The pandemic was a great example of a terrible time when you do not have a partner to play table tennis with. Even if you do, they might not be as good as you, or might be too good for you!
For this particular problem, and of course, for training, the world invented some of the best ping pong robots.
Today, we take a look at all you need to know about ping pong robots and take a closer look at some of the best ones in the market. These table tennis robots have been one of the most exciting inventions of recent time in the sport and they are bound to take your game to the next level!
Table of Contents
Top Table Tennis Robots Overview
How to Choose & Buy the Best Ping Pong Robot
First, it is important to know what you need to look for, in a ping pong robot. Go through ping pong robot reviews to understand at least a few basic features to help you choose the best ping pong machine.
Ball Frequency
This indicates the number of ping pong balls that are served by the ping pong robot per minute. Frequency can vary from 30-80 balls per minute and at times it can even be as high as 100 balls per minute. For beginners, it is advised to look at the minimum ball frequency a robot has to offer.
Capacity
The maximum ball collection capacity refers to the number of table tennis balls that can be held by a ping pong robot at one time. It can vary from 100 to 200 depending on the robot. A ping pong robot with a large capacity is usually very helpful and some advanced robots are accompanied by a ball recycling system that can collect in the net and refeed the all the balls for continuous play.
Spin
Most ping pong robots have seven different types of spin variations: no spin balls, topspin, backspin, left spin, side-spin, mix-spin, cork-spin, and serve. However, the basic models can generate lesser amounts of spinning balls. Look for the one that suits your playing ability and need, the best.
Preprogrammed Movement/Drills
Some ping pong robots have pre-programmable training drills that can be used for sharpening your table tennis skills. Advanced robots have greater options to choose from and vice versa. There are also provisions for adding your programmed movements.
Accuracy and Consistency
This is another factor to consider to get your hands on a best ping pong robot. The accuracy and consistency of the ping pong robot are measured by the ball placement which indicates where the ball will land. Again, the expensive ping pong robots offer better accuracy and consistency.
Remote and/or Mobile App
Some robots are remote-controlled, some require you to set up on your own, and some of the really expensive ones even have their mobile app. The wireless remote control offers ease of use, as you can change the program from where you are, rather than going to change it.
Some prefer manual setups in the form of control box as they are technologically challenged, so again, it is down to the preference of the consumer.
Noise Level
Ping pong robots can be a noisy investment. You should look at many factors, like proximity to your neighbors and whether or not your wife might end up complaining. It is ideal to go through customer table tennis robot reviews before you make a final decision.
Battery Powered or Plug-In
Ping pong robots can either be plugged in or are battery-powered. This is a huge factor to consider, as you need to know if you can place the robot anywhere you want to. The best ping pong robots tend to be plugged-in.
The mobility of your ping pong table and robot is an important consideration and varies from robot to robot and table to table.
How to Install and Assemble a Ping Pong Robot
The assembly and installation of a ping pong robot vary from model to model. It is not overly complicated and anyone with basic technical knowledge can set it up without any difficulty.
Some robots are far easier to set up and that is why people sometimes go for the cheaper and more affordable table tennis robots.
Best Ping Pong Robots in 2021
For your convenience, we have made a list of our top ten training robots. These are our picks, based on our own playing experience and research. Feel free to add more below!
Butterfly Amicus Prime: Best for Professionals
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Butterfly Amicus Prime is an improved version of the earlier Amicus table tennis ball machine and a close comrade for advanced players. It comes with an android tablet, enabling you to control the ping pong robot via Bluetooth. You also get a small wireless remote control that you can keep in your pocket. It has the ball frequency of up to 120 balls per minute.
The tablet has a list of 20 pre-programmed drills, but you can customize a drill from scratch too. You can practice any spin combination such as topspin, backspin and sidespin, you want in the same drill. This table tennis training robot allows you to control ball speed, and placement so that you can create and save incredible multi-ball drills.
