16mm Picks · Updated June 2026
Best 16mm Pickleball Paddles (2026)
16mm has become the default core thickness in pickleball for good reason — it's the right balance of plush dwell time, off-center forgiveness, and enough pop for serious play. Thicker than 13–14mm power paddles (more touch, more forgiveness), thinner than 18mm dampened paddles (more responsive). Below are the 10 best 16mm paddles, ranked across every shape by measured twist weight and swing weight balance.
Top 10 Pickleball Paddles for 16mm players
Selkirk
Selkirk Omni
Widebody · 16mm · $299.99
elite forgiveness (TW 7.87) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Chorus
Chorus Coda Harmony Grit
Widebody · 16mm · $199.99 (10% off)
elite forgiveness (TW 7.41) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Bread & Butter
Bread & Butter Fat Boy
Widebody · 16mm · $189.99 (10% off)
elite forgiveness (TW 7.39) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Bread & Butter
Bread & Butter Loco
Widebody · 16mm · $199.00 (10% off)
elite forgiveness (TW 7.29) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
11SIX24
11SIX24 Pegasus Power 2
Widebody · 16mm · $209.99 ($10 off)
elite forgiveness (TW 7.01) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Bread & Butter
Bread & Butter Loco
Hybrid · 16mm · $199.00 (10% off)
excellent forgiveness (TW 6.86) in a 16mm hybrid. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Enhance
Enhance Turbo EPP
Widebody · 16mm · $119.99 ($20 off)
elite forgiveness (TW 7.07) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
11SIX24
11SIX24 Vapor Power 2
Hybrid · 16mm · $209.99 ($10 off)
excellent forgiveness (TW 6.73) in a 16mm hybrid. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Holbrook
Holbrook Fuze
Widebody · 16mm · $229.99 (15% off)
excellent forgiveness (TW 6.72) in a 16mm widebody. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
Selkirk
Selkirk Boomstik
Elongated · 16mm · $332.99 (15% off)
excellent forgiveness (TW 6.84) in a 16mm elongated. The high twist weight means off-center mishits stay on target — exactly what makes this shape work for everyday play.
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Why 16mm — and when to go thinner or thicker
16mm is the default for a reason. Thicker cores absorb more shock, hold the ball longer on contact (dwell time), and forgive off-center hits better than thinner cores. The trade-off is slightly less "pop" off the face — but for most players, that trade is the right one.
Go thinner (13–14mm) if: you're a power player who wants maximum pop and minimum dwell. Thinner cores are stiffer and livelier. See our 13mm paddle picks or 14mm paddle picks.
Go thicker (18mm+) if: you have elbow pain or want maximum touch. 18mm cores are the plushest, most dampened option. See our elbow-friendly paddle picks.
16mm works for every play style. Power players, control players, beginners, advanced — every category has multiple high-performing 16mm options. That's why it's the most-stocked thickness in the catalog.
Browse all paddles in our full paddle database, or compare 16mm paddles head-to-head with our comparison tool.
Common Questions
FAQ
What's the best 16mm pickleball paddle?
Based on our forgiveness score (which weighs twist weight + balanced swing weight), the Selkirk Omni is currently the top 16mm pick. It combines a high twist weight with a swing weight in the easy-to-handle range.
Is 16mm better than 13mm?
For most players, yes. 16mm is more forgiving on mishits, has longer dwell time on contact, and works for touch play. 13mm is livelier and has more pop — better for advanced power players who reliably hit center.
Are 16mm paddles good for beginners?
Yes — 16mm is the right thickness for nearly every beginner. The softer feel and bigger forgiveness window make consistent contact much easier while you're still developing your stroke.
Do pros use 16mm paddles?
Many do — especially in doubles. 16mm is the most popular thickness at every level from recreational to pro. Some power-focused singles pros prefer 13mm for the extra pop.
What's the trade-off of a 16mm paddle?
Slightly less raw pop off the face than 13–14mm options. For touch players the trade is worth it; for pure power players it can feel muted.
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