Best Pickleball Paddles Under £100 UK 2026

A note on honesty: we research paddles against manufacturer specs, UK retailer listings and player consensus rather than testing every model in-house. Prices and stock shift, so confirm the current price and availability before buying.

The specs that matter most under £100:

• A 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core. This is the sweet spot for control and forgiveness - thicker cores are softer and more stable, which suits beginners. Our paddle-choosing guide explains core thickness in full.
• A composite or fibreglass face. Affordable, forgiving and good for spin - the standard at this price. Carbon faces appear higher up the range.
• A mid-weight around 7.8-8.2oz. Heavy enough for power, light enough for control. See our paddle weight guide.
• A comfortable grip. Too small and you'll over-grip; an overgrip is a cheap fix.
• USA Pickleball approval if you plan to play sanctioned tournaments - check the listing.

1. Decathlon Kuikma - best ultra-budget first paddle. Decathlon's own pickleball brand offers a genuinely capable paddle for under £30, available on the high street and online across the UK. For a complete beginner who isn't sure they'll stick with the sport, it's the smartest low-risk way in - you can always upgrade once you're hooked.

2. JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16mm - best near-£100 upgrade. At the top of the sub-£100 bracket (around £75-£100), the JOOLA Hyperion CFS plays a clear level above cheaper paddles, reflecting JOOLA's long racquet-sport engineering heritage. If you've played a while and want a paddle that will keep up as you improve - without crossing into premium pricing - this is the standout choice.

3. Head and Wilson composite paddles - best beginner all-rounders. Established racquet brands offer composite-face, 16mm-core paddles around the middle of this price range (e.g. Head's Extreme range and Wilson's entry models). They pair forgiving, balanced performance with the reassurance of a known brand and easy UK availability - a safe, sensible first paddle.

4. Aixo Scorpion - best budget paddle for spin. Around the £60-£65 mark, the Aixo Scorpion is pitched at improving players who want more spin and stability than a basic beginner paddle, without paying premium prices. A good step-up option once you've developed some technique and want more bite on the ball.

Where to buy: Decathlon stocks its own Kuikma range in store and online; JOOLA, Head and Wilson paddles are widely available through UK pickleball retailers and general marketplaces. Always check the current price and that the paddle is in stock before ordering, and confirm USA Pickleball approval on the listing if you intend to compete.

Less than you'd think. A common piece of advice worth following: don't spend more than about £70 on your first paddle, and wait until you've played 20 or more sessions before upgrading. Early on, your technique matters far more than your equipment, and you won't feel the difference a premium paddle makes until you've developed a consistent game. Start with a solid budget paddle, learn the sport, and upgrade later with a much clearer idea of what you actually want - our beginner paddle guide and full all-budgets roundup help when you're ready.