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Pickleball Balls – Best Pickleball Balls – 2024 Reviews (Indoor & Outdoor)

Pro player hitting a pickleball
(Picture Kerry Pittenger)

One of the great things about pickleball is that you really don’t need a lot of equipment to get started. Once you have a pickleball paddle and a decent pair of shoes, you really just need a few pickleball balls to start playing.

Keep reading below for full reviews of all the top-selling pickleball ball brands on the market and a more detailed explanation of why we picked the Onix Pure 2 Ball as the best outdoor pickleball ball and Jugs Indoor Pickleballs as the best indoor pickleball ball. I would recommend checking out Pickleball Science as well, they have some additional options and great reviews that are very insightful.

If you are a serious player looking to compete in tournaments, you also want to at least practice sometimes with the Dura Fast 40 outdoor ball since it’s the most common ball used in tourneys.

Scroll down to find out more about Dura balls and why they take some time to get used to it.

Pickleball balls are made of durable plastic, however contrary to what many beginner players assume, the balls do wear out and need to be replaced on a regular basis. Actually one of the most common complaints we hear from our readers is how easily pickleball balls crack and the amount of money that players are spending to constantly replace them.

Depending on how often you play, pickleballs may need to be replaced frequently. Outdoor balls also tend to degrade quicker (compared to indoor balls) due to UV exposure from the sun and rougher court surface.

Outdoor Pickleball Ball Reviews

Our Top Pick For Outdoor Pickleball Ball

Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls - (3-Pack)
Onix Pure 2

The Onix Pure 2 Outdoor ball features Onix’s own ” True Flight Technology” which is designed to fly true even in outdoor wind conditions.

It’s a well-balanced and durable ball. Onix also makes an indoor Pure 2 with similar quality and design, but with the large hole size, you would expect on an indoor ball.

Outdoor Balls are heavier, harder and have smoother plastic compared to indoor balls.  Outdoor balls have smaller drilled holes and more of them.  These balls come off the paddle harder and are considered harder to control than indoor balls but are easier to hit hard.  Because of the reduced control, the rallies are often shorter with outdoor balls.

Due to the harder and rougher outdoor court surface (usually asphalt or sometimes concrete) and the exposure to UV rays from the sunshine, outdoor balls crack and degrade in quality more quickly.

These factors also cause the balls to “go out of round” (where the ball is no longer uniformly round and no longer flies straight).  For these reasons, outdoor balls have to be replaced more often than indoor ones.

Because outdoor pickleballs are heavier they are less affected by wind.  The extra weight and hardness also make them hurt more if you get hit with one-off a smash shot! They are noisier and just slightly larger than indoor balls.

Although they are now sold in several colors including yellow, white, green and orange, yellow is still the most popular selling ball. The most popular pickleball ball brands are Top, Onix and Dura.

Indoor Pickleball Ball Reviews

Indoor balls are lighter than outdoor balls. They are easier to control and come off the paddle with a softer touch making it easier to get long extended rallies.

Because indoor balls are lighter, they are harder to hit hard and are more affected by the wind which can be a disadvantage for those players who like to play with indoor pickleballs on outdoor courts.

Indoor balls tend to last longer. When they do wear out they more likely to just go too soft but less likely to go out of round, crack or break as outdoor balls do.  They are softer and hurt less if you do get hit with one during play (overhead smash by an opponent).

Indoor Pickleballs have fewer and larger holes compared to outdoor balls.

Regulation pickleballs must have between 26-40 holes. Most outdoor balls have 40 while most indoor balls have 26 although there is no set number for indoor or outdoor balls. Some pickleball equipment manufacturers make their balls differently, like the P7 Outdoor Pickleball that has 32 holes.

Top-selling brands of outdoor pickleball balls are Jugs Sports, Onix and PickleballNow. See a full list of ball brands below with a review of each.

Using indoor balls on outdoor courts: Obviously, from the names, indoor balls are designed for indoor pickleball courts and outdoor balls for outdoor courts but there’s no feature of either kind of ball that would prevent you from playing on any surface.

In fact, many pickleball players prefer to use indoor balls outside because they are more forgiving and therefore produce a more controlled game with longer rallies.

But there’s really no hard-set rule, in theory, you could also play indoor pickleball with outdoor balls and vice versa.  Although having said that, while I often see indoor balls being used outside I very rarely see outdoor balls used indoors.

