You’ve found the best paddle for your pickleball game. You know your preference for pickleball balls. You may even have pickleball shoes, clothes, or gear bags. What’s left to add to your pickleball stash? A portable pickleball net. Owning a net allows you to turn any flat surface into a pickleball court. With some tape to make lines, you can make your driveway, street, parking lot, or any other hard surface into the scene of a great game. If you are considering a pickleball net purchase, here are our tips for getting the option that’s best for your situation:
Durability
If you want a heavy duty outdoor pickleball net, look for frames that are steel, aluminum, or a combination of those two metals. Steel will be the most durable. It can handle regular use, frequent assembly and disassembly, and even being left outside between uses. Aluminum is also durable, though it may require maintenance to keep it functioning well.
Often, the net itself will fail long before the frame. Buying a great frame with a flimsy net will lead to frequent replacement. Look for nets that have a weather-resistant coating. That extra protection from the elements will extend the life of the pickleball net.
Assembly Methods
Consider how often you will set up and take down your net. Some portable pickleball nets are more mobile than others. If you are a regular player and need to move your net frequently, prioritize one that assembles and disassembles quickly while maintaining stability. If yours is more of a “set it and forget it” situation where the net will rarely move, it may not matter as much if the process takes a bit longer.
Some nets have a basic twist-and-pull design. Others are more complicated, with pieces that you must screw together. The best portable pickleball net for your needs will be one that doesn’t frustrate you when it comes time to set it up or take it down.
Net Tightening Mechanism
Sagging nets lead to flagging enthusiasm from the pickleball players whose games are affected by a not-tight net. To keep your net and your game tight, you must be able to tighten it. There are several common types of tightening mechanisms.
Some pickleball nets use straps to tighten things up. Others employ rope and pulley systems to keep the net pulled taught. Both systems do their job, meaning this is just a matter of preference. Some systems are more complicated; others allow quicker adjustments. Make sure you understand how to tighten potential nets and decide which works best based on your priorities and preferences. As long as your net has some means of addressing sag, it should work for casual pickleball play.
Some systems have a crank handle for tightening. This mechanism means you can increase tension without climbing under the net. If that feature appeals to you, look for tightening systems that operate a bit higher off the ground.
USA Pickleball and IFP Regulations
For the occasional backyard battle between family members, you may not care if you have a regulation pickleball net. If you are more serious about the sport, you should look for a net that meets the IFP (International Federation of Pickleball) and USA Pickleball standards. Both organizations have regulations for nets used in sanctioned tournaments.
Some of those specifications include:
- The pickleball net height must be 34 inches from the ground
- The net must be at least 22 feet long
- The spacing of the net should be no more than 1.75″ wide and tall. Otherwise, regulation pickleballs might get stuck or pass through when they strike the net.
Rather than checking each of these specific requirements, look for nets that say they meet USA Pickleball and IFP standards.
Value for Money
We understand and respect that you don’t want to pay more for a pickleball net than necessary. Who wants to waste money? However, remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best choice.
If your net sags and needs to be tightened after every third point, even the joy of playing pickleball won’t be enough to overcome your annoyance. If your net falls apart in six months, you won’t have saved any money by going cheap.
Still, it makes sense to look at nets at different price points. Consider how often you will be playing pickleball. If you are only dragging the net out once every month or two, paying for quality and durability might make less sense than if you are an aspiring professional.
Warranty
Many of the better-quality portable pickleball nets come with a 90-day warranty. Ninety days allows you to play several games with it, set it up, and take it down multiple times. That should be plenty of time for defects to show. The manufacturer will repair or replace your net if you notice a problem during the warranty period. That gives you some peace of mind when making your purchase. Look for nets that come with a warranty.
Take Your Game on the Go
Using these factors, you can zero in on the portable pickleball net that will allow you to take your pickleball game to any location and your playing to the next level. Every net option on the market has different features and benefits. No matter your needs, there’s a portable net out there for you. Find the best fit for you and take your pickleball game on the road.
