Best portable launch monitors for a winning golf swing

Q: How accurate are portable launch monitors?

This is a tricky question because there’s no straightforward answer given the wide array of factors involved. First and foremost, portable launch monitors come in a variety of makes and models, each offering differing features and technology to measure ball and club data. Higher-end models feature better technology and therefore offer more accurate data, but there are plenty of more affordable portable launch monitors that can provide great accuracy as well.

By: Michael LoRé October 2, 2023

Track your golf swing data like a pro. Here are 10 of the best portable launch monitors on the market today. Check them out!

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If you’re reading this, you’re serious about becoming a better golfer. Portable launch monitors are devices utilized by golfers to measure and analyze data from carry distance and swing speed to spin rate and just about every other golf-related metric in between, all in the hopes of fine-tuning and improving their game.

Such knowledge — especially from a portable device you can easily bring to the golf course or driving range and even set up in your own backyard, basement, or garage — comes at a price.

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While some high-end launch monitor models can cost thousands, there are more affordable options that don’t come with all the bells and whistles.

No matter what you’re looking for, there is a portable launch monitor for you. Here are our suggestions for 10 of the best portable launch monitors on the market today.

How to pick the right portable launch monitor for you

Portable launch monitors aren’t cheap. While some are more affordable than others, many models can cost thousands. Understanding your budget goes a long way in determining which product you may ultimately purchase.

Many of these portable launch monitors offer a bunch of bells and whistles that not everyone needs, especially if they can save money by purchasing a simpler device. Be sure to see what features and technology, like radar, camera system, and barometric sensor, come with each device before making your purchase. The more features and technology, the more accurate data you’ll get — but most likely at a steeper price.

The amount of data available to golfers these days can be overwhelming, so understanding which metrics you need to record, analyze, and improve upon can determine which portable launch monitor best fits you. Some of the more affordable ones measure a handful of basic data, while more expensive models seem to give you every metric under the sun and then some.

Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor

Full Swing

$4,999.00

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Highlights

Trusted by Tiger Woods
30-day money-back guarantee
16 points of radar-powered club and ball data

Trusted by Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm, the Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor is the self-proclaimed “most connected device in golf,” offering users 16 points of radar-powered club and ball data and 1080p HD video from a built-in camera that can be connected to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

Accurate, easy to set up and use, and supported by an app, this Doppler radar monitor doesn’t require leveling calibration, alignment sticks, or stickers on your clubface. And if you don’t like it, it’s the only launch monitor that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Data: Carry distance, spin rate, launch angle, ball speed, club speed | Weight: 4 lbs. | Associated app: Yes

PRGR Portable Launch Monitor (HS130A)

SuperSpeed Golf

$229.99

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Highlights

Affordable
Trusted by Padraig Harrington
Impressive accuracy (for low price)

Simple, slim, and easy to use, the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor is one of the more affordable options on the market — perfect for budget-conscious golfers. Similar in size to a cell phone, turn on this battery-powered device and set it up behind your stance in order to register and offer five Doppler-backed metrics on an easy-to-read screen.

Although the readout may feel a little antiquated to some, this product is backed by three-time majors winner and 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Padraig Harrington.

Data: Club speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance, total distance | Weight: Approximately 4.4 oz | Associated app: No

Foresight Sports GC3 Essentials Plus Bundle

Foresight Sports

$7499

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Highlights

Tour-level accuracy
Barometric sensor
Bundled with additional software/features

A reliable device that offers Tour-level accuracy and data, the Foresight Sports GC3 Essentials Plus Bundle can be used outdoors at the range or course to provide immediate feedback or as the centerpiece of your indoor golf simulator.

As the successor to the GC2 released in 2010, the GC3 relies on the same photometric technology — which measures the intensity of light — found in Foresight Sports’ GCQuad, coupled with a three-camera system and barometric sensor that takes into account temperature, humidity, and altitude for some of the most accurate data based on real-time factors.

Data: Ball speed, launch angle, total spin, side spin/spin axis, carry distance, clubhead speed, smash factor, attack angle, club path | Weight: 5 lbs. | Associated app: No

Garmin Approach R10

Garmin

$599.99

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Highlights

Long battery life
Play 42,000-plus courses virtually through the app
Seemingly endless amount of data/metrics

Portable, compact, and lightweight, the Garmin Approach R10 offers as many ball and club metrics and data as it does potential options and locations for use. Bring the course to you at home or outside with this device that is propped up on a tripod and offers the ability to play more than 42,000 courses worldwide virtually.

This launch monitor also features the ability to record your swings with metrics and has a compatible app. This product is arguably the best bang for your buck if you are looking for a portable launch monitor somewhere between the affordable handhelds and the high-end setups.

