How they feel to play
Pickleball is a game of short, soft exchanges near the net mixed with fast volleys, and the kitchen rule stops players from smashing everything at the net. Padel rallies are longer because a ball that gets past you can still be played off the back or side glass. Tactics revolve around taking the net and using lobs and the walls.
Which is easier to start?
Both are quick to learn, especially for anyone who has played tennis or another racket sport. Padel courts are fewer and usually booked by the hour; pickleball can be played on many existing courts with temporary lines.
If you are choosing a padel racket
Coming from pickleball or tennis, a round or teardrop racket with a soft or medium core is the easiest transition. The racket finder narrows it down in four questions.
Questions
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Padel is played on an enclosed court with glass walls that are part of the game, with perforated rackets and a tennis-like ball. Pickleball is played on a smaller open court with solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes.
Can you use a pickleball paddle for padel?
No. Padel rackets are thicker, have holes and a wrist strap, and the ball is heavier and pressurised. A pickleball paddle is not legal or practical in padel.
Does padel use tennis scoring?
Yes. Padel scores like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, with matches usually best of three sets.