The Pure Strike's defining feature and what sets it apart from many other racquets is its broad appeal to a wide range of styles and levels of play. Its 11.4 oz strung weight and 98 in² head size make it a very approachable tennis racquet.

In other words, most players would pick up this racquet and enjoy the frame's performance, as it scores well across the board. You could flip that statement and say that this racquet is unlikely to offend anyone.

Players who will likely enjoy Babolat's Pure Strike are all-court players who like to attack the net and are looking for a well-balanced tennis racquet that performs consistently across a wide range of attributes and strokes.

The Head Speed MP 2022, endorsed by top ATP and WTA players, is the latest in Head's popular racquet series, known for its baseline performance and heavy topspin. This model introduces Graphene 360, a strong, lightweight nanomaterial, throughout the racquet head, enhancing power while maintaining control.

The 2022 version features an advancement, Graphene 360+, which integrates SpiralFibers for better flex and a lower stiffness rating, contributing to the frame's playability. This technology also helps reduce the racquet's weight, allowing for a more maneuverable and fast-swinging design.

With a 100 in² head and a 16x19 string pattern, the Head Speed MP maintains a large sweet spot and controlled power. It offers a light and stable feel at the net, making it ideal for players with an all-court style, allowing for aggressive play and ample topspin from the back of the court.

The Babolat Pure Aero, popularized by Rafael Nadal, is renowned for its topspin generation capabilities and received an update in 2023 with enhanced comfort and modified string spacing. Babolat's NF² technology, incorporating flax into the racquet, reduces stiffness and increases shock absorption for a more comfortable playing experience.

This updated model features a less harsh feel than its predecessor and sports a new aesthetic with a black frame accented by neon yellow highlights. Additionally, the racquet maintains its open 16x19 string pattern and FSI Spin technology, with tighter string spacing for improved control and effective spin generation.

The Pure Aero combines Babolat's Woofer Technology and a 100 in² head size for powerful topspin, complemented by the Aeromodular 3 frame design for an aerodynamic and swift swing. It is ideally suited for players who thrive on topspin-heavy play and grinding out points from the baseline.

The Asics Court FF, highly regarded in 2023 and favored by Novak Djokovic, excels in various aspects, making it a top choice in men's tennis shoes. Its durable AHAR+ rubber outsole, with a unique herringbone-like tread pattern, provides excellent traction, especially on hard courts, and offers additional protection in high-wear areas.

In the midsole, the Court FF 2 utilizes Asics' FlyteFoam technology, ensuring remarkable comfort with superior cushioning that is significantly lighter than standard EVA foam. The addition of Asics' Gel Technology further enhances shock absorption, making it one of the most comfortable tennis shoes available.

The upper part of the shoe features a comfortable bootie design, though it could benefit from improved breathability and flexibility. Overall, the Asics Court FF 3 stands out as a premium tennis shoe, poised to remain a top choice for players for years to come.

The Nike Vapor Pro 2, launched alongside the Vapor 11 in 2023, marks a significant update from the Air Zoom Vapor Pro, with a focus on increased weight for enhanced comfort, addressing a key shortcoming of the previous model. Its outsole features a modified herringbone tread that effectively balances traction and sliding capability, essential for quick movements and hard stops in tennis.

The shoe includes a single zoom air unit in the forefoot for shock absorption, maintaining a low profile, and a full-length EVA foam midsole for added comfort. The upper is constructed from durable mesh, offering breathability, while asymmetrical lacing and an internal sleeve ensure a supportive and snug fit.

While the Vapor Pro 2 is lighter than the Vapor 11, weighing 8% less in a men's size 10.5, it also boasts a durable rubber toe cap for extra protection, particularly beneficial for toe drags. In contrast, the Vapor 11 provides more stability for lateral movements, making each model suited to different playing styles and preferences.

The Asics Gel Resolution 9 is the latest addition to their popular Gel Resolution series, acclaimed for its all-around performance in tennis footwear. It features the durable AHAR+ rubber outsole, known for offering excellent traction and significantly greater durability than standard rubber.

