At most tennis centers, there is a constant battle between Wilson and Penn as the two most popular ball options. Most players have their preference between the two brands, but they offer very similar options for players on every single surface.
The best tennis balls ultimately depend on what surface that person is playing on, what skill level they play at, if it’s practice or a match, and even weather conditions. These four below are the best the company offers right now, and worth trying out at least once to get an idea of the best tennis balls on the market.
1. Pro Penn Marathon Tennis Balls
Out of the balls offer by Penn right now, this is the one to invest in if a person is serious about their tennis game. With hard court and clay court options, the Pro Penn Marathon lives up to its name as a very long-lasting ball.
It is marketed as the #1 choice among USPTA Teaching Professionals, thanks in large part to its Encore Technology, which adds longevity in the core of the ball. If the core is not strong, it’s very easy to lose pressure as the match goes along. The harder people hit, the quicker the pressure starts to fade.
LongPlay Felt is also a very welcomed addition. They use Optik Felt that not only lasts longer, but stays looking cleaner. Visibility is always a concern, especially on clay courts when the ball can get dirtier.
As one might expect, the ball with the most technology behind it is the most expensive. That is why a lot of people will buy cases of this ball and go through them that way. It saves a little bit of money in the end, and most people have no problem going through that many cans even if it takes a few months.
Pros
- Unmatched durability
- Provides the most consistent bounce
- Easy to see even late in its lifespan thanks to Optik Felt
Cons
- Most expensive ball
- Hard to find any discounts throughout the year
2. Penn Tour Tennis Balls
For the same type of ball used in actual professional tournaments, the Penn Tour ball is a perfect option to go with. It plays very similarly to the Pro Penn Marathon balls, but the added durability of the balls above gives it a slight edge. Everything else is mostly the same, and a lot of players will change between these two balls and not notice the difference.
It might sound cool to use balls designed for actual professional use, but people need to remember that those balls are constantly switched out at the pro level. Pro tennis tournaments switch out balls every seven games, while everyone else will usually use one can of tennis balls for an entire match. The Pro Penn Marathon balls have added durability that makes them better for players below the professional level.
The same type of other technology is included with this ball, including LongPlay Felt and smart Optiks Felt treatment. The smart Optiks Felt treatment is perhaps the best feature of this ball, as it’s noticeably brighter later and matches after heavy use.
The final drawback to this ball is that it is not as readily available in stores and online as the first two. It’s worth trying out and buying a can at some point, but most people end up going right back to the propane marathon ball.
Pros
- Premium felt and core
- Noticeably brighter than the competition
- Exact balls used in some professional tournaments
Cons
- Hard to find in stores
- Doesn’t last as long as Pro Penn Marathon balls
3. Penn Championship Tennis Balls
The highest selling tennis ball from Penn happens to be the Championship balls they have offered for years. The can and packaging has stayed relatively the same for a while now, and it’s heavily marketed as “America’s number one selling ball.”
Despite its popularity, people who take the game seriously usually understand that there are slightly better options out there. The Championship ball comes in both extra and regular duty, and while it performs pretty well, it is a step below the Pro Penn Marathon balls, as well as the Penn Tour balls.
The extra duty version has a much more durable felt, and it holds up well on hard courts. The regular-duty has a more tightly woven felt that resists dirt and water clumping up and staying on the ball.
As for any drawbacks, high-level players find that these Championship balls are hard to use for a full match. By about the end of the second set, the balls are very dirty and the pressure is starting to fade quickly. It forces some people to open another can if there is a third set, which certainly adds to the overall expense of playing the match. All of a sudden, the savings of going with a cheaper ball becomes expensive.
Despite all this, it’s a ball that frequently is found in league play. Sanctioned by the ITF and USTA for tournaments, it usually runs a little cheaper than the options above.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to find in stores/online
- Most players are familiar with how they play
Cons
- Lacks the durability of slightly more expensive options
- Dirty easy on clay courts
4. Penn Coach Tennis Ball
Opening up a new can of quality tennis balls makes sense for matches, but it can get pretty costly if a person is doing that a lot for practice. That’s why Penn Coach tennis balls might be the perfect solution for people who want to continue training, but don’t want to break the bank.
Officially labeled as a coaching ball, it should just be considered a practice ball. It offers a very consistent balance and strong durability, and the pressurized ball stays strong for multiple sessions. It’s not going to perform amazingly well, which is why people don’t use it for matchplay. For practice, where a person doesn’t always have to hit the best shot with the most power and spin, these practice balls come in handy.
Not only do they last a long time, but usually they can be found for around two dollars per can. This is much more affordable than paying almost double in some cases for balls used for matches. Buying a case of these balls allows for some pretty long practices while saving some money. Mix in some older used match balls as well and always have a good flow of options available.
Pros
- Inexpensive practice option
- Keep their bounce for a long time
- Clearly labeled to avoid any confusion
Cons
- Not suitable for playing a match
- Hard to practice adding spin to shots
Making The Final Decision
Out of all the tennis balls out there, the Pro Penn Marathon ball is just a different option altogether. It lasts a long time on any surface, and players like how consistent it is even when it starts to show some age. You can check the current price on Amazon here.
When playing a match, people are always looking for as much consistency as possible out of a ball. The last thing any player wants to deal with is a ball that won’t bounce as it should. They lose air just like any other ball to match, but it’s at a much slower rate than most people are fine with.
Pro Penn Marathon balls are so durable that some people even use them for two matches before replacing them. Depending on the rules in a league that a person plays in, this might be an option to cut down on cost a bit.
Unfortunately, tennis balls very rarely go on sale, so players mostly need to go ahead and pay the going rate for Pro Penn Marathon tennis balls. Getting them shipped used to be a hassle, but now a lot of companies offer it at a very good rate. That’s good news for people who find great deals online, only in the past to shy away from it once they looked at shipping.
Tennis balls are a necessity to play the game, so many people think it’s worth playing with the best. The higher the level a person plays, the more important it is to invest in the right ball.
Here is the full list of the best Penn tennis balls right now