Seeing as pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the world, you can buy pickleball equipment pretty much everywhere. There are tons of online shops and products on popular websites like Amazon. Various sporting goods stores also sell pickleball equipment now. So, it’s not really a question of where to buy pickleballs, it’s more about finding the best ones.
That being said, not all online stores are made equal. Some stores sell bad-quality balls that don’t bounce as well, are lighter or heavier than advertised, or easily break and get scratches.
Before we look at the best places to buy good pickleball balls, let’s first talk about what a good pickleball ball is. The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) has rules about what pickleball balls can be used in their tournaments.
Official Tournament-Quality Pickleballs by The USAPA
The USAPA, or the United States of America Pickleball Association, is the governing body of pickleball in the United States. They’re responsible for setting the rules and regulations for pickleball, as well as mediating the fairness and quality of pickleball tournaments.
Having “official balls” isn’t unique to pickleball. Other sports, like tennis and badminton, also have organizations that provide specific requirements for their tournament balls.
For example, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) specifies that tennis balls must be made of felt and must have a pressure of between 14.7 and 15.3 psi. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) specifies that shuttlecocks must be made of cork and feathers and must weigh between 4.74 and 5.5 grams.
Likewise, the USAPA has a Ball List, which lists every single ball that is accepted by the organization for tournament play. Here, you can find the model of the ball, when it was listed, and if it’s an outdoor or indoor ball. The Ball List is updated regularly, so before purchasing a pickleball ball to use in a tournament, make sure that the ball is on the Ball List first.
Best Places to Buy Pickleballs in Physical Stores
You can buy pickleball equipment almost everywhere now. If you live near a branch of any of these physical stores, it’s worth checking them out. A lot of them have been selling pickleball equipment for the past ten years or more. So, chances are high that you’ll find the perfect pickleball ball for your needs there!
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods has a long history of being a trusted retailer of sporting goods. They were founded in 1948, and have since grown to become one of the largest sporting goods retailers in America.
Number of physical stores: 850
Their physical stores have a good selection of pickleball equipment. They carry a variety of brands, including Selkirk, Wilson, and Head. They also have a good selection of pickleball balls, including both indoor and outdoor balls.
Target
Target is a major retailer that sells a wide variety of products, including pickleball equipment. It’s a convenient place to buy pickleball equipment because they have stores in many locations.
Number of physical stores: 1,926
Walmart
Pickleball equipment is available in almost all Walmart stores and is probably one of the most inexpensive options on this list. If you want to order online, there are options for one-day deliveries or you can do a free pickup as well.
Number of physical stores: 4,743
Best Places to Buy Pickleball Balls Online
Buying online means you won’t be able to hold the balls you’re about to purchase. But rest assured that even though these brands don’t have physical retail stores, they make up for it by selling quality products.
Here are some of the best places to buy pickleball balls online, along with some pros and cons to help you decide which is the best fit for you:
Amazon
Amazon is one of the most popular online retailers in the world, and they have a wide selection of pickleball equipment, including balls, paddles, nets, and bags. They also have a good return policy.
Pros:
- Wide selection of pickleball brands to choose from like ONIX and Franklin Sports
- Same-day delivery for supported addresses
- Tons of reviews to read and sort through when choosing a ball, so you’ll easily find a reliable pickleball that will last you a while
Cons:
- Might have fake or subpar-quality items
- Sells all kinds of things, so you might have a hard time finding exactly what you need
Wilson
Wilson is another leading manufacturer of pickleball equipment, and they sell their products directly on their website. They have a wide selection of pickleball balls, including both indoor and outdoor balls. They also have a variety of other pickleball equipment, such as paddles, nets, and bags.
Pros:
- Wide selection of pickleball balls from a reputable manufacturer
- High-quality products
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Prices may be higher than other retailers
- Not all pickleball balls at Wilson are approved by the USAPA
Pickleball Central
Pickleball Central is a specialty retailer that has been selling only pickleball equipment since 2006, which is longer than all the other stores. This means that they have a deep understanding of the sport and can help you find the right equipment for your needs. What started out as a hobby website has turned into a reliable brand over the years.
Pros:
- Lots of options to choose from
- Reputable store
- Only sells pickleball items, so you’ll have an easier time finding what you need here than on Amazon
Cons:
- Reviews can’t be sorted according to negative or positive, so you’ll have to read through a ton before you find what you’re looking for
Why Didn’t We Mention Selkirk?
Selkirk is a leading manufacturer of pickleball equipment, and they sell their products directly on their website, as well as on third-party sites like Amazon. They’ve made a name for themselves in the sport and have been known to sell some of the best paddles on the market.
Unfortunately, according to dozens of 1-star Amazon reviews, Selkirk’s pickleball crack easily—often only after a few days (even hours) of recreational play. With that, we can’t recommend Selkirk for pickleball balls in good conscience.
Get Your Own Pickleball Ball Now
There are many great places to buy pickleball balls both online and offline. Where you buy will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Like whether or not there’s even a physical sporting goods store nearby that sells what you’re looking for.
If you are looking for a wide selection of pickleball equipment at competitive prices, Amazon is a great option. For high-quality products from a reputable manufacturer, you can’t go wrong with Selkirk or Wilson. If you want to check out and get a feel of the pickleball before buying it. Try searching in your local Target or Walmart.
And, if you want to be sure that you are getting a USAPA-approved ball. Be sure to check the ball list on the USAPA website.
