11 Best Tennis Ball Machines [2020 Reviews & Comparison]

Getting good at the game of tennis is not easy.

You need to learn to serve in tennis which is easy to practice on your own but you also need to perfect your returns which can be difficult to practice if you are on your own!

There are many different ways that you can learn how to hit the ball better in tennis from practicing to taking coaching lessons to watching videos on Youtube.

But the ultimate way of practicing and getting better at tennis if you don’t always have a partner available is using a tennis ball machine.

Here we have put together our 11 best tennis ball machines reviews and buyers guides to help you choose one.

In our opinion, tennis ball machines are an essential investment as they allow you to practice tennis anytime without the need for a human opponent. This can give you an edge and that is highly important if you are serious about your tennis game

Our Reviews of the Best Tennis Ball Machines for 2020

Below, we have compiled our list of the top tennis ball machines for 2020.

Lobster Sports Elite 2

Lobster-Elite-2-300x300

The Lobster Sports Elite 2 tennis ball machine offers everything that the first generation has, but comes with an advanced triple oscillation option that combines horizontal and vertical oscillation meaning a greater range of possible shots.

This tennis ball machine is suited towards intermediate and advanced players that want to bring their game to the next level. The Elite 2 is slightly more expensive than the Lobster Sports Elite.

One key advantage of Elite 2 tennis ball machine is that it features many options and settings that cannot be found on other tennis ball machines in its price range.

The optional accessories available consist of a two-function wireless remote control, a fast charger, and a premium fast charger. The weight of the device is 42 lbs and its large wheels make for easy transport.

All the features along with a reasonable price mean this is our top pick of all the tennis ball machines on the market.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: random horizontal, random vertical
  • Ball Speed: 10 to 80 mph
  • Feed rate: 2-12 seconds
  • Elevation: 0-60 degrees
  • Ball capacity: 150
  • Power: battery
  • Use time: 4-8 hours
  • Weight: 42 lbs

Pros

  • Triple oscillation
  • Up to 80mph shots
  • Easy to transport
  • Greater simulation of match play tennis

Cons

  • Remote control not included
  • No preset drills

Lobster Sports Elite 1 Tennis Ball Machine

Lobster Sports Elite 1 Tennis Ball Machine

If getting better at tennis is your ultimate goal then the Lobster Sports Elite 1 battery operated portable tennis ball machine by Lobster could be the solution that you have been looking for.

This tennis ball machine provides a full corner to corner horizontal random oscillation that can help you perfect your forehands and backhands.

The onboard hopper can be inverted to use as the basket to hold an increased amount of tennis balls and the maximum capacity for the hopper is 150 tennis balls.

The Elite 1 is battery-operated, but can also be powered through an AC mains outlet and you should be able to use the Elite 1 tennis ball machine for up to 8 hours of ongoing use.

It is very light in comparison to other tennis ball machines making it very portable and easy to move from one court to the next.

The only drawback to this tennis ball machine is that it can be a little noisy during extended periods of use, which can be distracting but it’s no big deal really.

Other than that this is one quality product and is without a doubt a great all-round choice for the money.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: random horizontal
  • Ball Speed: 10 to 80 mph
  • Feed rate: 2-12 seconds
  • Elevation: 0-60 degrees
  • Spin: top & back settings
  • Ball capacity: 150
  • Power: battery or a/c
  • Use time: 4-8 hours
  • Weight: 42 lbs

Pros

  • Light & portable
  • 60-degree lob program
  • Battery-powered
  • Corner to corner random oscillation

Cons

  • Slightly noisy when in operation
  • Battery life not very long

Spinshot Player 2 Plus Tennis Ball Machine

Spinshot Player 2 Plus Tennis Ball Machine

The Spinshot Player 2 Plus is one of the most advanced tennis ball machines on the market. Offering almost every type of oscillation that perfectly emulates pretty much all shots real tennis players can make, the Player allows you to enjoy a realistic on-court experience.

This tennis ball machine is available in two models: battery-powered or AC. The battery and charger come included with the battery-powered version, while a rechargeable power pack can be purchased separately for the AC model.

One of the greatest features of the Player 2 Plus is the ability to pair it with your smartphone. Replacing the traditional remote, your phone can be used to program the speed, angle, feed rate and height of the ball. As the launcher provides custom programming, you can also feed in your customized drills.

