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The 6 Best Padel Balls to Elevate Your Game, According to a Padel Coach

Whether you're slamming shots or playing defense, these are the best padel balls for a winning game

Shannon Ullman

Updated on August 30, 2023

Reviewedby

Kristin McGee, CPT

Fact checkedby

Rich Scherr

Dunlop Sports Dunlop Pro Padel — Verywell Fit / Goutam Barigali

When you’re getting into a new sport, you know that the equipment you use can make a huge difference in your performance. In padel—a racket sport similar to tennis that was invented in Mexico in 1969—it all comes down to your racket and the type of ball you use.

While beginners can get away with using a standard tennis ball, using padel-specific balls can help improve your game. Because padel is played in an enclosed court and the glass walls are fair game, you want a ball that offers the right amount of pressure, weight, and bounce. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a ball that lacks the power or spin needed to make aggressive shots.

To find the best padel balls, we asked racket sports professional and coach Marek Czerwinski for his expert guidance and shopping tips. We also researched dozens of options from the most popular and trusted brands. Finally, we had a certified personal trainer from our Review Board review this story for accuracy and how to shop for budget-friendly, functional padel balls.

Our top picks are lightweight and durable, to get you one step closer to victory.

What is a padel ball?

First thing’s first: Padel balls and tennis balls aren’t the same. They may look identical, but Czerwinski says that padel balls have a slightly lower compression than tennis balls do. Compression refers to how inflated the balls are—more air inside creates more pressure, leading to a high-compression ball. Less air and less pressure leads to a low-compression ball. Lower compression balls, like padel balls, have a softer feel and are less bouncy.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Dunlop Sports 3-Ball Can at Amazon ($13)

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Best Budget:

ZUSSET Padel Balls at Amazon ($37)

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Best for Beginners:

RS Padel Balls at Rs-sports.com (See Price)

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Most Durable:

ODEA Padel Balls at Amazon (See Price)

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Best High Speed:

HEAD Padel Pro Single Can at Amazon ($11)

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Best Pressurizer:

BALL RESCUER Tennis and Padel Ball Life Extender at Amazon ($60)

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In This Article

Best Overall

Dunlop Sports 3-Ball Can

Dunlop Sports Dunlop Pro Padel 3-Ball can

Amazon

View On Amazon $13 View On Paddleballgalaxy.com View On Tennisexpress.com

Pros

Pressurized can
Approved for tournament play
Durable

Cons

Expensive
Can’t buy in bulk

If you look closely while watching padel professionals play, you'll likely spot Dunlop Sports’ Pro Padel Balls on the court. These pressurized balls, approved by both the Spanish National Federation and the International Padel Federation, have a high rebound that makes them our top overall pick.

With these balls on hand, you'll be able to roll the ball with ease and create spins that'll have your opponents backpedaling. But don't let their softness fool you: These balls are incredibly durable and made with synthetic cloth that can withstand hard shots and rough play.

We like that Dunlop Sports’ balls come in a pressurized can that keeps them at optimal performance for longer. Although they’re pricier than others on our list at $4 per ball, we think their reliability is worth the investment. (However, we do wish there was an option to stock up.)

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 8.1 ounces (can) | Dimensions: 8 inches | Number of Balls: 3}

Best Budget

ZUSSET Padel Balls

Amazon

View On Amazon $37

Pros

Option to buy in bulk
Approved for tournament play
Great for control and precision shots

Cons

On the harder side
Not the best for spin

For a less expensive ball that still hits the mark, we recommend Zusset’s Padel Elite Balls. Designed with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) outer shell, these balls have a harder surface that gives you a lot more control over your shots—especially if you're playing aggressively.

It’s worth noting that this harder feel isn’t for everyone. If you’re used to tennis balls with a lively bounce, you might find these balls too stiff and more difficult to spin.

But with options ranging from three to 18 balls in a package, you can spend more time perfecting your strokes without having to worry about replacing your balls as often. We also like that Zusset’s balls are approved for tournament play, so you can trust that they meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

^{Key Specs:
Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: 3 inches | Number of Balls: 3 to 18}

Best for Beginners

RS Padel Balls

RS Sports

View On Rs-sports.com View On Runkd.com

Pros

Budget-friendly
Durable
Not as bouncy

Cons

Not pressurized
Not approved for tournament play

If you're still getting comfortable with the game of padel, then we recommend a padel ball that offers good control, like RS’ Padel Tour X Balls.

Developed by former professional tennis player Robin Soderling and current padel professional Simon Vasquez, this ball is made with felt that provides decent speed and spin. You'll quickly find your volleying rhythm, as the ball doesn't bounce too aggressively, and you'll still be able to smash killer overhead shots when you need to.

However, these balls aren’t pressurized. This means you may notice a softer, less responsive feel after the first few games. They’re also not approved for tournament play. Still, with a price under $3.40 per ball, we like that they’re a budget-friendly buy for those who are just starting out.

