Choosing a good tennis ball machine is important to give you the best practice.
Tennis ball machines are a great tool to help you improve your game, footwork, and technique without waiting to have a partner or a coach send you the ball. Sometimes we just want to hit the ball, practice one type of shot and improve our technique or even our adjustment which is why tennis ball machines are made. These machines have become more sophisticated, with the ability to vary the speed, trajectory, spin, and frequency of the balls they shoot.
Modern tennis ball machines can also be programmed to simulate different types of shots, such as serves, groundstrokes, and volleys. Additionally, many newer models are also equipped with features like remote control, oscillation, and randomization, as well as the ability to hold hundreds of balls at a time which is making it really convenient and easy to use.
Tennis can be really fun but it is not always easy to find a partner to hit the ball with at the same time you want. That’s why tennis balls are made, to help you practice at any time and everywhere you like.
In this guide, we ranked and reviewed the 6 best tennis ball machines to help you pick the best one.
Be ready!
What Are The Best Tennis Ball Machines?
When choosing the best tennis ball machine you need to consider different specificities such as the weight, the speed, the direction, the interval injection, the ball capacity, the spin, and the battery. You will have the details you need to know just below.
Here is our pick for the best ones:
The Spinshot Player
Best tennis ball machine for all levels ~ Medium/High Budget ($1,979-$2,179)
The Spinshot Player is my #1 recommended tennis ball machine for beginners and advanced players. This machine is the top, it will answer all the recommendation that you have. It can offer you pre-programmed drills and you have the ability also to customize your own. It can simulate different types of spins, directions, and heights. It has adjustable speed, trajectory, and elevation settings.
It’s a great tool for players of all skill levels to practice with. One of the best things about this machine is the mobile app which allows you to control the machine with your phone from a distance, choose the type or drill, or customize your own.
You can read more specific details about it just below:
Weight
Relatively lightweight, making it easy to transport and set up. The weight of the machine is around 42lb. It also comes with wheels that are attached to the base of the machine, allowing you to easily move it around on the court.
Speed
You have different models with the Spinshot player for the normal model it varies between 18 to 67ph and for the high spin model it can vary from 18 mph to over 80 mph, this can be adjusted using the remote control or via the app on your phone. This allows for a wide range of training options, from beginners to advanced players, and for simulating the different types of shots and speeds encountered in a real match. The machine also allows you to adjust the speed of the shots during a program, this will give you more realistic and challenging practice sessions.
Feed intervals
Allows you to adjust the ejection intervals, which is the time between shots. This can be set between 0.5 and 10 seconds, this allows you to practice different types of shots and speeds, and to simulate different types of points, such as baseline rallies or volleys at the net.
Direction
Allows you to adjust the direction and the height of the shots it fires. It has a built-in oscillation feature, which allows you to program it to fire shots in a specific area of the court, such as the forehand or backhand side, or to randomly vary the direction of the shots.
Spin
Can simulate various types of spin, including topspin and backspin. Be careful with this machine to have a high speed you need to take the “high spin models” which cost more and if you don’t want such a spin you can just go for the normal one which can easily be enough it depends on your needs. The machine also allows you to adjust the amount of spin on the shots this will give you more realistic and challenging practice sessions. The amount of spin can be adjusted from 0 to maximum spin, this will help you to improve your shot accuracy, consistency, and your ability to handle different types of spins.
Battery
The batterie lasts around 2-3 hours of play. It comes with a charger, you can buy an additional battery for around 70$.
Control
You can control the machine with your phone by downloading the app from a distance or even from your apple watch which i think it is so useful. It can also come with a remote watch but you need to add 100$ to have it. The remote control allows you to change the speed, spin, direction, and feed intervals of the shots, as well as start and stop the machine. It also allows you to select from different pre-programmed or customized ones.
Ball capacity
The capacity of 120 balls. This means that it can hold and fire up to 120 balls without needing to be refilled. This allows you to practice for longer periods of time without interruption.
What we like/dislike about it?
Like:
- Customized drills
- The mobile app: can adjust everything
- Great features: speed, direction, feed, drills, direction, trajectory, and spin.
Dislike:
- The battery last 2-3h
Spinshot Pro
Best tennis ball machine for intermediate players ~ Medium budget ($999-$1,099)
This one is my recommendation #3, with the Spinshot pro you will have also a great experience and I will recommend it mostly for intermediate levels. This machine is super easy to transport thanks to its lightweight wheels which is making it really convenient even for kids. With the Spinshot pro, you will have good speed, and spin but you will not be able to customize any programs. This machine will not give you random shorts and deep balls but you will practice for sure your footwork with the random side-to-side.
