Best Pickleball Paddle for Tennis Elbow Relief: Top Picks 2023

Tennis elbow is a painful condition that affects many pickleball players. It results from overusing the forearm muscles, which can cause inflammation and pain in the elbow joint. 

One way to reduce the risk of tennis elbow is to use a pickleball paddle that is specifically designed to reduce the strain on your forearm.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow. We’ve researched and tested several paddles to identify the most effective ones for reducing strain on the forearm muscles. 

When choosing a paddle for tennis elbow, it’s essential to look for specific features that can help alleviate the condition’s symptoms. The paddle’s weight is one of the most important factors to consider. A lighter paddle can help reduce strain on your forearm muscles, preventing tennis elbow. 

Furthermore, the paddle’s grip size and shape can help reduce strain on the forearm muscles.

After testing several paddles, we’ve identified the top picks for the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow. These paddles offer a combination of lightweight construction, ergonomic grip design, and other features that make them ideal for players who suffer from tennis elbow.

Top Pickleball Paddles for Tennis Elbow

We understand that finding the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow can be daunting. That’s why we’ve researched for you and compiled a list of the best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow. 

1. Hesacore Pickleball Paddle Tour Grip

We recently tried out the Hesacore Pickleball Paddle Tour Grip and were impressed with its performance. 

Hesacore’s multifaceted design expands the hand-handle contact surface, creating a comfortable grip that increases grip and reduces hand muscle contraction when hitting the ball. This leads to less effort and better transfer of energy to the ball.

The hexagon shape of the grip sleeve takes some getting used to, but it provides a good grip that supports the interphalangeal joints of the finger, helping the correct and efficient use of the bottom three fingers to manage the paddle swing. The grip sleeve also helps sweaty hands avoid the paddle slipping from the hand, which is a common problem with traditional grips.

Installing the grip sleeve may be difficult for some players, and the sleeve splitting is risky when removing one of the adhesive strips. Additionally, the grip sleeve is only available in one size (small), which may not be suitable for all players. 

Pros

• Provides a comfortable grip that expands the contact surface between hand and handle, generating between 8% and 14% more grip, depending on the overgrip used by the player.
• Increases grip strength with an ideal grip that supports interphalangeal joints of the finger, helping the correct and efficient use of the bottom three fingers to manage the paddle swing.
• It helps sweaty hands avoid the paddle slipping from the hand and reduces the contraction of hand muscles when hitting the ball, leading to less effort and better energy transfer to the ball.

Cons

• Some players may find the hexagon shape of the grip sleeve takes some getting used to.
• Installing the grip sleeve may be difficult for some players, and the sleeve splitting is risky when removing one of the adhesive strips.
• The grip sleeve is only available in one size (small), which may not be suitable for all players.

2. PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle Navy/Green

We highly recommend the PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle Navy/Green for anyone suffering from tennis elbow.

We liked the PROKENNEX Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle Navy/Green. The Cloud Core technology reduces the paddle’s weight while adding power and strength to your swings. The paddle was well-balanced and easy to use on the court. During intense gameplay, the Comfort Cushion grip was comfortable and secure.

The paddle’s Kinetic System Technology with Carbon Casing and Cloud Cell poly core made it incredibly durable and long-lasting. The replaceable Air-O-Guard edge guard also added to the paddle’s longevity.

Pros

• The Toray T700 Carbon Fiber Pickleball paddle perfectly blends power and control.
• The proprietary Kinetic technology eliminates harmful shock and vibration, reducing soreness and fatigue in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder and minimizing the risk of injury to the arm.
• The proprietary Diamond Frost micro-texture coating allows for maximum grit exposure upon ball contact for an optimal spin.

Cons

• The 7.3 – 7.6oz weight range may not be suitable for players who prefer a heavier paddle.
• The grip size of 4in may not be comfortable for players with larger hands.
• The paddle does not come with a cover.

3. ProKennex Pro Speed II – Pickleball Paddle Green

If you’re looking for a pickleball paddle that can help alleviate tennis elbow, the ProKennex Pro Speed II is worth considering.

We’ve been using the ProKennex Pro Speed II for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The Kinetic shock absorbing system makes a noticeable difference in reducing vibrations and providing a comfortable feel. The wind-resistant edgeless construction allows for increased maneuverability, and the paddle is built for quickness and reflex enhancement.

One downside to the edgeless construction is that chipping and scratches occur during normal wear and tear. Additionally, the paddle may not be suitable for players who prefer a heavier weight, as it weighs between 7.7 – 8 oz. Some players may also find the grip circumference too small.

Pros

• The Kinetic shock absorbing system reduces vibrations and provides a comfortable feel.
• The wind-resistant edgeless construction increases maneuverability.
• The paddle is built for quickness and reflex enhancement.

Cons

• The edgeless construction leads to chipping and scratches during normal wear and tear.
• The paddle may not be suitable for players who prefer a heavier weight.
• Some players may find the grip circumference too small.

4. JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CGS Pickleball Paddle

If you’re looking for a pickleball paddle that can help with your tennis elbow, the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CGS Pickleball Paddle might be a good option.

With its Carbon Grip Surface (CGS) technology, this paddle offers increased ball bite to help keep your shots on target while reducing vibrations for added comfort. Here are the pros and cons:

In our experience, the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CGS Pickleball Paddle offers a good balance of power and control. The CGS surface technology definitely helps with spin, and the Aero Curve head design makes it easy to generate speed. The SureGrip technology also adds to the overall comfort of the paddle.

However, the paddle is on the heavier side, which might not be ideal for players who prefer lighter paddles.

