A tennis ball machine is a perfect way to improve your game. Not only can you practice as and when you like, but you can also play without a human opponent. When it comes to choosing a machine, there are various types to pick from.
If you’re an intermediate to advanced tennis athlete, you’ll want something fast and powerful that provides a realistic on-court experience. In this article, we explore some of the fastest tennis ball machines to help you decide which is best.
Playmate iGenie – Fastest
Specs
- Oscillation: random
- Speed: 12-105 mph
- Feed rate: 1-60 seconds
- Elevation: 15-55 degrees
- Ball capacity: 300
- Power: AC mains
- Weight: 37 kg
The Playmate iGenie is the fastest tennis ball machine on the list. The powerful launcher has a ball speed of between 12 and 105 mph, making it popular amongst players of all sorts.
The ball thrower comes with a state-of-the-art control panel and provides 10 different shots to simulate real game situations. Whether you’re practicing independently or in a group, the iGenie allows you to practice drills that include approach shots, lobs to 2 lines, and groundstrokes.
If you want to perfect a certain shot, set the launcher to that. If you want to mix things up, that’s possible too! Whatever combination you can think of, you can set the iGenie to do it.
The ball machine also comes with Playmate Tennis for iPhone and iPad support. This handy little app enables you to plan ahead and create drills, track your workouts, and compare results with others.
The downside is that as well as being the fastest, it is also the most expensive!
Lobster Sports Elite Two
Specs
- Oscillation: Random horizontal and vertical
- Speed: 10-80 mph
- Feed rate: 2-12 seconds
- Elevation: 0-60 degrees
- Ball capacity: 150
- Power: AC mains
- Weight: 42 lbs
The first pick on the list is the Lobster Sports Elite Two. This stationery tennis ball machine provides everything you need to improve your game. Powered by AC, you can practice for as long as you like, without needing to recharge the battery.
This tennis launcher features a 150-ball hopper, allowing you to practice for longer without needing to refill. It’s customizable and can shoot balls at a speed of 10-80 mph, making it one of the fastest machines on the market.
Weighing 42 pounds, this Lobster ball machine is light enough to transport to and from the court. If you need to lift the launcher in and out of your trunk, you won’t have a problem with this machine. However, if you do have a private court, it’s hardwearing enough to stay put throughout the seasons.
Like most of the Lobster launchers, the Sports Elite 2 boasts a selection of pre-programmed drills. These simulate popular playing styles like grinder and power baseliner, helping you get to grips with more complicated shots. If you want to mix things up, the drills can be adapted to have a level of speed, spin, and trajectory that suits your needs.
Spinshot Pro
Specs
- Oscillation: Random horizontal and vertical
- Speed: 18-68 mph
- Feed rate: 2-10 seconds
- Elevation: Groundstroke to lob
- Ball capacity: 120
- Power: Battery or AC mains
- Use time: 2-3 hours
Thanks to the braided aluminum construction, the Spinshot Pro is lightweight and durable. The ball launcher is battery operated and comes with a handy remote control and portable charger.
The launcher offers random oscillation and a fast ball speed of between 18 and 68 mph. The speed can be altered in steps, with 2 steps being circa 5 mph. This allows you to adjust the Pro to suit your playing requirements.
While the machine only has one oscillation mode, it can be set to shoot balls from side to side to provide a range of shots. Like all Spinshot launchers, the Pro features a 120-ball hopper. While this is smaller than other machines on the market, it provides ample playing time while keeping the launcher lightweight for ease of transport.
The feed rate can be programmed between 2 and 10 seconds and is altered in steps via the control panel. The ball thrower has 6 different levels of top and backspin, allowing you to try out a range of different shots. The height can also be changed via the user-friendly control panel on the side of the machine.
Spinshot Player
Specs
- Oscillation: Fully customizable
- Speed: 18-68 mph
- Feed rate: 2-10 seconds
- Elevation: Adjustable
- Ball capacity: 120
- Power: Battery or AC mains
- Use time: 2-3 hours
- Weight: 42 lbs
The Spinshot Player is one of the most advanced ball machines on the market. Offering almost every type of oscillation made by a real player, the launcher provides a realistic on-court experience.
The ball thrower is available in two models: AC or battery powered. The battery and charger are included with the battery-powered unit, and a rechargeable power pack and be bought separately for the AC model.
A big selling point of the Player is the ability to pair it with your smartphone. Replacing the traditional remote, your mobile can be used to set the speed, feed rate, angle, and height of the ball. As the thrower comes with custom programming, you can also plug in your customized drills.
