8 Best Pickleball Sets (Sept 2023)

IN THIS GUIDE

Dianne Birtley

Looking for the best pickleball set?

Some of these paddle sets are the best pickleball paddles for beginners but some will work well for intermediate players.

Since pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in the USA, there are many different paddles and paddle sets to choose from giving new players with varying skill level, plenty of options.

The main point to remember about pickleball sets is that they are often priced very competitively so when you buy a set with paddles and balls, the balls usually work out to be a bonus. And sometimes, you’ll pay less for the paddles when buying a set, then if you bought 2 individual paddles.

So, here’s the deal:

If you need 2 or more paddles, buying a set is the way to go.

If you want a portable net as well, there are some decent sets with entry-level nets.

AKA, nets that will stand-up (most of the time).

They may not be of the highest quality but will work fine for recreational players who aren’t too serious.

The goal of this guide is to simplify your buying decision and provide you with a thoroughly researched list of the best pickleball sets.

Top Picks: Best Pickleball Paddle Sets

BRAND	FEATURES
Best Pickleball Set with Net Franklin Sports Half Court Size 2*wood paddles, 2*balls, 1*10 ft net	-Budget-friendly -Good for driveway pickleball
Best Pickleball Starter Set Amazin’ Aces 2* paddles, 4*balls, 1*carry case	-Great price -Players can grow into it
Best Pickleball Starter Set – Runner Up Amazin Aces Signature Pickleball Set 2*graphite paddles, 4*balls, 2*paddle covers, 1 carry case, USAPA approved	-Great value & best paddles for beginners
Best Pickleball Paddle Set of 2 PickleballCentral Rally Tyro 2 2*fiberglass paddles, 6*balls	-Best value set with 4 paddles & balls
Best Pickleball Set of 4 Westop Sports Pickleball Paddles Set 4*wood paddles, 8*balls, 2*carry cases	-Fantastic starter set with wood paddles -Can’t beat the price

Best Pickleball Paddle Sets

Best Pickleball Set with Net

Franklin Sports Half Court Size Pickleball Net, (2) Paddles, and (2) Pickleball 

Includes: 1 net (½ size), 2 x wood paddles, 2 x balls, 

This set is one of the only sets available on the market that includes a portable net, as well as 2 paddles, and balls, making it the best pickleball set with net.

It’s decent quality and consumers report that they are happy with what they’ve bought, knowing that it’s a set that’s at a very low price point, making it a great option for beginners.

The net is not full court size but half the width, 10 ft wide, so it’s really for just recreational play in your driveway, garage, or a cul de sac.

The paddles are wood, making them a heavier paddle but they work fine if you’re playing for fun.

Keep in mind that the net is not high quality but is fine for recreational play.

This net is only wide enough for 1 player on either side of the net.

It’s a great option for playing one-on-one or what’s referred to as skinny singles.

To learn more about the various nets available on the market, take a look at my review and buyer’s guide, The 8 Best Pickleball Nets. It will give you a very good idea about the other options and price points. 

You’ll soon discover that the price for this Franklin Net, Paddle, and Ball set is very good and makes getting started with pickleball very economical.

Best Pickleball Starter Sets

Best Pickleball Starter Set

Amazin Aces Graphite Pickleball Set

Includes: 2 paddles, 4 outdoor balls, carry bag for balls

This Amazin Aces pickleball paddle set includes 2 paddles that have a polymer core and a graphite surface.

Amazin Aces is well known for making good quality wood paddles for the beginner, they are now making graphite paddles that are still priced toward the beginner or the occasional player, they are definitely a step-up from playing with a wood paddle.

The competitive price and quality is what makes this the best pickleball starter set.

What We Like:

• Great customer service, paddle is backed by the owner
• Comfortable handle
• Lightweight

Best Pickleball Starter Set – Runner Up

Amazin Aces Signature Pickleball Set

Includes: 2 paddles, 2 paddle covers, carry bag, 4 balls, small carry bag for balls

The Amazin Aces Signature Pickleball Set includes 2 paddles (polymer core & graphite surface) with covers and 4 balls with a carry bag for a great price.

