There are two brands which are synonyms for tennis ball machines. Spinshot Sports and Lobster Sports. Both are well-known in the tennis world and both produce great tennis ball machines of all levels. What are their typical features? Which brand produces better tennis ball machines? We did a small research to put all the needed information for your decision here.
Content:
Spinshot and Lobster companies background
Spinshot vs. Lobster Comparison [typical features]
Spinshot & Lobster Tennis Ball Machines under $1 000 comparison
Lobster Full Product Range
— Lobster Elite models
— Lobster Elite Grand models
— Lobster Phenom models
Spinshot Full Product Range
Spinshot and Lobster companies background
Lobster logo
Lobster Sports Inc. is an American company, which was founded by Harry Giuditta, a former banker. He took over the bankrupted Green Brook Developing Company, a tennis ball machine producer in 1970. He renamed and rebuilt the company in the coming years into one of the leaders of the tennis ball machine industry. Currently, the Californian company employs more than 50 employees and its quarterly revenue topped 11 Mio $ recently.
Spinshot Logo
Not very much is known about Spinshot Sports. It has sellers all over the world, but it does not publish any company information.
Spinshot vs. Lobster Tennis Ball Machines Comparison
There are some typical features for each brand. Let’s go through the basic differences between the models of Spinshot and Lobster.
Product Range
Spinshot Plus in typical green and rectangular shape
Spinshot produces five different tennis ball machines (see Spinshot’s full product range here). Lobster tennis ball machine product range is wider with ten different models (see Lobster full product range here).
Colour
Spinshot brand colour is green, Lobster tennis ball machines are usually red, or red-white coloured. However, this is probably not the most important difference for any user.
Ball Capacity
The standard ball capacity for Spinshot tennis ball machines is set at 120 balls (with the exception of the Spinshot Lite model that has a feeder for 40 balls). Lobster ball machines’ standard ball capacity is 150 balls (with the exception of A/C powered Phenom and Phenom Two models with ball capacity set at 250 balls).
Construction
Lobster Elite Two with closed feeder and folded handle
Spinshot uses powder-coated metal for case construction. The metal case adds on the weight of Spinshot ball machines which can cause problems in transportation. The positive of solid construction is its stability on the court and damage resistance. Spinshot ball machines have a rectangular shape, which makes storing very easy.
Lobster tennis ball machines are made from durable plastic. They are lighter with oversized wheels to ease the manoeuvrability. The reversible ball feeder and easy-to-fold handle are helpful in transportation and storage too.
Overcharge protection
Spinshot tennis ball machines have overcharge protection in basic setup, Lobster provides overcharge protection just with fast or premium chargers. These two advanced chargers are available for free just with more advanced models.
Remote Control
Lobster provides a remote control just for an additional fee, and Spinshot (with the exception of the Lite model) gives a remote control as part of a basic package for free.
Spinshot vs. Lobster. Which one is better?
It is really hard to decide Spinshot vs. Lobster duel for the best tennis ball machine company. Both companies produce good products and it depends on the profile of a future user what machine he or she prefers. Below you can find a comparison table with all important data about all Lobster and Spinshot ball machines. We particularly emphasize the under $1 000 categories which is most searched by tennis players.
