In recent years, pickleball has gained popularity as a social and enjoyable sport for players of all ages and skill levels. Depending on the facilities provided and individual preferences, the game can be practiced either indoors or outdoors due to its versatility. To maximize their play and adapt to shifting circumstances, pickleball players need to be aware of the significant differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball.
As a result, today we will go over all you need to know about indoor vs outdoor pickleball. We look at the major differences between indoor and outdoor pickleballs, including ball design, substance, weight, and playability. This guide makes it easier for players to choose the ideal ball for their particular playing situation, which enhances the overall gaming experience.
Understanding Indoor Pickleballs
Indoor pickleballs are named so because of their susceptibility to wind due to their lightweight construction; they are not meant to be used outdoors. They feature 26 drilled holes. Also, because of their lighter bodies than their outdoor counterparts, indoor balls are much quieter and cause less pain when struck.
Pros | Cons |
Controlled atmosphere with consistent playing conditions, lower impact on joints because of the ball’s softer composition, and year-round availability. | Limited access to facilities may limit playing chances, while higher fees may discourage regular involvement. |
Understanding Outdoor Pickleball
Pickleballs for outdoor use have a thicker and harder body because they are composed of smooth plastic. There are 40 drilled holes in them as well. They can withstand wind because of their stronger build. I promise you it hurts to get struck by an outside pickleball ball, therefore you don’t want to! The advantage of outdoor pickleballs is that they may be hit forcefully with less drag than indoor models.
Pros | Cons |
Access to public courts, improved social interaction, broader skill development owing to varying weather conditions, and a more dynamic playing environment. | Weather conditions may cause sessions to be canceled, as well as possible risks on damp or uneven surfaces, and the harder ball may increase the risk of injury. |
Indoor VS Outdoor Pickleballs. What’s The Differences
Indoor and outdoor pickleball may appear similar to the untrained eye. The differences become immediately noticeable after you’ve held or played pickleball outdoors and indoors side by side.
Though there are always exceptions to the rule, most indoor and outdoor balls vary in the following ways:
- Number of Holes
- Hole Diameter
- Weight
- Hardness
- Durability
- Ball Bounce
- Color
Let’s take a closer look at the following ways that pickleball differs indoors and outdoors.
Number of Holes
Pickleballs may look to be just ordinary plastic, but don’t be fooled! Each ball is deliberately created with holes to ensure the uniformity and flight trajectory of your shots.
While indoor versions typically have 26 larger holes, outdoor balls have 40 tightly spaced holes. But why?
It’s all about keeping true to each shot and minimizing extrinsic elements like wind and court surface. Pickleballs played outside have many tiny holes, which make them more durable when playing in windy circumstances.
To give a more accurate bounce and shot, those tiny holes are actually affecting aerodynamics.
Each hole is beveled into the pickleball’s plastic and has a uniform size and placement across the ball, though there are few outliers, such as certain outdoor pickleballs having two sizes of holes on one ball.
Hole Diameter
The diameter of a pickleball’s holes varies greatly depending on the brand and model, and especially between indoor and outdoor balls. As you are aware, indoor pickleballs have wider holes than outdoor pickleballs, but how much wider?
The average diameter of an indoor pickleball hole is.43 inches, but the average diameter of an outdoor pickleball hole is approximately 282 inches. This is a substantial difference between the two, as indoor pickleball holes are 40% larger than outdoor pickleball holes.
This data was obtained by measuring ten of the most popular indoor and outdoor pickleballs on the market today. While there are likely exceptions beyond this tiny informal research, it’s at least useful from a directional sense for understanding how much larger the holes are in indoor pickleballs.
Weight
Pickleballs used outdoors usually weigh more than those used indoors. It’s common knowledge among gamers, although they might not be aware of the differences in weights.
Outdoor pickleballs would naturally be heavier than indoor pickleballs for a variety of reasons.
