A pickleball ball may seem simple, but the differences between various models affect ball flight, bounce, speed, and feel. Therefore, when choosing a ball, you should not just look at whether the packaging says "indoor" or "outdoor".
The most important factor is often the surface you are actually playing on. Pickleball on an acrylic-coated hardcourt demands different characteristics from the ball than playing on a smooth sports floor or wooden floor in a sports hall.
Furthermore, a hardcourt can be located both outdoors and indoors. Similarly, a lot of Swedish indoor pickleball is played on sports and wooden floors. Therefore, it is better to understand the combination of ball and surface than to simply choose based on whether there is a roof over the court.
Pickleball ball for hardcourt
Hardcourt is the type of hard, structured court that many recognize from tennis and dedicated pickleball courts. The surface often consists of asphalt or concrete with an acrylic-based top layer.
On hardcourts, a harder pickleball ball, traditionally called an outdoor ball, is normally used. These balls typically have more and smaller holes than traditional indoor balls and are designed to perform on the harder and more abrasive surface.
A typical hardcourt ball often has about 40 smaller holes. This construction also contributes to a more stable ball flight in windy conditions, which is important for outdoor play.
However, the important thing is that a hardcourt ball is not just an "outdoor ball". If you play on a proper hardcourt indoors, this type of ball is still normally what you want to use.
Pickleball ball for sports floors
In Swedish sports halls, pickleball is often played on various types of sports floors. These can be synthetic, rubber, or PU-based floors designed for multiple indoor sports.
These surfaces are usually smoother and less abrasive than hardcourts. Therefore, a softer ball of the traditional indoor type often works better.
This type of ball usually has fewer and larger holes – often around 26 holes – and a softer construction. This combination is adapted for play on smoother gym and sports floors.
A hard hardcourt ball can feel fast on some smooth sports floors and have a greater tendency to slide or "skid" after the bounce. A ball designed for sports floors can therefore provide a more controlled playing feel.
However, not all sports floors are identical. A modern synthetic sports floor can behave differently from a traditional wooden floor, so the ball used locally may vary between different halls.
Pickleball ball for wooden floors
Wooden floors are common in Swedish sports halls, especially in halls also used for, for example, badminton, basketball, and floorball.
A varnished wooden floor is significantly smoother than a structured hardcourt. Therefore, a softer ball with fewer and larger holes is normally used, which is the ball type traditionally referred to as an indoor ball.
On a smooth wooden floor, a hard hardcourt ball can become very fast and have a low, skidding bounce. A softer ball adapted for gym floors often provides a more balanced playing feel on that type of surface.
Even between different wooden floors, there are differences. Surface treatment, age, cleaning, and the floor's construction can affect friction and bounce, which is one reason why the same ball does not always feel identical in two different halls.
Hardcourt, sports floor, or wooden floor – which ball should I choose?
As a simple starting point, you can think like this:
Hardcourt / acrylic
Normally choose a harder hardcourt/outdoor ball. This type of ball usually has more and smaller holes and is adapted for the harder and more structured surface.
Synthetic sports floor
Here, a softer indoor/sports floor type ball often works better. It usually has fewer and larger holes and provides a playing feel that is better suited for smoother floors.
Wooden floor
On varnished wooden floors, a softer indoor type ball is normally used. It is better adapted to the smooth surface than a hard hardcourt ball.
Indoor hardcourt
Choose based on the surface – not on whether the court is indoors or outdoors. An indoor court with a proper hardcourt surface is normally played with a hardcourt ball.
This is a guideline rather than an absolute rule. Different ball models and different floors can provide different playing feels, so the manufacturer's recommendations and the local playing environment are also important.
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor balls?
The terms "indoor ball" and "outdoor ball" are still often used, but they can be misleading as they easily make it sound like the ball choice is solely determined by whether you play indoors or outdoors.
Traditional indoor balls are usually softer and have fewer, larger holes. They are primarily used on smoother sports and gym floors.
Traditional outdoor balls are usually harder and have more, smaller holes. They are primarily used on hardcourts and are also designed to provide more stable flight in outdoor conditions.
However, if you play indoors on a dedicated hardcourt, a so-called outdoor ball is still often the natural choice. The surface is thus at least as important as whether you play indoors or outdoors.
26 or 40 holes – does the number of holes matter?
Yes. The hole pattern is an important part of the ball's construction.
Traditional balls for gym and sports floors often have about 26 larger holes, while hardcourt balls often have about 40 smaller holes.
More smaller holes contribute, among other things, to the hardcourt ball performing better in conditions where wind can affect ball flight. Fewer larger holes are used in many softer balls for play on smooth indoor surfaces.
But the number of holes doesn't tell the whole story. Material, hardness, weight, and the exact construction also affect how the ball plays. Therefore, primarily consider the ball's intended use and the manufacturer's specifications.
How does the hardness of the ball affect the game?
A harder ball generally provides a more direct feel when striking the ball and is often used on hardcourts. Softer balls are often used on smoother sports and gym floors where the interaction between ball and surface is different.
Temperature can also affect the plastic and thus how the ball feels. The same ball can therefore be perceived differently under different conditions.
This is another reason why experienced players often have several different ball models in their bag depending on where and under what conditions they will play.
Which pickleball ball should a beginner choose?
As a beginner, you don't need to start by comparing every technical detail. First, find out which surface you will be playing on the most.
If you play in a regular sports hall with a smooth sports or wooden floor, you would normally choose a ball designed for that type of indoor surface. If you play on an acrylic-coated hardcourt, you would instead choose a hardcourt ball – regardless of whether the court is indoors or outdoors.
If you play regularly on both types of surfaces, it may be wise to have both ball types in your bag.
If you are completely new to the sport, you can also read our guide to pickleball for beginners.
Pickleball balls for training and competition
For regular recreational and training play, you can primarily choose a ball based on the surface and the playing feel the group prefers.
For competitions, the choice becomes more specific. You should then check which ball is used or approved for the current competition. If you are training for a specific competition, it can also be an advantage to train with the same ball model that will be used during the matches.
Differences between ball models can be noticed in speed, bounce, feel, and how the ball reacts to spin, among other things.
How long does a pickleball ball last?
There is no defined lifespan for a pickleball ball. Durability is affected by the ball's material and construction, the surface, temperature, how intensely it is used, and how often you play.
Hardcourt is more abrasive than smooth sports and wooden floors and therefore subjects the ball to greater mechanical wear. Harder balls can also deform or crack over time, especially with intense play and certain temperatures.
Replace the ball when it has cracked, become noticeably warped, or no longer provides a consistent and predictable bounce.
What color pickleball ball is best?
Color does not affect the ball's basic function in the same way that construction does, but it can significantly impact how easy the ball is to see.
Choose a color that provides good contrast against the floor, walls, and background where you play. A ball that is clearly visible can make it easier to follow the game, especially in halls with varying lighting.
Complement your pickleball balls with the right equipment
In addition to the ball, you naturally need a paddle that suits your level and playing style.
→ See all pickleball paddles
You can also find grip wraps, cleaning supplies, and other equipment among our pickleball accessories.
If you want to see the entire range, you can go back to the Pickleball Shop.
Find the right pickleball ball at SwePickleball
Our goal is to make it easier to choose a ball based on surface, use, and play. Therefore, we distinguish between balls for hardcourts and balls that are better suited for sports and wooden floors.
If you are unsure which equipment you need, you can also visit our pickleball buying guides.
Compare the balls above and choose the model that best suits the court where you actually play.
