Padel vs Pickleball — What's the Difference? The Honest UK Guide

Two sports. Both exploding in the UK. Both easier than tennis. Both played in enclosed courts. But they're completely different games — different equipment, different rules, different vibe. If you're trying to decide which one to pick up first, this is the guide you need.

What actually is pickleball?

Pickleball was invented in the USA in 1965 and has exploded in popularity over the past five years — it's now one of the fastest growing sports in America and is gaining serious traction in the UK. It's played on a small court (roughly the size of a badminton court), with solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball — similar to a wiffle ball.

The sport is known for being accessible to all ages and fitness levels, relatively quiet (compared to padel's distinctive glass thwack), and easy to pick up within minutes. Many UK tennis and badminton clubs now offer pickleball sessions alongside their main sports.

The 7 key differences between padel and pickleball

1. The court is a completely different size

A padel court is 10m × 20m — about the size of two badminton courts side by side. A pickleball court is just 6.1m × 13.4m — significantly smaller. The smaller pickleball court means less running, shorter rallies and a game that's kinder on older or less mobile players.

2. The walls — padel has them, pickleball doesn't

This is the defining difference. Padel courts are enclosed in glass and metal mesh — the ball can rebound off the walls and stay in play. Pickleball courts are open, like a small tennis court. If the ball goes past you in pickleball, it's gone. In padel, the wall often gives you a second chance.

3. The ball is completely different

Padel uses a pressurised rubber ball very similar to a tennis ball — just lower pressure. Pickleball uses a rigid plastic ball with holes punched through it, like a miniature wiffle ball. The pickleball bounces lower and moves more slowly than a padel ball, which contributes to pickleball's reputation as an easier sport to learn.

4. The equipment costs differ

Pickleball paddles start from around £20–£30 for a decent beginner option. Padel rackets start from around £60. Both sports require court shoes but no other specialist equipment. Pickleball is the cheaper sport to get started in.

5. The scoring is different

Padel uses tennis scoring — 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage, games, sets. Pickleball uses rally scoring to 11 (win by 2) — simpler and faster. Games of pickleball tend to be shorter and more immediately decisive than padel sets.

6. The serve rules differ

Both sports use underarm serves — no overarm power serves like tennis. In pickleball the serve must land in a diagonal service box. In padel the serve bounces in the service box and ideally rebounds off the back glass wall. Both are far more accessible than a tennis serve.

7. The noise level is very different

Padel is loud — the distinctive crack of ball on solid racket echoing around a glass box is part of the sport's appeal. Pickleball has a distinctive "pop" sound from the plastic ball on paddle, but at a lower volume. If you're playing in residential areas or noise-sensitive venues, pickleball is the more neighbour-friendly option.

Padel vs Pickleball — side by side

Which is easier to learn?

Both are significantly easier than tennis — that's part of why both sports are growing so fast. But they're easy in different ways.

Pickleball is arguably easier to get started with. The smaller court means less ground to cover, the plastic ball moves more slowly and predictably, and the scoring is simpler. Most complete beginners can sustain rallies within their first 10 minutes of pickleball.

Padel has a slightly steeper initial curve — the wall rebounds take some getting used to, the court is bigger, and the ball moves faster. But once you've played two or three sessions, most people find padel more tactically rich and more rewarding to improve at.

Which is cheaper to play in the UK?

Pickleball wins on cost — both for equipment and court hire. A decent beginner paddle costs £20–£40 versus £60+ for a padel racket. Court hire for pickleball tends to be lower too, as many venues run pickleball on existing badminton or tennis courts without specialist infrastructure costs.

Padel courts require significant investment to build — the glass walls, specialist surface and lighting all add up. That cost gets passed on through court hire fees. Expect to pay £12–£25 per person for padel versus £5–£15 for pickleball in most UK venues.

Which is better exercise?

Padel is more physically demanding. The larger court, faster ball, more explosive movements and longer rallies mean you'll burn more calories and work your cardiovascular system harder in a padel session than a pickleball session of the same length.

That said, pickleball is no walk in the park — it's still excellent exercise and its lower-impact nature makes it particularly popular with older players or those managing injuries. The reduced lateral stress compared to padel means pickleball is much kinder on the knees and hips.

• Padel — better for cardiovascular fitness, explosive movement, full-body workout
• Pickleball — better for joint health, lower-impact fitness, accessible to all ages

Which sport is right for you?

The honest answer? Try both. Most people who do end up with a clear favourite within a couple of sessions. If you're already interested enough to read this guide, the chances are you'll love at least one of them — and quite possibly both.

Can you play both?

Absolutely — and many UK players do. The skills transfer reasonably well between the two sports. Your net game from padel will help in pickleball, and pickleball's emphasis on soft, precise shots will improve your touch game in padel. They complement each other nicely.