Weight
The weight of the SpinShot Pro tennis ball machine can vary depending on the specific model. For the AC model, it is 37lb which is light for a ball machine making it easy to transport, you will not hurt your back by putting it in the car. For the battery model, the weight is about 42 lbs which are still light.
Speed
The speed of the SpinShot Pro tennis ball machine can vary up to 68mph and go down to 18mph which is similar to the normal Spinsphot player model and is adjustable from the front panel. This speed is perfect for intermediate levels, it will give you a great pace but you will still have control.
Feed rate
This feature is adjustable and can be set to simulate different playing conditions and match scenarios. You can go up to 10 seconds and down to 2 seconds which is a normal feed rate.
Direction
The SpinShot Pro, is capable of changing the horizontal oscillation randomly simulating real match play. You can also adjust the height of the ball delivering your lob to volley but it will not change randomly you will have to choose the height that you want on the front panel.
This will still allow you to practice your shots and improve your footwork and reaction time!
Spin
The spin of the balls launched by the SpinShot Pro tennis ball machine is adjustable and can simulate a variety of skin types, including topspin and backspin. This feature allows players to practice their shots and improve their ability to handle different spin types in a match.
Battery
The batterie lasts less than the lobster machine but it will still give you 2-3 hours of play which is good session practice.
Remote control
The Spinshot pro is different from the Spinshot player because you can not control it from a distance every function has to be set and can be changed on the front panel. If you know what type of shot you want to improve or if you are a coach that will not be a problem for you!
Ball capacity
The ball capacity is the same as the Spinshot player which can hold up to 120 balls.
What we like/dislike about it?
Like:
- Great spin and oscillations.
- Great speed
- Easy to transport
Dislike:
- No control from a distance
- No random vertical oscillation
- No customized drills
Spinshot Plus 2
Best tennis ball machine for all levels ~ High Budget ($2,099 – $2,299)
The Spinshot Plus-2 is my recommendation #4. This portable machine is destinated for all level players. If you don’t want customized programs but everything else this one is the best for you. With the Spinshot Plus-2 you can change really easily everything such as the spin, speed, and oscillation vertical and horizontal which is making it the easiest to use. If I can give you some advice, for the same price you can have the Spinshot player which offers you customized drills that is really useful to improve your games, and the only one to do it.
Weight
The Spinshot Plus-2 tennis ball machine is portable and weighs 46 lbs. This machine is heavier than the one before but it is still easy to transport from one location to other thanks to its wheels.
Speed
The Spinshot Plus-2 tennis ball machine offers adjustable shot speed, allowing you to set the pace of play to match your skill level or to challenge yourself. The Spinshot plus-2 is similar to the Spinshot player you can buy the normal one and it will shoot your balls at speeds ranging from 19 to 68 mph. To have the plus-2 High spin which goes from 19pmh to 80mph you need to add 100$ more. It will really depend on your needs if you don’t want such a speed you can go for the normal model which is still a great pace to practice your game.
Ejection intervals
Both of the machine ****offers adjustable ball ejection intervals from 2sec to 10sec, allowing you to control the speed and frequency at which balls are released.
Direction
The Spinshot Plus tennis ball machine offers adjustable shot placement, including direction. This means that you can set the machine to shoot balls in specific areas of the court, such as the forehand or backhand side, or you can set it to oscillate randomly horizontally and vertically for a more realistic practice experience. The machine’s shot direction can be adjusted vertically and horizontally, allowing you to work on shots that simulate real match play. This feature is particularly useful for players who want to improve their overall court coverage and shot-making abilities.
Spin
The Spinshot Plus tennis ball machine has the ability to add various spin types to shots, including topspin and backspin. This allows you to practice shots that simulate real match play, such as high-bouncing topspin forehands or low-skidding backhand slices. The amount of spin that is added to each shot can also be adjusted, giving you the opportunity to work on shots with varying levels of spin. This feature is particularly useful if you want to improve your shot variety and versatility on the court. Keep in mind that with the normal model, the machine will deliver balls slower when high spin settings is applied but the high-spin model will still shoot you balls fast even in high spin settings.
Battery
The battery provides up to 2-3 hours of continuous use, giving you ample time for extended practice sessions. If you want longer sessions you can buy a battery but you will need to add more 110$.
Remote control
The Spinshot Plus tennis ball machine comes with the best front panel in my opinion, you can easily change anything very quickly with this one. You can also use the mobile app or your apple watch to control it. You can have the remote watch like the Spinshot player but you will need to add 100$.