Not Sure? Try a bunch first and decide.

Pickleball Balls
Pickleball Balls – Variety Pack of 6

If you are not sure which ball to buy, rather than buying a pack of each try a variety pack.

It’s a good way to try half a dozen different pickeballs to see which one you like best without investing a ton of money.

The set includes one of each of the following balls:

  • 1-Yellow TOP Outdoor Pickleball,
  • 1-Yellow Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball,
  • 1-Yellow Pure 2 Indoor Pickleball,
  • 1-Green Jugs Indoor Pickleball,
  • 1-Midnight Blue Indoor Pickleball,
  • 1-Orange Dura Big-Hole Indoor Pickleball

Buying Balls In Bulk

Several readers have asked us if we have a place to get discounts on buying balls in bulk (100 or more balls at a time). This is especially a concern for local clubs, recreation centers or schools that go through a high volume of balls and the cost of buying in small batches of 6 or 12 at a time gets prohibitive.  If you are running a non-profit club, event or planning a tournament, you may want to contact the ball manufacturers directly. Oftentimes, companies are willing to sponsor your event (often in return for a banner or advertising at the event) or may send some free gear for a charity event without any strings attached.

Another reason to buy in bulk is if you are a coach or teach private lessons and go through a lot of balls.  If you use a pickleball throwing machine, the top machines hold anywhere between 100 and 160 balls so buying in tubes of 3, 6, or 12 really doesn’t make much sense, apart from being more expensive, it’s not very practical way to buy.

However, if you are just looking to buy in bulk we’ve found some balls that come in lots of 100. The savings really can add up quickly.

Here are the brands we have found online that sell boxes of 100 on Amazon: 

Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls (Yellow, 100-Pack)  

Jugs Indoor Pickleballs (Lime Green, 100 Pack)

Franklin Sports X-40 Performance Outdoor Pickleballs (100 Pack)

200 Pack:  Tourna Strike Outdoor Pickleballs

Pickleball Ball Brands

Onix Pickleball balls

Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls (6-Pack) Specifically Designed and Optimized for Pickleball
Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls

Onix Pure 2 Pickleball comes in indoor and outdoor versions.  The two-piece construction process heats the two halves and then matches the two perfectly.  The heat “welding” technique fuses the two pieces and creates a strong seal and smooth seam. This precision method (using robotics to eliminate human error) results in a very well-balanced ball with true flight and consistent bounce.

The balls are marketed as the quietest ball on the market. They have quickly gained popularity and can be seen on courts around the country. Low noise has become more of a priority in pickleball in recent years, most notably with paddles and some communities only accepting paddles approved as quiet, so the low noise is an added benefit of the Pure 2’s by Onix.  The balls are sold in sets of 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 100 packs.

Onix FUSE Indoor & Outdoor Pickleball balls

ONIX Fuse Outdoor Pickleball Balls – Six Pack
ONIX Fuse Outdoor Pickleball Balls

In February 2018, Onix announced the long-awaited release of their Onix FUSE Outdoor balls. (They have since also launched an Indoor version of the Fuse: Click here to see both versions of the FUSE.

These new pickleball balls are approved by the USAPA for indoor and outdoor play. Unlike some other balls that require some conditioning (squeezing, bouncing, etc) to get them game-ready, these balls are ready to play with straight out of the box.

The fuse balls feature smaller holes, which according to Onix provide truer flight and precision.  They are marketed as having optimal bounce and resistance to wind.  FUSE balls come in two packaging formats: 3 and 6 ball packs.  Since they are brand new, we will have to play with them for some time and get readers’ input before publishing a detailed review.

Gamma Sports Pickleball Balls

Gamma Sports Photon Indoor Pickleballs, High-Vis Optic Green USAPA Approved Pickleball Balls (6 Pack)
Gamma Sports Photon Indoor Pickleballs

Gamma Sports Photon Indoor Pickleballs are sold in packs of 3, 6, and 60.  These indoor balls are constructed using a two-piece design with 26 precision-molded holes.  The “optic green” color is meant to give the ball extra visibility.  It may be my failing eyesight but they look more like a fluorescent yellow to me than green- but either way, they are definitely bright and have good visibility.

The Gamma Photon balls are approved by the USAPA for sanctioned tournament play.  The bulk 60 pack is a nice option for clubs, schools, or coaches that use a large number of balls for drills, classes or practice shooting with an automatic ball throwing machine.

