The advent of launch monitors have completely changed the way golfers practice, learn and get custom fit for equipment. Much like the best golf GPS apps, launch monitors have been providing golfers with a wealth of data that was once unattainable at the amateur level. This is obviously no longer the case which is why we have looked at some of the best golf launch monitors on the market. Before we get to that though, the below statement is important to address first…
Why would you want to buy a launch monitor? To put a simple answer here, and answer what is a launch monitor, launch monitors give us an incredible amount of data which can therefore give us information on our strengths and weaknesses. Accurate club and ball data allows numbers like clubhead speed, carry distance, spin and much more to be seen instantly for incredible feedback.
The numbers can explain why you might have a tendency to slice it or hook it, and you can then correct your swing to eliminate bad tendencies. Launch monitors can also give insight into things like swing path, and because distance numbers are so readily available, they allow you to dial in your bag setup too. This is why we have tested so many and sought to give you advice on which are the best models in this guide.
VIDEO: Watch Joel Tadman test the accuracy of five of the latest portable launch monitors
Nearly every touring professional uses a launch monitor to hone their swings and many amateurs are also making the most of the technology now to improve their games too. Launch monitors these days are also very convenient because they can often be folded up nicely, or they are handheld devices so are highly portable.
Some of the premium models that you’ll see on tour or in high-tech fitting studios can be expensive, although there are some more affordable, portable options on the market too. To help you decide which one is for you, after thoroughly testing a lot of different models, we’ve listed the best golf launch monitors that cover all price ranges below.
Additionally take a look at some of our other guides too – such as the best golf simulator, best golf rangefinders as well as our cheap vs expensive launch monitor test.
The Quick List
Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
Given how easy it is to use and the overall accuracy and data points available, we have to say the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is an excellent option.
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Swing Caddie SC300i Launch Monitor
The SC300i is among the best portable launch monitors under $600 thanks to its impressive accuracy, ease of use, battery life and host of useful features.
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Full Swing Kit Launch Monitor
The price point is mightily appealing versus the competition given the accuracy on offer and the app experience is arguably the best on the market.
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Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor
Designed for the serious golfer looking to improve through feedback on performance but also benefit from playing and practicing indoors and outside.
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Trackman 4 Launch Monitor
Trackman 4 offers accurate data thanks to a patented multi-sensor technology that synchronizes an inbuilt camera with two bespoke ultra-sensitive radars.
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PRGR Portable Launch Monitor
Accurate, reasonably consistent and with plenty of data points, the PRGR Monitor is one of the most impressive devices we’ve tested at this price point.
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The Foresight Sports GCQuad is an impressive photometric launch monitor that provides tour-quality data about a player’s swing and ball flight.
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Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor
An enjoyable and highly accurate launch monitor that gives you vast amounts of data at your fingertips, the Garmin R10 is compact and easy to use.
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Best Golf Launch Monitors
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Best budget
The Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor works with your smart phone
(Image credit: Future)
We have been fans of the Rapsodo mobile launch monitor because it literally turns your smartphone into a launch monitor to give you a wide range of numbers like carry distance, ball speed, club speed, smash factor, launch angle, and launch direction. It also films your swing and stores up to 100 videos for free (you can get more storage with a subscription) and offers video playback with shot tracer.
It works in conjunction with the free Rapsodo app on your iOS smartphone indoors or outdoors. After setting up an account and logging in, rest your phone in the front slot and position it approximately six feet behind the ball. The combination of the lines on the screen, and the GPS overhead, helps you align correctly and allows you to select the hitting direction. This in turn ensures accuracy.
Of course we need to mention how portable this monitor is. It is very small and light so it can basically live in your golf bag. It also comes with a handy little case too so you can clip it onto your bag if needed, but be warned this is not a waterproof case. We’ve named this the best budget launch monitor in our list and – compared to some models above – the Rapsodo’s price represents incredible value for this accurate, easy to use and fun launch monitor.
Best battery life
The SC300i has a large display and speaker
(Image credit: Mike Bailey)
Next up we have the Swing Caddie SC300i, which is a doppler radar model which builds on the previous SC300 model. It does so by using atmospheric pressure sensors to provide more accurate data.
It connects directly to the free MySwingCaddie V2 app on your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth so users can track their performance in real-time. There’s a voice output option of distance and a remote control that enhances the user convenience. It even includes video playback and analysis as well as increased battery life of up to 20 hours, which really differentiates it from the competition.
In testing it performed very well indeed and it is certainly among the most accurate among all the portable launch monitors under $600. Admittedly it does not measure clubhead path but very few affordable monitors do this so that is no great compromise. The larger screen is very easy to read and dissect, and there’s also a good speaker in the unit that calls out distances almost immediately after you’ve struck a shot.
