Pickleball sets for couples and families.

Short answer: For two people starting together, buy a set: two matching paddles and some balls in one box. Our S1 Play Set is two S1 Play paddles and two S40 Play balls for $169.99, which is $29.99 less than two S1 Plays bought separately. For a family of four, two sets give everyone a paddle, and four players is exactly a game of doubles.

Why a set makes sense for two

• –Same paddle, same feel. When you're both learning, neither of you can blame the gear, and you can swap paddles mid-session without noticing.
• –Balls in the box. You can rally the afternoon it arrives.
• –It costs less. The S1 Play Set is $29.99 cheaper than two S1 Plays, and the two balls come with it.
• –One thing to wrap. If it's a gift for a couple, it's one box with everything they need.

What to look for in any set

Whoever you buy from, check these before you pay:

• –Proper paddles, not toys. Look for a real face material (fibreglass, carbon or a blend) over a honeycomb core. Our guide to choosing a paddle explains what to check.
• –A comfortable grip for both of you. If your hands are very different sizes, check the grip size, or plan on an overgrip for the bigger hand.
• –A sensible core. Most paddles sit between about 12 and 16mm. Thinner is livelier, thicker is softer: 14mm vs 16mm has the detail.
• –The right balls for your court. Outdoor balls for outdoor courts, indoor balls for halls. Indoor vs outdoor balls explains the difference.
• –A returns policy you can actually use, in case it isn't right.

How many paddles your household needs

Singles is one against one. Doubles is two against two, and it's what you'll mostly see at social sessions. So two paddles gets a couple playing, and four makes a doubles game at home or a full court at the club.

Every option above clears the $110 free standard delivery line. Prices are everyday prices from our catalog; the product pages show any sale running.

When one of you is keener

It happens in most couples. One of you plays twice a week; the other is happy with Sunday mornings. You don't have to buy two of the same paddle.

• –Both new: the S1 Play Set. Same paddles, cheapest way in.
• –One already plays: an S1 Play for the newcomer and an S1 Strike, with its fibreglass and carbon fibre face, for the regular, who is probably due an upgrade anyway.
• –Not sure who's at which level? Our paddle matcher asks four questions and suggests one, or compare the three paddles side by side.

Balls: how many you'll want

The set comes with two S40 Play balls, which is enough to start. Balls get lost in garden beds, roll under cars and eventually wear out, so most regular players keep a few spare.

• –For practice and social hits: another pack of S40 Play balls ($14.99 for three).
• –For outdoor games in the heat: S40 Pro balls, firmer and made to hold their shape ($19.99 for three, or $54.99 for nine).

Kids

We don't make a junior paddle. For small children, look at junior-sized paddles from a specialist and pair them with a set for the adults. Teenagers can try a standard paddle and see how it feels. Whatever they use, a hit in the driveway is an easy place to start.

Where to play together

• –A club or come-and-try session. Your state association lists clubs, and many run sessions for beginners. Our where to play guide has every state and territory.
• –At home. A flat driveway, a portable net and some chalk will do for a hit. A full court is 6.10 by 13.41 metres; the court dimensions guide has every measurement.
• –The rules. Ten minutes with how to play pickleball and you'll know enough to keep score.

Buying it for Christmas

From Tue 1 Dec to Fri 18 Dec, every paddle or paddle set comes with a free 3-pack of S40 Pro balls: one per paddle or set, no code needed. A Play Set counts as one set, so it earns one pack. More ideas are in our gift guide.

If it isn't right

Unused paddles in their original packaging and unopened balls can come back within 30 days. Our returns page has the details, and if anything's faulty we'll make it right.