Tennis balls are designed to meet specific criteria set by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to ensure that they are suitable for regulation play.
Modern tennis balls are made of a pressurized rubber core covered with high-quality cloth, usually wool mixed with up to 35 percent nylon.
The felt delays flow separation in the boundary layer which reduces aerodynamic drag and gives the ball better flight properties. When it comes to choosing the right tennis balls for your ball machine, there are several factors to consider.
Some of the most important factors include the type of ball, the level of pressure, and the durability of the ball. Here are some of the best tennis balls for ball machines:
1. Penn Championship Tennis Balls
Penn Championship tennis balls are known for their impressive durability and are made of interlocked wool fiber, making their outerwear last longer in time, and deep elastic seams to prevent cracking or other damages. They are also one of the cheaper options out there, so you can’t go wrong with them.
Since normal tennis balls are affected by the thinner air at altitudes of 4,000 feet or more, traveling faster and bouncing higher than they normally would, tennis players living in higher altitudes should seek out specialized balls for a better experience.
Price: $29.99
Number in package: 18
Type: Pressurized high-altitude
Ideal court: Hard courts
Pros:
- Consistent play and bounce at high altitude
- Durable
Cons:
- Not worth buying if you play at sea level
2. Gamma Pressureless Tennis Balls
Gamma Pressureless tennis balls are made of a soft but bouncy material that is gentle on your hands and arms, making them an excellent choice for people with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
These balls come in a pack of 60 and are perfect for tennis novices or experienced players who want to work on their game. The balls are designed with a 2-tone color scheme that visually aids in spin development drills.
Price: $18.46
Number in package: 48
Type: Pressureless Practice
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Low price point
- Excellent choice for practicing with a machine
- 60 balls in a pack
- Made out of ultra-durable rubber
- Recommend for both; indoor and outdoor use
Cons:
- None that we could find
3. Tourna Pressureless Tennis Ball 60 Count
Tourna Pressureless 60 Count tennis balls are designed to maintain their consistent bounce throughout their life, unlike regular tennis balls that go flat over time.
The extra durable felt on the Tourna Pressureless Tennis Balls lasts a long time, making them ideal for tennis ball machines, tennis practice, or even playing with your pets
Price: $42.80
Number in package: 60
Type: Pressureless practice
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Designed to maintain consistent bounce throughout their life.
- Extra durable felt lasts a long time.
- Suitable for tennis ball machines, tennis practice, or even playing with your pets.
- Regulation size and bounce to regulation height.
Cons:
- Not suitable for playing matches.
- Not as lively as regular tennis balls.
4. DUNLOP ATP Tour Gold Regular Duty Tennis Balls
Dunlop ATP Tour Gold Regular Duty Tennis Balls are the official balls of the ATP Tour since 1928. These balls are made with HD Pro Cloth and HD Pro Core technologies that provide ultimate consistency and performance on the court.
These balls come in a pack of 24 cans, which is 72 balls in total. The balls are regulation size and bounce to regulation height, making them suitable for playing on all surfaces with confidence.
Price: $4.49
Number in package: 3
Type: Pressurized competition
Ideal court: Hard courts
Pros:
- Longer lasting than the average pressurized ball
- Reliably premium performance
- Ultra-high visibility
Cons:
- Best reserved for high-level play
5. Teloon Pressure Training Tennis Balls
Teloon Pressure Training Tennis Balls are a great option for tennis players who want to practice their game without worrying about the balls losing their bounce.
These balls are available in a pack of 12 or 18 and come in a convenient reusable and closeable mesh bag for easy transport and storage.
Price: $19.89
Number in package: 12-18
Type: Pressureless
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Ideal for beginners
- Pressureless design
- Lightweight and easy to control
- Comes in a convenient reusable and closeable mesh bag
Cons:
- Not suitable for playing matches
- Not as lively as regular tennis balls
6. Wilson US Open Extra Duty
Wilson US Open Extra Duty Tennis Balls are the official balls of the US Open since 1978. These balls are made with exclusive felt from Tex Tech Industries for superior playability, consistency, and durability.
The balls are specifically designed to perform well on hard courts. They are heavier and have a higher bounce than regular-duty balls which means they can be hit harder and with more spin.
