Our top picks: The best portable pickleball set
What’s the best portable pickleball paddle set? Sets can come with all different equipment (some have just paddles, some come with pickleballs, some with a net, and some even with fantastic swag). We reviewed and created this breakdown to help you decide what pickleball set is best for you.
| Award | Pickleball Set | Price | Link to buy |
| Best set with a net | Fostoy Pickleball Net Set with Wheels | $119 | Amazon |
| Best overall set | JoncAye Pickleball Set of 4 | $73 | Amazon |
| Affordable chic | Sprypals Pickleball Set (4 fiberglass paddles) | $50 | Amazon |
| Sprypals Pickleball Set (4 wooden paddles) | $42 | Amazon | |
| Recess – 2 Paddle Pickleball Set | $138 | Recess | |
| Most stylish | Recess – Essentials Set | $128 | Recess |
| Gonex Pickleball Paddles Set of 2 | $40 | Amazon | |
| Best paddles | SLK by Selkirk Pickleball Paddles Set of 2 | Out of stock | Amazon |
JoncAye Pickleball Set of 4
- 4 paddles
- 4 sets of grip tape
- 4 pickleballs (2 indoor, 2 outdoor)
- 1 paddle bag
- 1 ball pouch
This is our team’s choice for best overall set, although a number of other sets below come close. We especially liked this set because it comes with 4 paddles (while many other sets come with only 2 paddles) along with a well-designed carrying case. This is a perfect set for new players and is a great way to get started, or get friends and family started!
What others are saying
“Perfect for new pickleball players!” “We have officially jumped into the pickleball craze and purchased this set to see what all the hype is about. The set is lightweight and easy to hold. The balls are colorful, making it easy to track when they go flying. The price was right as we did not want to spend a lot of money for something that might not continue to get used. I like that it came with a carrying bag and it is sturdy enough to hold everything without ripping easily. Overall perfect for beginners like us who are just getting used to the game. I especially like that it came in a set of 4 so we could play with others.”
— Avocado (Amazon review, August 2023)
“Great customer service” “Our bag arrived with a small rip in it and customer support at JoncAye Sports is sending us a new one along with a free cooling towel. We have used our set a few times now and it’s perfect for our family of four beginners. Happy picklers!”
— Amazon reviewer (August 2023)
“Ordered this for myself and our kids and it exceeded expectations. Came with replacement wraps, balls, paddles and stickies for ball pickup. Also found a note saying that this product is from a small single mother owned business that supports a good cause to an orphanage with any extra proceeds which is always a plus!”
— Amazon reviewer (August 2023)
Fostoy Pickleball Net Set with Wheels
- 22-feet regulation-sized net with a steady metal frame
- Court markers
- 4 paddles
- 6 pickleballs
- Carrying bag
If you’re looking for a set that includes a full-sized net, the Fostoy set may be the right choice. The metal-framed net comes on wheels, which makes it easy to setup a full game on the driveway, backyard, field, or gym. The net it also waterproof and made for both indoor and outdoor use.
The Foystoy net also made our list of top of portable pickleball nets with wheels. Here's our Best Pickleball Nets on Wheels.
What others are saying
“Purchased to start a church league. The set up and tear down of net and net structure are easy. Net parts are good quality. Only complaint are that the paddles are for first timers and kind of chintzy. Some didn’t hold together well. Most people bring their own paddles so it works out.”
— MammaWiia (Amazon review, September 2023)
“We purchased this kit for our church gymnasium. We were able to unpack the box and set it all up within ten minutes. The paddles are wooden. The indoor balls work great on the gymnasium floor. The net and frame is excellent quality! We are a family of mixed skill. Some of us have been playing PickleBall for a few years, while others just started this week. Having this kit will be fantastic for church gatherings of young (and old) people. Great product!”
