You run and stretch, stretch, streeech, but the ball sails just past the end of your paddle. You lose the rally, and the point, and now you’re on the back foot.
In that situation, you can’t help but wonder what would happen if your paddle had a few more inches.
When you first started pickleball, the wide face of a standard paddle had its uses, but now you’ve improved your game, you’re ready to try a paddle that better matches your playing style.
Elongated paddles sacrifice width for length, providing savvy players with the ability to use every part of the court.
Curious about how a longer paddle could add points to your game? Find the best elongated pickleball paddles with this guide.
Product Reviews
In this section, we’ve rounded up our favorite elongated pickleball paddles. Read on to find the best paddles for your skill level, style, and budget.
The Selkirk Amped Invikta has been designed with the help of pickleball pros to maximize reach without reducing power.
The elongated paddle features a long face with a 5.25” handle, so you can use every area of the court.
The core of the Amped Invikta is made from Polypropylene X5. This is a thick cushioning, designed to reduce the impact of your opponent's shots.
Thanks to the honeycomb construction, vibrations are absorbed and lessened, allowing you to remain in control, even when your opponent hits a power shot.
But the Amped Invikta doesn’t just minimize the power of others — it helps create your own forceful shots.
The sweet spot measures an impressive 8 inches, and the fiberglass surface adds spin to the ball.
The Amped Invikta is for players who like to reach every area of the court.
The longer integrated handle helps you maintain control even when stretching to make a hit, while that larger sweet spot ensures there’s still power in your swing.
The Amped Invikta is available in both lightweight (7.3 - 7.7oz) and midweight (7.8 - 8.4oz).
The light lacks power, but the midweight loses some of the natural swing, so be careful when making your choice.
Pros
8” sweet spot - A larger sweet spot than other elongated paddles.
5.25” grip length - The longer handle ensures total control over the court.
An elongated paddle is an excellent choice for strategic players who like to play short and sharp games that leave their opponents confused.
The Paddletek Tempest Reign Pro is the perfect pick for any player looking to combine control and consistency for targeted hits with better reach.
This is a premium paddle, and you can see that in every inch of the (elongated) build.
Weighing between 7.6 and 8 oz, the Tempest Reign Pro features a 5 ½” handle for more space to grip and improved control.
As a midweight paddle, the Reign Pro packs some force, while the increased sweet spot means every hit is the right one.
Another benefit to the Tempest Reign Pro is its high forgiveness factor. The large sweet spot allows even poor hits to retain some control.
If you’re new to an elongated paddle, that means fewer mistakes as you learn your way around the longer face.
With a smart response technology core and a textured graphite surface, the Tempest Reign Pro grabs the ball, adds spin, and sends it flying with force.
A smooth swing makes this paddle a pleasure to use, but the high price point will be off-putting for casual players.
Pros
5 ¼” grip - A longer grip that offers better control.
Textured graphite surface - Lightweight and able to add spin.
The HEAD Radical XL is a slightly different take on the traditional elongated paddle, using a tapered design to increase the width at the head while keeping things tight at the base.
This design is intended to power up spin, for shots that are harder to return with accuracy.
The HEAD Radical XL is for players who like hard games with plenty of force.
Weighing 7.6oz, it’s a midweight paddle that offers strong hits with a balanced swing.
The graphite surface helps to keep the overall weight low for better control, while still allowing you to add force to your serve.
Combining a polypropylene honeycomb core with an Ergo Grip, the Radical XL is designed for pickleball players who are ready to take on tough opponents.
That honeycomb core gives bounce to your shots while absorbing the power of your opponent’s rally.
And with the Ergo Grip, you can maintain control even when facing tough serves.
Pros
Textured face - Improved spin and shot placement.
Ergo Grip - Reduced vibrations, even when returning a powerful rally.
The elongated paddle isn’t the obvious choice for a beginner to intermediate pickleball player.
It’s easier to learn using a wide paddle, with a bigger sweet spot meaning fewer missed hits.
But if you’re ready to take your game up a notch, and you’re the kind of player who hates to miss a shot, then the HUDEF Hammer is an elongated paddle that can help you get to grips with a new playing style.
Affordably priced and cleverly constructed, the HUDEF Hammer features a longer face with a shorter handle.
The 4'' handle isn’t for everyone (if you have particularly large hands, you might find grip possible), but the layered design helps you maintain control.
Fitted with double buffering technology and ultra-soft cushioning, the grip absorbs sweat and vibrations for better control over longer play.
The HUDEF Hammer is an affordable paddle for new to intermediate players, but it doesn’t fall short when it comes to quality.
Built with a polypropylene honeycomb core, the paddle absorbs hits and limits vibrations. The graphite face is super durable, with a light texture to add grip and spin.
Pros
Price - An affordable option for discovering the elongated paddle.
Double buffering - Play for longer, thanks to the comfortable grip.
In this section, we’ve taken a look at the features and specifications to consider when choosing an elongated paddle.
However, don’t overlook the overall build of the paddle. Both the inner core and the outer facing should provide power, dampen impact, and offer spin.
Let’s take a look at the features specific to elongated paddles.
Sweet Spot
The sweet spot of an elongated paddle is a mixed bag. On the one hand, the sweet spot is naturally smaller due to the reduced width of the face.