Data: Clubhead speed, clubface angle, club path angle, attack angle, ball speed, launch angle, launch direction, spin axis, spin rate, apex height, smash factor, carry distance, total distance, deviation distance | Weight: 7.79 oz. with tripod (5.22 oz. without) | Associated app: Yes

Swing Caddie SC300i Launch Monitor

Voice Caddie

$499.99

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Highlights

Digital voice output
Barometric pressure calibration
Remote control

Simple, effective, affordable, and portable, the Swing Caddie SC200 PLUS is about the size of a cellphone, so it’s easy to transport to and from the course or range. Propped up 4 to 5 feet directly behind the ball, this device calculates shot distance, swing speed, ball speed, and smash factor in three modes: practice, target, and practice swing. Measured by Doppler radar technology, a digital voice output automatically tells you your distance after each shot, while a remote control easily lets you switch modes, clubs, or target distance.

Data: Shot distance, swing speed, ball speed, smash factor | Weight: ~7 oz. | Associated app: No

Rapsodo MLM2PRO

Rapsodo

$699.99

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Highlights

Affordable price
Now measures spin rate and spin axis
Play 30,000+ courses virtually

The latest product from Rapsodo, the new MLM2PRO features a dual-camera system that allows users to examine slow-motion GIFs with a high-speed impact camera capturing impact and initial ball flight at 240 frames per second.

Rather than needing to turn your phone into a personal launch monitor like you did with the brand’s Mobile Launch Monitor, prop this sleek device on a tripod behind the ball to register everything from distance to ball speed, launch angle, and now, spin rate and spin axis. Despite a few bugs still to be addressed by the developers, this new device already has many golfers excited.

Data: Carry, total distance, side carry, club speed, ball speed, smash factor, launch angle, launch direction, shot type and apex, spin rate, spin axis, descent angle | Weight: ~1 lb. | Associated app: Yes

SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor

SkyTrak

$2,995.00

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Highlights

Dual Doppler radar system
Play more than 100,000 courses virtually
Improved photometric camera system

Boasting a dual Doppler radar system, proprietary machine learning software, an improved photometric camera system, and more than 100,000 golf courses that can be played virtually, SkyTrak brought major advancements to its launch monitor. Measure your shots against optimal shots and golfers of all skill levels via the SkyTrack Shot Optimizer and Shot Score functions.

Data: Launch angle, total spin, descent angle, ball speed, club speed, spin angle, spin axis, club path, face to path, smash factor, face to target, shot score, max height | Weight: 2-3 lbs. | Associated app: Yes

FlightScope Mevo+ 2023 Edition

FlightScope

$2,199.00

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Highlights

Free software included
Patented FlightScope Fusion Tracking technology
More than 20 data parameters

The FlightScope Mevo+ 2023 Edition launch monitor and simulator provides more than 20 full swing and short game metrics measured by patented Fusion Tracking technology — a combination of 3D Doppler radar tracking and synchronized high-speed image processing.

Great for indoor or outdoor use, play 10 virtual golf courses and 17 practice ranges that come with no additional licensing fee with this compact and easy-to-use launch monitor.

Data: Ball speed, clubhead speed, smash factor, carry distance, launch angle, spin rate, apex height, flight time, attack angle, spin loft, launch direction, spin axis, roll distance, total distance, lateral landing, shot dispersion, shot type | Weight: 1.76 oz. | Associated app: Yes

Bushnell Launch Pro

Bushnell

$3,999.99

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Highlights

Tour-level accuracy
3-camera system
Auto-calibrating

Featuring an auto-calibrating three-camera system, the Bushnell Launch Pro combines proprietary high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared to deliver Tour-level accuracy on every shot, whereas radar-based systems that are set up behind the golfer rely on algorithms. Capturing and measuring thousands of frames per second, this device comes with a 30-day free trial of Gold software and one year of free basic software.

Data: Carry distance, ball speed, total spin, horizontal/vertical launch angle, clubhead speed, smash factor | Weight: 5 lbs. | Associated app: Yes

Garmin Approach G80

Garmin

$499.99

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Highlights

GPS handheld with integrated launch monitor
Up to 15 hours per charge
43,000 preloaded courses

Two heads are better than one, so two products must be better than one, right? The answer is yes, at least when it comes to this launch monitor. As the first all-in-one premium GPS golf handheld with integrated launch monitor, the Garmin Approach G80 offers the best of both worlds in one device.

Featuring a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, you can track clubhead speed, ball speed, swing tempo, and more as you play from the 43,000 preloaded courses. With up to 15 hours per charge, you never have to worry about your device letting you down on the course.

Data: Clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, estimated distance, swing tempo | Weight: 4.2 oz. | Associated app: Yes

Choose which portable launch monitors to compare

Use the dropdown boxes to choose 3 portable launch monitors at a time to compare.

Best For

Best device connectivity

Price

$4,999.00

Highlights

Trusted by Tiger Woods
30-day money-back guarantee
16 points of radar-powered club and ball data