Best Pickleball Ball Reviews in 2024

A common complaint about pickleball is which ball to buy. There are too many choices available and players are usually confused about which one to settle for. Well, if you are searching for reliable and top-rated pickleball balls then there is no dearth of options. Balls vary in price, sizes, and colors available but choosing the right ball to buy could be a tricky affair.

Best pickleball balls are an integral part of the game, and picking just any set will drastically affect your playing potential. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best pickleball balls in 2024. And here I have provided all the essential pros and cons of each brand in my reviews.

Best Pickleball Balls – Reviews & Buying Guide

Plastic balls, celluloid balls, perforated balls, ball-a-magnets… There are a lot of balls to choose from in the pickleball world. If you’re new to this game, it can be hard to know which pickleball ball is the best for your needs. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered

What factors must be kept in mind while buying pickleball balls?

Pickleball players should know all about these factors so that they can get their hands on some great quality pickleball balls without having to spend too much money on them.
Here are some things to consider before buying pickleball balls:

➡ Material:

The material that has been used to make these balls also matters because this helps determine how much bounce will be left behind after each strike.

You may come across some balls made from rubber while others are made from plastic or any other material. Choose one that is made from high-quality materials so that it can last longer than expected and also give a better performance during playtime.

Usually, Pickleball balls are made from durable plastic or foam rubber material that can be used both indoors and outdoors. If you plan on playing in cold weather, look for balls with extra insulation inside so they don’t freeze as easily in winter temperatures.

➡ Durability:

Pickleball is mostly played outdoors, so you need a ball to hold up against the elements. Look for one made of rubber or plastic with a solid core and sturdy cover so it won’t crack or chip after being hit with other balls or bounced against hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt.

➡ Color:

Pickleballs come in different sizes and colors depending on how they are used: outdoor courts use larger balls while indoor courts use smaller ones.
You must buy any vibrant color so it is easy to keep track of the ball during play. Bright colors also stand out from the background easily.

➡ Size:

Most pickleball balls measure 2 inches in diameter, which is slightly smaller than badminton balls (2 1/8 inches). Larger sizes can be harder to handle because they weigh more than smaller ones do; however, people with large hands may prefer larger sizes.

If you are a beginner, then you should go for a larger ball as it will help you in getting used to playing with such a large object. On the other hand, if you want to increase your speed and accuracy then go for smaller balls.

➡ Weight:

The weight of a pickleball ball will affect how hard you have to hit it to send it across the court. A heavier ball will require more effort on your part to get it across the net than a lightweight one would.

The weight of pickleball balls ranges from 2 ounces (56 grams) to 5 ounces (140 grams). Indoor balls are lighter than outdoor ones because they need to bounce higher than outdoor ones do when used indoors.

➡ Comply with USAPA standards:

USAPA has a set standard for knuckleball balls used in indoor, and outdoor activities. Therefore before buying balls for tournament practice, you must go to the official website of USAPA to see their approved brands list.

Top 7 Pickleball Balls Reviews:

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES	PRICE
	Franklin Sports Outdoor X-40 Pickleballs	Features: Standard 40 holes. Suitable for outdoor tournaments (USAPA approved). 90 days limited warranty Available in packs of 3, 12, and 100	Check on AmazonCheck on eBay
	JoncAye Pickleball Balls Set	Features: Standard 40 holes drilled with machine. Authentic Bounce Technology. Has a mesh carry bag. Suitable for beginners and intermediate level players.	Check on AmazonCheck on eBay
	Penn 40 Outdoor Pickleball Balls	Features: Comes with a manufacturer warranty. USAPA approved. Softer material for durability. Suitable for outdoor pickleball.	Check on WalmartCheck on Walmart
	Tourna Strike Outdoor Pickleballs	Features: 40 small holes. Tyson McGuffin’s official camp ball. Solid construction for hard courts.	Check on AmazonCheck on eBay

	Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls	Features: Heavier in weight for a straight flight. Authentic Bounce Technology. Available in different packs.	Check on AmazonCheck on Walmart
	Pro Aviana Professional Pickleball balls	Features: 0.94 ounces weight. Comes with a convenient carry case. Balanced flight. USAPA approved.	Check on WalmartCheck on Walmart
	Franklin Sports X-26 Performance Indoor Pickleballs	Features: Standard 26 holes for indoor ball. Suitable for all indoor surfaces. Tournament approved. USAPA approved size and weight. 90 days limited warranty.	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay

Pickleball balls are made from a durable plastic material that can be used indoors and outdoors. They’re slightly larger than badminton balls and have holes to let air escape. This makes them easier to pick up when they land on the floor.

Buying the best pickleball balls nowadays can be hard. There are so many to choose from on most shopping sites, and they all claim to be the best pickleball balls you can buy. There’s a strong demand for them, so if you’re in the market for a new set of balls, it’s a good idea to read up on what the top-rated products are before committing yourself to anything.

In this article, I’ll review some of the best pickleball balls on the market and provide some useful tips for choosing your own set.

These balls come in bright colors and are suitable for outdoor play. I have been using Franklin brand balls for quite some time now. And these are very well-made tournament-grade balls.
I received a pack of 12 in optic yellow and the balls were completely well-made and seamless.

These balls are made from high-quality plastic and last longer than some other top brands. I found these balls especially functional and durable in warmer regions. But they might break soon if used in colder regions.