Best shot detection
The Full Swing Kit Launch Monitor is used by some of the best players in the world
(Image credit: Future)
The Full Swing Kit Monitor is the model used by Tiger Woods, so that should give you some idea of the performance on offer here. It is a premium product with a premium price tag but that being said we found it to be very straightforward to use. It is as simple as downloading the app, pair it with the monitor, place 10 feet behind the ball, and swing away.
Data get sent straight from the unit to your smartphone and the data is extensive to say the least. It produces 16 different data points covering both club and ball and displays four of them nicely on the OLED screen. We also liked the addition of a built-in camera so we could record our swing and see it in slow motion as well.
Our testing revealed just how accurate and reliable the performance is here and the app experience really sets this package apart. We found it to be uncomplicated and efficient in its performance, whilst the carry case makes it portable too.
Best ease of use
The Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor can be used anywhere
(Image credit: Future)
Flightscope’s mid-range offering provides golfers with all the data they would ever need (and then some more) via a device that is easy to set up and an app interface that even the least tech-savvy golfer out there should be able to grasp. It’s portable thanks to the included carry case that clips on to your bag and the fact it is very lightweight. Overall we felt the user experience was very passive once set up – you only need to touch your iPad to enter the new club.
This launch monitor works outdoors, but it’s suited more towards golfers that have an indoor hitting space and screen available as it also doubles as an impressive simulator where you can play some amazing courses from the comfort of your home.
If you’re after basic information like ball speed, club speed, spin and carry distances, the less expensive Mevo model might be best for you. The Mevo+ won’t offer putting insights, but offers eight additional accurate data parameters, including total distance and angle of attack.
Best radar
The Trackman 4 Launch Monitor is used a lot out on Tour
In the world of launch monitors, chances are you would’ve heard of Trackman given how popular it is out on Tour. The favorite of ours in the current range is the 4 which offers up accurate data thanks to a patented multi-sensor technology that synchronizes an inbuilt camera with two bespoke designed ultra-sensitive radars. Therefore it offers the best of both worlds when it comes to camera and radar technology.
Unlike some other models on this list, it does not display the data itself, but instead sends it to the app which is easy and simple to digest. But for us what really differentiated it was the level of other features available. For example there are over 100 simulator courses, full putting analysis, club fitting software, swing video software, online tournaments, skills testing, kids games, on course practice… all from one device. It is an extensive list and yet the accuracy and efficiency of the data rivals some of the best models in this guide. You can buy a single launch monitor and also get a complete home setup from the company as well.
Best photometric
The Foresight Sports GCQuad is our top photometric pick
(Image credit: Future)
Next up we have the Foresight Sports GCQuad, another model you would’ve seen on the range at Tour events. The reason is because of the sheer amount and accuracy of data available. For example the Quad has four cameras that catch 200 pictures at impact, from four different locations so the user can get millimeter accurate data on strike on the ball as well as the clubface. Therefore you can get information on path, lie angle, angle of attack and so on and so forth. It really is astounding the level of detail achievable here.
What elevated it further in our testing was the addition of its Essential Putting Analysis, which allows you to track putting data like path, loft and so on. With no calibration needed, it’s also easier than any of its competitors to take to the range or course, with all your shot data handily stored on the brand’s cloud system for later analysis. It also benefits from a removable battery, in-built WiFi, alignment stick and a hitting area six times bigger than GC2.
Admittedly the app experience was slightly archaic in testing but it is free and features table averages which makes it good for club testing. Therefore we often use this model in our extensive testing!
Best handheld
The PRGR Portable Launch Monitor is a great handheld option
(Image credit: Dan Parker)
If you want to take portable to a new level then this handheld PRGR Monitor is definitely one to consider. This doppler radar option will fit neatly in your pocket while providing all the simple data metrics to help you understand your game, like speed, distance and smash factor. Sure the graphics and buttons are fairly basic but you get all the information you need on a screen that is easy to read.
The latest version has a higher-quality dual radar sensor, an improved processor and algorithm to increase accuracy, a larger, high-resolution display and improved wedge measurement (especially on higher-lofted shots) to capture more shots, as well as the ability to switch between yards and meters.
We cannot stress enough how convenient this monitor and for such a small – and well priced – launch monitor, the PRGR gathers a decent amount of data, without being overwhelming. For us, it was just the right amount – not too much to overwhelm and not so little it’s pointless. Sure there are more comprehensive devices out there, but not at this price point.
Best portable
The Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor is an excellent compact model
(Image credit: Future)
The Garmin Approach R10 is one of the most compact launch monitors out there and packs a formidable punch at a low price. It gathers an enormous amount of real time data which is then displayed on the accompanying Garmin Golf App. Metrics such as club speed, ball speed, smash factor, ball spin, club path and club face angle provide a clear picture of how you strike the ball and are great data points to help you improve your swing or get an idea of how far you hit each club in the bag.
