Pick up a padel ball and a tennis ball and you will struggle to tell them apart. Hit them in a padel court and the difference is obvious: the tennis ball flies faster, bounces higher off the glass and makes the game harder to control. Here is what is going on.
The key difference: pressure
Both balls are hollow rubber cores covered in felt and pressurised with gas. Padel balls are pressurised less than tennis balls, so they bounce slightly lower and come off the racket and the glass more slowly. That suits padel's small, enclosed court, where a livelier ball would make rallies too fast and the walls too unpredictable.
| Padel ball | Tennis ball | |
|---|---|---|
| Internal pressure | Lower | Higher |
| Bounce | Slightly lower | Higher |
| Size | Very similar (slightly smaller on average) | About 6.5–6.9 cm |
| Weight | Very similar | About 56–59.4 g |
| Best for | Padel courts with walls | Open tennis courts |
More about tennis balls in our tennis balls guide.
Can you use tennis balls for padel?
For a casual knock, yes. For a real game, no: the extra bounce makes balls fly off the back glass, lobs sail long and volleys harder to control. Beginners in particular will find padel much easier with proper padel balls.
Types of padel balls
- Standard balls: for most club play.
- Pro / speed balls: a slightly faster feel for competitive players.
- High-altitude balls: lower pressure for clubs at altitude, where thin air makes balls fly further.
- Training balls: cheaper, more durable balls for coaching baskets.
How long do padel balls last?
A can of three pressurised balls loses pressure from the moment it is opened. As a guide:
- Competitive players: new balls for every match.
- Club players: usually a few matches per can.
- Casual play: balls remain usable longer but slowly feel heavier and slower.
Signs a ball is dead
- It squashes easily when you squeeze it.
- It bounces noticeably lower than a new ball dropped from the same height.
- The felt is bald or fluffy and heavy with sand.
Tip: a ball pressuriser (a sealed tube you pump up) keeps opened balls lively for longer — useful if you play once or twice a week.
Balls and the court surface
On sand-filled artificial grass, sand gets trapped in the felt and makes balls heavier over a session. On indoor courts, balls tend to last longer. Heat makes balls livelier, cold makes them feel dead — expect the game to change with the weather on outdoor courts.
Next: learn how the ball can be played off the walls in padel rules explained, or pick a racket in our padel racket finder.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use tennis balls for padel?
You can for a casual hit, but tennis balls are more pressurised and bounce higher, which makes rallies off the glass faster and less controllable. For proper padel, use padel balls.
What is the difference between padel and tennis balls?
The main difference is internal pressure: padel balls are pressurised less, so they bounce a little lower and play slower. Size and weight are very similar, and the felt looks almost identical.
How long do padel balls last?
Pressurised padel balls start losing pressure once the can is opened. Many club players get a few matches from a can; competitive players often open new balls for every match.
Are there different types of padel balls?
Yes. Manufacturers make standard balls, 'pro' or 'speed' balls for faster play, and balls with slightly different pressure for high altitude. Competition balls must be approved by the organiser.