If you're looking for the cheapest possible elbow pads to start out with, these will work great for you. Realistically these elbow pads wouldn't be your best your best choice if you are playing full-contact hockey. On the positive side these elbow pads are all very light in weight and can get you flying down the ice with less bulk and with extra money left over in your wallet.

Similarly to our "best value shoulder pads," these elbow pads will give those hockey players seeking a flimsy, lightweight elbow pad the added protection they need to play competitive, full contact hockey with less bulk on the upper body. With elbow pads, the jump from the cheapest price level to our "best value" price level is huge. The biggest difference is not the amount of protection you'll receive but the amount of added movement you'll get out of the pad. One of the hugest factors in the comfort in an elbow pad is how the main pieces connect together at the joint. This can make all the difference, as you want your arm to be able move as freely as possible at your elbow. It's difficult to tell from the online product pictures, but from our "best value" elbow pads and higher there's a huge difference in how the pads connect at joint. They are connected in a way that keeps that pieces as separate as possible in order to give you the maximum amount of movement, opposed to the cheapest elbow pads where you'll will have a bit of added stiffness.

For the competitive, physical hockey player, a little extra bulk and protection in your elbow pads may be appropriate. When you get blindsided and slammed into the boards without a chance to brace yourself, you'll be thankful you went with these elbow pads with their much thicker plastic making up the elbow caps.

Now, if you have the extra coin to throw down on a pair of elbow pads and you want simply the most protection with the most comfort and lightest weight, you should pick an elbow pad in this price range.