Walk into a padel shop and you'll see eighty paddles between fifty and three hundred euros. Most are wrong for a beginner. Three specs decide everything; ignore the rest.
Shape: round, not diamond
Three shapes exist — round, teardrop, diamond. Round paddles have the largest sweet spot, the most forgiving off-centre hits, and the best control. Teardrop is the in-between for intermediate players. Diamond is for advanced power players and will punish every mishit you make. As a beginner, get round. You'll improve faster.
Weight: 350-365 grams
Lighter paddles (under 350g) feel quick on volleys but offer no power on lobs and lack stability against hard shots. Heavier paddles (over 370g) feel powerful but kill your wrist over a 90-minute match. The 355-365g range is the sweet spot for an adult beginner. Try the paddle for thirty seconds before buying — if your wrist is already complaining, it's too heavy.
Balance: low or medium
"Balance" is where the paddle's weight sits. Low balance = weight near the handle = easier control, faster reactions, less power. High balance = weight near the head = more power, harder to manoeuvre. Beginners want low or medium balance. High balance paddles look pro but they will make you spray every defensive shot for the first six months.
What about brand and price
Brand barely matters at the beginner tier. Bullpadel, Head, Adidas, Babolat all make decent entry paddles in the 70-130 euro range. Below 50 euros the materials get poor; above 200 euros you're paying for tech that's wasted on beginner technique. Sit in the middle.
Book a court with a friend who has a couple of paddles you can swap between in a single session. Twenty minutes of A/B is worth more than a week of internet reviews.