Amicus Prime is also easy to set up and transport due to its smart design. It is targeted toward professionals, so it comes with a high price. If you are a beginner, consider buying simpler machines that are affordable.
Power Pong Alpha: Budget Friendly
Our Rating: 4.7/5
This product is among our favorite table tennis robots as it offers everything from great performance to an affordable price tag. Power Pong is the best ping pong robot with analog controls to adjust frequency and speed, strong and weak balls, etc, and comes with a control box.
However, it can be configured via Bluetooth and wireless remote control as well. You can simply download the Power Pong app on your phone or tablet and get access to pre-programmed drills.
You can also customize and save your drills. The Pong Alpha ping pong robot allows you to generate unlimited combinations of spinning balls such as topspin, backspin and control how spinny you want the ping pong balls to be. It has a precise throw with 3 heads to ensure that the ball bounces in various directions from different angles, and you can play non-spinny shots as well. Power Pong offers a three-year warranty and a 1-day repair service.
Although the ping pong ball machine offers several additional features, it offers only 12 slots for saving drills. We were also a bit disappointed by ping pong ball frequency as you can program only 6 table tennis balls per drill.
Paddle Palace A32 Pro: Budget Friendly
Our Rating: 3.7/5
Paddle Palace A32 Pro table tennis robot offers all the basic features of a table tennis ball launcher at an affordable price. It is not programmable but delivers versatile ball speed and spin capabilities. You can practice playing a variety of shots with random speed along and random or controlled oscillations.
This ping pong robot is ideal for both intermediate and advanced players who want to experience a realistic ping pong game without breaking the bank. Paddle Palace A32 Pro doesn’t have Bluetooth or wireless remote and uses a control box, which is set on the player’s end. You can also configure the robot head on ping pong ball machine by rotating the knobs on the motor.
With this table tennis robot, you get a wide range of ball speed and spin like topspin, backspin and many more due to two independent heads controlled by two separate motors. It doesn’t allow you to save or customize drills. If you are looking for a high-end, programmable table tennis robot with a multi-functional remote control, then we recommend you look for another product.
IPONG V300 Robot: Best Value
Our Rating: 4.3/5
If you are looking for an inexpensive, cheap and portable ping pong robot option but also want it to be a good enough, then you should consider spending on the iPong V300. Just like ipong trainer motion, it has a very simple setup and can hold more than 100 table tennis balls at one time.
This comes with a remote control that you can use to shoot balls without having to come to the other side. It can throws balls up to 30-70 balls per minute. The iPong table tennis robot has an in-built oscillation option, that allows you to mix things up while practicing.
Along with that feature, it is accompanied by a fantastic design that is built like a superior wheel and motor model. We love the affordability factor but there are a few downsides to it, as well. Unlike ipong trainer motion, you cannot use it to play table tennis shots with different kinds of spin balls like topspin, backspin and others.
Despite being one of the best table tennis robots, this is a limitation but it is something that one can expect from such an inexpensive option. Some users have also reported a jamming issue when simultaneously releasing multiple ping pong balls, as it can’t handle as many balls together. In contrast, ipong trainer motion has improved motors to avoid ball jams.
Hence, if you want your ipong robot with a bit more enhanced features, ipong trainer motion can be a great table tennis robot with the frequency of 70 balls per minute.
Practice Partner Table Tennis Robot: Best Value
Our Rating: 4.3/5
We like the Practice Partner Table Tennis Robot due to many different reasons. For starters, it is a genuinely decent piece of engineering and is sufficient for amateurs and professionals, alike. The compact-sized robot might look tiny at first glance but it is sturdy as it is made of metal.
This makes the Practice Partner Table Tennis Robot truly one of the best ping pong robots and a long-term partner because of its durability. You can place up to 200 balls at one time as it has a large capacity and with remote control, you can change the frequency of the ping pong table from 25-80 balls per minute.
With this range, keeps professionals and beginners, both, interested and makes for a great option. You can also get several spin options covering topspin, backspin and many more and you can also program it to send balls all across the table making it challenging for you.
