Pickleball has been around since the 1960s but didn’t really take off until more recently. In the past few years, pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport. When we first became involved with pickleball in 2015, few people had heard of it. That’s not the case today. We’ve seen many pickleball brands come on the scene over the years. Some have grown with the sport, others not so much, while some brands that started more recently have made a big splash.
Some top pickleball brands are family-owned businesses that were started because they enjoyed pickleball. Other brands are larger companies that decided to jump into pickleball after seeing its growth potential. There are hundreds of brands currently in pickleball, but some brands have risen to the top.
If you’re looking to improve your game, investing in high-quality pickleball equipment can make a big difference. Below is our list of the top pickleball brands in 2023. We have compiled the list using a few different criteria. These brands are known for their innovation, performance, and commitment to the sport. We’ve listed them in alphabetical order, however, Selkirk is listed first as we believe they have been the most influential brand for the sport.
10 Best Pickleball Brands for 2023
Selkirk Sport
Selkirk is a top pickleball brand for good reason. They began in 2014. They are a family-owned business in the northwest overlooking the Selkirk Mountains. Selkirk is a market leader in pickleball paddle innovation and technology. They promote the sport and improve the pickleball community as a whole. Selkirk has different brands such as Selkirk Labs, Selkirk TV, SLK, and Ava Lee. They also sponsor many pickleball podcasts and tournaments. Selkirk is a sponsor of the PPA Tour and APP Tour. They also sponsor many of the top pro players.
Location
Coeur d’Alene, ID
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Tysons McGuffin
- Catherine Parenteau
- Dylan Frazier
- James Ignatowich
- Paris Todd
- and more
Engage Pickleball
Engage was founded in 2015 by the Elliott family. Engage paddles are made by Engage employees in Engage-owned facilities in the United States. Engage is one of the world’s largest pickleball training providers offering Engage Camps. Engage is a sponsor of the PPA Tour.
Location
Oxford, FL
Products
Sponsored Pros
Franklin Pickleball
Franklin Sports has been around for a long time. They are a multigenerational, family-owned business that started in 1946 as a regional brand of sporting goods products. However, over the years they became most known for their batting gloves. In 2016, Franklin entered the pickleball space. Franklin’s X-40 pickleball is one of the best pickleball balls. It is the official ball of USA Pickleball. Franklin also offers a portable net with wheels that accommodates a lower price point. In the past, Franklin has sponsored top players such as Ben Johns and Zane Navratil. In recent years, they sponsor the Johnson family. Franklin is currently a sponsor of the PPA Tour. They also partner with the USA Pickleball Association.
Location
Stoughton, MA
Products
Sponsored Pros
Gamma Pickleball
Gamma started as a tennis company. In 2014, they jumped into pickleball after noticing a growing demand for their tennis grips being used on pickleball paddles. Gamma offers a range of paddles to suit different playing styles and skill levels. Gamma’s headquarter includes a state-of-the-art research and development lab and onsite courts for product testing. In 2020, Gamma began offering Never Stop Playing Pickleball camps throughout the U.S. Gamma Sports is a sponsor of the APP Tour.
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Riley Newman
- Lindsey Newman
- Megan Fudge
- Jen Griffin
- and more
Joola
Joola is a table tennis company that stormed on the pickleball scene in 2022 by sponsoring the # 1 men’s player, Ben Johns. Ben even helped them develop his first Joola signature paddle and continues to work with them on developing new paddles with advanced materials. Joola has since sponsored many of the top pro players. Joola is known for its carbon friction surface Pro paddles. Joola is a sponsor of the PPA Tour and APP Tour. They are an excellent choice if you’re looking to purchase a paddle.
Location
Rockville, MD
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Ben Jones
- Anna Bright
- Brandon French
- Regina Franco Goldberg
- Johnny Goldberg
- Lea Janson
- Simone Jardim
- Allyce Jones
- Lacy Schneemann
- Patrick Smith
- Federico Stakstrud
- Etta Wright
- and more
Onix Pickleball
Onix was founded in 2005 and purchased by Escalade Sports in 2015. In addition to paddles and bags, they offer the Dura Fast ball which is one of the best outdoor balls and is used by a large majority of players. Onix paddles are offered in different shapes and sizes. Onix partners with USA Pickleball, and the PPA and APP Tours. They are dedicated to growing and supporting the sport of pickleball at a professional level.
Location
Evansville, IN
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Matt Wright
- Lucy Kovalova
- Callie Jo Smith
- Altaf Merchant
- and more
Paddletek
Paddletek began as a small family business in 2012. Their paddles are known for their exceptional quality, durability, and performance. First introducing advanced honeycomb core paddles, then expanding their product line with more groundbreaking innovations—like Smart Response Technology and vibration control. They are a sponsor of the PPA Tour and a partner of USA Pickleball.