But that same compact size can be an advantage. As the sweet spot is so tightly contained, it has a lot of power behind it.
An elongated paddle can provide bounce and accuracy, but you have to be more careful with your hits.
Some premium elongated paddles do have larger sweet spots, although there will always be a sacrifice with this paddle shape.
Consider where the sweet spot is, as well as the size. Some elongated paddles will engineer the sweet spot to be in the center, while others will place it near the top of the face.
The central sweet spot is convenient, but the higher sweet spot can be useful for tactical games.
Handle Size
Handle size varies massively when it comes to elongated paddles, so don’t overlook your grip.
Some elongated paddles have shorter handles, typically around 4”. When using these handles, it’s easier to place a finger or thumb on the face of your paddle for control.
When the paddle is this long, there are some obvious advantages to this grip choice.
However, other elongated paddles will build on the length with a bigger handle. These handles can measure upwards of 5”.
These are harder to control, but you can really rescue balls from across the court thanks to the increased length.
Consider how you like to grip your paddle, and whether you prefer control or reach.
Length And Width
Elongated paddles all prioritize length over width, but there are still variations in face shape.
While length is key, the width of an elongated paddle can vary significantly. Some will be very long and thin, which will impair control, but help you to reach across the court.
Others will reduce the length slightly to build width, increasing the sweet spot but losing some of that slicing shape.
And while some elongated paddles maintain width across the face, others are tapered at the end.
There’s no right choice when it comes to length and width. This is a matter of preference and gameplay.
However, the dimensions will affect the balance and swing of the paddle. If you can, try and test the paddle before buying.
Weight
Pickleball paddles come in three sizes: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. It’s hard to find elongated paddles in the heavyweight category.
They have an unwieldy swing, and the excess weight detracts from the total court control. Heavy elongated paddles won’t cut through the air and they can be tricky to balance.
It’s better to look for elongated paddles that are in the lightweight to midweight category.
Midweight paddles have more power, but sacrifice control. Lightweight paddles have excellent control but lack some force.
Either option works, so consider your playing style when deciding on a weight.
If you like to play close to the net and maintain control, choose a lightweight build. If you prefer longer rallies with plenty of power, pick a midweight paddle.
USAPA Approved
If you’re looking for an elongated pickleball paddle, we assume you have some experience in the game.
These are rarely beginner paddles, as you need mastery of your swing to make the most of that long and narrow face.
If you’re looking for an elongated paddle, you might be considering tournament play.
In that case, you need to look for USAPA-approved paddles. These paddles can be used at pickleball tournaments.
The majority of quality pickleball paddles are USAPA approved, but it’s worth checking the credentials.
If you choose a budget paddle from a non-branded supplier, it might not reach regulations.
Price
It can take some time to get used to an elongated pickleball paddle.
It doesn’t feel like the traditional paddle, and hits that would have been perfect on a shorter paddle fall soft on the elongated design.
When you first switch to an elongated paddle, you might find your game suffers.
Hopefully, it should just be a short-term adjustment. In time, you’ll learn your way around the paddle, and be able to improve your shot range with the added length.
However, the elongated paddle isn’t for everyone. You might find that it doesn’t work with your playing style, even with plenty of practice.
For this reason, it’s often better to start with a budget elongated paddle. Have a go at swings and hits, and see how the length responds to your techniques.
If you like the paddle, you can look for a premium design. If you don’t, you won’t have spent too much money on a paddle you won’t use.
Final Thoughts
The elongated paddle has many advantages for talented pickleball players. With the extra length and the tight sweet spot, you can make the most of every inch of the court.
If you choose an elongated paddle, be prepared for a learning curve.
The sweet spot is small, and the swing can be cumbersome. But once you’ve learned your paddle, you can really make your opponent pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Benefits Of An Elongated Pickleball Paddle?
The major advantage of the elongated pickleball paddle is the reach it gives you around the court.
Shots that you might have missed with a shorter paddle can win points with a longer paddle.
Elongated paddles also have a tight sweet spot, giving them more pop and better power.
Elongated pickleball paddles are often used by singles players, as they can be unwieldy in doubles play.
They’re also popular with players switching to pickleball from other racquet sports because the similar shape feels comfortable.
Are Elongated Pickleball Paddles Legal?
Yes, elongated pickleball paddles are legal, but they do have to be approved for tournament play.
While elongated paddles are an acceptable shape, the exact dimensions of the paddle need to fit the guidelines.
They must be less than 17” long, with a surface area of 24” or less.
What Are The Disadvantages Of An Elongated Pickleball Paddle?
Elongated paddles lack the precision of wider paddles, and they tend to have smaller sweet spots. That means even good contact with the paddle won’t always result in a good shot.
Elongated paddles have a disadvantage if you prefer to keep shots low, as they’re more likely to scrape the ground. The length can also be an issue if you prefer to play close to the net.
It can take some time to master the elongated paddle, so we only recommend them for intermediate or advanced players.
Hi, I’m Michael Walter, and I am a Pickleball enthusiast. I work as a High School Physical Education Teacher, so I have an expansive knowledge of sports and its impact on physical health.
When I first took a position at my current school, one of the many things I wanted to implement in the curriculum was Pickleball.
Pickleball is a fantastic sport to keep yourself active, healthy, keep your blood pumping, and to start a good sense of competitiveness and team work.