At the time of this review, the cost of buying 2 individual Amazin Aces Signature paddles is more than buying the set. That makes this one of the best pickleball starter sets.

And these paddles are USAPA approved which means that if you wanted to play with them in a tournament, you could.

What We Like:

• Great paddle, good bang for your buck
• Comfortable grip

What We Don’t Like:

• Might be more inclined to chip sooner than other paddles

Best Pickleball Paddle Set of 2

Rally Tyro 2 Pro Pickleball Paddle Set

Includes: 2 paddles, 4 balls

The Rally Tyro 2 Pro pickleball paddle set includes 2 paddles that have a honeycomb core with a polycarbonate facing and is approved by the USAPA for tournament play which means that if you want to try your hand in a competitive game, you can use this paddle.

The set also includes 4 balls which means that buying this set will save you some good money because the cost of buying 2 of the paddles separately is a good 20% more than buying the set. 

This makes these the best paddles for value when you buy them in the set.

This means that you’ll save money on the paddles and the balls are a bonus. Here’s the price of just buying one Rally Tyro 2 Pro.

What We Like:

What We Don’t Like:

• Some consumers note that the decal on the face will show signs of bubbling

Rally Tyro 2 Pickleball Paddle Set with 4 Paddles

Includes: 4 paddles, 6 balls

The Rally Tyro 2 pickleball paddle set offers significant savings and great value.

With 4 paddles that are of good value, these are the best pickleball paddles for value making it a great option and one of the best sets for anyone who needs 4 paddles.

Sure, this set is a bit pricey but if you break the price down on a per paddle basis, you can’t get a better price for a non-wood paddle that will stand the test of time.

And quite honestly, playing with a composite core is a much nicer experience than playing with a wood paddle.

What We Like:

Best Pickleball Set of 4

XS XSPAK Pickleball Paddles Set

Includes: 2 paddles, 4 x indoor balls, carrying bag

This set of 2 paddles, 4 indoor balls, and a carrying bag is another great option at a very reasonable price. I’m not sure what these paddles cost individually because there doesn’t seem to be an option to buy just 1 paddle.

However, these paddles have a polymer core and a carbon face which makes them a step-up from the wood paddles and will be nicer to play with. I’ve played with a wood paddle and yes, it works just fine but I prefer playing with a composite paddle because it’s typically easier to send the ball where you want.

I like the XS XSPAK pickleball paddle set because there are several options with slightly different price points. There’s a set that’s a bit less than the one described here but it does not have a carrying bag or include any balls but it does include 2 paddle covers. 

Or if you want a set of paddles that are USAPA approved, XS XSPAK makes another set that includes 2 paddles, 4 pickleball balls, and a carrying bag. This set is more than the others because it’s of a higher quality and is constructed to meet the USAPA standards for tournament play.

What We Like:

Selkirk Composite Pickleball Paddle Bundle with 2 Paddles and 4 Pickleball

Includes: 2 x paddles, 4 x balls, carrying bag

Selkirk is a reputable manufacturer of pickleball paddles so you can be certain that you’ll be getting a paddle that you can happily play with over a longer period of time. 

There shouldn’t be any reason for you to upgrade from this Selkirk Neo paddle unless you feel the need to invest in a much higher-end pickleball paddle. This might happen if you get addicted to pickleball, play more than you should and just want more paddles than you need.

And it’s USAPA approved for tournament play so as you improve your game, you’ll be able to use this paddle in tournaments. 

It has a polymer core graphite with a graphite surface which is definitely nicer to play with than a wood paddle.

Types of Pickleball Sets

There are 4 types of pickleball sets to consider:

1. A set with net, paddles and balls
2. A set with 2 paddles and 2 balls
3. A set with 4 paddles and 4 or more balls
4. A set that includes paddles, balls and a carrying bag

Which set will work best for you depends on:

1. Your budget
2. How many people will be playing at the same time
3. Whether you need or want a net

Sets If You Have A Low Budget And Need A Net

If you are playing at home or in the neighbourhood and don’t already have access to a net, then buying a set that includes a net, with paddles and balls, is your best choice from a budget perspective.

Just keep in mind that most of the nets that are included in a set are lower quality so they are not likely going to stand-up under strong winds.

