Your paddle is your most important piece of equipment in pickleball.
Protect it from damage in between games by transporting it and storing it in a paddle cover.
A cover is a worthy investment that can help to preserve the quality of your paddle - particularly if you own a decent paddle. You don't want to spend a couple of hundred bucks on your paddle only for it to become dented or cracked.
A paddle cover that is poorly designed isn't going to be effective as one that is made from high-quality materials.
There are many different options available on the market and below are the top five I've found.
Below, I've included a handy buyer's guide where I've outlined our top tips for selecting the best product for your needs.
(Some of the below links are affiliate links which means we get paid a bit if you click through and buy something — don’t worry it doesn’t add anything to your cost! Just helps keep the site running.)
Are you in a hurry? If so, here are my top picks for you below.
Top Pickleball Paddle Covers
MY TOP PICK
For those looking for an affordable but effective way of protecting their pickleball paddle, this Neoprene cover provides a viable option.
It's effective at protecting your paddle from any potential damage.
As for compatibility, this cover is suitable for paddles measuring up to 8 1/4 wide while the cover itself measures 10 by 12".
This cover has been constructed from neoprene which is a soft and gentle material with a thickness and padding that offers the necessary protection.
This cover is designed with a zip closure that allows you to open and close it to get to your paddle with ease.
This cover is also available in five different colors, each with a bright theme that makes them an eye-catching addition to your pickleball attire.
Pros
- It is sufficiently padded to offer your paddle the protection that it needs against damage.
- There is a selection of exciting colors to choose from.
- It is lightweight and because of this, it is easy to transport.
- The zip fastening allows you to access your paddle easily.
- It boasts a high quality construction that is bound to see you through many uses.
Cons
- It is a little bit more expensive which may make it an unaffordable option for those who are on a budget.
RUNNER UP
The Pickleball-X Individual Paddle cover is universally designed and measures 13” x 9” x 6.25”. As such, the design makes it compatible with the majority of paddles.
With a lightweight feel, it isn’t going to add a lot of unnecessary weight to the feel of the paddle when secured.
Designed from neoprene, this isn’t a bulky cover. Instead, it is going to offer a layer of protection that is going to retain its shape and thickness to ensure that the paddle is resistant to any damage caused by scratches and chips, etc.
This cover has been designed with a zip fastening that allows for easy opening and closing of the cover.
A feature I particularly like is the built-in fence clip which allows you to secure the cover and paddle to a fence so that it is positioned at a distance from the ground away from potential damage.
Pros
- Retailing at a super affordable price, it is a great value for money.
- There are two colors available so you can select your preferred option.
- The built-in fence clip allows you to secure the paddle away from damage.
- The material offers the necessary thickness needed to protect the paddle.
- It is universally designed to fit most paddles.
Cons
- The quality of the zipper could be improved - there are some reports of it breaking after some use
CUSTOMIZE DESIGN
Impressively, this cover is compatible with the majority of pickleball paddles measuring 8.26" x 11.6".
For this reason, you can be confident that this cover is likely to be compatible with your particular paddle.
The design is highly customizable - you can either upload one of your images or pick one of the dozens available.
As for construction, this cover is made from thick and durable neoprene.
Courtesy of this thick padding, you can be sure that it is going to provide your paddle with the necessary protection against damage.
The cover itself is particularly lightweight -- so it's easy to transport. You needn't worry that when fitted to your paddle it isn't going to add a lot of unnecessary additional weight.
The construction also ensures that whatever impact is felt by the cover isn't felt by the paddle too.
I particularly like that this cover has been made with a high quality zipper that allows you to open and close it with ease to get to your paddle.
The quality of this zipper also ensures that you don't have to worry about the zip catching and tearing on the material.
Pros
- This cover is compatible with the majority of pickleball paddles.
- There is an impressive variety of colors and patterns to choose from.
- Made from thick neoprene that protects the paddle from potential damage.
- The high quality zip allows you to open and close the cover with ease.
- It is lightweight and because of this, it is easy to transport to and from your location.
Cons
- Some customers have reported that this cover is on the smaller side and for this reason, it may not be suitable for all paddles.
MOST EYE CATCHING DESIGN
Boasting an exciting and vibrant design, the Homyl Lightweight Single Pickleball Cover provides a great option for those who want to add some excitement and brightness to their pickleball attire.
If this particular design doesn't appeal to you, you will be pleased to know that it is available in four other colors.
In regards to construction, this cover has been made from premium neoprene. This high quality material protects your pickleball from any potential damage caused by scratching or denting etc.
It also has a lightweight feel and this is going to make it easier to transport in between locations.
Impressively, this pickleball cover boasts a universal design which ensures that it is suitable for a range of different paddles regardless of their shape and size.
It is also super durable and highly likely to see you through many uses.
Pros
- This cover is available in a range of exciting colors that compliment different taste preferences.
- The premium construction ensures that it offers the protection that your paddle requires.
- It has a lightweight feel which is going to make it easier to transport in between locations.
- It is designed with a zip closure that allows you to open and close the cover with ease.
- It is durably constructed and for this reason, you can be sure that it is going to see you through many future uses.
Cons
- It retails within a higher price range and for this reason, it may not appeal to those who are on a budget.
A WATERPROOF OPTION
Just like our previous picks, this cover has been made from neoprene which offers impressive protection against potential damage.
