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The 7 Best Pickleball Accessories You Need to Level Up Your Game
From clothes to equipment, this most-wanted gear for picklers.

Pickleball was invented by Congressman Joel Pritchard and businessman Bill Bell in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington after returning home following a round of golf. The on-the-fly invention—inspired by their bored families, a usable badminton court, but a dearth of proper rackets—was, for years, a game that a very, very small group of people took very, very seriously.
But over the decades, word spread. The world’s first pickleball tournament took place in Tukwila, Washington in 1976, and the buzz increased. Slowly, so slowly. It wasn’t until 1990 that pickleball was played in all 50 states, and in 1992, Pickle-Ball Inc. began its important work, manufacturing pickleballs with a custom drilling machine.
By 2019, the slowly building enthusiasm exploded, and a nationwide craze commenced and has not died down. Declared one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. that year, there were 3.3 million active participants. As of 2023, pickleball counts about 8.9 million players among its ranks, up from 4.8 million in just one year.
Which is all to say, what are you waiting for? And what are you bringing to the court to up your game? Whether you’ve played a million rounds, or have yet to grace the court, we have everything you need—from paddles, to balls, to netting systems and outfits.
The Best Pickleball Accessories
What to Consider
While pickleball is still a relatively new sport, it inspires deep love, almost awe, in its participants.
“Playing pickleball with other beginner and intermediate folks feels like a great way to exercise and do something that involves coordination and balance,” says Laura Tilton, a working mother who is in her 40s, and also runs, and does yoga and Pilates—though none with as much passion as pickleball. “I love that it’s social, and a great way to meet and hang out with other adults, with plenty of options for beginners. Nothing feels unachievable, and it’s hard to feel out of place when playing pickleball.”
She is a fan of the just more than basic upgraded paddle set and balls, and adds that anything else should really be about your personal goals and comfort. Keep your personal goals in mind, and the following to ensure satisfaction and success:
- USAPA-Tested and -Approved: If you feel like you may go pro—or just want to look pro—make sure your gear is USA Pickleball Approved. We indicate the gear that is.
- Outdoor or Indoor: You need different balls for outdoor play, and indoor play. And because the great outdoors is by definition quite big, you may want a few extra gadgets (such as a portable net or a pickup tube) if you’re going to be playing outside or on the go.
How We Selected
Pickleball is a sport and a conversation that can’t be avoided—even if you want to! Between my own sporadic attempts at mastering pickleball, and being blessed or cursed (depending on the day) by pickleball-obsessed friends, I have had a great deal of experience using and thinking about all things pickleball. I also consulted the wise counsel of writers and reviewers at USA Pickleball, the Daily Beast, Travel + Leisure, and read through hundreds of online reviews. Read on for the best picks for every type of player.

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