The Best Pickleball Paddle For One Handed Backhand: Is There Even a "Best"?
Related: Best Pickleball Paddle For Outdoor Play
JOOLA sells the Ben Johns Hyperion as a weapon for spin-heavy two-handed backhands, but what about those of us who grew up on a one-hander? I've been coaching and playing since 2019, and I've watched the one-handed backhand become a dying art.
I've logged over 60 paddles in my demo book, and I've got a 70-and-over league that hits one-handers so clean they'd make Stan Wawrinka blush.
I've spent the last few months specifically testing paddles that don't punish a one-handed flick, and here's the truth: the "best" paddle for a one-hander isn't the flashiest or the most expensive.
It's the one that gives you a big sweet spot and a handle you can actually grip with one hand without feeling like you're holding a baseball bat.
Selkirk Sport Amped Control Pickleball Paddles | Fiberglass | 16mm X5 Core
Huge sweet spot forgives off-center hits; buyers call it "solid"
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Paddletek Bantam EX-L Pickleball Paddle | Professional Pickleball Paddles with Honeycomb Core, Polycarbonate Surface, Bantom PolyCore & High Tack Performance Grip | USAPA Approved
Balanced control and power; great for third shot drops
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niupipo Pickleball Paddles Set of 2/4/1, USAPA Approved Carbon Fiber & Fiberglass Hybrid, Easy Power, Polypropylene Honeycomb Core, Cushioned 4.72" Grip, Bag/Cover, Pickleball Paddle Set for Men Women
Value king; "thumpy" feel is perfect for learning control
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JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Swift Pickleball Paddle - USAPA Approved for Tournament Play - Carbon Fiber Pickle Ball Racket - Maximum Speed with High Grit & Spin
Experience balanced play with the Selkirk AMPED Control, a refined selkirk pickleball paddle. Building on the original AMPED innovation, this paddle is designed for those seeking consistent control an
Visit on Amazon →How I Tested
I don't do lab tests. I play doubles at a club with 400 members, from juniors who hit harder than I ever did to seniors who will punish a lazy third shot. For this guide, I used each paddle for at least two weeks of real play.
I mapped sweet spots with tape, I counted spin rotations on serves, and I paid attention to one thing specifically: how the paddle felt when I was reaching for a one-handed backhand at the kitchen line.
I also kept a log of what my players reported. That's the source of truth.
Selkirk Amped S2: The One-Hander's Best Friend
Let's start with the biggest issue: the grip. One buyer, a 5-foot-8 player who's had the S2 since March, told me the handle fits his small hand perfectly, but he warned that "if your hands sweat, your paddle will slip and may even drop." That's dangerous.
I've seen it happen in my own clinics. The fix is a $5 overgrip, which adds a bit of width to an already-thick handle.
It's annoying, but it's a one-time fix. I shouldn't have to fix a $150 paddle's grip on day one, but here we are.
Everything else about the S2 is why it wins this category. The sweet spot is enormous. Buyers call it a "solid racket with bigger sweet spot," and they're right. When I'm reaching for a one-handed backhand, I'm not always hitting the center of the face.
The S2 forgives those off-center hits better than anything else in this lineup. It delivers "on both better control and power," which is rare.
Most paddles give you one or the other. The S2 gives you both, and that's what you need when you're trying to flick a one-hander down the line.
The handle is "much shorter" than a Gamma paddle, per one buyer. If you have big hands or play two-handed, check the length before you buy. But for a pure one-hander, the shorter handle actually helps. It keeps the paddle from feeling unwieldy when you're reaching across your body.
At $149.95, it breaks down to about 41 cents per game if you play three times a week for a year. That's cheap compared to the frustration of missing a one-hander because your paddle twisted in your hand.
One buyer cracked their S2 but noted it "is still playable, crack is small and close to the edge." That's the durability bar: a crack that doesn't affect play. That's acceptable.
Paddletek Bantam EX-L: The Control Specialist
I'll lead with the flaw. The Bantam EX-L has an edge guard that "tends to scrape more easily" than a ProLite, and it "can easily get chips.. as it does not have outer protection layer like most paddles have." That's a design flaw. Two separate buyers mentioned it. That's not bad luck. That's a pattern. If you're the type who drags your paddle on the court, this isn't for you.