First, the holes add weight. Although indoor pickleballs have fewer holes (26 total) than outdoor pickleballs (40), their diameter is much wider (40% greater on average). Therefore, compared to the 40 outdoor pickleball holes, the 26 indoor pickleball holes have a larger surface area.
This implies there is more negative space in indoor pickleballs, resulting in a lighter weight.
The second rationale takes a more logical approach. When playing outside, a heavier ball would be more advantageous to keep the ball on its planned path due to outside factors like wind interference.
Other factors, like as materials, are involved, but we’ll get to those in a minute.
Outdoor balls officially weigh more than indoor balls, although the difference is negligible, less than 1%. The average weight of indoor pickleballs was found to be .917 ounces based on a small sample of both indoor and outdoor pickleballs. And the average outdoor pickleball weight was .925 ounces.
Outdoor pickleballs had the greatest variation in weight, with the lightest weighing in at.897 ounces.
Hardness
Everyone knows pickleballs are made of plastic; just look at them. However, not all plastics are made equal, and businesses will undoubtedly use a range of plastics to build pickleballs.
Pickleball hardness is determined using the durometer hardness test, which is based on Shore D plastic values. It’s simply a fancy scientific means of rating the hardness of hard rubbers and plastics on a range of 0 to 100, with 100 being the hardest.
Pickleball uses a wide variety of standard hardness levels for its common plastics and hard rubbers. You may get a basic idea of how each material rates by looking at the scale below, though the exact ball may cause them to grade more or lower:
- LDPE – Low-Density Polyethylene: 40-50
- HDPE – High-Density Polyethylene: 60-70
- PP – Polypropylene: 70-83
- PET – Polyethylene Terephthalate: 85-95
In general, balls made of TPE (also known as thermoplastic rubber) will be much softer than balls made of HDPE. And choosing the right materials for both indoor and outdoor pickleball depends in large measure on this.
Arguably, the hardness of a pickleball has the most impact on its performance. There are three measurements that directly or indirectly measure the hardness of a pickleball: hardness, compression, and bounce.
In general, outdoor pickleball is more difficult than indoor pickleball. This is mostly due to the weight and the thickness of the materials used to make the particular balls. A harder ball moves faster, whereas a softer ball is best suited for indoor pickleball court surfaces, resulting in a slower pace.
Pickleballs played indoors and outdoors are both composed of plastic, but the kind of plastic used distinguishes them. Indoor pickleballs are composed of softer plastic, resulting in a lighter profile. That type of material is more likely to drag.
outside pickleballs are made of thicker, harder, and heavier plastic to boost the ball’s outside durability.
Durability
Both indoor and outdoor pickleballs lose their shape and are not meant to last a lifetime, as many beginners mistakenly believe. You only need to look at a sturdy outdoor ball. Over time, temperature, and use, you’ll notice a ball cracking during play.
Although the structure and materials used in each pickleball have a significant impact on durability, a shorter lifespan is generally associated with harder materials.
It is much harder for materials like TPE to break or alter shape because of their extremely high elastic characteristics. Harder plastics, on the other hand, appear to crack when viewed incorrectly.
Indoor pickleballs are more durable because they employ softer polymers than outdoor pickleballs, which are harder. Outdoor pickleballs are more likely to split, break, and lose their shape because of their tougher plastic. Indoor balls frequently develop soft areas towards the end of their lives.
An indoor pickleball ball will often live significantly longer than an outdoor one, although neither ball will last indefinitely.
Ball Bounce
Indoor and outdoor pickleballs have differing bounce qualities. Because indoor balls are made of softer material, they are slightly more durable and have a higher bounce. When playing outside, when bounce control is required, outdoor balls are ideal because of their tougher construction and slower bounce rate.
Color
Pickleballs are available in a variety of colors for both indoor and outdoor use. Indoor balls are nearly always constructed of bright green, although outdoor balls can be white or yellow. This is mostly because indoor courts are located in a controlled environment, and the vivid hue improves contrast and visibility for players and spectators alike.
Let’s make a clear idea about the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleballs.