Spinshot & Lobster Tennis Ball Machines under $ 1,000 comparison
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Lobster Sports Elite Liberty Tennis Ball Machine | Spinshot Lite Tennis Ball Machine | Lobster Sports Elite Freedom Portable Tennis Ball Machine | |
Easy to transport and easy to store model | Entry level tennis ball machine for the lowest price | Light model for flat strike practices | |
Top choice for beginners | Up to 7 hours of court time | For beginners and intermediate player or small tennis clubs | |
RATING | «««« | ««« | ««« |
PRICE | $ | $ | $ |
POWER | Battery | Battery | Battery |
WEIGHT | 35 lbs | 22 lbs | 35 lbs |
SPEED RANGE | 20 to 80 mph | 6 to 37 mph | 35 to 65 mph |
BALL CAPACITY | 150 balls | 40 balls | 150 balls |
ELEVATION | Maunal 0-50 degrees | NO | Maunal 0-50 degrees |
OSCILLATION | Random horizontal | NO | Random horizontal |
SPIN | Topspin and Backspin | NO | NO |
COURT TIME | 2 to 4 hours | 5 to 7 hours | 2 to 4 hours |
FEED INTERVAL | 2 to 12 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds |
REMOTE CONTROL | Optional two button remote control for additional fee | NO | NO |
PROGRAMMED DRILLS | NO | NO | NO |
RATING | «««« | ««« | ««« |
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Lobster Sports Full Product Range
Lobster ELITE models
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Elite Liberty | Elite Freedom | Elite One | Elite Two | Elite Three | |
Easy to transport and easy to store model | Light model for flat strike practices | Extraordinary long court time | Triple oscillation feature for match simulation practice | Two line oscillation with variable depth | |
Top choice for beginners | For beginners and intermediate player or small tennis clubs | For beginners and intermediate players, or small tennis clubs | For intermediate and advanced players | For intermediate and advanced players | |
RATING | «««« | ««« | ««« | ««« | ««« |
PRICE | $ | $ | $$ | $$ | $$$ |
POWER | Battery | Battery | Battery | Battery | Battery |
WEIGHT | 35 lbs | 35 lbs | 42 lbs | 42 lbs | 42 lbs |
SPEED RANGE | 20 to 80 mph | 35 to 65 mph | 10 to 80 mph | 10 to 80 mph | 10 to 80 mph |
BALL CAPACITY | 150 balls | 150 balls | 150 balls | 150 balls | 150 balls |
ELEVATION | Maunal 0-50 degrees | Maunal 0-50 degrees | Electrical 0-60 degrees | Electrical 0-60 degrees | Electrical 0-60 degrees |
OSCILLATION | Random horizontal | Random horizontal | Random horizontal | Random horizontal, Random vertical, Combination of random and vertical | Random horizontal, Random vertical, Combination of random and vertical oscillation, 2 line (narrow & wide) |
SPIN | Topspin and Backspin | NO | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin |
COURT TIME | 2 to 4 hours | 2 to 4 hours | 4 to 8 hours | 4 to 8 hours | 4 to 8 hours |
FEED INTERVAL | 2 to 12 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds | 2 to 12 seconds | 2 to 12 seconds | 2 to 12 seconds |
REMOTE CONTROL | Optional two button remote control for additional fee | NO | Optional two button remote control for additional fee | Optional two button remote control or elite10 (full control) remote or apple phone remote for additional fee | Optional two button remote control or elite10 (full control) remote or apple phone remote for additional fee |
PROGRAMMED DRILLS | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
RATING | «««« | ««« | ««« | ««« | ««« |
Lobster ELITE GRAND models
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Elite Grand Four | Elite Grand Five | Elite Grand Five LE | |
6 preloaded 6-shot drills | 12 preloaded drills + 6 custom drills | 12 preloaded drills + 12 custom drills, 18 shot locactions | |
For intermediate and advanced players | For intermediate and advanced players | For | |
RATING | ««« | «««« | ««««« |
PRICE | $$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
POWER | Battery | Battery | Battery |
WEIGHT | 44 lbs | 44 lbs | 44 lbs |
SPEED RANGE | 35 to 80 mph | 35 to 80 mph | 35 to 80 mph |
BALL CAPACITY | 150 balls | 150 balls | 150 balls |
ELEVATION | Electrical 0-60 degrees | Electrical 0-60 degrees | Electrical 0-60 degrees |