With the battery connected, the Spinshot Player tennis ball machine weighs 42 pounds. This lightweight makes it easy to move around the court and lift in and out of your car boot. If you’ve got a private court, you may prefer the AC powered model. This way, you can enjoy the stationery machine without needing to recharge the battery.

If you’re a beginner or intermediate tennis player, the Spinshot Player 2 Plus tennis ball machine is all you’ll need to practice shots and improve your game.

Key Features:

• Oscillation: fully customizable
• Ball Speed: 18 to 68 mph
• Feed rate: 2-10 seconds
• Elevation: adjustable
• Spin: top and back
• Ball capacity: 120
• Power: battery or ac
• Use time: 2-3 hours
• Weight: 42 lbs

Pros

• Preprogrammed drills
• Electronic elevation control
• Two-line function
• Remote control
• Full customizable oscillation

Cons

• Short battery life
• Unable to set speed during drills

Spinshot Player Tennis Ball Machine

 

Spinshot Player Tennis Ball Machine

This tennis ball machine is an excellent piece of kit to help you work on your, shots returns and generally improve your game. One really cool feature is the ability to operate the machine with a phone remote using an app on your smartphone, or even using a smartwatch, what will they think of next eh?!

As the name hints at the strong point of the Spinshot Player tennis ball machine is its ability to replicate shots with a large amount of spin on them which gives an added element of realism and allows you to return a wider array of shots.

You can also program other details such as the height, direction, and speed for the shots and save the settings for the future.

Next to the Player 2 plus it is one of the most advanced of all the tennis ball machines on the market and one of the best models available on the market.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: any
  • Ball Speed: 30 – 110 kmph
  • Feed rate: 2-10 seconds
  • Elevation: Adjustable
  • Ball capacity: 120
  • Power: battery or a/c
  • Use time: 2-3 hours
  • Weight: 19kg

Pros

  • Remote control using a smartphone
  • Program oscillation, speed and height for custom drills
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Doesn’t support all mobile operating systems (Android and iOS only)
  • Max speed slightly lower than other models

Spinshot Pro

The Spinshot Pro tennis ball machine is super lightweight and portable with a set of wheels and handle making it a good choice if you are on the move a lot to different courts and want to take your machine with you.

It can produce top and backspin shots as well as vertical and horizontal oscillation. As with the Spinshot Player it offers a high maximum ball firing speed of up to 110km, you need to be speedy to return those, my friend!

Keeping this from being higher up our list is it doesn’t quite have the same level of advanced features some others do and the fact it doesn’t come with a digital remote (though you can control it with your Android or Apple iPhone smartphone so it doesn’t matter too much if you have one of those).

Other than that it’s an excellent choice of tennis ball machine.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: random
  • Ball Speed: 30 to 110 mph
  • Feed rate: 2-10 seconds
  • Elevation: adjustable
  • Ball capacity: 120
  • Power: battery or AC
  • Use time: 2-3 hours
  • Weight: 18-20 kg

Pros

  • Multi-function speed control
  • Horizontal and vertical oscillation
  • Topspin and backspin
  • More affordable than the Spinshot Player
  • Easy to use control panel

Cons

  • No custom drills
  • Can’t be used with remote control

Playmate iSmash Tennis Ball Machine

The Playmate Smash tennis ball machine is Playmate’s base Chameleon Series model. This means that it can be upgraded to the iGenie, allowing the machine to develop as you do. This tennis ball machine is suitable for tennis players who want to start with the basics and work their way up.

The Smash it has enough features to keep the most avid player satisfied. With a 300-ball hopper, variable topspin and backspin and a 7-position programmable electronic direction, although the ball machine is suitable for players of all abilities t will be advanced players who will get the most from it. The Smash is also compatible with the Playmate Serve Lift, allowing you to use the machine from an elevated position.

The Smash tennis ball machine is AC powered and weighs 73 lbs, making it suited to tennis clubs or tennis players with a private court. This way, the heavy machine won’t need to be transported to and from the court. With a host of innovative features and a user-friendly control panel, the Playmate Smash Ball Machine is one of the top options on the market.

