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Choose equipment that fits your regular game, not a shopping list you feel pressured to complete.
Paddles
Two sensible choices for different stages of play.
Our beginner paddle
JOOLA Essentials Performance Pickleball Paddle
Best for: New players who want a forgiving, all-around paddle.
Why we recommend it
JOOLA pairs a fiberglass face with its 12 mm Response Honeycomb Polymer core, which the company says reduces vibration and enlarges the sweet spot. Its perforated anti-slip ridge grip is intended to keep the handle secure while adding shock absorption.
Good to know: Choose grip size based on your hand, not experience.
Check price on Amazon (JOOLA Essentials Performance Pickleball Paddle)
Our intermediate paddle
Selkirk SLK Halo Control XL
Best for: Regular players prioritizing control, spin, and added reach.
Why we recommend it
Its 18K UltraWeave carbon fibre face adds rigidity for more precise contact, while the 16 mm Rev-Control polymer honeycomb core is built around a large sweet spot. The XL’s 16.4-inch shape adds reach, and its Raw Spin surface is designed to help grip the ball.
Good to know: The longer shape trades some width for reach.
Check price on Amazon (Selkirk SLK Halo Control XL)Court shoes
Choose for how often you play, while keeping fit and comfort first.
Our value court shoe
ASICS GEL-Dedicate 8
Best for: New players who want court-specific lateral support.
Why we recommend it
Synthetic-leather overlays help hold the foot in place while changing direction. ASICS combines a TRUSSTIC support unit with a wrap-up outsole to improve stability while allowing the foot to move freely—useful for the lateral stops and recoveries pickleball asks of footwear.
Good to know: Fit still comes first.
Check price on Amazon (ASICS GEL-Dedicate 8)
Our frequent-play court shoe
ASICS GEL-Resolution X
Best for: Frequent players who want support through quick lateral shifts.
Why we recommend it
ASICS designs DYNALACING to hold when extra support is needed during quick transitions. Its DYNAWALL structure wraps around the heel for enhanced lateral stability, a practical benefit when you repeatedly plant, recover and change direction on court.
Good to know: Try them on with the socks you wear to play.
Check price on Amazon (ASICS GEL-Resolution X)Balls
Match the ball to the court where you play most often. Most players need indoor or outdoor balls, not both.
Outdoor balls
Franklin X-40
Best for: Players whose regular games are outdoors.
Why we recommend it
Franklin’s one-piece, no-seam polyethylene construction is designed to resist outdoor denting and cracking. Its 40 machine-drilled holes create the balanced flight pattern and reliable spin players need when wind and harder outdoor surfaces are part of the game.
Check price on Amazon (Franklin X-40)
Indoor balls
Franklin X-26
Best for: Players who usually play in gyms or indoor facilities.
Why we recommend it
The X-26 uses a two-piece construction with 26 precisely placed, beveled holes. Franklin says that layout produces a balanced flight pattern, even rotation and reliable spin, giving indoor rallies a more repeatable ball response.
Check price on Amazon (Franklin X-26)
Alternative ball
ONIX Fuse G2
Best for: Outdoor players who want a wind-conscious ball.
Why we recommend it
Fuse G2 uses precision-drilled smaller holes and precise weighting to support a balanced, true flight path. ONIX also cites seam welding for resistance to splitting, giving outdoor groups a ball built for wind and repeated impacts.
Check price on Amazon (ONIX Fuse G2)Bags
A dedicated bag is convenient for some players, not a requirement for playing.
Optional dedicated bag
Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag
Best for: Players who want gear organization without a full backpack.
Why we recommend it
Franklin’s triple-pocket layout separates paddles, balls and small essentials, while the large ball pouch and built-in fence hook keep frequently used items accessible at court. An adjustable shoulder strap adds a simple carry option between games.
Check price on Amazon (Franklin Sports Pickleball Sling Bag)Other Gear & Accessories
Add these only when they solve a specific comfort, safety, practice or care need.
Grip refresh
Wilson Pro Overgrip 3-Pack
Best for: Players who want a thinner, tackier handle refresh.
Why we recommend it
The Pro Overgrip’s thin, high-stretch felt is designed to keep racket feedback natural rather than adding bulk. Its tacky surface and comfortable feel help restore a more secure hand connection when the original grip becomes slick.
Good to know: Replace it when the tack fades.
Check price on Amazon (Wilson Pro Overgrip 3-Pack)
Optional protective eyewear
HEAD Impulse Protective Eyewear
Best for: Players who prefer eye protection during close, fast exchanges.
Why we recommend it
HEAD describes the Impulse as combining goggle-style protection with eyeglass-style comfort. That makes it a practical option for close, fast exchanges where you want protection without committing to a full-goggle feel.
Good to know: Use protective eyewear that fits securely.
Check price on Amazon (HEAD Impulse Protective Eyewear)
Portable net
Franklin Sports 22-ft Regulation Portable Pickleball Net
Best for: Groups setting up a full court without permanent nets.
Why we recommend it
Its 22-foot span is the regulation width used for a full pickleball court, so it can create a more familiar playing space than a short practice net. A portable format also lets a group set up and pack away the court as needed.
Good to know: Check site rules before setting up.
Check price on Amazon (Franklin Sports 22-ft Regulation Portable Pickleball Net)
Raw-carbon paddle care
CRBN Pickleball Paddle Eraser
Best for: Owners of carbon-fibre-faced or compatible raw peel-ply paddles.
Why we recommend it
CRBN’s proprietary rubber blend is made to lift ball residue, dirt and light scuffs from a carbon-fibre paddle face. Removing fibre buildup helps keep the face’s natural texture clear rather than letting residue clog its grooves.
Good to know: Do not use it on aftermarket-coated, sprayed or painted faces.
Check price on Amazon (CRBN Pickleball Paddle Eraser)