OSCILLATION | Random horizontal, Random vertical, Combination of random and vertical oscillation, Fully random, 2 line (narrow, medium, wide) | Random horizontal, Random vertical, Combination of random and vertical oscillation, Fully random, 2 line (narrow, medium, wide) | Random horizontal, Random vertical, Combination of random and vertical oscillation, Fully random, 2 line (narrow, medium, wide), with random speed, spin, feed rate |
SPIN | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin |
COURT TIME | 4 to 8 hours | 4 to 8 hours | 4 to 8 hours |
FEED INTERVAL | 2 to 9 seconds | 2 to 9 seconds | 2 to 9 seconds |
REMOTE CONTROL | Optional 20-function remote control or Android or Apple phone remote for additional fee | Optional 20-function remote control or Android or Apple phone remote for additional fee | Optional 20-function remote control or Android or Apple phone remote for additional fee |
PROGRAMMED DRILLS | 6 Preloaded drills | 12 Preloaded drills + 6 custom drills | 12 Preloaded drills + 12 custom drills with 18 shot locations |
RATING | ««« | «««« | ««««« |
Lobster PHENOM models
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|---|---|---|
Phenom | Phenom Two | |
6 preloaded drills | 12 preloaded drills +12 custom drills, 6 shots each, 18 shot locations | |
Fully simulates match conditions | Infinite variations for personalized court drills | |
RATING | ||
PRICE | $$$$$ | $$$$$ |
POWER | A/C powered | A/C powered |
WEIGHT | 99 lbs | 99 lbs |
SPEED RANGE | 35 to 80 mph | 35 to 80 mph |
BALL CAPACITY | 250 balls | 250 balls |
ELEVATION | Electrical 0-50 degrees | Electrical 0-50 degrees |
OSCILLATION | Random horizontal, random vertical, 2-line (narrow, medium & wide), fully random with random speed, spin, feed rate | Random horizontal (short, mid, deep); random vertical (left, middle, right), 2-line (narrow, medium & wide) fully random with random speed, spin, feed rate |
SPIN | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin |
COURT TIME | unlimited (a/c powered) | unlimited (a/c powered) |
FEED INTERVAL | 2 to 9 seconds | 2 to 9 seconds |
REMOTE CONTROL | Optional 20-function remote control or Android or Apple phone remote for additional fee | Optional 20-function remote control or Android or Apple phone remote for additional fee |
PROGRAMMED DRILLS | 6 Preloaded drills | 12 preloaded drills + 12 custom drills, 6 shots each, 18 shot locations |
RATING | ||
Spinshot Sports Full Product Range
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Spinshot | PLUS-2 | PLAYER | PLUS | PRO | LITE |
Full programmability of settings and drills | Set programme and control with your phone | Good value for price paid | Side to side ball shooting | Entry level tennis ball machine | |
With easy readable OLED screen | Most popular between TennisProGuru readers | For intermediate players in need to practice the swing | For beginners and intermediate players | Up to 7 hours of court time | |
RATING | «««« | ««««« | «««« | ««« | ««« |
PRICE | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ | $ |
POWER | Battery or A/C | Battery or A/C | Battery | Battery | Battery |
WEIGHT | 46 lbs | 46 lbs | 46 lbs | 44 lbs | 22 lbs |
SPEED RANGE | 18 to 68 mph | 18 to 68 mph | 18 to 68 mph | 18 to 68 mph | 6 to 37 mph |
BALL CAPACITY | 120 balls | 120 balls | 120 balls | 120 balls | 40 balls |
ELEVATION | Electrical 0-50 degrees | Electrical 0-50 degrees | Electrical 0-50 degrees | Electrical 0-50 degrees | NO |
OSCILLATION | Horizontal, Vertical, Random, 2-line | Horizontal, Vertical, Random | Horizontal, Vertical, 2-line, random | Random horizontal | NO |
SPIN | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin | Topspin and Backspin | NO |
COURT TIME | 2 to 3 hours | 2 to 3 hours | 2 to 3 hours | 2 to 3 hours | 5 to 7 hours |
FEED INTERVAL | 2 to 10 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds | 2 to 10 seconds |
REMOTE CONTROL | Phone Remote Control + Apple Watch or Watch Remote | Phone Remote Control + Apple Watch or Watch Remote | Phone remote control or Watch Remote | Two button remote control | NO |
PROGRAMMED DRILLS | 12 adjustable preprogrammed drills | 12 adjustable preprogrammed drills | NO | NO | NO |
RATING | «««« | ««««« | «««« | ««« | ««« |
Check also our guide to all features and parameters of the best tennis ball machines
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