Pickleball is a fun paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It can be played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. One of the key equipment elements that defines the gameplay is the pickleball, a plastic ball with holes similar to a wiffle ball. However, there are some key differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls that players should understand.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Balls: Key Differences
There are a few noticeable differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls:
Material
- Indoor – Made of smooth, hard plastic material that allows for true bounces on hard indoor floors.
- Outdoor – Made of more durable plastic with an extra coating that withstands outdoor play on rougher surfaces. The extra coating makes them more textured.
Holes
- Indoor – Have smaller holes for less air resistance, allowing them to move faster indoors.
- Outdoor – Have larger holes to create more air resistance for controlling shots on windy outdoor courts.
Weight
- Indoor – Weigh approximately 0.8 oz for faster play.
- Outdoor – Weigh approximately 0.9 oz to resist wind outdoors.
Color
- Indoor – Usually bright solid colors like orange or yellow for better visibility.
- Outdoor – Often white or neon for visibility, sometimes with black holes.
Bounce
- Indoor – Designed for true bounce on hard indoor floors for more competitive play.
- Outdoor – Softer feel and less bounce than indoor balls on outdoor court surfaces.
Durability
- Indoor – Less durable plastic maintains smooth surface for indoor floors.
- Outdoor – More rigid plastic with textured coating lasts much longer outdoors.
Why the Differences Matter
These differences in materials and design between indoor and outdoor balls serve an important purpose – optimizing balls for their playing environment.
Indoor balls are made to maximize speed and bounce on hard indoor floors. Their smooth plastic and smaller holes create less drag and friction for faster volleys and true bounces.
Outdoor balls are engineered to withstand rougher playing surfaces like asphalt or concrete. Their textured coating grips the court better while their larger holes allow more air resistance for controlling shots in the wind. The extra weight also makes them more wind resistant.
Using the right ball for your playing environment is crucial for getting the best handling, consistency, and durability. Indoor balls used outside will wear down much faster. Outdoor balls used inside won’t have the right speed or bounce.
Indoor Pickleball Balls
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the top indoor pickleball balls:
Onix Fuse Indoor
The Onix Fuse is the official ball for many indoor tournaments and is used on professional indoor courts. Key features:
- Smooth, seamless plastic for consistent bounces
- 0.80z weight for fast volleys
- Vibrant colors like orange or green for visibility
- Quiet on indoor floors for less disruption
- IFP approved for indoor play
Franklin X-40 Indoor
Franklin’s X-40 has 40 small holes for long rallies and fast games indoors:
- Seamless plastic maximize control and feel
- 0.80oz weight for speedy volleys
- Hi-visibility ball colors like pink or yellow
- Excellent bounce on hardwood floors
- Noise minimizing design for indoor courts
Gamma Poly Indoor
Gamma’s Poly ball offers great visibility and durability:
- Made of durable seamless plastic
- 0.80z weight for quick volleys
- Vibrant solid hues like orange and lime green
- Impressive bounce on indoor surfaces
- Excellent control and feel on volleys
Outdoor Pickleball Balls
Here are some top outdoor pickleball options engineered for outdoor courts:
Dura Fast 40 Outdoor
Dura’s Fast 40 design excels outdoors:
- Textured plastic surface for grip
- 0.90z weight resists wind outdoors
- Larger holes increase air resistance
- Great control and touch on volleys
- Bright colors like neon yellow, pink or orange
Onix Fuse Outdoor
The Outdoor Fuse performs well on all court types:
- Textured surface and 0.90z weight
- Larger holes for added air resistance
- UV coating protects ball outdoors
- Vibrant colors for visibility
- Less bounce than indoor Fuse
Franklin X-40 Outdoor
Franklin’s outdoor X-40 provides excellent playability outside:
- Textured plastic for improved grip
- 0.90oz weight for wind resistance
- 40 larger holes for added air resistance
- UV and weather resistant
- Optimized bounce for outdoor courts
What About Indoor/Outdoor Balls?
Some pickleball manufacturers also offer “indoor/outdoor” multi-purpose balls as a hybrid option, including:
- Onix Fuse Indoor/Outdoor – Can be used both indoors and outdoors with a textured surface and 0.80z weight.
- Gamma Poly Outdoor – A textured outdoor ball that works well indoors too with a 0.90oz weight.
- Franklin X-40 Indoor/Outdoor – Has small and large hole variations for indoor and outdoor play.
While these balls balance the design elements of indoor and outdoor balls, they are generally considered more of a recreational ball for beginners. Serious and competitive players still prefer using dedicated indoor or outdoor balls matched to the playing conditions.
How To Choose the Right Pickleball Ball
Here are some tips on selecting the best pickleball ball for your needs:
- Where will you primarily play? Choose an indoor ball for indoor courts and an outdoor ball for outdoor courts.
- Consider your playing level – Indoor balls allow faster, more competitive play for advanced players. Outdoor balls have a bit more forgiveness for beginners.
- Think about durability – Outdoor balls last much longer when used outside. Indoor balls show wear more quickly.
- Factor in visibility – Dark outdoor balls with bright holes add visibility outdoors. Neon indoor balls are easier to see inside.
- Read ball specs – Weight, hole size/number, and exact material details can vary by model.
- Try before you buy – If possible, demo a ball before purchasing to ensure you like the feel.
- Buy in bulk – Pickleball balls are very affordable when purchasing 3-packs or 6-packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are indoor balls faster than outdoor balls?
Indoor balls are designed to maximize speed and bounce on indoor hard courts. Their smooth plastic surface creates less friction and drag, while their lower weight and smaller holes allow them to move more quickly through the air.
Can outdoor balls be used indoors?
Outdoor balls can be used indoors but won’t match the speed, bounce, or precision of a true indoor ball due to their textured surface, extra weight, and larger holes.
Do outdoor balls last longer than indoor balls?
Yes, outdoor balls are engineered to withstand rougher outdoor playing surfaces so they far outlast indoor balls when used outside. The textured coating makes them more scuff and weather resistant.
What is the ideal weight for an indoor ball?
Most quality indoor balls weigh 0.80 ounces, which provides a good balance of speed, control and finesse indoors without being too light.
How many holes are on a pickleball?
While the hole number can vary slightly by model, most indoor balls have around 30-40 small holes, while outdoor balls have around 25-30 larger holes. More holes generally create more surface area and air resistance.
Can cold temperatures affect pickleball bounce and play?
Yes, very cold temperatures can make pickleballs more rigid and slightly less bouncy. Letting balls warm to ambient temperatures before play can help maximize bounce.
Conclusion
In summary, knowing the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls is key for maximizing your enjoyment and success at the sport.
Indoor balls are engineered for lightning quick volleys, true bounces, and competitive play on hard indoor courts. Outdoor balls are designed to withstand outdoor elements and rougher playing surfaces. Their textured plastic and larger holes allow better control in the wind.
Be sure to match your ball to your primary playing environment. An outdoor ball will wear too quickly indoors while an indoor ball won’t bounce or handle properly outside. With the right pickleball matched to the conditions, you’ll enjoy ideal touch, precision, and consistency as you improve your indoor or outdoor game.
The key is experimenting with different top brands to find your ideal weight, grip, and bounce. With so many quality options available today at affordable prices, there’s no reason not to keep a fresh stock of your favorite indoor and outdoor pickleballs on hand!