Practice in pickleball can take on many forms such as trying different drills or playing rec games. However, one of the most important things to add to your practice routine is repetition. It’s important to develop muscle memory, so when you’re on the court in the heat of the game, hitting the perfect shot will become automatic.
In order to create repetition, you need either a practice partner or a coach. However, if you don’t have either of those options, you should try a pickleball machine.
“There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory.” So true! Practice isn’t always fun, but it’s a necessity if you want to become a better pickleball player.
What is a Pickleball Machine?
A pickleball machine feeds balls to a player. It can feed balls at different intervals, at different angles, and with different spins. A ball machine doesn’t miss, never gets tired, is always available, and doesn’t make fun of you!
Many pickleball machine companies also sell ball machines for other sports, such as tennis and baseball so they know what makes for a good ball machine. A pickleball machine has similar features to a tennis ball machine.
A couple of the more well-known brands of ball machines are Sports Tutor and Lobster. However, there are also a few more ball machines to choose from such as Simon, Spinshot, Franklin, Playmate, and Heater Sports. For this article, we compare the different Tutor and Lobster ball machines.
Determining the best pickleball machine will be based on your personal preference. We list the characteristics of the different ball machines in the article below, but before we get too far, here’s our list of the best pickleball ball machines:
If you want to know the pros and cons of each ball machine along with our top picks, please read on.
Best Pickleball Machines
The following are the pickleball machine brands that we recommend. Any of these is an excellent option.
Tutor Pickleball Machine
Sports Tutor offers a few different types of pickleball machines. Each of the machines can be used with either indoor or outdoor balls. These ball machines are made in the U.S.A. All of their machines come with a cover.
Each of the Tutor machines receives a 5-star rating on Pickleball Central.
Pickleball Tutor Plus Machine
This pickleball machine is top-of-the-line. It is a powerful, portable machine. If you’re looking for a ball machine that can do it all, this is it.
Machine Dimensions: 20″ H x 22″ L x 14″ W
- Weight: Battery-powered: 34 lbs, AC powered: 27 lbs
- Ball Capacity: 110 balls
- Ball Speed: 65 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: 1 to 10 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin Effect: Offers topspin and backspin from a single dial control panel
- Oscillation: Random oscillation is included. 2-line oscillation can be upgraded
- Elevation: Manual elevation. Electronic elevation can be upgraded
- Battery Life: Rechargeable battery, allows 3-4 hours of playtime per charge. Has a smart battery charger
- AC/DC Power: AC power available instead of battery power for an additional charge
- Remote Control: Wireless 2-function remote is available for an added charge
- Wheels: Built-in towing 3″ wheels and attached handle
- Warranty: 3 years on the machine. 1 year on the battery
- Price: $$$
Pros: It gives you practice for all of the shots including spins while randomly oscillating if you like
Cons: It can take some time to get the manual elevation to the correct level
Pickleball Tutor Spin
This pickleball machine is small and mighty. It is one of our top picks.
- Machine Dimensions: 12″ H x 19.5″ L x 18″ W
- Weight: Battery-powered: 30 lbs, AC powered: 23 lbs
- Ball Capacity: 120 balls
- Ball Speed: 60 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: 1 to 10 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin Effect: Offers right, left, and adjustable sidespin
- Oscillation: Random oscillation is included. 2-line oscillation can be upgraded
- Elevation: Manual elevation. Electronic elevation can be upgraded
- Battery Life: Rechargeable battery, allows 3-4 hours of playtime per charge. Has a smart battery charger
- AC/DC Power: AC power is available instead of battery-powered for an additional charge
- Remote Control: Wireless 2-function remote is available for an added charge
- Wheels: Built-in caster wheels and fold-out towing handle
- Warranty: 3 years on the machine. 1 year on the battery
- Price: $$
Pros: It holds more balls than the Tutor Plus. It provides an adjustable sidespin
Cons: Ball consistency can be tricky
Pickleball Tutor Mini
This pickleball machine is the most compact ball machine available. It’s the height of a pickleball paddle when closed.