— Kimberly (Amazon review, July 2023)
Sprypals Pickleball Set with 4 fiberglass paddles (USAPA approved)
- 4 premium pickleball paddles (fiberglass)
- 2 outdoor balls
- 2 indoor balls
- 1 carrying bag
Beautiful, eye-catching designs that are perfect for a vacation or to-go set. This is an easy starter set that comes with both indoor and outdoor balls.
Sprypals Pickleball Set with 4 wooden paddles (USAPA approved)
Another set from Sprypals with eye-catching designs. These wooden paddles are a great starter set for you to take on vacation or for your next friends or family outing.
While more advanced players typically prefer fiberglass paddles, we’ve found wooden paddles to be much sturdier (and less prone to cracking) especially for sets you’re keeping outside, in the car, or anywhere for easy access.
What others are saying
“Great value for how much it costs and LOVE the designs. I’ve used them about 5 times and there’s been to scuffing of the patterns at all.”
— Vernon (Amazon review, August 2023)
“…This set is suitable for beginners and intermediate players. None of us are experts by any stretch of the imagination, we just play for fun. And this set is fun. Not the highest quality set but it’ll hold up if we don’t hit the ground with it. The description of use that comes with the set says to take care of it like you would a pet. Don’t leave it in the hot car or trunk likewise in the winter—take it inside.”
Dan L Do (Amazon review, August 2023)
Recess – 2 Paddle Pickleball Set
- Two picnic pickleball paddles
- Two embroidered canvas cases with leather detailing
The aesthetics of the Recess paddles can’t be beat. In addition to looking amazing, the paddles are high quality: fiberglass, light, great grip, and hits the ball well.
Paddle details
- Surface: Strong and durable fiberglass.
- Core: 0.53” thick honeycomb interior.
- Edge Guard: Custom made to withstand the elements.
- Grip: Highly condensed foam used in the tennis and golf industry, covered by a custom color faux-leather grip. Sweat-proof and built to last. 4.25″ circumference.
- Grip Band: Custom branded silicone ring that holds the grip in place.
Recess – Essentials Set
- Vista Pickleball Paddle (fiberglass)
- Fanny Pack
- Recess Socks
- Three white pickleballs
- Embroidered canvas case with leather detailing
If you’re looking for the beautiful aesthetics of Recess paddles plus a few starter pickleballs and some fancy Recess swag (fanny pack and Recess socks), this is the set for you. We also like that Recess’ paddles are high quality (in addition to looking amazing).
Paddle details
- Surface: Strong and durable fiberglass.
- Core: 0.53” thick honeycomb interior.
- Edge Guard: Custom made to withstand the elements.
- Grip: Highly condensed foam used in the tennis and golf industry, covered by a custom color faux-leather grip. Sweat-proof and built to last. 4.25″ circumference.
- Grip Band: Custom branded silicone ring that holds the grip in place.
What others are saying
“Cute and minimalistic!” “Love how cute and sturdy this product is! I especially love the thick strap!”
— Mitzi B (Recess review, August 2023)
Fanny pack: “Very cute and functional!”
— Andrea P (Recess review, August 2023)
“Love the feel of this paddle! It’s light has a nice grip and hits the ball well. I get a ton of compliments on the design as well!”
— Kira J (Recess review, May 2023)
Gonex Pickleball Paddles Set of 2
- 2 USAPA-approved graphite fiberglass paddles with comfort grip
- 4 pickleballs (2 indoor, 2 outdoor)
- 2 cooling towels
- Portable carry bag
This is a good choice if you’re looking for a pickelball set with lightweight fiberglass paddles that are good for getting started or intermediate play. This Gonex set comes with 2 fantastic wide body shaped paddles, which allows you to easily catch a large sweet spot. We also like that the set comes with a useful carrying bag that’s more well-designed than the carrying bags that come with other sets.
What others are saying
“Great beginner paddles” “My first paddle ever and I love it! It’s light and I can move fast with it on the NVZ line. Feels good in my hand, have power and nice control. No complaints at all!”
