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One of the greatest things about pickleball is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to play it. Once you have a reliable pair of shoes, a high-quality pickleball paddle, and a handful of pickleball balls you’re all ready to go.

Having said that, picking out the best equipment isn’t always that easy, particularly when it comes to picking a ball. It may not seem that important at first but the ball you choose has to be up to standard.

At a minimum, it has to be durable, easily visible, have the perfect bounce and flight capabilities, and feature some form of splitting prevention.

If you don’t know what to look for on the market, this can make things quite challenging. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help.

In this article, we’ve reviewed five of the best pickleball balls so you know exactly what to expect. Stick around if you want to find the best ball for your game!

The first pickleball ball on our list is the Onix pure 2. Available in sets of six, this set of pickleball balls (see also ‘Best Pickleball Set’) is easily up there with the very best.

They are affordable, well-made, durable, and super vibrant, making it much easier for you and your friends to see the ball as you strike it.

One of the best selling points about this set of pickleball balls is that they are perfectly weighted. Pickleball balls have holes in them. This makes it extremely important for the ball to be weighted properly.

These balls are designed with added weight so that they move straighter in the air. This balanced weight also reduces the amount of wobbling the ball does, reducing the unpredictability of the ball’s flight.

This feature also improves flight in windy conditions making the set a great outdoor option.

When we reviewed the durability of this set, we were impressed with the welded design these balls feature. Each ball has been expertly welded with precision. This ensures that the balls are resistant to cracks and damage after heavy use.

In other words, these balls are made to last.

Pros

  • Solid design – These Onix pickleball balls shouldn’t split.
  • Bounce technology – The balls have bounce technology built into them.
  • Perfectly weighted – Expect a clean flight with little to no wobble.

Cons

  • Not approved – These balls aren’t approved for competition.

Also available at:
Onixpickleball.com

When it comes to indoor pickleball balls, a lot of players like what the Jugs brand has to offer. Looking at this set of balls from Jugs, it’s not hard to see why.

This affordable set of pickleball balls offers the user everything they need from a pickleball. They offer excellent bounce, are easy to track thanks to their vibrant lime green color, feature a durable design, and don’t wobble in the air.

To ensure these balls give the user a more responsive bounce, Jugs has made the balls a little lighter than other balls on the market. They also feature slightly wider holes.

We found that this did make the balls bouncier. We also noticed that it reduced the chances of the balls skipping.

So that the balls are better suited to indoor use, Jugs made these balls out of a more rubberized, softer material. This makes it easier to return the balls inside. With each order, you’ll receive 12 balls.

The only downside is that they can’t be used in tournament play.

Pros

  • Easily tracked – The Jugs sport pickleballs are bright lime green in color.
  • Well-priced – These balls are very affordable.
  • Perfect for indoor use – These balls are specially designed for indoor use.

Cons

  • Not USAPA approved – This set of balls isn’t USAPA approved either.

Also available at:
Prolitesports.com

It isn’t a surprise to see a Franklin Sports option on this list. Franklin Sports is one of the most trusted brands in pickleball. They are well-known for producing high-quality reliable products. This set of balls is no exception.

Available in multiple bright colors, the X-40 pickleball is made to an incredibly high standard. Each ball has 40 precisely drilled holes that guarantee tight spin and a perfectly balanced flight pattern.

If you’re looking for a ball that offers smooth play and reliability, this is most definitely the ball for you.

In terms of durability, each ball features a one-piece design and rotational molding. This helps create a much stronger ball that will last longer. The X-40 pickleball is also the official weight and size.

As a result, the ball is USAPA-approved. That means you can use the ball in tournament play too.

When we tested these balls, we were pleased with their performance. The balls offered smooth, consistent movement, and plenty of bounce. They are also super easy to track.

Pros

  • USAPA approved – This is the first set of pickleball balls on this list that is USAPA approved. That means they can be used in tournament play.
  • Available in a wide variety of colors – This ball can be bought in a wide range of bright colors including optic yellow, pink, and lava.
  • Easy to spin – Controlling the X-40s spin is super easy.

Cons

  • Heavier – These balls are heavier than others on the market.

Also available at:
Franklinsports.com

If you’re on the lookout for the best tournament play pickleball, look no further than the Day 1 sports pickleball set.

It isn’t always easy for serious pickleball players to find the best tournament play pickleball balls. There are lots to look at and lots to take into consideration. Luckily for you, this set of balls eliminates any confusion.

The Day 1 sports pickleball has been specifically made to tournament specifications. This is great because it means that every ball fits the USAPA guidelines perfectly.

As a result, you can train and play with tournament balls all the time. This will perfectly prepare you for competition.

In order to provide consistent flight and bounce, each ball has been custom molded with 40, well-placed holes. This helps create a ball that offers unrivaled performance.

You’ll find that each ball always offers a fast and accurate trajectory and a good bounce.

Made for everyone, these vibrant pickleball balls are also extremely durable. They are made from top-quality proprietary copolymer resin. This guarantees longevity and consistent performance.

Pros

  • Tournament standard – These balls are specifically designed to tournament specifications.
  • Brightly colored – Keeping your eye on the Day 1 sports pickleball couldn’t be easier.
  • Versatile – These pickleball balls can be used indoors and outdoors.

Cons

  • Seams can impact play – The seams on this ball can impact your game.

The final set of pickleball balls on our list is the Wilson Tru 32 balls. This option makes our list for a number of reasons, but the main one is that they are the best balls you can buy in bulk.

Available in a 48-ball case, this bulk collection of balls offers great value for money. They are more expensive than other balls but compare nicely to the price of other bulk cases.

