2018 Ball Machine Comparison Tables
Choosing the right ball machine is a daunting process, and unless you've got time to sift through pages of information, we know you will benefit from our advice. Feel free at any time to call us on 1300 585 844 to ask questions or read our FAQ page. However, to make things really easy, we've created some comparison tables between the models:
To start with, we had to find models that were comparable across the brands. So we've come up with 3 categories:
These machines are simply designed to run you around the court for a bit of exercise & practice. With maximum top speeds of 115km/h & only these are only recommended for beginners & intermediate players. If you want a machine you can grow into, we recommend the Advanced category 2 or 3.
*** We were unable to obtain the degree of elevation but were advised by Tennis Tutor that their machines could produce any type of lob required for practicing purposes.
* Lob Enhancer will increase lob to 80° and is an optional extra.
** We were unable to obtain the degree of elevation but were advised by Tennis Tutor that their machines could produce any type of lob required for practicing purposes.
If you've read through this, then you are serious about finding the right ball machine. There are many factors to consider including:
1. Where you will be using it (home or local club)?
2. Will electricity be available?
3. Is it for you or your kids and at what level are they?
4. Will your kids coach use it in their coaching sessions?
These questions and more will have an impact on which ball machine is right for you. Why not take advantage of our experience and call us on 1300 585 844 to find out which model best suits your needs!
It doesn't matter where you are located in Australia, we deliver everywhere!
Call or email us to find out what bonus we throw in for free with every ball machine. We know you will be pleasantly surprised!
Please note, if you talk to your local shop about a ball machine, they will most likely have to order it from the importers who are all based in Melbourne or Sydney. We actually stock the machines and send them directly to you ourselves.
If you haven't already read our Frequently Asked Questions page about ball machines, then we recommend you do so.
What is Oscillation and Triple Oscillation?
Random oscillation is where the tennis ball machine replicates a match situation by shooting balls randomly around the court. Rather than groove a particular shot, this allows a player to focus on footwork, fitness and practice shots in a more realistic environment.
Most machines with oscillation are capable of changing from side to side (without varying the depth) which works both your forehand and backhand. However the very top machines are capable of dropping in short balls & deep balls as well. This is a feature of the Lobster Elite II, Lobster Elite III & Spinfire Pro 2 which are the only machines in their price range that can claim to have triple oscillation.
Below are some diagrams to show the difference between oscillation patterns of different ball machines:
Horizontal Oscillation (Single Oscillation)
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This is the most common oscillation method found on all machines. The balls randomly move from side to side along the baseline. This is what the SAM SP Range, Tennis Tutor Plus Range, Spinfire, Silent Partner, Jugs and Lobster Elite Range are all capable of.
Horizontal and Vertical Oscillation (Triple Oscillation)
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This type of oscillation is only usually found on high end machines worth $8,000 or more. Now the Spinfire Pro 2, Lobster Elite 2 and Elite 3 models offer this feature. This is achieved by sweeping the ball horizontally (along the baseline) while also oscillating vertically (up and down). The reason Spinfire & Lobster can offer this so cheaply is because the commercial machines use a more advanced method of dropping in short balls. They can actually reduce and increase the speed of the ball by changing gears (very quickly too), which is a much better way to achieve it and more realistic too. Spinfire & Lobster's triple oscillation is an amazing feature (especially on a residential machine), even though it uses a simplistic method to achieve it. It really gets your feet moving more than models without it.
Triple Oscillation with the 2 line drill
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This is technically incorrect to say the machine is using triple oscillation in the diagram to the right. It is actually using the two line drill and vertical oscillation. The two line drill allows you to feed 1 forehand and then 1 backhand continuously. It can usually be set to a narrow (10 degree) or wide (20 degree) spread. The two line drill is offered by the SAM SP4, Lobster Elite 3, Spinfire Pro 2 and the Tennis Tutor Plus (Model 4).
However the two line drill with vertical oscillation is only offered by the Spinfire Pro 2 & Lobster Elite 3 and this is what you can see above. While alternating between forehand and backhand, it is also capable of changing the depth of the balls, making you work your feet more. Again this can be done on the narrow (blue lines) or wide spread (yellow lines).
The two line drill can be used when you have two or more players using the machine at once, allowing them to take it in turns to hit a ball.
The Lobster Elite 3 & Spinfire Pro 2 can provide all three types of oscillation and are the only machines in this price range capable of doing so.
If there is a particular make or model of tennis ball machine that you are interested in which we don't have on our web site, please email us here and we will let you know if we can help.