Although, you could likely find some way to anchor the poles so the net doesn’t fall over as easy. But you probably don’t want to leave the net outside for an extended time-frame due to potential weather concerns.

If you want a better quality net that is more likely to stand the test of time and stand-up better in windy weather, have a look at my guide on buying a net.

Pickleball Sets if you need more than 2 paddles

If you need more than 2 paddles, there are some great deals to be found on sets. Most sets that include 4 paddles also include at least 4 balls and quite often, also include a carrying case.

There are some great price points as well, so if you’re a family of 4 who wants to play together and you don’t need a net, consider this pickleball paddle set. It’s a great price point and will do just fine for a family who is just looking to have some time playing together.

Pickleball Sets if you need 2 paddles, and play often

If you need 2 paddles and plan to play regularly, then there are sets that include 2 paddles and typically 4 balls.

Generally, these sets save you money on at least the balls which turn out to be a bonus most of the time when you buy a set.

But what I’ve noticed that in some cases, buying the paddles in a set of 2 is less than buying 2 paddles, individually. As an example, take a look at this set. And then if you compare it with buying 2 of the same paddles, individually, you are saving significantly.

6 Key Factors To Consider When Choosing a Pickleball Paddle

There are 6 main factors to consider when buying a pickleball paddle.

If you’re a beginner or a really casual player, these points may not be all that relevant or interesting to you but if you are looking to get a bit more active with your pickleball playing, you will likely find these points helpful.

1. Weight
2. Core Material
3. Grip Size
4. Surface Material
5. Edge Options
6. Price

I’ll cover off weight and core material here but take a look at my guide about choosing a pickleball paddle for more of the nitty-gritty.

Pickleball Paddle Weight

Most experienced pickleball players agree that the weight of a paddle is the most important factor to consider when selecting a pickleball paddle.

Most experienced pickleball players agree that the weight of a paddle is the most important factor to consider when selecting a pickleball paddle.

It’s important to remember that there isn’t a clear set of rules that define what weight works best for you, however, these guidelines will help you determine what weight is likely going to work best for you.

Pickleball paddles range in weight from 6 oz to 14 oz with mid-weight paddles weighing between 7.3 to 8.3 oz. Most experienced players suggest a mid-weight paddle will work best for most players, particularly if you’re new to the game.

Multiple factors come into play when trying to determine what weight is best, such as your personal preference for what feels good and your skill level.

Do you want to focus on better control or hit the ball with more power? Do you have tennis elbow or arthritis or other injuries?

Learn more about how to choose a pickleball paddle.

Pickleball Paddle Core Material

The second factor to consider when choosing a paddle is to determine what core material is the best for your game.

It’s important to understand the differences between each material and how it impacts the connection your paddle makes when hitting the ball and subsequently, how it affects your game.

I often notice that some descriptions about paddles can be confusing with respect to the materials used to manufacture the paddle.

Sometimes the paddle description says ‘graphite paddle’ or someone will say they have a ‘graphite paddle’.

The paddle core is made of one of the types of materials I discuss in this section and the surface of a paddle has another material applied/wrapped around the core. This can be graphite or one of several other surface materials.

Composite

There are 3 types of composite material:

1. polymer
2. Nomex™, and
3. aluminum

Polymer (polypropylene)

The most popular core material is a composite called polymer.

Paddles with a polymer core work well for many people because it provides a good balance between control and power.

It’s also the quietest paddle so if noise reduction is important, a polymer core is best.

Polymer core is the newest core technology and paddles with the polymer have become the most popular because they allow for both ball control and maneuverability along with the ability to hit with a decent amount of power.

If you want to play with more control and are less concerned about playing with a  ‘power’ paddle, a polymer paddle might work best.

There are many different polymer paddles to choose from which means that you have a good variety to select from.

And although there are some expensive polymer paddles available, there are plenty of options that are more affordable and well below $100.

Polymer core is best for a player who wants ball control and also wants to maintain the ability to play with a reasonable amount of power. The quietest paddle option.

For more detail on pickleball paddle cores and the other points, read my guide on how to choose a pickleball paddle.

If you’re curious and want to see the long list of approved pickleball paddles, have a look at the official list on the USAPA website.

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