✏️ Update: November 28, 2024.

Ready to take your pickleball game to the next level? A pickleball machine can be your secret weapon for improving your skills faster and training anytime, anywhere.

Before dropping your hard-earned money on a pickleball ball machine, there are ten essential features that you should consider. They are portability, weight, powering options, remote control, capacity, feed rate, ball speed, oscillation, spin, and cost. Evaluate your needs and preferences before delving into specific pickleball ball machine brands and models. Your investment should be based on your skills, budget, and situation.

Important Note: We’ve researched pickleball machine brands in-depth to save you time! However, prices and specifications can change, so double-check for the most up-to-date details before making your final decision.

So here are six leading pickleball ball machine brands you should know. We’ve captured the key specifications of each pickleball ball machine in an easy-to-follow table format.

Lobster

Acquired by Har-Tru, the world’s largest supplier of tennis court surfaces, Lobster Sports is a US company with over 50 years of experience in the ball machine industry. Originally founded in Green Brook, New Jersey, Lobster Sports offers three pickleball machines and several tennis ball machines used by players worldwide. The company designs its feature-rich pickleball machines with a sleek aesthetic and prices them mid-range compared to other options on the market.

Lobster pickleball machines weigh between 35 and 42 pounds. They come with an inverting hopper, folding handle, and 8-inch wheels for easy transport. Each machine holds 125 indoor or outdoor pickleballs. They throw balls at speeds up to 60 mph, with adjustable feed rates between 2 and 12 seconds. The machines can last 4-6 hours per charge with the included standard charger. Lobster ball machines have a random horizontal oscillation feature, and the advanced models provide a 2-line function that alternates balls to pre-set spots on the court. The machine’s additional features include topspin, backspin, and elevated shots up to 50 degrees.

It is worth noting that some accessories and features of Lobster Pickleball come at an additional cost.

The Pickle Ball Machine by Lobster is listed at US$1139.00 on Amazon.

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Disclosure: Racquet Social participates in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program and may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Pickleball Tutor

Based in Burbank, California, Sports Tutor manufactures and sells practice machines for various sports, including tennis, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and pickleball. Their pickleball ball machines are marketed under the “Pickleball Tutor” series and include products suitable for players of all skill levels. Unlike popular ball machine manufacturers, Sports Tutor offers a low-end, budget-friendly 28-ball beginner model for beginners and children.

Their advanced machines are portable and lightweight, weighing around 35 pounds. They include a rechargeable battery that provides up to 4 hours of practice time. Pickleball Tutor ball machines can hold up to 125 balls, depending on the model. They dispense balls at speeds up to 65 mph, at intervals of 1 to 10 seconds. The machines provide a start-up time delay, enabling players to get to the other side and begin practicing their shots. While random oscillation is a standard feature in the higher-end models, features such as topspin and sidespin are tied to specific models. Remote control through an app and physical device is an option, but it comes at a cost.

Pickleball Tutor Spin pickleball ball machine is available on Amazon for US$1059.00.

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Spinshot

Spinshot is a well-recognized name in the tennis training industry. Its origins are in Cornwall, England. Spinshot Player Pickleball Machine is its pickleball version.

Spinshot Player Pickleball Machine has many pre-programmed drills for intermediate and advanced players. Players can customize drills by programming the height, direction, spin, and speed of each shot. They can then save these customized drills for future use. The Spinshot Pickleball Machine is light-to-mid weight and offers flexible power options. Use the included rechargeable battery or plug it into a wall outlet for extended practice. The machine holds 85 balls and throws them at speeds up to 60 mph, with feed rates between 1 and 10 seconds. Spinshot offers a downloadable app (IoS and Android) to program, and use the ball machine. An optional remote control is available for purchase at an additional cost.

You can find the Spinshot Pickleball Machine on Amazon for US$1999.00.

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Slinger Bag

Slinger Bag is a US-based company located in Windsor Mill, Maryland, that produces portable ball launchers and other practice equipment solutions for various sports. From its extensive global presence in the tennis training equipment market, Slinger Bag has ventured into pickleball by launching the Slinger Pickleball.

