Like ping pong paddle and badminton, Pickleball is a sport for all ages and fun if you are playing with the appropriate equipment. Once you have brought your best pickleball paddle and the pickleball shoes, then you need pickleball balls to start your game immediately. We will review different pickleball balls and their types in this well-researched guide because all the balls are not similar.
There are a lot of brands like Onix, Dura, and Gamma etc. selling indoor and outdoor pickleball balls that are approved by the USAPA for tournament play.
Pickleball Balls
A pickleball ball is similar to a wiffle ball. Pickleball balls are made of resilient plastic and come in different colours. The balls are made through a relatively shaped one-piece manufacture process, after cooling, holes are drilled beyond the ball. All the balls are not similar, some balls come with big holes, and some are small. The ball has a different weight and size. Many novices think that the balls need to swap on a consistent basis, but it depends on your frequency of play.
If you don’t know How to play pickleball and its rules read more here.
Pickleball Balls Indoor vs Outdoor
There are two types of ball available in the market; the indoor and the outdoor balls; it is easier to differentiate when you recognised the ball a little more. Let’s explain
Indoor Pickleball Balls
The indoor balls are lighter (0.8 oz), softer and smaller than the outdoor balls. It has 26 more massive holes because there is no need to fight the weather or wind. The indoor balls are easier to control but more tough to hit hard. It is designed to play on wood or solid surface.
The indoor balls are available in almost all rainbow color; white, orange, green, blue, yellow, pink or black, each venue have a different color surface so choose the color which fit your place.
The USAPA governed a legal bounce obligation for pickleball ball is that the ball once dropped from 78 inches height must bounce less than or equal to 34 inches.
The durability and bounce of the ball affected by many conditions like;
- How many times it is hit hard
- It’s material
- The brand/manufacturer
The indoor ball is used inside are and last longer than outdoor balls
Outdoor Pickleball Balls
The Outdoor balls are weightier (0.9 oz) than indoor balls; it also tends to damage more rapid as compared to indoor balls due to disclosure from the sun and uneven court surface. It has a smaller 40 holes and especially design to hold the windy condition.
The sturdiness and the bounce of the ball is affected by many conditions like;
- How many times it is hit hard
- The surface upon which is played
- The material of the ball
- The temperature, the sunlight and the heat
- The wind environments
- The manufacturing process
- The brand/manufacturer
The free balls are used outside the open area.
I know you have a lot of question in your mind about the material of the ball, its construction, its sturdiness, its brand etc. You will get all your answers in this guide just read it till the end; we will cover many aspects in the Buyers’ Guide section of this post.
Let’s look at the compiled list of the best pickleball balls of 2023
Best Pickleball Balls of 2023 | Indoor and Outdoor comparison Table
High Quality | USAPA Approved | Trusted & Tested
Product Name | Indoor/Outdoor | Weight (oz) | Price $$ |
---|---|---|---|
Onix Pure 2 (Editor's Choice) | Outdoor | 0.88 | ![]() |
JUGS SPORTS | Indoor | 0.81 | ![]() |
TOP ball | Outdoor | 0.88 | ![]() |
AMAREY | Indoor/Outdoor | ![]() |
|
Dura Fast 40 | Outdoor | 0.91 | ![]() |
Gamma | Indoor | 0.71 | ![]() |
Midnight Pickleballs | Indoor | ![]() |
Best Pickleball Balls 2023 Products Overview
1. Onix Pure 2 – Best outdoor pickleball ball (Editor’s Choice)
If you are seeking a high-quality outdoor pickleball, then I would like to recommend you the Onix Pure 2. Its yellow color is obvious. The small holes and heavyweight are extremely perfect for windy condition and fly straighter.
Also Read: Best pickleball paddle for control
It is ideal for outdoor use. We have tested its bounce while playing outdoor and it fulfills the USAPA obligation for the bounce rate and delivers the maximum unswerving and accurate bounce during the game. It gives a gratifying response when you smash the ball. It is recommended for outdoor use and aggressive play.
Let come to discuss its properties;
Feature
- Its true flight technology offers great playability and definitive accuracy
- Seamlessly round holes are tactically line up and drilled with care for finest balance
- Its accurate bounce tech fulfills the USAPA requirement
- Its two pieces balanced construction has flexible features that allow the ball to preserve its shape smash after smash.
