The Kitchen's 2025 holiday pickleball gift guide: The best paddles, shoes, bags, apparel and more
Last Edited
Nov 25 2025
Category
Gear
There are now nearly 20 million pickleball players in the U.S., which means there's a decent chance somebody on your holiday shopping list is an avid player.
If you're wondering what you should get that person for the holidays this year, you've come to the right place. Below you will find our top picks for paddles, shoes, bags, apparel, accessories, training aids and more.
We even threw in a few stocking stuffers that players of all skill levels will love.
Let's cook!
PICKLEBALL PADDLES

There were a ton of great paddles released in 2025, but a few stand above the rest and most players would be thrilled to find one of them under the tree this year.
Top paddles for advanced players
🎁 JOOLA Perseus Pro IV: The JOOLA Pro IV series has been No. 1 on our list of the Top 10 paddles on the market since it was released in March. An added section of high-density foam inside the bottom corners/throat area of the Pro IV models allows the paddle to flex more than prior paddles, which adds forgiveness and enhances feel, power and dwell time. The Perseus offers the most power of any of the Pro IV models and its elongated shape is preferred by a majority of players. Check out our in-depth review of the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV or find a breakdown of the entire Pro IV line here. Paddle ships in a premium box with extra grips and edge tape. Order now and JOOLA will add a FREE cover and balls, too! Shop now, $279.95.
🎁 RPM Friction Pro: This paddle -- designed by pro player James Ignatowich -- has everything a player could want: Top-tier spin, great power and effortless control. The RPM comes in 3 options: 16mm elongated, 14mm elongated and 16mm widebody (most players gravitate toward the 16mm elongated). Shop now, $249.99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 15% off.
🎁 Proton Project Peacock: Proton developed a 100% foam core in its latest paddle, giving it a much softer and more responsive feel without sacrificing top-end power. It also features the same gritty carbon fiber surface that Proton has become known for, so it's easy to add a lot of spin on all kinds of shots. Shop now, $280 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
🎁 Engage Alpha Pro: Engage's latest model was designed as a power paddle that is still controllable for most players, compared to many other modern paddles that have prioritized power above all else. Shop now, $259.99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
Find our full Top 10 paddles list here. We also have "best-of" lists for power, control and spin, if you know what type of player you're shopping for.
Budget-friendly options
🎁 Vatic V-Sol Pro Flash: Featuring a fully foam core with an EVA foam perimeter, Vatic's latest release delivers big baseline power when you want it while maintaining feel and consistency in the transition zone and at the kitchen line. Shop now, $109.99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for $10 off.
🎁 Friday Fever 101: In 2025 Friday went from a brand previously geared toward casual players to now offering a high-performing Gen 3 paddle at a very low price. This is truly a paddle built for players who want premium playability without the premium price tag. Shop now, $99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for $5 off.
Find our full list of the best budget pickleball paddles here.
Best paddles for beginners
🎁 JOOLA Vision: The JOOLA Vision model comes in the company's familiar Hyperion shape, which features the Aero-Curve design along the top edge. This 16mm paddle is designed for players who prioritize precision and spin. Shop now, $89.95 -- learn more about JOOLA's Vision line here.
🎁 Paddletek Phoenix Genesis Pro: Paddletek has long been a trusted brand for players just getting into the game. The Phoenix Genesis Pro offers powerful but balanced performance with perimeter weighting, vibration dampening tech and a generous sweet spot. Shop now, $89.99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
Check out our full list of the best pickleball paddles for beginners here.
PICKLEBALL SHOES

🎁 DAPS Desi Low: The DAPS out-perform the big brands in several key metrics, and you don’t just have to take my word for it — they have the data to back it up. They sent the shoe to the Heeluxe Performance Lab, which compared the DAPS to several other well-known shoes in the pickleball space. The results favored the DAPS in several areas:
-Faster starts
-Quicker stops
-Better energy return
-More energy efficiency
You can find our in-depth review of the shoes here, and read our breakdown of what the shoe experts at Heeluxe had to say about them here.
DAPS come in men's and women's sizes and also in a mid-top version for players who want extra ankle support.
Shop the DAPS now, $159.99 -- Use code "KITCHEN" for 15% off.
Check our our full list of the best shoes for pickleball players.
PICKLEBALL BAGS

