Everything a new pickleball player needs: a forgiving paddle, the right balls for indoor or outdoor play, and shoes made for the court.
Updated October 2026 · save to pinterest
best for: Beginners who plan to play a lot
A soft, forgiving paddle that helps beginners control their shots.
best for: Trying pickleball with a friend
Two paddles, balls and a bag for less than one nice paddle, so you can bring a friend.
best for: Outdoor courts
Hard plastic balls with smaller holes for outdoor courts. The official ball of the US Open of Pickleball.
best for: Indoor gyms
Softer balls with bigger holes for gym floors and indoor courts.
best for: Playing safely
Court shoes support quick side-to-side moves. Running shoes are built for forward motion, so ankles roll more easily in them on the court.
best for: Sweaty hands
A tacky wrap for your paddle handle that soaks up sweat and makes a small grip bigger.
best for: Hot courts
An insulated bottle that keeps water cold through a long session of open play.
best for: Regular players
A sling bag with room for two paddles, balls, keys and a water bottle.
best for: Playing at home
A regulation-size net that sets up in a driveway or on a tennis court, for practice without waiting for an open court.
Look for a paddle with a thicker core (16 mm or more) in the $30–90 range. Thicker cores are softer and more forgiving. You don't need a $200+ paddle to start.
Outdoor balls are harder with smaller holes so wind affects them less. Indoor balls are softer with bigger holes. Using the wrong one makes the bounce feel off.
Court shoes are strongly recommended. Pickleball involves lots of quick side-to-side movement, and running shoes don't support your ankles for that.
