A padel ball is pressurised rubber core wrapped in felt, similar to a tennis ball but with slightly lower internal pressure. Official diameter is 6.35-6.77cm. The ball must bounce 135-145cm when dropped from 2.54m onto a hard surface. Padel balls lose pressure faster than tennis balls and typically need replacing after 2-3 sessions of serious play.
What a padel ball is made of
A padel ball has two parts: a hollow rubber core and a felt cover. The core is pressurised with air during manufacturing - that pressure gives the ball its bounce. The felt cover provides grip with the racket face and controls aerodynamics in flight.
Once the ball is manufactured, the pressure inside the rubber core slowly leaks out over time - even when the ball is unused. This is why tennis and padel balls come in pressurised cans: opening the can starts the clock on how long the balls stay playable.
Official specifications
The International Padel Federation defines the exact specifications an official padel ball must meet.
| Measurement | Official range |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.35 to 6.77 cm |
| Weight | 56 to 59.4 grams |
| Bounce height (dropped from 2.54m) | 135 to 145 cm |
| Internal pressure | Slightly lower than tennis |
Any ball meeting these criteria and bearing official FIP approval can be used in sanctioned tournaments. In practice, three or four brands dominate the market and all meet spec.
Padel ball vs tennis ball
The visual differences are minimal. The playing differences matter more than they look.
| Feature | Padel ball | Tennis ball |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.35-6.77 cm | 6.54-6.86 cm |
| Bounce height | 135-145 cm | 135-147 cm |
| Internal pressure | Lower | Higher |
| Speed off racket | Slower | Faster |
The lower pressure in a padel ball is the key difference. It makes the ball slightly slower and less lively - useful because padel is played on a much smaller court where a faster ball would make rallies too short. Playing padel with a tennis ball is possible but gives unrealistic bounce and feel.
How long a padel ball lasts
Padel balls lose pressure quickly. A fresh can of three balls will feel perfect for the first 1-2 hours of play. After that, the balls progressively feel heavier and deader as pressure drops.
Rough guidance on replacement:
- Competitive players: new balls every match or every 2-3 hours
- Regular club play: new balls every 2-3 sessions
- Casual play: balls last 4-5 sessions before feeling noticeably dead
- Outdoor winter play: balls lose pressure faster in cold weather
Major padel ball brands
The padel ball market is dominated by a handful of brands. The professional tours have specific ball sponsors each season. For club play, all major brands play similarly - the main differences are felt durability and how quickly pressure drops.
- Head Padel Pro - used on many WPT/Premier Padel events
- Bullpadel Premium Pro - popular on European club circuits
- Wilson Tour Premier - professional-grade
- Dunlop Pro Padel - widely used in club leagues
- Babolat Padel Tour - competitive-grade ball
- Adidas Adipower Padel - official ball of various leagues
Practice balls and "trainer" balls exist for teaching - these are lower pressure and even slower than regulation balls. Use them only when learning; match-standard play needs match-standard balls.
How to store padel balls
Unopened cans keep balls pressurised for months. Once opened, the clock starts ticking. You can slow pressure loss slightly by:
- Keeping balls in the can when not in use and closing the lid
- Avoiding extreme temperatures (very hot cars, freezing garages)
- Not leaving balls in direct sunlight for hours
- Using sealed ball savers or pressure containers (available from racket sport shops)
None of these fully stop the decay - they just slow it. A week-old opened can will always be less lively than a fresh one.
Altitude and temperature effects
Padel balls behave differently at different altitudes and temperatures. At high altitude (above about 1500m) the thinner air causes balls to fly further and faster. Some manufacturers produce specific "high altitude" padel balls with lower internal pressure to compensate.
Cold temperatures reduce ball pressure - a fresh ball on a cold day plays like a slightly dead ball on a warm day. If you play outdoor winter padel regularly, expect to go through balls faster.