Pickleball How-To: Everything You Need to Know and Buy Before You Start Playing

Joola paddles are not only compliant with the standards of USA Pickleball (the national governing body for pickleball) — they're also super–high quality. The new Heat Vision line lets beginners benefit from its superior technology, growing with you as your game improves.

Made with a textured carbon fiber surface and a 16-millimeter (mm) polypropylene honeycomb core, this paddle features a special film inside that reduces vibration and increases its sweet spot. Translation: You’ll experience less fatigue and more accuracy with every ball you hit.

I tested all three versions of the new Heat Vision series: the Perseus, Scorpeus, and Agassi Edge. My hands-down favorite was the Perseus model. (I later found out Gallwas uses a higher-level Perseus model for her professional play, which made me feel like I have good taste.) It’s lightweight at 7.8 ounces (oz) and sleek, but what won me over was how my placement improved instantly when I started hitting with this paddle. I was dinking things exactly where intended and smashing my opponent all over the court.

Coincidentally, I traded paddles with my opponent for a set so she could try it, and her game also leveled up right away. (Yes, I made her give it back quickly, and it’s now my paddle of choice.)

There’s definitely something joyful about the 4Joy Amp4 Series. Sporting artistic and colorful motifs on the paddle faces, ranging from turtles to mandalas, the 4Joy will be a win for anyone looking to dress up their court time.

“I truly love that this paddle comes in a lot of design options — you can choose your paddle,” says writer Raki Swanson. “This is a mood thing, and I love it!”

This super-lightweight, 14-mm-core paddle weighs only 7 ½ oz and has a smaller grip, making it a good choice for petite female players. It also has a slightly longer handle, giving people with a two-handed backhand better control.

While it’s best for beginner or intermediate players, its high quality and reasonable price point make it a functional starter paddle with personality. Plus, with every purchase, 4Joy donates a portion to charity, making this a feel-good paddle in more ways than one.

If you want a little more assurance that you’ll actually connect with the ball, then you might want to consider the SLK Valkyrie Widebody by Selkirk. This 16-mm-core, fiberglass pickleball paddle is a good choice for beginners. It offers a full 8-in-width face, making it easier to avoid the dead parts of a paddle.

“One of the most deflating things for a beginner is using a very cheap paddle that is very dead around the edges — when the ball hits a dead spot, it just dies on the paddle and goes nowhere,” says Maryland-based professional pickleball coach and educator Eric White. “Beginners rarely hit the center of the paddle, which can kill their confidence starting out.”

With that in mind, the SLK Valkyrie Widebody gives you a larger surface space, which can help some newbies make contact. “I really like the wide-body shape of this paddle and how well it works for beginners,” says Katrina Cossey, an editor and pickleball neophyte. “It's also lightweight and doesn't feel difficult to maneuver while playing.”

If you can imagine yourself playing a friendly match of pickleball while dressed in a sporty little outfit and wearing a visor, then heading to brunch afterward, this is your paddle. It’s the perfect “upscale weekend in the Hamptons or West Palm” type of paddle, with monikers to match.

While I tested out the Nantucket, you can also chooses from styles like Gardiner’s Bay, Taormina, and Boothbay Harbor (all preppy and chic hot spots). These USA Pickleball-approved paddles definitely serve up the cuteness factor. And they have an awesome custom grip — the softest and yet most “grippable” of any paddle I tried. They’re best-suited for casual players, though, rather than the super-competitive pickler. My control was decent with this paddle, but I felt more reverb when I hit.

However, if you want to show off your team spirit, these are also customizable. (Hello, bridal parties or corporate retreats.) And since the social aspect of the sport is not to be discounted, this makes the Tangerine paddle very attractive on and off the court.

Skechers has entered the pickleball shoe chat with their new Viper Court 2.0 Pickleball Sneaker. With a breathable upper mesh fabric and a removable ArchFit insole, these court shoes feel more forgiving than some of the stiffer leather versions on the market.

As someone with a lot of sneakers, I will admit that I've tried court shoes before and didn't love them. I have narrow feet that blister easily, so I was skeptical that I’d like these shoes. However, I put them on straight out of the box courtside, and I played for nearly two hours with no issues. In fact, they were fantastic. The padded collar and tongue kept me comfortable, and the foam midsole gave the shoe enough spring. 

I’m also obsessed with the fact that the outsole is actually Goodyear rubber; I guess turning my feet effectively into tires. All jokes aside, I didn’t slip once during hard play or roll an ankle. These will now be my go-to shoes for pickleball. And with eight colors and styles to choose from, they are a super option for any court sport.

The Roger Advantage Pro court shoes have concealed foam cushioning in the midsole and an “internal cage” that supports the forefoot during dynamic movements. “This is an unbelievably comfortable shoe. It fits true to size, it is made of high-quality, and did I say, comfortable?” says Swanson. “It is also a true court shoe. The rubber on the bottom really does make an impact when you are playing on a court.”

The shoes also get kudos for good stability and durability, with elastic hooks that help keep laces from untying or loosening during play. These shoes seem to work especially well for people with wider feet. They’re also available in both women’s and men’s sizes, making them a good court shoe for co-ed play.