Ball capacity
The Spinshot Plus tennis ball machine can hold up to 120 balls, giving you ample time for extended practice sessions without having to constantly refill the machine. The ball capacity may vary depending on the size and type of balls being used in the machine.
What we like/dislike about it?
Like:
- Great features: spin, speed, direction, and oscillations.
- Easy to maneuver
- Great panel machine
- mobile app
Dislike:
- No customized drills
The Lobster Sports Elite 2
Best tennis ball machine for all levels and coaches ~ Medium/High Budget ($1,619-$2,674)
This is my recommendation #2 the lobster will offer a great experience at a lower price. If you don’t need all the customized programs and want a machine a little bit more simple with a great number of features you should go for this one. This machine will give you a great practice session thanks to its great speed, spin, battery, ball capacity and random vertical oscillations, and horizontal shots. It is also really easy to transport with its big wheels you can go everywhere. I will also recommend this one for coaches, it is easy to use, will last for all your lessons and your student will not have to pick up the ball every two seconds.
Weight
Approximately 44 lbs. The machine’s compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for use in a variety of different locations, and the built-in handle allows you to easily carry it to and from your practice location. The machine’s durable construction and compact design make it an ideal solution for players who want to practice their game on the go.
Speed
The machine is capable of firing shots at speeds ranging from 20 mph to 80 mph, giving you the ability to practice a wide range of different shots and playing styles at any level. This adjustability allows you to gradually increase the difficulty of your practice sessions as you improve, and it provides you with the ability to simulate game-like conditions that you may encounter during actual play.
Feed rate
The ejection intervals of the Lobster Sports Elite 2 Portable Ball Machine can be adjusted to match your preferred practice conditions. The machine has the ability to fire shots at adjustable intervals ranging from every 2 to 10 seconds, giving you the ability to practice a wide range of different shots and playing styles.
Spin
The Lobster Sports Elite 2 Portable Ball Machine is capable of simulating a variety of different spin types, including topspin and backspin. This ability to mimic different spin types allows you to practice and improve your ability to play against shots with a different spin, which is an important part of playing real tennis. The spin of the machine’s shots can be adjusted using the machine’s controls you can not do it from distance as the Spinshot player.
Direction
The machine has the ability to fire shots in a random vertical and horizontal direction, simulating groundstrokes, and in an upward direction, simulating volleys and overheads. You will work your footwork for sure! You can also turn off the random setting to work on one type of shot that you’ll like. The ability to adjust the oscillation of the machine’s shots makes the Lobster Sports Elite 2 Portable Ball Machine a highly versatile tool for tennis players looking to improve their game.
Remote control
The Lobster Sports Elite 2 Portable Ball Machine comes with a remote control with only two functions. One function is to control the feed and the other is to change the oscillation. Main changes such as spin, and speed have to be made on the panel of the machine which makes it different from the Spinshot player.
Battery
This machine offers one of the best times to practice because it can last 4 to 8 hours which is really good compares to other machines. You can have long session practice and if you are a coach you can use it for different lessons.
Balls capacity
This machine can hold 150 balls which offers you long practice sessions! The ball capacity allows you to focus on your shots and technique without having to interrupt your practice to refill the machine. This feature is particularly useful for players who want to simulate real match conditions, as you can practice for extended periods of time without having to stop and reload the machine.
What we like/dislike about it?
Like :
- Battery 4-8hrs
- Ball capacity 150
- Great speed and oscillations.
- Great speed up to 80mph
- Easy to maneuver
Dislike :
- No control from a distance
- No customized drills
The Lobster Phenom 2
Best tennis ball machine for advanced players ~ High Budget (Around $4,200)
The Lobster Phenom 2 is one of the best tennis ball machines out there for advanced players or players looking for precise drills and is definitely the top-notch machine in the Lobster Sports range. With advanced digital technology, this machine is fully programmable, enabling you to create your own tailored court drills. You have the flexibility to adjust shot elements like speed, spin, and feed rate, providing endless possibilities. By personalizing court drills, you can replicate match-like scenarios in an unprecedented manner.
Weight:
Weighing in at 99 pounds, this machine is among the more substantial launchers available for purchase. Given its weight, it is most suitable for individuals who have access to a private court or tennis club where they can conveniently keep the machine in a fixed location. If you require a machine that offers portability and the ability to transport it easily, it would be more appropriate to consider a lighter option.
Speed:
In terms of ball speed, this machine can launch tennis balls at a range of 25 to 80 mph, providing flexibility to adjust the speed according to your personal preference and specific training needs.
