The Best Tennis Balls for All Uses

Tennis balls are fun, durable, and versatile. They can be used to play tennis or to play with your dog. Having a reliable set can elevate your experience, so here are some that we recommend.

Buying Tennis Balls

Here are some things to consider:

• Court Surface: Tennis courts can have different surfaces that certain balls work better on. Type 1 balls are used on fast surfaces like grass; type 2 are used on standard-speed surfaces like hard courts; type 3 balls are used on slower surfaces like clay, and high altitude balls have a higher bounce and travel faster. Keep in mind what type of court you will be playing on when buying tennis balls.
• Pressurized vs. Non-pressurized: Tennis balls can either be pressurized or non-pressurized. The majority of tennis balls are pressurized as they give more bounce, speed, and spin. Non-pressurized balls last longer and gain resilience the more that they are used.
• Duty: Tennis balls can either be extra duty or regular duty. Duty refers to the felt that covers the ball. Extra-duty balls are thicker, while regular-duty balls have regular thickness. Extra-duty balls are usually ideal for harder or faster surfaces, while regular-duty balls are ideal for slower courts.

Best for Casual Play: Gamma Bag of Pressureless Tennis Balls

These 12 tennis balls are non-pressurized, making them more durable and providing maximum performance. The reusable black mesh bag is great for transporting and storing these balls. They are available in packs of 12 or 18 and in four different colors.

Best Competition Standard: Penn Championship Tennis Balls

These tennis balls are pressurized, giving them more speed. They are covered in extra-duty felt, with interlocked wool fiber that allows the ball to play like new for longer. The fiber gives an even nap, and the natural rubber provides a consistent feel and reduces shock. These balls are also available in 3-ball, 12-ball, 36-ball, 45-ball, and 72-ball packs.

Best for Dogs: Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs

These polyester tennis balls are fun and safe for dogs of all sizes and ages as they are nontoxic and non-abrasive. The bright color makes them easy to spot when playing outdoors. They are also compatible with ball launchers, giving your dog more exercise while playing fetch.

Best for Walkers: Top Glides Precut Walker Tennis Ball Glides – Dark Blue – 2 Pairs

These tennis balls are pre-cut, meaning you can easily slip them onto the bottom of your walker and go. The soft felt exterior will protect your floor from scuffs and scratches and your carpet from snags. These balls are available in 10 other colors, so you can pick your favorite to adorn your walker.

Best Youth Balls: Penn QST 36 Tennis Balls – Youth Felt Red Tennis Balls for Beginners

These tennis balls are ideal for players aged 10 or below. They have lower compression to help control bounce and reduce speed by 75%. The two-tone design allows players to track the spin of the ball, allowing young players to master the basics of ball control. It is covered in durable felt that is suitable for all courts.