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Are you thinking about getting a portable kids tennis net, so your children can play anywhere (like in the driveway) and can improve at tennis faster than with an adult-sized net? If yes, then you’re in the right place. The coaching experts at Kid Tennis Hub have compiled a list of the 5 best kids tennis nets to use with your children.
Kids Tennis Nets for 10 and Under Tennis
When teaching tennis to children under 10 years old, it is highly advantageous to play in a scaled-down environment instead of using a full tennis court. By this, I mean you should be using different court dimensions, a specialized net, and colored kids tennis balls (the color you should get depends on their age). Doing so allows for faster development, longer rallies, more overall fun.
Using scaled down equipment and rules for children in tennis was formally introduced in 2008 by the USTA. In 2021, we are now seeing that players coached with scaled-down equipment when they were young have improved faster, and to a greater extent skill-level wise. As a tennis coach, I personally believe the game of tennis—both recreational and professional—will evolve tremendously over the next 10 years in terms of quality of play BECAUSE of the improved junior tennis transition process made possibly by specialized nets, balls, and other training equipment.
Let’s get into our top 5 picks for the best kids tennis nets. All of these nets are available in sizes between the recommended width of 17-18 feet, and can all be adjusted to the recommended height of 33-35 inches. All kids tennis nets are entirely portable as well, coming with carry-bags so you can easily bring them to the nearest court or pavement. Each option can be a great driveway tennis net as well.
Boulder Portable Net Set
It’s no wonder why this net is the #1 best seller kids tennis net on Amazon. The Boulder Portable Net Set is incredibly durable and doesn’t rust away even in humid climates. This is due in part to the steel build—other net poles tend to be made from less-durable metals which reduce the longevity
Like many of the nets we cover, the Boulder Set can be raised if your family fancies a game of badminton. This kids tennis net comes in 2 color schemes: the classic yellow and black, and an alternative blue and red.
Another reason we love the Boulder set (and have used their nets with juniors we coach) is the company’s customer service team. They are super helpful and will usually replace your net for free if it starts to sag. Fortunately, the set comes with hooks that can be attached to the net grommets in order to prevent net sagging in the first place.
Wilson EZ Tennis Net
This red portable tennis net is the only one piece of equipment on our list that is made by a major, well-known tennis brand—Wilson Sporting Goods. Wilson is one of the best tennis brands out there, and they continue to create trusted tennis products that are worth the price premium. We can’t heap enough praise on this kids net in terms of its quality, durability, and lightweight build (which makes transportation and portability a piece of cake). Along with court play, It’s also a great tennis net for the driveway.
An advantage it has over other nets is that it’s relatively simpler and quicker to assemble. Less parts and no tools required equals more hitting time! One thing to watch out for is that because the net is so lightweight, it can occasionally sag in the middle. An easy fix is to place a sandbag, brick or other weight on each end in order to tightly pull the uprights together. The reason the Wilson EZ Tennis Net isn’t #1 on our list is the fact that it tends to be more expensive relative to other kids tennis nets.
Aoneky Mini Portable Tennis Net
This sleek, all-black net made by Aoneky is one of the easiest nets to set up and take down. This is because most of the structural pipes and tubes feature elastic chords that run inside them, similar to camping tent poles. Hence, it’s easy to tell which tube goes where, and the components can be easily separated and folded together for condensed storage after a tennis session with your child.
The main drawback is that if you live in a rainy climate and leave this net out in the rain, there’s a decent chance it will rust. The net stitching can be somewhat fragile as well, with several tennis parents reporting frays and tears.
Overall, the main selling point of this net is the simplistic nature of setting it up and taking it down. If you envision yourself setting up this net on a daily basis, and want the set-up process to be as hassle-free as possible, (heck, your children could probably set it up themselves) then this is probably the net for you
HIT MIT Adjustable Height Kids Tennis Net
This blue and orange kids tennis net is an all-around good option. It checks most of the boxes, it’s lightweight, and it’s priced decently given that there are no big red flags.
The aluminum poles are not as sturdy as steel, but they still hold up pretty well. Tennis parents may find themselves struggling to put this net together, as some of the poles can be difficult to fit together.
One bonus feature we love about this net is that it comes with 4 ground stakes and movable border lines, which can be used to mark the baselines and sidelines if you’re playing on a driveway instead of on a half-tennis court. The net can also be raised for a game of badminton if you have the required rackets and birdies.
QonQuill Kids Tennis Net
Similar to the Aoneky Net, the QonQuill kids tennis net features a bungee cord system which makes set up and dismantling an easy process. Like other nets, it can be raised for other sports like volleyball.
Our favorite characteristic of this net is the fact that the metal poles are much thicker than other models we’ve reviewed. It’s pretty difficult to break the rust-resistant poles.
The only issue we have with the QonQuill net is that it’s relatively heavy compared to other sets. It’s simply not as easy to carry (you may not be able to force your child to assume pack mule duties!). Basically, you’re sacrificing ease of transportation for durability and sturdiness. Even though the structural poles are larger and heavier, the setup and stowaway process is still undemanding. Even though this net is #5 on our list, it’s still a great piece of equipment that we wouldn’t hesitate to use with the kids we coach!
Use the Right Color of Tennis Balls With Your Kids Tennis Net
Remember that it’s absolutely integral to use reduced air pressure colored tennis balls with scaled-down kids tennis nets. Doing so enables your child to practice full forehand and backhand strokes without the injury risk associated with using standard yellow tennis balls from a young age. To find out which color tennis ball to use with your child based on their age, read our Colored Tennis Ball Guide.
Proper Tennis Gear Makes a Difference with Your Children
Getting a specialized tennis net for your child is one of the first steps to setting them up for success in the game of tennis. Even if you just use it as a driveway tennis net, then that means more repetitions and a faster rate of tennis skills development! The next step involves getting the best tennis racket, shoes, and balls, based on their age and skill level. For a basic overview of what to look at for your child, check out our Kids Tennis Gear Guide. To get more in-depth information, refer to our detailed “Guides” at the top menu.