Key Features:

• Oscillation: random
• Ball Speed: 12 to 80 mph
• Feed rate: 1-60 seconds
• Elevation: 15 to 55 degrees
• Spin: variable top and back
• Ball capacity: 300
• Power: AC
• Weight: 73 lbs

Pros

• Variable electronic height
• User-friendly control panel
• Remote control
• Variable topspin and backspin
• Serve lift friendly

Cons

• Heavy

Lobster Elite Grand 5 Tennis Ball Machine

The Lobster Elite Grand 5 is a great machine in almost every way.

It has some great advanced features such as the pre-programmed drills that you can use for practice, the ability to program a different speed, spin rate and trajectory for every ball, fully random oscillation and the option to program up to 6 of your own custom drills. These options make it a cut above other tennis ball machines.

It is a little pricer than some tennis ball machines but it is worth the extra investment if you are looking for features and programmability that can accurately emulate a real game of tennis when you get on the court.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: fully random
  • Ball Speed: 35 to 80 mph
  • Feed rate: 2-9 seconds
  • Elevation: 0-60 degrees
  • Ball capacity: 150
  • Power: battery
  • Use time: 4-8 hours
  • Weight: 44 lbs

Pros

  • 12 pre-programmed drills
  • Program up to 6 custom drills
  • Full oscillation options
  • Fast charge

Cons

  • More expensive than other models

Lobster Sports Elite Freedom Tennis Ball Machine

This tennis ball machine features some of the most advanced technology available for those who want to become better at tennis. The Lobster Elite Freedom features a 150 ball capacity. You just need to press one button in order to get started, and it features multiple settings for speed, angle, and the rate of fire.

The machine’s mix of power and its relatively cheap price means that it is a great option for both beginners and advanced players to get better at their game, and at around 35 oz and on good wheels, it is extremely portable. If you’re on a tight budget, then this Lobster Elite Freedom tennis ball machine is definitely for you but we must admit it is not up to the same standard as the other 2 so if you can afford a little extra go for one of those.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: random horizontal
  • Ball Speed: 35 to 65 mph
  • Feed rate: 2-10 seconds
  • Elevation: 0-50 degrees
  • Ball capacity: 150
  • Power: battery
  • Use time: 2-4 hours
  • Weight: 35 lbs

Pros

  • More affordable than other machines
  • Very portable

Cons

  • Only horizontal oscillation
  • Lower battery life

Lobster Sports Phenom Club Tennis Ball Machine

The Lobster Sports Phenom Club is a stationary tennis ball machine. Boasting everything that a tennis player needs to improve his or her game, the electricity-powered machine is one of the most popular machines on the market.

This Lobster tennis ball machine features a 250-ball hopper, allowing you to practice for longer without having to refill, which is a very useful feature. It’s fully programmable and can be set to shoot out tennis balls at 35-80 mph, providing an optimal playing experience on the court. At 99 pounds, this tennis ball machine certainly isn’t the lightest on the market. With this in mind, it’s suited to tennis players with a private court or playing area so it doesn’t have to be transported.

Like many of the other Lobster tennis ball machines, the Sports Phenom comes with three pre-programmed six shot drills to emulate playing with a partner. These settings simulate popular styles like power baseliner and grinder, allowing you to get to grips with more complex shots. If you want to switch things up, the drills can be customized with more trajectory, speed and spin to take your game to the next level and make sure when the time comes for your next match, you will be ready!

Key Features:

• Random, vertical and horizontal oscillation
• Ball Speed: 35 to 80 mph
• Feed rate: 2-9 seconds
• Elevation: 0 to 50 degrees
• Spin: topspin and backspin
• Ball capacity: 250
• Power: AC
• Weight: 99 lbs

Pros

• Random oscillation
• Variable spin and speed
• Easy to use control panel
• Preprogrammed drills
• 3-line function

Cons

• Remote purchased separately

Spinfire Pro 2 Tennis Ball Machine

The Spinfire Pro 2 tennis ball machine is a new and improved version of the original Spinfire Pro. Boasting a range of innovative features, the launcher is popular amongst budding tennis stars.

One of the most notable features is the machine’s internal oscillation. Typically seen on more expensive machines, this allows the Pro to move quickly and makes shots less predictable as though you were playing with an actual partner.

Weighing just 52 pounds, this tennis ball machine is light enough to transport to and from the court. Despite being compact for storage and portability, the Pro features a 200-ball hopper. This means you can enjoy the game for longer before having to refill. When necessary, the 200-ball can be reversed to cover the machine for protection during storage and transport. As well as protecting the launcher, the cover makes the Spinfire Pro 2 appear neat and compact.

