When I started getting really into improving my pickleball game, I decided that I wanted to purchase a pickleball machine.
As such, I researched and researched and purchase 2 different machines. One of the pickleball machines was terrible, so I had to write a review to share my experience with others. For example, the machine held around 15 pickleball balls, and 2 of the speed settings did not work when using a battery.
Here’s a picture of the machine.
After that miserable experience, I liked the idea of the machine, but I realized that I would need to consider paying for a better machine before pulling the trigger.
So, I decided to weigh my options, and purchase the Erne pickleball machine. After watching many videos and comparing different more premium options, I thought the Erne was the best option for me.
I just received the Erne pickleball machine around 1 month ago, and here are some considerations to help you determine if a pickleball machine is worth it for you.
What I Love About Pickleball Machines
Let’s first look at the pros of getting a pickleball machine.
Great for Practicing Alone
I really enjoy practicing alone, so much so that I wrote an article covering 5 drills you can do practicing alone.
What’s nice about getting a pickleball machine is that a pickleball machine allows you to practice alone as if you are playing against another player.
For example, you can hit the pickleball ball against a wall, but you really don’t get the same effect as playing on a court with a net. With a pickleball machine, you get the opportunity to play against a “pseudo” opponent.
Improve Consistency and Accuracy
One of the biggest things I wanted a pickleball machine for was to practice thousands of times to improve my consistency and accuracy.
In a game, you may be able to practice your 3rd shot drop 10 times, but with a machine, you are able to practice your 3rd shot drop 150 times in a time span of 10 minutes.
I also video record myself playing with the pickleball machine to continue to pinpoint errors in my game that need fixing.
I’ll plan to post some of my training videos later, but the machine really helps you get so many reps that you can improve your consistency and accuracy.
Versatility in Training (Spin, Speed, and Angles)
One of my favorite things about the Erne pickleball machine is probably the Erne pickleball machine app that allows you to customize how the ball is delivered to you.
For example, you can set a top spin or other spins easily including the speed and angles of the shot.
This allows you to practice multiple things against the same “player” (i.e. pickleball machine). So, I can program the shots to be in the back left and then the back right of the court.
Voila.
I really appreciate that variability. Here are some of Erne’s other features:
Practice at Your Own Pace
With a coach, you have a specific time that you are both available, and that coach is going to expect that you continue to improve with lessons.
The nice thing about having a machine is that it allows you to practice at your own pace on your own terms. I often use my Erne pickleball machine on Sundays at 6:30 am at my club, and many instructors may not want to get up that early on a weekend.
This allows me to practice at my own pace on my own terms.
Let’s talk about some of the cons of a pickleball machine next.
Cons of Pickleball Machines
I personally think the pros outweigh the cons of whether a pickleball machine is worth it, but these are important to know.
Cost of Pickleball Machines
If you checked my article above, you would see that my first machine was around $100, and my second machine was around $1,900.
That is a major difference in price.
Yes, the Erne is a premium machine that I plan to use to teach pickleball drills for my kids, so I plan to get a lot of use out of it for the next 10 years, but it’s still $1,900.
That is a huge expense considering that many instructors may charge $100 per hour or so, and you can alway just play with your friends to gain more experience.
Requires Setup and Space
My first pickleball machine required maybe 10 minutes of setup, and the Erne was great in that it took around 10 minutes of setup, but you have to realize that the Erne is around 50 Ibs while my other cheap pickleball machine was around 5 Ibs.
So, you may want to consider whether you have the space to store a pickleball machine. Also, some premium machines have internal batteries that require you to be next to a power source for charging.
Lack of Human Interaction in Training
One of my favorite thing about pickleball is playing against friends and meeting new people.
You don’t generally get these interactions when training with a pickleball machine (unless a friend joins).
Personally, I mix training with the Erne and playing games with friends, so I get both interactions, but I believe it’s an important thing to consider.
Who Should Consider a Pickleball Machine?
Now you may be wondering whether you personally should consider a pickleball machine. Let’s chat about different groups.
Beginners vs. Advanced Players
If you are a beginner player that plays quite often, then a pickleball machine can greatly help your ability to get to the next level.
If you are an advanced player, you may want to consider a much more powerful machine like the Erne to give you specific training that will help improve your game. I do not think that the first machine I purchased would have helped many advanced players (or potentially even beginner players).
Individual Training vs. Group Use
If I owned a pickleball club, I believe that buying a pickleball machine could be a no-brainer, especially if you can market that you have a machine and allow others to use it.
This ensures that the pickleball machine would get used often, and many people (including myself) would have loved to have a machine at my club instead of having to purchase a machine on my own.
Recreational vs. Competitive Training
If you are a recreational player, then purchasing a more premium pickleball machine may not be worth it. For example, you can get some training with a cheaper machine like the Furlihong.
That said, if you want competitive training, then a more premium machine may well be worth your investment, especially if you use it often.
Finally, if the cost does not matter to you, then it may be worth it to pull the trigger.
Are Pickleball Machines Worth the Investment?
In my opinion, if the above resonates with you, then a pickleball machine can absolutely be worth the investment.
That said, you should definitely consider weighing the cost of the machine to your training goals, how much will you actually use it, and what long-term skills you are trying to develop.