GoSports GS1 Pickleball Paddles Set of 4 with 4 Pickleballs - USAPA Approved Fiberglass Pickleball Paddles

Why it's worth it

Backyard pickleball is almost always doubles, and this is the rare bundle that shows up with four paddles instead of two. They're fiberglass, 7 ounces, USAPA approved, and light enough that a nine-year-old and a grandparent can both swing one for an hour.

Four paddles is the whole argument. Nearly every set sold as a starter kit comes with two, which means the next two people to wander outside have to watch. GoSports ships four paddles and four outdoor balls in one box, so a driveway game can go to doubles without a second purchase. If you're buying for a household rather than a couple, that's the difference between playing and negotiating.

The paddles weigh 7 ounces. Most buying guides put the casual comfort zone between roughly 7.3 and 8.4 ounces, so these sit just under it. That means quicker hands at the net and less strain on a wrist, at the cost of some power on deep drives. For kids, beginners and anyone who plays for an hour at a stretch, lighter is the friendlier mistake.

From our review of 6 pickleball sets for your backyard

What we like

• +Four paddles is the whole argument
• +The paddles weigh 7 ounces
• +The construction is a real step up from wood
• +The four included balls are GS 40 outdoor balls, the harder 40-hole type USA Pickleball approves for outdoor play

What to know

• –There's no net, no bag and no boundary lines here, so this is a paddle-and-ball bundle rather than a court in a box
• –Four matching paddles also means four identical paddles