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The right tennis ball machine comes down to four decisions: the speed and spin you need, how many balls the hopper holds, whether you will run it on battery or AC power, and how much weight you can carry or roll to the court. In the JoySport Store catalog, portable machines run from $749 to $2,699 and weigh 19 to 56 lb, while commercial club machines cost $3,899 to $4,599 and weigh 99 to 130 lb. Beginners and juniors are well served by a machine under 40 mph with a single horizontal sweep, competitive players want 2-line and programmable drills, and clubs with daily use need an AC-powered commercial frame.
A ball machine feeds repeatable balls without a hitting partner. Coaches use one to isolate a single stroke, run footwork patterns, or keep a second court busy during a group lesson. Parents building a home court use one so a junior can hit for an hour without an adult feeding every ball.
The catalog covers two makers, Spinshot and Lobster Sports, across entry-level, mid-range, advanced and commercial tiers. The sections below walk through each buying dimension, then match those dimensions to player levels so you can narrow the list quickly.
Speed range sets who the machine can serve. The Spinshot Lite delivers 18-37 mph, and the Lobster Elite Liberty covers 10-70 mph. Mid-range machines such as the Spinshot Pro, Pro2 and Plus run 18-68 mph, and the Lobster Elite One reaches 10-80 mph. Advanced machines like the Spinshot Player and Plus-2 run 18-80 mph.
The low end of the range matters as much as the top. A machine that starts at 10 mph can feed slow, arcing balls to a young beginner and still challenge that player years later. Beginners and juniors need speeds under 40 mph, and every machine in the catalog with a published mph range covers that need at its low end. The Spinshot Home lists 4 speed settings rather than an mph range.
Spin control is the first feature intermediate players should insist on. The Spinshot Lite offers top spin only. The Lobster Elite Liberty and Elite One deliver both top spin and back spin, so you can practise against slices and low, skidding balls as well as heavy top spin. On the Spinshot Pro and Pro2, speed, spin, height and feed rate are all adjusted from the control panel.
Oscillation is the machine moving the ball around the court. Horizontal oscillation sweeps side to side. Vertical oscillation changes depth by varying launch height. Random modes mix these so the player cannot predict the next ball, and 2-line drills alternate between two set targets, such as the forehand and backhand corners.
The Spinshot Lite sweeps horizontally across the full court width. The Spinshot Pro, Lobster Elite Liberty and Elite One offer random horizontal oscillation, and the Pro2 adds an adjustable-width sweep. The Spinshot Plus and Lobster Elite Two add vertical oscillation, with the Plus also running 2-line drills. The Lobster Elite Three adds 2-line oscillation in narrow and wide settings.
Advanced machines store drills. The Lobster Elite Grand Four carries 6 pre-loaded drills named for playing styles: power baseliner, all-courter, grinder, moonballer, slicer and lefty. The Spinshot Player has 12 pre-programmed drills and lets you build custom drills of 6 sequential shots, with height, direction, spin and speed adjustable per shot, plus 2-line drills at any width and height. The Spinshot Plus-2 offers 12 custom drills through the Drill Maker app along with preset drills and 2-line and 3-line drills. The Lobster Elite Grand Five stores 12 pre-loaded drills plus 6 custom drills of 6 shots each, and the Grand Five LE raises that to 12 custom drills.
For a club, the Lobster Phenom pairs 6 pre-loaded drills with random horizontal (short, mid, deep), random vertical (left, middle, right), 2-line (narrow, medium, wide) and fully random oscillation that also randomizes speed, spin and feed rate. The Phenom Two carries 12 pre-loaded drills plus 12 custom drills of 6 shots each across 18 shot locations.
Hopper capacity decides how long you hit before you pick up. The Spinshot Home holds about 8 balls and uses an automatic ball return net, which makes it a compact indoor or backyard trainer rather than a court machine. The Spinshot Lite holds over 40 balls. The Spinshot Pro, Pro2, Plus, Player and Plus-2 hold 120 balls, and the Lobster Elite One holds 150.
Feed rate is the pause between balls. The Spinshot Lite adjusts from 2 to 10 seconds. As a rule of thumb, a 120-ball hopper at a 5-second feed runs about 10 minutes before you pick up, and a 150-ball hopper about 12.5 minutes. Slow the feed for beginners working on recovery steps, and speed it up for volley and reaction drills.
The balls themselves follow the ITF standard of 2.57-2.70 in diameter and 1.975-2.095 oz. Load the hopper with balls in similar condition so the machine feeds a consistent depth.
Most portable machines in the catalog run on an internal rechargeable battery that gives 2-3 hours of play. That covers a typical 60-90 minute session with margin. If your court has a power outlet within cord reach, the Spinshot AC mains power module ($115) allows unlimited sessions. The hybrid mains-plus-battery module ($139) fits all Spinshot machines except the Spinshot Home and lets you run on either source.
