Best Tennis Balls to Up Your Game in 2025

The US Open is played on acrylic hard courts, these regular-duty tennis balls are designed for both clay and indoor courts. If you're a recreational player, like most of us are, these balls are a very good pick. They also last a long time for a regular-duty ball, which is important, since most recreational players typically don't plan on purchasing balls on a regular basis.

If you're a serious tennis player and you plan on playing three or four days a week, the Penn Championship tennis ball is an excellent choice. These extra-duty tennis balls are designed for harder courts, which means they have a thicker felt for added durability and longevity. They're also USA and ITF-approved for competitive play.

Wilson's Profile All Court Tennis Balls are a popular choice thanks to their versatility; they perform well on pretty much any court surface, even hard outdoor courts. These pressurized balls have a consistent bounce, and their signature Duraweave felt gives them added durability. They're excellent balls for multiple uses; great for practice, competing or casual play. 

Most of my picks have focused on durability, longevity and bounce, let's not forget one important thing: How easy is it to find your balls on a crowded court? When you're sharing your space with multiple players or with someone who's having a lesson in the next court over, it's hard to locate which balls are yours. These pink balls are the answer. The best part is that, for every can sold, Penn will donate 15 cents to benefit breast cancer research.

If you're new to tennis, it's best to start out with a set of tennis balls that can help you gain control and more experience. We're big fans of the Penn QST ball since they're 75% slower than your average yellow ball and they have a lower compression for easier bounce.

If you're looking to get the most bang for your buck, these Tour Comp tennis balls from Wilson are a great value. Perfect for recreational play or practice hitting, these balls hold up reasonably well and have an even bounce. Since you're getting four balls per can, it's hard to beat the price.

When choosing tennis balls, you'll first need to determine where and how often you'll be playing so you find the best type of tennis ball that's suitable for your needs. If you're playing high above sea level, you'll want to use high-altitude balls, for instance. If you plan to play on hard court surfaces, you'll want to use extra-duty balls, while regular-duty tennis balls are better suited for grass courts or clay courts. Young children and beginners should start with bigger, softer balls that are slower than regular tennis balls, so they're easier to see and make contact with.

The main difference between regular-duty and extra-duty tennis balls is that extra-duty balls, also known as "hard court" balls, have a thicker and more durable felt covering, so they're meant to last longer on hard surfaces. Regular duty balls are bouncier and move a little faster, which makes them ideal for indoor courts and clay courts. 

Pressureless tennis balls tend to be harder to hit and heavier than pressurized tennis balls.

Yes, a tennis ball can lose its internal pressure if left unused for about two years or more.