Pickleball is the best sport you’ve never played. At least, it is for some of you. Pickleball seems to have exploded out of nowhere, and it’s the hottest sport on the block! As a sort of cross between tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball brings out enjoyable elements of all three.
I, for one, love the non-volley zone (kitchen) element of the game, which really forces you to think tactically!
Today, we are looking at the best pickleball balls for 2023. When choosing the right pickleball ball for your game, we recommend looking for these qualities:
USAPA-approved
Highly visible color
Durable
Competitively priced
Each model plays differently, so now we’ll cover each ball in-depth to help you determine which is best for your game.
Pickleball balls are available in a range of different colors which gives you a lot of variety to choose from. The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) is pretty relaxed when it comes to colors. All they require is that the ball has a uniform color except for the identification stamps.
We recommend selecting balls that are bright and easy to track while you are playing. You want a ball that is easy to play with under any conditions, be it a blisteringly sunny day or a low-light session.
Diameter
According to the USAPA, the diameter of a pickleball must measure between 2.87” and 2.97”. We recommend around 2.8” for an indoor pickleball ball, and for an outdoor ball, a little wider at approximately 2.9”.
Weight
USAPA rules also stipulate that pickleballs must weigh between 22.1-26.5 g (0.78-0.935 oz). As you can see they allow for quite a bit of variance, we recommend going for lighter balls indoors and heavier balls for outdoor surfaces. Heavy balls are less susceptible to influence from the wind.
Cost
Most pickleball balls tend to be well-priced given how long they last. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 – $25 per pack of three balls. However, we recommend purchasing in larger quantities to decrease your price per ball.
Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleball Balls
Given that you play pickleball indoors and outdoors, it only makes sense to have the correct ball, depending on whether you prefer indoor or outdoor play. As indoor balls are not exposed to the weather, they do not need to combat the wind. As such, they have 26 larger holes instead of outdoor balls that have 40 smaller holes. These 14 fewer holes make it easier to maintain high levels of control.
Spin is another quality where you will notice a discernible difference between the two balls. Indoor balls have a textured surface which makes it easy to produce spin. On the other hand, outdoor balls have a smooth surface to mitigate damage from harsher ground.
However, while this does increase the amount of time they last for, they still fall comfortably short of indoor balls as they are exposed to the harsher outdoor courts. By comparison, indoor courts cause less damage as the ground is gentler on the ball. As an estimate, you can expect outdoor balls to last between 10 and 20 games and indoor balls to last around 5-10 extra. So look out for the top-rated outdoor pickleballs as these will help bridge the gap a bit.
View the table below for a full list of the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls.
Indoor Balls
Outdoor balls
Number of holes
26
40
Weight
Lighter
Heavier
Hardness
Softer
Harder
Control
Easier
Harder
Spin
Easier
Harder
Noise
Quieter
Louder
Lifespan
Longer
Shorter
Our Research Parameters
PingPongRuler is independent and not pressured by manufacturers to recommend products. We were not paid for the reviews in this article. These pickleball balls were selected by our team, who have over 25 years of experience playing sports like pickleball and ping pong and hundreds of hours reviewing products. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase something through our retail links.
1. Franklin Sports Outdoor Pickleballs X-40 — Best Outdoor Ball
Features
Colors: Optic yellow, pink, lava, or ember
Number of holes: 40
Weight: 26 g
Diameter: 2.9”
Indoor/outdoor?: Outdoor
Balls per pack: 3, 12, or 100
USAPA approved?: Yes
Pros
Highly visible
Superb overall performance
USAPA-approved
Official ball for US Open Pickleball Championships
4 colors to choose from
Cons
None
Rating: 9.8
As a well-known pickleball ball manufacturer, it should be no surprise that a Franklin Sports product makes this list. The X-40 is a highly popular outdoor pickleball ball that is USAPA-approved. It’s even the official ball for the US Open Pickleball Championships which speaks a lot about its quality.
The X-40 is a rotationally molded one-piece sphere that ensures that it is both strong and durable. Unlike two-piece balls, it does not contain excessive material where the two halves join. Available in 4 bright colors, you’ve got a good selection to choose from. You can also buy the X-40 in quantities of 3, 12, or 100.
