Before getting into tennis, you may have thought all tennis balls are the same. It’s just felt and rubber, right? Wrong, picking the best tennis balls for your level and type of court is very important.
For those already on their way out to the court, and are in a rush, these are the best tennis balls that we recommend to you.
What to look for when buying tennis balls
There are a couple of things you should know before you purchase the best tennis balls because they’re not all created equal.
These are the basics to pay attention to.
- Pressurized vs. pressureless balls.
- Extra duty vs. regular duty balls.
- Categories for speed.
- Categories for quality.
Pressurized vs. Pressureless Balls
Pressurized balls are filled with high-pressure air that gives them the best bounce, and they’re even packed in pressurized cans. However, pressurized tennis balls lose their bounce and become soft quickly, especially on a hard court.
Pressureless balls, in turn, have a solid center. They’re usually the beginner player’s choice because they last longer in use than pressurized balls and work well for practicing your hand-eye coordination.
Even if you want to start with pressureless balls, remember that they are heavier and require more arm strength. This will tire you out faster and maybe even teach you bad habits, like using too much force to hit the ball.
Extra Duty vs. Regular Duty Balls
Extra duty balls are designed to be more durable on a hard court surface, thanks to their thicker felt. When you’re shopping for the tennis balls, you’ll notice these balls marked as ‘ED.’
But they’re not as fast, so if you’re on a clay or grass court, you’ll get more out of your game with regular duty balls.
Regular duty balls are made with less felt because a soft court surface isn’t as hard on the ball and absorbs part of the impact. You’ll see these marked as ‘RD’ on the package.
Categories for Speed
Tennis balls are also categorized by speed, the fastest being number one and the slowest number three. All the categories have strict regulations for their size, weight and rebound, and there’s also a separate category for high-altitude use.
Categories for Quality
Tennis balls can also be categorized by their quality into recreational, championship, and professional balls.
If you’re a beginner, we recommend opting for recreational balls. Players who are getting more comfortable and play regularly can go for championship quality. Professional and semi-professional players will benefit from professional balls.
In general, when you’re a newer player, you probably won’t notice much of a difference between the different types of balls. As you advance, you’ll likely need better-quality balls.
Reviews of the Best Tennis Balls for 2021
Wilson Prime All Court Tennis Balls
Best Overall
Wilson is one of the biggest brands in sports, and these all-court tennis balls are a user favorite. They’re covered in Wilson’s Duraweave-felt, which is good quality, and the price for a traditional three-ball can isn’t too high.
These balls come mixed, so you might get numbers one, two, and three. If you’re looking for only one type of ball, they may not be for you. They have quite a lot of bounce that generally lasts a long time without going flat.
The felt is not extra duty, and some players do note that these balls lose their felt fast on a hard court. Others have experienced inconsistencies in the bounce. Still, overall the experiences with these balls are highly positive, and we think the balls are generally durable.
Advantages
- Good value for the price.
- Great bounce.
- Fast balls.
- Duraweave-felt holds up well on soft courts.
Disadvantages
- The bounce can be inconsistent.
- Some players report the felt wearing off on a hard court.
Penn Championship Extra Duty Pressurized Tennis Balls
Best for Advanced Players
Penn is another favorite of recreational tennis players. The company’s balls have a great price, and these type one, extra duty are excellent for hard court surfaces.
The natural rubber on these balls is durable and non-cracking, helping the balls maintain their bounce for longer. They generally last a long time without going flat.
Some customers do note balance issues in the spin, but in general, these are a best-seller, thanks to their great quality.
Advantages
- Great value for the price.
- Don’t go flat fast.
- The rubber is of great quality and doesn’t crack easily.
- The felt endures hard courts well.
Disadvantages
- Some balancing problems when spinning.
Penn Pressureless Tennis Balls, 12 Ball Mesh Bag
Best for Beginners
If you’re a beginner, these pressureless tennis balls are a great value. They won’t lose their bounce, no matter what surface you play on, and you get an 12-ball bag for a great price.
Some pressureless balls are smaller in size than more advanced tennis balls because they’re easier for younger players. These, however, are regulation-size and have a decent bounce.
Do note that the bounce and speed are never the same on a pressureless ball as on a pressurized one. The felt also doesn’t have the same quality as top-of-the-line balls. Still, overall these balls are a good purchase for beginners.
The balls come in a mesh carry bag that’s comfortable to carry in your tennis bag to keep them separate from your gear.
Advantages
- Good quality pressureless balls.
- Affordable.
- Mesh carry bag.
- Great for practicing shots for beginners.
Disadvantages
- The felt is not super durable.
- Not the fastest and bounciest balls.
The verdict: the best tennis balls are . . .
Our top pick is the Wilson Prime All Court. They’re great quality balls for most beginning and intermediate players, and they work well on all types of courts.
The felt on the Wilson Prime All Court is durable, and they hold their bounce well without going flat. The price is not the cheapest on the market, but the quality really speaks for itself, and they’re among the favorite balls of lots of players.
The felt on the Wilson Prime All Court balls is durable, and they hold their bounce well without going flat
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