Our 2026 Paddle Shortlist: Ten Picks You Can Buy for Less
Ten paddles we like for 2026, led by the gritty UPA Rough Boulder Opal from Six Zero, each paired with a code you can use today.
Guides
Five Pickleball Court Shoes Head to Head
Five popular court shoes weighed on support, cushioning, weight, fit and cost, plus advice on paying less.
Why Court Shoes Beat Running Shoes for Pickleball
Why court shoes protect you better than running shoes, how to match soles to surfaces, and how to fit them.
Squeezing More Savings Out of Pickleball Promo Codes
Seven ways to get more from a promo code, from testing it on clearance to timing your order.
Buying Your First Paddle: What Deserves Your Money
How to spend wisely on a first paddle: the specs that matter, the ones to skip, and easy ways to lower the price.
Finding Real Pickleball Bargains (and Dodging Fake Ones)
Where real savings appear, from outgoing models to open-box gear, and how to tell a fake bargain.
Paddle Faces Compared: Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass and Thermoformed
A straight comparison of carbon, fiberglass and thermoformed paddle faces, and which suits your style and budget.
Spin or Power? Work Out What Your Game Needs
Learn what produces spin and what produces power, then match a paddle to the way you win points.
When to Buy Pickleball Gear for the Lowest Price
The calendar of gear sales, how to combine one with a code, and the cases where waiting costs you.
What Makes a Paddle Thermoformed, and Do You Need One?
A plain explanation of thermoforming: how it is built, what changes in play, the trade-offs and who gains most.