One of Spinshot’s best sellers, the Spinshot Pro is a lightweight tennis ball machine.
The Spinshot Pro falls into the mid tier category of tennis ball machines. The machine is reasonably priced and its features are suited to all players. To find out more about what the Spinshot Pro has to offer, keep reading.
Technical Details
Unlike competitor machines, including Lobster Sports Phenom II Club Series, Isam Extend, and Tennis Tutor Pro Lite, the Spinshot Pro is not made out of plastic.
The braided aluminum frame keeps the machine lightweight while providing excellent durability.
The ball thrower comes with a 2-button remote and is battery operated with a portable charger included. However, the battery is not included with the standard machine so will need to be purchased separately.
The Spinshot Pro provides random oscillation and boasts a ball speed of between 18 and 68 mph. The speed is adjusted in steps with 2 steps being circa 5 mph. While the machine only has one oscillation mode, it can be programmed to move the ball from side to side to provide a range of shots.
Like all Spinshot tennis ball machines, the Pro is equipped with a 120-ball hopper. While this is lower than some machines, it keeps the Pro lightweight for ease of transport and still provides ample playing time.
The ball feed interval range is 2 to 10 seconds and is selected in steps via the control panel. The speed and feed interval are shown in units instead of metrics, which is a feature of all Spinshot tennis all machines.
The Spinshot Pro offers a pretty extensive range of spins. Boasting 6 different levels of backspins and topspins, you can practice whichever type of shot you fancy.
The height of the machine is set electronically, meaning that you don’t have to manually adjust the height of each shot. This can be set via the user-friendly control panel on the side of the machine.
With all the features taken into account, the Spinshot Pro is superior to competitors in the same price category. However, it offers a little less than the more advanced Spinshot Player model.
Specification
- Ball Feed Speed: 18 to 68 mph
- Ball Feed Interval: 2 seconds to 10 seconds
- Ball Capacity: 120 balls
- Battery life: 2 – 3 hours
- Battery charging: 8 to 12 hours for a fully charged battery
- Weight: 18 kg for the AC model, 20 kg for the battery model
- Dimensions: Height: 50 cm Length: 50 cm Width: 35 cm
The Good
+ Lightweight
Weighing just 20kg, the Spinshot Pro is a very lightweight tennis ball launcher. The low weight makes the machine portable and easy to transport to and from the court. Even if the ball hopper is full, you can easily move the Spinshot Pro around the tennis court. The Pro also benefits from a built-in handle on the front of the machine. This is strong and durable and allows you to push or pull the machine with ease.
+ Ball Speed
For a portable machine, the ball firing speed of the Spinshot Pro is impressive. Starting from 18 mph and going as high as 68 mph, you can set the speed to suit your play style. If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with the lowest setting and working your way up. This way, you can perfect your form and develop your skills gradually.
+ Variable Feed Rate
The feed rate of the Spinshot Pro can be set between 2 and 10 seconds. In our opinion, 10 seconds can be too much delay – even for beginners. For best results, we recommend setting the feed rate between 7 and 9 seconds to start with. As your skills improve, you can lower the feed rate and practice a more aggressive play style.
+ Battery Powered
The Spinshot Pro is a battery powered machine. Depending on the exact use of the launcher, time on the court is set at 2 to 3 hours. While this backup is relatively low, it’s still enough time to enjoy your practice and get the most from the machine. Although some players expect a little more at this price level, larger battery capacity would negatively impact the weight of the ball launcher. Plus, two to three hours practice is more than enough for beginners and amateur tennis players.
+ Fast Charging
The shorter battery life of the Spinshot Pro enables fast recharging. In similar machines, the standard recharge time is between 12 and 15 hours. The Spinshot Pro, on the other hand, is fully recharged in just 8 to 12 hours. The fast recharging sets this machine apart from its competitors. If you plan it right, you’ll be able to fit two full practice sessions into one day. As the Spinshot Pro has overcharge protection as part of the charger, you don’t need to worry about leaving your machine on charge for longer than necessary.
+ Random Oscillation
The Spinshot Pro comes with random oscillation. The machine can fire the ball from side to side to give tennis players of all abilities a great workout. While you cannot control the angle of the ball, you can guide the angle manually by moving the machine closer to the net.
+ Remote Control
The machine comes with a simple, 2-button remote control. One button turns the oscillation mode on and off, while the second button turns the ball feed on and off. Allowing you to control the machine from anywhere on the court, you can pause your practice whenever you like. Unlike some tennis ball machines, the remote is included with the Spinshot Pro and doesn’t require an additional charge. To adjust the other parameters, you’ll need to play around with the control panel on the side of the machine.
The Bad
– Battery To Be Purchased Separately
Unfortunately, the battery isn’t included with the machine and will need to be purchased separately. Obviously, you can’t use the ball launcher without a battery, so you’ll have to splash out a little more money before you can practice.
– Backup Time
One downside to the Spinshot Pro is the poor backup time. Lasting for 2-3 hours, the battery life is shorter than other machines in this price bracket. However, as mentioned earlier, larger battery capacity would increase the weight of the machine.
– No Preprogrammed Drills
The Spinshot Pro doesn’t provide preprogrammed drills. Instead, it offers simple random horizontal oscillation. While this is fine for beginners, advanced players may prefer something more versatile. If you’re after something with preprogrammed drills, have a look at the other machines on our site.
Material & Construction
The Spinshot Pro has a high-quality braided aluminum frame and a user-friendly handle to push or pull it around the court.
Like the other Spinshot ball machines, the frame of the Pro is powder-coated to prevent rust.
The main benefit of metal construction is the added stability and resistance to damage. The downside, of course, is the larger weight. With the battery attached, the Spinshot Pro weighs 20kg.
While this is heavier than some plastic machines, the wheels and retractable handle make transportation easy. Unlike Lobster tennis ball machines, the rectangular shape of the Spinshot box makes the launcher easy to store.
Overall Performance
When used correctly, the Spinshot Pro mimics the experience of playing a human opponent. While the features are basic, they’re more than enough for beginners and intermediate tennis players.
Who Is It For?
The Spinshot Pro falls into the mid tier category of tennis ball machines. Offering a range of great features, the machine is ideal for beginner, intermediate, and recreational tennis players.
Verdict
Editors Rating: 
Overall, the Spinshot Pro is a good-quality tennis ball machine. To make the machine even better, the backup time could do with some work.
However, if you’re a beginner or intermediate tennis player, 2-3 hours on the court should be more than enough.
For the price, there are a few oscillation choices and the machine does have a variety of topspins and backspins, a short recharging time, and electronic elevation.
If you’re a more advanced player looking to simulate match situations, you may be better suited to the Spinshot Player. However, if you’re a beginner or intermediate player looking to practice your swings, the Spinshot Pro will suit you perfectly.