While the Practice Partner is slightly on the heavier side, it still makes for a great option to consider. Especially when, you factor in the one-year warranty that it comes with!
Power Pong Omega Table Tennis Robot w/Tablet: Best for Professionals
Our Rating: 4.2/5
This fully programmable ping pong ball launcher comes with a tablet so that you can control the ping pong robot via Bluetooth. Power Pong Omega robot features 3 4-inch foam wheels with a deflector plate for random or programmed oscillation. You can control ball speed, spin, or ball placement for each strike by saving drills in the tablet’s memory.
The tablet comes with 40 pre-programmed drills with videos that can assist you as visual guides. You also get some additional features like a mirror option through which you can flip your drills and a no-spin option as well. Hence, it is the best table tennis robot money can buy.
The additional table tennis robot accessories include 100 Nittaku J-Top ping pong balls, a ball recycling facility, remote control, and a carrying net for collecting balls. If you are a recreational or intermediate player, then Power Pong Omega is not for you as it has an insanely high price tag.
Chaofan 36 Spins Robot: Budget Friendly
Our Rating: 4.0/5
As the name suggests, the Chaofan 36 Spins ping pong robot offers a huge variety of spin including topspin, backspin and sidespin etc. It is not only an affordable option but it is also one of the more durable options with a wired remote control.
There is a lot to like about the Chaofan 36, so let us get straight into the pros!
The set-up of the Chaofan 36 table tennis robot is a piece of cake. You can get a ball frequency that ranges from 40-70 balls per minute keeping all levels of table tennis players interested. You can also generate a ball speed frequency that ranges from 4m to 40m per second, which is a huge plus!
Not to mention the obvious spin generation. Since there is a wired remote-control system, it makes it a lot easier to use but some people dislike it because they prefer digital, so it is down to preference. One of the letdowns with the Chaofan 36 is the lack of a net system, so you will have to catch your balls.
LANFIRE Professional Table Tennis Training Robot: Good for Beginners
Our Rating: 3.5/5
This ping pong robot is the best ping pong robot for practicing basic strokes if you are new to table tennis. LANFIRE Professional Table Tennis Training Robot is not a ball launcher, but a retractable assisting tool.
It comes in three different styles including a clamp or a sucker-type design. It has a fixed base, so wouldn’t budge even while you are practicing offensive strikes.
This tool gives you a stable, yet quick rebound due to its retractable design. As the ball is mounted on tiny swivels, you can practice spin-oriented strokes easily. This is a durable product and will last a long time.
We think that LANFIRE Professional Table Tennis Robot should be renamed as the label can be misleading for some people. As a ‘professional robot’ for some people could mean a high-end ball launcher, this tool should come with an authentic product description.
ZXMOTO Robot
The ZXMOTO table tennis robot is a fine example of classic Chinese manufacturing. It is extremely easy to use and set-up and can be done in just a few minutes. Moreover, it comes with a wide range of settings and options for various stroke play. A reliable option to choose from, the ZXMOTO has a reliable mechanical structure and contains control box that offers a lot of consistency and reliability.
There are a few problems with the ZXMOTO. The obvious one being the set-up and operation instructions being in Chinese, and that creates a problem for those who do not speak or understand Chinese. It also cannot randomize shots, so it is not the best of options for advanced players.
For beginners though, it might still be one of the best table tennis robots in the market.
Suz Robot (S201): Best Value
Our Rating: 4.0/5
This robot is ideal for players who are looking for a decent ping pong robot on a budget. Suz Table Tennis Robot S201 is configured via a wired remote control and allows you to change ball frequency, adjust ball speed, and placement through analog control.
If you are a table tennis enthusiast, is ideal for you to practice tackling spin as it has 9 different spin capabilities.
Luckily for this ping pong robot, affordable price doesn’t mean low quality. You get a sturdy product with having wired remote control with a one-year warranty. The robot is lightweight and compact as well. You can practice table tennis with 8 different ball locations, which gives you a realistic experience of playing table tennis.
