Playing pickleball, or any kind of racquet sport, means that your arms experience increased wear and tear. This is especially true if you play the sport competitively or practice regularly.
As with any joint in our body, our elbows are susceptible to injury and damage caused by the repetitive and forceful motions associated with these sports.
Thankfully, you don’t have to avoid playing racquet sports or cut down on the amount you play to avoid injury. Elbow compression sleeves are a great sporting accessory to invest in to help prevent or improve elbow injuries and discomfort.
In this guide, we will look at some of the best elbow compression sleeves on the market to help you keep playing and avoid injury.
Best Elbow Compression Sleeves
Copper Joe 2 Pack Recovery Elbow Compression Sleeve
One of the most popular elbow compression sleeves on the market is the Copper Joe Recovery Elbow Compression Sleeves. These sleeves come in a pack of 2 which is useful if you suffer with both your elbow or if you want to constantly have a sleeve available.
The thing that makes these sleeves stand out from others on the market is the infusion of copper into the material. Copper has long been associated with faster healing, especially from inflammation.
These compression sleeves are lightweight and breathable which means that they are comfortable enough to wear while you are playing as well as before or after to help prevent injury.
The compression is tight enough to provide tangible support while not digging into your skin too much. This is ideal if you are going to be wearing the sleeves for extended periods of time before, during, or after your practice or match.
Pros
- Contains copper which is renowned for relieving inflammation
- Lightweight so they can be worn during practice
- Decent amount of compression to provide adequate support
Cons
- They can sometimes slip out of position
Nordic Lifting Elbow Compression Sleeves (1 Pair)
If you are experiencing pain beyond simple wear and tear or overexertion of your elbow, the Nordic Lifting Elbow Compression Sleeves are perfect for you.
These sleeves have been designed to provide adequate support and compression for elbows that are currently injured or strained.
One of the standout features of these sleeves is that they are made of nylon yarn. This helps to ensure that they retain their elastic properties as long as possible.
It is also a very durable material that helps to prolong the life span of the sleeves no matter how much you have to use them.
These sleeves are available in a variety of sizes which means that you can find sleeves that feel like they are tailor-made for your elbows.
Although these sleeves were initially designed to help relieve muscle soreness after weightlifting or training, they are also great for people who play pickleball.
In addition to being able to help prevent injuries from occurring, these sleeves are able to help speed up the rate of recovery from injuries that were previously sustained.
They do this by providing support to the injured joint or muscle to help prevent any further damage or stress.
Pros
- Highly durable material
- Suitable to be worn during and after activities
- Designed for intensive workouts
Cons
- The sizing runs small which can affect purchasing
Crucial Compression Elbow Brace Compression Sleeve
These elbow brace compression sleeves from Crucial Compression have been specifically designed to offer support and relief for people who suffer from several kinds of elbow problems.
The most common issues that these sleeves help with include tennis elbow, tendonitis, golfer’s elbow, and arthritis. All of these can be common for people who play pickleball.
These compression sleeves have also been designed to help prevent the development of these issues.
Wearing the sleeves while you play pickleball provides you with the support you need to protect your elbow joint no matter how intense your game is.
The sleeves are made from a breathable material which makes them comfortable to wear on and off the court.
They also utilize ComfortFlex technology which helps to maximize the range of motion of the user while maintaining optimal blood flow to the arm without compromising on compression.
One of the standout things about these sleeves is that Crucial Compression offers a full money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.
This applies if the sizing is wrong, if the level of compression isn’t right for you, or if you don’t experience the relief from the discomfort that you were looking for.
Pros
- Specifically designed to reduce the occurrence or symptoms of injury
- Made of breathable material that maintains optimum blood flow
- Full money-back guarantee
Cons
- Shorter length than others on this list
Venom Elbow Brace Compression Sleeve
If you suffer from inflammation of your elbow joint, this is the compression sleeve for you. The Venom Elbow Brace Compression Sleeve has been specially designed to help avoid the inflammation of joints that are associated with exercise.
