Indoor / Outdoor Pickleball Comparison

Indoor and outdoor pickleballs have distinct differences in design, weight, durability, and playability.

1. Material & Durability

Indoor Pickleballs: Made of softer plastic, which makes them less durable but easier to control.

Outdoor Pickleballs: Made of harder plastic to withstand rougher surfaces like concrete or asphalt, making them more durable but also prone to cracking over time.

2. Hole Pattern

Indoor Pickleballs: Have larger, fewer holes (usually 26), making them less affected by wind and easier to spin.

Outdoor Pickleballs: Have smaller, more numerous holes (usually 40) to minimize wind interference.

3. Weight & Bounce

Indoor Pickleballs: Lighter, with a softer bounce, leading to slower gameplay.

Outdoor Pickleballs: Heavier, which makes them bounce higher and travel faster.

4. Sound & Feel

Indoor Pickleballs: Quieter and softer on the paddle, making them ideal for controlled shots.

Outdoor Pickleballs: Louder and more rigid, offering a faster-paced game.

5. Playability & Control

Indoor Pickleballs: Easier to control, allowing for more dinks and spin.

Outdoor Pickleballs: Less forgiving on mis-hits and require more power due to the harder material.

Which One Should You Use?

If you play indoors, use an indoor ball for better control and softer play.

If you play outdoors, use an outdoor ball to handle wind and rougher surfaces.

Some players switch between the two depending on conditions and personal preference.