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Okay, I broke my own rules: don’t buy cheap and don’t rely on Amazon reviews. But I was determined to test one of the cheapest pickleball pitching machines. I read tons of reviews—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
So, I ordered one – the Furlihong 3802PBH, $149.99 on Amazon. Worst case, I could return it after a week if I didn’t like it, or if it failed later on, we’d be out $150. But hey, it comes with a 12-month warranty! That’s a nice safety net!
Well, you know what? For the price, this machine does exactly what it promises, and you really can’t complain about that—especially when compared to machines that cost 5-15 times more! I have been using it about 3 weeks and hit several hundred balls with it.
I am rating it a solid 4 out of 5 balls – at least for this initial test period. Durability is to be determined.
- Adjustable speed and angles
- Auto-swing for varied shots
- Multiple power options
- Compact 19-ball capacity
By The Numbers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | 3802PBH |
| Weight and Height | 6.8 lbs and 38” tall |
| Footprint | 9” x 10” |
| Ball Capacity | Holds 19 balls (made for 18, but holds 19) |
| Pitching Options | 2 pitching speeds, 3 height angles, 2 spin controls |
| Pitch Frequency | Pitches balls every 4 seconds |
| Height and Distance Adjustment | Adjusts for height and distance: 1-8 ft high, 17-33 ft in distance |
| Side-to-Side Pitches | 2 speeds for auto side-to-side pitches |
| Warranty | 12 month warranty |
Nuts And Bolts
- Made primarily of durable plastic
- Powered by D batteries, AC power (included), OR a rechargeable power bank (sold separate)
- Includes all power cords
- Additional feeding tracks available to increase ball capacity (sold separately)
Game on… the Play testing
Powering Up
First off, I wasn’t planning to plug this into an outlet or use D-size batteries for power, for obvious reasons. So, I bought a power bank—basically a rechargeable power source that can also charge cell phones, iPads, etc. Furlihong stated that it had to have at least an output of 2 amps, and I found one that did: the Charmast USB C power bank for $25 (also on Amazon).
It charged fast and with the cord supplied by Furlihong, easily connected to the machine.
Check out how it works on the court:
Hitting the Court
I took the machine to an outdoor court, loaded it with balls, and turned it on. I had to quickly run to the other side to receive the “serve” since it would fire that first ball within 4-6 seconds.
This machine doesn’t have a remote control feature – and at $149.99, I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to. So you have to turn it on and get to the other side if you are by yourself.
Initial Impressions
I had it set on the lowest height (just to clear the net) and fastest speed. It delivered great serves, and the distance and placement were fairly consistent, though not perfect. It fired balls about every 4 seconds. It worked! I liked it! I was getting swing reps!
Experimenting with Settings
I tried a lower speed and adjusted the height to deliver lobs and dinks. After a few adjustments on the court, it worked great. Then, I tested the side-to-side swing, which served the ball across the court in different spots.
Again, after some trial and error with machine placement, I kept all balls in-bounds. Repeating those drills and noting the placement worked well.
Testing the Spin Feature
Next, I tried the spin feature, adjusting spin and speed both left and right, which are independently adjustable. It worked, though not always consistently. But that was okay—it felt more like playing against a person with slight inconsistencies. Plus, that feature wasn’t particularly important to me.
Endurance and Reloading
I hit over 200 balls this first time out and the power bank didn’t falter or slow down after about 45 minutes of play. The biggest downside was reloading the machine with balls after the 2 minutes of play, but Furlihong thought of that too and you can buy a second set of feeding tracks and connect them to add 12 balls to the capacity.
- 4 pieces included.
- Securely packed to prevent twisting.
- 180-day warranty.
And really a short rest and regroup after hitting 19 balls over 2 minutes is welcomed. My next outing was for backhand practice, specifically working on a new grip for my two-handed backhand. It was very helpful to have consistent serves to work on that.
Long-Term Use
I did drills with the Furlihong over the course of the last 3 weeks and have probably hit well over 600 balls with it. The reps for specific shots and returns are a very good use for this machine and it consistently delivers.
Please know it won’t deliver super fast balls, but fast enough for practicing specific shots and swings to simulate a game.
The Final Score
For the money, it delivers solid performance for cost-conscious beginners. While it can’t match the volume, precise direction, or high speed of a Slinger, Lobster, or Sport Tutor, this machine costs far less (even when you add the power bank).
Be sure to check out our guide on other pickleball machines available on the market!
And with the additional tracks available for $30 (Furlihong 3809BH), you can add 12 more balls to the feed. Plus, it’s incredibly light and portable, and you get the security of a 12-month warranty!
For budget-conscious players looking to get more drill time between game sessions, and if you’re tired of hitting against walls, this is a fantastic option.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