Preprograms:
Similar to other Lobster machines such as the Lobster Elite 2 Portable Tennis Ball Machine and the Lobster Elite 1 Portable Tennis Ball Machine, the Phenom 2 also offers three pre-programmed six-shot drills. These drills replicate well-known playing styles such as the power baseliner, grinder, and all-courter, allowing you to enhance your skills in challenging shot scenarios during training. Moreover, you have the option to personalize the drills by modifying factors like trajectory, speed, and spin to align with your specific requirements.
In the following sections, we delve deeper into the specifics of the preprogrammed drills:
- Grinder Drill: The grinder drill comprises six ball sequences that incorporate a significant amount of spin. This drill presents a combination of high and moderate spin shots, challenging you both physically and mentally.
- Power Baseliner Drill: The Power Baseliner Drill, another six ball exercise, utilizes the entire court. Unlike the Grinder drill, this drill emphasizes speed over spin. It gives you a taste of playing with a powerful and explosive style, improving your speed and aggressiveness on the court. This drill is ideal for players looking to enhance their attacking abilities.
- All-Courter Drill: The final pre-programmed drill is the All-Courter. It combines elements from both the Grinder and Power Baseliner drills, offering a varied range of shots with random spin and speed. This drill is perfect for players seeking to enhance their overall tennis skills, providing practice opportunities across different playing styles and scenarios.
Feed rate
The Phenom 2’s feed rate ranges from 2 to 9 seconds, and it also offers the option to set random intervals. When activated, this function ejects the balls from the machine in an unpredictable manner, ensuring that you remain alert and engaged.
Remote control
The Phenom 2 offers the convenience of wireless remote control, which is an additional feature that can be acquired separately for interested individuals.
The remote is equipped with a 20-function control, enabling users to conveniently adjust the settings from any location on the court. This is particularly beneficial for players who prefer not to constantly move back and forth between the control panel and the playing area in order to make adjustments.
Balls Capacity
With its 250-ball hopper, the Lobster Phenom 2 enables you to spend more time on the court without the need for frequent refilling.
What we like/dislike about it?
Like:
- Drills options
- Accuracy
- Wireless remote control
- Great ball speed up to 80mph
- Large ball capacity (250 balls)
Dislike:
- Heavy weight
- Expensive price
- No internal battery
Sports Tutor Tennis Cube Ball Machine
Best tennis ball machine for beginners ~ Low Budget ($859)
The sports tutor tennis cube ball is my #5 recommendation. It is the best machine for beginner players or kids, it is simple to use have fewer features than the others but it will still give you great practice at a lower price. With this one you are able to change the speed and the feed directly on the machine. It will give you random horizontal and vertical oscillation which is great practice to improve your placement and your shots.
You will not be able to control the spin and the maximum speed pace is 50mph that’s why if you are an advanced tennis player you should skip this one.
Weight
The Sports Tutor Tennis Cube ball machine is the only one of my recommendations that doesn’t have wheels but thanks to its weight of around 24 lbs pounds, it makes it relatively lightweight and easy to transport.
Speed
The Sports Tutor Tennis Cube ball machine is capable of firing shots from around 10 mph to over 50 mph. This pace is completely enough for kids and beginners it will allow you to practice different types of shots and simulate different types of points but I will not recommend it if you are an experienced player. You can change the speed directly on the tennis machine.
Direction
The Sports Tutor Tennis Cube will help you improve your adjustment because it will send you random horizontal and vertical oscillations. You will not be able to customize any programs.
This machine is great for you if you starting tennis or has an intermediate level and you don’t want to put too much money into it. It can be a great tool also for coaches who train kids, it will help you with your lessons.
Feed intervals
It does have the exact same possibility of feed frequency as the others. It goes from 2 to 10sec, you can also change this pace on the machine.
Spin
This machine will not give you control over the spin which is better to start tennis without, you will have more control over your shots.
Control
The Sports Tutor Tennis Cube ball machine does not come with a remote control, you will have only control over the speed and feed on the panel of the machine.
Battery
Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, which allows you to use the machine without needing to be plugged in. You will have a great session of 2 hours which is enough to work hard on your game.
Ball capacity
The Sports Tutor Tennis Cube ball machine has a built-in ball hopper that can hold approximately 70 tennis balls which is less than the other ones.
What we like/dislike about it?
Like :
- Great side-to-side oscillation
- Lightweight
- Great price
Dislike :
- No control from a distance
- Lower speed
- No spin
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