Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls: What’s the Difference

Many players — and even some distributors — believe that padel balls and tennis balls are almost identical.
At first glance, they look the same: yellow felt, similar size, and the same bounce sound.
But in fact, the internal structure, pressure, and felt quality are quite different — and these small differences make a big impact on gameplay, durability, and comfort.
In this article, Wellball, a professional OEM manufacturer of tennis and padel balls in China, explains the real differences and how to choose the right one for your brand or customers.

1. Size and Weight
Padel balls are slightly smaller and lighter than standard tennis balls.
According to official specifications:
Type Diameter Weight
•  Tennis Ball 6.54–6.86 cm 56.0–59.4 g
•  Padel Ball 6.35–6.77 cm 56.0–59.5 g
This may seem like a tiny difference, but on court it matters a lot.
A smaller diameter helps padel players maintain control inside the glass walls, keeping rallies more consistent and manageable.

The most important distinction lies inside the ball.
Padel balls have lower internal pressure, typically around 10–11 psi, while tennis balls are around 14 psi.
This results in a lower bounce height and shorter travel distance, which perfectly fits the smaller padel court.
In padel, if the bounce is too high, rallies become unpredictable and the ball may hit the glass too hard.
That’s why padel balls are engineered for softer rebounds and a more controlled feel.

Tennis is played on different surfaces — hard, clay, and grass — so tennis balls must withstand stronger friction and higher impacts.
Padel, on the other hand, is mostly played on artificial turf surrounded by glass walls.
This means:
•  Padel balls are softer but need stronger shape retention.
•  Tennis balls focus on consistent bounce and spin stability.
In hot or humid regions, padel balls tend to lose pressure faster, which is why many professional tournaments replace them every few games.

Technically, yes — but it’s not recommended.
If you use a tennis ball in padel:
• The bounce will be too high.
• The game speed will increase too much.
• The racket frame and strings may suffer from excessive impact energy.
That’s why the International Padel Federation (FIP) requires specific pressure and size for approved padel balls.
Using the wrong type can completely change the feel of the game.

If you are an importer, brand owner, or sports distributor, here’s a simple guide:
• For Padel Balls → choose a lower-pressure core, short felt, and medium bounce.
• For Tennis Balls → choose between competition or training types, and decide whether you prefer pressurized or pressureless designs.
At Wellball, we provide both padel and tennis balls with full OEM & ODM customization, including:
• Felt color and logo printing
• Pressure and bounce level adjustment
• Packaging design and labeling
Our factory’s advanced production line ensures consistent quality for international brands.

Although they look almost the same, padel balls and tennis balls are built for completely different playing conditions.
The difference in pressure, felt, and durability directly affects how the sport feels to players — and even how long each ball lasts.
Understanding these distinctions helps coaches, distributors, and retailers make the right choice for their customers.
And for brands looking to customize or launch new products, working with an experienced manufacturer like Wellball ensures consistent quality and professional support.

With years of experience in OEM & ODM manufacturing, Wellball provides professional logo customization for tennis and padel balls — trusted by global brands, clubs, and promotional companies.
Contact us today to start your custom logo project!