When we reviewed the case, we were also pleased to find none of the people that purchased the case received any dud balls. This is something that can happen occasionally when you buy in bulk.

In terms of ball performance, you can expect the very best from this brand. Wilson is a highly reputable company that has sold some of the very best sporting products for many years.

Each ball contains 32 holes, features a rough and ready finish, offers consistent bounce and flight, and is USAPA-approved.

It’s also worth noting that these balls are bright yellow in color, making them very easy to track. The balls can be used outdoors.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced – This bulk case is available at a fair price.
  • Reliable – You shouldn’t receive any dud balls.
  • Well-made – Expect solid performance and durability from the Wilson Tru 32 balls.

Cons

  • Expensive – The price may be fair but these balls are still more expensive than other balls.

Also available at: Pickleballcentral.com

Buyer’s Guide

Now you know what the market has to offer, you need to start thinking about which pickleball you want to buy. This may seem like a simple task but there are actually a few key things you need to think about before making a purchase.

For example, how many balls do you need and what type of ball do you need?

To make the decision-making process easier, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide. In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find the most important things you need to take into consideration before rushing into a decision.

After reading this guide, you should be able to make the best decision possible.

How Many Balls Do You Need?

Before you do anything else, you need to think about how many balls you actually need. Pickleball balls are sold in a wide range of quantities.

Some brands sell boxes of 6, 12, and 24, whilst others sell in bulk. Bulk orders can contain as many as 100 balls.

With that in mind, you need to think about what you need the balls for and how many you need. It makes little sense to pay for 100 balls if you only need 6 to play against your friends.

On the other hand, 6 balls aren’t going to be enough if you plan on coaching pickleball.

Ideally, you will know how many balls you need already, but if not, simply take some time to work out how many balls suit what you’re looking for. You should then be able to make a much better decision and save money.

Outdoor or Indoor?

If you’re going to be playing pickleball casually with your friends this isn’t something you need to worry about. However, if you hope to play competitively, you need to make sure you have the right ball.

If you play outdoors, you should have outdoor balls. If you play indoors, you should have indoor balls. As a result, you need to think about the type of ball you need when making your purchase.

You can easily find out if a ball is suitable for indoor or outdoor use by reading product descriptions and reviews.

In our opinion, you should have both indoor and outdoor balls. This might mean you need to buy two sets. Alternatively, you can purchase balls that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Color

The color of the balls you choose is surprisingly important. Pickleball balls come in an array of different colors and shades. If you want to be able to easily track the ball, you have to choose a color that is easily visible.

Therefore, you should look at buying vibrant balls with a brighter color. A good example of this is yellow, lime green, or orange balls. Balls that are this color stand out much more, especially in low-light conditions.

The last thing you want is to play with a dark or white colored ball in low-light conditions.

Durability

It is also important to find a ball that is made to last. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself quickly running out of balls as they break and crack. Luckily for you, all of the balls on our list are made to an incredibly high standard.

However, it is still good to know what to look out for. Generally speaking, the most durable pickleball balls feature a one-piece, soft rubberized design made from solid materials.

The holes in the balls are normally precisely drilled by machine, and the weight of the balls is evenly distributed across the ball to provide better performance.

You can identify a ball’s durability by reading product descriptions and customer reviews.

Diameter

The diameter of the ball you choose is important too. You have to get this right. A pickleball that is optimum size will offer better performance and more consistency. This is because they will come off your paddle better when you strike them.

We recommend using a ball that is approximately 2.8 inches in diameter when playing indoors. When you play outdoors, we’d recommend going for a ball that is roughly 2.9 inches in diameter.

Budget

Something a lot of people forget to consider is their own budget. It’s all good to spend time looking at the best pickleball balls on the market, but it quickly becomes a waste of time if you’ve been looking at options you can’t afford.

On top of that, you could find yourself in trouble with your partner if you spend money you don’t have.

With those two things in mind, you should first evaluate how much money you have to spend. Only then can you start to work out what you can buy and what you actually need.

Once you have your budget, you can save time by heading straight to the options you know you can afford.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Pickleball Balls Made Out Of?

Pickleball balls are usually made out of hard plastics. The hard plastics used to make the balls have holes drilled into them to make them move better in the air. Indoor pickleball balls are made using a slightly different process.

Indoor balls are usually made using an injection-molding process. This process welds two halves of a ball together to form one.

What Is The Difference Between Outdoor And Indoor Pickleball Balls?

Aside from one being used indoors and one being used outdoors, there isn’t too much that separates either ball.

The main differences are in the weight of the ball. Outdoor pickleball balls are normally heavier and more durable, making them better for more powerful shots.

Indoor balls are a lot lighter and softer. Interestingly, indoor balls are also quieter.

How Often Should You Replace Your Pickleball?

There are a number of factors that will impact how long your pickleball balls last. Typically, you can expect a ball to last anything from 3 to 5 games. After that, it is recommended that they be switched out.

That doesn’t mean you can’t still use the ball in training though.

Final Thoughts

That concludes our list of best pickleball balls. As you can see from the list, there is a wide range of high-quality pickleball balls to choose from.

Searching the market for the best options might seem like a daunting task, but when you know what to look for, you quickly spot the better balls.

In this article, we did the hard work for you, finding and reviewing the best balls the market has to offer.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable set of balls you can play indoors and outdoors with, a set of tournament-ready balls, or a bulk case of balls to practice with, you should find an option that suits what you’re looking for.

With the help of our buyer’s guide, you should now be able to narrow down our list and pick out the pickleball ball that suits your game best. Good luck!

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