The short version
- Outdoor balls have about 40 small holes and harder plastic. They hold their line in a breeze and cope with rough courts.
- Indoor balls usually have 26 larger holes and softer plastic. They are slower and easier to control.
- Match the ball to the surface you play on most.
- If you play on outdoor hard courts, buy outdoor balls.
They look alike, but they are not the same ball
Put an indoor ball and an outdoor ball side by side and the difference is easy to miss. Both are hollow plastic balls with holes in them, and both are about the same size.
Pick them up and the difference shows. One is a little heavier and harder with lots of small holes. The other is lighter and softer with fewer, bigger holes. Those small changes are there for a reason: wind and court surface.
Outdoor balls
Outdoor courts have two problems that indoor courts do not. There is wind, and the surface is rough. Outdoor balls are built to deal with both.
- More, smaller holes. Around 40 is typical. Smaller holes let less air push the ball around, so it holds its line better in a breeze.
- Harder plastic. Acrylic and concrete courts are abrasive. A harder ball keeps its shape for longer on them.
- A little heavier. The extra weight also helps the ball hold its path in moving air.
On court, an outdoor ball feels fast and firm. It comes off the paddle quickly and skids through low. It is also a bit louder.
The trade-off is that hard plastic can crack, especially in cold weather, and a ball that has been hit for many games slowly goes out of round.
Indoor balls
Indoor balls are made for timber and other smooth sports floors, where there is no wind to worry about.
- Fewer, larger holes. Usually 26. The bigger holes create more drag, which slows the ball down.
- Softer plastic. The ball grips a smooth floor better and gives a more even bounce on it.
- A little lighter. With no wind, there is no need for extra weight.
An indoor ball feels slower and softer. Rallies tend to run longer, and the ball is easier to control. Indoor balls rarely crack. They wear out by going soft instead.
Side by side
| Outdoor ball | Indoor ball | |
|---|---|---|
| Holes | About 40, small | Usually 26, large |
| Plastic | Harder | Softer |
| Weight | Slightly heavier | Slightly lighter |
| Speed | Faster | Slower |
| In wind | Holds its line | Gets pushed around |
| How it wears | Can crack or go out of round | Goes soft |
Can you use one ball for both?
You can, and plenty of people do. It helps to know what to expect.
An outdoor ball indoors plays fast. On a smooth timber floor it can skid and stay low, which some players like and others find hard to handle.
An indoor ball outdoors is the harder swap. Any breeze pushes it off line, and a rough court wears the soft plastic quickly.
If you play in both settings and want to buy one kind only, outdoor balls are the safer pick. If you play a regular indoor session, use whatever ball that group uses, so everyone is practising with the same bounce.
Which colour should you pick?
Choose the colour that stands out against your court and its background.
- Yellow is the most common and is easy to see on blue and green courts.
- Orange shows up well under indoor lights and on grey or pale surfaces.
- Try to avoid a ball that matches the court, the fence or the wall behind the baseline.
When to replace a ball
Balls do not last forever. Swap one out when:
- You can see a crack, even a small one.
- It wobbles in flight. Spin it on a table to check: a ball that is out of round will not spin smoothly.
- It feels soft when you squeeze it, or the bounce has gone flat.
Rotating a few balls through each session spreads the wear, so the whole set lasts longer.
Looking after your balls
Keep them out of a hot car where you can. Heat softens the plastic and can warp it. A mesh bag in your kit bag keeps them together and lets them dry after a damp morning.
What we stock
Our Outdoor Pickleballs 12-pack is an outdoor ball: 40 holes, 74 mm across and 26 g each, in seamless plastic. The twelve come in a mesh drawstring bag, in a choice of colours.
Pair them with the Dinkwell Carbon Paddle and you are set for a season of outdoor games.