Your cart is currently empty!
When it comes to choosing the perfect pickleball paddle, players often focus on weight, grip, or paddle face material. But there’s one key factor that can significantly affect your game and feel on the court—dwell time.
While it sounds like something you’d find in a physics textbook, dwell time is one of the most advanced qualities of a paddle. For the novice getting used to control or the competitive player fine-tuning touch and spin, understanding dwell time can help elevate your paddle selection and lead to a more powerful game.
What is dwell time?
In simple terms, dwell time is the length of time the ball stays on the surface of your paddle when you strike the ball. You can refer to it as the ‘contact time’ of the ball and your paddle.
– Short dwell time: The ball comes back quickly from the paddle.
– Long dwell time: The ball lingers on the paddle a bit longer before releasing.
Though we’re discussing milliseconds, this slight variation inherently affects control, spin, and feel.
Why Is Dwell Time Important?
1. Better Control: More dwell time allows you a greater sense of control of the ball. It allows you to ‘hold’ the ball fractionally longer, giving you a bit of extra time before having a shot.
2. Spin: Spin results when the ball has an opportunity to interact with the paddle surface—more dwell time = more time to catch and put topspin, backspin, or sidespin on it.
3. Soft Game Mastery: Resets, drops, and dinks all benefit from the longer dwell time. Instead of the ball bouncing away immediately, you have a soft, controlled touch that maintains your touch game at a keen level.
4. Increased Confidence at the Net: Players feel more connected to the shots, especially on those high-speed kitchen rallies when feel and control are most critical.
Paddle Materials That Influence Dwell Time
Different paddles have different dwell times based on their core and surface. Below is a breakdown:
Carbon Fiber Faces: Raw carbon or carbon fiber faces tend to provide a greater amount of dwell time due to their textured, mildly tacky character. They consume greater kinetic energy compared to graphite or fiberglass, resulting in improved feel and control.
Polymer Honeycomb Cores: A favorite core and an even trade between control and power. Combined with the right surface, it can promote a medium to long dwell time.
Thicker Cores (14mm to 20mm): There is greater dwell time with thicker paddles. You can use a 19mm or 16mm core to reduce paddle hardness, decrease ball contact time, and increase control.
Composite or fiberglass faces: These faces produce less dwell time, giving you more power with less feel and a lot of spin. Best on hard-striking shots, but less forgiving on touch shots.
What the Pros Say About Dwell Time
Seasoned players understand the importance of dwell time in controlling their shots. Some pros prefer raw carbon fiber paddles with thicker cores, such as the JOOLA Perseus or Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, because of the added dwell time and touch they offer.
Here’s what some pros say:
World #1 Ben Johns uses a paddle designed with control and spin, both of which are directly affected by dwell time.
Anna Leigh Waters describes how her paddle gives her the ‘feel’ she needs to reset the ball on difficult rallies, a result of controlled dwell time.
For professionals, dwell time is never about slowing down a game—it’s about developing surgical accuracy in how and where a ball lands.
Why Beginners Should Care About Dwell Time
If you’re a beginner to the game, it might appear like dwell time is something more experienced players need to consider. But it’s probably even more crucial for beginners, because:
– A paddle with a greater dwell time will reduce errors.
– You’ll be able to sense the ball more, and you’ll gain shot shaping and spin capability sooner.
– Soft hands and touch are easier to develop with paddles that grip the ball a bit longer.
Think of them as training wheels for finesse. Power will come along, but control is the foundation of great pickleball.
How to Determine If a Paddle Has Good Dwell Time
You can’t see dwell time, but you can sense it. These are a few signs a paddle has good dwell time:
– The ball “sticks” or “sinks in” a bit on soft shots.
– You believe in your dinks and drops.
– Your resets are easier to control.
– You can produce spin even with slow swings.
Paddles with Longer Dwell Time
If you’re looking for a paddle with great dwell time, consider the following:
1. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16mm and other Joola Pro IV 16mm paddles– Known for raw carbon faces and a dense core—superior for control and spin.
2. Selkirk SLK ERA Power – Excellent dwell time and one of the best touch paddles for players of intermediate and advanced skill levels.
3. CRBN 1X/2X Series 16mm – Excellent core softness and raw carbon—a great combination of spin and feel.
4. Electrum Model E Elite – Premium dwell time with soft core feel and carbon face.
5. Six Zero Double Black Diamond – Raw carbon high-performance paddle with deep dwell and profound spin ability.
Can Too Much Dwell Time Be a Bad Thing?
It depends on your play style. Some players who prefer to hit with a lot of power may find ultra-dwell paddles “mushy” or soft, sacrificing power and rapid rebound. That’s why finding the right balance is key.
If you’re an aggressive player who enjoys quick hands and speed-ups, you might like a slightly shorter dwell with a stiffer face (such as fiberglass).
Final Thoughts: Dwell Time as a Secret Weapon
Understanding dwell time completely alters how you approach your paddle—and your game. It’s not just a nerdy spec—it directly affects your performance, especially in areas like:
– Touch and resets
– Spin generation
– Self-assurance in soft play
– Overall control and feel
If you’re upgrading your paddle or helping someone choose their first, don’t overlook this subtle but impactful factor. Whether you’re playing competitively or just looking to enjoy more consistency in your shots, a paddle with the right dwell time can make all the difference.
Looking for recommendations on which paddle suits your style? Or are you curious about how dwell time compares between specific models? Drop a comment or reach out—we love helping players find the perfect paddle for their game.
Picture Credit: Depositphotos