When you look at the Slinger Pickleball ball machine, the first thing that comes to mind is portability. Built to look like a large racquet bag with wheels and a handle, it is lightweight, versatile, and relatively affordable. Slinger Bag’s user guide lists a capacity of 120 standard Pickleballs; however, more recent documentations show that number as 92. Slinger Bag allows users to train with different speeds, feed rates, elevations, spins, and oscillations while facilitating a wide variety of shots, repetitions, and workouts. The Slinger Bag Pickleball comes with a remote control, oscillator, ball tube, and camera holder. With launch speeds between 10 and 45 mph and a feed rate between 2 and 7 seconds, the Slinger Bag targets intermediate and advanced pickleball players working on improving their game.

After many months of being unavailable, the Slinger Pickleball ball machine is now available on Amazon for $985. Black Friday (limited) deals at the company’s website list the machine at an attractive $650!

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ERNE

Victory Sports Technologies, the company that manufactures the ERNE Pickleball Machine, is based in North Wales, Pennsylvania. ERNE Pickleball Machines are relatively new to the market and come in three models priced alike.

At 50 lb, Erne pickleball machines are in the mid-weight range and have a capacity of 150 balls that allows for extended training. The ERNE Pickleball Machine has a speed range of 10mph to 65mph and a feed rate range of 1-10 seconds. It offers 24 shot-placements and eight drill variations, which allow players to work on their soft game and be comfortable with the fast game. Based on the routines, the machines last 3-5 hours per charge with the included standard charger.

The machine’s additional features include topspin, backspin, and horizontal and vertical oscillation. ERNE machines use a “stealth” approach to disguise the direction of the balls, adding a surprise element that simulates gameplay situations. The ERNE is controlled by a smartphone application that allows extensive drill customization and shot setup.

You can find the ERNE Shadow Grey pickleball ball machine on the company’s website for US$2701.00.

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SIMON

SIMON Pickleball Machines are manufactured by Pickleballmachine.com, a company based in Columbus, Ohio. Simon’s pickleball machines are made of durable heavy gauge steel and aluminum, which the company calls “military grade.” SIMON machines boast long battery life (up to 6 hours) and a high ball speed of up to 70 mph. The machines come with a ball capacity of 120 balls and a feed rate between 1.5 -10 seconds.

The company’s two pickleball machine models, SIMON 2 and SIMON X, have different capabilities. In addition to the standard features and lifetime warranty available in SIMON 2, the X version includes topspin, underspin, and stealth oscillation to simulate gameplay situations. SIMON Pickleball Machines are considered high-end and perhaps more suitable for pickleball resorts, clubs, teaching professionals, and advanced players who want a high-performance machine.

Of all the pickleball ball machine brands covered in this post, SIMON’s products are the priciest. The SIMON2 Pickleball Throwing Machine is available from the company’s online store for $2382.00.

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Franklin

In the true sense, Franklin Sports ProShot Pickleballer is not a full-fledged pickleball ball machine. However, it has made this list as a budget option.

Intermediate and advanced players would find the machine lacking in features and functionality. However, at just over $90, the Franklin Sports ProShot Pickleballer may be worth the investment for players trying to learn the game or practice their shots in their homes’ basements.

While on the subject of training, you may want to check out these Ten Pickleball Training Aids that are more affordably priced.

There you have it – the six leading pickleball ball machine brands available today. While a ball machine is a valuable training tool, it can’t fully replicate the unpredictability of playing with a human partner or the social aspects of the game. It’s also worth noting that most manufacturers listed here have been frequently raising their prices, likely due to high demand.

If you are seriously considering investing in a pickleball ball machine, ensure that you are making an informed decision. And, if you do buy a pickleball ball machine, enjoy your workout!

Please share your experiences in the comments below if you have used any of these pickleball ball machine brands or models. Also, are there other great machines we missed? Let us know.

Sources:

Slinger bag

Lobster Sports

Sports Tutor

Spinshot

Erne

pickleballmachine.com/