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 pickleball gifts at a glance
Best paddle to gift
1. Six Zero DBD Control
The Six Zero DBD Control is this year's best pickleball paddle. It does it all across power, spin, and control, making it a great gift for any intermediate looking to advance.
Beginner paddle
2. Friday Original
If you're shopping for someone new to pickleball, the Friday Original is the best beginner paddle I've ever tested. It's a carbon paddle at an incredible price.
Best paddle set
3. SLK NEO 2.0
This high-quality pickleball paddle set from Selkirk, the SLK NEO 2.0, has everything a new player needs to kickstart their journey in the sport.
Best machine to gift
4. The Erne
The Erne machine is a knockout gift for any player who's serious about improving their game. Super advanced and customizable, it's simply the best pickleball machine on the market.
Great all-rounder
5. Pickleball Central gift card
Let them choose for themselves with a gift card for Pickleball Central, one of the best online stores for pickleball paddles, gear, clothing, and more.
Pickleball bag
6. CRBN Pro Team Backpack
Get the CRBN Pro Team Backpack for any player who goes on pickleball trips, plays in tournaments, or needs a lot of storage room on game days.
Joke paddle
7. Donald Trump paddle
Want to give someone a funny pickleball paddle? The Donald Trump paddle is a great gag gift, but it's playable too!
Best shoes
8. Diadem Court Burst
I named the Diadem Court Burst the best shoes for pickleball this year because they're the most comfortable and offer great support, stability, and speed.
For dad
9. TOLOCO massage gun
If you know someone who struggles with injuries, they'll get a lot out of this massage gun. The TOLOCO will help them stay injury-free and ready to play.
Under $10 budget
10. Mini pickleball keychain
If you want a small token gift, this keychain is a cute little accessory to have—a mini pickleball hanging off your keys.
Sports bra
11. Vitality Cloud II™ Scoop Bra
The Vitality Cloud II Scoop Bra is highly recommended by players we know. It's super comfortable and supportive and comes in a range of colors.
Performance shirt
12. Alo Conquer Muscle Tank
This tank top from Alo (one of my favorite athleisure brands) made my list of the best clothes for pickleball this year. It's super-high quality and looks great—a great gift for anyone in need of a performance shirt.
Best gifts for pickleball players
That's the list. Now let's dive into why I picked each one.
Best paddle to gift
My verdict
1. Six Zero DBD 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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Under $10 budgetMy verdict
10. Mini pickleball keychain
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Make sure someone doesn't lose their keys while also flaunting their pickleball passion with this cool little keychain shaped like a mini pickleball. This is great for a casual present for a co-worker or as a stocking filler.
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Sports braMy verdict
11. 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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Performance shirtMy verdict
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. Pickleball Effect overgrip
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A good overgrip is one of the most important accessories pickleball players can have in their bag as sweaty hands can make you lose your grip on the paddle. I keep Pickleball Effect grips in my bag and I highly recommend this great-value 4-pack.
I like the slightly thicker design. It doesn't feel too clunky, striking the right balance of comfort and moisture absorbance.
Overgrip is an essential accessory for pickleball players and the Pickleball Effect Paddle Grip is my favorite. Reliable, durable, comfortable, and moisture-absorbing, it keeps my sweaty hands from affecting my play.
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Novelty giftMy verdict
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
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