Padel vs. Pickleball: What’s the Difference? (And Which One Should You Play?)

If you have walked past a local park or sports club recently, you have likely noticed something strange. Tennis courts are being divided up, strange "clacking" or "popping" sounds are filling the air, and everyone seems to be talking about two sports that sound suspiciously similar.

Are they playing Padel? Or is it Pickleball? And why is everyone suddenly obsessed with both? While these two sports share some DNA—they are both racquet sports that are easier to learn than tennis—they are distinctly different games with unique rules, equipment, and cultures. If you are looking to pick up a new hobby or just want to win the debate at the dinner table, you are in the right place.

In this guide, we will break down Padel vs. Pickleball: what’s the difference?, cover the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which one deserves your time and sweat.

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The "Elevator Pitch": Defining the Two

Before we get into the technical weeds, let's establish the vibe of each sport. These aren't just smaller versions of tennis; they have their own unique "personalities."

• Pickleball is best described as "ping-pong played on a court." It originated in the USA in the 1960s as a backyard game for families. It is played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, plastic paddles, and a plastic ball with holes in it. It is famous for being incredibly accessible—you can learn the basics in 10 minutes.
• Padel (pronounced "pah-del") is often described as "tennis with walls" or "squash in the sun." Born in Mexico in 1969, it is played on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls. You use a solid, perforated racquet and a depressurized tennis ball. The key twist? You can play the ball off the glass walls, adding a strategic, 3-dimensional element to the game.

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1. The Court: The Cage vs. The Open Space

The most immediate visual difference between the two sports is the environment you play in. One feels like an open park, the other feels like a glass arena.

Padel: The "Fishbowl"

A Padel court is enclosed. It measures 10 meters by 20 meters (roughly 33 x 66 feet). The court is surrounded by glass walls at the back and wire mesh on the sides.

This enclosure isn't just for keeping the ball from rolling away; it is part of the game. In Padel, if the ball bounces on your side and hits the glass wall, it is still in play. You can let the ball hit the glass and then hit it back over the net. This makes the court feel smaller but the gameplay much deeper, as you have to constantly calculate angles.

Pickleball: The Mini-Tennis Court

A Pickleball court is completely open. It measures 20 feet by 44 feet, which is exactly the same size as a badminton doubles court.

There are no walls. If the ball goes past the baseline, it is out. The defining feature of a Pickleball court is the "Kitchen" (officially the Non-Volley Zone), a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players are forbidden from volleying (hitting the ball out of the air). This prevents players from just standing at the net and smashing everything.

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2. The Equipment: What Are You Holding?

If you pick up the wrong gear, you’ll know immediately. The tactile experience of Padel vs. Pickleball is night and day.

The Racquet vs. The Paddle

• Padel Racquet: These are thick (usually 38mm), solid foam bats covered in carbon fiber or fiberglass. They have no strings, but they are perforated with holes to reduce air resistance. They feel substantial and can generate significant power.
• Pickleball Paddle: These look like oversized ping-pong paddles. They are generally flat, rectangular, and made of high-tech composite materials with a honeycomb core. They are lightweight and create that distinctive "pop" sound on contact.

The Ball

• Padel Ball: It looks almost exactly like a tennis ball. It is yellow, fuzzy, and bounces. However, it is slightly smaller and has less internal pressure than a standard tennis ball, which keeps the game from becoming too fast and bouncy.
• Pickleball Ball: This is a hard plastic ball with holes in it, similar to a Wiffle ball. Because it is plastic and full of air holes, it doesn't bounce very high and is affected by wind. It travels much slower than a tennis or Padel ball.

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3. Strategy: The "Kitchen" vs. The Walls

In Pickleball, the strategy revolves around the "Kitchen" line. The game is a race to the net. Players try to get to the Kitchen line and engage in "dinking"—soft, controlled shots—until someone makes a mistake and pops the ball up, leading to a smash. It requires immense patience and quick hands.

In Padel, the strategy is about territory and patience. Power often works against you; if you smash the ball too hard, it will bounce off the back wall and set up an easy counter-attack for your opponent. Padel players use the walls to slow the game down or lob the ball high to regain position. It feels more like a chess match played at high speed.

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Comparison Table: Padel vs. Pickleball At A Glance

Feature	Pickleball	Padel
Court Type	Open court	Enclosed glass walls
Ball	Hard plastic (Wiffle)	Fuzzy depressurized ball
Scoring	Points to 11	Tennis scoring (15, 30, 40)
Format	Singles & Doubles	Doubles only

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Which One Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the battle of "Padel vs. Pickleball" isn't about which sport is better; it is about which one fits your lifestyle. Pickleball offers unmatched accessibility and a friendly, community-driven vibe. Padel offers a dynamic, 3D sporting experience that feels athletic yet strategic.

The good news? You don't actually have to choose. Both sports are exploding in popularity for a reason: they are incredibly fun. So, grab a paddle (or a racquet), find a local court, and see which sound—the "pop" or the "thud"—you prefer.

Check out our latest guides on the best Padel racquets for beginners or how to find the right Pickleball shoes for your next match!