Location
Niles, MI
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Anna Leigh Waters
- Irina Tereschenko
- Scott Moore
- Dave Weinbach
- Rick Witsken
- and more
Prokennex
Prokennex is operated by pickleball pros Steve and Jennifer Dawson. Prokennex is known as a great paddle that helps with tennis elbow. Their patented kinectic system was designed to evenly react to the force of impact and provide exact precision control. It absorbs a ball’s shock and vibration into the Kinetic chambers.
Location
Encinitas, CA
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Callan Dawson
- Meghan Dizon
- Jennifer Dawson
ProXR
ProXR was founded in 2015. They started in the MLB, but are involved with many sports. PROXR is known for its innovative grip technology platform. Their paddles feature a patent pending XR-23 handle founded in ergonomics and bio-mechanical science. PROXR is a sponsor of the PPA Tour, APP Tour and MLP.
Location
Saint Louis, MO
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Zane Navratil
- Beth Bellamy
- Dayne Gingrich
- and more
Vulcan Sporting Goods
Vulcan Sporting Goods was founded in 2015. Vulcan has four state-of-the-art lighted outdoor pickleball courts at their headquarters which are used by the public and are often used for Vulcan IQ Pickleball. Vulcan IQ is a progressive game development system. Vulcan offers a selection of paddles to meet any price range. Vulcan is a sponsor of the PPA Tour.
Location
Hot Springs, AR
Products
Sponsored Pros
- Jay Devilliers
- Tyler Loong
- Corrine Carr
- and more
Top Pickleball Retailers
As the sport becomes more popular, more retailers are selling pickleball equipment and accessories. Two retailers that we believe are the best in the industry are Pickleball Central and Fromuth Pickleball. We partner with both of these stores. If you make a purchase through Fromuth, be sure to use our coupon code (10MAX) for 10% off your purchase.
Pickleball Central
Pickleball Central has been selling pickleball products since 2006. What began as a hobby website selling pickleball t-shirts has grown into the largest reseller of pickleball equipment on the internet. They are committed to offering superior customer service with a safe and secure shopping experience. Pickleball Central is a partner of USA Pickleball, the Official Store of the PPA Tour, and the Official Retail Partner of the APP Tour.
Location
Products
Shipping
Pickleball Central offers free shipping for purchases over $69.
Fromuth Pickleball
Fromuth has been in the pickleball industry since 2021. However, they have been in the racquet sports business since 1978. Fromuth is the Official Retail Partner of Major League Pickleball. They sponsor professional player AJ Koller. Being dedicated to the sport, they built a 10-court public facility in their hometown welcoming players from their tri-county region. Fromuth offers a wide selection of pickleball gear.
Location
Products
Shipping
Fromuth offers free shipping for purchases over $75.
FAQ’s
What Brand is the Best in Pickleball?
There are many great brands. However, we believe that Selkirk Sports is the 2023 best brand in pickleball. They create innovative paddles and offer many different options to help players improve their game. Selkirk sets trends in pickleball. They have an independent research & development division called Selkirk Labs that gives players a chance to participate in the latest advancements in paddle technology. A large number of pros play with their paddles. They sponsor pro tours and online podcasts.
Another top brand to keep an eye on is Joola. They also continue to improve paddle technology with the help of #1 men’s player, Ben Johns. Joola paddles are the next generation in pickleball. They offer some of the best paddles and many of the pros play with them. They are new on the scene but are making a splash in pickleball to become one of the best pickleball paddle brands.
What Makes a Good Pickleball Brand?
A good pickleball brand is one that provides innovative and high-quality products. They stay up to date with the current pickleball trends or even are the ones who set the trends. They have great customer support. They are active in growing the sport and are supportive of players and tournament play.
How to Choose the Right Pickleball Brand?
When looking for the best pickleball brand, it’s best to see what paddles players are using. During recreational play, ask advanced players for recommendations. Check out what paddles the professional players use. They typically play with the best brands.
Consider your skill level and budget. For new players, you might only want to invest in a budget-friendly paddle. There are pickleball brands that support that. Higher-level players want to use the latest paddle technology and are usually willing to pay for a more expensive paddle.
Choosing the Best Pickleball Brand
When shopping for pickleball gear it’s important to choose the best option for your needs. Brands that are known for their innovation and performance should be at the top of your list. After all, if you’re going to spend money and market a brand on your paddle, you want to make sure it’s a good one.
While there are many brands in pickleball, the above list of top brands should give you a good starting point for your next gear purchase.
See you on the courts sporting your favorite brand!
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