A Definitive Guide to The Best Tennis Balls for Every Level

How important is it to have the best tennis balls for your game? The reality is that every individual piece of sporting equipment matters and can be crucial to the outcome of a game. From the gear that the player is wearing to the rackets being used, nothing can be taken for granted if you expect to carry the trophy.

For backyard tennis enthusiasts, learning a thing or two about the importance of a good tennis ball can shift the game in your favor and earn you some serious bragging rights. However, most beginners and professionals alike can get lost in the massive world of tennis balls. The different types, varieties, and brands are enough to confuse even a seasoned tennis player.

This is the definitive guide to all things tennis balls and how to find the perfect match for you. Remember, this guide is strictly comprehensive and not meant to rank any brands. While all of them have unique, strong points, they also have a few limitations specific to them.

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1. Best Professional Tennis Balls

To ensure that they gain a competitive edge on the opposition, professional tennis players go to great lengths and heights. When you are giving it your all on the court, singles or doubles, even the smallest detail can weigh significantly to your advantage.

In a professional game, the serving player gets about three balls from the ball person and chooses one after an intense period of examining it. This long-held tennis ritual of choosing tennis balls ensures the server gets the most suitable ball for the job.

A low-quality ball gets easily frayed and drags a lot when in the air, making it very hard to outwit your opponent. This is simply unacceptable in a professional game. Here are some of the best professional tennis balls that the market has to offer.

Penn Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

From the largest tennis ball manufacturer on the planet (Head owns Penn Tennis Brand), Penn tennis balls have remained synonymous with excellent quality. Boasting of unrivaled versatility, Penn tennis balls are not only long-lasting but can also be used in higher altitudes and hard or soft courts.

Penn’s top-tier balls are marketed under two brands: Penn Tour (formerly known as Penn ATP) and Pro Penn Marathon (both have regular and extra duty felts for different types of courts).

Penn Tour tennis balls come with Smart Optik felt. They are used on several ATP tournaments in the U.S. and Europe and are one of the best value-for-money pro tennis balls you can find out there.

Pro Penn balls are very similar to Penn Tour in terms of quality and playability. The key difference is their LongPlay felt and Encore technology they are made with, which makes them one of the longest-lasting pressurized tennis balls on the market.

Recently, Penn introduced a new Tribute tennis ball. that quickly became a best-selling tennis ball in the USA.

Wilson Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

While Penn sets the bar for great tennis balls pretty high, Wilsons stands neck and neck when it comes to quality and versatility (and some will say they last longer than Penn balls).

The official ball and automatic favorite for U.S. Open and Australian Open come in Extra Duty for harder courts and Regular Duty for clay and indoor courts. The U.S. Open line represents probably the best tennis balls for hard courts.

Wilson also announced a partnership with Rolan Garros; the only grand slam tournament played on clay courts. Wilson will provide new balls for the event from the year 2020.

Wilson also sells two other pro balls: one for courts with over 3,500ft elevation (U.S. Open High Altitude) and one made explicitly for grass courts (U.S. Open Grass Court).

Dunlop Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

Among the top-level tennis balls offered in the U.S. tournaments and the rest of the world, Dunlop tennis balls are known for their extra bounce and durability throughout a game. However, this makes them very hard and prone to fluffing up much quicker than others. A definite plus for topspin players but not so much for flat stroke servers.

Dunlop Grand Prix line (with both regular and extra duty felts) is one of the most popular pro ball line in the U.S. with one of the best playability. A good alternative is the Dunlop Fort line with Dunlop Rolland Garros being the official ball of the French Open for years, which makes it probably the best tennis ball for clay courts.

Dunlop acquired the license to use the ATP labels on its products.

Dunlop ATP Championship Balls are the prime example of great outdoor hard tennis balls endorsed by ATP Tour.

Slazenger Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

Since Dunlop also owns Slazenger, it’s no surprise that the two balls are quite similar in terms of quality and playability. Slazenger tennis balls might be very significant on grass and clay surfaces, but this feature makes them highly unpopular in the U.S., where most courts are taraflex.

Those of us who watch Wimbledon know that their balls labeled Ultra VIS is used in this tournament, which makes them one of the best tennis balls for grass courts.

Prince Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

Prince’s professional-level tennis balls are sold under label Prince Tour. As long as they are in good condition, Price tennis balls play relatively well. It’s not that they don’t retain their bounce; the problem is with the felt that wears out surprisingly quick, which is not great, especially for hard surfaces. Price tennis balls are therefore typically used on clay or in lower-tier professional competitions.

Babolat Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

When it comes to tennis gear and overall sporting accessories, Babolat has made some significant improvements. The most popular Babolat tennis balls are marketed under the Babolat Team label. While these tennis balls are a bit heavier, what they lack in quality is more than made up for by the extreme levels of durability.

Gamma Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

If you have ever used a Gamma tennis ball (for example, their Gamma ProTour line), it’s no doubt you were left with mixed emotions. On the one hand, the balls have outstanding performance, bounce, and speed; however, this lasts only a few hours. After a while, it’s my experience that almost every Gamma tennis ball develops noticeable cracks on the seams.

