Playing pickleball indoors? Here is everything you need to know about the best indoor pickleball balls.
When playing pickleball indoors, you need to use a different ball than the standard outdoor ball.
The best indoor pickleball is one that will bounce well indoors and won’t damage any surfaces.
Here we will take a look at some of the best indoor pickleball balls on the market, and give you some tips on how to choose the right pickleball ball for your needs!
We’ll also explain what differentiates indoor pickleballs different from outdoor pickleball balls, so you can understand why we don’t play with the same balls.
The best indoor pickleballs: our top picks at a glance
In a hurry? Here is a quick overview of our favorite indoor pickleball balls.
Keep reading to find out what makes an indoor pickleball difference, what you should look for in an indoor pickleball and why these are the best indoor pickleballs out there.
What are indoor pickleball balls?
All pickleballs are plastic balls similar to a wiffle ball, made from soft plastic with a smooth surface.
Indoor pickleballs are, as the name suggests, a specific type of pickleball balls adapted for indoor games.
They are designed for players who want to play pickleball or practice pickleball drills indoors, where the environment is more consistent and less subject to nature’s changes.
So, what makes them different from regular pickleball balls?
For a start, indoor balls are considerably softer and smaller than their outdoor counterparts, weighing about 0.8 ounces each.
For this reason, you may notice that an indoor pickleball ball feels slightly lighter in your hand.
The other big noticeable difference between indoor vs outdoor pickleballs is in the holes.
Regular pickleballs have smaller holes that aid them in avoiding the winds more often, which comes in especially useful if you live in a windy city.
Indoor pickleballs do not have to face the wind, so they have larger but fewer holes than standard pickleball balls with 26 holes.
A lower number of holes improves overall airflow in indoor pickleball balls.
This allows for more control, uniform bounces, and accurate paths in indoor situations.
It also makes it simpler for the player to apply more spin to the ball, especially when combined with a pickleball paddle for spin.
When using an indoor pickleball ball, you can anticipate longer rallies, which can be especially useful for new pickleball players.
The increased drag that these pickleballs offer, on the other hand, makes them more difficult to smash or hit power shots.
What are the Specs Required For Official Pickleballs?
The USAPA has a set of official rules regarding the specs of a pickleball ball.
Pickleball balls must abide by these to qualify as an official product.
For pickleball balls, these requirements are:
- The ball should be made of smooth molded plastic with a consistent color.
- The diameter must range between 2.87 and 2.97 inches.
- The variation from the round cannot be more than 0.02 inches out of the round.
- A pickleball ball must be between 0.78 and 0.935 ounces in weight.
- When dropped from a height of 78 inches, the ball must bounce 30-34 inches.
- The ball must have a hardness of 40-50 on a Durometer D scale.
- A ball must have 26 to 40 symmetrically placed circular holes.
- They can come in different colors
The official rule book for the USAPA, as published by the organization, contains these criteria.
However, merely complying with those standards isn’t enough.
The pickleball ball must also appear on the list of approved balls maintained by the USAPA to be “officially approved.”
The USAPA’s list is updated regularly.
What color are indoor pickleballs?
Official pickleball balls must have the brand printed on them for officials to identify them.
Other than the manufacturer’s logo or design, the ball must be a consistent color.
However, there is no requirement that pickleball is a specific color to be playable.
Official pickleball balls can come in a range of bright colors, from the standard yellow to blue, lime green and – our favorite – pink pickleballs!
Can you use outdoor pickleballs indoors?
While you might be tempted to use your regular pickleball balls indoors, it’s not the best idea.
There are some significant differences between indoor pickleball balls and outdoor pickleballs, meaning that it’s best to stick with a ball designed for where you’re playing.
As we’ve mentioned earlier in this post, the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball is because of the different elements in each setting.
Indoor play takes place in a climate-controlled environment with a wood or concrete playing surface. Outdoor games, on the other hand, take place outside with wind and a hard-court playing surface.
For this reason, the quantity and size of holes are two of the most significant distinctions between an indoor pickleball and a pickleball designed for outdoor use.
If you’re just starting out with pickleball and looking for the best paddles and gear, it’s possible to buy a mixed pack containing both indoor balls and outdoor balls.
We recommend this pack from Niupipo, which offers great value for money. Both the indoor pickleballs and outdoor pickleballs in this pack are USAPA approved.
If you’re in need of a paddle, too, we love this set of two pickleball paddles plus various pickleball balls. You can read our full Niupipo paddle review here to learn more.
