If you are at the stage in your pickleball journey where you’ve played a few times here and there and you want to get games together with your friends more often, then you might want to consider buying pickleball set. In a world where pickleball is growing more popular by the minute, the guy or gal with a pickleball set will win major brownie points with their friends and family. So this begs the question – what is the best pickleball set for beginners? Read on and you’ll find out.
What is a Pickleball Set?
When we say Pickleball set, we mean everything you would need for a game of pickleball if all you had was a hard surface and at least a couple players. This includes the equipment to set up a full Pickleball court. That means the frame of the net, the actual mesh net, and markers to set up the boundaries. The set should include a pickleball paddle for each player (2 for singles, 4 for doubles) and a few balls. Last but not least, the set should fit in a portable bag that you can carry around, and even travel with.
Why should I buy a Pickleball Set?
Pickleball is fast becoming the American past time. Because of this, there are huge social and health related benefits to owning a Pickleball set. First of all, if you are one of the few people amongst your friends to own a Pickleball set, you will have a great new social activity that will bring people together and your social life will improve. As you get more Pickleball games together on the weekends or in your free time, you’ll meet more and more Pickleballers. From there you’ll play more, and viola, all of a sudden your burning 1000s of calories playing vigorous games with the people you love, getting healthier not only in your social life, but also, in physically. That’s why you should grab a Pickleball set.
How much should I expect to Spend on a Pickleball Set?
I would expect to pay anywhere from $100 for the cheapest set to upwards of $500 for more premium, feature rich pickleball sets with high quality components (pickleball paddles, nets, etc).
Here are the Best Pickleball Sets for Beginners
Here are the best Pickleball sets you should buy within each category. Please note that some of these sets might be missing a component that does not make them a “complete” Pickleball set as we have described above (e.g. it only comes with 1 or 2 paddles). In these cases, we provide a suggestion on how you can make the set complete by buying the extra component elsewhere.
1) Best all around Pickleball Set – Deeliva Pickleball Set
If you don’t want to think about it too hard, and you up to $150 to spend on a quality, USAPA approved Pickleball set, then the Deeliva Pickleball set is what you are looking for.
This set has everything you need, and is also unique in that it has a set of wheels you can install. The wheels are great for if you have space enough for a Pickleball court in your driveway and want to easily move it to the side once you’re done. The only set back to this is that the wheels aren’t the most amazing quality, and you might have trouble smoothly moving it. But when all said and done, its easier to move than nets without wheels.
The set as a whole comes with everything you need as well for 2v2 Pickleball. Balls, a beginner pickleball paddle for each player, boundary markers, the frame/net and a bag to pack everything up and take it on the go. Customers have said the net is really durable and lasts quite a while. Can’t really go wrong with the Deeliva Pickleball Set.
2) Easiest to Set Up – SwiftNet Portable Pickleball Set
If you are constantly on the go and setting up Pickleball in all sorts of places, the SwiftNet portable Pickleball set is probably for you. With a lightweight frame that features a carbon fiber makeup, the set is super lightweight and easy to configure. You can literally have the net set up and be playing Pickleball in under 2 minutes with this set. Additionally, the product is made in the USA and is manufactured with recycled carbon fiber.
There are a couple of downsides to this Pickleball sets that consumers need to be aware of, however. For one, there have been many reports of the plastic parts that hold the net in place to be flimsy and break easily. There are been reports as well of the carbon fiber parts breaking easily. Thankfully, SwiftNet does a great job of replacing these parts when needed. The other downside is that the net is quite pricey, and you’ll have to purchase all the other components of a full Pickleball set separately (paddles, balls, boundary markers etc).
3) Most affordable Pickleball Set – Hathaway Games Deluxe Pickleball Game Set
If you are in college, strapped for cash, or just looking to spend the least amount of money on a full set, then look no further than Hathaway Games. This might be the best set for the value. Especially if you have roommates or close friends that will play with you, and none of you have any equipment. All you need is 3 other friends to throw in $25, and you’ll be able to play Pickleball whenever you want, wherever you want.
The best part about the purchase is that this set comes with everything you need with the exception of boundary markers which will run you 20-25 bucks more. Other than that, it comes with balls, 4 pickleball paddles, and a decent net setup. The only downside we have heard about the set is that the paddles are pretty cheap and not the best quality. The net tends to sag as well since there is no middle support. But those shouldn’t be a big deal if you are just looking for an affordable set to have fund with.
4) Set with Best Pickleball Paddle – Anything Sports Regulation Pickleball Set
For under $200, this might be the most value you’ll get for your money. And it is really beacuse of the quality of the paddles that come with this set.
Included are 4 carbon fiber pickleball paddles that are pretty good quality carbon fiber paddles compared to most of the other bundled sets that come with a net. The paddles are valued on their own at $50 each. They have a really solid sweet spot. The kit also comes with 2 outdoor balls and 2 indoor balls for those in cold weather cities that have the luxury of playing in a cozy indoor space.
The only downside here is that the set itself is on the heavy side, and might be a bit of a nuisance to lug around. But if you’re a family or friend group of 4, you probably have one guy in the group with old man strength that will be able to take care of that!