What Paddle Thickness Really Changes in Pickleball

What Paddle Thickness Really Changes in Pickleball (and How to Choose 13mm vs 14mm vs 16mm)

Pickleball paddle thickness gets talked about like a cheat code: “Go thicker for control,” “Go thinner for power.” That’s not wrong—but it’s incomplete.

Thickness changes how the paddle responds at contact: how much it “pops,” how stable it feels when you’re under pressure at the kitchen line, how forgiving it is on mishits, and how easy it is to keep the ball low on resets and dinks. Most players feel the difference immediately when switching between a 14mm and a 16mm paddle.

Let’s break down what thickness actually changes (and what it doesn’t), then give you a simple decision system for choosing the right thickness for your game.

First: what “paddle thickness” means

When people say 14mm or 16mm, they’re usually describing the core thickness (most commonly polymer honeycomb) plus the face layers. You’ll see popular options like:

• 13mm (thin / fast / lively)
• 14mm (all-court “balanced”)
• 16mm (thick / control / stability)

Important note: Under USA Pickleball equipment standards, there is no restriction on paddle thickness (size limits exist, but thickness isn’t capped).

However, other rule sets may differ—for example, United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) has published specifications that include a maximum thickness of 24mm.

The 6 things paddle thickness really changes

1) Pop vs dwell time (the “hot” feeling vs the “hold” feeling)

This is the biggest “feel” difference.

• Thinner paddles (13–14mm) tend to feel crisper with faster rebound—what players call “pop.” The ball comes off quicker on punch volleys, counters, and drives.
• Thicker paddles (16mm) usually feel plusher with more dwell time (the ball “sits” a fraction longer), which helps you shape touch shots like dinks, drops, and resets.

Court translation:
If you love speed-ups and quick counters, thinner can feel electric. If you win by keeping the ball low, absorbing pace, and resetting chaos, thicker is your friend.

2) Stability and forgiveness (especially on mishits)

Thickness often increases the “forgiveness” of the face—less twisting on off-center contact, particularly in fast exchanges at the net.

• 16mm tends to feel more stable and “on rails” when blocking and resetting hard-hit balls.
• 13–14mm can feel a bit more “lively” and can punish slight mishits with extra pop or deflection.

This is one reason many doubles players gravitate toward thicker cores: it’s easier to stay consistent in messy points.

3) Sweet spot perception

A bigger sweet spot isn’t just marketing—it’s a combo of stability + vibration feel + face response. Many guides note thicker paddles often feel like they have a larger usable sweet spot, especially for blocks, dinks, and defensive hands.

4) Control on soft shots (dinks, drops, resets)

This is where 16mm shines for a lot of players.

• Thicker paddles tend to make it easier to take pace off the ball and keep the trajectory lower, especially on third-shot drops and resets.
• Thinner paddles can still play soft—but they’re more likely to feel “bouncy” until your hands adjust.

5) Power access (but not always the way people think)

Thickness influences how you get power:

• 13–14mm: more power can feel “built in” due to that crisp rebound and faster response.
• 16mm: power is very achievable, but it often comes more from technique, timing, and swing speed rather than pure trampoline effect.

So yes—thin can feel easier for instant pace. Thick can still hit hard, but tends to reward clean mechanics.

6) Comfort and vibration

Many players report thicker paddles feeling softer with better vibration dampening, which can matter if you’re sensitive to harsh feedback.

What thickness does not determine by itself

Spin

Spin is driven heavily by face material, texture (raw carbon, aramid blends, surface grit/texture) and dwell time the core type (not thickness) provides. Thickness can influence dwell feel, but it’s not the only lever.

“Good” or “bad”

There isn’t a universally best thickness—only the best match for your game, your format (singles vs doubles), and your priorities.

Quick comparison: 13mm vs 14mm vs 16mm

13mm (thin / fast / aggressive)

Best for: aggressive singles, off-the-bounce speed ups, drive-heavy players, tennis converts

Feels like: crisp, quick, punchy

Tradeoff: less forgiving; touch game may take adjustment

14mm (balanced all-court)

Best for: players who want a blend—good pop with decent stability

Feels like: responsive but not too “hot”

Tradeoff: not as plush as 16mm on resets; not as lively as 13mm

16mm (control / stability / consistency)

Best for: doubles, dink-reset-heavy styles, players who prioritize consistency under pressure

Feels like: plush, stable, controlled with longer dwell time

Tradeoff: less “instant pop” than thinner cores (though power is still there with good mechanics)

Which thickness should you choose? 

Choose 16mm if…

• You play mostly doubles
• You want better blocks, resets, and dink consistency
• You want a more forgiving paddle when points speed up at the kitchen line

If you’re shopping Eleven Zero: both the EZ Power Carbon and EZ Power K-16 are 16mm, built for stability and control-focused consistency.

The K-16 product page explicitly calls out plush feel and longer dwell time plus spin-oriented surface texture.

Choose 14mm if…

• You want “one paddle that can do it all”
• You like quick counters but don’t want a super-hot face
• You play a mix of singles + doubles

Choose 13mm if…

• You win points through pace (drives, speed-ups, punch volleys)
• You want maximum “pop” in hand battles
• You’re willing to trade some forgiveness for offense 

How to “tune” thickness feel without changing paddles

Even if you stick with a 16mm (or any thickness), you can tweak how it plays:

Add tungsten tape for stability or plow-through

Weighted tape can increase stability and change how solid the paddle feels through contact. Adding an overgrip will increase weight further and provide shock absorption for a more plush feel. Eleven Zero’s Balance Bundle is built specifically for that kind of tuning (tungsten tape + overgrips). 

Swap grips for better touch + control

Overgrips can change connection to the paddle (comfort, traction, and control), especially in sweaty or high-tempo games.

FAQ: Paddle thickness questions players actually ask

Does a thicker paddle give you more control?

Often yes—thicker cores tend to feel plusher with more dwell time, which helps dinks, drops, and resets.

Does a thinner paddle always hit harder?

Not always, but thinner paddles commonly feel “poppier,” making it easier to access pace—especially on punch volleys and counters.

Is paddle thickness regulated?

Under USA Pickleball equipment standards, thickness is not restricted (though length/width limits apply).

Some other rule sets publish their own limits (for example, UPA-A has referenced a 24mm max).

Will thickness improve my spin?

Spin depends heavily on the face material/texture and your technique. Thickness can affect dwell feel, but it’s not the primary spin lever.

Bottom line: thickness is a play-style choice

If you want the simplest way to think about it:

• 13–14mm: faster response, more pop, more offense
• 16mm: more stability, more forgiveness, more control under pressure

And if you’re not sure, choose the thickness that helps you most in the situations you face every game:

• Losing points on mishits, rushed hands and messy resets? Go thicker.
• Struggling to finish points or win counters? Try thinner or tune your setup with tape/grip.

Want a risk-free way to confirm your fit? Eleven Zero paddles purchased directly from the store come with a 30-day paddle performance guarantee (and free return on U.S. paddle orders).