The Lobster Elite One is sold with an internal battery or an external battery, which is why its price spans $1,399-$1,599. The Spinshot Home runs on 2 D batteries or mains power. The commercial Lobster Phenom and Pickle Phenom are AC powered, which suits a club court with permanent power but rules them out for a public park without an outlet.
Weight determines who carries the machine and how far. At 19-22 lb depending on configuration, the Spinshot Lite can be carried in one hand. The 41-44 lb class rolls on wheels and fits in a car trunk. It includes the Spinshot Pro, Plus, Player and Plus-2 at 41 lb without battery, the Lobster Elite One and Elite Three at 42 lb, and the Elite Liberty, Elite Two, Grand Four and Grand Five at 44 lb. The Grand Five LE weighs 56 lb. Commercial machines at 99 lb (Phenom) and 130 lb (Phenom Two) are meant to stay at the facility.
For trunk fit, the Spinshot Player measures 20 in high x 18 in long x 12 in wide. Check that figure against your cargo space if you plan to drive the machine to a club or park.
The table below maps player level to the features that matter. Use it to decide which tier to shop before comparing individual models.
| Level | Speed | Spin | Oscillation | Drills | Power | Catalog examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner and junior | Under 40 mph | Top spin is enough | Single horizontal sweep | Not needed | Battery, 2-3 hours | Spinshot Lite ($749), Spinshot Home ($749), Lobster Elite Liberty ($1,179) |
| Intermediate | 18-68 mph or 10-80 mph | Top and back spin, adjustable | Random horizontal plus vertical | Helpful, not essential | Battery or AC | Spinshot Pro ($1,349), Pro2 ($1,399), Plus ($1,625), Lobster Elite One ($1,399-$1,599), Elite Two ($1,699-$1,899), Elite Three ($1,999-$2,199) |
| Advanced and competitive | 18-80 mph | Adjustable per shot | Random, 2-line and 3-line | Pre-loaded and programmable | Battery or AC | Lobster Elite Grand Four ($2,199-$2,299), Spinshot Player ($2,229-$2,329), Spinshot Plus-2 ($2,349-$2,449), Lobster Grand Five ($2,399-$2,499), Grand Five LE ($2,599-$2,699) |
| Club with daily use | Random speed available | Random spin available | Fully random plus 2-line | Pre-loaded plus custom | AC powered, larger frame | Lobster Phenom ($3,899-$4,099), Phenom Two ($4,399-$4,599) |
This table lists the published specs for the tennis machines in the catalog. Where a maker does not publish a figure, the cell says so.
| Model | Price | Speed | Spin | Oscillation | Capacity | Weight | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinshot Lite | $749 | 18-37 mph | Top only | Horizontal, full court width | Over 40 | 19-22 lb | Battery 2-3 hours, optional AC |
| Spinshot Home | $749 | 4 settings | Not listed | Not listed | About 8, with return net | Not listed | 2 D batteries or mains |
| Lobster Elite Liberty | $1,179 | 10-70 mph | Top and back | Random horizontal | Not listed | 44 lb | Battery |
| Spinshot Pro / Pro2 | $1,349 / $1,399 | 18-68 mph | Adjustable | Random horizontal; Pro2 adjustable width | 120 | 41 lb without battery | Battery 2-3 hours or AC |
| Lobster Elite One | $1,399-$1,599 | 10-80 mph | Top and back | Random horizontal | 150 | 42 lb | Internal or external battery |
| Spinshot Plus | $1,625 | 18-68 mph | Adjustable | Horizontal and vertical, 2-line | 120 | 41 lb | Battery or AC |
| Lobster Elite Two | $1,699-$1,899 | Not listed | Not listed | Random horizontal and vertical | Not listed | 44 lb | Not listed |
| Lobster Elite Three | $1,999-$2,199 | Not listed | Not listed | Random horizontal, vertical, 2-line narrow and wide | Not listed | 42 lb | Not listed |
| Lobster Elite Grand Four | $2,199-$2,299 | Not listed | Not listed | Fully random, 6 pre-loaded drills | Not listed | 44 lb | Not listed |
| Spinshot Player | $2,229-$2,329 | 18-80 mph | Adjustable per shot | 2-line any width and height, 12 drills, custom drills | 120 | 41 lb without battery | Battery or AC |
| Spinshot Plus-2 | $2,349-$2,449 | 18-80 mph | Adjustable | Horizontal and vertical, 2-line and 3-line, 12 custom drills | 120 | 41 lb | Battery or AC, 2-year warranty |
| Lobster Elite Grand Five | $2,399-$2,499 | Not listed | Not listed | 12 pre-loaded plus 6 custom drills | Not listed | 44 lb | Not listed |
| Lobster Elite Grand Five LE | $2,599-$2,699 | Not listed | Not listed | 12 pre-loaded plus 12 custom drills | Not listed | 56 lb | Not listed |
| Lobster Phenom | $3,899-$4,099 | Random speed | Random spin | Random horizontal, vertical, 2-line, fully random; 6 drills | Not listed | 99 lb | AC |
| Lobster Phenom Two | $4,399-$4,599 | Not listed | Not listed | 12 pre-loaded plus 12 custom drills, 18 shot locations | Not listed | 130 lb | Not listed |
Pickleball needs a machine built for the smaller court and the lighter ball, so the catalog lists separate models. The Lobster The Pickle ($1,139) runs 10-60 mph with top and back spin, random horizontal oscillation, a 125-ball capacity, a 35 lb frame, battery power and an included remote. The Pickle Two ($1,599-$1,799) adds 2-line oscillation and electronic elevation at 56 lb. The Pickle Champion ($1,999-$2,099) carries 6 pre-loaded pickleball drills with fully random, vertical and horizontal oscillation at 57 lb.