- Its unquestionable strength derives from the innovative welding process that joins the 2 pieces of pickleball together and resists splitting
- The ball rapidly reaches its midpoint gravity when spinning and offers a great balance
Some more info about Product
- Quantity: It’s available in different pack set like 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 & 24
- Weight: 0.88 ounces
- Diameter:
- Reliable Bounce Technology
- Brilliant Durability & Highly robust
- Well Balance
- None
2. JUGS SPORTS – Best Selling Indoor Pickle balls
If you are searching for the indoor pickleball then the jugs sports might be the worthy choice. These balls are made of soft plastic with a big and uniform holes. It’s come in two different cheerful color pack; the lime-green and the white. When we test its bounce it comes to meet to USAPA requirements for bounce height of 37” and competitive play.
The construction & design of the ball is exact and balanced. The Jugs claims that the ball will be last 30% longer than any other ball of its kind.
Feature
- It’s made for indoor but you can also use it outdoor
- The soft plastic ball executes well on tiles, smooth hardwood, and cement court surface
- Fantastic bounce height and top performance
- Made in Taiwan
Some more info about Product
- Quantity: It’s available in different pack set like 6, 12 & 36
- Weight: 0.81 ounces
- Diameter: 2.875
- The aggressive balls are a preferred among innumerable pickleball groups
- Durable and reliable
- Slight softer and best for practice sessions
- Officially approved pickleball balls Read more here
- No replacement by manufacturer due to cracking or breaking after used
3. TOP ball – Best Budgeted Pickleballs
If you are looking for 40 holes high quality outdoor pickle balls then TOP ball would be good choice. It’s available in neon-green, white, orange and yellow colors. The ball flight straight and have a decent bounce. The design of ball is robust and you can smash it hard without feat of its breaking or cracking.
It is recommended for outdoor play on the concrete floor.
Features
- It’s one-piece construction, and it means that the balls have no weak points and preserve the integrity of the bounce.
- The ball is rotationally shaped for strength.
- Its 40 small holes can sustain any windy condition
- It has patented 40 hole pattern perfect for outdoor play
- Tested and approved by USAPA
Some more info about Product
- Quantity: It’s available in a pack set of 12 balls
- Weight: 0.88 ounces
- Diameter: 2.9375″
- Its highly durable
- 1 piece construction
- steadiness and longevity
- None
4. AMAREY
If you are looking for pickleball balls that can be used both indoor and outdoor then I recommend you to go for Amarey brand. The design of the ball is similar to whiffle balls. The ‘hard plastic’ high quality material is used in manufacturing process to increase the life span of the ball.
It delivers a terrific straight flight even in windy condition and a reasonable bounce rate. The exceptional joint welding offers better strength and resists splitting.
Suggested for indoor and outdoor use, and aggressive players.
Features:
- Best PE material is used for professional Pickleball players
- It has a reliable bounce shot after shot with Trustworthy Bounce Tech that meets the bounce high requirement of the USAPA
- The ball bounced comfortably on the gym floor and used as indoor.
- The ball fulfills USAPA obligations for outdoor tournament pickleball play
Some more info about Product
- Quantity: It’s available in a pack set of 3 balls
- Weight: 0.88 ounces
- Diameter: 2″
- Very economical
- Finest quality balls
- More accurate and powerful shorts
- Flawlessly weighted & sized
- It will surely excite everyone on the court
- None
5. Durafast 40 - Pickleball
The Dura is the oldest brand in the field of pickleball equipment’s and producing very high-quality equipment, they also invented the company named “Pickle-Ball, Inc”. Let move to discuss the pickleballs that are produced by the Dura.
The Dura balls are specially designed for outdoor use, but they claim that you can use them as indoor. We have tested its plastic quality, and it is superb. The ball is made by injecting hard liquid plastic into the mould.
The mould is closed and rotated multi-directionally to feast the plastic equally round the walls of the frame and it's producing a sturdy one-piece ball.
The ball is available in white, yellow, neon and orange colors. It is suggested for outdoor play off-the-cuff games and practices.
Features:
- It is 1 piece construction with 40 holes
- The ball is approved by USAPA & IFP for tournament play
- The ball is very craggy and sturdy but inelastic
- This is officially approved pickleball balls Read here
Some more info about Product
- Quantity: It’s available in different pack set like 6 & 12
- Weight: 0.917 ounces
- Diameter: 2.9375”
- Faultless in terms of functionality
- Grips the line fit without refraction
- Made in China
- Marginally larger and weightier
6. Gamma – Foam Quiet pickleball balls
If you are living in area with noise restriction or noise ordinance is imposed in that area and you want to play pickle ball without the ball making noise, then answer is simple you should go for the Gamma Foam quiet pickleball.
