Are you looking for the best pickleball equipment? Here at PickyPickleball.com, we spend our time reviewing the best pickleball equipment available, so that you can quickly and easily access the pickleball products that are right for your game. Whether you are a pro-player, beginner or someone who is looking to up your level, we can help you.
To get you started, we have compiled a list of the top 5 pieces of pickleball equipment that you will need to enjoy the sport of pickleball. We also link you to all of our detailed top-guides that outline the specific pieces of pickleball equipment that are designed for different aspects of the sport. Whether that is the best pickleball paddle for playing with spin or the best pickleballs that you need to buy when you want to play indoors.
What’s more, PickyPickleball.com constantly updates and evolves with the fast-paced pickleball market. Whenever you need to find the best reviews on the latest pickleball equipment, check us out!
Top 5 Pieces Of Pickleball Equipment
Our Top 5 pieces of pickleball equipment guide walk you through all of the most important pieces of pickleball equipment that you will need to get started. From pickleball paddles, through to the best clothing for playing pickleball.
1. Pickleball Paddles
The first and more important piece of pickleball equipment that you will need to get started is a pickleball paddle. Pickleball Paddles are the racquets used in pickleball to hit the ball back over the net – just like a tennis racquet.
Here at PickyPickleball.com, reviewing the best pickleball paddles is our bread and butter. We have a number of guides that are designed to show you the top paddles for different elements of the game. For example, if you are a beginner pickleball player and is looking to find a responsive, forgiving pickleball paddle that will help you get to grips with the sport then you can check out our guide to the best beginner paddles. Likewise, if you are looking for elongated paddles or edgeless pickleball paddles, we have dedicated guides that will help point you in the right direction.
To get started, take a look through these top paddle review guides for all of the latest pickleball paddle equipment.
Here at PickyPickleball.com, reviewing the best pickleball paddles is what we do. We have a number of guides that are designed to show you the top paddles for different elements of the game. For example, if you are a beginner pickleball player and want to find a responsive, forgiving pickleball paddle that will help you get to grips with the sport.
- Best Pickleball Paddles
- Best Pickleball Paddles For Beginners
- Best Quiet Pickleball Paddles
- Best Elongated Pickleball Paddles
- Best Edgeless Pickleball Paddles
- Best Graphite Pickleball Paddles
- Best Composite Pickleball Paddles
- Best Cheap Pickleball Paddles
- Best Pickleball Sets
2. Pickleball Balls
The second most important piece of pickleball equipment is the pickleball itself. There are various different options available when purchasing pickleballs. Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to purchase indoor pickleballs, or outdoor pickleballs. Indoor pickleballs are typically lighter than outdoor balls, and also have larger holes drilled into their surface. The reason for this is that they don’t need to maintain as much weight to deal with outdoor variable conditions like rain, wind or harder court surfaces. Outdoor pickleballs, on the other hand, are heavier than indoor balls and contain smaller holes drilled into their surface.
Whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor pickleballs, take a look through our guide to the best pickleball balls. Whether you are looking for high-visibility pickleballs, indoor balls or the outdoor balls used in the biggest championships then check out our top ball guide. We’ve summarised the top pickleballs on the market so that you can pick up this vital piece of pickleball equipment regardless of the type of ball you’re looking for.
3. Pickleball Nets
If you are looking to build your own pickleball court, then you will need another vital piece of pickleball equipment – the pickleball net.
The standard dimensions of a pickleball net are 22 feet in width, 36” in height at the sidelines and 34” in height at the center strap. Pickleball Nets that fail to meet these size dimensions do not meet USAPA or IPF guidelines. All of the pickleball nets in our best pickleball nets guide are approved by the USAPA and IPF, meaning you can purchase safe in the knowledge that you’re accessing the best pickleball equipment.
