Padel is a sport that is characterized by its high and sometimes frenetic pace, which makes it very fun not only to watch but to play as well. One of the main reasons for this is its light, small ball with high air pressure. Of course, it is crucial to have a good quality ball that meets the minimum standards to enjoy this sport to the fullest.
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Difference between a padel and a tennis ball
As with other elements of the game, the padel ball is quite similar to a paddle or tennis one, and it is easy to make the mistake of thinking that they can be used interchangeably. The truth is that the padel ball has less air pressure than the tennis ball and is less soft and soft than the paddle ball.
If you don’t use the right ball, the playing experience will be radically different. For example, playing with a tennis ball on a padel court with padel rackets would result in an even faster game and would be very complicated for players. That’s why it’s important that, when buying your balls, you make sure they’re for the right sport.
Durability
Durability is a very important point to keep in mind with padel balls since you will have to change them after a few games so that the game remains high-paced and is just as fun. You have to take several factors into account, such as rackets, the court, or weather conditions, but in general, a padel ball loses about 25% of its pressure after the first game.
That is why 4 to 5 balls are used in professional games, and at an intermediate level, about 3 or 4. However, if you practice padel tennis only for leisure or sporadically, a ball can last you about 4 or 5 games or 2 to 3 weeks.
Fortunately, there are ball pressurizers with which balls can greatly increase their lifespan. They are packaging tubes with a built-in manometer and air pressure, which matches the pressure with which the balls left the factory, also protecting them from factors such as weather.
If you have old balls, you can hold them inside the ball pressurizers for at least 9 days, and they will be fit again for a game. Of course, this method is not forever, but they lengthen the useful life of the balls and save you the expense of having to buy new ones very regularly.
Top Padel Ball Brands
Even if you are a beginner, it is worth buying high-quality balls. For which, it is also not necessary to spend exorbitant sums of money. In addition, the balls of better brands usually have more durability, so it is profitable.
Head
It is the brand that stands out the most in this section since its models Head Pro Balls and Head Padel Pro S Balls, are the balls used in official professional tournaments. They are perfect for aggressive players who like to play offensively, and there is nothing bad to say about them.
Babolat
It is the second brand par excellence. We highlight the line of balls Babolat Padel Tour used by the Spanish Padel Federation in the APT Padel Tour. They are completely professional, and you shouldn’t have any problems with them in court.
A second option is the Babolat Padel Court Ball. It is one step below the Babolat Padel Tour, but it still offers a more than excellent performance. Novice players can integrate well into the game, and professionals should not be too out of tune with it. In addition, they are the most economical.
Robin Söderling
This brand is recognized in the field of padel and offers us one of the most interesting balls, RS Padel Tour X, ideal for beginners. First, its economical price makes it accessible to a large public. Second, because it allows for a slightly slower game, new players will be able to adapt little by little. It can also be said that they are durable and of good quality for their price.
There are also other brands with their ball models, such as Bulldapel and its Bullpadel Premium Pro, a durable ball that does not clash in high-tempo games, or Adidas and NOX, which are always reliable alternatives for players of different levels.
Without a doubt, the ball is one of the most important aspects of padel. In this sport of high pace and intensity, it is necessary to have a quality ball that fits the level of the players. There are many factors to take into account to make a choice regarding which brand or type of ball to buy, but it is something that will later be very decisive in your gaming experience and responsible for hours and hours of entertainment.