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Pickleball Gear

16 best pickleball gifts in 2023

Image of the Nettie pickleball set, a baseball cap, and a t-shirt on a blue background

Choosing a great pickleball gift for that special picklehead in your life can be hard, especially if you don’t play the sport yourself. Well never fear—we’ve got you covered.

After a ton of research and plenty of lively debate, we narrowed the list down to the top 16 gifts for pickleball players that we could find on the market in 2023. We’ve chosen gifts for a wide range of budgets and target audiences to help you find the ideal gift.

Check out our top picks:

Shortlist

Great all-rounder

Example of a gift certificate from PickleballCentral.com

1. Pickleball Central gift card

Give the special pickleballer in your life exactly what they want—by letting them choose it themselves.

Read More

Great for beginners

Image of the SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddles

2. SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddles

The SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddle set has everything you need to get playing: two paddles, four quality pickleball balls, and a sturdy backpack to carry them all around.

Great stocking filler

Image of the Pop Nordic pickleball-themed can cooler

3. Pop Nordic pickleball-themed can cooler

Excellent as a budget gift choice, stocking filler, or group gift, these koozies are fun and won’t break the bank.

Great for girlfriend

Image of the ’Pickleball hair, don’t care’ baseball cap

4. ’Pickleball hair, don’t care’ baseball cap

A great looking and practical gift, this pickleball-themed cap works well on and off the courts.

Great for mom & dad

Image of the 'pickleball socks' from OS1st

5. Pickleball socks from OS1st

The pickleball socks by OS1st are high-performance athletic socks, designed to keep your feet comfortable, dry, and blister-free.

Great for mom

Image of the superfly stainless steel wine tumbler

6. Superfly stainless steel wine tumbler

This premium stainless steel tumbler keeps drinks hot and cold, so can be used for everything from your morning coffee to your evening champagne.

The best gifts for pickleball players in 2023

So that’s the list. Now let’s take a look at why we loved each one, and why they made the list.

Great all-rounder

1. Pickleball Central gift card

Example of a gift certificate from PickleballCentral.com

A personalized gift card from pickleball’s largest online marketplace

Our top gift for the picklehead in your life is super simple: a gift card from online pickleball emporium, Pickleball Central. A gift card not only saves you time, but it also means the recipient gets exactly what they want because they pick it out for themselves.

Another great perk is that you can choose exactly 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.

Pickleball Central stocks just about everything a pickleball player could ever want, from paddles and balls to shoes and clothes. They even sell larger items like pickleball machines and portable nets, as you’ll see later on this list.

star duotone iconOur verdict

A no-hassle, instant solution when buying a pickleball gift for just about anyone, a Pickleball Central gift card will always go down well.

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Great for beginners

2. SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddles

Image of the SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddles

The ultimate starter pack for anyone getting into pickleball

This high-quality set from pickleball pioneers Selkirk is an ideal gift to inspire a friend to get started with pickleball, or set up a young person with a complete introductory pack. The two SLK paddles are lightweight yet thick, giving them a large ‘sweet spot’ and making them perfect for beginners.

Read our full SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddle review.

These paddles aren’t just for novices, though. They offer plenty of performance to help new players hone their skills and develop their game. Selkirk are paddle technology innovators, and they've added some of their premium features to these paddles, like a sweat-absorbent grip.

Check out the best pickleball paddles in 2023

star duotone iconOur verdict

A perfect gift for a young or beginner picklehead, this set has all they need to get their pickleball career started.

Today's best deal

Great stocking filler

3. Pop Nordic pickleball-themed can cooler

Image of the Pop Nordic pickleball-themed can cooler

Pickleball-themed can koozies to keep your beverage icy cold on the sidelines

Pickleball is famous for being a ton of fun and renowned for its vibrant social scene. These koozies are the perfect gag gift for the picklehead in your life who likes to stay hydrated on the court and when celebrating their wins afterwards.

The koozies come in a twelve pack and are designed for standard 12 oz cans. Each is printed with a jokey pickleball-related pun or slogan.

star duotone iconOur verdict

These koozies make an ideal gift for pickleball parties and gatherings, and are perfect as a stocking filler with their wallet-friendly price tag.

Today's best deal

Great for girlfriend

4. ’Pickleball hair, don’t care’ baseball cap

Image of the ’Pickleball hair, don’t care’ baseball cap

A pickleball-themed cap to keep the sun out of your eyes and on the ball

Next up is a great gift for your pickleball girlfriend or mom: the ‘Pickleball hair, don’t care’baseball cap. This 100% cotton, lightweight cap is perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes on the court, while also being fashionable enough to be worn anywhere.

The cap is made from an unstructured, washed-denim which gives it a vintage look, and a comfortable yet durable feel. It’s got lots of ventilation holes to allow air flow and keep your head cool during tough sessions on the courts. It’s a one-size-fits-all cap, with an adjustable strap.

