Beginning pickleball players will find the PCKL Launch Series paddle to be an affordable and flexible choice.
I was excited to test the Launch Series carefully on the court in the Arizona sun as soon as I got my hands on it. I’m prepared to offer my honest review of its features, design, and general performance after playing for over ten hours in several sessions.
Read why we ranked it as the top selection on our list of the Best pickleball paddles for beginners in 2025 by reading on.
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Buy or pass?
Buy if:
✅ You’re a beginner: The PCKL Launch Series is an ideal paddle for newcomers to pickleball.
✅ You want a budget-friendly paddle: It’s the best option in its price range and delivers great value.
✅ You’re buying a gift: Its stylish design makes it a thoughtful and practical gift for anyone starting their pickleball journey.
Pass if:
❌ You’re an advanced player: This paddle is designed for beginners and won’t meet the demands of high-level games.
❌ You love to play with spin: The paddle’s smooth face texture makes generating spin more challenging.
❌ You want to play an aggressive game: Its performance falls short for power players who rely on hard serves and 3rd shot drives.
Paddle Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Paddle Weight | 7.9 oz |
| Paddle Length | 16″ |
| Paddle Width | 8″ |
| Handle Length | 5″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4 ¼” |
| Paddle Face Material | Fiberglass composite |
| Core Material | Polypropylene honeycomb |
| Core Thickness | 0.51″ (13 mm) |
| Color | Green or white |
| Sweet Spot | Large |
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PCKL Launch Series Paddle Review Summary
A beginner-friendly paddle that solves a lot of typical problems with entry-level paddles is the PCKL Launch Series. It is made of high-quality materials, has a forgiving sweet spot, and outstanding control, making it a terrific choice for beginners who want to step up their game right away.
Even on their first outing, this paddle is excellent at helping beginners to play more competitively. It operates better than any paddle I’ve used in its price range, but lacking the advanced functions of professional paddles. For new players, its forgiving design is a game-changer because it drastically lowers mishits. Its dependable performance on third-shot drops, accurate touch during lengthy dink events, and comfortable feel especially struck me.
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However, it can be difficult to generate spin because the paddle doesn’t deliver much power. For beginners, however, these drawbacks are less significant because they will gain more from the paddle’s focus on control and accuracy. This was obviously taken into consideration when designing the PCKL Launch Series.
There is really no competition for the pricing. I now always suggest this paddle to novices searching for a reasonably priced, high-performing choice. My first choice whenever someone asks me for a paddle that is affordable is the PCKL Launch Series.
Best Budget Pickleball Paddles
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight with a great touch—doesn’t feel like an entry-level paddle | Can be hard to generate spin. I misplayed some shots I usually get with more advanced paddles |
| The face is livelier than expected—the ball jumped right off it | Almost no texture left on the paddle face by the second session |
| The massive sweet spot makes it very forgiving, meaning almost no mishits | Playing close to the net was difficult, as the paddle felt flat on volleys—particularly overhead smashes and swinging volleys |
PCKL Launch Series Features Review
Founded in 2022, PCKL is a new pickleball company whose goal is to “eliminate complexity in picking a paddle.” I think they’ve mostly succeeded in their goal of providing good performance at affordable pricing with their paddle lineup.
As an entry-level paddle for novices, the Launch Series has all the features that beginning players require on the court: excellent control, lots of forgiveness, and just enough power for a balanced game. It still has a lot to offer even though it doesn’t have the advanced functions of expensive paddles. Let’s review its key features in more detail.
Key Features
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Fiberglass Face
Beginning players will enjoy the fiberglass face’s outstanding control and pleasant “pop” upon ball contact as they hone their sense of touch. Although this surface is excellent at control, it loses spin potential, which makes it less suitable for players who like a more aggressive style of play.
Polypropylene Core
With each hit, the polypropylene core offers a superb touch and a responsive, strong feel. Because of this, the paddle is more suited for calm, accurate games than power shots. This core composition is ideal for beginners who are focused on precision and style, but power hitters may find it less attractive.
Comfort Grip
The comfort grip is yet another unique feature. Long matches in intense heat, such as the blazing 100ºF Arizona sun, did not affect the grip’s performance; it remained durable and felt good. The grips on more expensive paddles, such as the Paddletek Tempest Wave II, reminded me of this.
