Padel balls look like tennis balls, but they are not interchangeable — a true padel ball has slightly less internal pressure for the right bounce off the glass, and the felt and core are tuned for the padel game. Getting the right ball makes a real difference to how the game plays, and because balls are consumables, it pays to know which to buy for matches and which for practice.
Below are our top picks for match play, tournaments, practice and special conditions, followed by a quick guide to what makes a good padel ball and how to keep them fresh.
In a hurry? The Head Padel Pro S is our best all-round match ball, while the Head Padel Pro tri-pack is the best value for practice. Playing graded events? Train with the official Wilson Premier. Need gear too? See our best padel rackets roundup.