Our Experts
Desiree DeNunzio Editor
Desiree DeNunzio is the gift guide editor for CNET’s Commerce team. When she’s not writing and editing, she’s either hiking through the redwoods or curled up with a good book and a lazy dog.
- Desiree’s previous work has appeared in various print and online publications including Search Engine Land, PCWorld, Wired magazine and PBS MediaShift.
Whether you’re an avid player or just learning to play, having the right tennis balls can make all the difference in your game. While most people focus primarily on having the proper racket and the right apparel, don’t overlook the importance of a good tennis ball. There’s nothing like the consistent bounce and durability of a high-quality ball. But with the amount of options on the market, it’s hard to know which balls are truly the best. That’s why I’ve done the legwork, compiling this list of the best tennis balls for your next match.
Putting my years of experience playing tennis to use, I tried out a variety of tennis ball brands. I’m well-versed in training balls for beginners and how junior balls differ from standard yellow ones, as both of my kids play tennis, too. With all that knowledge and testing, I put together this list, and I also factored in buyer reviews. This guide will help you find the best tennis ball options for all levels of players. If you’re looking for the best balls for playing fetch with Fido, be sure to check out our list of the best dog toys.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