Tourna Pickleball balls

Tourna Outdoor Pickleballs are a good all-around ball with medium hardness and good bounce.  As with most other outdoor balls they have 40 drilled holes for better flight in breezy conditions.  The balls are approved for USAPA/IFP play.  The Tourna balls come in one color option- bright optic yellow and are sold in sets of 6, 12, 36, and a bulk bag of 200.

Jugs Pickleballs

Jugs Sports Pickleballs, Vision Enhanced Green, 1 Dozen
Jugs Sports Pickleballs -Enhanced Green

From what I last heard and read, “Jugs” are probably still the top-selling indoor ball on the market and our top pick for indoor balls.  

They are made of soft plastic which responds well on indoor rubber, tile or other hard surfaces. The soft material also has a little more texture which gives these balls a little extra bite which is an advantage when playing on smooth, polished indoor courts.

Jugs weigh in at just over 8/10 an ounce (0.81 oz) making them the lightest regulation balls available on the market. Jugs balls are also known for their explosive “pop” with a bounce height of 37″  (from standard drop test done from 75″).

Players who like fast action and high bouncing balls love to play with the Jug. The one complaint I hear is when they play with other indoor balls, they are so used to the bounce that other brands seem “dead” or slow to them.

The Jugs balls come in two colors: White and Lime Green.

Colored Pickleball Balls: Black, Blue, Pink…

Midnight Indoor Pickleball-6 Count Package (Indigo Blue)
Midnight Indoor Pickleball (Image Amzon.com)

Jugs also make The Jugs Midnight Indoor balls The primary selling point to these is the dark colors they come in. Some players complain that the colors of traditional pickleballs (yellow being the best selling color) blend in with the playing service and background which makes it hard to see the ball- especially during fast action.

This problem is compounded by the artificial light of indoor courts and the pale surface colors of the court and surrounding surfaces (often wood or pale-colored materials and walls), compared to the abundant natural light of outdoor courts. Outdoor courts are often painted with deep blue and green tones which contrast well with yellow or orange balls.

Because of this, the midnight balls are only made for indoors. The “Midnight” balls come in several unique dark colors to choose from including:  black, indigo blue, pink, and coral.

Many indoor players like the dark balls since it makes does increase visibility, the one disadvantage is due to supply and demand, these dark-colored balls can cost quite a bit more than standard yellow, white or orange pickleballs.

Top Pickleball balls

Top balls are manufactured using injection molding and the holes are only drilled after the plastic has cooled. This one-piece unibody design makes these more durable and lasting than some other balls on the market (some other pickleballs are made using two halves of the sphere which are then bonded together, leaving a clear seam.

The ball is also rotated while during molding, making a ball that is true to round and flies straight. This ball is made by Pickleball Central, one of the largest and best-known online pickleball retailers. The name TOP is actually an acronym for  “The Outdoor Pickleball”.  Like most other outdoor balls, it has 40 drilled holes and weighs .881 ounces. The ball is made in China (as are most balls on the market) and comes in yellow, orange and white.

Dura Pickleballs

Pickle-Ball, Inc. Dura Fast 40 Outdoor Pickleball, 6-Pack, Yellow
Dura Fast 40 Outdoor Pickleball

Dura Outdoor Pickleballs, or “Dura Fast 40” are identical to the Top balls described above and are actually made by the same manufacturer just with different branding.  As mentioned, the balls are made from a single molded design which makes for a strongly constructed ball. We should mention that many players complain that these balls crack often and do not last. This is an ongoing debate on the courts (and online forums). Overall, cracking is a problem with all brands, not just Dura.

However, even if they do break often, most competitive players we’ve asked prefer them because of the way the ball plays, its responsive feel and ideal bounce height. Dura is also the official ball used at many pro tournaments so players that compete really need to be familiar with this ball and the way it plays.

If you are new to pickleball you may not like playing with the Dura. They are harder and more difficult to control so there is more of a learning curve compared to other brands.  However, if you want to play seriously (compete in tournaments) you really should practice with the Dura to get used to it. Even if you don’t play with it all the time, you don’t want to show up to a tournament and play with a Dura for the first time! You may also want to find out ahead of time which ball will be used in the tourney so you can practice with the same ball.