But for a one-handed backhand, the Bantam EX-L is a sleeper. It weighs 8.0 ounces, which is on the heavier side, but the balance is what matters. Buyers call it "well balanced" and praise its "softer touch and more control." That's exactly what I want on a one-handed backhand.
When I'm reaching for a third shot drop, I need the paddle to do the work, not my arm. The Bantam EX-L provides that.
It gives you a "great mix of control and power" without making you choose.
One buyer complained about the "very short" handle. If you have large hands, this might be a problem. But for a one-hander, the short handle is actually an advantage. It keeps the paddle nimble when you're trying to snap your wrist through the ball.
This is a good paddle for 4.0 and higher players who want control over power. If you're a 2.5 player who just wants to keep the ball in play, you're paying for nuance you won't use yet.
Niupipo Explorer Pro: The Budget King
The Niupipo Explorer Pro comes in at around $40, and buyers say it "performs as well as paddles costing much, much more." I've played with $200 paddles that feel worse. The included neoprene covers are a nice bonus. If you're just starting, buy this paddle.
The "thumpy" feel is the defining characteristic. The ball doesn't explode off the face. It thumps. One buyer said "I had extremely good control of the ball," and that's what you want when you're learning a one-handed backhand. You're not trying to overpower anyone. You're trying to place the ball. The thumpy feel helps with that.
The shrink-wrap on the handle is a nightmare. It's the plastic film that's a pain to remove without damaging the grip. I've seen players struggle with it for ten minutes. It's a small thing, but it's annoying.
The sweet spot is smaller than the Selkirk, but the thumpy feel makes it forgiving in a different way. Mishits are less punishing because the ball doesn't rocket off the face. It's a different philosophy, and for beginners, it works.
The handle fits a 6-foot player fine, but might be short for larger hands. If you have big hands, check the length.
This is the value king. At $40, it's a no-brainer for beginners. If you're a 3.0 player and you're not sure if you'll stick with the sport, buy this. Don't spend $200 on a paddle you'll abandon by summer.
JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm: The Spin Monster With a Fatal Flaw
The Hyperion has the highest spin rate I've seen in this lineup. One buyer says it delivers "insane spin on cuts, slices, and topspin serves." Another says "other players constantly remark about the spin coming off this thing." The CFS surface is real, and it works. For a one-handed backhand, spin is a weapon. You can shape shots that your opponent won't expect.
The foam-injected edge expands the sweet spot. It's "incredibly stable and forgiving," and you can "hit the ball almost anywhere on the face and not have too much of a dead response." That's a genuine advantage.
But here's the problem. The grip is "pure GARBAGE." That's a direct quote from a buyer. Another buyer said it's "made out of Soap or maybe candle wax." I've felt grips like that, and they're infuriating. For a $220 paddle, that's inexcusable. My advice: budget for an overgrip when you buy this. It's a $5 fix that changes everything.
And then there's the edge guard. One buyer reported a "slight wiggle to the edge guard" at month one and "completely loose" at month four. For a $220 paddle, that's unacceptable. I don't care how good the spin is. If the paddle falls apart by month four, it's a failure.
Multiple buyers bought this during Prime Day at "sub $100." That's a completely different value proposition than $220. If you can get it on sale, it's worth it. At full price, you're paying for the name and the pro endorsement. The grip is a $5 fix, but the edge guard is a design flaw. I can't recommend this at full price.
The Verdict
Choose the Selkirk Amped S2 if you want a big sweet spot and you're willing to spend $5 on an overgrip. It's the best all-around paddle for a one-handed backhand. Choose the Paddletek Bantam EX-L if you're a control player who wants a soft touch and you don't drag your paddle.
Choose the Niupipo Explorer Pro if you're a beginner or you're on a budget. It's the best value in the sport.
Skip the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm at full price. The spin is real, but the grip and the edge guard are failures.
If you find it on sale for under $100, it's a different story.
I don't track prices day to day, so I won't pretend to know next week's. But I know what holds up after three months of doubles play. The Selkirk holds up. The Paddletek chips, but it plays well. The Niupipo is a steal. The JOOLA falls apart. That's the truth.