Pickleball Equipment List for Beginners

One of the best things about pickleball is how little you need to start. There is no expensive kit to buy before your first game — a paddle, a ball and a decent pair of court shoes cover it. Here is the complete list, in rough order of importance, with honest notes on what matters and what can wait.

The essentials

1. A paddle

Your one real piece of equipment. For a first paddle, buy something inexpensive, forgiving and USA Pickleball approved rather than a pricey enthusiast paddle you have not earned yet — our best paddles for beginners and picks under $50 are the place to start. If you are genuinely unsure you will stick with the sport, a bundled set (below) hands you a paddle and balls together for less.

2. Balls

Cheap and consumable. The one thing to get right is indoor versus outdoor: outdoor balls are harder with smaller holes for wind, indoor balls are softer with larger holes for gym floors, and they do not swap well. Match the ball to where you play — see best pickleball balls and, for outdoor courts, best outdoor pickleballs. Buy a few; they crack and go out of round over time.

3. Court shoes

The most under-appreciated essential, and the one people get wrong. Do not wear running shoes.Pickleball is a lateral game, and running shoes offer no side-to-side support, which is how ankles roll. A proper court shoe with a flat, grippy outsole is genuinely important for safety, not just performance — our best pickleball shoes roundup explains why, and pickleball vs tennis shoes covers the crossover.

The nice-to-haves

4. A bag

Once you are carrying a couple of paddles, a sleeve of balls, water and a change of shirt, a proper pickleball bag keeps it organized and off the ground. A sling bag is plenty to start; a full backpack or tour bag is for the committed.

5. Eye protection

More important than most beginners think. The ball moves fast at close range in net exchanges, and eye injuries, while uncommon, are serious and preventable. Clear safety glasses indoors or polarized sport sunglasses outdoors are cheap insurance — see best pickleball glasses and eye protection.

6. Appropriate clothing

No dress code — any comfortable, moisture-wicking athletic wear works. Outdoors, add a hat and sunscreen. Our what to wear guide covers it; the short version is that only the shoes really matter, and the rest is comfort.

7. A net (only if you host)

You do not need your own net to play — courts have them, and open play is everywhere. But if you want to play at home, a portable net turns a driveway or empty lot into a court. See best portable nets and how to set one up.

What you can skip at first

Plenty of gear is sold to pickleball players that a beginner does not need: a ball machine, a second premium paddle, branded apparel, and elaborate accessories can all wait. Spend on the paddle and the shoes, keep the balls fresh, and add the rest only when you know you will use it. The whole starting kit can be genuinely inexpensive — that low barrier is a big part of why the sport is growing so fast. When you are ready to actually play, read how to play pickleball.

The cheapest way to get everything at once

If you would rather not assemble a kit piece by piece, a bundled pickleball setis the shortcut: most include two or four paddles and a few balls in one purchase, which is ideal for a household or a group of friends trying the sport together. Add court shoes — sets never include those — and you are ready. You can always upgrade the paddle later once you know your game, using our when to upgrade guide.