The Spinfire Pro 2 also offers a 2-line drill with 3 settings, extreme spin, LCD display and a membrane touch panel. The ball speed can be adjusted from 20-80 mph with variable topspin. The ball interval can also be adjusted and set anywhere between 2 and 15 seconds depending on your preference, which is a useful feature.

Key Features:

• Oscillation: vertical and horizontal
• Ball Speed: 20 to 80 mph
• Feed rate: 2-15 seconds
• Elevation: groundstroke to lob
• Spin: variable
• Ball capacity: 200
• Power: battery
• Use time: 2-5 hours
• Weight: 52 lbs

Pros

• Internal oscillation
• Counter-rotating wheels
• Two-line drill
• Vertical and horizontal oscillation
• Remote control
• Self-calibration

Cons

• No preprogrammed drills
• Remote to be purchased separately

Match Mate Rookie by Match Mate

The Match Mate Rookie is a battery-powered tennis ball machine. Instead of splashing out on an expensive machine, many beginners prefer to start with the basics. If you fall into this category, the Rookie will suit you perfectly for a virtual tennis partner to practice your shots.

Weighing just 22 lbs, the Rookie is one of the lightest machines on the market. The lightweight makes it easy to move around the court and even lift it in and out of your car boot. The Rookie’s features are similar to those of the iSam Value and the Lobster Sports Elite 2 Portable; however, the Rookie has the added benefit of being 18-20 pounds lighter.

Depending on your preference, the ball speed can be set between 10 and 27 miles per hour – which is quite impressive for such a compact machine. The height can also be adjusted, allowing you to practice a range of different shots with a single machine, which is a great feature.

When fully charged, the battery lasts up to 5 hours. While this back-up isn’t overly generous, it’s enough time to fit in at least 2 practice sessions without recharging. With a selection of basic features, the Match Mate Rookie tennis ball machine is suited to new players who want to develop their skills rather than advanced players. If you’re an intermediate or pro level tennis player, you’ll probably prefer something a little more advanced.

Key Features:

  • Oscillation: no oscillation
  • Ball Speed: 10 to 27 mph
  • Feed rate: 10 seconds
  • Elevation: 0 to 45 degrees
  • Spin: groundstroke to lob
  • Ball capacity: 70
  • Power: battery
  • Use time: 4-5 hours
  • Weight: 27 lbs

Pros

  • Adjustable speed
  • Distance
  • Lightweight
  • Adjustable feed rate
  • Warranty

Cons

  • Slow feed rate
  • Short battery life

ONE TO AVOID: Lobster Elite Liberty

This is part of the Lobster range which is very good as evident from having 3 appearances on this feature. The Lobster Elite Liberty tennis ball machine, however, has had quite a few bad reviews so if you are investing the amount of money you have to for one of these machines, we would go with one of the other options.

There have been some concerns with reliability, ball speed and the battery life massively reducing over time which of course are all big concerns.

Will will review this again at a later date to see if anything has changed.

Key Features:

  • Random & horizontal oscillation
  • Ball Speed: 10 to 80 mph
  • Feed rate: 2-12 seconds
  • Elevation: 0-50 degrees
  • Ball capacity: 150
  • Power: battery
  • Use time: 2-4 hours
  • Weight: 35 lbs

About the Brands

The brands featured in our best tennis ball machines list are:

Lobster Sports – https://www.lobstersports.com/

Spinshot – http://www.spinshot.co.uk

Playmate – https://www.playmatetennis.com/

Spinfire – https://www.spinfiresport.com

Match Mate – https://www.matchmatetennis.com

Best Donnay Tennis Racquets

These days, with all the stars of the ATP tour kitted out with gear from Prince, Wilson, Babolat and Head, Donnay doesn’t get much of a look in. But turn the clock back to the 1980s and Donnay was producing the most tennis rackets of any manufacturer in the world. Andre Agassi, Bjorn Borg, Margaret Court, and Rod Laver all ran onto the court with a Donnay racket in their hands.

Why Buy a Donnay Tennis Racket?

Some of those were back in the day when rackets were made of wood, of course. After that, Donnay failed to make the switch over to graphite frames and couldn’t keep up with the latest technology. Other brands pulled ahead and Donnay, for a while, looked on the way out.

