7 Best Pickleball Ball Practice Machines in 2023
It would be nice to have a friendly pickleball player willing to hit you ball after ball on the pickleball court, but few people who are skilled enough to hit consistent shots to you would want to practice for hours. Instead, many of us turn to pickleball ball machines to practice and perfect our shots.
What is a pickleball ball machine? These machines are similar to tennis ball machines and have a basket and a ball feed that sends them through the machine. The balls are ejected with force through the launcher and usually offer pre-programmed drills which vary the ball speed and offer random oscillation so you can practice different types of shots.
The best pickleball machines are battery-powered and come with an external battery pack so you can practice for a few hours without interruption or needing to worry about the battery life and charging the machine.
Some facilities allow you to rent these hourly for a small fee. However, if you’re not a member of one of those facilities or you want to get your own, here are the 7 best pickleball practice machines we’ve discovered.
#1 - The Pickleball Tutor Plus
The Tutor Plus can hold up to 110 balls and launch them at speeds up to 65 mph. It can even be adjusted to get the timing of each shot and get set up for the next one. It’s an excellent machine for indoor and outdoor use and even comes with a rechargeable battery that provides up to four hours of continuous play. Want to practice returning backspin or top-spin shots? Or dinks, lobs, serves, drives, and groundstrokes? The Pickleball Tutor Plus has you covered and will help you bring your pickleball game to the next level.
Features:
110 pickleball capacity
A single dial controls the amount of topspin or backspin
Ball Feed – From every one second (for quick-reaction volleys) to every 10 seconds
Ball Speed – Up to 65 MPH
Built-in 3" towing wheels and handle for easy transport
Random oscillator is included
Rechargeable Battery with up to four hours of playtime
Smart battery charger which prevents over-charging
Start-up time delay to allow you to reach the opposite side of the court
Throws both indoor and outdoor pickleballs
#2 - Pickleball Tutor Mini
Of course, if you’re in the market for a smaller machine, you may want to look at the Pickleball Tutor Mini. It weighs only 24 pounds, making it easy to transport, and comes with a 60-ball capacity. This machine allows you to make speed, oscillation, and elevation adjustments as needed. The built-in battery operates for three hours and comes with a smart charger.
Features:
60 ball capacity
Available w/oscillator ($90), which delivers shots randomly across the court for hitting on the run.
Ball Feed – Adjustable from every 2 seconds to every 10 seconds.
Ball Speed – Up to 50 MPH.
Manual elevation control offers adjustable shot types including sidespin
Rechargeable, built-in battery provides up to three hours of playtime
Smart battery charger which prevents over-charging
Start-up time delay to reach the other side of the court
Throws both indoor and outdoor pickleballs
#3 - Simon X Practice Machine
Simon X is one of the most advanced and powerful pickleball practice machines you can find today. It uses heavy-duty aluminum and stainless steel to provide excellent durability and long-lasting service. You can increase and lower the speed of shots allowing you to practice drives and dinks. The Simon X has a 120-ball capacity, and you can even get the extra ball hopper to add another 60 to the capacity.
Features:
100 + feet connectivity wireless remote with FOB controller
10-12 hour standard battery
120 standard ball capacity
Advanced digital control panel
Exclusive dual built-in carry handles for lifting and transport
Has a top speed of 70 mph for helping you react to bangers
Large, easy-to-grab pull handle to maneuver X around the court
Lifetime warranty on throw wheels and 5-year parts warranty
Low speed of 5 mph to practice dinks and develop your soft game
Made in the USA
Military-grade construction
Operate X without needing the wireless remote or the wireless remote FOB controller
Rolls into vehicles using a portable ramp
Super Ramp allows precision adjustments and infinite ball height variations to help develop your soft game, including forehand and backhand volleys.
Various ball feed speeds of 1.5-10 seconds.
“Stealth” oscillation so you can’t tell where the ball will shoot
#4 - The Pickle Two Lobster Pickleball Machine
The Pickle Two Lobster Pickleball Machine from Lobster Sports is a great choice for returning shots with topspin or backspin. The machine can hold 125 balls with speeds of 10 to 60 mph. The battery allows for 4-6 hours of continuous play, and a remote control allows you to control the machine from the other side of the court. You can purchase this machine from Lobster directly or from our friends at Pickleball Central.
Features:
2-line function: narrow, wide, medium
Ball capacity: 125 balls
Ball Speed: 10-60 mph
Elevation: electronic adjustment of 0-50 degrees
Extended parts warranty: 2 years
Feed rate: 2-12 seconds
Oscillation: random horizontal, 2-line
Playtime: 4-6 hours
Power: internal battery and external battery
Remote: (optional) elite remote
Spin types: topspin and backspin
Standard charger: included
Weight: 42 lbs
#5 - Sports Tutor Multi-Twist
Get your pickleball paddles ready! This is a great machine for beginners and kids. The Sports Tutor Multi-Twist uses six D batteries and can work for 10 to 12 hours. It tosses the balls at 15 mph with a 5-second gap and can provide spins on the ball for more advanced learning at the baseline or the net. It offers a 28-ball capacity and allows the user to change the angles easily.
Features:
28 ball capacity
Dimensions: 26 x 11 x 11 inches
Made in the USA
Max speed of 15mph
Playtime of 10-12 hours
Three-year limited warranty
Throws pickleball balls and tennis balls
Weighs 11lbs
#6 - Simon 2 Pickleball Throwing Machine
The Simon 2 is an excellent option for a pickleball practice machine. The machine offers a larger, 160-ball capacity in a compact box. It’s easy to move and transport from court to court or home to court. It can toss balls from 0 to 60 mph and offers an option to add an oscillating platform. Its wireless remote works from 100 feet away and comes with “zero jam” technology. The Simon 2 is an excellent value machine with advanced capabilities and stellar user reviews.
Features:
160 Pickleball capacity
Ball speeds of 10-60 MPH
Built-in carry handle for easy transportation
Dimensions: 31” x 12.5”
Exclusive adjustable ramp that throws consistent dinks in the kitchen
Fast ball feed speeds of 1.5-10 seconds
Lifetime warranty on throw wheels
Made in the USA
Optional oscillating platform
Stainless steel and heavy-duty aluminum construction
Standard 6-hour battery
True wireless remote with 100-foot range
Wheels that allow for easy mobility
#7 - Pickleball Tutor Spin Machine
If you’re looking for something more advanced out of your practice sessions, then consider the Pickleball Tutor Spin Machine. It provides side spinning with right and left angles with variable speeds (0 to 60 mph). It also comes with a remote to control it from the other side and practice your lobs, dinks, and drives without interruption. Its built-in handle and portability let you carry the machine wherever you need to go. Comes in a basic model with a line oscillator that feeds to one court location or a random oscillation model which will shoot across the court.
Features
Full range of trajectories: Easily adjusts the ball trajectory for high and low shots.
Portable: This machine is one of the easiest-to-carry machines on the market.
Sidespin: Adjust the type of spin from zero spin to left or right sidespin.
Start-up time delay: The time delay allows a player to reach the other side of the court before the balls begin firing.
Variable ball feed: The ball feed rate varies from one ball every second (for quick-reaction volleys), to a single ball every 10 seconds.
Conclusion
Regardless of which machine you choose, you can’t go wrong by giving yourself plenty of practice opportunities. There are ball machines made for every budget and skill. The only question remains - which pickleball practice machine will you choose? Let us know in the comments below!
