What Do Pickleball Paddle Reviews Say About Starter Sets Like MTEN's?
Worth it, if you're still learning the game
Why a borrowed pickleball paddle feels wrong
You borrow a paddle at the local courts, take one clean-feeling swing, and the ball sails two feet long. That's not your arm, that's the paddle. Every new player has felt that dead, off-center pop before they knew who to blame, which is exactly why so many people go straight to pickleball paddle reviews before they spend a cent.
How a fiberglass pickleball paddle actually plays
Here's what's actually happening under your hand. The face is fiberglass, not graphite, so it flexes just a hair on contact instead of staying dead stiff, and that flex is what turns a slightly-off hit into a playable shot instead of a shank. Underneath that face sits a honeycomb core, and the size of those cells decides whether the paddle feels like a trampoline or a brick: bigger, more forgiving cells mean more control on the soft dinks you're going to be leaning on at the net. USAPA approval matters here too, it's the difference between a paddle that's legal to bring to an actual sanctioned game and one that's just shaped like a paddle. Weight is where it gets practical fast. A lighter paddle means your hand can change direction at the net before the ball punishes you for being slow, which is exactly the skill a new player hasn't built yet. Pair that with an edge guard that absorbs the mishits you're going to rack up while you're still learning where the sweet spot lives, and you've got gear that survives the learning curve instead of amplifying it. The set itself solves a second problem: two paddles, four balls, one bag, so you and whoever you're dragging onto the court aren't standing there with two different generations of gear wondering why one of you keeps winning. Does it change the session or just the gear bag? For a beginner, matched and forgiving equipment changes the session, because half of early pickleball is just not blaming yourself for what the paddle did.
So the real trade here isn't power for control, it's confidence for cost. You're not buying a tournament weapon, you're buying two matched paddles that won't fight you while you're still figuring out where your shots go, and at this price a rough month on the court doesn't sting.
Who this pickleball paddle set is for, and who should skip it
Worth it if
- you're new to pickleball and want a matched pair from day one
- you're starting with a partner and don't want mismatched paddles
- you want an all-in-one kit with balls and a bag included
- you're still testing whether the sport is for you before spending more
Skip it if
- you already have a developed swing and want a stiffer, more powerful face
- you're chasing tournament-level spin and pop from a premium paddle
- you want a paddle you can customize for weight or grip specifically
If you already have a developed swing and want a stiffer, more powerful paddle, this set will feel like a step backward, not a starter kit.
The MTEN pickleball paddle set verdict, is it worth it
If you're picking up pickleball with a partner and neither of you owns gear yet, this is a quiet yes, grab the set and go play instead of shopping around. If you already have a swing you trust and you're chasing more pop or spin off a stiffer face, this isn't the upgrade you're looking for.
The mess this solves isn't footwork, it's the flat mystery of bad gear making you doubt your first month on the court. Picture day one: you and a partner each pull a matched paddle out of the same bag, the balls are already in there, and you're rallying inside five minutes instead of debating which paddle feels right at a store rack. Nothing here is precious, so a mishit off the edge guard doesn't cost you sleep. That's the version of learning this game that's actually worth showing up for.
Amazon shoppers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 9,341 ratings. That is their number, not ours.
Before you go
What is the #1 rated pickleball paddle?
There isn't one universal number one, since the right paddle depends on skill level and playing style, but a lightweight, forgiving fiberglass set like this one is a common starting point for new players.
What is the best pickleball paddle for an average player?
A mid-weight fiberglass paddle with a forgiving sweet spot beats a heavy, power-focused graphite paddle for most recreational players who haven't built a specific swing yet.
Do expensive pickleball paddles really make a difference?
Yes, eventually, for players with a developed swing who are chasing more spin or pop, but for someone still learning control, a pricier face won't fix the fundamentals.
How to tell if a pickleball paddle is good quality?
Check the face material, the consistency of the honeycomb core, whether there's an edge guard protecting mishits, and whether it carries USAPA approval for legal play.
By the numbers
earn an unconditional yes at full priceOut of 145 sports & outdoors products we have reviewed. This one is a yes with a condition attached.
other reviews field the same questionHow to tell if a pickleball paddle is good quality?
comes up across our sports & outdoors coverage, not just here — one of the things worth settling before you choose.
Verdict datasetQuestion indexCC BY 4.0
Full spec sheet
| Brand Name | MTEN |
|---|---|
| Sport Type | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | All |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Unit Count | 7 Count |
| Included Components | 2 x Pickleball Rackets, 4 x Outdoor Pickle Balls, 1 x Carry Bag, 2 x Adhesive Strips |
| Item Type Name | pickleball paddles |
| Size | 2 paddles |
