Tennis ball machines can be fantastic tools to improve your tennis skills, especially when you don’t always have another player to practice with. They allow you to practice on your own terms at the court, and thanks to some advanced technologies, can even simulate what it would be like to play against a real player.
In this article, we’re going to review the Wilson portable tennis ball machine. Wilson is a giant in the world of tennis equipment, so it only makes sense that they would produce a tennis ball machine, especially one of this quality.
So, if you’ve been looking for a reliable tennis ball machine that won’t break the bank, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for our full review of the Wilson portable tennis ball machine.
Table of Contents
Wilson Portable Tennis Ball Machine
The Wilson portable tennis ball machine is a light, compact tennis ball machine that comes with its own built-in handle for additional portability. The device only weighs 38 pounds, so you’ll be able to carry it to and from the court with no problem – this also means that it is able to fit in cars without a hassle.
The great thing about the Wilson tennis ball machine is that you can adjust the speed at which the balls are shot from the machine and the interval between each shot and the angle that they are launched. This makes it great for creating some semblance of what it would be like to play against a real player without having to play against a real player!
The battery life on this Wilson machine is also quite impressive. This machine provides more than 3 hours of continuous training on a single charge, which is generally more than enough for your extended practice sessions. It features electrical elevation, and the standard charger comes with overcharge protection for the battery to make sure the inner workings of the machine are never damaged during overnight charging sessions.
Who is This Product For?
As with any other tennis ball machine, the Wilson portable tennis ball machine is best suited for tennis players who prefer to practice their skills regularly but don’t always have another player to practice with. It’s great for taking to the court on days when nobody else is available to play since it is able to replicate the conditions of playing against someone else quite effectively.
The Wilson portable tennis ball machine is best suited for beginner to intermediate players who are looking to improve their skills. More advanced players might find that the machine makes things a little too easy, which can make you feel like you aren’t making any progress.
If you’re on the market for a tennis ball machine but are working with limited space, then the Wilson portable tennis ball machine is perfect for you. It is super compact and easy to transport, which means you won’t have to worry about it not fitting in your car or in your home’s storage area – it’ll be able to do that just fine.
Specifications
- 10mph – 75mph ball speed
- No programmable drills
- 1.5-second – 10-second ball feed intervals
- 110-ball capacity
- No phone compatibility
- 3 – 4 hour battery life
- 18 hours for a fully charged battery
- 38lbs / 17kg weight
It should come as no surprise to know that the Wilson portable tennis ball machine is one of the most popular tennis ball machines in tennis. Anything with the Wilson name on it is going to attract a lot of attention, and for good reason – the company is one of the best producers of tennis equipment and gear in the world. Their portable tennis ball machine is manufactured by Sports Tutor under license.
The Wilson portable tennis ball machine has a wide speed range from as slow as 10 miles an hour to as speedy as 75 miles an hour. As for its feeding interval, you are able to change it anywhere between 1.5 seconds to 10 seconds. All too often, we see tennis ball machines that have a fixed feed interval, so it’s nice to see that Wilson went off the beaten path in this regard. Both parameters are adjustable using a turning knob with 10 steps.
- WILSON SPORTS, the #1 name in tennis, in partnership with Sports Tutor, the #1 tennis machine manufacturer in the U.S. and Worldwide, bring you the quality and performance you expect from Wilson.
The ball capacity is a set of 110 tennis balls, which is generally more than enough for a few extended hitting sessions. While it is slightly less than the Spinshot standard of 120 balls and the Lobster standard of 150 balls, we feel that it is a perfectly adequate capacity. Most beginner and intermediate players don’t have more than 50 balls at their disposal anyway.
The elevation is controlled electrically with an easy-to-use button set up on the control panel. As you may have already guessed, this control allows you to adjust the height at which the balls are launched from the machine, simulating everything from ultra-low ground strokes to soaring volleys that will test your jumping ability and agility.
On the Wilson portable tennis ball machine, you’ll find four different backspin options, as well as four different topspin options, as well as one basic flat shot option. This is a fantastic variety, especially for any beginner and intermediate players. You’ll be able to customize the way that your tennis balls are launched exactly to your liking, allowing you to hone in on a range of various court skills.
The Wilson portable tennis ball machine features a random oscillation setting, which further adds to the simulation of playing against a real player. For those that don’t know, random oscillation causes the tennis ball machine to move laterally at random, firing the ball in a different direction with each launch. For a small additional fee, you can also add two-line oscillation to your Wilson portable tennis ball machine.
All of the features that are available on this tennis ball machine are easy to set up and control via the control panel on the side of the device. Everything is laid out clearly, and all of the switches and buttons are very easy to understand and get the hang of – even for the most technophobic of players.
One gripe that we do have with the Wilson tennis ball machine is that the more affordable models do not come with any available drills. If you are looking for programmable drills, you are going to have to fork out some more money, which can be quite frustrating for anyone that is working on a budget and doesn’t have that kind of money to spend. What’s more, the two-button remote control is not part of the basic machine package, and you’re going to have to pay an additional fee for that as well.