With the battery, the Spinshot Player weights 42 pounds. This lightweight makes it easy to lift it in and out of your trunk and move around the tennis court. If you’ve got a private court or playing area, you may prefer the AC model. This way, you can play for as long as you like without needing to recharge the battery.
Playmate Deuce
Specs
- Oscillation: random
- Speed: 12 to 80 mph
- Feed rate: 1-17 seconds
- Elevation: 5-15 degrees
- Ball capacity: 300
- Power: AC mains
- Weight: 46 kg
If you want to practice quick, two-shot combinations, look no further than the Playmate Deuce. Unlike other ball launchers, the Deuce provides two distinct programmable shots, each with its own speed, spin, delay, and elevation. Whether you want to move from a topspin into a backspin or follow a volley with a lob, this thrower has got you covered.
The machine’s control panel makes setting up the shots simple. You can electronically adjust the speed, feed rate height, and topspin or backspin, and also make use of the seven-position direction. With a speed range of between 12 and 80 mph, the Playmate Deuce is one of the fastest tennis ball machines on the market.
Another great thing about this model is that it’s a Chameleon Series tennis ball machine. Compatible with the iGenie, iSmash, and PC control units, this tennis launcher can grow with you and be upgraded as and when you need it.
Playmate iSmash
Specs
- Oscillation: random
- Speed: 12-80 mph
- Feed rate: 1-60 seconds
- Elevation: 15-55 degrees
- Ball capacity: 300
- Power: AC mains
- Weight: 37 kg
The iSmash is Playmate’s base Chameleon Series model. Upgradable to the iGenie, the machine is ideal for players looking to start with the basics and work up. The Chameleon design means you can purchase the launcher now and buy upgrades later to make it into a top-line model.
While the iSmash is the base model, it doesn’t skimp on features. The tennis ball thrower is one of the fastest in production and offers ball speeds of between 12 and 80 mph. It also comes with tons of features to keep you on your toes. The machine features a 300-ball hopper, variable topspin and backspin, and a 7-position programmable electronic direction.
This tennis ball machine is also compatible with the Playmate Serve Lift, allowing you to enjoy the speed of the iSmash from an elevated position.
Playmate Ace
Specs
- Oscillation: 3 Line
- Speed: 12-80 mph
- Feed rate: 1-17 seconds
- Elevation: 15-55 degrees
- Ball capacity: 200
- Power: AC mains
- Weight: 37 kg
Boasting several innovative features, the Playmate Ace is suitable for a club rental, private court owner, or even a training school. Compatible with the Playmate Serve and Lift, the launcher can imitate a human’s serve to provide a realistic on-court experience.
The standard model comes with a hand remote for ON/OFF function and can be upgraded with the Freedom Kit upgrade. Featuring an electronic control panel, you can control the topspin, backspin, speed, and oscillation from anywhere on the court.
With a speed range of between 12 and 80 mph, the Playmate Ace is another super-fast tennis ball machine. The thrower comes with a 200-ball hopper, a view controller, and an electronic direction to 1, 2 or 3 lines.
Unfortunately, this ball launcher isn’t a Chameleon model. This means it can’t be upgraded to become the iSmash, Deuce, iGenie or iSlam. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it’s worth keeping in mind when choosing your tennis ball thrower.
Spinfire Pro 2
Specs
- Oscillation: Vertical and horizontal
- Speed: 20-80 mph
- Feed rate: 2-15 seconds
- Elevation: Groundstroke to lob
- Ball capacity: 200
- Power: Battery
- Use time: 2-5 hours
- Weight: 52 lbs
The Spinfire Pro 2 is a refined version of the original Spinfire Pro. The launcher boasts a range of new features and is popular amongst budding tennis athletes.
One of the Pro 2’s best features is the internal oscillation. Typically seen on more expensive launchers, this allows the Pro to move fast and make shots less predictable.
Weighing just 52 pounds, the ball thrower is light enough to move around the court. Despite being compact for portability and storage, the tennis machine features a 200-ball hopper. This allows you to practice for longer before needing to refill. When necessary, the hopper can be reversed to cover the machine for protection during transport and storage.
The Spinfire Pro 2 also provides a 2-line drill with 3 settings, LCD, extreme spin, and a membrane touch panel. It’s one of the fastest tennis ball machines on the market, with an adjustable speed of between 20 and 80 mph. The ball interval can also be altered and set between 2 and 15 seconds.
So, there you have it – the fastest tennis ball machines. If you’re an avid tennis player looking to improve your game, invest in one of the super-fast ball throwers above.