Buying your first paddle is exciting, and a little confusing. Every brand promises spin, power, and "pro feel," but when you're just starting out, you mostly want a paddle that forgives mishits and helps you keep the ball in play.

We looked at what PaddleBag players actually say about three beginner-friendly paddles. Here's how they compare.

A quick note on budget

The data we have lists each paddle's MSRP in US dollars, not pesos. Final prices in the Philippines depend on the seller, shipping, and the exchange rate, so always check the current peso price before you buy.

What we can say from the MSRPs:

  • The Enflexy Noir 16mm lists at $50, the lowest of the three.
  • The Enflexy Falcon 16mm lists at $67.
  • The Friday Aura 16mm lists at $129, noticeably higher. Check local prices before assuming it fits a ₱3,000 limit.

What beginners should look for

You don't need the fanciest paddle. You need one that helps you learn:

  • Control over power. Most rallies at beginner level are won by consistency, not smashes.
  • A 16mm core. A thicker core generally gives a softer, more controlled feel. All three paddles below have one.
  • A weight you can swing comfortably. All three are listed at 7–8.5 oz.

Enflexy Noir 16mm: the control-first pick

The Enflexy Noir 16mm has the most owner feedback of the three: 13 PaddleBag players rate it 3.6 out of 5 on average.

The breakdown from those owners:

  • Control: 4.2
  • Spin: 3.5
  • Power: 3.4

Control is the highest score in this whole shortlist. One PaddleBag player called it a good beginner paddle with good control, though with a small sweet spot and not much power. They still called it a good choice for players who like to reset. Another simply said it's superb for beginners.

Not everyone agreed on everything. One player said it feels heavy and wanted more power.

Best for: players who want to learn dinking, resets, and third-shot drops, and who are happy to build power later. It also has the lowest MSRP here.

Enflexy Falcon 16mm: the all-rounder for starters

The Enflexy Falcon 16mm is rated 3.7 on average by 8 owners.

Its numbers:

  • Control: 3.9