The standout aspect of the Gel Resolution 9 is its gel midsole, complemented by Asics' FlyteFoam, which together provide superior comfort and shock absorption. This combination sets it apart in terms of comfort, making it a top choice for players seeking both performance and cushioning.

For enhanced stability, the shoe integrates Asics' Dynawall technology, which is extended around the heel and through the inside of the shoe. The upper part of the Gel Resolution 9 employs the Flexion Fit design, ensuring a snug and stable fit, making it a worthy upgrade for those accustomed to the Gel Resolution 8.

Beloved by Coughlin, this paddle offers stellar control and a gritty surface, which “helps you to grip the ball better when making contact.” Reviewers describe it as a “great all-around paddle” and praise its “excellent spin capability” as well as the fact that the ball “pops nicely” off the face. It's not the least expensive option on the market, but the high-quality construction means it will likely last for many games to come. Plus, it's approved by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), meaning you can use it to play in official tournaments. Note: There are several variations of the Selkirk Halo that differ slightly in style and shape. Coughlin uses the Halo Paris Todd, named for a pro women's pickleball player.

Weight: 7.6-8.2 oz.

Shape: Wide-body

Surface Material: Carbon fiber

If you're brand new to pickleball, you don't need to blow your entire budget to get a good paddle. Case in point: This affordable pick from Onix that's ideal for beginner players. The wide-body shape provides an ample sweet spot, the honeycomb core offers good ball control, and the midweight design helps ease players into the game without overloading their arms. Shoppers appreciate the sleek design, bold color combination, and the overall feel of this paddle in their hands.

Weight: 7.8-8.1 oz.

Shape: Wide-body

Surface Material: Composite aluminum

One big perk of pickleball is that it's a really social sport, which is why it never hurts to have an extra paddle on hand. That way you can “bring other people to the court without having to tell them to go and buy something,” says Uetz. With this popular, affordable bundle, you can snag two decent-quality paddles—plus three balls and a drawstring bag to haul everything—for around $100. It's USAPA-approved, designed for all skill levels, and crafted by well-known brand Selkirk.

Weight: 6.9-7.5 oz.

Shape: Wide-body

Surface Material: Graphite

The Viper Court shoe from Skechers is supportive and good for games on both indoor and outdoor courts, making it our top recommendation for the best men’s pickleball shoe. We had the opportunity to test this shoe for ourselves, wearing the pair for a two-hour pickleball game on an outdoor court. Our single favorite thing about these shoes is how stable they are and their superior traction, which helped us feel secure making quick, small movements during games.

The shoes feature a removable insole that offers light cushioning and molds to your feet, with comfortable, podiatrist-approved arch support that our tester with high arches found particularly helpful. And, if you need more customized support (or more cushioning), we like that you can replace the existing insoles with your own orthotics.

The Viper features durable rubber soles and a padded tongue that prevents blisters, making this versatile shoe a solid choice for other activities, from tennis to cross-training. We like that the shoe has a more relaxed fit and comes in wide sizes for plenty of wiggle room.

For budget-friendly pickleball shoes that are also comfortable and durable, we recommend the Gel-Renma from Asics. It's designed to prevent your foot from twisting, so you feel secure even during fast, lateral movements. These sneakers are supportive, flexible, and offer solid traction, thanks to a non-marking rubber sole and a wrap-around outsole that protects both the shoes and your feet. We like that the sole also features pivot point circles—a tread pattern that allows you to rotate your foot better when it strikes the ground—allowing for quick direction changes when you need to reach tough shots.

Gel padding underneath the balls of the feet helps absorb shock. And the sneakers incorporate a resin structure in the middle of the outsole that creates a bit of rigidity and minimizes inward rolling, or overpronation, on landing.

Wilson's Rush Pro Ace Pickler is comfortable, roomy, and designed to gently correct your gait, making it our top pick for the most supportive pickleball shoe. An asymmetrical chassis locks your foot in place for a secure fit—this is especially helpful for pivot movements when you're turning quickly. Plus, the heel counter stabilizes your rearfoot for better control.

The midsole is lined with thick, molded foam that feels soft underfoot. And we like that the thin upper is designed to breathe, preventing sweaty feet. A rubber drag pad protects the heel and makes the shoes durable enough to wear on and off the court.