Battery powered tennis ball machines provide the convenience of practicing anywhere but are they worth the extra cost? Battery powered tennis ball machines have both pros and cons so let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits as well as some of the additional requirements.

The first thing worth looking at is the convenience of Portability. Because there is no cord to plug in, you no longer have to be near an outdoor outlet or have an extension cord available. Also, you don’t have to take the time to set up all the additional cordage.

On the other hand you have to worry about Battery Charge. There’s nothing worse than getting everything loaded into your car, driving to the courts, unloading and setting everything up only to find that the tennis ball machine dies after spitting out five balls. Most ball machines will last about a week between charges with an hour of use a day. If you’re the type of person that forgets to plug in your phone or iPod to charge then battery powered tennis ball machines might not be for you.

Speaking of charging, the tennis ball machines’ Charge time is important. Some models are better than others, for instance the Lobster Elite Model 3 comes with a fast charger option (at close to $100) that will decrease charging time. For all models if you can remember to plug it in the night before, it should be ready for your practice first thing in the morning.

The battery does make the unit more expensive, but one thing that isn’t immediately obvious is battery life. Unfortunately batteries have a limited life span and therefore will need to be replaced a few years down the road. Proper battery maintenance can extend the life of your battery powered tennis ball machine but in general most will require replacement anywhere from 4-8 years down the road.

Another important factor when considering battery powered tennis ball machines is the weight that a battery ads to the machine. Some machines offer a light weight battery to lighten the load but this will reduce the playing time. So if you’re concerned about lifting this into and out of your car or SUV then you may need to consider a light weight battery.

The final consideration worth mentioning is the price difference. Having battery power adds another $200-250 to the price tag of the tennis ball machine. For many people this price will be well worth the convenience; just don’t forget the additional cost of new batteries down the road.

Tags: Battery Powered Tennis Ball Machines