You started playing Pickleball. Congratulations! You will need a good starting paddle. Do not settle for the $25 no name ones from Amazon. Here are my recommendations instead:

A Good Beginners Paddle From Gamma

I always recommend getting a good base level paddle from a reputable brand. My current (2025) favorite is the Rainmaker from Gamma. This newly release paddle has a great price/performance ratio, and it comes in six different colors. I also have a discount code that will get you 20% off their website. Email me for the code.

Why not get the expensive Brand X super paddle to start?

Different paddles suit different playing styles. High end paddles are seldom general purpose. It is best to figure out your personal playing style before committing a lot of money. A high end paddle can also affect how you learn and develop.

I want to try something else

Gamma of course is not the only good brand out there. Some brands however have good higher end paddles but their beginner / recreation line is not great. A few name brands that I trust and have reasonable beginner paddles are:

SLK (a sub-brand of Selkirk)
Engage

Their offering can be confusing. One key measure is try to stay under $60 per paddle. Look for them on-sale, or Costco and BJs sometimes carry specials.

How About Some Secondary Brands?

There are some smaller brands that have great advertising and claim to offer high end paddles for a low price. Some of them are good. The main issue is their style may not fit your play style.

Friday Fever is a high performance affordable paddle
11six24 is another one, especially their lower price model