Overall, this is the best outdoor pickleball ball, in our opinion. It has no clear negatives: it’s well-priced, plays well, and lasts a long time.
Official ball for US Open Pickleball Championships
*3 colors to choose from
Cons
Durability
Expensive
Rating: 9.3
The Dura Fast 40 is another one of the best-quality pickleball balls that has seen heavy use on large stages. It, too, was used in the US Open Pickleball Championships, but it has also received use at other events such as the USAPA National Championships and the Tournament of Champions.
Where the Dura Fast 40 excels in terms of performance. It is the favored ball of elite players because it feels the best to play outdoors. It is a true one-piece pickleball ball, but it feels harder and plays faster. However, it does have a glaring issue, and that is its durability. It only lasts a few games, which makes these balls very expensive.
Moreover, tournaments are increasingly adopting the X-40 over the Dura Fast 40, which lessens its appeal. Therefore, in our opinion, the X-40 is clearly a better buy. Only players that favor a faster game and don’t mind spending considerably more money should choose the Dura Fast 40 over the X-40.
3. Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls — Best for Durability
Features
Color: Yellow
Number of holes: 40
Weight: 27.2 g
Diameter: 2.9”
Indoor/outdoor?: Outdoor
Balls per pack: 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, or 100
USAPA approved?: No
Pros
Highly visible
Unrivaled durability
Quiet
Cons
Not USAPA approved
Rating: 9.1
Another one of the best outdoor pickleballs you may be familiar with is the Pure 2 by Onix. Now Onix sells quite a few different pickleball balls, and it can be challenging to differentiate them. The Pure 2, for instance, has two different versions: the indoor and outdoor.
The outdoor Pure 2 is popular for its durability. In fact, it’s the best pickleball ball available if longevity is your main concern. This is largely because it is much softer than other balls, making it less prone to cracking. However, this means that it is much slower and bounces higher than most outdoor balls do. As a result, it’s far from the best ball for competitive pickleball. It is also not USAPA-approved.
We recommend Onix Pure 2 balls for older players who play more casual pickleball. The slower game and higher bounce give these players more time to react to keep the rally going.
Jugs balls are one of the best indoor pickleball balls on the market, with stock consistently flying off the shelves. They are rather inexpensive, costing less than $2 per ball in the small 6-ball pack. However, If you enjoy indoor play, you might want to opt for the 36-pack. Your cost per ball drops down to a staggering $1.18!
The main issue with these balls is that they are not USAPA approved, which means if you are a competitive player, you should steer well clear of them. If, however, you play casually and are looking for a cost-effective indoor pickleball ball, they could be a great option. I would make sure to purchase the lime green balls as opposed to white as they are more discernible indoors – light walls and floors can make the balls easy to lose sight of.
5. Onix Fuse Indoor Pickleballs — Best Indoor Quality
Features
Color: Yellow
Number of holes: 26
Weight: Unlisted
Diameter: Unlisted
Indoor/outdoor?: Indoor
Balls per pack: 6
USAPA approved?: Yes
Pros
Highly visible
USAPA-approved
Plays similarly to outdoor pickleball balls
Cons
Expensive
Some buyers sent the wrong balls
Rating: 9
If you enjoy indoor play, then the Fuse indoor ball is likely the best one to buy. As before, there’s a little bit of confusion surrounding this Onix ball. The Fuse is available as indoor or outdoor balls. Both are USAPA-approved. This confusion, it seems, also extends to the seller. Some buyers reported receiving outdoor pickleball balls instead of indoor ones. However, this is only for select cases — we recommend using our link to ensure you get the right set.
Besides being USAPA-approved, the Fuse indoor also performs similarly to outdoor pickleball balls. This is great for players who dislike lighter indoor balls. And while being quite expensive, they do last for a fairly long time, making them much cheaper than the outdoor Dura Fast 40. Therefore the Onix Fuse ball is one of the best indoor pickleball balls available on the market today.
