Updated October 29, 2026 · 9 min read
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4.7★ · 26,000+ ratings
Franklin X-40: the outdoor pickleball most players know
The Franklin X-40 is the outdoor pickleball you will find at most public courts, clubs and tournaments in the US. It is USA Pickleball approved, used as the official ball of the US Open Pickleball Championships, and holds a 4.7-star rating from more than 26,000 Amazon buyers, one of the highest counts of any pickleball product.
Below: how it plays, how long it lasts before cracking, which pack size to buy, and how it compares with newer durable balls from Selkirk and Onix.
The short answer
Our verdict: the best all-round outdoor pickleball for most players. It plays the way most courts and tournaments expect, flies true in moderate wind and is easy to find in bulk.
If cracked balls drive you mad, pay more for a ball built for durability, like the Selkirk Pro S1.
Buy it if
- You play outdoors on hard courts and want the “standard” tournament feel.
- You run a club, league or school program and buy in bulk.
- You want a ball that most opponents already know.
- You play in light to moderate wind.
Skip it if
- You play indoors; get an indoor ball like the Franklin X-26.
- You play in very cold weather, when hard plastic balls crack faster.
- You want the longest-lasting ball regardless of price.
What you get
Franklin X-40 outdoor ballsOptic yellow and other colors, packs of 3, 6, 12, 36, 100 and 400See it on Amazon →The X-40 comes in packs from 3 to 400 balls and several colors. Optic yellow is the most visible on blue and green courts; white is easier on some tan courts. Bulk packs bring the price per ball right down, which matters because outdoor balls are consumables.
Key specs
| Spec | Franklin X-40 |
|---|---|
| Use | Outdoor |
| Holes | 40 machine-drilled holes |
| Construction | One-piece, seamless (rotational molding) |
| Material | Polyethylene |
| Approval | USA Pickleball approved |
| Official ball of | US Open Pickleball Championships |
| Pack sizes | 3 to 400 |
What 26,000+ buyers say: the box score
Amazon groups review mentions by topic. Here is the Franklin X-40 box score as of October 2026.
| TOPIC | WHAT BUYERS SAY | MENTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Well made, consistent | 1,645 |
| Value | Good value, especially in bulk | 559 |
| Color | Easy to see | 310 |
| Playability | Plays true and consistent | 285 |
| Performance | Good bounce and flight | 276 |
| Outdoor | Built well for outdoor courts | 212 |
The takeaway: with over 26,000 ratings and every main topic positive, the X-40 is about as proven as a pickleball gets. The main complaint you will see in written reviews is cracking after heavy use, especially in cold weather, which is true of most hard outdoor balls.
How the X-40 plays
The X-40 is a hard, fairly heavy outdoor ball with 40 small holes. That combination makes it fast off the paddle and steady in the air. Dinks feel firm, drives come through quickly, and the ball does not float as much as lighter, softer balls. Many players describe it as the “default” feel because so many tournaments and clubs use it.
The seamless one-piece construction helps the ball stay round and bounce consistently from ball to ball. That matters in drilling and league play, where you want every ball to behave the same way.
How long does an X-40 last?
Outdoor pickleballs are consumables. Depending on how hard you hit, the court surface and the temperature, an X-40 typically lasts several hours to a few weeks of regular play before it softens, goes out of round or cracks. Cracking is more common below about 50°F, because the plastic gets brittle. Rotate balls, store them at room temperature, and retire any ball that sounds dead or wobbles in flight.
Which pack size should you buy?
- 3 or 6 pack: casual players and beginners.
- 12 pack: regular players who want spares for a season.
- 36 or 100 pack: clubs, drilling with a ball machine, coaches and schools.
Bulk packs usually cut the price per ball by half or more compared with 3-packs.
Indoor vs outdoor pickleballs
Outdoor balls like the X-40 have around 40 smaller holes and harder plastic, so wind affects them less and they survive rough asphalt and concrete. Indoor balls have about 26 larger holes and softer plastic for a slower, more controlled game on gym floors. Using an outdoor ball indoors makes the game fast and bouncy; using an indoor ball outdoors makes it float in the wind and wear out quickly.
Playing the X-40 in wind and cold
The X-40 is among the better standard balls in light to moderate wind thanks to its weight and hole pattern. In gusty conditions, heavier balls such as the Onix Pure 2 fly a bit straighter. In cold weather, warm the balls in a pocket or bag before play and bring extras, as cracking rises when temperatures drop.
Franklin X-40 vs the rivals
Franklin X-40
Selkirk Pro S1
Onix Pure 2| Franklin X-40 | Selkirk Pro S1 | Onix Pure 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | All-round outdoor play | Durability | Windy courts |
| Feel | Firm, fast | Firm, consistent | Heavier, straighter |
| Durability | Good | Excellent (no-crack warranty) | Good |
| Price per ball | Low in bulk | Higher | Medium |
The X-40 is the value and familiarity pick. The Selkirk Pro S1 costs more but lasts much longer, and the Onix Pure 2 is a good choice for windy courts. See our best outdoor pickleballs for the full comparison.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The ball most clubs and tournaments use
- Consistent bounce and flight from ball to ball
- Very visible optic yellow
- Great value in bulk packs
- Huge number of positive reviews
Cons
- Can crack after heavy use, especially in cold weather
- Firm feel can be less forgiving for beginners
- Not suitable for indoor play
- Prices vary a lot by pack size
Is the Franklin X-40 worth it?