— Anonymous Amazon Reviewer (September 2023)
“Terrific value” “Everyone had great time using these playing pickleball. Lightweight, nice bag, no complaints!”
— Anonymous Amazon Reviewer (July 2023)
“Fine for kids or casual play – not great if you want to play regularly” “I just started playing Pickleball a month ago and bought these. Within a week, I could tell I would need to upgrade to a better paddle. After using the demos at my local tennis/pickleball center, I could tell a huge difference. The biggest noticeable difference is the thickness of the handle. Paddles made by real pickleball companies are thinner and easier to hold. This handle is noticeably thicker than a typical paddle which requires you to use more grip strength to hold it. Thinner grips from other manufacturers feel SO much better. The second noticeable difference is that these paddles are extremely hard. They’re light, yes, but when you hit the ball, there is ZERO give… it’s like hitting a ball with a piece of cement… there is no absorption of the impact of the ball, which is what I now realize is referred to as “control” in the pickleball community.”
— Jack C Eastman (Amazon review, May 2023)
Paddle details
- State-of-the-art fiberglass paddle made with polypropylene honeycomb composition
- Fiberglass face is more powerful than the graphite face, which can enhance strength
- Polypropylene honeycomb composition is softer and more stable.
- Gonex pickleball paddle weighs only 7.9 oz, lighter than most paddles to reduce stress on shoulders
- The grip circumference of Gonex pickleball paddle is 4.3″ and the length is 4.9″.
SLK by Selkirk Pickleball Paddles Set of 2
- 2 paddles – multilayer fiberglass and graphite paddle face with SX3 honeycomb core
- 1 rigid carrying bag
- 4 indoor and outdoor pickleball balls
This is our choice for best pickleball set with the best paddles. Selkirk is a known paddle brand with great paddle pedigree, and this set comes with two SLK Neos.
However, as you advance we do generally recommend you go beyond the paddle that comes with a set and get a paddle that’s able to continue taking your game to the next level.
What others are saying
“Perfect” “These were received quickly and worked out great!”
— Amazon Reviewer (September 2023)
“Thrilled” “My husband and I just started playing this year and this is our first set of racquets. We love everything about these racquets. Great grip, weight and performance. I would say, we are both improving our game beyond, “beginners” if that helps anyone decide. Highly recommend!”
— E. Hochstrasser (Amazon review, August 2023)
“I am new to pickle ball and found this set for under what many single paddles are selling for, and it has worked out great! I know there are many different types of paddles out there, but these have been perfect for me as I am learning and am able to share with a friend! The weight and grip are comfortable, the carry case is handy and easy to store and carry the paddles and plenty of pickle balls. I am very happy with this set. I would recommend this product.”
— &Tigger2 (Amazon review, July 2023)
Paddle details
- Paddles designed in the USA.
- Good traction and stability.
- Only 7.5 oz for each paddle, well-balanced between lightweight and medium weight paddles.
- Combined with 4.25″ grip circumference and 5.25″ length.
Should I just buy a portable pickleball net?
Portable pickleball nets come in two flavors, with or without wheels. While we think portable nets without wheels is the better overall option, we know other pickleball players prefer portable nets with wheels. Portable nets with wheels are especially convenient for folks who keep their portable net setup and wheel it out to play often.
Looking for the best portable pickleball net? Here are our picks for the 7 Best Portable Pickleball Nets (Prices, Reviews, and More)
If you're looking for a net WITH wheels, check out our picks for The Best Pickleball Nets on Wheels.
Conclusion
It’s become easier and easier to play pickleball on the go or get started by using a pickleball set. We’re big fans of playing more, even if it’s just having a set of paddles handy. It’s a great way to create more fun memories with friends and family.
And over time you may even want to consider building or creating a more permanent court. If so, check out our definitive guide to Building Your Own Pickleball Court (Costs, Setup, and Guidelines).
Tell us which pickleball set you’ve used and liked! Or comment on any portable set you’d like us to review.