Now though, they’re making some great modern raquets and slowly turning their fortunes around. In 2010 they launched their innovative “x-series” of rackets, which offered an alternative design to the traditional hollow-framed racket, dampening vibrations and shocks by up to 35%. There’s a lot that’s impressive about their rackets, and reviewers are increasingly taking notice of the consistent build quality and excellent dampening. Even without a celebrity endorser, Donnay are certainly on the up.

 

Best Donnay Tennis Rackets

Donnay rackets are thin beamed and stiff, but (most importantly) cushioned and comfortable for volleys and groundstrokes. That’s a godsend to any players prone to, or worried about, wrist and elbow injuries. These distinctive and slightly stiff rackets may not be ideal for beginners, but an intermediate or advanced player with a powerful swing can find an awful lot to like.

Unlike many companies, Donnay don’t do the usual trick of making super expensive, high-tech rackets for pros, and then progressively worse and cheaper offerings for everyone else. All Donnay rackets come in at about the same price point, but which of these you’ll prefer will depend on your taste and play style. So, if you have the opportunity, pick one up and see what you think.

Donnay Allwood 102

Many tennis fans have fond memories of Bjorn Borg wielding his heavy wooden racket like a club, and this gorgeous retro recreation has all the stylings of the 70s original. Although not made from wood any longer, it is designed to replicate some of the feel of the original whilst being lighter and faster, like the graphite frames that modern players are used to and benefits from a much larger sweet spot.

Built with Donnay’s patented Xenecore technology, the Allwood 102 is super maneuverable, with one of the lowest swing-weights of any racket being produced today. Usually, that involves a sacrifice in power and stability, but the Allwood doesn’t have that problem. The large head size of the 102 comes with a correspondingly large sweet spot to play with, while the flexible and light design of the head negates the air resistance you’d expect to deal with as a result.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 285g
  • Frame Material: Hexa XēneCore™, fortified solid core
  • String Pattern: 16×19
  • Grip: Cushion
  • Head size: 102 square inches
  • Unstrung Balance: 325mm
  • Unstrung Swing Weight: 263
  • Stiffness (RDC): 50
  • String Tension: 45lbs (+/- 10)
  • Beam Width: 22mm
  • Length: 27

Due to its design, this racket won’t help you generate a lot of power if that’s an aspect of your game that you struggle with, but you equally don’t need to be 6’11” inch giant with the reach of Ivo Karlovic to benefit from what the Allwood 102 has to offer. This is great for players who like smashing balls down the baseline, or for recreational doubles players.

Donnay Pro One Penta 97

Like most of Donnay’s rackets, the Pro One Penta 97 is a heavy-hitter, which doesn’t feel like it. Most players (unless their name rhymes with Foger Rederer) can’t hope to drag a heavy racket through their air and make it look elegant, except maybe with a Donnay Pro One Penta 97.

The 18×20 string pattern makes this much easier to wield and has more power than near-equivalents like the Wilson Pro Staff 97. However, unlike the Pro Staff, the Pro One is also a good option for players who don’t rely wholly on strength. For its size, this racket has a very low swing rate and is easy to control.

Donnay have also added a fifth, foam core to the center of their frames, increasing the ability of Donnay’s rackets to absorb vibrations and shocks. As a result, this is an incredibly comfortable racket to play with, and a great choice for anyone prone to wrist, arm or elbow strain.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 305g
  • Frame Material: Penta XēneCore™, fortified solid core
  • String Pattern: 18×20
  • Grip: Cushion
  • Head size: 97 square inches
  • Unstrung Balance: 315mm
  • Strung Weight: 317.5g
  • Strung Balance: 5 Points HL
  • Stiffness (RDC): 57
  • String Tension: 45lbs (+/- 10)
  • Beam Width: 21/21/21mm
  • Length: 27

This is a fantastic racket for strong hitters who don’t want to have to pay the price in comfort or playability when it comes to their heavyweight style. The 18×20 string pattern also makes this a perfect racket for those who have a more closed stance and like to serve and volley, and those who only make use of moderate spin. If it’s spin you want, check out the 16×19 variant.

Formula Lite Pentacore 100

The Pentacore light exists for players who want the fantastic playability and comfort of the Penta, but prefer it in a lighter, more easy to handle package. Super light and evenly balanced, this moves through the air with enjoyable speed, whilst maintaining accuracy. The open string pattern (16×19) allows for lots of spin, too. Once again, this Donnay racket excels at vibration absorption, allowing you to generate lots of power and momentum, without feeling the shock running up from your wrist to your shoulder.

