Portable Pickleball Nets: How to find the best one for you
| January 23, 2024
While there are a number of pickleball courts available, certainly more than there have been in the past, sometimes an investment in a portable net makes sense.
There are several factors that are important in selecting the best portable pickleball net. Make sure you’re paying attention.
Nets
Durable materials matter. You don’t want to have a net that falls apart quickly. You want something that will hold up to frequent impact. You also want to pick a net that allows anyone to adjust the net’s tension.
Frame
It should be sturdy and durable. Your best bet are frames made from steel or aluminum. Those materials stand up well to any type of weather. Something rust-resistant is a bonus and a central bar to the net generally helps with longevity. A good frame allows you to adjust net height and tension as well.
Assembly
Making sure you can put your net together with relative ease is important. Something that is complex or difficult is a drain on time and fun. Pick a portable net that can be put together and taken apart in a few minutes or less. Oh, and make sure your net comes with instructions, just in case.
Ease of portability
The whole point of a portable net is to make it easy to carry around, so don’t get something too heavy or difficult. That would defeat the purpose. Many portable nets come with a bag with handles and a zipper so it’s easy to carry. Make sure sure the zippers are reliable and sturdy and make sure the net is lightweight.
Stability
Get yourself something sturdy that will last. Look for a portable net with a solid base that won’t tip over in the wind or when the ball hits the net. In addition, check out options that have sturdy feet or ground stakes that will
Assembly
Making sure you can put your net together with relative ease is important. Something that is complex or difficult is a drain on time and fun. Pick a portable net that can be put together and taken apart in a few minutes or less. Oh, and make sure your net comes with instructions, just in case.
Price
Set your budget before you make a purchase. Cheaper nets are an option, but you generally get what you pay for. If you’re planning on playing a lot of pickleball, investing in something of higher quality is definitely worth it. A well-constructed portable set can last a long time. Just make sure you get as much value as you can.
Do your homework
If you’re purchasing something online, check to see what others say. Amazon and Pickleballcentral.com offer reviews so you can see what some of the pros and cons of the net you’re thinking about purchasing are.
Here are a number of portable nets you can purchase, some positives and negatives about each, and a price you can expect to pay.
Here are several options to look at, some positives and negatives, and a price you can expect to pay:
Price: $150
The net is good for the driveway or for the park. It’s easy to carry and lightweight. The Champion has locking mechanisms to make sure the net can be put together easily. It has a durable frame made of steel and the center net support keeps it from sagging. It also comes with a bag. The only downside is it may be time-consuming or difficult to assemble for just one person. Make sure you have a helper.
Price: $130
This is a good net system that can withstand a lot of play and weather, too. The net won’t get in knots and is made of a fabric more durable than polyester. The frame is lightweight and locks into place with ease. There are no tools required, so that’s a plus. It’s good for indoor or outdoor play. Yellow and black color pattern makes it a bit different, but visible. It’s just 20 pounds, so it’s relatively easy to carry and the net’s tension can be adjusted with no problems. The only issue is the carrying case isn’t made of great quality.
Price: $80
This is a great option if you don’t want to invest a lot of money. You get a net system that’s cheaper that also is easy to carry around and durable, as well as easy to set up and take down. The base is wide and sturdy and the fiberglass middle post provides good support. It weighs less than 20 pounds and comes with a dual-zipper carrying case. Careful, the center pole might be too tall, so there could be some slight adjustments you need to make before serving the ball into play.
Price: $200
This set is easy to assemble and adjust and features tension buckles on each side of the net making it simple to adjust. The pieces snap together and are simple to assemble. The metal frame has a central stabilizer and the legs are wide on each side helping with durablity. It’s 22 pounds, comes with a bag that also has pockets giving it room to store other equipment. This product has been around since 1972, so it has longevity. Now, it may not be great in extreme wind and it’s also hard to move when assembled.
Price: $100
If you want something that you can put together in just a few minutes, this one’s for you. The interlocking design make things extra simple to assemble and instructions that come with it are helpful, providing step-by-step aid. There are built-in hooks for the net straps for players to adjust the net tension to their liking. This net works well for indoor and outdoor play and the construction is made of waterproof material. It weighs 22 pounds and comes in a zippered carrying case. The net only comes in blue, so if that’s not your color, be wary. The net stitching isn’t great either, so expect some minor repairs.