However, if you do opt to pay for the remote control, you’ll be able to start and stop the machine with it. This means that you don’t have to waste any shots while moving from the side of the court with the machine to your side, making the start of the practice session just a little more convenient and comfortable. The standard ball feed delay of 10 seconds usually isn’t enough time to make it from one side of the court to the other.
When it comes to battery life and recharging, the court time of the Wilson portable tennis ball machine is pretty much identical to that of its competitors. Depending on your practice sequence, you’ll get about 3 or 4 hours, which is the standard. However, the machine generally lasts longer than any players do, so we don’t really see the need to look for a device with a longer court time, especially if you are a single player who is using the machine just for yourself.
However, if you are on the hunt for a tennis ball machine to be used by your club, you should consider purchasing a machine that has a slightly longer court time. Longer court times are much better when you need to use a machine for two or three consecutive practice sessions.
The battery of the Wilson portable tennis machine can be recharged in 18 hours, and the charger includes overcharging protection so that the machine does not get damaged during overnight charging sessions. This isn’t a feature that you see in many other tennis ball machines in this price range, so we’re glad that Wilson took the extra step in this regard. If you don’t want to have to wait 18 hours every time the machine needs to be recharged, you could pick up the fast charger for an additional fee, which will reduce the charging time to an impressive 6 hours.
Portability is by far one of the most important features to consider in a tennis ball machine and is often overlooked. While having a larger machine with a longer court time and greater ball capacity can be very helpful, if it is too heavy for you to carry around, you aren’t going to be able to use it as much. This isn’t a problem with the Wilson portable tennis ball machine since it is far lighter than many of its competitors at just 38 pounds. It also has a fantastically compact form factor, which means you’ll easily be able to fit it in the back of your car and carry it with you to the tennis court for your training sessions.
What’s more, the integrated carrying handle makes transportation that much easier. No tennis ball machine would be very useful if you weren’t able to adjust the speed at which the tennis balls were launched, and the Wilson portable is no different. Luckily, you are able to adjust the speed anywhere between 10 miles an hour to 75 miles an hour. This large speed range is fantastic when it comes to training for beginner and intermediate players. The lower speeds are excellent for novices who are just getting the hang of the sport, while the quicker speeds provide a great challenge for intermediates who are looking to improve their skills.
Perhaps the most attractive feature of the Wilson portable tennis ball machine is its affordable price. It’s certainly one of the most affordable tennis ball machines on the market right now, and its low price tag is what makes it so suited to more beginner players. While Wilson is a giant in the tennis industry and does produce fantastic tennis gear, they don’t attach inflated price tags to their products, which makes them available to a wider range of consumers.
The machine offers excellent quality for a reasonable price. Its basic features are great for beginners and intermediate players, and those who are just starting out in the sport will appreciate the flat shot with its different heights. As for the more advanced players, we’re certain that you’ll have loads of fun with the spin and oscillation feature. While not essential, it’s worth considering getting the remote control and two-line oscillation feature for the additional fee.
Pros
- 8 different spin levels
- 1 flat shot option
- Electrical elevation
- Standard charger comes with an overcharge battery protection
- Random horizontal oscillation
- Suitable for beginners and intermediates
- Very compact
- Lightweight
- Easy to transport
- Comes with integrated carrying handle
- Affordable
Cons
- Remote control costs extra
- No available programmed drills
- Lower ball capacity than competitors
- FEATURES: Topspin/Underspin adjustable from light to heavy. Ball Speed - up to 75 MPH. Ball Feed - From one ball every 1-1/2 seconds to every 10 seconds. Electronic Elevation Control - Ball trajectory is electronically adjustable from groundstroke to lob. Ball Capacity - 110 Balls. Built-in Oscillator – Delivers shots randomly across the court for hitting on the run. Ball hopper folds down when not in use. Includes built-in towing handle and large towing wheels for easy rolling.
- RECHARGEABLE BATTERY – Built-in battery provides up to four hours of playing time per charge. Includes Smart Battery Charger that fully charges the battery overnight and shuts off automatically to prevent overcharging.
- OPTIONS (not included): Wireless Remote Control - Starts and stops ball delivery, and controls oscillator. 2-LINE Oscillator - Allows you to practice alternating forehand and backhand shots, or lets two people practice at a time. SEE CHART BELOW FOR MORE MODELS.
- THREE YEAR WARRANTY. Made in U.S.A. by Sports Tut
Wrapping Up
If you are on the hunt for a very affordable tennis ball machine that features great features from a reliable brand like Wilson, then look no further than the Wilson portable tennis ball machine. It comes with every feature that beginner and intermediate players will love and is one of the easiest machines to transport to and from the court, made even easier with the integrated carrying handle.
