What's the Best Pickleball Net System - 3.0 Tournament Net, USAPA Net or the PickleNet?

Portable nets are critical to pickleball. Parking lots, cul-de-sacs and gyms can be converted into pickleball courts in a matter of minutes thanks to these smart pickleball portable net systems.

PickleballCentral.com sells three brands of portable nets – the USA Pickleball Association Net, the PickleNet and the new 3.0 Tournament Net from Pickleball Inc. The USA Pickleball Association Net and the PickleNet are identical in every way except paint color and logo.

All three of these portable nets:

• meet the net specifications provided by the Official Tournament Rulebook,
• are 22 feet long,
• have two large bases on either end of the net span,
• have a small center base,
• have a flexible fiberglass center pole that connects to the center base,
• have similar netting material,
• have a carrying bag, and
• weigh 23 pounds.

The nets differ in six areas—end base size, center base size, tightening straps, net size, cross bar height off the ground and bag. 

1. End base size
The USAPA and PickleNet both have two large bases that lie prone on the floor and one smaller base in the middle on the net. The 3.0 net has two big bases on the sides and one tiny base in the middle. The tips of the bases rest on the floor and the mid-section arches up a little. We think the 3.0 net’s design may make it more stable in windy conditions.

2. Cross bar height
All the portable nets have cross bars that arch up and run across the width of the net.  The 3.0 net doesn’t arch up as high as the other nets. We like the lower height; it looks good.

3. Center base size
The USAPA and PickleNet’s center base is 2 x 8 inches in size and lies prone on the floor. The 3.0 system’s center base is, 1 x 8 inches, about half the size of the USAPA and PickleNet’s center base.  The center base has two functions 1) to provide a base for the fiberglass center support rod and 2) to provide support to the cross bar. We don’t think the size of the center base is that important as long as it fulfills both of its’ functions.

4. Tightening straps
The USAPA and PickleNet both have an easy to use Velcro system for keeping the net taut. The 3.0 net has a tightening buckle that requires you to weave the strap through the buckle in just the right manner to have it work. We prefer the simple Velcro tightening strap on the Pickle and USAPA Nets.

 5. Net size
The USAPA and PickleNet are 22 feet wide and 32 inches deep.  The 3.0 Net is 22 feet long and 30 inches deep. This means there is slightly more empty space under the 3.0 net than under the other two nets, but it is hardly noticeable.

6. Bag
The USAPA and PickleNet both have build in bag dividers help keep the pieces organized in the bag. The bag 3.0 system has a mesh pocket with a zipper that will hold four  pickleballs. It also has an interior side pocket that will hold four paddles. The 3.0 Net’s bag is designed so you can carry paddles, balls and the net in one bag. Our only concern is that the paddles could be damaged inside the bag as they are next to the steel net poles.

In conclusion, all three of these pickleball net systems are great high quality products.