Why Invest in a Professional Pickleball Machine?
As a former college tennis coach and professional pickleball player, I can confidently say that one of the best ways to improve your pickleball game is to hit thousands of balls. Then once you’ve mastered the basic skills, you can implement pickleball strategy. And I’m not the only one with this philosophy. Many pro pickleballers talk about the importance of drilling and claim they spend more time practicing technique over traditional rec play. One of the best ways to get in a lot of repetition is through a professional pickleball machine.
The best part about pickleball machines is they can be used for solo and team practice. So during times when you can’t find a drilling partner or group of four, you can hit the courts on your own and improve. No excuses when you’ve got your own pickleball machine.
Not All Pickleball Machines Are the Same
There are quite a few professional pickleball machines on the market, each with their own unique features and prices. There are advanced pickleball machines, pickleball machines with oscillation, some at different price points, and more. So how do you choose the right one for you to unleash your pickleball skills? Learn about the features to determine what fits the best for your individual needs.
Best Pickleball Ball Machine for Beginners
The Tutor Mini: An Affordable Option
If you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend $1,000+ on a pickleball machine, the Pickleball Tutor Mini is the way to go. With a competitive price point of $769, the Tutor Mini comes with a 3-year warranty amongst a host of benefits. The Tutor Mini:
- lasts up to 3 hours with a fully charged battery.
- holds up to 55 pickleballs.
- sends balls out up to 50 mph speed for drilling off of powerful shots.
- has a manual adjustment feature that allows you to set the machine at different heights so you can practice groundstrokes or lobs.
- weighs only 24 lbs, making it easy to transport to and from the pickleball court.
Because this is one of the cheaper pickleball ball machines, expect to get the basic features. You’ll find that the ball speed and feed options and power button are manual. And although the cheaper pickleball machine does not have an oscillation feature, you can add it as an upgrade for less than $100 more.
Pickle By Lobster: Carry More Pickleballs
This pickleball machine is the basic model of the Lobster brand but is worth looking into. Although a bit heavier than the Tutor Mini, the Lobster Pickle features a bigger hopper, holding up to a whopping 135 pickleballs. And with the oscillation feature plus extended battery life, you can get in much needed dinking in the kitchen or full-court practice in before charging or refilling the basket. The Lobster Pickle:
- lasts up to 4 hours with a fully charged battery.
- sends balls out up to 60 mph speed with heavy topspin and backspin.
- has a manual adjustment feature that allows you to set the machine at different heights so you can practice groundstrokes or lobs.
- weighs 35 lbs, making it easy to transport to and from the pickleball court.
With a price point slightly north of $1,000, you’d get a few extra features than the Pickleball Tutor Mini.
Best Pickleball Ball machine for Practicing Against Spin
Pickleball Tutor Spin: Practice Against Left and Right Spin
As you progress in skill, you’ll start to notice different types of spin from your opponents, especially from the serve. Some may spin to the left or right upon the bounce. With the Pickleball Tutor Spin, you can set the pickleball machine to shoot out balls that create left and right spin, giving you the opportunity to return shots that you’d see at the intermediate levels and above. The Tutor Spin:
- has electronic random and two-line oscillation so you can move and hit from different areas of the court.
- lasts up to 4 hours with a fully charged battery.
- has an AC power option that allows you to plug in the machine through a power outlet for maximum hitting time.
- holds up to 120 pickleballs for a longer drilling session between picking up balls.
- is one of the smallest pickleball machines on the market– 12 x 18 in wide, 20 in deep.
- weighs 30 lbs, making it easy to transport to and from the courts. It even has a handle to maneuver with ease!
- sends balls out up to 60 mph speed, giving you the ability to practice against harder shots as you become more consistent with your shot.
This pickleball machine ranges from $1,059.00-$1,579.00 depending on what features you want added (ie. adding wireless remote, electronic elevation, etc.).
Pickleball Tutor Plus: Practice Against Topspin and Underspin
Are you seeing more slices and topspin shots during gameplay? Typically intermediate and higher level players will hit a variety of spin shots to get their opponents out of rhythm. The Tutor Plus pickleball machine sends out balls with topspin and underspin so you can drill and be ready to hit with ease when you see this spin in games.
This pickleball machine has similar benefits to the Tutor Spin, only slightly taller and heavier. The Tutor Plus differs from the Tutor Spin such as it:
- holds up to 110 pickleballs for a longer drilling session between picking up balls.
- weighs 27-34 lbs (depending on if it’s battery operated or AC powered), making it easy to transport to and from the courts.
- sends balls out up to 65 mph speed, slightly faster than the Tutor Spin pickleball machine.
This pickleball machine ranges from $1,199.00-$1,719.00 depending on what features you want added (ie. adding wireless remote, electronic elevation, etc.).
Pickle By Lobster Two: A Pickleball Machine for Oscillation
Like the Pickle By Lobster, this unique design holds up to 135 indoor and outdoor pickleballs. And the best part is the Pickle by Lobster Two has upgraded features similar to the Tutor Spin and Tutor Plus. Priced from $1,599.00-$1,699.00, the Pickle by Lobster Two:
- has electronic random and two-line oscillation so you can move and hit from different areas of the court.
- weighs 34-42 lbs depending on if it’s battery operated or AC powered
- includes a light, handy remote that powers and sets your machine to specific shots on the court.
- includes topspin and underspin.
Best Advanced Pickleball Machines for Drilling and More
Want to get a top tier pickleball machine for solo practice and team practice? There are a few on the market that feature built-in drills, customizable drills, wireless remote function, and faster speed.
Tutor Spin Ultra and Tutor Plus Ultra: Get Ultimate Features
These advanced pickleball machines are almost identical to the Tutor Spin and Tutor Plus, however, they both include industry-leading new features. With the prices ranging from $1,650.00-$2,119.00, you’ll get:
- six preset drill options on the display board for optimal drilling sessions
- three remote options (random oscillation, 2-line oscillation, and electronic elevation) so you can adjust the randomness of the ball placement, speed, and elevation all with a wireless remote. No more running back to the machine to adjust your practice.
- all the bells and whistles that the Tutor Spin and Tutor Plus feature
Pickle Champion By Lobster: Longer Battery Charge for Your Practice
In comparison to the Pickleball Tutor Spin Ultra and Tutor Plus Ultra, The Pickle Champion By Lobster is heavier but holds 135 pickleballs and lasts 4-6 hours on a full charge. So, if you’re looking for a longer drilling session between charging batteries, this could be a solid option. With a price point at $1,999.00-$2,099.00, the Lobster Pickle Champion:
- includes six preset drills on the display board for optimal drilling sessions.
- weighs 32-44 lbs depending on AC powered or battery model.
- comes with a two-year warranty.
- has electronic remote features with random and two-line oscillation, elevation, and speed.
These pickleball machines are great for serious pickleball players looking to get a wide variation of drilling from all parts of the court. And thanks to the multiple remote features, ball capacity, and battery length, these advanced pickleball machines are great for club settings with larger groups.
What pickleball machine are you wanting to try and why?