The elongated grip might not be comfortable for those with smaller hands. Some users have reported durability issues with the EdgeGuard technology, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Pros

• The CGS surface technology increases ball bites for more spin on every shot.
• The Aero Curve head design creates less drag and increases swing speed.
• The SureGrip technology offers an anti-slip ridge grip for a secure hold.

Cons

• The paddle might be too heavy for some players.
• The elongated grip might not be comfortable for those with smaller hands.
• Some users have reported durability issues with the EdgeGuard technology.

5. PROKENNEX Black Ace Ovation

We highly recommend the PROKENNEX Black Ace Ovation Pickleball Paddle for anyone with tennis elbow.

Our team found the PROKENNEX Black Ace Ovation Pickleball Paddle to be very comfortable to use. 

The edgeless design allowed for quick exchanges and produced more power. The kinetic technology reduced vibration and provided excellent shock absorption. The oval shape reduced corner weight and allowed for faster paddle rotation.

The paddle is a bit expensive compared to other pickleball paddles, but we believe that the quality of the paddle and features make it worth the price. 

The handle may be a bit too thin for some players, but we found it to be very comfortable. The paddle may not be suitable for players who prefer a heavier paddle, but we found the weight to be just right.

Pros

• The edgeless design enhances reflexes and produces more power due to the improved swing speed.
• The kinetic technology reduces vibration by 43% and absorbs shock and vibration.
• The oval shape is aerodynamically engineered for airspeed and reduces corner weight allowing for faster paddle rotation.

Cons

• The paddle is a bit expensive compared to other pickleball paddles.
• The handle may be a bit too thin for some players.
• The paddle may not be suitable for players who prefer a heavier paddle.

6. ProKennex Ovation Speed II – Pickleball Paddle White

If you’re looking for a pickleball paddle that offers a competitive edge, the ProKennex Ovation Speed II is a great option. We highly recommend this paddle for players who want to improve their maneuverability and speed on the court.

The paddle’s modified oval shape and Opti-Cell Core improved maneuverability and speed by increasing the sweet spot and energy transfer. 

The proprietary 7-layer coating and complex composite, including a specially treated soft skin with a spin-grab feature, carbon/fiberglass, and ProKennex Release epoxy/resin system, provided a soft ball strike and spin control. The paddle’s Kinetic technology protected our arms and extended the ball’s dwell time. 

While the exact weight of the paddle cannot be chosen, we found the weight to be comfortable and easy to maneuver. 

Players with larger hands may also feel discomfort with the 3.875 tapered circumference of the grip. The ProKennex Ovation Speed II is a high-quality pickleball paddle, but its price tag is higher than that of some competitors.

Pros

• The modified oval shape creates an expanded sweet spot, allowing for a more efficient energy transfer and higher percentage of paddle mass along the center axis.
• The Opti-Cell Core construction, proprietary 7-layer coating, and complex composite deliver a plush ball strike and spin-grab feature, allowing for confident maneuvering of shots.
• The Kinetic technology integrated into the perimeter of the paddle provides unparalleled arm protection and extended dwell time.

Cons

• The exact weight cannot be chosen, with the paddle weighing between 7.7 – 8.0 OZ.
• The grip circumference is 3.875 tapered, which may not be comfortable for players with larger hands.
• The price point is higher than some other pickleball paddles on the market.

7. HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle

We recommend the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle for players looking for a lightweight paddle with excellent power and feel.

If you are an intermediate player looking for a paddle with both power and feel, we recommend the HEAD Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle. Lightweight and extremely durable fiberglass is the hitting surface, while the polypropylene honeycomb core and innovative Ergo Grip ensure a solid grip and minimal vibration at every swing. 

The paddle is great for intermediate club players, but it may have a negative impact on spin because of its small sweet spot and lack of texture.

The paddle has a thicker OTC honeycomb core and HEAD’s most popular technology for optimal playability. The fiberglass paddle has a new Radical color to it and a sleek finish. However, there is no carrying case or cover for the paddle.

Pros

• The fiberglass hitting surface offers great feel and ample power for competitive play.
• The polypropylene honeycomb core, paired with the new Ergo Grip, provides the perfect touch every time with minimal vibration.
• The paddle is ideal for mid-level club players.

Cons

• The paddle has less texture than other HEAD models so that spin abilities may be affected.
• The sweet spot is more limited than on other paddles.
• The paddle does not come with a cover or bag.

Buying Guide

When choosing a pickleball paddle for tennis elbow, there are a few key features to consider.

We want to ensure that the paddle we choose will help alleviate any pain or discomfort caused by tennis elbow, while still providing us with the performance we need on the court.

Soft or medium grip 

This will help reduce the amount of vibration that is transferred to our arm during play, which can aggravate tennis elbow. A grip that is too firm or hard can cause unnecessary strain on your arm, so it’s important to find a paddle with a comfortable grip.

Weight of the paddle 

A lighter paddle will be easier on your arm as it requires less effort to swing. However, we don’t want to sacrifice too much power or control for the sake of a lighter weight. It’s important to find a balance between weight and performance.

Shape of the paddle 

A paddle with a wider face will provide a larger sweet spot, which can benefit those with tennis elbow.

A wider face will also provide more forgiveness on off-center hits, which can help reduce the amount of vibration that is transferred to our arm.

Materials used to construct the paddle 

Composite materials are more forgiving and provide better shock absorption, making them a good choice for tennis elbow patients.

However, they can also be more expensive. Aluminum and graphite paddles are also good options; they are lightweight and provide good control.

In summary, when choosing a pickleball paddle for tennis elbow, we want to look for a paddle with a soft or medium grip, a balanced weight, a wider face, and materials that provide good shock absorption.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can find a paddle that will help alleviate any pain or discomfort caused by tennis elbow while still providing us with the performance you need on the court.

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