🎁 JOOLA Tour Elite Pro Pickleball Bag: This is the big pickleball bag you’ll see JOOLA’s pro players using. It's spacious, heavy on features and has about a dozen pockets to keep even the biggest gear junkie organized and ready for a day at the courts. It's available in four color options. Shop now, $139.95.
🎁 Six Zero Performance Backpack: This backpack is built from tough materials and is extremely functional. One of the best features is the external shoe bag that attaches to the outside of the backpack, so your shoes don't ever stink up the rest of your bag. It also has an internal pocket that can be used for a laptop, making this a great bag for those who go straight from work to pickleball or vice versa. Shop now, $109.99 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 10% off.
Check out our full list of the best pickleball bags on the market.
THE KITCHEN APPAREL & HATS

🎁 The Kitchen hoodie: This is one of our most popular items -- perfect for staying warm around the house this winter and great for those chilly mornings on the court. Shop now, $55.
🎁 The Kitchen performance hat: All black 6-panel performance rope hat with our classic white puffed logo. This one is clean, extremely comfortable, and can handle some sweat. Perfect for the pickleball court or golf course. Shop now, $32.
🎁 The Kitchen dad hat: Perfect for dad or grandpa -- made with lightweight breathable fabric and a soft structured profile. Adjustable loop velcro closure. One size fits all. Shop now, $32.
🎁 The Kitchen pink visor: Perfect for mom or grandma -- white performance visor with our puffed logo in bright pink. Adjustable loop closure. One size fits all. Shop now, $32.
Shop more merch from The Kitchen here.
PICKLEBALL TRAINING AIDS

🎁 ERNE ball machine: ERNE was developed and brought to market by three diehard pickleballers who simply wanted more from their pickleball throwing machines. So they developed the ultimate drilling partner, which now features an extra large ball hopper, better precision and control, longer battery life and more great features. Shop now, $1,899.99.
🎁 ERNE Dink + Drop Pro ball machine: This is the ERNE's little brother. With the new Dink + Drop Pro, everyone from beginners to top pros can now practice in their garages, basements, driveways, living rooms, studio apartments and of course pickleball courts. Shop now, $999.
🎁 Enhance Dink Master 3.0: The Dink Master 3.0 from Enhance Pickleball is a durable hitting surface that provides accuracy targets for players to practice placing dinks, speedups and attacks. An added bonus: It comes with a drill catalog. Shop now, $299.99.
Check out our full list of the best pickleball training aids.
PICKLEBALL ACCESSORIES

🎁 UDrippin overgrips: Most avid pickleball players need to switch out their overgrips regularly. UDrippin has several different types of overgrips in a bunch of colors. Shop now -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 15% off.
🎁 UDrippin tungsten tape: Many players use weighted tape to change the swingweight and balance point of their paddles. This tungsten tape from UDrippin is nontoxic and easy to apply. Shop now, $27 -- use code "KITCHEN" at checkout for 15% off.
PICKLEBALLS

🎁 JOOLA HC-40: While JOOLA has been widely known for its innovation in the paddle space, the company’s engineers have been in the lab cooking up another key piece of pickleball equipment: A new ball. The JOOLA HC-40 hardcourt pickleball is engineered for precision and consistency, featuring a patent-pending hole placement pattern and a proprietary polymer blend that enhances durability, shape retention and overall roundness. Shop now, from $9.95.
🎁 Franklin X-40: Outdoor courts can chew up balls much faster than indoor ones. But the Franklin X-40 is noted for its durability, with a thicker plastic shell that stands up to the harsh grit of pickleball courts and varying weather conditions. When it comes to power and spin, the Franklin X-40 delivers an even, consistent bounce with great predictability. Shop now, from $11.99.
