Disclosure: Jason is a Selkirk Advocate and receives discounted product. Selkirk has no input into our ratings, which come from independent testing by Pickleball Studio and John Kew.
Quick answer: In an elongated vs widebody pickleball paddle matchup, the elongated version usually hits harder. Our catalogue has 20 models sold in both shapes with a power rating on each. The elongated one rated more powerful in 18 of the 20, by an average of 1.4 points on a 10-point scale. Spin was a coin flip, weight was within 2 grams, and the price was the same.
The 30-second version
- Power goes to elongated. 18 of 20 same-model pairs, average 6.36 vs 4.99.
- Spin doesn’t care. Elongated led in 8 pairs, widebody in 5, one tie.
- Weight is a wash. Widebody averaged 228.3g, elongated 226.8g.
- Price is identical. 19 of 20 pairs list the same MSRP. The other is 9 cents apart.
- Hybrid lands in between, every time we cut it.
Most advice compares one brand’s elongated paddle to another brand’s widebody, which mixes shape up with everything else. We pulled every model in our 833-paddle database that one brand sells in both shapes and compared the twins. With New England heading indoors for winter, it’s paddle-shopping season. Here’s what the pairs say.
Elongated vs widebody pickleball paddle: which hits harder?
The elongated version hits harder in almost every pair, and the gap is big enough to feel. Across the 20 pairs, the elongated twin averaged 6.36 for power and the widebody 4.99. In 15 of the 20, the gap was a full point or more.
| Same-model pair | Elongated | Widebody |
|---|---|---|
| RPM Friction Pro 16 | 8.2 | 5.0 |
| Volair Shift | 7.4 | 4.6 |
| Friday Aura | 6.2 | 4.4 |
| Selkirk Boomstik | 6.5 | 5.4 |
| Selkirk Omni | 6.6 | 6.5 |
| Six Zero Coral Pro | 7.4 | 7.6 |
The likeliest reason is length. In the 10 pairs where we have both measurements, the elongated twin averaged 16.5 inches and the widebody 16.0. Our paddle length study found the same pattern across 678 paddles. USA Pickleball caps length plus width at 24 inches (Rule 3.D.2), so every extra half inch of length comes out of the width.
Where does the widebody win?
The widebody doesn’t win on any number we can measure, because our catalogue has no forgiveness or sweet-spot score to give it credit for. What the data does show is what you don’t give up by choosing it:
- Spin. In 14 pairs with spin scores, elongated averaged 6.96 and widebody 6.86. That’s noise.
- Weight. Widebody was heavier in 13 of 21 pairs, but by 1.5 grams on average.
- Money. Brands charge the same for both shapes.
Is the gap shrinking on new paddles?
It may be shrinking, but we only have two pairs that hint at it, so treat this as a watch item. The Six Zero Coral Pro and Selkirk Omni, both 2026 releases, rate within 0.2 points across shapes. (See our Coral Pro breakdown.)
One caution on sources. On the 14 pairs that carry a Pickleball Studio rating, elongated won all 14. On the 6 rated only from John Kew’s data, it won 4, and the other 2 were 0.2 apart. One Selkirk SLK model also appears twice in our catalogue, once per source, and the two disagree. Read the totals as a strong lean, not a law.
Should you buy elongated, widebody or hybrid?
Buy the shape that fixes your weakest shot, because the hybrid sits between the other two on power in our data.
- Elongated if you want put-away power and reach, or you came from tennis. See our best elongated paddles.
- Widebody if you live at the kitchen line and want the widest face. See our best widebody paddles.
- Hybrid if you can’t decide. Elongated beat hybrid in 9 of 12 pairs, and hybrid beat widebody in 13 of 14. See our best hybrid paddles.
Thickness matters too (see 14mm vs 16mm). Compare twins in the paddle database or Paddle Finder, and find winter courts in our New England indoor guide.
We’re brand ambassadors for some of these companies and may earn a commission. Codes: Volair RFP (10% off), RPM 15REGAN (15% off), Six Zero REGAN6.0 (10% off), Friday RFP ($10 off).
Frequently asked questions
Is an elongated or widebody pickleball paddle more powerful?
Elongated. In 20 models sold in both shapes, the elongated version rated more powerful in 18, averaging 6.36 against 4.99 on a 10-point scale.
Does an elongated paddle have more spin?
Not in our data. Across 14 same-model pairs with spin scores, elongated averaged 6.96 and widebody 6.86, and each shape led in several pairs.
Is a widebody paddle heavier?
Barely. The widebody twin was heavier in 13 of 21 pairs, but the average difference was about 1.5 grams.
Do elongated paddles cost more?
No. In 19 of 20 pairs both shapes list the same MSRP, and the remaining pair is 9 cents apart.
What is a hybrid pickleball paddle?
A hybrid is a shape between elongated and widebody. In our same-model pairs it also landed between them on power.
Sources: Our own 833-paddle catalogue, read October 6, 2026, with ratings from Pickleball Studio and John Kew’s paddle database; 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, Rule 3.D.2. Pairs matched by brand and model name. By Jason Regan, USA Pickleball Ambassador, Leominster, MA.