The drawback is that they’re pricey (unless you can snag a pair on sale). But we think they’re super–high quality, so they’re likely an investment that will last. 

If you’re tired of playing the field and are looking for a stable relationship with your court shoe, you’d do well to check out the PB5 Court2. Made especially for picklers, these sneakers help players of every level stay balanced while navigating the game's lateral and lunging movements with ease.

We found them to be very supportive without being too padded. “I really liked the overall fit of the shoe — not too snug, very true to size, and the support was excellent," says writer Tori Martinet, RD. She thought this pair would be great for various activities, including pickleball and weightlifting.

Even with more-structured areas on the upper exterior (that may pinch a little at first), the shoes break in easily. Probably the most fun feature of these shoes, however, is the variety of whimsical colors, including Mint Gum, Lilac Multi, and White Berry.

Available in both women’s and men’s sizes (or W’s and M’s as they’re called on the PB5 Star website), these lightweight pickleball sneaks seem to be a good mix of form, function, and flair.

If you don’t have balls, you can’t play this game. Fortunately, a set of three Franklin X-26 (indoor) or X-40 (outdoor) pickleballs will be plenty to get you started. While most facilities will have balls on hand, it’s never a bad idea to tote along a set of your own just in case.

These Franklin perforated plastic (technically polyethylene) balls are the official pickleballs used by USA Pickleball and the US Open Pickleball Championships, so you know you’re getting the real deal. It’s important, however, that you pick up the right kind of ball for where you’ll be playing.

I tested both the Franklin X-26 and X-40 balls, and I was really surprised to learn that they’re not as interchangeable as you might think. I accidentally started playing with some X-40 (outdoor) balls while rallying on an indoor wood court, and it was a disaster. That’s when I learned the difference.

“Indoor play on a rubber or wooden-style gymnasium floor would use a 26-hole ball, and any outdoor/indoor style play on a tennis court type surface uses a 40- or 48-hole ball,” says White. The holes are bigger in the X-26 (indoor) balls to slow play down on faster and bouncier indoor surfaces like wood floors, whereas the smaller holes in the X-40 (outdoor) balls increase the speed on asphalt courts and help counter potentially windy outside conditions.

As long as you grab the right balls for where you’ll be playing, you should be good. But definitely consider the color, too. Brighter and more-neon balls tend to be easier to spot in action.

“I strongly recommend protective eyewear for all players, especially in doubles, because the ball travels fast at close distances and eye injuries are increasingly reported,” says Gallwas.

If you’re playing outside, a pair of sunglasses may do the trick. But what about indoors? Enter Kitchen Blockers. These 100-percent lens-free, military-grade frames may protect the ocular region from trauma. We found them unobtrusive to wear, with the padding making them comfortable, like you aren't wearing any protection. And while you might think you won’t be playing hard enough to need them, beginners are exactly the players who should consider purchasing a pair.

“Most eye injuries do happen during recreational play,” says White. “Lower-level players can’t control the ball or where the ball goes, as well as defend the face area.”

Yes, you can probably make do by tossing any pickleball gear you have into a standard tote. But if you want to go all-in and look like you know what you’re doing, you may want to buy a dedicated pickleball bag.

Fortunately, the Franklin Sports Sling Pickleball Bag is a fantastic, affordable option. With room for up to six paddles and several balls, it also has a zippered pouch for things like your cell phone, keys, and wallet, as well as a separate water-bottle sleeve.

Editor Ashley Ziegler found the material less expensive-looking than some of the pricier totes, but she felt that the super-reasonable price made up for any shortcomings. “It has some decent padding for such an inexpensive bag, and I also like that it has a built-in hook to hang from a fence around a court — just a nice touch,” she says.

Franklin is a long-standing sports equipment brand that has fully embraced the pickleball craze. Accordingly, anyone looking to start small can’t go wrong with a combo pack like the Franklin Sports 2-Player Poly Paddle and Ball Set.

“This affordable two-player paddle and ball set is an easy, low-cost way for beginners or families to start playing pickleball together, making it a practical entry point for casual and first-time players who want to try the sport before investing in higher-end gear,” says Gainor.

I tested out the paddles with a friend, and they worked just fine. While the paddles aren’t high-end, they are made of fiberglass and definitely get the job done. They also come in lots of colors. So if you get multiple sets for family play, you’ll be able to appease every player’s tastes.

Each set includes two X-40 balls, so this is best used in a park or on an outdoor tennis court (or maybe in your driveway), unless you purchase indoor balls separately. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to play for fun and get a feel for the sport.

If you don’t want to gather all the pickleball extras a la carte, the Dink Pink Pickleball Accessory Set will serve up everything you need. We’re talking a sling backpack, a double-insulated water bottle, an adjustable visor, a microfiber sports towel, three 40-hole outdoor pickleballs, and even a scrunchie. And they’re all pink, pink, pink — though if pink isn’t your shade, they also sell “Banger Blue” and “Pickler Purple” accessory sets.

While we thought these products were all good quality, the price might be a little high for these accessories; you could probably get them cheaper if you bought them separately. However, the convenience and the extra-adorable factor are part of what you’re paying for here. So, if “Barbie Plays Pickleball” seems like your style, this will set you up for a scene-stealing time on the court.