The Spinshot Player Pickleball ($2,129-$2,229) holds 85 pickleballs, with Franklin X-40 outdoor balls recommended, runs 10-60 mph, weighs 41 lb without battery, feeds every 1-10 seconds, launches at up to a 60 degree trajectory and stores 12 custom drills via the app. For a club, the Lobster Pickle Phenom ($3,899-$4,099) is AC powered at 99 lb with 6 pre-loaded drills.
A regulation tennis court is 78 ft long, 36 ft wide for doubles and 27 ft wide for singles. The net stands 42 in high at the posts and 36 in at the center. The machine normally sits on or behind the baseline at one end and fires toward the player at the other, so every ball has to clear 36 in at the center strap. Set launch height with that number in mind when you dial in short balls or low slices.
Run-back space behind the baseline varies by league, so measure what you have rather than assuming a figure. If you use the Spinshot Service Platform, a 22 lb folding stand with wheels that raises the machine to simulate a serve, allow room to position it and roll it off the court.
For AC power, confirm the outlet is within cord reach of where the machine will stand before buying the $115 AC module or the $139 hybrid module. For battery machines, plan charging where the machine is stored: a 41-44 lb portable rolls to a car trunk, while a 99-130 lb commercial unit needs a storage spot at the facility. The Spinshot Home, at about 8 balls with a return net, is the only machine sized for a garage or basement rather than a court.
The Spinshot Remote Watch ($155) is a one-button Bluetooth remote for all Spinshot machines made after 2021. It starts and stops the feed, switches drills and changes oscillation mode from the far baseline, so you are not walking to the machine between sets. It takes a CR2032 battery, which is not included. The Lobster Elite One and The Pickle ship with a remote.
The Spinshot Service Platform ($800) raises the machine on a 22 lb folding stand with wheels to simulate a serve, which is the one shot a baseline-height machine cannot reproduce on its own. Spinshot machines also accept the AC mains module ($115) and the hybrid mains-plus-battery module ($139).
Court dimensions and net heights follow the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Rules of Tennis, which the United States Tennis Association (USTA) applies to sanctioned play in the US. Ball diameter and weight follow the ITF ball specification. Pickleball machine notes refer to USA Pickleball, the sport's governing body in the US. Product prices and specifications are the manufacturers' figures from Spinshot and Lobster Sports as listed in the JoySport Store catalog for 2026.
Browse every Spinshot and Lobster model in tennis ball machines, from the $749 Spinshot Lite to the commercial Phenom Two. See the combined lineup, including The Pickle series and the Spinshot Player Pickleball, in tennis and pickleball ball machines. Add power modules, the Remote Watch and the Service Platform from ball machine parts and accessories.
Under 40 mph. The Spinshot Lite runs 18-37 mph, and the Lobster Elite Liberty and Elite One start at 10 mph, so all three can feed slow balls and still grow with the player.
A 120-ball hopper at a 5-second feed runs about 10 minutes. A 150-ball hopper, such as the Lobster Elite One, runs about 12.5 minutes.
Spinshot and Lobster portables give 2-3 hours of play, enough for a 60-90 minute session with margin. Spinshot's AC module ($115) or hybrid module ($139) allows unlimited sessions where an outlet is within cord reach.
An AC-powered commercial machine. The Lobster Phenom ($3,899-$4,099) weighs 99 lb with 6 pre-loaded drills, and the Phenom Two ($4,399-$4,599) weighs 130 lb with 12 pre-loaded and 12 custom drills.
Yes for most portables. The 19-22 lb Spinshot Lite carries in one hand, and 41-44 lb machines roll on wheels and fit in a car trunk. The 99-130 lb commercial units stay at the facility.
Yes. The Lobster The Pickle ($1,139) holds 125 balls at 10-60 mph, and the Spinshot Player Pickleball ($2,129-$2,229) holds 85 pickleballs with Franklin X-40 outdoor balls recommended.
The Lobster Elite One and The Pickle ship with a remote. Spinshot machines made after 2021 work with the Remote Watch ($155), a one-button Bluetooth remote that starts, stops and switches drills.
