How to Choose the Best Custom Pickleball Paddle for Corporate Gifts and Company Events

If you’ve been asked to find custom pickleball paddles for your company, you’ve probably already fallen into the same rabbit hole everyone else does. You search “pickleball paddles,” see prices ranging from $12 to $150, and think… Why is this so complicated?

You want something people will actually use, something that represents your brand well, and something that won’t blow the entire budget. The good news is that choosing the right paddle is easier once you understand a few basics.

Let’s walk through it in a way that actually makes sense.

Why Paddle Quality Matters More Than You Think

Here’s a real scenario we see a lot.
A company orders wooden paddles because they’re cheap and the event is coming up fast. The paddles arrive, everyone unwraps them, smiles politely… and then goes straight for the nicer demo paddles someone brought from home.

The wooden ones? They’re left on the rack.

People want to play with something that feels legit. When your logo is on the paddle, the quality becomes part of your brand. A good paddle makes your gift feel thoughtful. A bad paddle makes it feel like an afterthought.

Why Wooden Paddles Usually Aren’t the Play

Let’s be honest about wooden paddles. They’re fine if you're hosting a quick backyard BBQ tournament, but they’re not what people bring to real pickleball courts.

They’re heavy, stiff, and don’t give you any control. They’re the “free headphones on an airplane” of pickleball paddles: they technically work, but nobody prefers them.

If you want a corporate gift that people actually use, wood is not your best bet.

Fiberglass Paddles: The Sweet Spot for Most Corporate Orders

Most companies end up choosing fiberglass paddles, and for good reason.

Fiberglass paddles are:

• Lightweight

• Easy for beginners

• Powerful enough to make every shot feel satisfying

• Great for full-color branding

If your group includes first-time or occasional players, this is usually the best balance of quality and budget.

Carbon Fiber Paddles: The Favorite for Employees Who Already Play

If you’ve ever watched an employee’s eyes light up when you say “We’re doing custom pickleball paddles!” there’s a good chance they already play. For those employees, carbon fiber paddles are a game-changer.

Carbon fiber is great for:

• Staff who play weekly

• Leadership gifts

• Clients or partners you want to impress

These paddles offer better touch, control, and spin, and they feel premium right away.

The Parts of a Paddle That Actually Matter

Once you decide between fiberglass and carbon fiber, the details start to matter. These aren’t overly technical, just helpful to know so you feel confident choosing.

1. Paddle Shape

Think of shape like shoe size. Most people fit the standard.

• Standard shape works for almost everyone

• Wide-body shape is great for newer players

• Elongated shape helps players who like more reach

A wide-body fiberglass paddle is usually the safest choice for large groups.

2. Core Material

Most good paddles use a polymer honeycomb core. It makes the paddle feel smooth and quiet, not hollow or harsh. It’s the “Goldilocks zone” of paddle cores.

3. Surface Material

This is the fiberglass vs carbon fiber decision.
Fiberglass gives you easy power.
Carbon fiber gives you better control.

4. Construction Quality

You don’t have to be an expert. Just know that better construction means fewer dead spots and a paddle that lasts longer.

5. Thickness

This one surprises people.
A thicker paddle (13 to 16 mm) feels more controlled and stable, which most beginners prefer. Thinner paddles hit harder but require more skill.

Thicker is almost always better for corporate gifts.

Make Your Custom Pickleball Paddles Something People Actually Use

At Branded Pickleball we help companies order custom branded pickleball paddles that aren’t just pretty to look at but fun to play with. Whether you’re ordering for a wellness initiative, a company retreat, a gift box, or a trade show booth, we can help you choose the right paddle type so your gift feels meaningful and high quality.

Your team will appreciate a paddle that encourages them to actually step onto the court. And trust us, a good paddle is way more exciting to get than a branded coffee mug.