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You are here: Home / Buying Guide / Pickleball Machines to Hone Your Pickleball Skills

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Pickleball Machines to Hone Your Pickleball Skills

“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.

Practice 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.

pickleball machines

In order to have repetition, you either need either a practice partner or a coach. However, if you don’t have either of those options, you should try a pickleball machine.

What is a Pickleball Machine?

Similar to a tennis ball machine, a pickleball ball machine feeds you balls. It can feed you 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 of the 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 couple of the more well-known brands of ball machines are the Sports Tutor and Lobster. However, there are also a few more ball machines to choose from such as Simon, Spinshot, Playmate, and Heater Sports. For this article, we will compare the different Tutor and Lobster ball machines.


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?
  • 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?

Determining the best ball machine will be based on your personal preference. We will 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 machines that we recommend:

  • Pickleball Tutor Plus
  • Pickleball Tutor Spin
  • Pickleball Tutor Mini
  • Pickleball Tutor Multi-Twist
  • The Pickle by Lobster
  • The Pickle Two

If you want to know the pros and cons of each ball machine along with our top pick, please read on.

>>READ NEXT: Pickleball Equipment Needed to Play the Game<<

 

Best Pickleball Machines

The following are the pickleball machine brands that we recommend.

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 pickleballs. These ball machines are made in the U.S.A.

Pickleball Tutor Plus

Overview: 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.

Size: 26″ x 16″ x 26″

Weight: Battery-powered: 34 lbs, AC powered: 27 lbs

Ball Capacity: 110 balls

Ball Speed: 65 MPH

Interval Adjustments: From one per second to every 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

Oscillation: Random oscillation is included. 2-line oscillation can be upgraded

Elevation: Manual elevation. Electronic elevation can be upgraded

Battery Life: Rechargeable battery, allows 4 hours of playtime per charge. Has a smart battery charger

AC/DC Power: AC power available instead of battery-powered 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 has a smaller ball capacity

BUY IT NOW ON DO IT TENNIS

– or –

BUY IT NOW ON AMAZON


Pickleball Tutor Spin

Overview: This pickleball machine is small and mighty.

Size: 12″ x 19.5″ x 18″

Weight: Battery-powered: 30 lbs, AC powered: 23 lbs

Ball Capacity: 120 balls 125

Ball Speed: 60 MPH

Interval Adjustments: From one per second to every 10 seconds

Start-up Time Delay: Yes

Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes

Spin Effect: Offers 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 hours of playtime per charge. Has a smart battery charger

AC/DC Power: AC power 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 speed is slower than the Tutor Plus

BUY IT NOW ON DO IT TENNIS

– or –

BUY IT NOW ON AMAZON


Pickleball Tutor Mini

Overview: This pickleball machine is the most compact ball machine available. It’s the height of a pickleball paddle when closed

Size: 15″ x 12″ x 13″

Weight: 24 lbs

Ball Capacity: 60

Ball Speed: 50 MPH

Interval adjustments: From two seconds to 10 seconds

Start-up Time Delay: Yes

Shots: Any shot, including serves, dinks, lobs, drives, groundstrokes

Spin Effect: No

Oscillation: Optional upgrade for random oscillation

Elevation; Manual elevation control

Battery Life: Rechargeable battery; allows 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. 1 year on the battery

Price: $$

Pros: Size and maneuverability

Cons: Doesn’t hold many balls. Doesn’t provide oscillation without an added cost

BUY IT NOW ON DO IT TENNIS

– or –

BUY IT NOW ON AMAZON


Pickleball Tutor Multi-Twist

Overview: This pickleball machine is great for beginners or children

Size: 26″ x 16″ x 26″

Weight: 11 lbs

Ball capacity: 28 balls

Ball Speed: 15 MPH

Interval adjustments: Every 5 seconds

Start-up Time Delay: Yes

Shots: Dinks, drives, groundstrokes

Spin effect: No

Oscillation: No

Elevation: No

Battery life: Operates up to 10 hours on 6 ‘D’ batteries

AC/DC power: AC power available

Remote Control: Not available

Wheels: No

Warranty: 3 years

Price: $

Pros: An inexpensive ball machine if you don’t need all of the premium features. Can also be used for tennis balls

Cons: Ball speed is slow

BUY IT NOW ON DO IT TENNIS

– or –

BUY IT NOW AMAZON


Lobster Ball Machines

Lobster has been making ball machines for tennis for many years. More recently, they began offering ball machines for pickleball. They offer a couple of great options when it comes to pickleball ball machines. Both of the pickleball machines can be used with either indoor or outdoor pickleballs. Both machines are made in the USA.

The Pickle by Lobster [Our Top Pick]

Overview: This is a full-featured pickleball machine.Lobster ball machine

Size: 15.5″ x 29″ x 21″

Weight:  35 lbs

Ball capacity: 135 balls

Ball Speed: 60 MPH

Interval Adjustments: 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 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

Price: $$

Pros: Easy to transport. Able to practice all shots including spins

Cons: It is easy to move this ball machine around, but if you move it with the hopper full of balls, they will spill out.

BUY IT NOW AT ONCOURT/OFFCOURT


The Pickle Two

Lobster ball machineOverview: This pickleball machine is the same size as the Pickle by Lobster, but it is an upgraded version that offers more bells and whistles

Size: 15.5″ x 29″ x 21″

Weight:  42 lbs, or all-electric model is 34 lbs

Ball capacity: 135 balls

Ball Speed: 60 MPH

Interval Adjustments: 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

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 device.

Cons: Like the Pickle by Lobster, the Pickle Two is easy to move, but if you move it with the hopper full of balls, they will spill out.

BUY IT NOW AT ONCOURT/OFFCOURT

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.

The bottom line is you can’t go wrong with any of these pickleball machines.

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!

>>READ MORE: Pickleball Accessories Every Player Will Appreciate<<

Article by Teresa Jungling / Filed Under: Buying Guide, Gear Leave a Comment

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Product Recommendations for the Pickleball Addict!



For additional product recommendations for the pickleball addict, please check out Product Recommendations for the Pickleball Addict.

About Teresa Jungling

I am the spouse of Todd with PickleballMAX. Even though I'm not able to play much, I do enjoy pickleball whenever I play. I am currently the owner of LivingNaturalToday.com and RealHealthyHome.com . On those sites, I share resources about creating a healthier, more natural home and lifestyle. Click here to download my free healthy home guide.

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