They are seamless which makes them fly true and stay in round better than a two-piece ball.  The ball has a total of 40 holes but 16 of them are larger and 24 are smaller, the idea is that having different size holes helps with the flight of the ball, especially in windy, outdoor conditions. The holes are drilled (not molded) so they are considered more precise.

The Dura Fast 40  has the Official Ball of the following past tournaments:

Pickleball Now Balls

These indoor balls are made of harder plastic than some of the other indoor balls on this list (based on ratings Durometer D scale) which makes them durable but less forgiving than somewhat softer balls. Also, the hard texture has less feel and bite on smooth surfaces.  Although some players do like the durability of the balls, others complain that the hard plastic is more prone to premature cracking.

The Pickleball Now balls are sold in one format only- a darker green color in packs of 6.  Some indoor players like the darker green (compared to bright yellow) as it contrasts better against the pale backgrounds and court surfaces of many indoor courts…the same reason why Jugs Midnight balls – that we mentioned above – are popular.

Pure Pickleball P7 Outdoor Pickleball Balls

The Pure P7 balls (2019: no longer available) are approved by the US Pickleball Association (USAPA) and the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP)  for sanctioned tournament play. The balls have a unique 32 hole design and are made in the USA. They have quick action, similar to a Top ball.  The one disadvantage of the P7 is a two-piece design that can leave a noticeable seam on some of the balls.

The P7 outdoor ball is made by Pure Pickleball, however, they have a partnership with Paddletek so the ball is also referred to as the Paddletek Pure Pickleball P7.  This outdoor ball is made with precision cut holes and a bright neo color that according to the company is a brighter tone of yellow making it more visible than other balls on the market – a fluorescent yellow “Vibrant Neon”.

Epic Pickleball Balls

Epic outdoor balls are sold in one format, a bulk bag of 25 bright green balls and come in a black mesh bag.  These are made of two-piece construction and have a seam, although it is not a noticeable feel on the seam, it is clearly visible. There is also a small hole (almost like a pinhole) and very slight indentation around the hole, apparently where the mold was used to adhere to two halves together.

These balls are somewhat soft and some players find that they play slow compared to other outdoor balls. The main advantage to these balls is the price, they may be a good option for practice drills or for practicing with an automatic ball machine.  At their bulk price, they may also be a good option for camps or school PE classes that need a large volume of balls on a budget.

Franklin Sports Pickleball Balls

pickleball with cracks

We did not include the Pickleball X-40 from Franklin Sports on our list of top picks. Although it newly launched and is selling well (showing up on the courts more and more)….there have been many reports of the ball breaking too easily.

Rather than recommending this popular new ball, we are waiting to see how things play out. It’s possible there were just some initial issues with the first batches, maybe the quality will improve but in the meantime, we are waiting on the sidelines on this ball.

*2019: See the updated comment section below with feedback from our readers on the Franklin balls.

Quiet Pickleball Balls

Do you live in a community or HOA that has rules against pickleball noise but still want to practice?   Yes, this is actually a frequent and recurring issue in many local communities. This has led some communities to post lists of approved quiet green zone paddles. There has even been at least one lawsuit against a city for allowing pickleball noise in public parks!

Or maybe you’re like me and sometimes just can’t wait to get to the court to practice and want to hit some practice balls off the garage door or even inside against the wall (this drives my wife crazy but I’ve been known to do this to keep myself from going bonkers on a rainy day when I can’t get out on the court!)

Although these practice balls are not approved for official play and are slightly lighter and smaller than an official pickleball, they do have a similar bounce and are a good option when you can’t use a real pickleball due to noise restrictions but not a replacement for real pickleballs.

Gamma Sports Revolution Foam Oversized Medium Bounce Training and Practice Tennis Balls for Kids and Beginners, 75% Slower than Standard Tennis Balls (Designed for 36' Tennis Courts, 12 Pack)
Revolution Foam Medium Bounce Training Balls

Gamma Quick Kids Practice Ball Really designed by Gamma as a kid’s training ball for tennis, the Gamma Revolution is heavier than the other practice ball and has a lower bounce.  This is a good option for practice drills and on breezy days where the wind is more of a factor.

What are the Specifications of an Official Pickleball?

