Edgeless pickleball paddles are the modern standard of pickleball paddles. The edge guard was an essential part of the overall construction. Pickleball paddles are typically 3 part paddles with the edge guard holding them together. Currently, edgeless paddles follow a 2 part construction and It’s speculated that you’ll see most paddles start to ditch the edge guard in the future. Without further ado, here are our favorite picks for the best edgeless pickleball paddles you need to check out in 2022.
It’s worth noting that for these tests, we tested only standard-size and mid-weight paddles to get accurate comparisons. Many of these manufacturers make paddles in different shapes and sizes which we also recommended below.
Contents
Best Edgeless Pickleball Paddles Compared
More Resources:
5 Best Edgeless Pickleball Paddle Reviewed
PROKENNEX Pro Speed II Pickleball Paddle
- Paddle Weight 7.9 oz
- Handle length: 4 7/8″
- Paddle length: 15.43″
- Paddle Width: 7.6″
- Paddle Face: carbon/fiberglass hybrid
ProKennex was really the first big paddle manufacturer that started the edgeless movement. The Pro Speed II is a very well-rounded pickleball paddle.
The thin core creates a ton of power and the Kinetic inserts that sounds like sand when you shake the paddle is so efficient at absorbing shock which is great if you suffer from tennis elbow.
You’ll notice a top edge guard on the paddle, but that is easy to remove or replace and really just protects the face from any damage. Overall this paddle sits very nicely in the hands and feels very aerodynamic and stable on the court.
- A compressed core gives it a lot of power
- Very good at absorbing shock
- A balanced face feels stable and forgiving
- Easy to control spin
- Great price
- short shots take some adjustment because of the pop and power it generates
- Need a lightweight paddle?: ProKennex Pro Flight Lightweight
- Need More Maneuverability?: ProKennex Ovation Flight Oval Paddle
- Need More Spin?: ProKennex Kenetic Pro Spin
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air s2
- Paddle Weight 7.9 oz
- Handle length: 4 3/8″
- Paddle length: 15.34″
- Paddle Width: 8″
- Paddle Face: carbon/fiberglass hybrid
This paddle has a ton of spin (if you know how to generate it). The face feels great and so far the face texture has lasted longer than other Selkirk paddles. The sweet spot on this paddle is very well-balanced and big which means it offers stability and control. It doesn’t have crazy amounts of power, but it’ll get the job done.
Overall this is another well-rounded paddle in terms of spin, power, and controlled resets and dinks. The only downside is that it’s a little pricey, but after a couple of months, it seems to be the most durable Selkirk I’ve used so far. It’s a very light and maneuverable paddle since it has no edge guard and that wide opening by the handle.
- So easy to generate tons of spin
- Amazing price for quality
- Durable surface texture
- Big sweet spot
- Very nice feel
- Decent power
- Easy to control
- Forgiving face
- Not the best paddle if you're looking for power
- Need more Power?: Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta (Elongated)
- Check out other Selkirk Pickleball Paddle Reviews
Gearbox CX14H
- Paddle Weight: 8.1 oz
- Paddle Length: 15 7/8″
- Paddle Width: 8″
- Handle Length: 5 5/8″
- Paddle Face Material: Woven Carbon Fiber
One of the first things I noticed about this pickleball paddle is how great it feels in your hands. The stock grip is very high quality and the paddle length is long enough for tow handed backhands.
The carbon fiber face is extremely durable and you won’t find any dead spots or have to worry about durability. Additionally, the face feels amazing and consistent, especially coming from a polymer paddle. It’s a solid, thick, and very soft feel but once you get used to it you get better control.
The power is okay, but the spin is great and you can control the spin perfectly on long drives or short dinks and resets.
- Very good at absorbing shock
- Great balance and stability for greater control
- Great sound off the face
- Slightly longer handle gives you more reach
- Needs a little more power.
- Looking for More power and maneuverability?: Gearbox CX 14e
SLK Omega Max
- Paddle Dimensions: 16″
- Paddle Width: 7.85″
- Paddle Weight: 7.9 oz
- Handle Length: 4.85″
- Paddle Face Material: GC9-Flex Dual Carbon and Fiberglass Face
If you don’t want to spend $250 on a premium edgeless Selkirk Paddle (like the Power Air), then look no further than the SLK Omega Max.
Just because it’s cheaper than the other paddles in this review does not mean you’re sacrificing performance. You can generate a lot of spin with his paddle. In my opinion, it’s easier to generate more spin with this paddle than the Power Air.
As far as power goes, the Power Air takes the point there. The Omega Max feels like it has a bigger, softer sweet spot which isn’t great for power, but it is great for control. The paddle feels great and has a lot of pop off the face. Overall this paddle really shocked me in terms of performance and playability.
- So easy to generate tons of spin
- Amazing price for quality
- Durable surface texture
- Big sweet spot
- Very nice feel
- Decent power
- Easy to control
- Forgiving face
- Not the best paddle if you're looking for power
Engage Omega Evolution Elite
- Paddle Weight: 7.6 oz
- Handle length: 5″
- Paddle length: 15 3/4″
- Paddle Width: 7 5/8″
- Paddle Face: Carbon Fiber Skin
This is another mid-tier paddle that has top-tier performance. The first thing you’ll notice right away is how thin this paddle is. The thin core with no edge guard makes for a very light weight pickleball paddle. The second feature that stood out was the long handle. You can easily fit two hands on the handle if you prefer two-handed backhands.
Since the paddle is so light, it makes it hard to generate a lot of power, and the stability could have been better. This paddle really excels around the net for hands battles. The lightness made it easy to be lightning quick.
- Great Price
- Very maneuverable for hands battles
- Thin core provides a lot of pop
- Long handle gives you good reach
- Great control and feel
- Hard to generate a lot of power
- May be too light for those who are used. to heavy paddles
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of edgeless pickleball paddles?
Edgeless pickleball paddles are going to usually be lighter, more aerodynamic and more maneuverable than paddles with edge guards. Furthermore, the face tends to feel more responsive with less dead zones on mis-hits since the edge guard dulls the feeling when you hit the ball off-center.
Why do Pickleball Paddles have Edge-Guards?
Edge-guards protect brittle paddle surfaces from chipping and de-laminating which is when the paddle face detached from the core. Edgeless pickleball paddles are made up of a two part construction so you don’t have to worry about de-lamination.
