Padel balls are like tennis balls, made of rubber and felt and filled with compressed air. Although tennis and padel balls look very similar, there are differences and it is not recommended to play padel with a tennis ball.
This article explains the different types of padel balls to help you find the right one for you.
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Different Padel Ball Types
There are two types of padel balls: basic padel balls and competitive padel balls. The regular balls are for beginners and training purposes, while the competitive balls are for playing matches.
Regular Padel Balls
The regular padel balls can be identified by their lower pressure and longer hairs in the felt layer. The lower pressure and longer felt layers allow the balls to move and bounce more slowly, making it easier for the player to hit the ball.
The slower speed of the regular balls makes them well suited to beginner padel players and amateur players. They are also cheaper than competitive balls, so they are less expensive to renew.
Examples of Regular Padel Balls
| Ball Model | Characteristics | Price (rrp.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tretorn serie + Padel control | – Slower ball — Designed for beginners | 6,99€ / 7,50$ |
| Babolat Padel + | — For the beginner or amateur players — Medium speed ball | 7,90€ / 8,50$ |
| Fila Premium Pro | — For the beginner or amateur players — Medium speed ball | 8,90€ / 9,60 $ |
| Dunlop Team Padel | – A versatile ball suitable for players of all levels | 4,95€ / 5,40$ |
| Tecnifibre Padel Team 3 | – Good durability — For players of all levels | 5,50€ / 6,00$ |
| RS Padel Tour | — Comfortable feel — For players of all levels | 7,99€ / 8,50$ |
Competitive Padel Balls
Competitive balls can be distinguished by their higher pressure and the shorter hairs on the felt layer. Due to higher pressure and thinner felt they move and bounce faster than regular balls.
The higher speed makes competitive balls well suited to advanced players who are looking for a faster speed of the game.
Examples of Competitive Padel Balls
| Ball Model | Characteristics | Price (rrp.) |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Padel | –Competitive ball — Repels dirt and moisture | 6,99€ / 7,50$ |
| Wilson Padel Speed | – A faster version of Wilson’s padel balls | 6,99€ / 7,50$ |
| Head Padel Pro S | — Developed for outdoor courts — Fast ball | 6,99€ / 7,50$ |
| Babolat Court | — Medium speed ball — For the active player | 7,90€ / 8,50$ |
| Babolat Padel Tour | — Made from twisted felt to produce more spin — Fast ball | 8,90€ / 9,60 $ |
| Bullpadel Premium Pro | – For active players and competitive players | 7,90€ / 8,50$ |
| Bullpadel Gold | – Very high-quality ball approved by the International Padel Federation | 7,90€ / 8,50$ |
Where Should I Buy Padel Balls?
Note: Unlike tennis ball tubes, padel tubes usually contain three balls instead of four (X3 at the end of the ball name).
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Padel balls can also be bought in larger quantities, i.e. in cases like tennis balls. If you are an active Padel player, it may be recommended to buy a larger number of balls at once, reducing the price of a single tube of balls. By buying a box of balls you can save around €1-3 per tube.
Boxes of padel balls can be purchased from online shops such as:
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FAQ
How should I store padel balls?
– To maintain the pressure of the balls for as long as possible, it is advisable to store them in a dry and cool place, out of the sunlight.
How do you know if you need to replace your padel balls?
– If the balls yield a lot when squeezed or if the bounce of the ball is noticeably low, it may be time to change to newer balls.