6. Tourna Strike Outdoor Pickleballs — Best Outdoor Value for Money
Features
Color: Optic yellow
Number of holes: 40
Weight: 24.5 g
Diameter: 2.91″
Indoor/outdoor?: Outdoor
Balls per pack: 6, 12, 35, 200
USAPA approved?: Yes
Pros
Highly visible
USAPA approved
Official ball for Tyson McGuffin Signature Pickleball Camps
Available in four different quantities
Cons
A little light for an outdoor pickleball ball
Rating: 9.1
Lastly on our list, we have the Tourna Strike outdoor pickleballs. What immediately caught our eye about this set was its remarkably low price tag and the fact it’s approved for tournament play. It’s rare for a ball to tick both of these boxes so it’s certainly one you should consider (you could even use these as practice balls as they are so cheap!).
In fact, it’s the official ball for the Tyson McGuffin Signature Pickleball Camps. These camps are overseen by pickleball player Tyson McGiffin himself, and as a 5x Grand Slam champion, he knows a thing or two about pickleballs. So if he rates Tourna Strike balls, chances are you will too.
We also like the various quantity options you can pick these balls up in. From just 12 balls to 200, you may not have color options, but you do have a lot of control over how many balls you can purchase.
Our only complaint about this ball is that it is a little on the light side for outdoor play. At 24.5 g it is more susceptible to the wind than the likes of the Franklin Sports X-40 and Dura Fast 40 balls which both weigh 26 g.
Indoor balls are very different from outdoor balls. Indoor balls have 26 holes, whereas outdoor balls have 40 to allow them to combat the wind more effectively. You will also find that indoor balls are softer, lighter, and produce more spin than their outdoor counterparts.
How Do You Pick a Pickleball Ball?
Some of the top qualities we recommend seeking in your pickleball are that it is USAPA-approved (eligible for tournament play), highly visible, well-priced, and lasts a long time. The best pickle ball balls possess all of these qualities, but they are hard to come by.
What Are the Best Pickleball Balls?
The best outdoor pickleball balls are the Franklin Sports X-40s. They are the official pickleball of the US Open Pickleball Championships and for good reason. They have been the most enjoyable to play with and last for a long time.
Can You Use Outdoor Pickleball Balls Indoor?
Using outdoor pickleball balls indoors is not advisable as they do not have a textured surface. This means they skid on the floor, giving them a less consistent bounce. They also do not bounce as high, which leads to less exciting games.
How Long Do Pickleball Balls Last?
Outdoor pickleball balls have much lower longevity than indoor pickleballs. This is because of their composition and the fact that outdoor terrain is much tougher. There is also a lot of variation among outdoor balls as some crack while others gradually become less bouncy over time.
Dura Fast 40, for example, lasts for around 2 hours of playtime and tends to crack. Onix Pure 2, by comparison, tends to last for several weeks and gradually develops soft spots. This means you can use these balls even longer if necessary. But we recommend switching them out as soon as you notice the quality decline.
Do Pickleball Balls Bounce?
Pickleball balls have strict requirements when it comes to bouncing. To be USAPA approved, they must have a consistent bounce between 30” and 34” when dropped from a height of 78”. Of course, many balls do not make this cut, with some bouncing below and above this requirement. Indoor balls, for example, often bounce higher than 34”.
What Are Pickleball Balls Made Of?
Pickleball balls are made from rigid plastics to prevent cracking, the hardness varies from brand to brand. Outdoor models generally utilize more robust materials to tackle tougher outdoor conditions. Indoor balls are not quite as hard, but they certainly do not use soft plastic.
So Which Pickleball Balls Should I Buy?
For outdoor play, the best pickleball ball is the X-40 by Franklin Sports. Put simply, it doesn’t have any weak areas. It’s approved by USAPA and has quickly become a staple at competitions. It’s also very high-quality and lasts for a damn long time. This makes it a better buy than the Dura Fast 40, which sees less use and doesn’t last for as long as we would like.
For indoor pickleball balls, it’s a tougher call. You have to decide whether you are after quality or value for money. The Onix Fuse easily takes it on the quality front. Being USAPA-approved is a big advantage, and the balls are more enjoyable to play with. However, Jugs pickleball balls are a great option if you play more casually and want to get more for your hard-earned bucks.
Not yet sure which pickleball paddle you should buy? Check out our guide to the top pickleball paddles!
Freelance writer. Table tennis enthusiast. Lover of all things online. When I’m not working on my loop game I’m probably binge-watching some fantasy show.
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