The Trademarked Xenecore tubing contained in the frame allows the racket to bend back slightly as it strikes the ball, but then to snap back into position in a nanosecond, launching the ball forward. This creates great power and accuracy, with marvelous stability.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 275g
  • Frame Material: Penta XēneCore™, fortified solid core
  • String Pattern: 16×19
  • Grip: Cushion
  • Head size: 100 square inches
  • Unstrung Balance: 335mm
  • Strung Swing Weight: 300
  • Stiffness (RDC): 62
  • String Tension: 45lbs (+/- 10)
  • Beam Width: 20/27/24mm
  • Length: 27

A great racket for players interested in something like the Babolat Pure Drive Light, but wanting more power and control. If you’re a beginner or intermediate player, who likes the sound of Donnay rackets, but find their heavy-hitting credentials a bit intimidating, then the Formula Lite Pentacore 100 may be a good route in.

Donnay Superlite 114

Enough of the big hitters, what if you can’t generate the sort of power that Donnay rackets seem to demand? Well, the Superlite 114 was specifically designed for juniors, lower level and senior players, who can’t generate the sort of heavy swing employed by a pro in their prime.

The solid core of the Superlite 114 generates a huge power boost, and – thanks to its foam-filled Xenecore – still gives you the great vibration and shock absorption that Donnay is known for. Get the big punch you really want, without the painful shocks and jolts along the arm that usually come with it. The foam core also helps to keep everything incredibly airy, so that the Superlite 114 lives up to its name and checks in at a minuscule 240g unstrung. Even with a plus-sized head (114 square inches), you still end up with a maneuverable racket that has a fairly unbeatable swing weight in its class.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 240g
  • Frame Material: Lite XēneCore™
  • String Pattern: 16×19
  • Grip: Cushion
  • Head size: 114 square inches
  • Unstrung Balance: 365mm
  • Strung Weight: 252.3g
  • Strung Balance: 6 Points HH
  • Mains Skip: 8T,7H,9H One Piece
  • Stiffness (RDC): 67
  • String Tension: 50lbs (+/- 10)
  • Beam Width: 30/30/28mm
  • Length: 27.25

The Superlite 114 is ideally suited to lower-level and senior players looking for a racket that can give their game a much-needed power boost. That said, Donnay reckons that a hard-hitting pro could take real advantage of the Superlite’s power and open-string pattern, and generate some impressive topspin. Why not give it a go?

The Last Word

Donnay are certainly the underdogs of the Tennis world; two breaks down in the final set. But after being outstripped technologically in the 90s, they came back with a wave of innovations that put them in a category all of their own. Donnay rackets certainly aren’t for everyone, and their designs have a distinct bias towards heavy-hitters, but there are plenty of powerful players about. More importantly, for a small and emphatic minority, the vibration absorption and cushioning provided by their rackets is a godsend for those who suffer from tennis elbow or any similar condition.

If you’ve never tried a Donnay racket before, have a look. They may well surprise you.

Best Prince Tennis Racquets

Founded in Atlanta, Georgia, Prince stormed onto the tennis scene in the 1970s when they invented the tennis ball machine. It was the first of their cunning innovations, created by putting a vacuum cleaner into reverse, and they’ve been innovating ever since.

Prince’s biggest success came in the 90s when brand ambassador and tennis legend Pat Rafter stormed to success after success. At that time, Prince tennis rackets were the top selling tennis rackets in the world, and who can really be surprised? Although sales have declined a little in recent years, facing stiff competition from Wilson, Head and Yonex, Prince are still a brand with a storied history, producing some of the most advanced rackets on the market.

Why Buy a Prince Tennis Racket?

Prince are a great brand with some fantastic rackets. They combine excellent build quality with an ethos of innovation that has produced some seriously impressive sports technology over the years. Their O3 technology in particular has created tennis rackets with enormous sweet spots, and people have taken notice. It’s no wonder that ATP Tour players like David Ferrer, John Isner, and Jelena Jankovic are all Prince fans.

Best Prince Tennis Rackets

Whilst Prince’s built quality is really very good, you really get what you pay for. Their entry level rackets are extremely affordable and get the job done, but they’re very bare bones as a result. Companies like Yonex might throw in some high tech design features just to be nice, but Prince are trying to get you to buy their better rackets if you can afford them. Of course, if you’re willing to pay, Prince’ s high-end rackets are some of the most advanced sports tech around.

