Best pickleball sets in 2024 to try America's fastest growing sport

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. According to research published in March 2023 by the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), over 48 million Americans had played the curiously-named sport at least once in the 12 months prior to the study. Best described as a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball is a fun, approachable sport that players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy.

If you're ready to see what the buzz is about, the easiest way to start is by picking up a complete pickleball set. With the pickleball paddles, balls and carrying case all included in one convenient bundle, pickleball sets make it easy to get started.

Typically designed for beginners or casual players, the best pickleball sets include durable, forgiving paddles and regulation balls so you can get a feel for the game before upgrading to a more advanced pickleball paddle. With that in mind, here are our favorite pickleball sets on the market right now.

Best pickleball set overall: Selkirk SLK Neo 2.0

SLK Neo 2.0 is one of the newest paddles from Selkirk, a leading pickleball brand. The premium paddles feature a textured graphite face that delivers a great balance of power and control. The sweat-absorbing material on the handle ensures a secure, comfortable grip even on hot days or during extended play.

Underneath that graphite face is a 13 mm SX4 polymer core that not only adds more control but also gives you a wider sweet spot and more spin. Overall, it's a balanced and versatile paddle that gives you a chance to try out different playing styles as you develop your own unique gameplay.

With this bundle, you get two of these versatile paddles along with two indoor balls, two outdoor balls and a rigid pickleball bag that provides plenty of storage space and some protection for your new pickleball gear.

Get the premium pickleball set at Amazon for $80.

Top features of the SLK Neo 2.0 pickleball set:

This set includes two paddles, four balls, and a rigid carry case.
With two indoor and two outdoor balls, you're ready to play on any court.
The premium paddles include a textured graphite face for power and control.
A 13mm SX4 polymer core provides more control and a wider sweet spot.
The handle comes with a cushioned, sweat-absorbing material for a comfortable and secure grip.

$80 at Amazon

Best pickleball set for beginners: Diadem Hero

Diadem Sports is another top name in pickleball, known for its precision-crafted paddles that are tailored to specific playing styles. Diadem's Hero paddle is crafted for beginners. Weighing in at 7.6 ounces, the lightweight pickleball paddle is easy to swing and comes with a comfortable grip so you can play longer without wearing your arm out.

The hot melt multi-fiber blend of the HMT fiberglass paddle face is durable and makes for more accurate shots thanks to the subtle flex of the surface. That's a welcome feature for beginners who are still working on controlling where the ball flies.

This starter kit includes two of those beginner-friendly paddles along with two outdoor balls and a lightweight mesh bag to keep it all in. While the bag doesn't offer much in the way of protection or storage, the quality of the paddles and balls more than makes up for it -- and it'll work just fine for starting out.

Get the Diadem starter set at the PGA Tour Superstore for $75.

Top features of the Diadem Hero pickleball set:

The set includes two durable paddles, two outdoor balls and a mesh carry bag.
The well-designed paddles are lightweight and have a comfortable grip for easy swinging.
Made from HMT fiberglass, the paddle has a flexible surface that helps improve the accuracy of your shots.

$75 at PGA Tour Superstore

Best pickleball set for aggressive players: Joola Essentials

The premium design of the Joola Essentials paddle includes a 7.9-inch wide paddle with a reinforced fiberglass face that's more powerful than a standard fiberglass paddle. That allows for explosive power in a durable design that can hold up to more aggressive playing styles.

The shorter 4.75-inch handle, mid-range 4-inch grip circumference and textured handle all make for a comfortable, confident grip on your paddle. It's an all-around well-balanced design that will let you put more power behind your shots without sacrificing control.

The set includes two of these powerful paddles along with two outdoor pickleball balls and a stylish sling bag to carry it all.

For a limited time, you can get the complete set at Amazon for $117 (reduced from $130).

Top features of the Joola Essentials pickleball set:

This set includes two reinforced fiberglass paddles, two outdoor balls, and a sling bag.
The pickleball paddle handle is 4.75 inches long and 4 inches thick, making it easy to control and comfortable to hold for most players.
The 7.9-inch paddle width adds even more control to help beginners feel confident from day one.
At 8.2 ounces, this paddle is a good balance of controllable weight with just enough heft to add some power behind your serves.

$117 at Amazon

Best pickleball set for your backyard: Baden Champion Series

If you want to squeeze in a little extra practice time between trips to the nearby pickleball court, this Baden Champion Series pickleball set is a great option. For $200, you get four paddles, three outdoor balls and a full-size net, plus a sturdy carrying bag to store it all in.

The 22-foot-long net comes with a heavy-duty steel frame that's ready to stay upright on any flat surface. Set it up on your driveway or patio to create your own at-home pickleball court.

Whether you're looking for a fun backyard game to add to your repertoire or a way to practice your techniques, this is a great set to have on hand. The paddles and balls all meet official size and weight regulations so you'll get a good feel for the sport even before you step foot on a real pickleball court.

With four paddles, you're fully equipped for the whole family to play or for any spontaneous matches with friends.

Top features of the Baden Champion Series pickleball set:

This set includes four paddles, three outdoor balls and a net so you can play pickleball anywhere there's a flat surface to set up on.
The 22-foot net is the same size as official pickleball nets.
The powder-coated steel frame is sturdy and weather-resistant so you can leave it up all summer long.
The poplar wood pickleball paddles feature an 8-inch paddle face and a longer 5.5-inch handle for double-handed swings.

$200 at Dick's Sporting Goods

Best pickleball set on a budget: YC Dgycasi

This pickleball set comes with two honeycomb polymer core paddles, which are lightweight and durable, four balls and a carrying case. That's everything you need to start playing in one convenient set.

The soft paddles offer a comfortable grip with a carbon fiber-based composite surface that reduces ball deflection and improves gameplay. For beginners, we also love the shorter handle (4.9 inches long) and wider paddle (7.8 inches). Together, this shape and size are easier to control than longer paddles.

With two indoor balls and two outdoor balls, this set also ensures you're ready to play on any court.

Even more beginner-friendly is the price. The budget set includes two paddles, four balls and a carrying case so you and a friend can get everything you need to start practicing for under $50, all in.

Regularly priced at $40 for the set, you can get it for just $32 after clicking the on-site coupon at Amazon.

Top features of the YC Dgycasi pickleball set:

Weighing just 7.5 ounces per paddle, these are lightweight beginner-friendly paddles.
This is one of the best prices you'll find for carbon fiber pickleball paddles.
The wider 7.8-inch paddle and shorter (4.9-inch) handle give beginners better control of their swing.
This under-$50 set is a convenient way to get started with the game without a high upfront investment.

$32 at Amazon