Many of the pickleball pros tend to play with a standard pickleball ball regardless. But this is mostly because they play on a hard-court surface.
Indoor pickleball tends to be played in gyms where there’s a wood or special gym floor.
What is the best indoor pickleball?
While pickleball has no shortage of rules – and some unwritten rules that should be followed, too! – there isn’t a single best indoor pickleball.
As with choosing your favorite pickleball shoes, whether you prefer Onix paddles or Champion paddles, or even the best pickleball net, it largely comes down to personal preference.
Some players prefer one indoor pickleball, while others prefer another indoor pickleball ball.
There’s no right or wrong answer, so it’s really up to you. As long as it is approved by USAPA, you’re good to go!
The best indoor pickleball balls
To help you out, here are our favorite indoor pickleball balls and why we love them.
All of them are approved by USAPA, so you can use them in any pickleball game.
Onix KZ42006O Fuse Indoor Orange 6-Pack: Best all-round indoor pickleballs
The all-new ONIX Fuse Pickleball is perfect for players who want to transition between indoor and outdoor play.
These new pickleballs are designed specifically for indoor pickleball, providing the truest flight and most authentic bounce possible.
The Fuse ball has greater durability because of the exceptional seam welding. The ball is also well balanced and has precision-drilled holes.
The Fuse indoor pickleball is perfect for all types of indoor pickleball courts. The ball has a large hole pattern and less bounce on indoor surfaces, such as concrete or gymnasium floors.
This also makes the ball suitable for use in pickleball tournaments, as per the requirements of the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA).
Gamma Photon Indoor Pickleballs: Best indoor pickleballs for low light
The USAPA approved Gamma Photon indoor pickleball ball is perfect for sanctioned tournaments.
You can use it for competitions, playing with a club, or practicing in the gym.
Each ball is a high visibility optic green color. This makes it easy to see the ball against dark and light backdrops, as well as in busy environments.
This is especially useful on darker indoor courts because it will help you see the ball more clearly and improve your accuracy under indoor lighting.
Each ball is made to be consistent and durable with 26 precision-molded holes. This allows the ball to fly at the right pace for indoor play.
The Gamma Photon indoor pickleball ball also has a strong, 2-piece construction design that lasts longer than most comparable pickleballs.
Franklin Sports X-26 Performance Indoor Pickleballs: Best looking indoor pickleballs
The USAPA has given the X-26 indoor balls its stamp of approval, making them one of the greatest pickleball balls ever produced.
The Franklin Sports X-26 indoor pickleball is made of only the highest quality EVA materials and has 26 precisely beveled holes to produce a superior flight pattern and balance.
The X-26 is made to last hours on the court, with consistent bounce, durability, and playability.
And, as much as we love pink here at Pink Pickleball, we’re a big fan of the color options available for this indoor pickleball!
Selkirk SLK Hybrid Indoor & Outdoor Pickleball Ball: Best Hybrid pickleballs
Selkirk’s unique hybrid pickleball balls are the perfect starter ball for players who want to practice everywhere.
USAPA-approved and suitable for players of all levels, these hybrid balls are designed to handle both indoor and outdoor environments with ease.
With 40 precision-drilled holes, Selkirk has created a ball that’s super versatile and ready for every pickleball court.
That means they’re perfect for players who occasionally want to switch from outdoor to indoor pickleball (or vice versa).
Jugs Pickleballs: Best casual pickleball ball
The Jugs pickleball is a popular ball that can be used indoors or outdoors.
It is softer and more rubberized than other balls, making it a great choice for beginner players.
Plus, the lime green color makes the ball easier to see in low light.
It’s important to note that this ball is not approved by USAPA for official tournament play and therefore isn’t suitable for competitive players.
However, it’s a great practice ball, especially for beginners and casual games.
Choosing the best pickleball balls for indoor play
As we’ve seen, there isn’t a single indoor pickleball that every player should get their hands on.
There are lots of different indoor pickleball balls options out there, from hybrid balls that can be used on any court to approved balls that can be used in tournaments.
If you plan to play indoor pickleball regularly, it’s worth trying a few pickleballs to find the one you like best.
These products show you some of the best indoor pickleballs and what makes them worth investing in for your favorite game, and we hope they’ve given you a good starting point.
Got questions? Feel free to ask them over in our free Facebook group for pickleball players and someone from the team will get back to you!