Recess Pickleball Paddle HONEST Review (2023)

Hey, pickleballers! Looking for an honest Recess Pickleball review?

After much research and testing (and many sweaty pickleball matches), I’ve finally settled on the Recess Pickleball paddle as my go-to choice for playing.

Why?

As a casual but frequent pickleball player, I need a well-made, lightweight paddle, but I also want something with style and pizzazz!

Recess Pickleball checks both of these boxes. They have some of the best paddle designs on the market, and are constantly collaborating with new artists and designers to create new paddles.

I’m here to provide an honest review and breakdown of each of the paddle’s features so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing one yourself.

Read on if you’re looking for a great new paddle for your next pickleball match!

In a hurry? Here’s the verdict:

• I purchased my Recess paddle in November 2022.
• I’ve played more than 20 matches with it.
• I highly recommend Recess Pickleball paddles for recreational players who want a lightweight, well-made paddle.
• Many of the Recess paddles are USA Pickleball-approved. See the updated list of paddles here.
• I LOVE the padded grip tape – it’s super comfortable and thick. It might be the best grip tape on the market. You can also buy it separately.
• At 7.5-8 oz, the paddle is lightweight but not the lightest option on the market.
• The paddles feature some VERY COOL designs from local artists in Austin, Texas and across the U.S.

Recess Paddle Specs

• Size: 15.67” H x 7.8”’ W
• Weight: 7.5-8 oz
• Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
• Surface: Strong and durable fiberglass.
• Core: 0.53” thick honeycomb interior.
• Edgeguard: Custom-made to withstand the elements.
• Grip: Highly condensed foam used in the tennis and golf industry, covered by a custom color faux-leather grip. Sweat-proof and built to last. 4.25″ circumference.
• Grip Band: Custom branded silicone ring that holds the grip in place.
• Each paddle comes with a canvas paddle cover.

Is Recess a good pickleball brand?

Recess Pickleball has been around since 2021 and is well-respected and trusted amongst the pickleball community.

Although Recess is not the preferred paddle brand for pickleball pros (that would be JOOLA or Selkirk), Recess Pickleball paddles are used by tons of recreational players across North America. Many of the paddles are USA Pickleball-approved, and Recess constantly updates its list of paddles as approvals are announced.

The company regularly collaborates with local artists to create new, unique designs for their paddles.

For example, they recently collaborated with designer Leanne Ford as well as Will Bryant, an artist, designer, and illustrator based in Austin for this fun, colorful set:

They’ve also created special edition paddles that benefit charities, like the Rover Paddle.

A portion of all proceeds will go to Austin Pets Alive, an animal shelter that has saved more than 100,000 animals in Austin since 2008.

Who owns Recess Pickleball?

Recess Pickleball is a female-owned company, founded by Maggie Brown and Grace Moore after the pair went stir-crazy at home in the face of a growing global pandemic. Pickleball became their outlet from isolation.

The only problem? The paddles!

Every paddle on the market had an uninspired, outdated design reminiscent of 2002.

Since starting to sell paddles in 2021, Recess has done a great job of reimagining what a pickleball paddle might look like, and proving that good-quality paddles don’t need to be boring! They always top our list of cute and stylish pickleball paddles.

Recess Pickleball Review

Ok, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the paddle details:

The Price

Recess Pickleball paddles retail for $80-100 USD, but are cheaper when you buy them as a set. You can build your own set with any two designs you want and save $20. These sets also come with a pickleball and a court bag.

I’ve found it’s best to purchase your paddle directly from the Recess website.

Why? If you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll get 10% off your purchase. You can also get free shipping for orders of $175 or more.

You can also buy Recess Pickleball paddles on Amazon if you want that quick, sweet Prime shipping.

But keep in mind not all of the paddle designs are available there. So, if you want a specific design, it might be best to purchase it directly from the Recess website.

I do think the price of the Recess Pickleball paddle is worth it, especially when you factor in the 10% discount. I’ve paid a similar price for rackets before that were of similar quality but much less attractive.

The Design

Did I mention how cool the Recess Pickleball paddle designs are? Just kidding, I know I did. At least seven times.

Having a beautiful, stylish pickleball paddle just makes me want to play that much more. It’s also a great conversation starter—I’ve had so many people comment on my paddle and ask me where I got it from.

Recess Pickleball paddles come in a dozen fun colors and designs, and they’re always creating limited editions and new collaborations with like-minded brands.

As I write this (in February 2023), Recess has already designed custom paddles with J. Crew, La Quinta, Outdoor Voices, Shake Shack, and plenty more.

Beyond just sporting a beautiful design, Recess paddles are made of the same solid materials as many other premium paddles on the market—fiberglass surface, a thick honeycomb core, and a cushy grip made of the same condensed foam that is used in the tennis and golf industry.

Paddle Performance

I’ve now used my Recess paddle in almost 20 pickleball matches and it’s held up very nicely.

The edge guard is secure, the padded grip tape is still comfortable and intact, and the paddle face shows hardly any sign of wear.

The paddle feels quite light in my hand, although not as light as the few pro paddles I’ve tested out from JOOLA or Selkirk in the past.

Overall, it’s a wonderful paddle for a recreational player who plays two to three pickleball games a week.

What’s the Verdict?

All in all, I’m very pleased with my Recess paddle.

It’s affordable, stylish, and well-made. If you’re looking for a good-quality paddle that won’t break the bank, I would highly recommend giving this one a try.

Plus, they’re one of the lightest paddles on the market so you won’t get arm fatigue during long games.

So if you’re in the market for a new paddle, definitely give Recess a try – your arms will thank you!