Tecnifibre Tennis Balls (Pro Level)

While not as popular as the other brands, Tecnifibre tennis balls are slowly making their way to the top, right next to the big names. With the bouncing capabilities of the Dunlop and durability of the Babolat, Tecnifibre tennis balls are worth the wait.

Their Tecnifibre X-One line is the best from their product range.

Check our quick review of Tecnifibre X-One tennis balls or buy them directly on Amazon

2. Best Tennis Balls for Intermediate Players

If you are a regular tennis player that doesn’t have to replace their tennis balls after every single match, then this is the field for you. These tennis balls are specifically aimed at casual yet experienced players, but not on a competitive, professional level.

These balls can be found in almost every convenience store and are much cheaper than pro balls. However, this also directly translates to reduced durability, longevity, and consistency. So, if you only play about once or twice a week, the following balls should be perfect for you.

Penn Tennis Balls (Tier Two)

For the untrained eye or amateur glance, these tier two Penn tennis balls could easily pass for professional. Balls like the Penn Championship are not only ideal for the casual player, but they are also approved for lower-tier matches and major tourneys. Actually, in terms of sales, these are the best selling balls in the U.S., given their high quality compared to the price.

Wilson Tennis Balls (Tier Two)

For above-average players who might not be at the pro level but still appreciate high speeds and a good spin, then Wilson Championship tennis balls fit the bill perfectly. These balls guarantee excellent performance and superb playability for more than a few sets and are also pretty resilient. If you are after durability, then you should try Wilson Titanium at this level.

Dunlop Tennis Balls (Tier Two)

One of the best reasons for purchasing Dunlop tennis balls is that you can play confidently without fear of trade-offs. While the tier two Dunlop balls are not meant for professional matches, the manufacturer can’t lower the quality standards too much on its Dunlop Championship or Dunlop Pro lines. And even if the durability of these balls is slightly lower compared to the top-level balls, a player at an intermediate level is unlikely to be negatively impacted by this.

One of the best tennis balls for tennis elbow sufferers is then Dunlop Absorber tennis ball, with the manufacturer claiming it reduces the impact on your arm by 15%.

Prince Tennis Balls (Tier Two)

Barely making it to the list of playable intermediate balls, tier two Prince tennis balls (Prince Championship) may not offer the best durability. Still, they are famous for a casual game now and then. Prince Championship tennis balls save you money but can’t stand much abuse.

Gamma Tennis Balls (Tier Two)

While sternly criticized by seasoned professionals, Gamma lower-tier tennis balls are more than embraced by players on the amateur and intermediate levels. The Gamma Championship balls are not built to last or age gracefully. They could be working correctly as one player serves only to be ripped to shreds on the return ball, so make sure you utilize their first performance to the fullest.

3. Best Tennis Balls for Beginners

Beginner tennis balls are usually found in the third tier and represent the lowest price and quality you can buy without getting a piece of trash. Every renowned brand manufactures these tier three balls, and they can be found in virtually all tennis stores.

Beginner tennis balls may not be that good, but casual and recreational tennis players are more unlikely to complain; after all, you get what you paid for.

Throw one of these balls in a professional match, and you’re almost guaranteed to split them apart in just a few rounds. However, amateur players and newbies do relish the lower costs and reasonable durability they offer.

Wilson Tribute/ Dunlop Progress/ Penn Tribute/ Wilson Starter

When it comes to making tennis balls aimed for beginners, there is not much of a difference between the major companies. Although each ball is sure to be inferior to all other higher tiers, they are ideal for people taking their first baby steps to become pros.

Since beginners lack much of the pros of physical strength and do not hit the ball half as hard, these tennis balls take much longer to come apart and retain their bounce pretty well. However, the felt on them is neither top quality nor is it precisely made; overtime, the balls tend to have an uneven bounce and even minor differences right out of the pack.

There might be nothing professional about these balls, but then again, there is absolutely no need for top tier products at this level.

4. Best Tennis Balls for Practice

You are probably wondering how we can go any lower from beginner tennis balls. Well, the good news that it is impossible to go lower. Some tennis balls are better in all respects than some higher tier balls.

Let’s start from the beginning. While all tennis balls are made with a particular tier in mind, not all of them come out perfectly. Some of them don’t make the cut and end up as rejects. The reason for dismissing them could be as simple as a cosmetic imperfection to something more severe, like misapplied felt or seams.

Practice tennis balls are those that are generic or who end up failing to pass a series of tests for the higher tiers. The most exciting thing about practice tennis balls is that players get the rare chance to deal with some championship or even professional level balls that failed to meet the set standards.

So, if you are looking for something fun and cheap, if your idea of a great shot is one where you didn’t completely miss, then you might want to look into practice tennis balls like Dunlop Academy Practice, Gamma Practice, and Penn Practice Coach. These balls come as cheap as you can find them, but you will have to buy an entire case.