Wilson US Open Extra Duty Tennis Balls come in a pack of 72 balls, which is 24 cans of 3 balls each. The balls are approved by the USTA and ITF for competitive play.
Price: $6.49
Number in package: 3
Type: Pressurized extra-duty
Ideal court: Hard Courts (clay/indoor)
Pros:
- Premium-quality design
- Reliable performance
- Optimized for hard courts
Cons:
- Not designed for longevity
7. Penn Pro Marathon Extra Duty
Penn Pro Marathon Extra Duty Tennis Balls are a great option for tennis players who want to practice their game without worrying about the balls losing their bounce.
Price: $109.95
Number in package: 72 balls
Type: Pressureless
Ideal court: Hard courts
Pros:
- Ideal for beginners
- Pressureless design
- Designed with a reduced bounce so players can practice their shot-making skills
- Comes in a pack of 24 cans, which is 72 balls in total
Cons:
- Not suitable for playing matches
- Not as lively as regular tennis balls
8. Penn Pressureless Tennis Balls
Penn Pressureless tennis balls are a great option for tennis players who want to practice their game without worrying about the balls losing their bounce. These balls are designed with a reduced bounce so players can practice their shot-making skills.
These balls are available in a pack of 48 and are perfect for tennis novices or experienced players who want to work on their game.
Price: $59.99
Number in package: 48
Type: Pressureless practice
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Especially durable
- Excellent value
- Consistent bounce
- Includes storage bucket
Cons:
- Best reserved for practice
9. Franklin Pressureless Tennis Balls
Franklin Pressureless tennis balls are designed with a reduced bounce so players can practice their shot-making skills.
The pressureless design of these balls means that they will move a little slower and have less bounce than standard pressurized tennis balls. However, this also ensures that they will last longer and remain consistent.
Price: $24.99
Number in package: 12
Type: Pressureless practice
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Consistent bounce and play
- Durable
- Includes mesh bag
- Optimized for ball machines and beginners
Cons:
- Not for competitive play
10. Wilson Roland Garros Har Tru Clay Court 3 Ball Can
Wilson Roland Garros Har Tru Clay Court 3 balls are crafted for ideal performance on clay and continue the brand’s rich tradition of high-performance tennis balls on the biggest stages in the sport.
This ball boasts a core designed for longer rallies and a felt that limits moisture and dirt pick-up for peak consistency during grueling points. The ball produces a performance fit for the zenith of the clay court season.
The can includes 3 balls and the case includes 24 cans. The balls are regulation size and bounce to regulation height, making them suitable for playing on all surfaces with confidence.
Price: $6.49
Number in package: 3
Type: Pressurized premium
Ideal court: Clay
Pros:
- Extreme durability
- Consistent bounce and performance
- Felt minimizes dirt pick-up for extra visibility
Cons:
- Only worth buying for clay courts
11. Wilson Triniti Sustainability Tennis Ball
Wilson Triniti Sustainability tennis ball is designed to maintain its fresh ball feel 4x longer to reduce consumption and waste. The core of the ball is made of a low-density plastomer material that weighs less than traditional tennis ball cores, allowing for thicker core walls.
This design element gives the ball a higher degree of rebound consistency, so it can be in play longer and is more controlled. The balls are regulation size and bounce to regulation height, making them suitable for playing on all surfaces with confidence.
Price: $5.99
Number in package: 3
Type: Premium Pressureless
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Extreme durability
- High bounce
- Reliable performance
- Practice machine-safe
- Recyclable cardboard packaging
Cons:
- Pricey for pressureless tennis balls, but they are as close to pressurized balls as you can get
12. Prince Stage 3 Youth Tennis Balls
Prince Stage 3 Youth Tennis Balls are specifically designed to aid the correct development of strokes of players aged around 6 years old.
These balls move 75% slower through the air than yellow balls and have a 35% lower bounce height, making them ideal for young players who are just starting to learn the game.
Price: $19.99
Number in package: 12
Type: Pressureless youth
Ideal court: All
Pros:
- Travels at 75% speed for ball control training
- Surprisingly durable
- Approved by the USTA for Quick Start tennis play format
Cons:
- Not suitable for advanced players
- Not as lively as regular tennis balls
