Padel, pickleball and tennis all use a net, a ball and a racket or paddle. If you are trying to decide which one to pick up, or you already play one and are curious about another, this guide compares them honestly: court, equipment, rules, how hard they are to learn, and what it costs to get started.
Full disclosure: we are a padel shop. But the right sport is the one you will actually keep playing, so we will tell you where each one shines.
The quick comparison
| Padel | Pickleball | Tennis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court | 20 m x 10 m (about 66 x 33 ft), enclosed by glass walls and mesh | 20 x 44 ft, open | 78 ft long; 27 ft wide for singles, 36 ft for doubles; open |
| Usually played as | Doubles | Doubles or singles | Singles or doubles |
| Equipment | Solid, perforated padel racket with a foam core, no strings | Solid flat paddle, plastic ball with holes | Strung racquet |
| Ball | Pressurized, similar to a tennis ball but slightly lower pressure | Light perforated plastic ball | Pressurized felt ball |
| Serve | Underhand, after a bounce, hit at or below the waist | Underhand | Overhead |
| Scoring | Same as tennis (15, 30, 40, games, sets) | Games usually to 11, win by 2 | 15, 30, 40, games, sets |
| Walls in play? | Yes | No | No |
Padel: tennis-style rallies, with walls
Padel is played almost always as doubles on a court about a third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass back walls and mesh side fencing. The ball can bounce off the walls after it bounces on the ground, much like squash, which keeps rallies going far longer than most beginners expect.
The scoring is the same as tennis, so tennis players feel at home immediately. The serve is underhand, which removes the hardest skill in tennis from day one. The equipment is a solid padel racket with no strings, a foam core and a perforated face. You can read the full rules in our padel rules and scoring guide.
Why people love it: it is very social, the learning curve is gentle, and the walls give you a second chance on balls you would lose in tennis. Points are long and tactical, and smashes off the glass are fun to hit and to watch.
The catch: padel courts are still less common than tennis or pickleball courts in many US cities, and court time is often booked by the hour at a dedicated club. If you are in Texas, our Padel in Houston guide is a good place to start.
Pickleball: the easiest to start
Pickleball is played on a small court the same size as a badminton doubles court, with a flat paddle and a light plastic ball. There is a 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net, known as "the kitchen," where you cannot volley the ball. That rule slows the game down near the net and rewards soft, controlled shots.
Why people love it: it is the quickest to pick up, courts are widely available in many US parks and community centers, and the equipment is inexpensive.
The catch: rallies are shorter and the ball moves slower, so players who want a more athletic, tennis-style game sometimes find it limited. The kitchen rules and the underhand-only serve are also a big change for tennis players.
Tennis: the hardest to learn, the most courts
Tennis is the most established of the three, with public courts almost everywhere. It is also the most demanding to learn. The overhead serve, the large court and the fact that the ball is dead once it passes you mean beginners spend a lot of time chasing balls rather than rallying.
Why people love it: it is a full workout, you can play singles, and the depth of the sport keeps you improving for decades.
The catch: it takes months before rallies feel fun for most adult beginners.
Which should you play?
- You play tennis and want something more social: padel. Same scoring, similar strokes, and the walls add a new layer.
- You want the fastest, cheapest start and have courts nearby: pickleball.
- You want to play singles and have time to learn: tennis.
- You want long rallies, a real workout and a sport you can play with friends at different levels: padel. Doubles on a small enclosed court means less running for balls and more playing.
Plenty of people play more than one. Tennis players tend to pick up padel quickly, and many pickleball players try padel for its longer rallies.
What you need to start playing padel
Very little. Many clubs rent rackets, but your own padel racket makes a big difference once you play regularly.
- A beginner padel racket. Start with a round, forgiving model. The Babolat Alkes 2026 ($110.99) and Babolat Energy USA 2026 ($150.99) are two of our most popular first rackets. Tennis players who already hit cleanly often go straight to the Bullpadel Ionic Control 2026 ($205.99). See all options in our beginner padel rackets collection.
- Padel balls. Padel balls are not the same as tennis balls. Our guide Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls explains why. For clubs and regular groups, the Wilson Premier Padel Balls Case of 24 is the best value.
- An overgrip. Padel handles come in one size, so you adjust the thickness and tack with an overgrip such as the ABSORBx Padel Overgrip 3-Pack.
- Court shoes. Padel courts are usually artificial grass with sand, so you need lateral support and grip. Browse padel shoes.
FAQ
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Padel is played on an enclosed court with walls, using a solid foam-core racket and a pressurized ball, and it uses tennis scoring. Pickleball is played on a smaller open court with a flat paddle and a plastic ball, and it has a non-volley zone called the kitchen.
Is padel easier than tennis?
For most beginners, yes. The underhand serve, the smaller court and the walls make it much easier to get into long rallies in your first few sessions.
Can I use a pickleball paddle or tennis racquet for padel?
No. Padel rackets have a thicker foam core, a perforated face and a wrist strap, and they are built for padel's ball and walls. Use a proper padel racket.
Is padel good exercise?
Yes. It combines short sprints, quick changes of direction and a lot of reaction work at the net. See Top Health Benefits of Playing Padel Regularly.
How fast can I get padel gear?
We ship from US stock in 2-3 business days, with a 12 PM CT cutoff Monday to Friday. Shipping is free over $199, and code PPS works at checkout. Returns are accepted within 30 days (customer pays return shipping).