Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, anniversary, or other special occasion, what better way to surprise the picklehead in your life than with a pickleball gift? Choosing a great gift can be hard, though, especially if you don't play the sport yourself. Don't worry—I've got you covered.
I've played with hundreds of pickleball products this year so I'm happy to share some gift ideas with you. Below you'll find the best pickleball gifts for any budget and any player, from beginners to pros. I've added paddles, gear, accessories, clothes, novelty gifts, and even a pickleball machine.
Best gifts for pickleball players in 2024
Whatever you're looking for, you'll find something interesting here. Let's dive into the list.
Best paddle to gift
My verdict
1. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
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If you know a pickleball player who's really starting to take the sport seriously, you'll be investing in their game when you gift them the best pickleball paddle of the year, the Six Zero DBD.
Learn more in my Six Zero DBD Control review.
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Beginner paddleMy verdict
2. Friday Original
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The Friday Original is the best pickleball paddle for beginners, introducing power and spin to their game straight away. This is a great gift for any new pickleball player who wants to hit the ground running.
Instead of wasting money on a cheap Amazon paddle, you can get a single Friday Original paddle (or make it a two-paddle deal) for a more thoughtful starter paddle gift.
Read my Friday Original review.
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Best paddle setMy verdict
3. SLK NEO 2.0
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Want to give a new player a whole kit? You'll set them up the right way with the SLK NEO 2.0. Made by top brand Selkirk, this is the best pickleball paddle set because the paddles have way more advanced tech than most paddle sets while still retailing at an affordable $79.99 (often discounted as low as $64.99).
Read my SLK NEO 2.0 review.
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Best machine to giftMy verdict
4. The Erne
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If you want to go all out, the Erne is a serious present for any player who's ready to take pickleball seriously. I love drilling with it and it's guaranteed to improve anyone's game. It's got a large ball hopper, long battery life, an app to control all the settings, and ultimate customization of drills.
Read my Erne pickleball machine review.
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Great all-rounderMy verdict
5. Pickleball Central gift card
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I personally love receiving a gift card and many pickleballers will appreciate getting to pick exactly what they want from Pickleball Central's huge inventory of paddles, accessories, balls, equipment, and apparel.
A great perk is you can choose how much you want to spend. The gift card can be sent digitally, meaning it's instant (for those last-minute panics). Pickleball Central even lets you add a unique message and theme to your gift card for a personal touch.
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Pickleball bagMy verdict
6. CRBN Pro Team Backpack
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The long-lasting CRBN Pro Team Backpack makes a lovely gift for pickleball enthusiasts.
If you think someone would like a pickleball backpack, you won't do better than the CRBN Pro Team, one of the best bags for pickleball players. This is a great gift for any player who wants a sturdy, great-looking, premium bag built specifically for pickleball players.
At $110, it's at the higher price end when it comes to pickleball bags, though you do get a 10% discount on the CRBN store with our exclusive code. Trust me: the price is worth it for someone you care about because this bag will last a long time.
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Joke paddleMy verdict
7. Donald Trump paddle
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Whatever your political beliefs, this Donald Trump pickleball paddle is a fun gift. It actually works on the courts too—it's an elongated fiberglass paddle with a 16 mm core.
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Best shoesMy verdict
8. Diadem Court Burst
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The Diadem Court Bursts are my top recommendation for footwear. They're super comfortable and have been my everyday court shoes since I tested them. They give me all the support, speed, and stability I need.
Read my list of the best pickleball shoes.
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For dadMy verdict
9. TOLOCO massage gun
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The TOLOCO massage gun is a nice birthday or Father's Day gift for dads to help them avoid pickleball elbow and other strains. It works both before and after games to warm up the muscles and provide quick pain relief. I personally struggle with pickleball injuries, so my massage gun is now part of my everyday warm-up routine.
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Sports braMy verdict
10. Vitality Cloud II™ Scoop Bra
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The flattering Vitality Cloud II Scoop Bra has medium compression and support. It made my list of the best pickleball clothing this year and is a great gift for on and off the courts, with lots of colors to choose from.
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Men's performance shirtMy verdict
11. Alo Conquer Muscle Tank
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The Alo Conquer Muscle Tank is an excellent performance shirt for men. With wide armholes and a crew neck, it's fashionable, functional, and comfortable. It wicks away sweat and has a soft, breathable feel.