Venom is a trusted brand within the workout and exercise industry which means this is a product that you can trust.
In addition to avoiding inflammation when wearing this compression sleeve, it also helps to improve blood flow to the area which can help improve your performance. The compression of the sleeves also helps to retain heat which can prevent injury
The amount of support that is offered by this particular compression sleeve helps to avoid pain and discomfort caused by repetitive movement with conditions such as tennis elbow.
This can help you get back into pickleball as soon as possible after a flare-up of your condition.
Because these sleeves are so comfortable, they can be worn for extended periods of time and for tasks outside of working out or playing sports.
They can be useful for household chores such as cleaning and gardening to keep you in match-ready condition.
Pros
- Strong compression and heat retention to help prevent injuries
- Designed to improve blood flow to the area
- Anti-slip design to keep the sleeve in place
Cons
- The stitching can sometimes come undone
Kunto Fitness Elbow Brace Compression Support Sleeve
If you play pickleball competitively and need a compression sleeve that is going to be able to withstand your training schedule and your match schedule, Kunto Fitness is the brand for you.
The Elbow Brace Compression Support Sleeve from Kunto Fitness has been specifically designed for trainers and athletes so that it doesn’t hinder your performance.
The compression material that is used for this sleeve helps to relieve soreness and stiffness in your muscles which can occur with repetitive use of the elbow joint. It can also help to provide some relief for people who suffer from tennis elbow, arthritis, and tendonitis.
The material of this sleeve features four-way stretch capabilities which allows for a full range of motion without compromising the amount of support. This means that you can carry on daily activities and training without having to adjust your swing or movement.
The Kunto Fitness compression sleeve helps to improve blood flow to the elbow area which helps speed up the healing process and can help protect against any future injuries or inflammation.
Pros
- Strong and durable material
- Specifically designed for trainers and athletes
- Breathable material
Cons
- The sleeve can slip down during vigorous exercise
Mava Sports Elbow Recovery Compression Sleeve (Pair)
The Mava Sports Elbow Recovery Compression Sleeve is one of the most progressive sleeves you can get.
The sleeve is made from material that uses modern technology and bamboo charcoal fiber to provide the right amount of compression and support.
The compression of this sleeve has been designed to actively reduce inflammation and pain in your elbow that can be the result of heavy work or overuse.
The product has been certified to help relieve symptoms of arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis.
Despite providing a high level of support to your elbow, the material is lightweight enough to be worn during activities and exercise. This means that it can help to prevent the occurrence of injuries as well as improve recovery time.
Many users have stated that using this compression sleeve after any workout can help to reduce joint inflammation and muscle soreness in the following days. This can help to significantly reduce recovery time between training sessions.
Pros
- Easy to wear under clothing due to lightweight material
- Provides noticeable pain relief in joints
- Natural fibers provide adequate compression
Cons
- The compression isn’t as strong as some other products on this list
VVRAIN Elbow Compression Sleeve(1 Pair)
The Vvrain Elbow Compression Sleeve is the perfect lightweight compression sleeve to provide you with even pressure for your elbow and surrounding muscles.
The compression is tight enough to provide support, reduce inflammation, and stay in place, but not tight enough to restrict blood flow.
The sleeves feature 3D knitting technology which provides a comfortable feel against your skin while providing stable pressure.
It also means that the sleeve is one of the thinnest on the market so you retain your full range of motion throughout your workout.
The Vvrain compression sleeve has been shown to help relieve the symptoms of tendonitis, arthritis, and inflammation caused by repetitive movements.
The stitching on the sleeve features a V-shaped design that highlights the area that should be placed on the inside of your elbow to provide the most comfortable relief.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- 3D knitting technology to provide stable support for your whole arm
- V-shaped stitching to help get the most out of the sleeve
Cons
- The sizing runs a bit small
Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things that need to be considered when you are choosing a compression sleeve.
