeycomb
- Thickness:
- 16 mm
- Shape:
- Hybrid
- Face:
- Carbon fiber
- Approved:
- Jan 18, 2024
Source: USA Pickleball Approved Equipment List. Specs not on the official list show as "Not listed" until we verify them.