How to choose your padel ball?

Choosing the right ball for padel is not easy, especially since the ball also looks like a tennis ball! Are you looking for a ball for beginners or for intensive use? A ball with or without pressure? Follow the guide to select the right ball.

How to choose your padel ball?

Check out this video to know all the important insights about how you should choose your padel ball.

How to chose your padel ball?

Expectations regarding balls

The selection of a ball will depend on your playing level and will thus influence the expectations that you may have with regard to your choice of ball.

For occasional practice

For occasional practice you should focus on the degree of bounce the ball offers. With this in mind, pressureless balls will be of most interest to those who only play on an occasional basis. A slow bounce will facilitate rallies and your comfort as you strike the ball will increase.
For regular practice

For regular play, the first thing you need is durability to allow you to get greater enjoyment from your paddle tennis sessions. As such, pressurised balls will be perfectly suited to your needs. These balls are more lively, with a nice bounce.
For intensive practice

Finally, intensive play will require greater speed on the ball, and so here it is worth going for a pressurised ball with excellent bounce and a ball that will allow you apply spin.

For occasional practice and players who are starting padel:
padel ball without pressure

If you are a person who is just starting to play padel, you are looking to learn the different types of strokes, to be able to hold a rally without always hitting the glass or having the ball bounce against the net. Logically, this ball will not work miracles, but it will help and support you a lot, which is due to its quality in the rebound.

These balls are slow, so their bounce will allow you to gain a few thousandths of a second which are essential to learn how to position the body and the padel racket for a smash, a drop shot or any other type of padel strokes.

At Decathlon, we have two different balls adapted to the player who is starting with padel. These are sold in packs of 3 and they do not come in a can, but in a cardboard box. That means that they are balls without pressure and that have a flexible core, so it is easier to control them.

It is advisable to bring at least 12 balls to the course to avoid having to pick them up every three strokes, because the repetition of the stroke is what will improve your technique.

For regular practice and experienced padel players:
padel balls without pressure

The PB500 ball bears many similarities to the previous ones (presented above), but it also has some major differences. It is a ball made for players who are perfecting their technique, but where the speed also increases and the ball is more difficult to control.

Apart from the price, the similarity with the previous one is that it is also sold without pressure. It is a ball that maintains the height of the rebound over many games.

For regular practice and experienced padel players:
padel balls with pressure

This is a ball that offers great control and resistance while being fast. It is a very balanced ball, designed for players with an advanced level, who have been playing for a longer time, have mastered their strokes and want to advance in the sport.

This would be the step in between the previous padel balls and the one we discuss below for expert players.

For intensive practice and expert padel players:
padel balls with pressure

The PB 990 Speed is intended for advanced players who want to play a fast game at locations where the temperature is low(er), at sea level, with a higher humidity. So it is ideal for expert players who play in for example northern Europe.

Ready to play?

After this sports advice on which padel balls we recommend for you, we hope to see you soon on the padel court! Don't forget to share your padel picture with #kuikmapadel and you might appear on our wall of fame!

Discover our range of Padel Balls