Check out more pickleball hats and visors

star duotone iconOur verdict

The perfect gift for a partner, friend or mom pickleballer, this gift is both good looking and practical.

Today's best deal

Great for mom & dad

5. Pickleball socks from OS1st

Image of the 'pickleball socks' from OS1st

Give the gift of comfortable feet

A pair of socks is the ultimate stocking-stuffer gift, and we just love these pickleball-specific sports socks. They come in a range of colors (our favorite is the ‘orange fusion’), three size options, and a choice between crew (high socks) or no-show ankle socks.

They use a blend of materials, including bamboo, to create a lightweight, breathable fabric that’ll keep your feet cool while giving you plenty of impact protection on the courts.

The quick side-to-side movement of pickleball games puts a lot of strain on the feet. So, these socks have built-in bamboo-charcoal cushioning to reduce friction and blisters, while wicking away heat and sweat.

Check out more pickleball socks

star duotone iconOur verdict

Online reviews agree that these are awesome socks for pickleball, and your picklehead friend is sure to love them.

Today's best deal

Great for mom

6. Superfly stainless steel wine tumbler

Image of the superfly stainless steel wine tumbler

Pickleball-themed insulated tumbler for the passionate player in your life

We’ve mentioned pickleball parties and the buzzing social life that goes along with the sport. These insulated tumblers fit that perfectly. Decorated with a ‘Dink responsibly’ message, these will hold a prized spot in the kitchen of any dedicated player.

star duotone iconOur verdict

These themed tumblers will be cherished by anyone who loves pickleball and wine.

Today's best deal

Great for gearheads

7. CRBN pickleball paddle eraser

Image of the CRBN pickleball paddle eraser

A soft rubber cleaner to keep your prized paddles in prime condition

This paddle cleaner from CRBN is made for pickleball players with top of the range equipment that they like to look after. A beginner picklehead might not appreciate this one, but anyone who’s been in the game a while and values their gear will love this neat invention.

So, what actually is it? Pickleball paddles get dirty and build up residue on their face over time. Paddles with carbon fiber faces (most modern, premium paddles) collect littles bits of dirt and plastic, which clog up the grooves and impact their performance.

This handy little invention from pickleball innovator’s CRBN allows you to clean your paddle regularly and keep it in the best possible condition.

star duotone iconOur verdict

This is a niche gift that will suit intermediate and advanced pickleball players especially. At only $15, it's an affordable gift that’ll be prized by anyone with a premium pickleball paddle.

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Great for parties

8. Pickleball trivia game

Image of the pickleball trivia game

A travel-size trivia set totally devoted to pickleball

An ideal stocking stuffer gift, this 200-card set is divided into five categories: history, tournaments, players, rules, and wildcard. It’s perfect for anyone who’s into pickleball, from beginners to advanced players.

This gift is great for the younger pickleheads in your life or anyone new to the game looking to brush up their knowledge.

star duotone iconOur verdict

A great game for those rainy or cold days when you can’t be on the courts, and perfect for pickleball parties and events.

Today's best deal

Great for pickleheads

9. Franklin Sports outdoor pickleballs

Image of twelve Franklin Sports outdoor pickleball balls

Hard-wearing, premium quality pickleball balls

A new set of pickleballs is useful to anyone who love pickleball. Pickleballs crack surprisingly often, so every player appreciates having a few extra balls in their bag.

These X-40 outdoor balls from Franklin are a trusted favorite, and one of the most popular balls on the market today. They’re hard-wearing, fly true, and are approved by USA Pickleball.

Check out more pickleball balls

star duotone iconOur verdict

A pack of spare pickleballs is guaranteed to go down well as a gift to any pickleball player.

Today's best deal

Great for stylish beginners

10. Nettie pickleball set

Image of the Nettie pickleball set with two paddles, two balls, and two headbands

Image by Nettie

A gift box containing two beautifully-designed paddles, with two balls and two sweatbands

With this funky paddle and ball set, you can choose between four retro-design options to create the perfect gift pack for anyone wanting to look great on the courts. These beautifully-styled paddles come with two balls and two branded sweatbands to really make sure your picklehead looks the part.

The paddles themselves are lightweight, modern, and USA Pickleball-approved. They’re everything a style-conscious new pickleball playing couple could want.

Check out more pickleball sets

star duotone iconOur verdict

This set doesn’t come cheaply, but would work perfectly as a double gift for a pickleball couple or pair of friends who are getting into the game.

Today's best deals

Great for dad

11. ’I can’t, I have pickleball’ t-shirt

Photo of the ’I can’t, I have pickleball’ t-shirt

Premium quality t-shirt with a funny pickleball quote

Ever feel like your pickleball friends spend their lives on the courts, and have little time for anything else? Gift them this tee so everyone knows exactly where they’re spending all that time.