Beyond ensuring that you pick up a net that meets the correct size dimensions required for competition, you need to make sure that you pick a pickleball net that suits your needs. For example, some players set up their nets on one court and don’t need to worry about packing up the net or transporting it. As such, they opt for sturdy, weather-resistant nets that will stand the test of time. However, for those who need a lighter, portable pickleball net will focus on picking up a lightweight, portable net.
Check out our best pickleball nets guide to find indoor and outdoor pickleball nets, that are both fixed and portable.
4. Pickleball Clothing, Bags and Shoes
Once you have your court setup and have purchased all the necessary pickleball equipment to start plating, it’s time to think about pickleball clothing. Like tennis or other racquet sports, the majority of male players play in a pickleball shirt, t-shirt or polo shirt, alongside sports shorts. Women usually play in a tennis dress, shorts or a skirt. When it comes to picking up pickleball clothing, there are countless options available from some of the biggest sports brands in the game. However, there are some items that are specific to pickleball.
For example, there are pickleball bags, shoes and visors/sunglasses that are all unique to the sport of pickleball. While a lot of pickleball equipment is very closely aligned to tennis and other racquet sports, there are some nuances. For example, pickleball bags are specifically designed to hold up to six pickleball paddles at a time. Likewise, you can pick up specially designed pickleball gloves that improve grip and help you control the pickleball.
If you are looking for the best pickleball clothing, bags and shoes check out our detailed guides below.
5. How To Play Pickleball
Once you have picked up all of the different pieces of pickleball equipment, it’s now time to learn the basics of the game. Here at PickyPickleball.com, we have created tons of great guides to help you with all aspects connected to pickleball – from the rules of the sport, through to pro tips and doubles strategies.
- Pickleball Strategy
- Pickleball Positioning
- Pickleball Strategy for Doubles
- Pro Pickleball Tips
- Pickleball Rules
- How To Change Pickleball Grip
Pickleball Equipment Buyer’s Guide 2020
Now that we have shown you all of the top pieces of pickleball equipment out there, let’s turn out attention to our pickleball equipment buyer’s guide. Here we guide you through some of the most important questions connected to the game when you’re just starting out.
What is Pickleball?
Even though it is taking time, people are coming to know of the game, and it has acquired the interest of several. People of all ages like to play it where one has to bring out their strength, endurance skills, and agility. There is the need to be swift and good with concentration when it comes to hitting the ball coming from the other end.
While recreational clubs have this game as a part of their list, playing it is fun and entertaining. Just like other games that have multiple equipment for playing, the Pickleball too has a certain set of equipment that makes it easy to play.
The list of equipment that is used for Pickleball isn’t anything exotic or difficult to find. You visit a designated store near you or even online, and you can get your hands on the right set.
The Pickleball Paddle
This is what you may also call the bat with which the ball is hit towards the other end. It is somewhat similar to that of a table tennis paddle but has a square shape to it while being larger in size. It has rounded edges with a handle with a firm grip when held. While initially these paddles were made of wood, in the present times, even lighter material as that of aluminum is used to manufacture it.
When it comes to choosing the right paddle, you are to make the choice. You wouldn’t want something breaking off into two when you are at the game. When you choose one for yourself, consider following these.
- Do not buy them cheap – A good paddle would cost you something around $50-$60 or even more when the material it is made up of is good and long-lasting. Anything cheaper than that wouldn’t do any good to you in the days to come as there is no guarantee to it being of good quality. You wouldn’t want to invest in something that doesn’t last for a long time.
- Look for the right material– These paddles are made up of light wood, aluminum, and graphite. While the light wood ones do not last for long, the aluminum ones are just the right things if you are an amateur or play only when invited for a game. You may consider the ones made of graphite, but that is something that is used by seasoned players as they are tough to handle. If you are starting as an amateur or play it occasionally, buying a paddle made of aluminum is a better option.
- Check the weight– It is said that the lighter the Pickleball paddles are, the better it is when you play the game. When it comes to the weight of it, it should be something around 6-15 ounces in weight. Picking a heavy paddle thinking it to last longer is something that you are making a mistake with.
