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Purchasing Your Next Pickleball

April 22, 2025

There’s two main types of pickleballs: Indoor balls and outdoor balls. Indoor balls are going to have 26 holes, and the holes are a little bit larger. An outdoor ball has 40 holes, and the holes are smaller.

Differences: An indoor ball is going to be a constructed with a soft plastic. The outdoor ball is firmer. It will withstand concrete or a harder surface better and give more durability.

Other aspects to consider when purchasing pickleballs is the actual construction of the ball, related to more expensive balls versus a lower priced ball. A cheaper ball is going to have a seam. The ball is constructed in two pieces and spliced together. When a player is making making contact with the ball on a seam, especially with spin on it, the spin is a little bit more uneven and the ball path is a little bit more inconsistent. A higher quality ball is smoother. It provides a more consistent spin and a more consistent flight path.

Another component of the balls would be the types of plastic used. Higher quality balls have softer plastic, whereas a lower quality ball might be a little bit more brittle. When playing outdoors, especially in colder weather, brittle plastic has a higher tendency to crack. Something to be aware of when shopping for pickleballs.

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