Time to run you through some of the big hitters:

Prince TeXtreme Warrior 100L Tennis Racket

Best for Beginner/Intermediate Players

The TeXtreme Warrior 100L is a light racket, designed for long, heavy baseline rallies. A supremely light frame (255g) with a mid-large head size of 100 square inches, allows for excellent spin and power without sacrificing precision.

The headline here is the technology for which the racket is named: TeXtreme. This unique feature of Prince rackets involves stiffening the frame through the use of extremely thin, straight carbon fibres, to create a composite material that is 20% lighter than usual, as well as being more resilient. The resulting frame twists up to 25% less when it strikes the ball, increasing both strength and accuracy. As a result, TeXtreme rackets are well-suited to aggressive play.

With great power comes great vibration… all the way down your racket arm. Players susceptible to wrist and elbow strain may want to have a look at this racket, which generates a lot of power whilst dampening most of the forces involved.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 255g
  • Frame Material: TeXtreme
  • String Pattern: 16×18
  • Grip: ResiPro
  • TeXtreme technology, for a lighter, stiffer racket
  • Compatible with Sony Smart Tennis Sensor

The TeXtreme Warrior 100Lis a solid choice for regular players. Its cost won’t break the bank, but it has some innovative design features that really help the player to get a great balance of weight, size, power, and control. Reviewers say that this racket is particularly suited to play styles with more compact strokes, so club players may find The Warrior ideal.

Prince TeXtreme Premier 105 Tennis Racket

Best for Professionals

Powerful, large and light – that’s the Prince TeXtreme Premier 105 in a nutshell. The 105 square inch head is combined with Prince’s O3 technology, a grommetless innovation that expertly dampens sudden vibrations, whilst increasing the size of the sweet spot by an enormous 54%. This means that the TexTreme Premier 105 boasts one of the most impressively large sweet spots ever made.

As with the Warrior 100L (above), TeXtreme technology has stiffened the racket through use of extremely thin, straight carbon fibres, creating a composite material that is 20% lighter than usual. The resulting frame twists up to 25% less when it strikes the ball, increasing both strength and accuracy. As a result, TeXtreme rackets are well-suited to aggressive play.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 255g
  • Frame Material: 100% Graphite/TeXtreme
  • String Pattern: 16×19
  • Grip: ResiSoft
  • TeXtreme technology, for a lighter, stiffer racket
  • O3 Technology, increasing the sweet spot by 54%

The largest, lightest, most powerful racket in the Prince armoury, with a credible claim to having the largest sweet spot on a racket ever seen. This will be particularly rewarding to any players with shorter strokes, whilst the head size and open string pattern should allow players who love to spin and slice plenty of leeway. When it comes to volleying, the TeXtreme Premier 105’s surface area and stability make it impressive, and the extra reach of the head makes serving a cinch.

Advanced players looking for comfort and power need to look no further than the TeXtreme Premier 105.

Prince Warrior Elite Junior Tennis Racket

Best Prince Tennis Racket for Juniors

Young players don’t need to be about to turn pro in order to take advantage of a little high-tech quality. The Warrior Elite Junior boasts a good-sized 104 square inch head, with a great sweet spot.

The GraphAlu (Graphite/Aluminium) composition of the Warrior Elite keeps the racket nice and light, and it is strung using Extreme String Pattern (ESP) design, which can increase spin on the ball by up to 30%. With more spin you can get better clearance over the net, as well as excellent shot penetration.

Features:

  • Frame Weight: 8.7oz
  • Frame Material: GraphAlu (Graphite/Aluminium)
  • String Pattern: 14×16
  • Grip: TechniGrip
  • ESP (Extreme String Pattern)

Big, light, and just fun to play with. This is a great junior racket for a young player who’s taking their tennis a little more seriously. The GraphAlu and ESP design are great features, and they don’t add so much to the price that the Warrior Elite ESP becomes unaffordable.

The Last Word

Despite a fall from their 90s heyday, Prince are still one of the biggest Tennis brands in the world. They have an ethos of forward thinking and innovation, and they’re still putting out some of the best rackets you can buy. You get what you pay for, though, so don’t expect too much from their lower-end offerings.