Here is a summary of the IFP and USAPA regulations for official pickleballs:

  • The ball should be made of a durable molded material with a smooth surface texture.
  • Apart from identifying markings (brand name), the ball must be one uniform color.
  • A slight ridge at the seam is allowed as long as it does not affect the flight of the ball.
  • The ball should have a diameter between 2.784 and 2.972 inches (73-75.5 cm).
  • The ball should weigh between .78 and .935 ounces (22-26.5 grams).
  • When dropped from a height of 78 inches, the ball should bounce between 30-34 inches (76.2-86.4 cm). The test should be performed at a temp of between 75-80 degrees F (24-27 degrees C) and dropped onto a granite surface.
  • Ball hardness should score between 40-50 on the Durometer D scale at 75-80 degrees F.
  • Minimum 26 holes, maximum of 40 holes with proper spacing for straight flight.
  • Pickleball manufacturers or brand names must be printed or embossed on the surface of each ball.

Tip: To check used pickleballs for roundness,  hit straight up in the air with the paddle face parallel to the ground. Assuming there is no wind, the ball should fly straight up in the air and fall back down to you.  If the ball is “out of round” you’ll notice the ball’s path is not completely straight and lands away from you.

2021: The official tournament ball for the Pickleball National Championship is still to be determined.

Why Not Just Use A Wiffle Ball?

Although a whiffle ball is also made of hard plastic and the size is almost identical, pickleballs are a bit heavier than a whiffle ball (average .88 oz vs .7 oz). Another difference is the design of the holes:  the official Wiffle ball has 8 oblong holes on one side of the ball whereas the holes on a pickleball are round and evenly spaced around the ball.

For answers to other frequently asked Questions About Pickleball click here.

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About Dan Langston

With experience in the ecotourism industry and time well spent as a fly fishing guide in the remote absaroka mountain range for 6 years, Dan brings a unique perspective to the digital world. As the operator, Dan is now committed to revitalizing Pickleball Portal and plans to build a support system for content creators and provide helpful information for the pickleball community. dan@pickleballportal.com

38 thoughts on “Pickleball Balls – Best Pickleball Balls – 2024 Reviews (Indoor & Outdoor)”

  1. our club is seeking an unapproved outdoor club ball for daily use. do you know of any such balls that may be used. thank you Scott

    Reply
    • Hi Scott,
      I assume you are looking to save some money… or is there another reason you wan unapproved balls?
      There are these 40 hole (outdoor) balls by Eagle River (link to Amazon)…It’s not a brand I know or use so I can’t give much feedback but from the reviews, they seems to get decent marks for a pretty economical
      ball and the 12 packs work out to be pretty cheap (roughly half price compared to premium balls like Onix).
      Let me know if that helps. Thanks -Matt

      Reply
    • Hi Bruce,
      That’s a good question.
      It’s not totally clear to us what’s going on with the Onix balls so We’ll need to look into it and update our page.
      According to the USAPA/IFP Approved Tournament Balls list (as of April 2018) (link will open PDF with list) the Onix FUSE balls are approved but no sign of the Pure 2 on the list.
      Many of our readers have been recommending Dura balls (Dura Fast 40). Those balls have been around for years and are a long-time favorite of a lot of players.
      The one piece design seems to cause fewer problems and the Dura 40 has been the official ball in a lot of big national tournaments.
      Hope that helps.
      -Matt

      Reply
  2. How can you push the Dura Fast 40 balls…….have to be the worst ball on the market. They fall apart….crack and wobble after only a few games………….I have been a tournamanet director and ordered 100’s….never again………I have been hood winked

    Reply
    • Hi Michael,
      Thanks for taking the time to comment.

      Since you’re a tournament director we’d be very interested in hearing your recommendation.
      Do you have a favorite you are currently using (outdoor vs. indoor)?
      What ball do you use for tournaments?
      Although we do mention the Duras as an option, we’ve ben recommending the Onix Pure 2 for outdoors for some time as top pick.

      Thanks-Matt

      Reply
    • The Dura 40s are still one of the go-to brands for outdoor play and often used in tournaments. One of the main complaints against the Dura ball is that they do not last very long- they tend to crack. This complaint on short lifespan seems to be more common recently in recent months. While they were long known as a durable ball, many more recent reviews (Amazon and other online stores) are that they crack. I’m not sure if it’s a more recent issue with quality control. If you scroll up you’ll also see Michael Dougherty’s negative comment on the Duras, which I’ve heard by many other players.

