Franklin X-44 Review: Better Visibility, Familiar Pace

I like how the Life Time LT Pro 48 plays. I just don’t like how hard the used balls become for me to see. After approximately 12 full games with the Franklin X-44, plus light drilling and warmups, that’s what has me excited: it plays close to Life Time and is easier for my eyes to follow.

I’m color blind, and I’m over 50. Whether it’s my color vision, my older eyes, or a combination of the two, a dull ball is harder for me to track. It’s the loss of brightness that bothers me, rather than the faster pace.

The X-44 felt quicker than the Franklin X-40 and slightly slower than the Life Time LT Pro 48. Bounce and spin felt close to Life Time. If you’re looking for more pace than the X-40 offers, that makes it worth a look. For me, the visibility difference is the bigger reason to keep playing with it.

Early review, October 1, 2026: My games were played outdoors in the New Orleans area. These are my playing impressions, not lab measurements. Twelve games gives me a first impression, but it doesn’t tell me how the X-44 will hold up after weeks of use.

Disclosure: Franklin provided two X-44 samples at no charge for AJ and me to review. At the time of this review, we do not have an affiliate account with Franklin.

What Is the Franklin X-44?

The X-44 is Franklin’s new 44-hole pickleball. I wanted to know how it played, not just what Franklin changed, and whether it would stay bright in our Louisiana conditions.

Visibility Was the Biggest Improvement

I can enjoy a ball’s pace and bounce and still struggle with it if I can’t pick it up clearly against the court or background. The X-44 was easier for me to see than the Life Time ball. In my initial experience, it also stayed brighter than the X-40.

I photographed the two X-44 samples before play, then photographed an X-44 and a Life Time LT Pro 48 after 10 games each.

In the comparison photo, the X-44 is the upper ball. It still looks bright yellow, while the Life Time ball below it looks greener and more marked up. That matches my preference on court: I could follow the X-44 more clearly.

Lighting and dirt can affect how the balls look in these photos. Without a matching before photo of the Life Time ball, I can’t tell how much its color changed. The comparison shows how the two balls looked after 10 games each.

The X-40 isn’t pictured. My brightness comparison with that ball comes from a lot of playing experience. And while visibility helped me, another player’s eyes, lighting, and court background may favor a different color.

Related: watching the ball through contact.

Franklin X-44 vs. X-40 vs. Life Time LT Pro 48

Pace and visibility stood out most. Here’s how the X-44 compared with the two balls I was already familiar with.

Franklin lists the X-40’s hole count on its official X-40 product page. Life Time identifies its 48-hole design on the LT Pro 48 product page.

The Small Pace Change I Felt After Game Four

Around game four, the X-44 felt a little slower than it had when new. It still felt slightly slower than Life Time.

We were outdoors in New Orleans, and I wondered whether the humidity or other conditions played a part. I can’t tell whether it was the ball, the conditions, or me getting used to it. The change was small.

Our X-44 and Life Time Drop Test

AJ and I dropped a brand-new X-44 beside a used Life Time ball from about five feet indoors. The X-44 appeared to bounce about an inch higher.

That was a quick comparison with balls at different stages of use, rather than a repeated test across multiple samples. It doesn’t establish that every X-44 bounces higher, and bounce height alone doesn’t tell us which ball plays faster in a rally.

Does the X-44 Spin More Than Life Time?

Spin felt about the same as the Life Time ball. Nothing in my games made me think the X-44 gave me an advantage there.

Durability Means More Than Avoiding Cracks

For me, a ball can reach the end of its useful life before it cracks. If I’m struggling to see it, staying in one piece doesn’t solve my problem.

I want the X-44 to stay round, bounce consistently, and remain easy to see. I could see it better, but I still don’t know which ball will last longer. I need more court time and more samples before judging long-term durability.

Next, I want to track court hours per ball, compare fresh balls with fresh balls, and see how the response and brightness hold up through longer Louisiana sessions. A repeated drop comparison with balls at similar stages of use would also be more useful than our first quick check.

I’ll pay particular attention to whether the livelier feel changes the touch needed on dinks, drops, and resets.

Is the Franklin X-44 USA Pickleball Approved?

The inside information I received says USA Pickleball began allowing 44-hole balls on August 1, 2026. I haven’t independently confirmed that change in published USAP documentation, so I’m sharing it as reported information.

Allowing a 44-hole design doesn’t automatically mean the Franklin X-44 itself is approved. As of October 1, 2026, I haven’t verified its model-specific approval. Before using it in a USAP-sanctioned event, check the official approved-ball database and confirm the event’s designated ball.

Franklin X-44 vs. Life Time: 12-Pack Pricing

The inside information I received puts the planned X-44 price at $34.99 for a 12-pack. It also describes a limited release on Franklin’s website during the second week of October 2026, followed by a larger rollout in December. Those are reported plans; I haven’t verified a public Franklin listing confirming the price, pack size, or dates.

If the X-44 launches at that price, it would be $5 less per dozen than the $39.99 Life Time listing: about 42 cents less per ball, or 12.5% less per pack. It would match BSN Sports’ listed product price.

Compare the delivered total before buying. Shipping, discounts, and changing retailer prices can erase a difference on the product page. I compared listed prices, not checkout totals.

Would I Choose the X-44?

For recreational play, I’d be interested in the X-44 even at the same price as Life Time because I could see it more clearly. A lower price would make that choice easier, but I still need more use before comparing long-term value.

If you prefer the X-40’s softer response and slower pace, extra liveliness may not be an improvement for you. If you already enjoy Life Time and see it clearly, durability and delivered price may matter more than my visibility preference.

For tournament preparation, I’d practice with the ball the event will use. Getting comfortable with that ball can matter more than choosing my favorite for rec games.

My Early Take

I’m excited about this ball. The X-44 gets close to the Life Time playing experience while improving the visibility issue that has bothered me most. Now I want to know how long it keeps that advantage.

Also tested: the JOOLA HC-40.