The only major issue I noticed was the absence of bounce on the concrete court surface. And that was quite pesky. But wind resistance was good.

Evenly drilled holes offer pretty good wind resistance and these are satisfactory to use in outdoor matches. Overall I’m very pleased with these balls and would recommend them.

Personal Recommendation:

I used and tested these balls and found them suitable for outdoor tournaments. These are USAPA-approved so anyone can buy them to practice for their upcoming events.

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I bought these for my students and they served the purpose. Though they did not break or fall apart, I suspect these are not very durable. Because after some use, these balls lost their initial bounce.

Both indoor and outdoor versions come in bright orange and yellow colors. And these are easy to locate in court. Finish and feel are also good and overall I enjoyed using them with my juniors.

These are less expensive than some other brands in the same category. And the mesh carry bag makes them easy to take to the court. Overall brand’s customer service is also good and they responded to my queries promptly.

These are certainly good basic pickleball balls at a good price point. And all in all, I’m satisfied with my purchase of these balls.

Personal Recommendation:

I found these balls suitable for entry-level and intermediate players. These are affordable pickleballs and offer good bounce. But I won’t recommend these to pro-level players as they won’t last long.

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Its soft plastic construction gives it a slightly increased bounce than some of the other balls. And the good thing is these balls maintain their bounce even after some use. Visibility is also great on the court.

I found no sharp edges and these balls feel nice and smooth. These are not too soft and not too hard. So overall well made for outdoor use.

I found these great for beginners as they can improve their skill level to intermediate. These balls are a bit lighter and lose force more rapidly when they hit the court surface.

So if you want a more consistent bounce then I recommend buying some other brand.

The only issue I faced was poor wind resistance. And I guess that is because of larger holes. These Penn pickleball balls have slightly larger holes than other ones and these make them bad in terms of wind resistance on outdoor courts.

Personal Recommendation:

These balls are perfect for beginners and entry-level players. Everyone can buy these as nice starter balls for pickleball and then can later upgrade to a more high-quality brand.

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Still, I wanted to give it a try. And found these as very basic and low-profile balls.

Uneven seam shows that balls are constructed of low quality. Though these are less expensive than some other top brands. Still, these are not of the high quality as advertised.

But I recommend these to use as practice balls. These are less expensive and won’t be difficult to buy to improve certain shots and skill levels.

Personal Recommendation:

I found these balls suitable as practice balls for starter players. These are good for practicing and improving skills.

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When I decided to use these balls, I had to face a little inconvenience. I ordered outdoor balls and they sent me indoor balls with 26 holes. Eventually, I had to return them. But other than that I had a good experience with these. I bought these ONIX pure 2 balls last year for my group practice. And found these slightly heavier in weight than other outdoor balls.

Their authentic Bounce technology makes them more bouncy. Another major advantage of these balls is that they are tournaments approved by USAPA. You can use these for more authentic practice and preparation of tournaments and sanctioned play.

These are a bit thicker and offer less but consistent bounce. I have been using these balls with avid players, who agree that they are the best pro-level pickleball.

Personal Recommendation:

I recommend Onix pickleball balls for professional and pro players. These are well-priced and last longer.

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These balls meet the standards for fun and official matches. I found these balls solid and these offer a consistent flight in the lighter wind. But if there is too much breeze, you would have to apply more force to keep them on the intended path.

These are a bit lighter in weight and therefore not suitable for fast or aggressive play. But if you like to play slower games, these are perfectly fine.

Personal Recommendation:

I found these balls suitable for all levels of slower play. These balls are on the list of approved balls for sanctioned play so you won’t have to worry about the quality.

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These are available in four colors and I liked all four variants. These are not completely sensed and often crack from that seam area. Some of my fellow players were also complaining about this issue. And I found it genuine too.

But the good thing is these are less expensive and the count per ball decreases more if you buy in bulk. Overall these balls came in good color, and fine material but low-quality construction.

Personal Recommendation:

These are some of the highly bought indoor pickleball balls. And I found these suitable for all indoor surfaces.

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Types of pickleball balls:

If you are a beginner and want to learn the basics of the game, then you must know about the different ball types. Various types of balls are used for playing pickleball. You can choose anyone according to your convenience and requirements.

There are various types of balls available in the market. You have to choose the best one for your use according to your budget and requirements. The following section will give you a clear idea about the different pickleball ball types:

Indoor Pickleball Ball:

This type of ball is used when you play indoor games like pickleball. It has a soft material which makes it easy to play indoors without any damage to the walls or other things present inside your house or office. It also makes it easier for beginners who have no experience in playing such games before.

Outdoor Pickleball Ball:

This type of ball is used when you play outdoor games like pickleball outside in open spaces like parks or beaches etc. This type of ball is made up of hard materials so that it does not get damaged easily even if it falls on hard surfaces like concrete flooring etc. It gives good bounce when thrown at high speeds

Tournament Grade Balls:

Tournament-grade balls are made from high-quality materials and have been tested for durability so that they can withstand regular playing conditions without tearing or deforming over time.

FAQs:

Final Words on the Topic:

The balls that you choose will impact your games and performance. There are important factors you need to consider so that you can have the best pickleball balls. Consequently, it is possible to select a few of the best balls available in the market and make your ultimate choice without many hassles and headaches.

Remember, if you want your game to improve, you need to practice regularly.