Pickleball Equipment List for Beginners

To play pickleball you need three things: a paddle, a ball and a pair of court shoes. A portable net is only necessary if your court does not have one, and a bag is a convenience you can add later.

Below is the full list in a sensible buying order, with what matters for each item and the US price ranges we could confirm on manufacturer and retailer pages in November 2026. Prices change often, so treat them as a snapshot.

The Short List

1. A Paddle

The paddle is the one item worth some thought. Under the 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook, a paddle can be no longer than 17 inches, and its length plus width cannot exceed 24 inches. There is no limit on weight or thickness, which is why paddles vary so much.

For a first paddle, three things matter most:

• Weight. Retailers group paddles by weight in ounces. Paddletek, for example, describes midweight paddles as a good fit for beginners.
• Grip size. Grips usually run from about 4 inches to 4.5 inches around. If you are between two sizes, the common advice is to pick the smaller one, because an overgrip can add size but there is little you can do to shrink a handle.
• Core thickness. Paddletek recommends a medium or thick core for new players because it helps with control.

We go through each of these, plus shape and face material, in how to choose a pickleball paddle. If you want to understand what the paddle is made of first, read pickleball paddle materials.

What it costs. On JOOLA's site, standard paddle models ranged from $39.95 to $299.95. On Paddletek's site, the range was $59.99 to $249.99. A beginner does not need to shop at the top of that range. For specific picks, see our best paddles for beginners roundup.

2. Balls

A pickleball is a hollow plastic ball with holes. Under USA Pickleball equipment standards it must measure 2.87 to 2.97 inches in diameter, weigh 0.78 to 0.935 ounces, and have between 26 and 40 circular holes.

Within those limits there are two common styles:

• Outdoor balls are typically harder, with around 40 smaller holes.
• Indoor balls are typically softer, with around 26 larger holes.

The rulebook says all approved balls are acceptable for indoor or outdoor play, so this is about how the ball behaves, not about what is legal. Our indoor vs outdoor pickleball balls guide explains when to use which.

Buy more than one. Outdoor balls in particular crack with use, and a rolling ball has a habit of leaving the court at the worst moment.

What it costs. In Pickleball Central's ball guide, three and four packs started between $7.99 and $12.99. Larger boxes cost less per ball.

3. Court Shoes

Shoes are easy to overlook on a first shopping trip, but they belong on the required list.

Pickleball involves a lot of sideways and backward movement and sudden stops. Court shoes are built for that. According to Pickleball Central, court shoes provide firm support for moving sideways, backward and forward, and their outsoles are meant to grip the court so you can stop quickly. Running shoes are designed for straight-ahead movement.

What to look for:

• A shoe sold for court sports, such as pickleball or tennis.
• The right outsole for your surface. Outdoor hard courts and indoor gym floors are different surfaces, so check which one a shoe is made for before you buy.
• A secure fit through the heel and midfoot, so your foot does not slide inside the shoe when you change direction.

If you already own tennis shoes, they are court shoes too and are a reasonable place to start on outdoor hard courts.

4. A Net (Only If Your Court Lacks One)

Dedicated pickleball courts have nets. You only need your own if you are playing on a driveway, a gym floor, a multi-use court or a tennis court with pickleball lines.

A regulation net is set up to these measurements from the 2026 rulebook:

When comparing portable nets, check that the frame sets up to those heights, that it has a center support or strap to hold the middle at 34 inches, and that it packs into a bag you can carry.

You will also need a court to put it on. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. Our court dimensions guide has the full layout if you are marking lines yourself.

What it costs. On Selkirk's site, portable net systems ranged from $120 to $170, with wheeled models at the higher end. Semi-permanent nets cost far more and are meant for clubs and facilities.

5. A Bag

A bag is optional. One paddle, a few balls and a water bottle fit in any backpack you already own.

A pickleball bag becomes useful once you carry more than one paddle, a change of shoes and spare balls. The main styles are slings (small, one strap), backpacks, and larger tour bags or duffles.

What it costs. On Selkirk's site, bags ranged from $40 for a sling to $298 for a large tour backpack.

Nice to Have, Not Required

These are small extras that many players add over time. None are needed for your first games.

• Overgrips. A thin wrap over the handle that refreshes the grip and adds a little thickness. Replacing or adding grip wrap is an allowed paddle alteration under the rulebook.
• Edge guard tape. Protects the paddle edge from court scrapes. Also an allowed alteration.
• A paddle cover. Protects the face in a shared bag.
• A water bottle and a hat or sunglasses for outdoor play.

What to Buy First

If you are starting from nothing, this is a sensible order:

1. Borrow before you buy, if you can. If a friend or your local facility has a spare paddle, a session or two with it will tell you a lot about the weight and grip you prefer.
2. Buy a paddle and a small pack of balls matched to where you play (outdoor or indoor).
3. Get court shoes once you know you will keep playing.
4. Add a net only if you need to set up your own court.
5. Add a bag when your gear outgrows your backpack.

Once you have the gear, the next step is learning how a game works. Start with the basic pickleball rules, then browse the rest of our guides on the learn hub.