Gear · 5 min
Padel balls explained: pressure, brands and when to change them
Padel balls look like tennis balls. They're not. Here's what to buy, what UK clubs use, and how long a tube actually lasts.
Last updated: 12 June 2026
Key takeaways
- Padel balls are lower-pressure than tennis balls - softer bounce.
- Open a tube and you've got ~3 weeks before they go dead.
- Head Padel Pro is the FIP-approved benchmark in the UK.
- Cheap practice balls are fine for warming up; never for matches.
Padel balls look almost identical to tennis balls - same size range, same felt, same yellow. Inside, they're noticeably different: lower internal pressure, and a slightly smaller diameter. That gives the softer, lower bounce that makes padel rallies last.
Padel ball vs tennis ball
| Spec | Padel ball | Tennis ball |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.35–6.77 cm | 6.54–6.86 cm |
| Internal pressure | 4.6–5.2 kg/cm² | Higher |
| Bounce (from 2.54m) | 135–145 cm | 135–147 cm |
| Felt | Same | Same |
In practice: a padel ball feels softer off the racket and bounces a touch lower. Using tennis balls for padel - even briefly - wrecks the rally flow and is brutal on your arm.
Brands UK clubs actually use
- Head Padel Pro - the de-facto UK standard, FIP-approved, used at Premier Padel level.
- Bullpadel Premium Pro - also FIP, slightly softer feel.
- Wilson Padel - solid, slightly faster off the racket, common at Wilson-affiliated venues.
- Adidas Adizero / Speed - quality, often found in indoor clubs.
- Babolat Padel - good, less common in UK clubs.
How long do padel balls last?
Pressurised cans are designed to keep balls fresh sealed. Once you open the tube:
- Recreational play: 2–3 weeks of use before they feel noticeably dead.
- Competitive matches: 2–3 sets max. Pros change every 9 games.
- Unopened tubes: 12–18 months stored cool. Hot car boots kill them fast.
Altitude balls (you don't need them)
Some brands sell 'high altitude' balls. These are calibrated for play above ~500m elevation. The UK has essentially no padel courts that high. Stick with standard balls.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use tennis balls for padel?
No. Higher pressure means too much bounce - rallies become impossible and your arm takes a beating.
How many balls do I need for a match?
Three. That's a standard padel tube. One tube per match.
Do I need FIP-approved balls?
For league or tournament play, yes. For recreational matches, any quality brand-name padel ball is fine.
Why do balls go dead so fast?
Pressure inside the rubber core leaks slowly through the felt. There's no fixing it - only sealed pressurised tubes prevent it.