Padel balls vs tennis balls: what's actually different

So what's actually different?

Not a lot, to be honest. A padel ball's basically a tennis ball that's a little smaller and a little softer. Same weight, less air inside.

Why are padel balls softer?

The court's smaller and it's got walls. A softer, slightly slower ball keeps the rallies going, instead of turning every point into pinball off the glass.

Can you play padel with tennis balls?

For a casual hit with mates, sure. They'll come off the walls quicker and higher than you're used to, which is fun for about ten minutes. For anything proper, use padel balls. Competitions only allow approved padel balls anyway.

What about padel balls for tennis?

You can, but they'll feel flat and slow on a tennis court. Fine for a hit-around or for kids learning. For a real game, not so much.

How do you tell them apart?

Check the can first. A can of padel balls says padel on it, and usually so do the balls. If they're already out, give them a squeeze. A new padel ball gives a bit more than a new tennis ball, because there's less air in it. You can sometimes see the size difference if you hold them side by side, but it's small.

Can you store them together?

Not in the same pressure tube. They start at different pressures, so they need keeping at different ones: about 11 psi for padel and 14 for tennis. Keep a tennis ball at 11 and it'll slowly go softer. Keep a padel ball at 14 and it'll end up harder than new.

If you play both, the Twisty goes to 11 for padel or 14 for tennis, and the automatic lets you set either on its screen. Just one can at a time.

Stuff people ask

Are padel balls smaller than tennis balls?

A little. Padel balls are 6.35 to 6.77 cm across, tennis balls 6.54 to 6.86 cm.

Do padel and tennis balls weigh the same?

Yep, both are 56 to 59.4 grams.

Other guides

• Game feeling off? Check the balls. →
• The best padel balls in Aotearoa, and what they cost →