If you are already injured or in discomfort, you may be tempted to buy the first sleeve you find to get relief. However, there are things that you should look out for to make sure you make the right purchase for your needs.
The Material Of The Sleeve
One of the most important things to consider is the material of the sleeve. With modern compression sleeves, there are plenty of materials to choose from. Many compression sleeves will be made with a blend of materials.
However, a common addition to compression sleeves is latex. This provides some of the elasticity of the sleeve.
If you have a latex allergy, this can cause more issues than it solves for you and you can end up wasting your money. Other kinds of skin allergies or sensitivities should also be taken into account when looking for a compression sleeve.
With skin allergies aside, you should also consider the types of material that are going to be comfortable for you to wear for extended periods of time or while you are playing pickleball and other sports.
The more comfortable the sleeve is to wear, the more likely you are to use it frequently to prevent injury.
The Level Of Compression
Another important factor is the level of compression that is offered by the sleeve. As with any kind of compression accessory, there are different levels of compression that are offered.
Some people might only want light compression to feel more supported during their workout. However, others might need stronger compression to avoid injury or pain.
If you have never struggled with elbow discomfort or injuries before, investing in a compression sleeve that offers mild support can help to avoid injuries from wear and tear in the future.
However, if you have struggled with elbow injuries before, or if you experience discomfort from arthritis, tennis elbow, or other long-term conditions, finding a sleeve with heavier compression is a good idea.
This will help to support your elbow and surrounding muscles to help avoid causing further damage or irritating old injuries.
If you are unsure about the amount of compression that you need, you can either visit a sports store to try on some sleeves in person to find the right compression level, or you can order products online that offer free returns or money-back guarantees.
This can give you a chance to get the right support for your needs.
How The Sleeve Is Secured
This is something that can often slip people’s minds when they are looking for compression sleeves.
It is easy to get caught up in the level of compression that you are looking for and forget to think about how the sleeve will stay in place.
This is especially important to consider if you are going to be playing sports with the sleeve. Having to make constant adjustments can be distracting.
There are many compression sleeves on the market that rely on their compression alone to hold themselves in place.
Although this can be effective, it also runs the risk of the compression being too tight and negatively affecting the blood flow to the area. This can cause further issues and discomfort as well as affect your performance.
There are other sleeves available on the market that make use of silicone strips around the top and bottom of the sleeve. These thin bands grip to your skin and help to hold the sleeve firmly in place, no matter how hard you are playing or working out.
This is a tried and tested method that works for a lot of products that need to hold themselves in place.
However, some athletes find that the silicone band causes them to sweat more in that area which can lead to rawness and discomfort if worn regularly and for long periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are experiencing discomfort in your elbow and are considering getting a compression sleeve, you might be wondering how it can help relieve your symptoms and heal your injury.
The best way to describe it is that the compression provides additional support to your joint.
When you look at elbow joints, you can see that there are muscles that extend along either side of the joint. These muscles work to stabilize the joint to prevent it from moving in a way that it shouldn’t.
However, when these muscles get injured, inflamed, or tired, they can stop providing the support that the joint needs to work as it should.
When you add a compression sleeve to the joint, it acts as the muscles should by providing stability and support to the joint to protect it from injury.
One of the most common causes of pain or discomfort in the elbow joints is repetitive movement or strains.
Whether you are completing repetitive housework, doing a repetitive job, or playing a sport that requires repetitive motion, you can cause damage to the joint and tendons.
You can also cause pain and discomfort in your elbow through sudden movements or movements when the muscles are cold which leads to a strain or stiffness in the muscles.
I am Michael Wanner, an experienced and educated expert in the field of pickleball. I hold a degree in Sports Science from Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA. My expertise lies in the technical aspects of pickleball and how to play it effectively. I have spent many years playing and coaching pickleball and have a wealth of knowledge to share with my readers. I am a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their pickleball skills and strategies.