Features | Indoor Pickleball | Outdoor Pickleball |
Size | Slightly Smaller | Slightly Larger |
Holes | Smaller Holes | Larger Holes |
Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
Bounce | Lower | Higher |
Material | Softer | Harder |
Visibility | Brighter Colors | Yellow or White |
Durability | Less Durable | More Durable |
Usage | Indoor Courts | Outdoor Courts |
How to Select Pickleball Balls
If you play pickleball indoors, you should consider buying indoor vs outdoor pickleballs. If you like to play pickleball outside, you should get outdoor vs indoor pickleballs.
If you play both indoors and outdoors, it is recommended to have indoor balls for indoor play and outdoor balls for outdoor play; however, if you simply want to buy one type of ball for both settings, indoor balls are the best option.
Whether you choose indoor or outdoor pickleballs, consider longevity, price, material type, and flight pattern.
Due to tougher conditions and weather, outdoor pickleball lasts about 10 games or an hour of playtime. Indoor pickleballs survive longer since they are not subjected to harsh environmental conditions.
Most indoor and outdoor pickleballs cost roughly $3 per ball and are supplied in packs ranging from 3 to 1000 balls.
Pickleballs are all constructed of plastic, but the type and processing methods vary. Indoor balls are composed of lighter, softer polymers, whereas outdoor balls are constructed of denser, tougher plastic, making them slightly heavier and more wind-resistant.
Pickleballs’ flight pattern is determined by the holes in them. Manufacturers’ designs differ, but several promise benefits such as more predictable bounce and truer flight patterns. This is accomplished by making the ball somewhat heavier and eliminating or smoothing any seams that exist.
Can Indoor Pickleballs Be Used Outside, and Vice Versa?
Can you reverse the roles and play indoor pickleball with an outdoor ball and outdoor pickleball with an indoor ball?
While it’s technically possible, it’s not recommended to utilize an indoor pickleball court outside and vice versa. Using an indoor ball outdoors is a bad idea since an indoor ball is too lightweight, not designed for wind interference, plays too slowly, and isn’t built for outdoor courts.
It’s much more typical to see an outdoor ball played indoors than the reverse. Although ideally, you’d use an indoor ball indoors and an outdoor ball outside. If you bring an indoor ball to play outside, expect some curious looks from people.
Let’s have a little discussion on this.
Pickleball courts are quite predictable places to play indoors. While wind conditions are widely discussed on this issue, and deservedly so, there is one major aspect that is often overlooked: the sun.
If you’re playing pickleball in the middle of the day in Florida, you have to suppose this will have an influence on a lighter plastic pickleball, which is more commonly used indoors than outside.
The Bottom Line
This is our overall guide on indoor vs outdoor pickleballs. Indoor and outdoor pickleball balls have unique characteristics that are adapted to specific playing settings. Understanding these differences lets you select the ball that not only complements your playing style but also improves your overall game experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball player or just getting started, having the appropriate equipment can create a major difference in your enjoyment and success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play pickleball with a tennis ball?
It is not advised to use tennis balls for pickleball since they are excessively heavy and dangerous because of their rough composition. For recreational or beginner practice, opt for a softer, lighter tennis ball if you must use one.
Do various pickleball balls play differently?
Yes, depending on the ball’s build, quality, and performance, different brands of pickleballs play differently. It’s best to try out a few different brands to see which one best fits your style of play.
What is the lifespan of pickleball balls?
Pickleball balls’ lifespans are influenced by their quality and usage frequency. Good pickleball balls don’t necessarily need to be replaced for several weeks or months at a time.
What is the average number of pickleballs in a pack?
Pickleballs usually come in packs of three or six balls.
Do pickleball balls get wet?
Yes, pickleball balls can become wet, but when they do, they stop bouncing. The game is impacted by the slippery nature of wet balls. If you play outside, you might want to get some waterproof balls.
Are pickleball balls available in a variety of colors?
Absolutely, pickleball balls come in a variety of colors; however, indoor balls are typically bright green, whilst outdoor balls are typically white or yellow.
