Pickleball Stuff We Actually Use & Love
Anne & Carrie Z tested this gear on real courts, for real players 55+. Tap a category below or scroll to browse.
7 Days to Confident Pickleball After 55+
Ready to take your game to the next level? Grab your copy of our beginner’s guide — available in paperback and Kindle.
Paddles
4 picks
From Anne’s daily driver to Carrie’s spin paddle — start here if you’re shopping for your first (or fifth) paddle.
Wilson Sporting Goods Paddles
Official Wilson pickleball line — Anne’s go-to brand for balanced power and control.
Babolat STRKR+ Paddle
A crisp, powerful paddle that’s become Carrie’s favorite for driving through the kitchen line.
Selkirk Pickleball Paddles
Tour-level paddles trusted by pros — great if you’re ready to level up your game.
Best Paddles for Spin — Our Full List
Our curated roundup of the top spin-friendly paddles we’ve tried this year.
Balls
4 picks
Indoor, outdoor, and training balls we keep restocking.
Franklin X-40 Outdoor Pickleballs
Durable, true-bouncing, and Anne’s pick for outdoor league play.
CORE 3N Neon Green Pickleballs
High-visibility neon balls that are easy to track, even in bright sun.
Dura Fast 40 — Neon
A long-time favorite for indoor courts — consistent bounce, holds up well.
Gamma Two-Tone Training Balls
Two-tone coloring makes it easy to see spin — great for practicing at home.
Ball Machines & Launchers
2 picks
For solo practice sessions — no partner required.
A11N Pickleball Ball Machine
Our current pick for a launcher that’s actually worth the money — see why in the review.
Franklin Sports ProShot Pickleball Tosser
A budget-friendly option for casual, low-key practice sessions.
Hoppers, Baskets & Ball Carts
7 picks
Carrying a bucket of balls around gets old fast — these make practice sessions so much easier.
Tourna Pickleball Mini-Caddy
Compact, easy to sling over your shoulder — Carrie brings this to every session.
Racket Pets Ball Tote Cart
A sturdy frame with a swap-in bag system — pick your color below.
Racket Pets Replacement Bags
Black, red, orange, or green — swap bags without replacing the whole cart.
GAMMA Ball Hopper
Wheeled cart option — great if you’re hauling balls plus gear in one trip.
Ballszie — Ultimate Pickleball Holder
Clips right to your waistband for quick access mid-rally.
Shoes & Socks
2 picks
Court-specific footwear matters more than people think — lateral support prevents the ankle rolls that end pickleball careers early.
Teaching Aids
3 picks
Tools that make practicing alone (or coaching someone else) actually productive.
3rd Shot Drop Teaching Aid Stand
A simple target that trains the soft, arcing drop shot every player needs.
TopspinPro
A tennis-born training aid we’ve adapted for pickleball topspin — surprisingly effective.
Kangaroo Inflatable Beach Balls (12-Pack)
Our favorite low-tech trick for visualizing spin during lessons.
Protection & Eyewear
5 picks
Fast rallies mean fast balls — these keep your eyes and arms covered without slowing you down.
ONIX Pickleball Owl Eyewear
Purpose-built for pickleball, with a wraparound fit that stays put.
Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 Bundle
Premium sport sunglasses for players who want the best glare protection.
Compression Arm Sleeves (2 Pairs)
UV protection plus a little joint support for long sessions in the sun.
Fun Tools & Filming
2 picks
For capturing your best rallies — or your funniest fails.
Pivo 360 Auto Tracking
Automatically follows the action so you can film yourself without a second person.
67″ Tripod & Selfie Stick
Budget-friendly way to get a full-court camera angle for match footage.
Portable Nets & Setup
3 picks
Turn any driveway, tennis court, or cul-de-sac into a pickleball court in minutes.
Rally Portable Pickleball Net System
Sets up in under 5 minutes — our go-to for practicing at home.
5FT Mini Practice Net
Compact enough for a garage or backyard — great for solo dinking practice.
Pain Recovery
1 pick
Because the day after a tournament shouldn’t hurt more than the tournament.
Theragun Mini 2.0
Carrie’s favorite for working out soreness after a long match day.
Court Accessories
4 picks
The small stuff that makes a court session run smoother.
Igloo Proformance 1-Quart Water Jug
Anne’s daily court companion — stays cold for hours.
Suction Cup Pickleball Picker-Upper
Grab balls without bending over — a small tool that saves your back.
Court Drying Tools
2 picks
Rained out? These clear a court fast so you can get back to playing.
Stay Dry
1 pick
For the days you play through a little drizzle anyway.
Relax Wear
2 picks
Comfortable, colorful pieces for after the game — or just because.
Brands We Represent
2 picks
Apparel brands we’ve partnered with directly — our codes get you a discount.
Off-Court Favorites
1 pick
A non-pickleball favorite we couldn’t resist sharing.
Kona Earth 100% Kona Coffee
Anne’s go-to morning fuel before a match — also available on Amazon.
Shop Our Storefronts
2 picks
Prefer to browse everything in one place, or shop secondhand finds?
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