Starting out in pickleball? You don’t need to spend $200 on a paddle. Here are our top picks for beginners:
What to Look For Weight: 7.3-8.4 oz is the sweet spot for most beginners Grip size: Measure your hand — too big or small causes problems Material: Composite or graphite faces work great Price: $40-80 gets you something solid Our Top Picks 1. Selkirk SLK Evo Soft Great all-around paddle with a forgiving sweet spot.
SIMARI Winter Gloves – Play Pickleball in the Cold Rating: 4.2/5 stars (43,500+ reviews) | Price: ~$13-17 | Best For: Cold weather play, touchscreen compatibility
Don’t Let Winter Stop Your Game Playing pickleball in cold weather? Your hands are the first thing to freeze up, killing your grip and control. The SIMARI Winter Gloves solve this problem with a thermal liner that keeps your hands warm without sacrificing dexterity.
Why Pickleball Players Love Them Touchscreen Compatible: Check scores or text between games without removing gloves Thermal Warm Lining: Keeps hands comfortable in freezing temperatures Flexible Grip: Designed for sports, so you maintain paddle feel Versatile: Works for pickleball, running, cycling, driving – any outdoor activity Amazon’s Choice: With 43,500+ reviews and 4.
JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion – Pro-Level Paddle at Consumer Price Rating: 4.6/5 stars | Price: ~$149-179 | Best For: Intermediate to advanced players seeking tournament performance
The Paddle That Pros Use When the #1-ranked player in the world (Ben Johns) puts his name on a paddle, you pay attention. The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion isn’t just celebrity marketing – it’s a legitimate high-performance paddle that delivers professional-grade control and power.
Franklin X-40 Outdoor Pickleballs – Tournament Quality at a Great Price Rating: 4.7/5 stars | Price: $9.47 (3-pack) | Best For: Tournament play, outdoor use
Why They’re Great The Franklin X-40 is arguably the most popular outdoor pickleball on the market for good reason. These are the official tournament balls used in countless competitions, so when you practice with X-40s, you’re training with the real thing.
Key Features Tournament Standard: Used in official USA Pickleball tournaments Perfect Weight: Weighs in at 26 grams for consistent play Great Bounce Profile: Lighter than competitors but with excellent pop 40-Hole Design: Outdoor-optimized for wind resistance Durability: Holds up well even in aggressive play What Players Say These balls have a nice bounce profile and aren’t too heavy or too light.