5. Pressurized Vs. Pressureless Tennis Balls

A tennis ball is typically made up of a rubber ball encased in a fuzzy fabric covering. The rubber core can either be solid, in which case the ball is pressureless. However, most of the tennis balls have hollow rubber cores that are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen to become pressurized balls.

Pressurized (Head) and Pressureless (Tretorn X) Tennis Balls

Pressurized Balls

These are probably the most common and come in your standard single can of three. Pressurized balls have compressed air in them, so they feel much livelier and bounce much higher straight out of the box. These balls are also very light and achieve a better spin response and higher speeds.

Since the can is vacuum-sealed, the balls maintain integrity as long as they are in there. However, once taken out, they start losing pressure in a matter of weeks and become pretty much unplayable.

For people seeking quality above all else and have the spare coins to replace tennis balls often, pressurized balls offer a much better experience in the match.

What is inside Pressurized Tennis Ball:

Pressureless Tennis Balls

These balls have a solid rubber core and are therefore much heavier than their pressurized counterparts. This directly translates to enhanced durability since pressureless balls have a very long lifespan.

Pressureless balls generally have less bounce, but it is interesting to know that this improves as time passes thanks to wearing out of the fuzzy fabric. These balls are perfect for intermediates, beginners, and practice lessons with tennis ball machines.

What is inside Pressureless Tennis Ball:

Best Pressureless Tennis Ball Mini Review

Penn Pressureless 48-Ball Bucket

From the bestselling Tennis Company, the Penn Pressureless balls come to you in a vast bucket that houses 48 balls. The pressureless balls are perfect for a practice session, and thanks to all the shots in your arsenal, you do not have to keep stopping the game from fetching balls now and then. These balls are made with excellent quality felt and maintain Penn’s usual high standards. The bucket is also sturdy, reusable, and very convenient with a carrying handle.

6. What to Look for When Buying Tennis Balls

With all this new information about tennis balls, it is now much easier for you to get the perfect match for your lifestyle. However, it is never as smooth and as straightforward as it seems. Choosing a set of tennis balls requires a lot more than just knowing the type and cost.

Tiers

In the segments above, we have gone through all the different levels that manufacturers use to rate their balls. From the expensive but high-performing tier-one ball to the cheaper and less reliable lower tiers, it’s all about knowing what you want and asking for it.

If you are in it to win it, go for tier-one professional or level two intermediate balls. But if you enjoy a good game or play for recreation, then beginner and practice tennis balls might be just what the doctor ordered.

High Altitude, Regular and Extra Duty

The jargon might be a bit confusing at first, but it’s all really another way of describing the court. Regular balls play well on indoor and clay courts, while extra duty means hard court balls.

The difference is in the thickness of the felt. Extra Duty tennis balls have a thicker felt that is not so tight around the core of the ball. Regular duty balls have a thinner felt tight around the ball’s core.

Extra-duty tennis balls should last longer than regular-duty tennis balls. However, it does not mean you can not use regular-duty tennis balls at hard courts. You can but keep in mind that they will wear down quicker.

High altitude balls are made so that the higher altitude does not affect the play.

Durability

While all balls have their life span, it is always better to go for a ball that is built to last. Pressurized balls are known for a shorter life cycle, but specific components can tell you if it will last longer than others. Reinforced rubber coating and extra-durable felts are signs that your ball will last much longer and perform better.

7. What Number on Tennis Ball Means?

Maybe you noticed the number printed on the ball next to the brand name (see picture below).

Number on Balls

A lot of people think that the number describes the quality, level of play, or even the pressure of the ball. Though the explanation is different and pretty simple. Balls from the same can have the same number on them. The reason is not to mess the balls with the balls from the other court. So if you take your balls and know that you have “3” on them, you will not play with balls coming from different courts next to yours. They would have another number on them. It is just that simple.

8. New Trends – Wilson Trinity Tennis Balls

Currently, ecology and green economy are important issues. Wilson is probably the first company that emphasizes the ecology aspect of tennis balls. They released new Wilson Trinity Tennis Balls that should be much nature-friendly than any other tennis balls.

First of all, the tennis ball core comprises a unique plastomer material that extends ball liveliness. Wilson claims that Trinity Balls will last four times longer than other tennis balls. Secondly, the packing is 100% recyclable. And that is a big step ahead as usual tennis packaging is from aluminum. This octagonal-shaped container is pure paper, but it is still solid enough to keep the balls and last for a long time.

Check the price of Wilson Trinity Tennis Balls here (available per one can with three balls or in multi-package of 24 cans)

9. Official Grand Slam Tournaments Tennis Balls

Australian Open in Melbourne on hard courts, French Open in Paris on clay courts, Wimbledon in London on grass courts, and U.S. Open in  New York on hard courts are the most followed tennis events during the year. Every surface needs a different type of balls. Let us have a look at the brands and types used by these tournaments.

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