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Joke shirtMy verdict
12. Men's funny pickleball tee
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Make someone smile with a funny pickleball shirt from Crazy Dog T-Shirts. With so many to choose from, you're sure to find the right one for any fun-loving picklehead.
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Great for momMy verdict
13. MAGCOMSEN Lightweight Athletic Jacket
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This is a great pickleball jacket for women, available in plenty of color options. It's snug and has zip pockets, and even offers UPF 50+ protection from the sun. It'll keep you cool and comfortable and has a great price for the quality.
Read my best pickleball clothes list.
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Best pickleballsMy verdict
14. Franklin X-40
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From beginners to pros, any player will appreciate a pack of Franklin X-40 pickleballs. They're some of the most reliable and consistent balls you can have in your bag.
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Portable netMy verdict
15. ZENY portable net system
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The best cheap net you can buy, the ZENY Portable Net System is a great present for any player who needs their own net. It weighs just 18 lbs but is really sturdy for the price.
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Great stocking fillerMy verdict
16. Pickleball Effect overgrip
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Overgrip is something every pickleball player should have lying around. It makes the perfect stocking stuffer, and I rate this one from Pickleball Effect highly. It comes in a 4-pack with nice color choices.
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Novelty giftMy verdict
17. Pickleball mug
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You'll find a mug to suit any picklehead at Pickle Ballers Hub. These are a great gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, Christmas, and any special occasion.
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Best for dog ownersMy verdict
18. CRBN K9 Squeak Dog Toy
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Because our furry friends deserve the best gifts too
The CRBN K9 Squeak Toy claims to be the first-ever pickleball dog toy. Non-toxic and durable, it makes a wonderful gift for a doggy birthday or Christmas—their very own CRBN paddle.
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Best jewelryMy verdict
19. Gold bracelet from Born to Rally
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I like the style of this pickleball bracelet from Born to Rally. It's electroplated with real 18K gold but it's not overly flashy. It's tasteful and the pickleball paddle and ball clasp are a nice touch. I can see lots of people appreciating this gift.
Read my list of the best pickleball jewelry.
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Great for partiesMy verdict
20. Pickleball trivia game
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If someone you know is going on a pickleball vacation, hosting a pickleball party or event, or just loves quizzes, check out this pickleball trivia game. This 200-card travel-size set will test their knowledge of the sport. Younger players will love it too, and it makes a great stocking filler too.
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Great for bookwormsMy verdict
21. Pickleball for Dummies
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This is a fun gift, especially for pickleheads who like to read. The Pickleball for Dummies book covers everything about scoring, dinking, and serving, the rules of the sport, and tips for club and tournament organizers. It's all well presented and easy to follow in the trademark series style.
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Ball holderMy verdict
22. Ballzie pickleball holder
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The perfect pickleball pouch, great as a lighthearted gift
The Ballzie Pickleball Holder makes a nice stocking filler or birthday present for a pickleball player, trainer, or referee. It's a lightweight fanny pack that holds up to 8 balls. The adjustable strap means it stays tight and won't bother them when practicing or playing.
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How to choose the best pickleball gifts
Over the years, we’ve bought a ton of pickleball-related gifts for our friends and family. So, when we set out to make this list, we started there. We tried to remember which gifts had gone down well, caused a chuckle, or got a ton of use by the receiver.
With that inspiration, we took to the web, scouring Pickleball Central and Amazon to see what new cool gifts were available, and reading reviews to see what people really loved. Once we had a shortlist, we scored them based on the following criteria:
- Uniqueness: We’re never one to give a boring gift, so this was top of our criteria
- Utility: People have too much stuff these days, so we wanted to choose genuinely useful products
- Novelty/humor: Even if it doesn’t have people rolling around on the floor, a chuckle is always welcome
- Price: You got us there—one or two of our gifts are certainly not cheap. However, we aimed to include a lot of affordable gifts and one or two big ticket items that still offer value for money
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 80 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
Bottom line
That's my list! I hope you find a special present for the person you care about. My top pick is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control because it's simply the best paddle with the widest appeal. However, if you're not after a paddle, there are plenty of other options to choose from.
FAQs
About the author