Tennis ball machines come in models with different features that let you create a variety of practice options. The machine price depends on whether it's designed for heavy use at a commercial facility or an occasional turn on the home court. Because ball machines can cost more than $5,000, there are only about a half dozen major manufacturers of them, with all having good reputations in the industry.
Rotating Wheels
Some tennis ball machines project balls by shooting them through two rotating wheels. The space between the wheels is slightly smaller than a tennis ball, so the ball gets squeezed, then shoots forward. If you set the wheels to rotate in different directions, you can add backspin or topspin. Not all machines offer spin. Most ball machine companies offer at least one model of oscillating-wheel technology, including Playmate, SAM, Silent Partner, Lobster and Sports Tutor. The most affordable of these machines is the Tennis Twist by Sports Tutor. It is lightweight, battery operated, holds only about two dozen balls and is recommended for teaching young children because it doesn't throw balls very far.
Compressed Air
Some machines project balls by dropping them into pneumatic tubes, blocking the airflow in the tubes. When enough pressure builds up, the air forces a ball out of the tube. These machines cause less wear and tear on balls, are generally less expensive than machines with projection wheels and are louder than oscillating-wheel machines. You can add spin balls with an adapter placed inside the tube. One of the oldest and most popular makers of these types of ball machines is the Lobster company.
Portable
Portable ball machines evolved in the 1980s, pioneered by the Sports Tutor company. These machines are light enough to pick up and put in the backseat of your car or in your trunk, and offer battery and electric options. Sports Tutor makes five models, including the Tennis Twist and a ball machine marketed under the Wilson name.
Programmable
To give you a more realistic workout, ball machine manufacturers offer programmable models that let you set random or repeating patterns, with different directions, speeds and trajectories available to create different practices. Some machines have electronic devices attached to them, while others offer remote control so you can operate them from the opposite side of the net. One of the oldest and most sophisticated brands of these machines is made by Playmate, the official ball machine of the Professional Tennis Registry, an international organization of tennis teachers. The SAM and Sports Tutor companies also offer programmable models.
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