How to choose a pickleball ball | The differences between indoor and outdoor and a comparison of major brands

March 20, 2026April 11, 2026

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Article Summary

A comparison of pickleball balls for outdoor use (40 holes, harder, wind-resistant) and indoor use (26 holes, softer, lightweight). The Franklin X-40 is adopted as the official ball of the US Open, and major brands' balls are compared and introduced.

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The differences between outdoor and indoor use

Pickleball balls differ greatly in their characteristics between outdoor and indoor use. Choosing a ball suited to the environment you play in is the first step to a comfortable game.

Outdoor balls

Outdoor balls are designed to be less affected by the wind. They have a large number of holes at 40, with smaller hole sizes. The material is a harder plastic, and the weight is a bit heavier too.

Because of the hard material, the impact sound is loud and speed is easy to produce. However, they crack easily from impact with hard court surfaces, and their lifespan tends to be shorter than indoor balls. They become especially prone to cracking in low temperatures, so caution is needed in winter.

Indoor balls

Indoor balls have a smaller number of holes at 26, with larger hole sizes. The material is a soft plastic, made to be lightweight.

Because of the soft material, the impact sound is quiet and the bounce is low. The speed is slower than outdoor balls, making for a control-focused game. Indoors, where there's no worry about wind, this lightweight, easy-to-handle ball is ideal. Its durability is higher than outdoor balls, and being crack-resistant is another merit.

A comparison of major brands' balls

Franklin X-40 (outdoor)

An outdoor ball adopted as the official ball of major tournaments including the US Open. Characterized by a uniform flight path and stable bounce, it's used widely from pro players to amateurs. With a good balance of price and performance, it's one of the best-selling outdoor balls.

Onix Dura Fast 40 (outdoor)

A USAPA-approved outdoor ball known for high durability. With a somewhat hard feel, it's a ball favored by power hitters. It has a track record of being adopted in many tournaments.

Onix Fuse (indoor)

A leading indoor ball. With soft, easy-to-control characteristics, it's ideal for gymnasium play. Its quiet impact sound also matches indoor environments.

JOOLA Ben Johns Ball (outdoor)

A ball named after the world No. 1 rankedBen Johnsplayer. The latest manufacturing technology achieves both uniformity and durability. It's adopted as the official ball of the PPA Tour.

Gamma Photon (indoor)

Gamma's indoor ball. A material made with a proprietary formula achieves uniform bounce and excellent visibility. Its vivid yellow-green color is a feature.

Points for choosing a ball

When choosing a ball, first check the play environment (indoor or outdoor). Using an indoor ball outdoors makes it drift greatly in the wind, and using an outdoor ball indoors can be dangerous as the speed gets too high.

The next thing to consider is whether it's approved. If you're thinking of joining tournaments, it's important to practice regularly with USAPA-approved balls. There are subtle differences in how approved and non-approved balls fly and bounce.

Price is an important factor too. Think of outdoor balls as consumables—buying in bulk is a good deal. Buying in 3-packs or 12-packs lowers the unit price.

A ball's lifespan and when to replace it

Outdoor balls give off a "the feel has changed" sign before they crack. The crisp feel when new becomes dull with use. Replace them immediately if visible cracks or deformation appear, but replacing them the moment you feel a change in feel is best.

Indoor balls last longer, but when the area around the holes deforms, the flight path becomes unstable. When you feel it's no longer flying uniformly, that's the time to replace it.

In any case, using separate balls for practice and matches is economical. A cycle of putting new balls into match use and rotating well-used ones to practice is recommended.

Author of this article

Rei Kojima

I'm a pickleball enthusiast in my third year living in Vietnam. In high school I was on the badminton team, spending every day chasing the shuttle. Now, amid the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City, I'm fully immersed in the speedy volleys my badminton background enables and the strategic mind games unique to pickleball. I'll casually share the real playing scene in Vietnam—local court info and improvement tips that only a former badminton player would know!