Indoor Pickleballs vs Outdoor Pickleball Balls

Indoor Pickleballs vs Outdoor Pickleballs

Does using indoor or outdoor pickleball balls really make a difference? The short answer is yes, very much so.

First things first, what makes a good pickleball ball? Pickleball balls are unique and specifically designed. Both indoor and outdoor pickleball balls are hallow, plastic balls with holes drilled into them. A wiffle ball would be the closest comparison to imagine.

In order to be legally used in tournaments, or to properly play pickleball casually, pickleball balls have certain requirements: number of holes, type of material, size and weight. However, indoor and outdoor pickleball balls are not identical in these requirements, so using the proper one for your games will make a difference. Let’s compare.

Indoor Pickleballs vs Outdoor Pickleball Ball Design Comparison

Indoor Pickleball Balls

About 2.9” in diameter
Softer plastic build
Hallow

Keeps pickleball balls lightweight

Has 26 holes drilled into it

Less holes, but larger holes than on the outdoor balls

Indoor Pickleballs

Outdoor Pickleball Balls

About 2.9” in diameter
Harder plastic build

Designed to withstand rough play outdoors on concrete

Hallow

Keeps pickleball balls lightweight

Has 40 holes drilled into it

More holes, but smaller holes than on the indoor balls
More holes eliminates the effects of wind A) slowing the ball and B) impacting its trajectory

Outdoor Pickleballs

Both Types of Balls

Both indoor and outdoor balls are made out of plastic

The specific type of plastic can vary

Most common plastics are:

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Their plastic construction, along with the specifically drilled holes, gives pickleball balls their needed bounce

Usually come in yellow, red, orange or green colors
Has to be uniform color to be permitted in tournament play

Indoor Pickleballs vs Outdoor Pickleball Ball Hardness Comparison

Pickleball hardness is measured with the durometer hardness test. This is a test used to measure the hardness of materials, typically polymers (plastics). Materials are measured on a scale of 0-100, with 0 being the softest and 100 being the hardest.

The most commonly used plastics for pickleball balls fall amidst a range of hardness on this scale. Here are a few of the most popularly used materials and their corresponding hardness.

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) – 40-50
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – 60-70
Polypropylene (PP) – 70-83
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – 85-95

The harder a pickleball ball material (so in this case, the higher the scale rating), the better it will bounce. Since indoor pickleball balls are softer than outdoor pickleball balls, you will find that the outdoor balls have better bounce.

Indoor Pickleballs vs Outdoor Pickleball Ball Weight Comparison

Indoor Pickleballs

Lighter than outdoor balls

0.8 oz

Outdoor Pickleballs

Heavier than indoor balls by a very slight margin

0.9 oz

Indoor Pickleballs vs Outdoor Pickleball Ball Price Comparison

Indoor and outdoor pickleball balls typically do not differ in price. They are available in all sorts of quantities; from 3 packs to 10 packs or more. As expected, the more balls that come in a pack, the higher the price.

Pickleball Comparison

Benefits of Indoor Pickleballs & Outdoor Pickleball Balls

Indoor Pickleballs

Designed to be easier to control
Texture difference enables better ability to add more spin on shots
Won’t crack or lose shape as easily as outdoor balls

Longer lifespan than outdoor balls

Outdoor Pickleballs

Specific design with 40 holes eliminates nearly any effects from wind
Harder plastic build provides more bounce than indoor balls

Drawbacks of Indoor Pickleballs & Outdoor Pickleball Balls

Indoor Pickleballs

Due to their design of 26 larger holes, they have more drag on their speed

An equal amount of shot power will produce higher ball speeds for an outdoor ball than an indoor ball

Outdoor Pickleballs

Due to their harder design, and being used outdoors, they can crack or lose shape more easily

This can happen after a few games or a few months depending on players’ style, court conditions and outdoor temperatures
In general, they have shorter lifespans than indoor balls