- Machine Dimensions: 15″ H x 12″ L x 13″ W
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Ball Capacity: 55
- Ball Speed: 50 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: 2 to 10 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin Effect: No
- Oscillation: Upgrade option for random oscillation
- Elevation; Manual elevation control
- Battery Life: Rechargeable battery; allows 2-3 hours of playtime per charge. Has a smart battery charger
- AC/DC power: Not available
- Remote Control: Not available
- Wheels: No, but built-in carrying handle
- Warranty: 3 years on the machine. 1 year on the battery
- Price: $
Pros: Size and maneuverability
Cons: Doesn’t hold many balls. Doesn’t provide oscillation without an added cost
Pickleball Tutor Plus Ultra
This pickleball machine is an upgrade to the already top-of-the-line Tutor Plus. This machine provides a wide array of features including digital settings with 6 preset drills, 3 different remote options, random oscillation, 2-line oscillation, and electronic elevation. This machine is great for serious players. It also makes a great addition to a club or venue.
- Machine Dimensions: 20″ H x 22″ L x 14″ W
- Weight: Battery-powered: 34 lbs, AC-powered: 27 lbs
- Ball capacity: 110 balls
- Ball Speed: up to 65 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: 1-10 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Dinks, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin effect: Top and under spin
- Oscillation: Random and 2-line
- Elevation: Yes, electronic
- Battery life: Operates 3-4 hours
- AC/DC power: Battery or AC power is available
- Remote Control: 2-function or multi-function
- Wheels: 3″ wheels
- Warranty: 3 years on the machine. 1 year on the battery
- Price: $$$$
Pros: Comes with 6 pre-programmed drills
Cons: Takes a little bit to set the elevation/speed accurately
Pickleball Tutor Spin Ultra
In addition to everything that is in the Tutor Spin, the Spin Ultra includes a digital setting display with 6 preset drills, three remote options, random oscillation, 2-line oscillation, and electronic elevation.
- Machine Dimensions: 12″ H x 19.5″ L x 18″ W
- Weight: Battery-powered: 30 lbs, AC-powered: 23 lbs
- Ball capacity: 120 balls
- Ball Speed: up to 65 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: 1-10 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Dinks, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin effect: Left and right side spin, top and under spin
- Oscillation: Random and 2-line
- Elevation: Yes, electronic
- Battery life: Operates 3-4 hours
- AC/DC power: Battery or AC power is available
- Remote Control: 2-function or multi-function
- Wheels: 3″ wheels with a heavy-duty handle
- Warranty: 3 years on the machine. 1 year on the battery
- Price: $$$$
Pros: Comes with a digital readout panel that is highly visible and has pre-programmed drills
Cons: Takes a little bit to set the elevation/speed accurately
Lobster Pickleball Machine
Lobster has been making ball machines for tennis for many years. More recently, they began offering ball machines for pickleball. They offer a few great options when it comes to pickleball ball machines. Their pickleball machines can be used with either indoor or outdoor pickleballs. They are made in the USA.