These tees can be ordered in a variety of men’s, women’s and kids’ sizes. Plus, with ten color options to choose from, you’ll be able to find one to suit anyone.

Check out more pickleball clothing

star duotone iconOur verdict

This lightweight, classic-fit, funny tee is an affordable gift that comes in a range of shapes, colors, and sizes to suit any pickleball player.

Today's best deal

Great novelty gift

12. Franklin ball retriever tube

Image of the Franklin ball retriever tube

Take the pain out of retrieving pickleball after each match

Pickleheads love their gear, and this is yet another neat invention that’s ideal as a gift for any avid player. Pickleball involves a lot of bending over to retrieve balls from the ground, which puts a lot of pressure on the back. For seniors or anyone with back pain, this can be a very uncomfortable aspect of the game.

The Franklin ball retriever lets you pick up and store up to 12 balls without having to bend over. The clever design makes it easy to use and allows you to hang the full tube from a fence, making it a super useful and convenient tool to have around.

star duotone iconOur verdict

This is a must-have accessory for the more senior pickleball player in your life, or anyone who suffers from back pain.

Today's best deal

Great gag gift

13. Ballzie pickleball holder

The perfect pickleball pouch, great as a lighthearted gift

The Ballzie pickleball holder is designed as a wearable pouch that hangs around your waist like a fanny pack. It holds up to eight pickleballs, so you can keep playing for longer without having to chase after missed balls or dash back and forth to the sideline.

It features a comfortable, adjustable strap (16” – 52”) and is elasticated to keep the balls from rattling around as you play. Ideal for practice sessions, coaching, and even competitive play.

Give a picklehead the gift of more time on the courts, and less time chasing balls.

star duotone iconOur verdict

Fanny packs are making a comeback, and these fun pouches are perfect for any pickleball player, coach, or referee.

Today's best deal

Players with everything

14. Pickleball Tutor Plus

A fully-loaded practice machine that will never tire out

The Pickleball Tutor Plus is a top-of-the-line pickleball serving machine that’s designed to be the ultimate pickleball training companion. It can do just about everything (in pickleball serving terms), including adding backspin, topspin, and a whole range of directions and oscillation.

The machine can hold up to 110 balls, and shoot them at up to 65 mph in intervals of as little as one second. This machine will boost any player's talents, and keep them happily whacking balls for months and years to come.

Check out more pickleball machines

star duotone iconOur verdict

This is a big ticket item that is quite an investment, but the receiver is sure to be blown away by your generosity, and spend many happy hours improving their talents.

Today's best deal

Great for organizers

15. PickleNet Portable Pickleball Net System

Set up a pickleball game (almost) anywhere

An awesome gift for any pickleball player, organizer, or coach, the PickleNet allows you to set up a full, regulation-size court in minutes. The whole net folds away into a carry bag for ultimate portability.

Pickleball players often find themselves using basketball, tennis, or badminton courts as impromptu playing surfaces. The PickleNet can easily be stored in the trunk of a car, allowing them to set up a full court anywhere—in minutes.

It’s designed to be as stable, secure, and durable as the official net system of USA Pickleball.

Check out more portable pickleball nets

star duotone iconOur verdict

This isn’t a cheap gift, but for the hours of enjoyment it provides, we think it’s a great investment.

Today's best deal

Great for bookworms

16. 'History of Pickleball' book

Image of the 'History of Pickleball' front cover

Everything you could need to know about the world’s most enjoyable sport

For any pickleheads who love to learn or just enjoy a good read, this is the ideal gift. Written by a mother and daughter who are part of pickleball history themselves, this is a deep dive into the fascinating history of the sport, from its origins to its present day popularity.

It includes detailed accounts of the first days and weeks after the invention of pickleball and leads us through the years as the game was honed, developed, and adopted by players all over the country.

An engrossing biography of a sport and its meteoric rise in popularity. It even explains where the name came from!

star duotone iconOur verdict

Wonderful for those rainy days or time off between sessions on the courts, this interesting account will give players an unfair advantage at the next pickleball trivia night.

Today's best deal

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

Bottom line

So, there you have it—our top pickleball gifts for this year. Just to recap, here’s our top 5 again:

  1. Pickleball Central gift card
  2. SLK NEO 2.0 pickleball paddles
  3. Pop Nordic pickleball-themed can cooler
  4. ’Pickleball hair, don’t care’ baseball cap
  5. Pickleball socks from OS1st

What are you waiting for? Surprise that special someone now with an awesome pickleball gift!

This article contains affiliate links from which we receive a small commission from sales of certain items. As a brand associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

FAQs

About the author
Brandon Mackie
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.

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