Ball map: speed and hardness
Fast balls bounce higher and speed up the game, slower ones give you more time for your shot. Harder balls feel firmer and more explosive off the racket, while softer ones are more comfortable and easier to control.
| Speed / hardness | Harder | Medium | Softer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast | Bullpadel Premium Pro Bullpadel FIP Next Pro Oxdog Boost+ Speed HEAD Padel Pro S+ Siux Neo Speed | Oxdog Boost Wilson Premier Padel Speed Adidas Speed RX Babolat Ace Padel Kuikma PB Speed | – |
| Medium | HEAD Padel Pro S | NOX Nerbo Dunlop Fort Padel | Tecnifibre Padel Tour |
| Slower | – | – | Wilson Premier Padel |
Embassy ShopThe ball is in our range (bold, with a link). Grey: not in our shop.
15 balls from 11 brands compared
HEAD, Wilson, Bullpadel, NOX, Oxdog, Adidas, Dunlop, Babolat, Kuikma, Tecnifibre and Siux, sorted from fastest to slowest.
Scores from 1 to 10 are our estimate based on manufacturer descriptions, official data and reviews, not lab measurements. Only Bullpadel publishes numeric ratings (speed and durability, marked with *), and no manufacturer publishes hardness. How a ball feels also changes with the court, temperature and altitude.
Balls at Embassy Shop
All come in a tube of 3 balls or a box of 24 tubes. The best value is Oxdog Boost, and Embassy Shop is the only authorised Oxdog distributor in the region. Find all tubes and boxes in our Balls collection.
Balls, tubeOxdog Boost padel ballsView
Balls, tubeHEAD Padel Pro S+ ballsView
Balls, tubeHEAD Padel Pro S ballsView
Balls, tubeWilson Premier Padel ballsView
Balls, boxWilson Premier Padel Speed balls, box of 24 tubesView
Balls, tubeNOX Nerbo padel ballsView
Balls, tubeBullpadel Premium Pro padel ballsView
Balls, tubeBullpadel FIP Next Pro padel ballsView
Balls, tubeDunlop Fort Padel ballsView
Fast or slower: match the conditions
- Cold, winter, sea level, slower court: the ball flies slower, so choose a faster one such as Oxdog Boost, HEAD Padel Pro S+, Wilson Premier Padel Speed or Bullpadel Premium Pro.
- Heat, outdoor summer, fast court, altitude: the ball already flies faster, so choose a slower one such as Wilson Premier Padel.
- All year, casual play: a medium-speed ball with good durability such as HEAD Padel Pro S, NOX Nerbo or Dunlop Fort Padel.
Wilson's names can be confusing: Premier Padel is the slower version for fast conditions, and Premier Padel Speed is the faster version for slow and cold conditions.
Official tour balls
If you play leagues or tournaments, it pays to train with the ball used in competition. Official competitions only allow balls approved by FIP (the International Padel Federation).
- Premier Padel: Wilson has been the official ball supplier since 2024 (Premier Padel and Premier Padel Speed). Some events use HEAD balls, for example Valencia P1 2026 with the Pro S+ in the women's draw.
- FIP: according to Bullpadel, the Bullpadel FIP Next Pro is the official ball of the International Padel Federation.
- A1 Padel: NOX was the official ball of the tour in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
- Federations: HEAD is the official ball of the Spanish Padel Federation, and Dunlop is the official ball partner of the British LTA.
How long a ball lasts
Padel balls are pressurised and start losing pressure as soon as you open the tube, whether you play or not. Over time they bounce lower and play slower. At competitive level you can feel the difference after about 90 minutes, and for casual play a tube usually lasts 2 to 4 matches. If you play often, choose a more durable ball such as Bullpadel Premium Pro or Oxdog Boost.
- Open a tube on the day you play and use it within a few weeks.
- Do not leave balls in the car: heat permanently speeds up pressure loss, and cold temporarily lowers the bounce.
- Replace them when the bounce drops noticeably or the felt wears out.
Tube or box
A tube holds 3 balls and lasts one or a few sessions. If you play several times a week, have a regular group or buy for a club, a box of 24 tubes pays off. The best value box is Oxdog Boost. Find all boxes in our Balls collection.
Padel ball vs tennis ball
- Pressure: a padel ball has lower internal pressure (about 10 to 11 psi, a tennis ball about 14 psi), so it is softer and slower.
- Size: a padel ball measures 6.35 to 6.77 cm across, a tennis ball 6.54 to 6.86 cm.
- Bounce: under FIP rules a padel ball dropped from 2.54 m bounces 135 to 145 cm.
- Rules: tennis balls are not allowed in official padel competitions.
There are also pressureless balls. They are slower but last for months, so they are used for training and ball machines. All balls in our comparison are pressurised.
In short: which ball to choose
- Casual play, all year: Oxdog Boost, HEAD Padel Pro S, NOX Nerbo or Dunlop Fort Padel
- You play often and want it to last: Bullpadel Premium Pro or Oxdog Boost
- Winter and colder courts: Oxdog Boost, HEAD Padel Pro S+ or Wilson Premier Padel Speed
- Summer and fast courts: Wilson Premier Padel
- Leagues and tournaments: Bullpadel FIP Next Pro, Wilson Premier Padel or HEAD Padel Pro S+
FAQ
Can I play padel with tennis balls?
We do not recommend it. Tennis balls have higher pressure and play faster, which changes the game off the walls, and they are not allowed in official competitions.
Which padel balls are the fastest?
In our comparison the Bullpadel Premium Pro, Bullpadel FIP Next Pro and Oxdog Boost+ Speed, followed closely by the HEAD Padel Pro S+, Oxdog Boost and Wilson Premier Padel Speed.
Which balls last the longest?
Bullpadel Premium Pro, which Bullpadel gives its top durability rating, followed by Oxdog Boost and Dunlop Fort Padel.
Which balls for beginners?
Any good quality medium-speed padel ball, for example HEAD Padel Pro S or NOX Nerbo. A slower ball gives you more time for your shot.
How long does a tube of padel balls last?
For casual play usually 2 to 4 matches. Once opened, the balls slowly lose pressure, even when you are not playing.
Which balls do the pros use?
On the Premier Padel tour mostly Wilson, with HEAD at some events. According to Bullpadel, FIP uses the Bullpadel FIP Next Pro.
Try before you buy
Try all our gear at Padel Embassy, Slavonska avenija 17, Zagreb. Buy balls online with BOX NOW delivery, or pick them up at the reception. For the rest of your gear, read our guides Padel gear for beginners and How to choose a padel racket.
