Staying organized with your pickleball gear is essential—especially considering how much of it we seem to collect. That’s doubly true for serious players doing drills, using ball machines, or coaching clinics and lessons.
So when our friends at Diadem sent over their Ball Cart for a test run, I was pumped. I’d already seen a demo from one of the co-founders and tried a few other carts, so I was curious how this one stacked up.
After several sessions, I’m impressed. This cart is sturdy, practical, and well-designed. I’m giving it a solid 4.75 balls out of 5.
- Extra stable cross-leg frame
- Smooth-rolling PU wheels
- Easy setup, no flimsy parts
- Removable mesh bag
- Holds 100 pickleballs
Quick Video
By the Numbers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ball Capacity | 100 pickleballs |
| Wheels | 4 total (2 with locks) |
| Weight | 9.2 lbs |
| Dimensions (Set-Up) | 36″ tall × 18″ square frame |
| Bag Size | 17″ square × 11″ deep |
| Price | $159.99 |
Nuts And Bolts
- Powder coated steel frame
- Poly/nylon mesh ball bag with zipper top
- Aluminum grommets
- Polyurethane “skater” wheels
- Locking wheels
- Wheel assembly wrench included
- Side gear pocket
First Impressions
Right out of the box, I was impressed by the clean, sturdy design of the steel “scissor” frame—it’s simple but built to last. The mesh and nylon bag, decked out with Diadem’s signature teal logo on all sides, felt just as rugged. Heavy-duty stitching, tough rope mesh underneath, and smooth, oversized zippers made it clear this thing’s built for action.
Bonus points for the side pocket—plenty of room for your phone, keys, or even a water bottle. Nice touch. A separate carry bag for the frame is available for purchase.
Easy, Intuitive Setup
With the frame, bag, and wheels laid out, assembly was as straightforward as it gets. Being a gear nerd, I naturally ignored the instructions. The “scissor” frame snapped open easily into a solid base. I flipped it over, attached the four wheels with the included wrench and washers, then flipped it back up and popped the bag into place using the four grommets and frame pegs—no clips, no straps, no fuss. Everything just dropped into place.
From unboxing to fully loaded with 60 balls, setup took under 8 minutes. Taking it down? Just lift the bag by the handles and collapse the frame. Simple.
Game On: Play Testing
I first put the cart to the test during a drill session with my wife, then again a few days later while coaching. Right away, the zippered top proved its worth—keeping balls secure during transport and setup. (No more rogue balls rolling around my SUV. Been there, done that.)
Setup was a breeze: pull out the frame, unfold the legs, and drop the bag onto the pegs using the grommets. I had extra room in the mesh bag, so I tossed in a couple paddles and my water bottle, then slid my phone and keys into the side pocket. Total setup time? Under a minute.
Rolling it across the parking lot, over some mildly bumpy sidewalk, and onto the court was no problem. Huge win not having to carry everything by hand.
On-court performance was solid. The cart moved easily, locked quickly with a toe tap on one of the two locking wheels (just one did the trick), and repositioning it mid-drill was effortless. Best part? The height—perfect for serving practice or feeding balls without ever bending over.
Simple, Loaded with Features
After a few uses, I really started to appreciate what makes the Diadem cart different. I’ve also tried the Franklin ($129.99), A11N ($99), and Joola ($149.95) carts.
All three use the same basic square frame and bag setup, so I’ll group those as “square frame” carts.
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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- Bag Capacity: 100 Pickleballs
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Size: 17" x 17" x 11"
- Bag Capacity: 100 Pickleballs
- Weight: 11 lbs
- Size:15" x 15" x 38"
- Bag Capacity: 100 Pickleballs
- Weight: 14 lbs
- Size: 24" x 9" x 6.7"
- Bag Capacity: 100 Pickleballs
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
- Size: 16.3" x 16.3" x 36"
Sturdy and Hassle-Free
The steel scissor-style frame on the Diadem is strong, stable, and has a wider base than the others. It skips the usual buttons, buckles, and Velcro—so there’s less to break and no risk of pinching fingers. The bag just drops in place. Simple.
Smart Bag Design
The large mesh-bottom bag is great—water and dirt fall right through, and you can easily see how many balls are left. It’s roomy and easier to attach than most others.
The square frame carts usually only have mesh on top and take a bit more work to set up.
Easy-Roll Wheels
Only the Diadem and Franklin carts have smooth, skate-style wheels. They roll easily over blacktop and rougher spots. All carts have locking wheels, but the A11N locks are harder to use.
Bottom line: Diadem keeps it simple, sturdy, and smart.
The Final Score
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Design/Features | 🎾🎾🎾🎾½ |
| Construction | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Set-Up | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Stability | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Capacity | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Ease of Use | 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾 |
| Price/Value | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¼ |
| OVERALL | 🎾🎾🎾🎾¾ |
Over the years, I’ve learned that simpler usually wins. While the Diadem Ball Cart is priced higher, its durability and functionality make it worth it. The Franklin Pickleball Caddy is a solid runner-up, with a sturdy frame, smooth wheels, and a lower price. My one complaint with the Diadem is that it doesn’t include a carrying bag for the frame. However, a bag is available separately for $24.95, along with replacement wheels and extra ball bags if needed.
You really can’t go wrong with either, but I’ll gladly pay a bit more for something simpler and built to last. Both brands clearly know how to make quality gear.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