The ball is made out of foam which helps to reduce the noise level, but the drawback is you would not get the plastic pickleballs features.
Also, the ball is whether restricted, if you used outside the wind and the rain can affect its flight. The ball is available in yellow colour and it is recommended for indoor use and practice sessions.
Features:
- The ball is little smaller than traditional pickle balls but imperceptible
- The foam ball features magnacore material offers a good bounce height of 32.”
- It low-compression core and lightweight design fly 75% slower than standard balls.
- Best for kids under 10 years and playing on 36” court
- Professional players can also use this ball to warmup.
Some more info about Product
- Quantity: It’s available in different pack set like 6 & 12
- Weight: 0.917 ounces
- Diameter: 2.9375”
- Best for kids
- Best for beginners to learn the essential of the games
- Good for practices session
- Approved by USTA/ITF
- Not approved by the USAPA for tournament play
Best Pickleball Balls 2023 - Buyer’s Guide
The Pickleball balls selection Guide will help you to choose which ball is best for you? A ball is chosen according to different criteria. The first to take into account is your level:
- Are you a professional player?
- The Onix Pure 2 is out choice for professional players, as it is a trusted and old brand and produce quality pick balls.
- Are you a beginner player?
- You should look for the practice sessions balls like Jugs; it’s the best-selling pickleball for novices.
- Are you a regular/occasional player?
- If you are a regular or occasional player, you may go for one piece pickleball like, Top Balls.
- Are you a Kid or looking for a ball for your child?
- If you are a kid or seeking for a pickleball for your child, then you can consider the foam ball from Gamma. These balls can also be used in noise restricted areas.
1. Indoor/Outdoor
We discuss indoor and outdoor pickleball in the intro section of this post, kindly read it here.
2. Bounce
The USA Pickleball Association governed a legal bounce obligation for pickleball is less than or equal to 34” that the ball once dropped from 78 inches height. So before choosing the ball make sure it fulfills the USAPA obligation for bounce height.
3. Material
Most of the pickleball are manufactured from thermoset (hard) plastic like melamine, acrylic, epoxies, etc.
High degree heat gives to these plastics and then successively cooled down and moulded into product shape by drilling the holes. The higher grade plastic is more suitable for outdoor balls.
4. Manufacturing & Durability
The pickle balls are manufactured with two methods;
- Injection moulding (give two halve shape)
- Rotational moulding (give one piece shape)
Mostly the outdoor balls are made through injection molding, while indoor balls are made through rotational molding.
The outdoor balls are much robust while the indoor balls are softer. Outdoor balls frequently crack at the joined, and indoor ball loses its outline with nonstop play.
5. Colour
The pickleball comes in different rainbow colors like white, orange, yellow and green. The choice of color depends on different conditions; if you play on a sunny day, then yellow is brighter and more visible while if you paly mid-night time then while would be a suitable color. If you play in the evening with low lights, then neon or lime-green would be appropriate.
6. USAPA/IFP Approved
The Pickleball must full fill all the obligation of the USAPA and IFP, read the official specification for pickle balls here.
7. Brand
As fame raises, many brands were twinkling on the market and claiming that they provide the best quality pickleball. After thorough research and compiles the best brands and show you in the form of a list, that includes the Onix, Dura & Top for the outdoor ball while Jugs & Gamma for Indoor balls.
8. Price
The should also consider while choosing the pickleball; the cheaper balls would be low quality and break a lot and lead to losing your hard earned money, we have listed the balls with great prices, the list also contains the best-budgeted pickleball, if you are in a tight budget.
What are the Provisions of an Official Pickleball?
Here I extract the summery of the USAPA & IFP form their official website for Pickle balls; you can read full details here.
- The ball should be made of a sturdy molded material with a smooth surface texture.
- The ball must be one unchanging color.
- A minor edge at the layer is allowed on condition that it does not disturb the flight of the ball.
- The ball would have a diameter between 2.784” & 2.972”.
- The Ball should weigh between 0.78 and 0.935 oz.
- The ball should bounce less than or equal to 34” when throwing down from a height of 78” onto a granite surface, The test should be performed at a temp of between 24-27 degrees C.
- The Ball solidity should score between 40-50 on the Durometer D scale at 75-80 degrees F.
- For indoor use, a minimum of 26 holes, while for outdoor use a maximum of 40 holes with proper spacing for straight flight.
- Pickleball brand name or manufacturer must be printed or stamped on the surface of each ball.
Pickleball Balls FAQs
Conclusion
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