Quick answer: padel and pickleball are both easy-to-learn racket sports usually played in doubles, but they feel very different. Padel is played on a larger, fully enclosed court where you can play the ball off the walls, with a solid perforated racket and a pressurized ball similar to a tennis ball. Pickleball is played on a small open court with a flat paddle, a plastic ball with holes and a no-volley “kitchen” near the net.
Padel vs pickleball at a glance
| Padel | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | 20 × 10 m (about 66 × 33 ft), enclosed by glass and mesh | 20 × 44 ft, open |
| Walls | Yes, the ball can be played off the walls | No walls |
| Racket / paddle | Solid, perforated foam-core racket | Flat solid paddle |
| Ball | Pressurized, like a slightly softer tennis ball | Plastic ball with holes |
| Serve | Underhand, after one bounce, at or below waist | Underhand, contact below the waist |
| Scoring | Tennis scoring (15, 30, 40, game, set) | Games usually to 11, win by 2 |
| Format | Almost always doubles | Singles and doubles |
| Special rule | Walls and fence change every rally | Non-volley zone (“kitchen”) |
The biggest difference: the walls
In padel, after the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the back or side walls and stay in play. Rallies last longer, and you learn to let the ball come off the glass instead of rushing it. Nothing like that exists in pickleball, where points are decided by soft dinks at the kitchen line and quick volleys.
Which one is easier to learn?
Both are beginner-friendly. Pickleball has a shorter learning curve for the very first sessions because the court is small and the ball is slow. Padel takes a few more sessions to read the walls, but in Spain it is famous for being the sport where complete beginners have fun from day one, because the walls keep the ball in play.
Which one is a better workout?
Padel usually involves more movement, because the court is bigger, rallies are longer and you cover both the net and the back of the court. Pickleball is lower impact, which is one reason it is so popular with older players.
Equipment you need
- Padel: a padel racket, padel balls and shoes with grip for artificial turf. Start with our best padel rackets for beginners and our guide on how to choose a padel racket.
- Pickleball: a paddle, pickleball balls and court shoes.
Can you play both?
Yes. Many players in the US are discovering padel after pickleball. The net game and soft hands transfer well; what you need to learn is the walls, the bigger court and the overhead game. Just do not use your pickleball paddle on a padel court: it is not allowed and the ball behaves differently.
Our take from Spain
If you enjoy long rallies, tactics and a bit more running, try padel. If you prefer a compact court, quick points and a gentler pace, pickleball is great. The good news: you do not have to choose. Book one padel session and see how it feels to play the ball off the glass.
Keep reading: Padel rules explained · Best padel rackets for beginners
FAQ
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Padel is played on an enclosed court where the ball can be played off the walls, with a perforated racket and a pressurized ball. Pickleball is played on a smaller open court with a flat paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
Is padel harder than pickleball?
Padel takes a few more sessions to learn because of the walls, but most beginners enjoy it from the first day. Pickleball is slightly quicker to pick up.
Can I use a pickleball paddle for padel?
No. Padel requires a padel racket. Pickleball paddles are not allowed and do not work well with padel balls.
Which burns more calories, padel or pickleball?
Padel usually involves more movement because of the larger court and longer rallies, so it tends to be the more intense workout.