Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs: What’s the Difference (and Why It Even Matters)
- Si Qi Tan
- May 8
- 2 min read
So you just started pickleball, and someone tells you,“Eh, wrong ball lah. This one for outdoor.”And you’re like…“Wait. Got different balls meh?”
Yes. Yes, got.
Pickleballs may all look like colourful, hole-y plastic balls... but trust us, the small details make a big difference when you start playing more seriously.
Here's your quick and dirty guide to understanding indoor vs outdoor pickleballs, no gatekeeping.
The Main Differences in Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs
1. The Holes
Indoor balls: Fewer, bigger holes (around 26)
Outdoor balls: More, smaller holes (around 40)
Why it matters: Smaller holes help outdoor balls deal with wind. Bigger holes make indoor balls lighter and slower, easier to control indoors.
2. The Weight
Indoor balls: Lighter, softer feel
Outdoor balls: Heavier, harder shell
Why it matters: Outdoor balls need to survive rougher courts and weather. They bounce harder and faster. Indoor ones are chill, more forgiving.
3. The Bounce & Sound
Outdoor balls: Louder pop, higher bounce, more aggressive.
Indoor balls: Quieter, lower bounce, smoother feel.
So if you’re playing inside a sports hall, don’t bring an outdoor ball and start scaring people with that “POP POP POP.”
4. Durability
Outdoor balls crack more easily (especially the cheap ones), but they're designed for rough ground and sunny vibes.
Indoor balls last longer on soft courts… unless someone steps on them (don’t do that).
Which One Should You Use?
Ask yourself:
Are you playing indoor or outdoor?
Do you want more control or more speed?
Are you just starting or already smashing?
TLDR:
Insert table
Our Pick(le) for New Players
At House of Tembusu, we recommend starting with outdoor balls if you’re:
Playing outside most of the time
Looking for a challenge (more bounce!)
Planning to sweat it out, rain or shine
But if you're just chillin’ indoors or learning control shots like dinks and drops, indoor balls might feel better.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Mix Them Up
Bringing indoor balls to an outdoor game? They’ll fly all over the place. Using outdoor balls indoors? Good luck chasing after them when they bounce like crazy.
So next time someone says “Wrong ball leh,” now you can flex the knowledge.
Pickleball is already fun. Using the right gear? Even better. Got questions? DM us or swing by our paddles in our online store, we custom make for players who care.
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