Enlarged Sweet Spot
The Launch Series has a larger sweet spot, which makes consistency much better. For beginners in particular, this is crucial since it lowers the possibility of mishits. The paddle makes firm contact even on off-center hits, which boosts beginner players’ confidence.
Design and Feel
The PCKL Launch Series is unique by its bright and simple design, in contrast to many inexpensive paddles that feel and look poor. My paddle was neon green (it also comes in white), and I thought it looked fantastic on the court. The vibrant, cheerful hue is ideal for novices, even though it lacks the elegant sophistication of high-end paddles like the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion range..
Because the paddle weighs 7.9 ounces, it feels like a lightweight choice. For players who appreciate agility, it’s a fantastic choice because it feels light without sacrificing quality. Although some novices stated that they had anticipated a heavier paddle, I think the lightweight design is ideal for their gameplay growth.
Performance Ratings
| Category | Rating |
| Power | 6/10 |
| Control | 7/10 |
| Spin | 5/10 |
| Forgiveness | 10/10 |
| Weighting | 7/10 |
| Grip | 8/10 |
| Durability | 8/10 |
| Aerodynamics | 7/10 |
PCKL Launch Series Performance Ratings
The PCKL Launch Series is an excellent beginner-friendly paddle that strikes a balance between affordability and performance. Below is a breakdown of how it scored across key categories:
Power: 6/10
The paddle provides decent power, allowing for good zip on serves and forehand drives. However, generating power requires a bit more effort compared to advanced paddles. Aggressive players might find this underwhelming, but beginners should have no trouble staying competitive.
Control: 7/10
The paddle excels in control, offering a responsive feel that makes it easier to place dinks and drops where you want them. Unlike many entry-level paddles, it doesn’t require you to “guide” the ball as much, giving it a mid-range paddle feel. That said, it lacks precision for more technical shots, like deep 3rd-shot drops, which may frustrate experienced players.
Spin: 5/10
The Launch Series’ weakest point is spin. The amount of spin you can produce on topspin drives or net volleys is limited by its smooth face texture. Because this paddle cannot handle gaming that involves a lot of spin, advanced players will probably outgrow it.
Forgiveness: 10/10
The Launch Series excels at forgiveness. Mishits are quite uncommon because of the larger sweet spot, which guarantees good contact even on off-center smashes. For novices who may otherwise become disheartened by uneven outcomes, the paddle’s forgiving nature is perfect. It is an exceptional choice for novice players just because of its function.
Weighting: 7/10
Because of its lightweight (7.9 oz) construction, the paddle is easy to operate and lessens arm fatigue during extended use. Although its weight helps with controlled play, some players may feel that it isn’t heavy enough to provide power.
Grip: 8/10
The comfort grip is high-quality and performs well, even during extended play in extreme heat. It feels comparable to grips on intermediate paddles like the Paddletek Tempest Wave II. Beginners will appreciate its durability and comfort during intense matches.
Durability: 8/10
Built with higher-quality materials than most budget paddles, the Launch Series is durable and designed to last. The edge guard adds extra protection. However, the face texture wears down quickly, which further impacts its already limited spin performance over time.
Aerodynamics: 7/10
The lightweight design enhances the paddle’s aerodynamics, making it easy to handle and quick through the air. While it doesn’t match the premium aerodynamic designs of high-end paddles like the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta, it’s still one of the better-performing beginner paddles in this regard.
Pricing
The PCKL Launch Series is available for $27.33, firmly placing it in the budget-friendly category.
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Value for Money
At this price point, it’s an exceptional choice for beginners seeking a high-quality paddle. While it’s only about $20 more than some of the most affordable options on Amazon (such as the Niupipo graphite pickleball paddle, it delivers performance that feels twice as good.
Compared to other budget paddles I’ve tested, the PCKL Launch Series stands out with its larger sweet spot, improved feel, and superior consistency and control across the board.
Bottom Line
My idea of inexpensive paddles has been totally altered by the PCKL Launch Series. It’s a great, reasonably priced option that would be ideal as a present for a pickleball fan or someone who is just getting started.
This paddle ought to be a top choice for beginners. If you don’t rely too much on power or spin-focused action, it’s robust enough to last into the intermediate level.
Our selection of the top pickleball paddles for 2025 includes the Launch Series because of its reasonably priced, beginner-friendly design, and well-rounded performance. This is the paddle that I almost always recommend when someone asks me for a low-cost option.
