Top 5 Automatic Dog Ball Launchers for Active Dogs

If you have an energetic dog, you know all too well what can happen when they’re not adequately exercised or mentally stimulated. Cue: wild zoomies and potentially destructive behavior. While regular walks and puzzle play are recommended for happy, healthy pups, it’s also worthwhile to add an automatic dog ball launcher to your dog parent toolkit. 

After all, with the ability to chuck mini tennis balls and standard-sized tennis balls with the utmost ease, these machines can help keep dogs entertained and well-exercised with very little effort, which is especially handy during busy work weeks or days when you’re simply not up for your regular walking schedule. Of course, that leads to the magic question: What’s the best automatic dog ball launcher for active dogs? We set out to discover just that. Ahead, find the top five ball launchers Amazon has to offer, many of which will arrive in just a few days time. 

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Our best automatic dog ball launcher picks   

• Best Overall: Hyper Pet GoDogGo Fetch Machine, $263

• Best for Indoor Play: iFetch Automatic Dog Ball Launcher, $130

• Best Manual Launcher: Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster, $26

• Best for Multiple Dogs: All for Paws Automatic Dog Ball Launcher, $129

• Best Budget Option: Franklin Pet Supply Co. Ready Set Fetch Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher, $77

Hyper Pet GoDogGo Fetch Machine Dog Ball Launcher & Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs

$263

The Hyper Pet GoDogGo Fetch Machine is beloved by over 10,000 Amazon shoppers, thanks to its high capacity, far throw, and ability to accommodate mini tennis balls, as well as standard tennis balls. The remote-control machine can be used inside or out thanks to its rechargeable batteries and AC adapter, and the fact that it can be tailored to toss between 12 and 35 feet. Furthermore, the machine features a four-, seven-, and 15-second tossing interval, so it’s a great machine for tossing to multiple pups in one play sesh.

• What we like: It can hold up to 25 tennis balls, making it the most hands-free dog ball launcher on the market. 

• What we don’t like: Some shoppers report that the spring mechanism wears down quickly, bringing durability and machine lifespan into question.

• Who it’s best for: This is great for dogs up to 60 pounds and people with large, fenced backyards, as the balls shoot up to 50 feet.

$263 at Amazon

iFetch Automatic Dog Ball Launcher

$130

The iFetch Automatic Dog Ball Launcher is great for indoor use, as it can be set to launch balls 10, 20, or 30 feet with the small/medium machine, or 10, 25, and 40 feet with the medium/large option. Plus, it’s designed with a safety mechanism to lock it at 10 feet for indoor use, so you don’t have to worry about accidental far-fetches. Toss-distance aside, the automatic dog tosser is equipped with a rechargeable battery, as well as a plug for charging. When deciding which to buy, just be sure to consider the size of your dog(s). If you only have small dogs, opt for the small machine; if you want a machine that works for various sizes of balls, go with the medium/large.

• What we like: You can adjust the distance to launch balls from 10 to 40 feet in the air, depending on the model you buy.

• What we don’t like: It only holds three balls.

• Who it’s best for: This launcher is compatible for of all sizes — just be sure to purchase the right machine for your pup, as it’s sold in small/medium and medium/large options.

• Gives Back

$130 at Amazon

Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster

$30

If you don’t want to worry about recharging batteries or being near an outlet, the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster is the perfect ball launcher for you and your pup. The finger-pull mechanism is designed to launch standard tennis balls up to 50 feet. As someone who personally uses this ball launcher on a regular basis, I can attest to just how popular it is among pups. 

My dogs go absolutely bananas as soon as they see us pull it out, well before we even load it with balls and send them fetching. My only complaint is that it is a bit bulky, so I tend to only use it in the backyard, as opposed to, say, bringing it to the park. (Looking for a ball launcher that travels well? We swear by the Chuckit! Fetch & Fold, as it’s easy to secure on the strap of a fanny pack.)

• What we like: It’s cheap and effective.

• What we don’t like: It’s a bit clunky, so it may feel cumbersome to tote to the park. 

• Who it’s best for: This works for dogs of all sizes, as well as people who don’t want to throw their shoulder out tossing a tennis ball the old-fashioned way.

• Gives Back

$30 at Amazon

All for Paws Automatic Dog Ball Launcher

$129

If sleek design and a larger ball capacity are your biggest asks, the All for Paws Automatic Dog Ball Launcher is the optimal choice. The white and neon yellow machine is sold in mini and max sizes, both of which hold six balls, making it a great choice for folks looking to entertain multiple dogs at once. 

Some things to think about: While the machine comes with six balls and is technically designed specifically for them, many shoppers report that it works with off-brand balls of the same size. The main thing to remember with this machine is that, unlike the others, it touts a specific warning against using wet or dirty balls, indicating that it can make the machine malfunction. Because of this, you may only want to use it indoors or on particularly dry days. 

• What we like: You can adjust the distance to launch balls 10, 20, 25, 30, or 40 feet, depending on the model you buy.

• What we don’t like: It’s meant to only be used with the specialized All for Paws balls that come with it. 

• Who it’s best for: Dogs who tire after just six tosses and parents who prefer sleek dog toy silhouettes that meld well with the home.