Yes. For most outdoor players it is the obvious choice: proven, consistent and easy to buy in bulk. Its main weakness, cracking over time, applies to almost all hard outdoor balls. If you play several times a week and hate replacing balls, compare the per-hour cost with a more durable ball like the Selkirk Pro S1.
Tips to make pickleballs last longer
- Store balls indoors at room temperature, not in a hot car or freezing garage.
- Warm balls in your pocket on cold days before play.
- Rotate several balls in drilling sessions instead of using one until it breaks.
- Retire balls that look oval or sound flat; they bounce unpredictably.
- Keep balls clean; grit wears the surface.
Who the X-40 suits best
It suits recreational and competitive outdoor players, clubs, leagues, schools and anyone practising for tournaments that use it. Beginners who find it too fast can start with a softer ball like the Tourna Strike, then switch to the X-40 as their game improves.
Is it a good gift?
A bulk bag of X-40s is a practical gift any outdoor pickleball player will use. Pair it with a paddle cover, grips or a bag; see our pickleball gifts for him and pickleball gifts for her.
Pair it with the right paddle
If you are just getting started, our best pickleball paddle sets for beginners and best pickleball paddles under $100 guides help you pick a paddle that suits the X-40’s fast, firm feel.
Our final word
The Franklin X-40 is still the standard outdoor pickleball for good reason: consistent, visible, tournament-approved and affordable in bulk. Buy a bigger pack, store it well, and you will get great value from every ball.
Check the Franklin X-40 on Amazon →
Why so many tournaments use the X-40
Consistency is everything in competitive play. When every ball in a tube bounces the same height, flies on the same path and feels the same off the paddle, players can trust their shots. Franklin has made the X-40 for years with a seamless rotational molding process, which avoids the weak seam line found on some cheaper balls. Being the official ball of the US Open also means many players practise with it all year, which keeps demand high at clubs and parks.
X-40 vs X-26: outdoor and indoor
Franklin also makes the X-26, its indoor ball. The X-26 has 26 larger holes and a softer feel, so it moves more slowly and is easier to control on smooth gym floors. If your club plays both indoors in winter and outdoors in summer, keep a tube of each. Taking the X-40 indoors makes rallies very fast and bouncy, while the X-26 outdoors floats and wears out quickly on rough courts.
Best drills with a bag of X-40s
- Dink rally: keep the ball in the kitchen with a partner, aiming for 25 in a row.
- Third-shot drops: feed from the baseline and practise soft drops into the kitchen.
- Serve targets: place cones deep in the corners and count how many serves land near them.
- Volley wall: hit volleys against a practice wall to sharpen hand speed.
- Ball machine sessions: a 36 or 100 pack keeps a machine full without constant stopping.
How to tell when a pickleball is worn out
A fresh X-40 has a lively, crisp sound and a consistent bounce. Retire a ball when it develops a soft spot you can feel by squeezing, looks slightly oval, wobbles in flight, or shows a visible crack. Worn balls skid low or bounce unpredictably, which is unfair in matches and frustrating in drills. Many players keep older balls for warm-ups and dog fetch, and use fresh ones for games.
Pickleball rules on balls
Sanctioned tournaments must use balls on the USA Pickleball approved list, which includes the X-40. In casual games, players usually agree on a ball before starting. If your local courts mostly use X-40s, practising with them helps you feel at home in open play.
Common questions before buying
Do X-40s come pressurized? No. Pickleballs are hollow plastic balls with holes, so there is no pressure to lose. They wear out through softening and cracking rather than going flat like tennis balls.
Do colors play differently? No. All X-40 colors have the same construction and approval. Choose the color that stands out best against your court surface and background.
Can kids use them? Yes. They are the same official size and weight for every age, though young kids may find a slightly softer ball easier to control while learning.
Are they good for a ball machine? Yes, and most pickleball machines are designed around standard outdoor balls like the X-40. Buy a bulk pack so the hopper stays full.
Related: Franklin X-26 vs X-40: indoor vs outdoor
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
Is the Franklin X-40 an indoor or outdoor ball?
Outdoor. It has 40 holes and harder plastic for outdoor courts.
Is the X-40 tournament approved?
Yes. It is USA Pickleball approved and the official ball of the US Open Pickleball Championships.
Why do X-40 balls crack?
Hard outdoor plastic gets brittle in cold weather and wears with heavy hitting. Most outdoor balls crack eventually.
How long does a Franklin X-40 last?
Several hours to a few weeks of regular play, depending on temperature, court surface and how hard you hit.
What color pickleball is best?
Optic yellow is easiest to see on most blue and green courts.
Is the X-40 good for beginners?
Yes, though some beginners prefer a slightly softer ball at first.
How we reviewed it
We did not test the Franklin X-40 ourselves. This review is based on the Amazon listing and specs, the manufacturer’s information, Amazon’s review topic summary and what 26,000+ verified buyers say, compared with similar products we cover. Ratings and mention counts are as of October 2026.
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