NATOLIKE Pickleball Set for Beginners: Lightweight Bundle Review
A close look at the NATOLIKE pickleball set: two 7.8-oz USAPA-approved paddles, 4 balls, 2 towels, and a bag. Who it fits and where it falls short.
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Quick Verdict
Two USAPA-approved paddles at 7.8 ounces each, 4 balls, 2 cooling towels, and a bag in one box. If your goal is to get two people on a court this weekend without buying gear piece by piece, this NATOLIKE pickleball set covers it.
Buy if you:
- Are brand new and want everything for two players in one purchase
- Want USAPA-approved paddles so you’re not stuck with non-legal gear
- Prefer a lighter 7.8-oz paddle to protect your wrist on long rallies
- Need a gift-ready bundle for a couple or a friend getting into the sport
Skip if you:
- Already own paddles you like, since the extras alone may not justify a full set
- Want a heavier, high-end carbon paddle tuned for competitive power
- Play in a group of four and would need to buy two sets anyway
| Paddle weight | 7.8 oz each |
|---|---|
| Paddle dimensions | 10.63″ L Γ 7.8″ W |
| Face / core | Fiberglass face, polypropylene honeycomb core |
| Grip | 4.3″ circumference, 5″ handle length |
| Includes | 2 paddles, 4 balls, 2 cooling towels, 1 bag |
| Colors | Blue and red (2-pack) |
Simplify Court Setup With A NATOLIKE Pickleball Set
Most first-time pickleball buyers end up with paddles that can’t be used in a real game, because cheap beginner sets rarely bother with USAPA approval. The NATOLIKE set is different: two approved paddles, 4 balls, 2 cooling towels, and a carrying bag in one box, and you won’t have to replace the paddles the moment you enter a local ladder. You can check the current price and availability on Amazon here if you want to see where it lands today.
What drew me to this one is simple. It’s aimed squarely at the person stepping up from borrowed equipment, and it leans on the one thing beginners keep getting burned by: buying paddles that turn out not to be tournament-legal. So that way, if you catch the bug and want to play in a local ladder or a first tournament, you’re not starting over.
What’s In The Box And What The Paddles Are Made Of
The paddles weigh 7.8 ounces each, which puts them on the lighter side. That weight matters more than people expect. A lighter paddle is easier to swing quickly at the net and puts less strain on your wrist and elbow during long rallies, which is a real consideration for anyone with joint sensitivity or someone just building up their playing stamina.
The face is fiberglass and the core is a polypropylene honeycomb. In plain terms, the fiberglass surface helps you put spin on the ball, and the honeycomb core soaks up vibration so the hits feel a little softer in your hand. Each paddle measures 10.63 inches long by 7.8 inches wide, and that wider face gives you a larger sweet spot. For a beginner, a bigger sweet spot means more balls that clip the edge still go where you want them to.
The grip comes in at 4.3 inches around with a 5-inch handle, which fits most adult hands. There’s a perforated handle meant to pull sweat away and a spiral ridge for traction. Edge guards run around the paddle to protect it from the scrapes that come with dropping it or dragging it on the court.
USAPA Approval: Why It Matters Most
NATOLIKE lists these paddles as tested and approved by USAPA for tournament play. That’s the detail that separates a beginner set worth buying from a toy set that looks the same in photos. Plenty of cheap paddles out there are perfectly fine for backyard fun but can’t be used in any sanctioned event. If you buy a non-approved paddle and then decide you want to compete, you’re buying paddles all over again.
USAPA approval is the detail that makes this set worth buying over a cheaper lookalike. It means if you catch the bug and sign up for a local tournament three months from now, you’re already equipped, no second paddle purchase required. That’s the one feature I’d put in the subject line if I were texting a friend about this set. Want to see the listing for yourself? Here’s the current Amazon page.
The Real Trade-Off: Fiberglass vs.
Carbon
Fiberglass is the right choice at this stage, but know what you’re getting: spin and a soft, forgiving feel, not the sharp pop you get from a carbon face. Once you’re drilling third-shot drops and care about dwell time, you’ll outgrow these paddles. That’s not a knock, it’s just what a $40 beginner bundle is supposed to do.
There’s also the group-size catch. The set includes two paddles. Pickleball is usually played as doubles, four people to a court. If your household has more than two players, one set won’t cover a full match, and you’d be looking at a second bundle. That’s not a flaw so much as something easy to overlook when you’re excited to get on the court. Count your players before you order.
The two cooling towels are a nice touch, but the “cooling” part depends on you dampening them the way those towels usually work. Going in expecting a magic gadget will leave you flat. Going in expecting a decent sport towel that does the job will not.
