For years, almost every pickleball paddle looked broadly the same.
- A paddle face.
- A grip.
- An edge guard.
Simple.
Then manufacturers began removing the edge guard altogether.
Suddenly, a new category emerged:
Edgeless Paddles
Supporters claimed they offered:
- Faster hand speed
- Better manoeuvrability
- Cleaner aerodynamics
Critics questioned whether removing the edge guard was a genuine performance innovation or simply another design trend.
So who’s right?
The answer depends entirely on what you value as a player.
For a complete guide to paddle construction, weight, materials and player suitability, see:
→ How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle: The Complete Beginner to Advanced Buying Guide
This guide focuses exclusively on one of the most debated paddle technologies in modern pickleball.
What Is An Edge Guard?
An edge guard is the protective strip that runs around the perimeter of a paddle.
Its primary purpose is protection.
It helps reduce damage caused by:
- Court contact
- Paddle collisions
- Everyday wear and tear
Most traditional paddles feature some form of edge protection.
For many years, players never thought about it.
What Is An Edgeless Paddle?
An edgeless paddle removes the traditional edge guard entirely.
Instead, the paddle’s shape and construction are designed without that external protective strip.
The result is often:
✅ Cleaner appearance
✅ Reduced perimeter weight
✅ Faster handling
✅ Modern design aesthetic
However, as with any technology, advantages usually come with trade-offs.
Why Have Edgeless Paddles Become Popular?
The biggest reason is manoeuvrability.
Many players report that edgeless paddles feel:
- Faster in hand
- More responsive
- Easier to accelerate
This becomes especially noticeable during:
- Kitchen exchanges
- Counter battles
- Quick hand fights
- Fast defensive reactions
For advanced players, even small gains in paddle speed can feel meaningful.
Does Removing The Edge Guard Increase Paddle Speed?
Potentially.
An edge guard adds weight around the perimeter of the paddle.
Removing that weight can alter how the paddle moves through the air.
Many players describe edgeless paddles as:
Quicker
↓
More Agile
↓
More Responsive
This is one reason they have gained popularity among fast-handed doubles players.
However, the effect is generally subtle rather than dramatic.
Why Some Players Still Prefer Edged Paddles
Traditional edge guards still offer several benefits.
Protection
The most obvious advantage.
Edge guards help absorb wear and impact.
Durability
Many players feel more comfortable knowing the paddle has additional protection.
Familiarity
Most players learned the game using edged paddles.
For them, the feel simply feels normal.
Stability
Some players prefer the weight distribution of traditional constructions.
This is often a matter of personal preference.
Edgeless vs Edged: Control
Control depends on far more than the edge guard.
Factors such as:
- Core construction
- Paddle thickness
- Weight
- Surface material
remain significantly more important.
However:
Some Edgeless Players Report
✅ Faster reactions
✅ Easier hand speed
Some Traditional Players Report
✅ Greater familiarity
✅ Better stability
Neither side is objectively correct.
The best choice depends on the player.
Further reading:
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Control
Edgeless vs Edged: Soft Game Performance
Many players wonder whether edgeless paddles improve:
- Dinking
- Resets
- Touch
The reality is that edge design alone rarely determines soft-game performance.
Feel, balance and stability usually matter more.
Further reading:
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Dinking
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Soft Game Players
Edgeless vs Edged: Competitive Play
This is where the discussion becomes most interesting.
Competitive players often search for:
- Marginal gains
- Faster reactions
- Better manoeuvrability
As a result, edgeless paddles tend to attract:
- Advanced players
- Tournament competitors
- Fast-handed doubles specialists
However, plenty of elite players continue using traditional edge-guard designs.
Further reading:
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Competitive Players
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Tournament Players
Where Does Raw Carbon Fit Into This?
Many edgeless paddles are also:
- Raw carbon fibre paddles
- Control-focused paddles
- Spin-oriented designs
This sometimes creates confusion.
Players may attribute performance improvements to the edgeless construction when they actually come from:
- Surface material
- Weight distribution
- Paddle shape
For more:
→ Best Raw Carbon Pickleball Paddles
→ Raw Carbon vs Kevlar Pickleball Paddles
The Volleyer T700 (And Yes, We’d Obviously Mention It)
Let’s address the predictable part.
If you’re reading this article on Volleyer, there is a very reasonable chance that we’ll mention the Volleyer T700.
And yes.
We would obviously recommend our paddle.
It would probably be stranger if we didn’t.
However, what we find more interesting is that many players become obsessed with one specific technology.
Whether that’s:
- Edgeless designs
- Kevlar
- Foam construction
- Carbon fibre
In reality, good paddles are rarely defined by one feature.
The T700 was designed around something simpler:
✅ Consistency
✅ Confidence
✅ Balance
✅ Reliable all-court performance
Because ultimately, the complete paddle matters more than any individual technology.
Common Edgeless Paddle Myths
“Edgeless Is Always Faster”
Not necessarily.
The difference is often subtle.
“Edge Guards Hurt Performance”
Not generally.
Plenty of elite players use traditional designs.
“Edgeless Means Better”
False.
Suitability matters far more than design trends.
“The Edge Guard Determines Control”
False.
Control comes primarily from the overall paddle construction.
What Should You Read Next?
Paddle Technology
→ Best Raw Carbon Pickleball Paddles
→ Thermoformed vs Cold Pressed Pickleball Paddles
→ T700 vs T300 Carbon Pickleball Paddle
Playing Style
→ Best Pickleball Paddle for Tennis Players
→ Best Pickleball Paddle for Squash Players
→ Best Pickleball Paddle for Badminton Players
Buying Customisation
→ How to Use Lead Tape on Your Pickleball Paddle
→ How to Add Grit to Your Pickleball Paddle
Frequently Asked Questions
Are edgeless paddles better?
Not necessarily. They offer different characteristics rather than universally better performance.
Do edgeless paddles feel faster?
Many players report improved manoeuvrability and hand speed.
Are edgeless paddles less durable?
Traditional edge guards provide additional protection, which can help against everyday wear.
Is the Volleyer T700 edgeless?
Regardless of edge construction, the T700 was designed around consistency, confidence and balanced performance.
Final Thoughts
The debate between edgeless and edged paddles is ultimately less dramatic than many marketing campaigns suggest.
Both designs can perform exceptionally well.
Both designs are used by competitive players.
And both designs can support high-level pickleball.
The best paddle is rarely the paddle with the newest technology.
It’s the paddle that helps you play with confidence.