      Ball selection is partly personal preference depending on your playing style and how you like the ball to bounce. For overall value and durability, I still prefer the Onix balls. Even if you don’t like the Dura ball, if you are planning to play in tournaments you probably want to at least practice with the Duras to get used to how they play. Many people think they are more difficult to play with (many advanced players I’ve talked to prefer them). You don’t want to play with a Dura for the first time at a tourney as you may have a difficult time adjusting. Hope that helps-

      Reply
    • Hi Marcel,
      The initial reports I have heard on the G2 is that they are overall a solid ball.
      People I’ve talked to seem to think they tend to crack less than others (Duras) and seem to hold up well outdoors even in cold weather.
      If you try them out please report back and let us know your opinion.
      Thanks-

      Reply
    • Hi Angelo,
      The main difference with outdoor pickleball (as it relates to the ball) is the wind factor.
      The outdoor balls are designed with smaller holes for better flight in windy conditions.
      Since the tennis complex is covered, I would go with indoor balls. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  3. I have a 29 players team , I introduced to them 1 Dura Fast 40 ball, some does not like the lower bounce factor compare to Onyx Pure 2 , some others did not like the color and some players like it very much. I hesitate to buy this ball in large quantity because of the reviews on Amazon stating that the ball does not last, I thought a one piece ball would be harder to break but…………I just received a few Onyx Fuse G2 ball which I will introduce December 10th, it is a two piece ball and I can feel the seam very easily, it is a very noticable seam wich I dislike…………I will let you know the result of this experience………….

    Reply
    • Hi Phillip,
      I would consider the Tourna balls a budget option.
      As you say, they are cheap but not necessarily very durable. They also have a noticeable seam and some players complain that they don’t bounce high enough
      Maybe a decent option for practice balls, PE classes, rec centers but I do not see them being used in tournaments or advanced players.
      -Matt

      Reply
  4. I purchase the Monarch indoor pickleballs from Dick’s and they cracked on the first use. Any one else have the same issue?

    Reply
    • Hi Jean,
      Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
      I have not used Monarch balls. Sorry to hear they cracked right way.
      Hopefully, we’ll get some comments from other readers that have used them.
      Thanks-Matt

      Reply
  5. Hey Matt, so we have been trying different balls to see what we as a group like overall for outdoor usage.
    Onix – We just tried a new Fuse G2 [has Onix stamp on it, and USAPA so assume its G2]. Nice feel, but like the original Onix we have all played with, plays sort of dead. Onix does seem to last a long time.
    Dura 40- Very lively ball, sometimes hard to control, but doesn’t last very long at all especially in cooler temperatures.
    Engage Tour – Was recommended but didn’t seem to fly straight so stopped using it.
    Franklin X40 – Interesting in that you don’t recommend this but we as a group we are starting to migrate towards this ball. Its more lively than Onix but more controllable than Dura 40, but the downside is they don’t last too long.

    Reply
    • Thanks for posting your results with the different brands.
      I’ll have to try the Franklin X40 again, I haven’t played with them since they first came out.
      Thanks for the useful feedback!
      -Matt

      Reply
  6. Matt,

    We put in an outdoor pickleball “sport court” at our overnight boys camp. We had the area excavated, put a gravel base down, compacted it, put cement “dust on top, graded it for drainage, put a thick plastic sheet over, and then placed the sport court on top. Interlocking 5/8th square “tiles”, exclusively to be used as a pickleball court. When we use normal pickleballs, we don’t get a “true” bounce. Many inconsistent bounces, dead bounces, weird angles off the bounce etc. Almost unplayable. Is there an alternative type ball, (dead rubber type, kids trainer tennis ball, anything , that you would recommend for us to use as the ball?

    Reply
    • Hi Jas,
      What a shame after all that hard work putting in the court that you’re not getting a good bounce- sounds like you put a lot of planning into the installing the court!
      I think you’re on the right track, you might have to experiment with the foam tennis balls I mentioned above. You might also want to test low-pressure or “Pressureless” tennis balls (Tourna, Gamma and others make them).
      Unfortunately, you’ll never get a true pickleball bounce out of those just because the material is so different but at least be a way to still get used out of the court and have the boys play.
      Should still be fun for them and they can learn the rules- just be a slight adjustment once they go to play with a real pickleball.
      Sorry I couldn’t be of more help but kind of tough without actually being there on the court. Good luck, let us know how it works out.
      -Matt

      Reply
  7. I find that the Franklin 40 (marked X) is a good “in-between” ball comparing Onix (this is a slower ball and although they last forever, they do gradually become less lively) and Dura 40 (too noisy and too hard). The Franklin and Dura balls do not last as long as the Onix but I liken this to tennis balls which need to be replaced after one or two rounds of hard play.
    Lately, in Arizona, it seems like tournament play has been favoring the Franklin ball. Franklin balls are reasonably priced, costing me $2.345 per ball when I ordered three dozen on-line. It would be nice if Franklin made them available in sporting good stores.

