Padel balls: what makes them different, which to buy and how long they last
By the Lobwell Padel team. Updated 1 November 2026.
Short answer: Padel balls must be 6.35 to 6.77 cm across, weigh 56.0 to 59.4 g and bounce 135 to 145 cm when dropped from 2.54 m, under FIP rules. They have lower internal pressure than tennis balls and are slightly smaller, so they play slower. Balls differ mainly in speed (pro and club versions) and how long they hold pressure; most club players open a fresh tube every three or four sessions.
The FIP ball rules
The FIP sets tight limits so every approved ball behaves similarly. The ball must be a uniform rubber sphere with a white or yellow, or other high contrast, felt cover. In practice nearly every UK ball is fluorescent yellow, which answers the common question about yellow or green: they are the same optic yellow as tennis balls, which some people call green.
Only balls on the FIP approved list can be used in official competition. For club games and friendlies, any quality pressurised padel ball from a known brand is fine.
| Property | Rule |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.35 to 6.77 cm |
| Weight | 56.0 to 59.4 g |
| Rebound | 135 to 145 cm from a 2.54 m drop onto a hard surface |
| Rebound above 1,000 m altitude | 121.92 to 135 cm |
| Internal pressure | 4.6 to 5.2 kg per 2.54 square cm |
| Colour | White, yellow or another high contrast colour |
Pro balls and club balls
Brands usually sell a faster, livelier ball for competitive play and a slightly slower one for club play. The faster ball rewards attacking padel: smashes get out of the court more easily and the ball comes off the glass with more pace. The slower ball gives you more time, which suits learners and longer rallies. In our range, HEAD Padel Pro+, Wilson Premier and Bullpadel Premium Pro sit at the faster end, while HEAD Padel Pro S+ and Dunlop Pro are popular for club and league games.
| Ball | Type | Price per tube of 3 |
|---|---|---|
| HEAD Padel Pro+ | Pro, quick bounce | £5.49 |
| HEAD Padel Pro S+ | Club, slightly slower | £4.99 |
| Wilson Premier Padel | Pro, regular play | £4.99 |
| Dunlop Pro Padel | Club, good value | £4.49 |
| Bullpadel Premium Pro | Pro, lively | £5.49 |
HEAD Padel Pro+ Padel Balls (3 Ball Tube)
Pressurised match ball with a quick, consistent bounce. One of the most used balls in UK clubs.
- HEAD
£5.49
HEAD Padel Pro S+ Padel Balls (3 Ball Tube)
A slightly slower ball than the Pro+, popular for club and league play.
- HEAD
£4.99
Dunlop Pro Padel Balls (3 Ball Can)
Pressurised Dunlop padel ball, good value for weekly games.
- Dunlop
£4.49
Why padel balls are not tennis balls
A tennis ball under ITF rules is 6.54 to 6.86 cm across, so slightly bigger, with the same weight band. The bigger difference is pressure: padel balls run lower internal pressure, so they fly slower and sit up more off the glass. Using tennis balls on a padel court makes the game faster and the rebounds off the back wall longer, which spoils the rhythm and can make it hard to keep the ball in. See padel balls vs tennis balls for the full comparison.
How long a tube lasts
Pressurised balls start losing pressure the moment the seal is broken. They also wear their felt on the sand and the glass. For a weekly 90 minute game, most club players find a tube feels noticeably flatter after three or four sessions. Competitive players open a new tube every match. Balls kept in a cold car lose bounce faster in feel, though they partly recover at room temperature.
- Squeeze test: a ball that squashes easily between finger and thumb has lost pressure.
- Bounce test: drop it from head height next to a fresh ball. A flat ball comes up noticeably lower.
- Felt check: bald, shiny patches make the ball skid off the glass.
- Sound: flat balls make a dull thud off the racket.
Keeping opened balls lively
A pressuriser tube, such as our Ball Saver Tube, lets you pump air into the tube after a session, which slows pressure loss between games. It does not make old balls new, but it can stretch a tube by a session or two for players who play weekly. Store tubes indoors at room temperature, not in the boot.
Buying in multiples also helps: our ball tubes are 6% off when you buy three and 12% off when you buy six.
HEAD Padel Pro S+ Padel Balls (3 Ball Tube)
A slightly slower ball than the Pro+, popular for club and league play.
- HEAD
£4.99
Indoor, outdoor and the cold
The same ball plays differently across a UK year. On a warm indoor court in July, a pro ball can feel almost too quick, with lobs flying long off the back glass. On an outdoor court on a frosty February morning, the rubber stiffens, the air inside contracts and even a fresh tube feels sluggish for the first ten minutes.
Two simple habits help. In winter, keep the tube in your bag rather than the car, and open it at the start of the warm up so the balls come up to temperature while you hit. In summer, the slower club balls give longer rallies and make lobs easier to keep inside the court. If your group plays both indoors and out, it is worth keeping one tube of each in the bag.
Which ball should you buy?
Learning or playing social doubles: a club ball such as HEAD Pro S+ or Dunlop Pro. League or competitive matches: check which ball the league uses and practise with it, usually a pro ball such as HEAD Pro+. Playing outdoors in winter: a livelier ball compensates for the cold. The best padel balls page compares the five we stock in more detail, and the padel balls range has the tubes.
Questions people ask
Are padel balls yellow or green?
Most are fluorescent optic yellow, the same colour as tennis balls. The FIP rules allow white, yellow or another high contrast colour.
Which padel balls are used in tournaments?
Only balls on the FIP approved list can be used in official competition. Leagues and tournaments name their match ball in advance, so check with the organiser.
Can I use tennis balls for padel?
You can knock about with them, but they are higher pressure and slightly bigger, so they bounce higher off the glass and change the game.
How many padel balls are in a tube?
Three. That is the standard tube or can size for padel balls.
Do padel balls go flat if unopened?
A sealed, pressurised tube keeps its pressure far longer than an open one, but very old stock can still feel slower. Store tubes at room temperature.
Sources
Keep reading
Buying guideThe best padel balls: how to choose between pro and club balls, and the five we stockThe best padel ball depends on how you play: a faster pro ball such as HEAD Padel Pro+, Wilson Premier or Bullpadel Premium Pro for competitive and attacking games, and a slightly slower club ball such as HEAD Padel Pro S+ or Dunlop Pro for social play, learning and longer rallies.
ComparisonPadel balls vs tennis balls: size, pressure, bounce and why you should not swap themA padel ball is slightly smaller than a tennis ball (6.35 to 6.77 cm across against 6.54 to 6.86 cm) and has lower internal pressure, though both weigh 56.0 to 59.4 g.
GuidePadel rules: every rule you need for doubles, from the serve to the fencePadel rules come from the International Padel Federation.
GuideYour first padel session: what to bring, what to expect and 10 tips from the first hourFor your first padel session, bring grippy trainers, sportswear, water and a friend or three: most venues hire rackets for a few pounds and sell balls at reception.
GuideHow much does a padel court cost to hire in the UK? Prices by region and timeHiring a padel court in the UK costs a median of £28 per court per hour off-peak, £40 at peak times and £36 at weekends, based on the published price lists of 79 venues we checked on 1 November 2026.