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NATOLIKE Pickleball Set
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Who This NATOLIKE Pickleball Set Actually Fits
The clearest fit is two adults picking up the sport together. Think a couple who keeps hearing about pickleball from friends, or a parent and teen who want a weekend activity. The lighter 7.8-ounce paddles are also worth flagging for anyone easing back into activity after a shoulder, wrist, or elbow issue, since less swing weight means less strain per rally.
It also works as a gift. A single box with paddles, balls, towels, and a bag is far easier to give than trying to pick out someone’s ideal paddle for them. And because the paddles are USAPA-approved, you’re not accidentally gifting gear that can’t be used in a real game down the road.
Set Bundle Versus Buying Paddles Piece By Piece
A bundle wins on convenience, a single premium paddle wins on ceiling. If you buy paddles, balls, a bag, and towels separately, you can hand-pick each item, but you’ll spend more time comparing and usually more money overall. This set trades that a-la-carte control for a one-click starting line.
Where the separate route wins is the committed player who already knows they want a specific weight, grip size, or a carbon face. If that’s you, a bundle built around fiberglass beginner paddles isn’t the target. But for someone who doesn’t yet know their preferences, buying a fancy paddle first is often the wasted money, not the bundle.
A Few Tips Before You Order
Count your regular playing group first. Two paddles handle singles or a two-person practice session, but doubles needs four. If your crew is bigger, plan on two sets from the start so nobody’s sitting out.
Check the 4.3-inch grip against your hand. Most adults are fine, but if you have larger hands and prefer a chunkier grip, you can build it up with an overgrip, which is a cheap add-on. And treat the edge guards as the wear part they are; they take the abuse so the paddle face doesn’t, so don’t panic when they start showing scuffs. That’s them doing their job.
Pros
- Everything for two players in one box: 2 paddles, 4 balls, 2 towels, and a bag
- USAPA-approved paddles, so the gear stays legal if you decide to compete
- Light 7.8-oz paddles that are easier on the wrist and elbow during long rallies
- Wider 10.63″ Γ 7.8″ face gives beginners a bigger, more forgiving sweet spot
- Fiberglass face plus honeycomb core delivers spin and softer-feeling contact
Cons
- Only two paddles, so doubles households need a second set
- Fiberglass beginner paddles have a lower ceiling than high-end carbon paddles
- Cooling towels are useful but not a standout feature
- Fixed 4.3″ grip may feel small for larger hands without an overgrip
What we’d improve
Two changes that would make this bundle even easier to recommend:
- A four-paddle option, since pickleball is usually doubles, offering a 4-paddle version of the same set would save households from buying two boxes.
- A grip-size choice, the fixed 4.3″ circumference fits most hands, but a second option for larger hands would remove the need to add an overgrip out of the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the NATOLIKE paddles legal for tournament play?
Yes, NATOLIKE lists them as tested and approved by USAPA for tournament play. That means they’re built to the standards a sanctioned event requires, so you won’t have to replace them if you decide to enter a local competition.
How many players does one set cover?
One set covers two players, since it comes with two paddles. Doubles play needs four people, so a full doubles match would require two of these sets.
Are these paddles good for kids?
The light 7.8-oz weight makes them manageable for older kids and teens. The 4.3-inch grip is sized for most adult hands, so smaller children may find the handle a bit thick, but a teen learning the game should be fine.
Is fiberglass or carbon better for a beginner?
Fiberglass is the friendlier starting point for most beginners. It offers a forgiving feel and decent spin at a lower cost, while carbon paddles lean toward power and control that competitive players chase later. Starting with fiberglass avoids overspending before you know your preferences.
Does the set include a carrying bag?
Yes, one pickleball bag is included along with the two paddles, four balls, and two cooling towels. It keeps everything together so you can grab and go to the court.
What kind of balls come with it?
The set includes four pickleball balls. Between the paddles, balls, towels, and bag, you have what you need to start playing right out of the box without a separate ball purchase.
Can I make the grip bigger if it feels small?
Yes, adding an overgrip is a cheap and common fix. The base grip is 4.3 inches around, and wrapping an overgrip builds it up to fit larger hands without changing anything else about the paddle.
Will the paddles hold up to outdoor play?
The paddles have edge guards designed to protect against knocks and scrapes, which are the most common source of wear during outdoor games. Those guards take the abuse so the paddle face stays intact, which helps extend the paddle’s life.
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NATOLIKE Pickleball Set
Get the best price on Amazon βAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this site are affiliate links, if you buy though them I may make a commission at no extra cost to you.
