What Are Pickleball Paddles Made Of? A Breakdown of Cores, Surfaces, and Materials

Some paddles just play better—smoother, faster, more controlled. That’s not luck. It’s the result of carefully engineered materials working together. From the paddle face to the core and to the unibody handle and even the edge guard, every part contributes to how a paddle feels and performs on the court. The right blend of materials can unlock incredible benefits for your pickleball paddle, including better spin, more control, extra power, all for a confident swing.  

Let’s break it all down—keep reading so you can find the paddle that fits your game. 

The Three Main Parts of a Pickleball Paddle

Every paddle is made up of three essential parts—the face, the core, and the edge guard—and each directly impacts how it performs on the court. From how the ball recoils off the surface to how the paddle absorbs impact or holds up over time, these elements work together to shape your experience as a player. Here’s how each part plays a role in your performance: 

1. Paddle Face (Surface): This is the striking surface of the paddle that interacts with the ball. Common facing materials include kevlar, titanium, carbon fiber, fiberglass, graphite, and raw carbon fiber. The choice of material significantly impacts spin generation and ball control. The application of these surfaces can be a one, two and even three layers composite mix. 

2. Core (Interior): The paddle core lies between the two faces and serves as the paddle’s engine, determining how it feels in hand, how it responds to shots, and how it absorbs impact. The core can also affect longevity in a paddle with some paddles core breaking down or core crushing too quickly. The core can also come in single, double and even triple-core layers all layered into 12mm to 16mm thickness. 

3. Edge Guard: Most modern paddles have a protective edge guard to safeguard the structural integrity of the paddle and reduce the chances of edge damage during play. Several Gen-3 paddles rigidize the edge and remove the edge guard for a lighter feel. Pro-Line Paddle offers a edgeless designs reinforced by Titanium weave that maintains rigidity while lightening the paddle and enhances the sweet spot. 

What Materials Are Used for Paddle Faces?

The paddle face, or “facing material”, is what directly interacts with the ball. Depending on its composition, the paddle face can influence how much spin you can generate, how long the ball stays on the paddle, and how durable the surface remains after repeated play. 

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber paddle faces are known for their strength, control, and responsiveness. T700 carbon fiber offers excellent durability and consistent performance, making it a popular choice for balanced play. 18K carbon fiber features a tighter weave with much more surface texture, enhancing spin and touch. At the top end, high-performance materials like Toray+ combine dense carbon construction with refined texture to deliver maximum precision, feedback, and control—ideal for players seeking the best feel from their paddle. Toray is a unique surface material beyond typical T700 carbon fiber providing a softer feel where Pro-Line has taken the technology to a new level creating Toray+ maximizing feel, power and spin. 

Plastic Blends

Plastic-faced paddles are commonly used in budget-friendly and beginner models. They provide a quick, poppy response that’s easy to get used to, especially for new players still learning control and timing. While accessible and lightweight, plastic surfaces typically wear down faster and don’t offer the same spin potential or long-term performance as more advanced materials like carbon fiber. 

Wooden Paddles

The most basic material, wood is generally found in entry-level paddles. Heavy and lacking modern performance characteristics, wooden paddles are seldom used in competitive play but are an option for beginners. 

What’s Inside? Understanding Pickleball Paddle Cores

The core of a paddle is where most of its playability stems from. A well-designed core balances feel, vibration dampening, and responsiveness. Here are the primary core technologies used in today’s paddles: 

Polymer Honeycomb Core

One of the most common and versatile core types, the polymer honeycomb structure offers a soft feel, reduced noise, and a well-balanced mix of power and control. It’s especially popular among players who value forgiveness, consistency, and a larger sweet spot. This core design is often used in combination with advanced face materials to enhance overall paddle feedback and performance. When stacking multiple layers of Polymer to create the core, layers of carbon fiber are integrated between each PPC layer creating a sold bond, preventing core separation and improving response. 

Nomex Cores

Made from rigid paper material dipped in resin, Nomex cores create a dense, firm structure that delivers maximum power and durability. While they can feel stiffer and less forgiving than polymer alternatives, they’re often favored by aggressive players who want immediate energy return and fast response off the face. 

Foam Cores

A newer innovation, foam cores are often found in Gen-3 paddles and are known for their vibration reduction and quiet play. Foam also expands the sweet spot, giving players better consistency across off-center hits. If you’re searching for a foam core pickleball paddle, expect shock absorption and touch. Some challenges with foam core exist around foam longevity breaking down the core which creates hollow or areas that feel soft. 

Foam vs. Honeycomb Core: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between a foam core and a honeycomb core depends largely on your play style and goals. 

Honeycomb Core Benefits

A honeycomb core, especially one with small cells, offers feedback and consistency that appeals to competitive players. Its structure promotes better energy transfer, ideal for players who value touch and precision. However, it can be noisier and less shock-absorbent. 

Foam Core Benefits

Foam cores are significantly quieter and provide vibration dampening. This makes them ideal for those with arm fatigue concerns or players who prefer a softer feel. Foam cores are also engineered for large sweet spots, making them forgiving. 

Power and Control

Foam generally leans more toward control, while honeycomb can be tailored for power with the right surface pairings. In both cases, sweet spot optimization and core thickness are essential to consider. These differences define how each core pickleball paddle behaves on court. 

Matching Paddle Materials to Your Skill Level

Not every paddle is built for where you are—or where you want to go. Whether you’re new to the game or playing at a high level, paddle materials should match your style, goals, and level of play. Here’s how to think about it.  

Beginner Players

For beginners, control and comfort matter most. While budget paddles made from plastic blends are widely available, they often break down quickly and don’t support long-term improvement. A better option is a lightweight paddle with a soft polymer honeycomb core and a responsive carbon fiber face. This combination helps new players learn proper mechanics while offering enough stability to grow into more advanced shots over time.  

Intermediate Players

If you’re building consistency and refining placement, look for paddles that pair a carbon fiber surface with either a polymer honeycomb or hybrid foam core. This setup provides the control needed for precise dinking and resets, while still offering power when you need it. Textured surfaces at this level help players generate spin with more confidence. Paddles made with composite blends tend to lose feel at faster speeds and may limit your progression.  

Advanced Players

Advanced players need materials that respond instantly and allow for fine-tuned control. Textured 18K carbon surfaces offer exceptional grip on the ball for maximum spin, while dense honeycomb or reinforced foam cores provide the stability and feedback needed for fast-paced exchanges. Some models use a layered Nomex core with additional materials like Kevlar for even more power and durability. At this level, paddles built with softer face materials or oversized foam cores can feel muted or inconsistent under pressure. 

Engineered to Perform. Built for Your Game.

The difference between a good paddle and a great one comes down to construction. From carbon fiber surfaces that generate spin and control to core technologies that balance power and feel, every detail affects how you play. The best paddles don’t just keep up with your game—they elevate it.  

That’s why Pro-Line paddles are built with purpose. We pair performance-grade materials like Toray+ and 18K carbon fiber, core technologies like triple layer polymer honeycomb with reinforced foam walls to deliver the precision, consistency, and power serious players need. Every layer is engineered to work together—so your paddle feels like an extension of your game. 

Explore the full Pro-Line lineup and find the paddle built for how you play. 

Interested in Reading More? 

• The Ultimate Pickleball Paddle Buying Guide 2025 

• The Best Pickleball Paddle Shape for Your Game 

• See our Paddles in Action