Babolat Court Padel Balls, Dozen (12 Balls)

Babolat sells the Court in packs of three, so a dozen is twelve balls, the same as four of those packs. Our listing doesn't say how they are boxed, so don't expect a promise of four sealed tubes.

The reason to buy twelve is simple: padel balls go flat, and the ones you haven't opened stay fresh. A weekly player can open one pack of three a week and run a month on one order. Left in a hot boot or a bag by the radiator, any ball will go soft faster, whatever the brand.

Both are FIP-approved felt and rubber balls from Thailand. Babolat pitches the Court on speed and durability and the Ace dozen at competitive players. Retailers add that the Ace plays livelier and wears sooner, and the Court is the sturdier training ball.

That reading is marketing rather than a test, and we found no independent comparison. It does match the names, and the usual advice follows: Court for practice and casual games, Ace for matches that count.

Babolat's UK page lists FIP and FFT approval, felt and rubber construction, yellow and made in Thailand. The pressure and ball-type fields are blank. The brand price per ball is also the lowest of Babolat's two match balls on its own site, which is why the Court is the sensible bulk buy.

As with every ball, check your league's rule first. Some competitions specify a ball, and a dozen of the wrong one is an expensive lesson.

Clubs and coaches who go through balls by the case should look at the Court case. Players who play a few times a year: twelve balls will lose their pressure before you reach the last pack, and a single tube is the better buy. Our padel balls page covers the other brands, and a pressuriser can stretch an opened pack, though no maker states by how much.

Any racket, but Babolat players often keep the kit in one brand. The soft Air Vertuo 2.6 and the forgiving Air Origin both suit the Court well, and the rest are on the padel racket page.

Keep the box in a padel bag with a thermal pocket, and pick up an overgrip from the padel grips page to get an order over the free delivery line. Our guide to choosing a padel racket covers the rest.