Padel Ball (Pelota de Pádel)
A pressurized rubber ball similar to a tennis ball but with slightly lower pressure for slower bounce.
From a distance, a padel ball looks exactly like a tennis ball. Same fuzzy yellow felt, same size, same general vibe. Pick one up, bounce it, and immediately you feel the difference — it sits a little lower, moves a little slower, and behaves very differently when it meets a glass wall. That subtle pressure difference is what makes the entire sport of padel possible.
The Specifications
According to FIP (International Padel Federation) regulations, a padel ball must be between 6.35 and 6.77 cm in diameter, weigh between 56 and 59.4 grams, and have an internal pressure of 4.6 to 5.2 kg/cm². When dropped from a height of 2.54 meters onto a hard surface, it should bounce between 135 and 147 cm. These numbers might seem academic, but they directly determine the speed, rhythm, and playability of every rally.
Compare that to a tennis ball's bounce of 135-151 cm from the same height with higher internal pressure, and you see why swapping in tennis balls on a padel court turns the game into chaos. The ball flies off the walls too fast, bounces too high, and removes the control element that makes padel strategic.
How Pressure Affects Play
A fresh padel ball out of the can has crisp, predictable bounce. After a couple of hours of play, micro-leaks through the rubber begin dropping the internal pressure. The ball starts bouncing lower, traveling slower, and feeling "heavier" on impact. This isn't just perception — it changes the game. Lower-bouncing balls favor defensive players and make overhead shots less punishing. Fresh balls favor aggressive play and create faster exchanges.
This is why competitive matches always start with new balls, and why some recreational players get surprisingly attached to their depressurizer tubes — sealed containers that maintain ball pressure between sessions by storing them in a pressurized environment.
Choosing the Right Ball
For casual play, any FIP-approved ball from a recognized brand (Head, Bullpadel, Wilson, Dunlop) will do the job. The differences between premium brands are subtle and mostly come down to felt durability and how long they hold pressure. For competitive play, Head Padel Pro and Bullpadel Premium Pro are the two most commonly used balls on the professional circuits.
Buy in bulk if you play regularly. A can of three balls costs 4-6 euros, and you'll go through them faster than you think. Some clubs sell used balls at a discount for practice — perfectly fine for drilling, but not for match play where consistent bounce matters.
Altitude Matters
If you play above 500 meters elevation, look for balls specifically labeled for altitude play. Standard balls bounce higher in thin air, so altitude-specific balls are manufactured with lower pressure to compensate. Playing with regular balls at altitude leads to unnaturally fast rallies and balls that fly long off the back wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Never miss an edition
Join 500+ padel players getting weekly news.
Related Terms
Pala
The padel racket, a solid-faced bat with no strings, made of composite materials with a perforated hitting surface.
Pista
The padel court, a 10m x 20m enclosed playing area surrounded by glass and mesh walls.
Learn More on the Blog
Pádel Shoes: What Makes Them Different? A Complete Guide
Pádel shoes have herringbone soles, reinforced lateral support, and are built for artificial grass — not hard courts. Here's what to look for.
Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls: What's the Difference?
Padel balls look like tennis balls but play differently — lower pressure, less bounce, and built for walls.
Pádel Grip Guide: Continental vs Eastern — Which One Should You Use?
The continental grip is pádel's default — but the eastern adds power on forehands. Here's how to find each grip and when to switch.