If you are a pickleball player, chances are you are asking yourself which paddle thickness is the right one for you. Drawing on my profound knowledge, let me sort this issue out. There are a few general thicknesses that are used to produce pickleball paddles, 14mm and 16mm, being the most commonly used. So, there are other thicknesses available besides 10mm and 20mm, but the 14mm and 16mm ones are the most popular among the players.The quality of your game depends on the thickness of the paddle. Both are for different playing styles; 14mm is good for aggressive, and 16mm is good for defensive strategy. Now, I ‘ll try to give you the review of the thickness 14mm vs 16mm pickleball paddle so that you can make a decision .
In the 14mm vs 16mm paddles, a new player can’t initially differentiate between the two thicknesses, while an experienced player notices it immediately.

Is the thickness of the paddle important?

In pickleball, the thickness of the paddle is a major element and is as important as the other factors,e.g the paddle’s size, shape, grip, weight, and material.
We measure the thickness in Millimeters (mm). So, 14mm and 16 mm are the thickness measurements of the paddles.
The thickness of the paddle plays an important role in the playing style and gives an amazing feeling to the Player’s hand during the play.

What is the difference between a 14mm and a 16mm pickleball paddle?

 

 

In 14mm vs 16mm, most simple words, the difference between 14mm and 16mm is the thickness of the pickleball paddles.
The pickleball paddles in 14mm are thinner and opt for high speed, power, and spin.
While 16mm is thicker, paddles have more control and are sensitive to touch; you can feel every touch while playing 16mm.

14mm Pickleball Paddle:

If we talk about 14mm vs 16mm, the 14mm thickness of pickleball paddles provides a very lightweight feeling to the hands. So, it makes it possible to command over the shots with more responsiveness. It gives an amazing sense of subtle touch with a wonderful spin and helps find the sweet spot.

16mm Pickleball Paddle:

A 16 mm paddle in pickleball gives more thickness with a large surface to bang the ball. This results in effortlessly enthusiastic shots during the play.
Does the thickness of the paddle matter? Or Why is the Thickness of Your Paddle a Big Deal?
The thickness of 14mm vs 16mm pickleball paddles can be revolutionary if your selection is either 14mm or 16mm.
Well, according to some experts, there is no right or wrong between the paddle’s thickness; you may get any of them according to your likeness.

Best 14mm vs 16mm Pickleball Paddles:

Although I have many paddles, a few are best, in my opinion.

1. Budget-friendly 14mm vs 16mm pickleball paddle:

The Vatic Pro Prism Flash

14mm paddle price would be under $100 after a discount. It’s my favourite paddle due to its lightweight material, which is good for quick shots. Vatic Pro Prism Flash 16mm is a budget-friendly  paddle for $100. It is good for beginners as per its features and low price.

2. Best overall 16mm paddle:

 

JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus 3S Pickleball Paddle

 

The 16mm paddle is exceptional mainly for its great control but also for its lighter swing weight and lower static weight. I want to keep it short since the Perseus 14mm is very similar to the 16mm, with a few minor exceptions. It seems denser, has a bit stronger hit, and a tighter sweet spot. The 14mm Perseus is considerably harder-hitting than the 16mm one and is the best for higher-level players who prefer the skinnier ones with more power but still have a pleasant touch.

As we know, power, spin, speed, and control are 4 elements of the thickness on which the game relies.

 

14mm or 16mm pickleball paddle comparison chart:

If you’re about to ask which paddle I should choose, which should be a 14mm or 16mm?
Don’t worry! I am here to answer this question in a brief discussion. However, you can have any one of them according to different factors like your likeness, skills, and playing style. Yet, I recommend pickleball paddles with 16mm thickness as a great option for new players, while 14 mm is fine for experienced ones.

Therefore, if we talk about the pickleball paddle thickness number, it refers to the quality of your game, whether you’re a “power player” or a “finesse maestro”. Having the right paddle thickness influences your play amazingly.

I have some points to describe that will be useful for you while deciding on an adequate thickness selection.
Power moves: 14 mm (skinny paddles)are much lighter with quick responsiveness. It is more convenient and best for fine shots. It is great for aggressive strategy. It is like the sports car’s paddles, which are more convenient with delicacy in shots.
A16 mm paddle ( chunky paddle), famous for defensive strategy and more stability. It has great control and power, but volleys are not as fine as in 14mm. Here, I like to give the example of a paddle of a muscle car, which offers a hard hit but without delicacy.
Handling and Touch: A 14mm ( slim paddle) comes with a finer touch and makes you able to feel it every time. It gives a maximum spin With a small sweet spot.
A 16mm ( thicker paddle) is good for making controlled shots and for precision. It has a large sweet spot and more power to slam the ball with more strength.
Player style: the pickleball paddle, 14 mm ( slim to fitness), is a better option if you’re skilful and must put the ball in a precise location.
A 16mm( thicker with power) is an amazing paddle for those who like to play solid, speedy, and slammed strokes.
Your choice: You can choose any paddle thickness as per your preference, such as being sprightly with 14mm thickness or more powered shots with 16 mm.
Balancing Act: ( skill vs power)To get an absolute balance during the play is more important. So, you can choose any of the paddles with 14mm(slim paddle) or 16mm(powerhouse) paddle, but you have to be balanced during the game while making a selection of thickness as with slim paddle, you need more skills, while with thick one, you can control the more power.