$129 at Amazon

Franklin Pet Supply Co. Ready Set Fetch Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher Dog Toy

$77

Most battery-operated and plug-in dog ball launchers come with a fairly hefty price tag — typically over $100. If you’re uncertain whether or not such a device is truly worth the investment, consider this budget option to gauge your interest. The Franklin Pet Supply Co. Ready Set Fetch Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher earns endless accolades for its far fetch, large capacity, and the ability to angle the toss. Plus, it comes with an adapter, as well as a battery compartment, so it can be used indoors and out.

• What we like: It can be used with all brands of tennis balls and is designed to catapult balls up to 50 feet. 

• What we don’t like: To use it outside, you’ll need to purchase eight D-sized batteries.

• Who it’s best for: Medium-to-large dogs who love to run.

$77 at Amazon

Key features to consider in an automatic dog ball launcher

Not all ball launchers are created equally. When shopping for a quality machine, consider the features below. 

Ball size

Dog balls come in various sizes—it’s not just your average tennis ball. Where small dogs fare best with smaller balls (1.5 to two inches), medium and large dogs are best suited for standard balls (2.5 to three inches) to prevent a choking hazard. The ball size your dog is accustomed to will determine which dog-ball launcher is best for you, as some machines are only equipped to launch small balls. 

Distance

The primary point of using a dog-ball launcher is to catapult balls farther (and easier) than you can with your hand alone. That said, not all launchers feature stellar tosses, so you’ll want to find a machine that can throw up to 30 to 50 feet to get the most bang for your buck. All of the automatic dog ball launchers on this list check that box.

Capacity

Dog ball launches are sold in various capacities. Where the Hyper Pet GoDogGo Fetch Machine holds up to 25 tennis balls up to 2.5 inches, most hold six or fewer. As such, when purchasing a machine, you’ll want to consider how often you want to have to reload it. 

Power

Four of the five automatic dog ball launchers on our list require an outlet or batteries to operate. While some machines feature rechargeable batteries (like the All for Paws Automatic Dog Ball Launcher), most have compartments for C and D batteries, which are sold separately. Meanwhile, if you don’t want to worry about batteries, charging, or being near an outlet, the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster requires nothing more than the pull of a trigger. 

Benefits of using an automatic dog ball launcher

Automatic dog ball launchers might seem like a superfluous purchase, but their benefits make them well worth the investment, particularly if you have a high-energy dog. The primary benefits of using an automatic ball launcher include:

They get exercise.

Given that the automatic dog launchers on this list can shoot balls up to 50 feet in the air, they encourage energetic dogs to run and fetch. While most dogs can benefit from such activity, it’s particularly noteworthy for pups that don’t go on super long walks and hikes, as it can tire them all the same, albeit in smaller spaces. 

They get cognitive stimulation.

Fetching might seem very straightforward but for dogs, it’s a problem to be solved. Because of this, automatic dog ball launchers engage a dog’s cognitive skills, prompting them to focus and find the ball to bring it back. This cognitive stimulation, in turn, tires a dog quicker, meaning that just a few automatic ball tosses can lead to a calmer, more satisfied pup. 

Safeguard your shoulders.

Let’s be honest: We’re not all baseball and softball players — one wrong throw without a warm-up, and our shoulders could be at risk. By using an automatic dog ball launcher, we can mitigate such an injury.

Safety tips using an automatic dog ball launcher

Dog-ball launchers are undoubtedly convenient when it comes to tiring energetic dogs, but they should be used with supervision.

Choose the right size tennis ball.

Depending on the ball launcher you choose, these machines can catapult mini tennis balls and standard tennis balls. For the safest use, opt for mini balls for small dogs and standard balls for medium-to-large dogs. If you have various pups of different sizes, consider a machine that can launch standard balls, but fill it with the proper-sized ball during each individual play time.

(Most standard-size machines can accommodate smaller balls — they might just launch shorter or farther depending on the power and design of the machine.)

Train your dog(s) to stand back.

If your dog is staring down the barrel of the automatic dog launcher, they’re at risk for getting whacked. Unfortunately, most ball launchers on the market aren’t equipped with safety features like motion sensors to prevent such a mishap. That said, the Franklin Pet Supply Co. Ready Set Fetch Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher does feature an alarm to let dogs know when a ball is about to be tossed, and it’s something many shoppers report their dogs quickly catch on to. 

Keep an eye on jumps and bounds.

Many automatic dog ball launchers shoot balls not only far forward but up in the air, too. This can lead to excited dogs jumping mid-fetch. While most dogs can handle leaps and bounds, some might get a little too eager and pull a muscle in the process. To avoid this, keep an eye on your pup’s excitement level and make them take breaks if they’re getting a bit too wily.

Don’t overdo it.

Automatic dog ball launchers are designed to tire dogs while letting parents sit back and relax. Be sure to monitor how tired your dog is getting while fetching. Generally speaking, a forward-tongue pant is an indicator of being tired, while a side-facing tongue can hint toward exhaustion. In either case, give your dogs a break between fetches to prevent overheating and possible injury as a result. 

Bottom line

Automatic dog ball launchers make it easier than ever to keep pups stimulated and well-exercised. As convenient as they are, tennis ball launchers aren’t an avenue to ignore your pup. It’s important to keep an eye on dogs interacting with these machines, as they could end up with strained muscles or could be at risk of choking.