- Look out for the grip – The main objective of playing the game is to hold the paddle well just so that you can send the ball to the other end swiftly. When you cannot hold the paddle well, and it slips away easily, you do not own the right one. Hold it when buying and check whether there is the right grip. While I have discussed choosing the right paddle here.
Pickleballs
The Pickleball ball is no ordinary ball. It is no doubt round in shape, but it has these holes in them that aids to it being aerodynamic. They are two different types of balls manufactured where one is for the indoors and the other for the outdoors. The indoor balls have larger holes which slows down the speed of it when hitting while the one for the outdoors contains smaller holes. These come in varied colors as that of pink, blue, yellow, green, orange or even white at times. Some like a particular color and only prefer those while the rest like it to be experimental and buy balls of multiple colors. Such bright colors for balls makes it visible and don’t get camouflaged with the color of the court and its surroundings.
Pickleball Nets
The nets for the Pickleball game is just like the ones used at a tennis game. While it divides to teams and is placed in the middle of the court while bisecting it equally. While permanent gaming courts have them affixed to place, there are several who prefer making use of portable ones that can be placed wherever required right after setting up the court margins. These nets are often made up of synthetic fiber or even cotton ropes that can be folded and kept away once done with the game. While the poles and the net come as a combo pack, it costs something around $90 to $160. If the nets tear, you could buy only then net at around $50. Before you make the purchase, check for the quality well and only then buy it or else you would find it to be a waste.
Pickleball Sets
Some like to buy it in singles especially when they are a part of a club or go for a game occasionally while the rest buy the pickleball set especially when the entire family plays together. This is something that comes around as being cheap where a single piece would cost more. Most sets contain a net, balls and paddles. You may want to customize the set depending on your requirements. Some like to add duffle bags, court tape and anything else that they would require during the game. Such sets are known to save a lot of money without you having to spend on buying single paddles or balls as and when required.
Paddle Covers
When you do not use the paddles and other equipment of the Pickleball, you should protect them with covers. If you have been aluminum paddle, there is the need for you to protect it from dust and moisture. You could either use single covers or use a duffle bag to store the paddle, balls as well as the net. That stays safe while also making it easy for you to carry it along when you go for a game either indoors or outdoors.
Your Pickleball Clothing
Just like other games as that of table tennis and lawn tennis, this game too needs swift movement and a lot of effort while playing. Therefore, to make things comfortable when you are playing, you should be wearing clothes that are breathable and loose. If they are heavy on your skin, you may not be able to move around as desired while restricting your best effort. The stores that keep Pickleball equipment would also help you with clothing that helps you move around comfortably when you are playing the game.
Another aspect of this is the shoes that you should be wearing while at the game. Since there is a lot of movement involved both indoors and outdoors, there is the need to have a proper grip for your feet. Wearing the right shoes is something very important when it comes to playing the game well. Wearing sports shoes that is just right for your feet allows you to move around swiftly while also preventing any type of leg injury while on the go.
Learning The Game
Not everyone can achieve perfect with Pickleball when it comes to playing it at the first go. The need to follow the ball hit it well, remember the rules of it and finally be swift with your movements. If all of this comes naturally, then there is nothing better. When you intend to learn the game and play it seriously, you could consider getting yourself a trainer or even enrolling yourself at an academy where you can learn the game professionally. This would not just allow you to get to know of the game well but also make you fit. With regular gaming sessions and practice, you not just receive perfection with the game but also keep yourself fit.
Where To Buy Pickleball Equipment
While there are designated stores that stick up on gaming equipment where you would find Pickleball equipment as well, you can readily step in and make your choice. When it comes to buying them online, trust only the branded stores that would help you with the best products. While they also come with a guarantee of replacement when defective or damaged, you get to sit at home and receive all your equipment at your doorstep. Before buying them online, remember to read specifications well and not pick something that you would regret buying.