Suz table tennis robot is not controlled via Bluetooth which is a bit disappointing. Most modern robots nowadays have wireless Bluetooth control and are programmable. At least a wireless remote control should have been there!
Top Ping Pong Robot Accessories
There are some accessories you can buy if your ping pong robot lacks them. These include:
Ball Collection Net
Ball catcher net is a decent accessory for your ping pong table as you can set it up and save yourself the trouble of looking for balls that have gone awry. Even if you buy ping pong balls in bulk, it still feels like a pain in neck. It is designed to collect the balls shot by the table tennis robot head during the practice sessions.
Typically, the net is fixed at one end of the table to catch the balls without interrupting the game. So, if you are looking for the one, make sure that it is easy to attach and remove and durable enough to securely hold the balls.
So, avoid a bad back and invest in a net!
Ball Picker
If you think buying a net is not a great idea, we suggest opting for a ping pong ball picker. This is an essential purchase if your ping pong robot does not come with a net. This handy tool is responsible for collecting table tennis balls from the floor, and it feels like a blessing when you see the balls scattered all around the floor during intense training sessions.
It comes with a rolling mechanism or telescope pole with a basket attached to its upper end that can easily pick up and hold multiple balls at once. To choose an ideal ball picker, go with the lightweight and functional ones that make the ball retrieving process super easy and efficient.
Robot Carrying Case
A robot carrying case is also one of the essential accessories you should never forget to keep with you. A durable ping pong robot carrying case or bag is designed for convenient transportation and storage purposes. It safeguards the robot against impact, dust, and scratches, ensuring it stays healthy for a long time.
Go with the bag or case, which offers a snug fit with padding and compartments to hold the robot, remote and other accessories securely. Some cases even offer compartments to store cleaning supplies and spare parts as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ping pong robots work?
A ping pong robot works by firing balls at different frequencies and speeds. You can change the controls and customize them as per your likings and different robots offer different controls and customizations. Complex robots have complex capabilities and that can change the level of difficulty and ball speed, improving your game in the long run.
When did ping pong robots come out?
Ping pong robots have been around for the last few years now. Companies involved in the manufacturing of these robots have been improving on the models and they are becoming more and more advanced.
There are many new ping pong robots, like the Forpheus, that you can play entire rallies with, not to mention, they are unbeatable and are considered to be coaches!
Is there any multi-functional ping pong robot other than the ones mentioned above and why?
Yes. There are various good quality ping pong robots with multiple features, but Newgy robo pong is the one we love the most. Robo pong table tennis robot is designed to cater to the needs of all players, from amateurs to professionals. Newgy Robo-Pong offers a wide range of features and adjustable settings that can be used for different training needs.
Moreover, robo-pong generates multiple types of spins to cater to different playing situations. The best thing about newly robo-pong is that it can be used for both single and double practices; however, the newgy robo-pong comes with a wired remote control box that might be inconvenient for some players.
Do ping pong robots require any specific maintenance?
Maintenance requirements for ping pong robots can vary from robot to robot. Therefore, it is advised to refer to the user manual for any specific instructions. However, the general way to clean table tennis machines includes cleaning their parts using a soft cloth and a brush to remove the dirt and dust accumulated in the nooks and crannies.
Examine its parts to timely spot signs of wear and tear, if any, and lubricate them if necessary. Store the robot in a clean and dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Lastly, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for proper storage, battery maintenance, and charging, etc.
What is the maximum ball capacity of ping pong robots?
The maximum ball capacity of table tennis robots differs based on specific models. In general, the ball capacity of a quality ping pong robot ranges from 50-200 balls and even more. Advanced models may have additional ball storage to accommodate a large number of balls.
Therefore, it is always recommended to consult the manufacturer or check out the product specifications to determine the exact ball-holding capacity of a ping-pong machine.
Robots truly are taking over…