When paired with the Garmin Golf app, players can also use Driving Range Mode to help recognize areas of strength and areas for improvement; automatically record video clips to analyze their swing and utilize the entertaining Home Tee Hero golf simulator to master and enjoy over 42,000 golf course worldwide.
Specifications Table
| Model | Technology | Weight | Battery |
| Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor | Radar and camera depends on phone | 256g | 8 hours |
| Swing Caddie SC300i Launch Monitor | Doppler radar | 437g | 20 hours |
| Full Swing Kit Launch Monitor | 4K camera with 1080p output, Doppler radar | N/A | 5 hours |
| Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor | Doppler radar | 465g | 2 hours |
| Trackman 4 Launch Monitor | Dual Radar sensors and camera sensors | 2.8kg | 4+ hours |
| Foresight Sports GCQuad | 4 Quadrascopic cameras and integrated infrared light | 3.8kg | 6-8 hours |
| PRGR Portable Launch Monitor | Doppler radar | 125g | N/A |
| Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor | Radar | 221g | 10 hours |
How we test
We test all golf technology as comprehensively as possible to gauge performance over time and whether it can actually help your golf game. As you would expect, this involves using different models regularly, and in different situations to see how the technology performs. A good example is using a monitor inside/outside, or in different types of weather. Of course many of the launch monitors also get used a lot because we do so much club testing as well.
As the entire team are regular golfers, golf technology usually gets a thorough test and often get compared to one another side by side to test for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability and other features. That way we can give honest and insightful feedback to you, the reader. The final thing we wanted to mention in this section is no manufacturer can buy a good review. Our testing team reviews golf equipment and makes its own opinion on how good or bad the product is.
How to choose a launch monitor
When discussing the best golf launch monitors there are a number of factors to consider. Let’s take a look at them.
Accuracy
This is the most important factor to consider because if a launch monitor isn’t accurate then it is useless. Obviously the premium models at the top of this page are the best in this regard but you can also get more budget-friendly models with good accuracy, like the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor for example.
Metrics
Most devices these days give insight into metrics like ball speed, club head speed and carry distance however if you are looking for more specific club head data, and metrics like dispersion, then models like the Foresight Sports GCQuad and Trackman are the way to go. They are more expensive but offer incredible detail.
Camera/Radar
There are usually two main technologies in launch monitors these days.
Camera-based monitors use high-definition cameras to capture data at, and following, impact. Because of this they tend to be better for indoor use as some models may struggle in changing light conditions.
Radar designs use Doppler radar to follow the flight of the golf ball. These waves bounce off the golf ball to track the flight and this therefore makes them better for outdoor use. That being said there are models which have the best of both worlds, like the TrackMan 4.
Features
Linking with the above point, there are models with more features compared to others. Of course for most of the models we tested, measuring the golf ball’s flight was the main purpose but some units offered the opportunity for simulator play, GPS functionality, or the ability to record your swing. Some also have games too.
Indoor/Outdoor Use
Are you going to be using the monitor inside or outside? If you look to focus on the former then investing in a proper setup may be the way to go whilst if you want to use a monitor outside then something convenient and portable is a better call.
Ease of use
This is a big factor because when we have the time to practice, we don’t want to waste any of it trying to work out technological issues. This makes the smaller devices like the Swing Caddie SC300 and Rapsodo particularly appealing.
Portability
Speaking of which portability is an important factor in itself. You don’t want to have to be lugging something heavy around or something that takes too long to fold away.
Price
We have to mention price when discussing launch monitors. There will be some who can afford the top-of-the-range designs but many more won’t. However as we have shown above there are still some very good more affordable models too.
Understanding
Not only does the launch monitor have to be clear in displaying data, but you the player needs to have some understanding of what those numbers mean.
FAQs
Is it worth getting a launch monitor?
The answer to this question kind of depends on what level you are as a golfer. If you are beginner, then your money will best be used purchasing lessons from a PGA professional whereas if you are an aspiring professional they can prove invaluable because of the information given. Additionally we also think low to mid-handicap players can learn and improve by using launch monitors as well, and this is made possible because of the variety of models at different price points currently on the market.
Are golf launch monitors accurate?
Launch monitors these days are very accurate. For example, Trackman suggests its device can accurately detect the landing point of your golf ball by 1½-yards. Additionally the cheaper models on the market have also proven to be accurate in our testing.
What launch monitor do the pros use at the range?
From our experience we have noticed a lot of players using launch monitors from Trackman, Foresight Sports and Full Swing. The Trackman 4, Foresight Sports GCQuad and Full Swing Kit are the models we see the most regularly.
If you want more buying advice, why not take a look at our guides on the best golf net, or best golf mat as well.
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