How they Stack-up
| Specification | Tennibot Partner V2 | Tennibot Partner Lite | Lobster Padel Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $2,275 | $1,525 | $1,429 |
| Mobility | |||
| Mobility | Moves autonomously | Stationary | Stationary |
| Max Ball Speed | |||
| Max Ball Speed | 10–70 mph | 10–70 mph | 10–80 mph |
| Ball Capacity | |||
| Ball Capacity | 140 balls | 140 balls | 150 balls |
| Battery Life | |||
| Battery Life | 4–5 hours | 4–5 hours | 4–6 hours |
| Battery Type | |||
| Battery Type | 10.5Ah Makita-compatible | 10.5Ah Makita-compatible | 12V rechargeable |
| Max Spin | |||
| Max Spin | 3,600 RPM | 3,600 RPM | Not clearly specified |
| Charge Time | |||
| Charge Time | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 1–3 hrs (Premium Charger) |
| AI Features | |||
| AI Features | Player tracking, court vision | Player tracking, court vision | No AI features |
| App Control | |||
| App Control | Full mobile app (real-time control + drill customization) | Full mobile app (real-time control + drill customization) | 2-function remote included, no app |
| Weight | |||
| Weight | 35.4 lbs | 25 lbs | 42 lbs |
| Dimensions | |||
| Dimensions | 17.7″ x 22.6″ x 21.5″ (5.0 cu ft) | 15″ x 10″ x 19″ (1.6 cu ft) | 26″ x 16″ x 22″ (5.3 cu ft) |
| Safety | |||
| Safety | Human detection sensors | Human detection sensors | No detection features listed |
| Guarantees | |||
| Guarantees | 60-day money back | 60-day money back | 30-day return, 10% restocking fee, buyer pays return shipping |
| Warranty | |||
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 2 years (wheels/battery 6 mo) |
| Made in USA | |||
| Made in USA | Yes 🇺🇸 | Yes 🇺🇸 | Yes |
The Bottom Line
Lobster offers a reliable padel-compatible machine with solid build quality and American manufacturing at $1,429, the lowest price of any full-size padel machine we track.
But Lobster’s padel models have no cameras and no player tracking, so every ball is a pre-set pattern rather than a response to where you actually are. The Tennibot Partner Lite puts AI court mapping and adaptive placement in a stationary machine for $1,525, and the Partner V2 adds autonomous movement to vary the angles padel is built around.
And if court movement isn’t what you’re after, the Partner Lite runs the same AI, 4K cameras, drills and app in a stationary machine for $1,525. That is $96 more than the Lobster, and for it you add cameras, player tracking, app-built drills and a third year of warranty, and drop 17 lbs: the Lite weighs 25 lbs against the Lobster’s 42.
Lobster is dependable. The Tennibot Partner is built for how padel is actually played.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ball machine for padel?
Yes. The Tennibot Partner is designed for padel with AI-powered court mapping calibrated for padel court dimensions, autonomous movement, and adaptive shot placement. Lobster also offers padel-compatible machines, though they have no cameras, no AI, and no padel-specific intelligence.
Is Tennibot better than Lobster for padel?
For padel specifically, AI vision is the bigger advantage. Lobster fires pre-set patterns with no awareness of where you are, while both Tennibot models map padel court dimensions and adapt placement in real time. The Partner V2 adds autonomous movement on top, which widens the range of angles you can train against.
Can Lobster be used for padel?
Yes, Lobster makes padel-compatible models with up to 80 mph speed and 150-ball capacity. However, they have no cameras, no padel-specific AI, and no player tracking — every ball is a pre-set pattern rather than a response to your position.
What is the best padel ball machine?
The Tennibot Partner is the most advanced padel ball machine available in 2026, with AI-powered player tracking, autonomous court movement, and padel-specific court mapping. No other machine offers this combination of intelligence and mobility for padel training.
How much does a padel ball machine cost?
Padel ball machines run from $1,429 (Lobster) to €4,900 (Viborace, roughly $5,300). The Tennibot Partner Lite at $1,525 and the Partner V2 at $2,275 sit in the middle of that range, and both add AI vision and adaptive training that the cheaper and the premium alternatives lack.
Sources
- Tennibot Partner V2 specs — tennibot.com/specs/partner-v2
- Lobster Padel Machine specs — lobstersports.com (manufacturer site)
- Full ball machine comparison — tennibot.com/compare
Both products are made in the USA. Prices and specs verified against manufacturer pages in September 2026; Lobster listed its padel machine as sold out at that time.