I wrote this article because I love writing and wanted to share my Erne pickleball machine experience, but there are links on this page that help support this website because I did not want to add annoying ads on the website. No expectations whatsoever to use them.
If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time, you will know that I purchased the most inexpensive machine out there, the Furlihong pickleball machine, to see whether it made sense to purchase a premium machine.
From that “experiment”, I shot this 30 second YouTube video on how dismal the performance was, but I decided that a pickleball machine is absolutely worth it.
After that, I wanted to make sure I purchased the best pickleball machine.
Honestly, I didn’t feel that there was much competition in the machine space. Thus, I spent time comparing the Erne Pickleball Machine to the Titan Pickleball Machine.
I felt that these two models were the best pickleball machines out there. So, it made most sense deep diving those two models.
Is the Erne Pickleball Machine worth it and better than the Titan Pickleball Machine?
In summary, the Erne pickleball machine is 100% worth it if you are going to use it and really want to improve your game.
I will cover a lot in this article including purchasing a used machine, but the biggest barrier “to my entry” was the cost.
Dave (Erne’s founder) was gracious enough to provide me a $100 coupon code for my readers (Ben100) that lowers the price to $1799.00, but it was still a difficult decision for me.
Thankfully, when comparing the features of the Erne vs Titan pickleball machine, I appreciated that $1799 was $300 cheaper than the Titan ACE and $500 cheaper than the Titan ONE with potentially more features.
Let’s talk about a few things I wish I would have considered before purchasing.
What I Wish I Would Have Known Before Purchasing
If you are strongly considering the Erne, you may want to read this article. I wrote this article covering the 4 things I wish I would have known before purchasing the machine.
For example, you have to purchase an insane amount of balls as it holds 150 balls. I did a bunch of research and provide the best, cheap outdoor balls because I didn’t feel like spending $450 on X-40s. These were the outdoor pickleball ball winners that are around $0.60 per ball, and here’s the bag I got to hold the balls that’s under $15 on Amazon.
Another thing to understand the Erne’s delivery timeframe.
This machine is in very high demand, so these sell out quickly.
Check out the article though as I provide 2 more key attributes to consider before purchasing the Erne machine.
My Unboxing Experience
One of my favorite things about getting new products is the unboxing experience. I had to wait around 1.5 months after purchasing the Erne to receive it. As you can imagine, I had a lot of anticipation to the experience.
I can honestly tell you that I was not dismayed. Here’s a short video I shot about the experience.
Here is a picture of the Erne ready for transport.
In addition, here’s a picture with the Erne ready to go.
Here are a couple of other things that came in the box. I thoroughly appreciated the detailed “do’s” and “don’ts”.
Let’s talk about how the Erne performs which matter most.
How The Erne Performs (What Matters Most)
The Erne pickleball machine is designed with the player in mind. It aims to provide a realistic playing experience while helping you master your shots.
Accuracy
In my opinion, accuracy is one of the most important features of a pickleball machine.
The Erne pickleball machine does a great job, but it will miss shots and there may be a 1-2 foot difference from where you program the ball to land to where the ball lands.
Also, the Erne has a ton of features, so it’s important to find certain situations that just do not work.
For example, if you program the ball too slowly and too low, you may get 10 balls into the net which can be frustrating.
Overall though, the Erne pickleball machine is quite accurate.
Horizontal and Vertical Oscillation
The Erne’s oscillation features are another highlight. It offers both horizontal and vertical oscillation, which keeps you moving around the court.
With horizontal oscillation, the machine can shoot balls to different sides, forcing you to work on your footwork and reach. It’s a great way to simulate rally conditions.
Vertical oscillation, on the other hand, allows for practicing different height levels. Whether you’re working on high volleys or low dinks, the Erne can adjust the ball’s height to suit your needs.
These settings can be customized to make training sessions as challenging or easy as you like.
For me, having both options adds value because I can set up drills that keep my entire body engaged. It’s not just about hitting the ball; it’s about moving efficiently.
That said, be patient with yourself as I am still learning exactly what the right oscillation looks like.
Special Features
The Erne pickleball machine doesn’t just stop at the basics; it comes with several special features that make it stand out.
One of my favorite features is programing where the ball lands on the first, second, and third shot.
You can set up specific sequences for your practice sessions, tailoring the machine to your current training goals. This means you can replicate different game scenarios, whether it’s practicing aggressive net play or perfecting your dinks.
The Erne is around 60 Ibs, so it is heavy, but it’s surprisingly easy to transport, making it a good option for players who want to practice at different courts. The portability also doesn’t compromise its durability; the build quality feels sturdy.
The Erne Phone App
I appreciate that the Erne has a phone application, but that it also has a remote control.
Here’s a picture of the in app experience. As you can see, my Erne here is connected to my phone, and is ready to go. Please note a beginner tip is to set the frequency much lower. A 7 frequency meant balls were coming out way too fast for me. I like to set it on a frequency of 2.
The Erne also has an accompanying phone app, which I found to be quite helpful. The app lets you control the machine’s settings directly from your smartphone. This includes speed, spin, oscillation, and even drill programming. The user interface is intuitive, making it easy to get the hang of.
I appreciate that the Erne has both a phone app and a remote control. Sometimes, it’s more convenient to use the remote, especially during quick adjustments. But if you’re the kind of person who loves tech, the app adds an extra layer of control. You can save multiple drill programs and adjust settings without interrupting your training flow.
Ball Capacity
The Erne can hold up to 150 balls, which is more than enough for a thorough practice session. I found that I rarely needed to refill it, even during long training drills. The large ball capacity allows you to focus on your game without constantly stopping to reload.
If you’re working on endurance or repetitive drills, the ball capacity ensures that you can keep going without frequent interruptions. For players looking to get in extended practice sessions, this feature is a definite plus.
Traveling with the Erne
One of my concerns was traveling with a 60 Ib Erne, but it is actually very easy because Dave and the team made nice wheels and it closes up really nicely. Check the picture below.
Additional Erne Accessories
In addition, to the bag and outdoor pickleball balls in bulk, I also purchased these two items that help play with the Erne machine.
Firstly, this pickleball ball collector to pick up pickleball balls has saved my back on multiple occasions.
Secondly, I like to shoot my practice sessions, so you may want to pick up one of these inexpensive tripods.
Purchase Considerations for Used Machines
From my initial interactions with the box, I realized that Dave and his team made these pickleball machines to last.
That said, you may find it difficult to find used machines given that there are not many out there and that these will most likely retain the value.
That said, if you do find and purchase a used machine, you may want to check the front wheels to make sure that nothing is broken.
The instructions label the importance of taking care of those. If you don’t, it can severely mess up the ball trajectory and accuracy.
In addition, you may want to test the accuracy and how the app works as well. Finally, understand shipping costs. The Erne is around 50-60 Ibs, so I would estimate that some used machines may be upwards of $200 to ship.
Personally, I appreciate a new product, but I can completely understand the desire to find a used Erne pickleball machine.
Conclusion
The Erne has been aboslutely fantastic. The build quality is premium, so I know that I will use this machine for years to come both for my own play, but also for my daughters as they get better at the sport.
I feel that I’ve already improved, and am excited to see how much mroe I will improve with my play. Finally, I appreciate that Dave (CEO) of Erne provided me a $100 coupon code (Ben100) to my readers if others are interested in owning one at a slight discount.