The Pickle by Lobster
- Machine Dimensions: 26″ H x 16″ L x 22″ W
- Weight: 35 lbs
- Ball capacity: 135 balls
- Ball Speed: 60 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: From 2 – 10 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Standard shots, dinks, and lobs
- Spin effect: Offers heavy topspin and under spin
- Oscillation: Random horizontal oscillation
- Elevation: Manual elevation. 0 – 50 degrees
- Battery life: Rechargeable battery, allows 2 – 4 hours of playtime per charge. Standard charger included. Can be upgraded to a premium charger
- AC/DC power: Not available
- Remote Control: An Elite remote can be purchased
- Wheels: Has large 8″ wheels and foldable towing handle
- Warranty: 2 years on the machine, 6 months on the battery
- Price: $$
Pros: Easy to transport. Able to practice all shots including spins
Cons: If you move it with the hopper full of balls, they will spill out
The Pickle Two
This pickleball machine is the same size as the Pickle by Lobster, but it is an upgraded version that offers more bells and whistles
- Machine Dimensions: 26″ H x 16″ L x 22″ W
- Weight: 42 lbs, or all-electric model is 34 lbs
- Ball capacity: 135 balls
- Ball Speed: 60 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: From 2 – 12 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin effect: Offers heavy topspin and backspin
- Oscillation: Random horizontal, 2-line oscillation
- Elevation: Electronic elevation. 0 – 50 degrees
- Battery life: Internal and external battery available, internal battery allows 6 – 8 hours of playtime per charge. Standard charger included. Can be upgraded to a premium charger
- AC/DC power: AC/DC power available and AC + internal battery is available
- Remote Control: Various Elite remotes can be purchased; including an Elite for Apple
- Wheels: Has large 8″ wheels and foldable towing handle
- Warranty: 2 years on the machine, 6 months on the battery
- Price: $$$
Pros: It is nice to have different power options for this model. It offers electronic elevation and 2-line oscillation. Also, offers a remote through your Apple watch
Cons: Like the Pickle by Lobster, if you move it with the hopper full of balls, they will spill out
Lobster Pickle Champion
The Champion offers top-of-the-line features. It is an all-digital machine. It also comes with pre-programmed drills.
- Machine Dimensions: 26″ H x 16″ L x 22″ W
- Weight: 44 lbs, or all-electric model is 32 lbs
- Ball Capacity: 135 balls
- Ball Speed: 65 MPH
- Ball Feed Rate: From 2 – 9 seconds
- Start-up Time Delay: Yes
- Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes
- Spin effect: Offers topspin and under spin
- Oscillation: Random horizontal, 2-line oscillation
- Elevation: Electronic elevation. 0 – 50 degrees
- Battery life: Internal and external battery available, internal battery allows 4-6 hours of playtime per charge. Standard charger included. Can be upgraded to a premium charger
- AC/DC power: AC/DC power available and AC + internal battery is available
- Remote Control: Various Elite remotes can be purchased; including an Elite for Apple
- Wheels: Has large 8″ wheels and foldable towing handle
- Warranty: 2 years on the machine, 6 months on the battery
- Price: $$$$
Pros: Digital control panel; pre-programmed drills
Cons: It costs quite a bit more than the Pickle Two
The bottom line is you can’t go wrong with any of these pickleball machine!.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Pickleball Ball Machine
When deciding to purchase a pickleball ball machine, you should consider some of the following characteristics as each ball machine will differ slightly:
- Unit Size – Do you want a large-sized machine, or a smaller one?
- Weight and Maneuverability – How heavy the machine is can determine how easy it will be to maneuver
- Ball Capacity – The number of pickleballs the machine can hold
- Ball Speed – How fast do you want the balls thrown at you? How many different speeds does it offer?
- Interval Adjustments – This is the amount of time in between balls being fed to you
- Start-up Delay – After you set up your machine, will you have time to move to the other side of the court before pickleballs are pitched?
- Shots – Is the ball machine capable of throwing volleys, dinks, lobs, etc?
- Spin Effect – Does the machine provide a topspin or a backspin?
- Oscillation – Is the machine able to oscillate from side to side between pitches?
- Elevation Degree – Can you manually adjust the machine elevation, or is it electronic?
- Battery Life – If the machine comes with a battery, how long will it stay charged?
- AC/DC Power – Does the machine come with the ability to plug it into an outlet?
- Remote Control – Does the machine come with a remote control, or is it an upgrade?
- Wheels – Does the machine have wheels, so it can easily be moved across a court?
- Warranty – Does the pickleball machine come with a multi-year warranty?
- Price – How much does the ball machine cost?
These are some of the things you should consider when shopping for a pickleball machine. Be sure to decide what’s important to you and what isn’t a must-have before you begin to shop.
Is a Pickleball Machine Worth it?
If you want to improve your game, a pickleball machine is a great investment. Practicing repetitive shots can take your game to the next level. However, it’s also important to meet with a coach from time to time. For as great as a pickleball machine is, it can’t tell you if your technique is off. It’s one thing to practice repetitive shots, but it’s another thing to practice the shots incorrectly.
See you on the courts practicing with your pickleball machine!
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