Pickleball is one of those – if not the only – sports I’m aware of that have different balls for both indoor and outdoor play. It is a great sport that can be fitted into any home. If you are the type that likes to spend time in the yard then pickleball is just the right fun activity to enjoy in the yard.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a game that was created in the United States. Two to four players use durable paddles, wooden or carbon fiber, to strike a perforated plastic ball with 26-40 round holes over a net, similar to a bouncy ball. The sport has some similarities to other racquet sports, such as the size and shape of a badminton court, as well as a net and rules that are similar to tennis, albeit with a few differences.
The USA Pickleball Association is the national governing body for the United States. They set all of the rules and regulations for pickleball, such as, game play, court dimensions, legal pickleball paddles, and pickleball balls.
Indoor pickleball balls and outdoor pickleball balls are the various designs of pickleball balls available which can be played by both genders. Let’s go over the differences and respond to some frequently asked questions about choosing a pickleball ball.
Outdoor Pickleball Balls
The balls here are thicker, harder, and have 40 punctured holes. They are made of smooth plastic and are less affected by wind thanks to their weight and design.
Outdoor pickleballs hit the paddle quicker and harder outside than they do indoors. Since they have less drag, they’re easier to hit hard. Outdoor pickleballs, on the other hand, are more difficult to handle and position with finesse. Outdoor balls have shorter rounds.
Outdoor balls are prone to cracking or being out-of-round. The lifespan of outdoor balls can range from a few rounds to a few weeks. The duration of a game is determined by the players’ style, the playing field, and even the temperature. Spin the ball into the air to see if it moves to look for smoothness.
Outdoor balls are noisier than indoor balls because they are slightly bigger, heavier, and harder, and they hurt more when struck.
Best Pickleball Outdoor Balls
1. Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleballs
The Onix Pure 2 is a great pickleball for any player, and it comes in a variety of packet sizes. When dropped from a height of 75 inches onto a concrete surface, the ball bounces to a height of about 33 inches, making it ideal for outdoor use. The Onix Pure 2 is made up of two parts that are seamed together in the center. The Onix Pure 2 pickleball has 40 holes and complies with all USAPA specifications.
Features
- Thanks to 40 precision drilled holes in the pickleball, “Authentic Bounce Technology” ensures a constant bounce on every pickleball court surface.
- The ball’s 25-gram weight makes it ideal for pickleball in the open air.
- It’s Onix’s signature pickleball, and it’s also known as “outdoor pickleball.”
2. Dura Fast 40 Outdoor Pickleballs
The Dura Quick 40 is stronger than most pickleballs, allowing it to fly in a variety of conditions. Furthermore, the ball’s diameter is 2.93′′, making it significantly larger than other pickleballs. Choose the Dura Quick 40 pickleball if you want a pickleball that is heavier than other pickleball balls and has a smooth design.
Features
- Available in orange, lime green, purple, and white with a seamless structure for even weight distribution.
- Dura pickleball has a heavier ball weight to ensure an even flight path off the paddle face.
- It has been the approved ball of the US Open Pickleball Championships for several decades.
- Dura outdoor pickleball is the industry leader and is suitable for tournament play.
3. TOP Outdoor Pickleballs
The TOP Outdoor Pickleball is made without a seam and weighs just under 25 grams. It has 40 multi-sized holes. When dropped from a peak of 75 inches, the ball rolls 32 inches, rendering it a very stable ball.
Features
- Pickleball is a USAPA-approved sport with a seamless style.
- It’s a durable, solid ball thanks to its excellent ball weight and structure.
- Ideal for ball-striking practice in the back of the garden.
Indoor Pickleball Balls
Pickleball balls for indoor pools are softer and have wider holes than those for outdoor use. Indoor pickleballs are easier to control, and they’re harder to smash because they have more friction. Indoor balls are textured, allowing players to add more spin to them. For an indoor ball, rallies are normally longer.
Similarly, being light means you’ll not be injured when the ball strikes you. So players between the ages of 30 to 50 can have fun playing the ball.
Best Pickleball Indoor Balls
1. Jugs Indoor Pickleballs
The Jugs Indoor ball, unlike the Onix Pure 2 and the Dura Quick 40, is made of a softer plastic that gives it a lighter feel. Larger holes add to the light construction of the Jugs ball, making it ideal for use on any indoor pickleball court surface, including smooth hardwood, bricks, and cement.
Features
- Pickleball is a common indoor sport, and many players enjoy it.
- Insane bounce-ability, resulting in a pickleball ball that is extremely reactive and bouncy, allowing for quick and enjoyable games.
- The ball is ‘spinnable’ due to its textured surface.
2. Dura Indoor Big Hole Pickleballs
The Dura indoor ball and the Quick ’40s are identical in construction, so if you want the same ball quality with an indoor emphasis, this is the ball for you.
Indoor pickleball players love the Dura Indoor Big Hole Pickleballs. The ball is made of hard plastic and is rotationally molded, so there are no seams. It is extremely durable and long-lasting. The larger ball holes make the ball lighter than the Dura Quick 40, and it bounces about 31 inches when dropped from a height of 75 inches.
Features
- The Dura Quick ’40s has larger holes, resulting in a lighter-weight ball.
- Same seamless construction with hard plastic as the Dura Fast ’40s.
- Pickleball is heavy, with even ball flight and smooth touch of the pickleball paddle’s face.
Here are the major differences between indoor balls and outdoor balls
- Indoor balls are lighter than outdoor balls.
- Indoor balls are softer while outdoor balls are harder.
- Indoor balls have 26 holes and that of outdoor balls is 40.
- Balls in indoor pickleball can be used both indoor and outdoor.
- The lifespan of an indoor ball is longer than that of an outdoor ball.
- Indoor balls are easy to spin.
- Indoor balls are preferred by casual players but serious players prefer outdoor balls.
- Indoor balls are easier to control than outdoor balls due to their frivolity.