    Reply
    • Hi Doug,
      I think Dura would be a good choice.
      You may also want to try out the Gamma Sports Photon “High-Vis Optic Green”.
      It’s technically an indoor ball but some people play with it outdoors.
      Hope that helps-

      Reply
  8. Hey Doug, you may want to rethink jugs as your top pick for an indoor ball. I play all the time with jugs and for the first couple hours they play great, but then die fast. If you like paying with marshmallows then Jugs is a great pick. I Purchased 100 sometime ago and cant wait to use them up and go to the Onix pure 2 indoor. They last ALOT longer. Just sayin! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Please test and rate the new Gamma Photon outdoor ball.
    We bought a few at the international tournament here in Naples (FL) and they feel really good to me.
    The balls seem to last very well, also.

    Reply
  10. Just saw this ball rating blog and enjoyed reading it. I experiment with many types of balls and it sounds like the plus and minuses mentioned above are similar to what I have discovered. NO PERFECT UNIVERSAL BALL YET!!! One note to Jas on his Jan. post is that I regularly play on an outdoor sportcourt grid surface and we have found indoor balls work the best. Speed can be changed by finding the onix, dura, jug, etc that you like but need to use the indoor ball. The court is much easier on aging joints however my court is laid over asphalt which probably gives a more true bounce that the court Jas constructed over compacted material. Maybe asphalt could solve his problem. (the court is fast but true)

    Reply
  11. Our club has been trying the Franklin 40 X and find that they are a good compromise between the Durafast and the Onix. They are harder and faster than the Onix but fly more consistently and last longer than the Durafast. They are also a bit cheaper so we like them in general.

    Reply
  12. I am so confused re franklin pickleballs. I just ordered franklin balls delivered from Franklin sports. Their site states the x40 ball does not have a seam, but I clearly see a seam on the balls I bought… Any thoughts? Thanks. Jim

    Reply
  13. A complete redesign is required for all Pickle balls.
    Living in Victoria, BC, we are now being hounded by residents who live next to out door courts because of the NOISE factor that the current pickle balls make. Surely someone in the R&D of manufacturers can come up with a ball that is less noisy. This may seem like a small point but here, police have been called and city councils are involved in the hours of operation of the courts.
    This game was started using a kid’s wiffle ball and has never changed, either someone was not thinking about the difficulty that the ball and in some cases the paddle would cause. Its past time someone found the answer in a redesign of the ball to make this game more acceptable to players and neighbors alike. both golf and tennis are constantly being tweaked, next should be Pball.

    Waiting for the solution…

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  14. I play indoors exclusively. The most preferred ball for our group is the deep apple green ball by Pickleball Now referred to above. Since they aren’t manufactured any more, we’ve been trying to find others that play at least as well, so far without success. The balls we’ve tried have all had issues: low and/or inconsistent bounce, “skipping” when they hit the floor, poor visibility against our tan gym floor and dark walls, and similar. It’s been frustrating; when we find a ball with a color that would work for us, their “playability” is not very good. The Pickleball Now balls are great for indoor play, and I think they may have gotten us a little spoiled when we are forced to play with others. If I could find more of the Pickleball Now balls I’d sure be interested in buying them. Barring that, I would appreciate suggestions, especially related to indoor balls that play and wear well. Thank you.

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  15. I’m looking for recommendations of a good, long lasting pickleball. My first set was a set of four, and I lost three of the four over time. I later bought a set of Physizz brand pickleballs(last spring maybe?), and they have slowly lost their bounce. I would appreciate any suggestions you have. I’m a beginner, though I have been playing three years, I don’t play that often. I really do enjoy the sport/game!!

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  16. We love the CORE Balls! Play fast and hold up better than most. I know they are one of the top brands found at PickleballCentral.com, Dick’s Sprorting Goods, etc. I’m surprised they are not on the list!

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  17. We will be converting outdoor tennis courts to pickleball courts. What are the best balls to use outdoors that reduces the acoustic pollution to neighboring houses.

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