Playing style: A 14mm paddle may be an option if you’re aiming towards more powerful shots. In contrast, a 16 mm is best for pickleball paddle players with requirements of more control.
For beginners, new players who aren’t experienced in controlling well can have a 16mm paddle because it gives more controlled shots than the 14mm.

Stability and Durability:A 16mm paddle is usually known as more stable and durable because of the thick core. It sustains its quality after passing the time because of its dense material. So, pickleball players can invest in this paddle if they are more frequent in their game.
As a 14mm paddle is more likely to be quick and lightweight, its stability and durability are considered less than that of a 16 mm. Due to its thinner core, it is affected by hard hits. Well, you can also have a good quality material in 14mm if quality matters to you.

Manoeuvrability and weight: 16mm paddles are heavier because of their thickness. The weight can impact the speed of the reaction. But it provides better control on the other side.
14mm paddle: it comes in lightweight to make it possible to be more reactive to the quick volleys.

Who should choose the 14mm Paddle:

 

A 14mm paddle permits a player who wants more pop on his shots.
A 14mm paddle lets players get more “pop” on their shots. It feels as if the ball is flying off your paddle.
A thinner paddle like 14mm is a fine choice for the pickleball player with high dinking skills and control, and those who want additional power in their volleys can choose a 14mm paddle for sure.

Who should choose the 16mm Paddle:

 

You should choose 16mm paddles if you tend to control the power with less effort.
You need more thickness in your paddle if you’re good at slamming balls and volleys and hitting hard. So you can opt for a 16mm paddle. It has a large sweet spot and provides fair absorption to vibrations.
A 16mm paddle can be best for ex-tennis players due to its thickness and weight. Ex-tennis Players are experts in power generation in shots with heavy rackets.

The shape of the blade is 14mm vs 16mm:

The shape of the blade or the handles in pickleball paddles is vital in getting the right thickness between 14mm and 16mm. Paddles can be available in three sizes: i.e. small, medium, and large. A 14mm paddle has small handles, and a 16 mm handle has large handles. So, a Player can choose a paddle according to his hands.
Blades material: As I mentioned above, the material of the paddles is the factor that a pickleball player should keep in mind. The paddle comes in various materials, such as fibreglass, graphite, and composite. A composite material is weighted and at a lower price. Mostly, 14mm paddles are made up of this material. Carbon fibre or graphite material is used to make the 16mm paddles, which are a bit heavier and give good control.

Thickness of the paddles:

In 14mm vs 16mm pickleball paddles, As mentioned above, pickleball paddles offer numerous thickness options. However, the two, 14mm and 16mm, are the best regarding thickness.
The paddle’s thickness greatly impacts the hand’s control, power, and comfort level.
14mm core thickness: A slim 14mm core comes up with a small sweet spot, used to do high-powered shots with speed and spin features.
These paddles have extra dynamics and are used by seasoned players interested in wild shots. A 14mm paddle is an exquisite combination of power, spin, and high speed.
16mm core thickness: A pickleball paddle 16mm is considered great for its energy-absorbent property. It gives fine control and strong shots with more stability and durability. These paddles are just like dancing with a ball due to their marvellous control. Playing with these paddles is likelier to play an orchestra instead of hitting the ball.

Do top pickleball players use 14mm or 16mm?

Top pickleball players select the paddles wisely through control and power.
A Player usually goes for 14 mm paddles that are energetic, power shots, and want “extra punch”.
The 16mm paddle is a powerhouse; a player who wants control and more accuracy in strategic moves can opt for 16mm.With this paddle, you can even hit more powered shots as it needs the least effort.

Conclusion:
The Player’s power or control requirements can decide the pickleball paddle thickness. A 14mm can be chosen by the person looking for superior, more responsive shots with a soft touch. Conversely, paddles with 16mm thickness are the appropriate choice for the Player, who tends to look for solid, stable shots with more control and a large sweet spot. Therefore, it depends upon the personal choice. A player can choose any paddle thickness by playing both to ensure it suits him. I can’t say which thickness is better than the other because of the versatility and inclination of the Player. In a pickleball paddle, a 14 m should be chosen by a player who relishes rapid reaction and wants to be energetic with enthusiastic shots. Meanwhile, a 16mm could be a choice for a player who tends to play with great control and wants the feeling of softness with more stability in the shots.

FAQs:

 

Q: What is the Major difference between 14mm and 16mm paddles?
Ans: In simple words, the difference between 14mm and 16mm is the thickness of the paddles.14mm is a thinner paddle, while a paddle is a thicker one.
Q: What are the main factors to consider while choosing the perfect thickness of the paddle?
Ans: Some key factors considered important when choosing the thickness of pickleball paddles are material, durability, power, skills, playing styles, etc.
Q: Which is the best thickness, 14mm or 16mm?
Ans: There is no right or wrong with the paddle thickness. It is completely one’s own choice, playing style, likeness, and preference.