Impressively, this cover is waterproof which protects the paddle should it come into unexpected contact with the water or be used in an unexpected downpour.
In regards to compatibility, this cover is suitable for paddles measuring 15.75" x 7.87".
While this cover is compatible with the majority of well-known paddles, it is necessary to note that those which are wider in size may not fit the shape of this cover.
It also adopts an easy move motion that allows you to put on and remove the cover without having to worry about the zip snagging on the surrounding material as you do so.
Pros
- This cover is covered with a 100% satisfaction guarantee so there is help available should you experience any issues with your purchase.
- It retails within an affordable price range which makes it an excellent choice for those on a budget.
- Waterproof which ensures that it resists potential water damage.
- The smooth zip fastening allows you to secure and remove the cover with ease.
- The high quality construction ensures that your pickleball paddle is protected from scratches or dents.
Cons
- It isn't suitable for wider paddles as the shape is a little restricting and small
Best Pickleball Paddle Covers Buying Guide
There are several factors that you will need to consider before investing in your pickleball paddle cover - it's important to ensure that your cover has certain features that make it worthy of your purchase.
Along with these criteria, I have also included our top tips for selecting the best product for your needs.
Size
I'd say the most important factor is the size - if the paddle cover doesn't fit your paddle, particularly if it's too small, all bets are off and no other factors really matter! So make sure you buy a cover that will adequately hold your paddle.
Most tend to be universally designed to fit the majority of paddles on the market.
Despite this, it is worth noting the dimensions of your paddleboard and the measurements of the cover to ensure that this is the case.
You don't want to invest in the cover only to receive it and find that it is insufficient for the purpose.
You will also likely benefit from reading customer reviews regarding this matter as this will provide you with an understanding as to whether previous customers have experienced issues with the sizing of the cover and the compatibility with their paddle.
Material Construction
The majority of pickleball paddle covers are made from neoprene.
It possesses protective qualities that will ensure that your paddle is protected from any damage when it is inside this cover.
It also tends to be a pretty flexible material and as such when fitted onto your paddle it isn't going to be too restricting.
As a result, this is also going to make it easier to put onto the paddle and take off.
The thickness of the cover is also going to enhance the protection that is offered to your paddle.
Weight
The weight of the cover is going to determine how easy it is to transport.
If the material is particularly heavy and bulky it is going to add a lot of unnecessary weight to the paddle.
One that is particularly lightweight will ensure that your paddle and cover are comfortable to handle and easy to transport in between locations, particularly if you're carrying a bunch of paddles at once.
Shape
Aside from the size, it is also important to consider the shape of the cover. Innovations in pickleball have led to the production of different shaped paddles.
With pickleball paddles coming in many different shapes it is important to ensure that you select the correct cover for your paddle.
If the cover is the incorrect shape you are likely to experience great difficulties when trying to put it onto your cover as well as removing it.
Closing the Cover
It is also worth considering how easy the cover is to open and close. Most are designed with a zip fastening that allows you to perform these actions with ease.
You don't want to arrive at your game only to be faced with the struggle of trying to remove the cover from your paddle.
The quality of the zipper is going to determine how easy the zip is to open and close.
Ideally, you want the zipper to adopt a smooth motion while avoiding becoming snagged or tearing the material of the cover.
Likewise, you don't want to have to exert a lot of force to try and open the zip.
Cushioning
The cushioning of the cover is going to determine how much protection is afforded the paddle inside.
A cover with thicker cushioning is going to prove more effective in preventing the paddle from becoming damaged or scratched.
A cover that is insufficiently cushioned is likely to be ineffective in offering your paddle the protection that it requires.
Some will also be waterproof to protect the paddle from damage caused by adverse weather or unexpected contact with water.
Durability
One of the most important things to consider is the longevity offered by your pickleball paddle cover.
This is closely linked to the quality of the materials that are used to make the cover.
If you are a frequent player you don't want to invest in your cover only to find that it deteriorates after a few uses.
Your cover will need to boast a high quality construction that will ensure that it sees you through these uses without becoming worn or torn.
Color and Design
Although some may not pick their cover according to the color and design it is a factor that is worth noting.
Most covers are brightly colored which makes them eye catching and appealing and is also likely to fuel your excitement towards the game.
Many manufacturers offer their covers in an assortment of exciting colors which provides you with a great selection to choose from.
You may also find some that offer their covers in a range of exciting designs and patterns.
The greater the variety, the more freedom you have when it comes to selecting your preferred option.
The Cost
The majority of paddle ball covers retail within a pretty affordable price range, although you will find some more expensive options and some cheaper alternatives.
Often the price of the cover reflects the quality and durability.
While an affordable cover may seem more appealing you may find that it offers an inadequate amount of protection, particularly if it is made from poor quality materials.
You don't need to break the bank when selecting your paddle cover but you should ensure that it boasts the high quality protective design that you would expect.
Having a budget in mind before you approach the market, will help to cater your search towards this.
Warranty/ Guarantee
Many covers will be backed with a warranty or guarantee.
As such the offer of both or either of these policies ensures that you are protected should you experience any issues with the cover that you receive.
For example, this may be issues concerning the quality of the cover, the protection that it offers, or its functionality.
You will often find that the length of these policies differs between brands.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