^{Key Specs:
Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: Not listed | Number of Balls: 3}

Most Durable

ODEA Padel Balls

Standard Pedal Competition Balls One can 3-Balls

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Aliexpress.us

Pros

Rubber core offers great bounce
Option to buy in bulk
Won’t lose its shape as easily

Cons

Expensive
Not pressurized

If you're looking for a tougher ball that won't lose its shape or bounce after a few intense rallies, then ODEA’s Padel Balls are our top pick. The core is made from highly elastic rubber that has great bounce and speed, while the outer shell is wrapped in needle-punched wool cloth. This combination results in a reliable, consistent game that won't falter.

Unlike our top overall pick, Dunlop Sports’ Pro Padel 3-Ball Can, these balls aren’t pressurized or approved for tournament play. So while their high durability is great for intense practice sessions, they likely won't provide the same level of performance when competing against advanced players.

They’re also pricier than many of our other favorites, although we like that you can purchase them in bulk.

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2 ounces each | Dimensions: 2.7 inches | Number of Balls: 3 to 12}

Best High Speed

HEAD Padel Pro Single Can

Amzon

View On Amazon $11 View On Head.com

Pro

Unique, dimpled design
Less drag
Approved for tournament play

Cons

Expensive
May lose pressure quickly

If you love to get the most out of your serves, we highly recommend Head’s Padel Pro Balls, which are made for dynamic games with tons of spin. As the official ball of the World Padel Tour and the Spanish Padel Federation, these pressurized balls are a consistent pick among advanced players who want more speed and control.

The combination of high-quality materials and a unique dimpled design helps reduce drag and allows for an extra-quick flight off the padel racket. While they’re one of the most expensive cans our list at around $5 per ball, we’re confident that you get what you pay for.

We also love that they come in a pressurized can, keeping them in top condition for longer. However, some players have found that lose pressure faster than others on our list. That said, if speed is your priority, then these balls are our top pick.

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 0.007 ounces each | Dimensions: 2.6 inches | Number of Balls: 3}

Best Pressurizer

BALL RESCUER Tennis and Padel Ball Life Extender

Amazon

View On Amazon $60

Pros

Recovers lost internal pressure
Extends padel balls’ life
Reuses old ball cans

Cons

Doesn’t work with all containers

Pressurized cans can only do so much for the life of your padel ball. But what if there was a way to revive used balls and get some more use out of your cans?

The Ball Rescuer pumps air back into your padel balls, recovering lost internal pressure and restoring their original bounce. By attaching it to a ball can, the Rescuer softens and expands each ball’s rubber core with a few pumps, allowing you to get more playing time out of your initial investment.

We love that this set comes with everything you need to get started, including three balls and a can. The only downside is that the Ball Rescuer doesn't work with all three-ball containers—just ones from Penn Coach, Wilson, Adidas, and Babolat—so you'll need to double-check that yours are compatible. But if your balls are slowly losing their spark, we love that this pressurizer can help bring them back to life.

^{Key Specs:
Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: Not listed | Number of Balls: 3}

How We Selected the Best Padel Balls

We know that finding the best padel ball is key to a great game. That’s why we chatted with some of the top players and coaches in the padel world to get their recommendations. Racket sports professional and senior director of business development at Volley, Marek Czerwinski, and founder of The Padel School, Sandy Farquharson, told us what balls they're using on the court, what to look for in a good padel ball, and how to maintain them over time.

Then, we researched dozens of balls from the most popular and trusted brands. We examined each ball for speed, durability, bounce, and other important features. We also considered the price, the pressure, and whether or not they are tournament-approved.

Ultimately, we combined our findings with advice from our experts to create our final list of recommendations.

What to Look For in Padel Balls

Speed

Generally speaking, padel balls fall into one of two camps—normal and high speed. The only way to know which one works best for you is to experiment on the court, but Czerwinski recommends that beginners try normal speed first. Balls that are faster are better suited for competitive play, he says. So if you're just starting out, give normal speed balls a test run before jumping into the deep end (RS’ Padel Tour X Balls are our favorite).

Durability

Material is what makes and breaks a padel ball's durability. Most models are constructed with a felt outer shell that's made from wool or a blend of wool and synthetic fibers, like polyester. While these materials hold up well on the court, Czerwinski says that some balls have an additional coating that makes them even tougher.

Bounce

No one likes a dead ball—that's why playing with a properly pressurized ball is so important. According to Farquharson, balls with more pressure are better for slower games and longer rallies. On the other hand, if you're looking for a ball with more speed, you'll want one that's slightly deflated, so the bounce is softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you replace your padel balls?
It depends on how often you use them and how intensely you're playing. Generally speaking, Farquharson recommends replacing your padel balls every three or four matches. However, using a pressurizer can help extend the life of your balls.
What is the difference between a padel ball and a tennis ball?
While they may look identical, Farquharson says there’s one major difference between padel and tennis balls—pressure. Padel balls have slightly less pressure than tennis balls, making them less softer and less bouncy.
Can you use tennis balls for padel?
Technically, you can play padel with a tennis ball. But Farquharson warns that the ball will be quite bouncy. For a better experience, you should use padel balls when you can.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Shannon Ullman is a writer who focuses on health, wellness, and fitness. She’s an avid pickleball player who has dabbled in padel and hopes to convince more of her friends to play padel too. Her work has also appeared in Healthline and MedicalNewsToday.

2 Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.