Best Dog Ball Launcher: Our Top 10 Picks

If you have puppies, small dogs, or medium-sized dogs, you’ll love the iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher for Dogs.

Each unit comes with three mini-sized balls with a diameter of 1.6 inches, which won’t overwhelm your puppies and small doggies.

It features a button that you can use to easily adjust the launch distances, from 10 feet, which is great if it’s raining outside and you can only play indoors, and up to 30 feet if you’re playing outdoors, like in a dog park.

This automatic dog ball launcher can be operated with either 6 C-cell batteries for outdoor playtime when you don’t want to lug around an extension cord or with a power cord when you’re indoors. 

It took quite some time before our Border Collie puppy learned how to put the ball in the machine itself, but when she did, this ball thrower became one of her favorite toys— she could play with it for hours!

Another bonus for us is learning about the manufacturer of this highly popular product and how passionate they are about giving joy to dogs all over the world and creating a lovely bond between dogs and dog owners. 

Did you know that the idea for the iFetch lineup of products was born because the owner’s grandson couldn’t concentrate on his school assignment as their dog, Prancer, always wanted to play fetch? 

It’s a cute story, and if you have the same “problem”, then our Editor’s Choice might just be what you’re looking for! 

Now… 

We found that this product is designed to preserve battery life as much as it can. That means that after about 60 seconds, it goes into sleep mode if your dog isn’t able to put a ball in the machine. It won’t wake up unless you press the power button again or put a ball in it, which is why you definitely should be present whenever your dog is playing with this little machine. 

This automatic ball thrower can only launch one ball at a time, which might be a con to others. However, it’s a good thing for us, especially if your dog is still learning how to fetch and drop the ball back in the machine, as multiple balls being launched simultaneously can be overwhelming.

For dog owners who are on a tighter budget and don’t really need an automatic dog ball thrower, the Chew King Ball Launcher is an excellent option.  

With this dog ball thrower, you won’t need to bend over and pick up wet and slobbery balls with your bare hands, as the wand picks up balls easily with its C-shaped ball holder that can hold balls up to 3 inches in diameter.

It’s lightweight and has a comfortable grip handle, which can reduce shoulder and elbow stress when throwing balls— this makes it great for all ages, from 4-year-old children to grandparents who still love playing with their dogs. It’s also compact, and we were able to fit it nicely in a backpack during trips to the park.

This handheld ball launcher has an adjustable knob and three settings to choose from: Hard Throw for strong throws and long-distance throwing, Medium Throw for medium-distance throwing, and Soft Throw for weaker throws and short-distance throwing.

It comes with six bouncy balls, five made from non-toxic, natural rubber that’s completely safe for your dogs, and one glow-in-the-dark, which is very nice when you want to exercise your dog at nighttime. They also have finger holes on the sides, making it easier for us to hold them.

Not only that…

The balls are super durable, don’t hold saliva or dirt, are easy to clean, and are dishwasher-safe. We like that they make a soft whistling sound— very helpful to our dogs in keeping track of the balls once they’re thrown in the air, especially during high throws where our dogs lose sight of them. They come in multiple unique colors, like purple, which quickly became our German Shepherd’s favorite. 

This ball thrower is very affordable, as well, and will give you lots of bang for your buck— and that’s why it’s our Best Value awardee! It also makes a great gift for your dog lover friends or loved ones.

There are some downsides, though…

Something we noticed is that the glow-in-the-dark ball seems to have been made from a different material from the natural rubber balls, and they aren’t as easy to launch as the regular balls. It’s not a big deal for us, we can still throw it just fine, but we think it’s just something to be aware of. 

The thrower was also quite tight during initial use, but it loosened over time.

If you don’t mind splurging a little for your pooch, the PetSafe Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher – Interactive Dog Ball Thrower has special features that make it worth getting. 

This automatic ball launcher is great whether you have a small or large dog. It’s totally customizable, too— simply twist the angle and distance knobs to adjust the launcher’s range. The launch distance can be adjusted from 8 to 30 feet, with nine settings for distance and six settings for the angle. 

One of its best features is the front motion sensor that prevents the ball from launching into your dog or anyone who’s standing within 7 feet in front of the line of fire. Once it detects a ball, the machine will make a sound to let you know that it’s about to launch a ball, which makes our dogs go wild with excitement.

It also has an automatic 15-minute rest timer to give your dog time to rest after 15 minutes of playtime to prevent them from overheating or getting too exhausted. A beeping sound will alert you and your dog once the 15-minute rest is over. 

In addition to that… 

Our Top Pick includes two standard tennis balls, and it’s compatible with any balls that are 2 5/8 in diameter or any smaller tennis-style balls. It allows you to load up to three balls at a time, and it’s water-resistant, as well. 

But here’s the catch… 

The PetSafe automatic ball launcher is quite on the pricey side. It’s definitely worth every penny, in our opinion, considering how high-quality it is and the additional safety features that you’re getting. 

It barely has any flaws, but we’d say that it can be improved even further by making the rest timer adjustable, or there should at least be an option to override it. That’s because some of us own high-energy dogs, like our Border Collie puppy, and 15 minutes of playtime just isn’t enough for them. Some dog breeds can also play for an hour straight without getting exhausted, and the 15-minute rest timer feature can be a bummer for them. 

Also…

The sound the machine makes when it’s about to launch a ball could be toned down a bit, as some dogs can be frightened by it when using the launcher for the first time. Our advice is to let your dog get used to the sound first before adding the ball in and starting the machine. 

You can do this by making your dog comfortable around it—play with them and give them treats, then turn on the machine and watch their reaction to it. Please do this at a distance, and only move it closer to your dog once they get used to the sound and is acting comfortable around it already.

Looking for the best automatic ball thrower for your big babies? Why don’t you take a look at the IDOGMATE Big Dog Ball Launcher?

This ball thrower is specifically designed for big dogs. It features a nice, large hopper that measures 9.5 x 9.5 inches, giving your dog an easier time dropping the ball back in. 

It runs on an AC adapter or three rechargeable 18650 Li-ion batteries, which are both included with each unit. After being fully charged, it’s capable of 1000 launches before needing another charging session.

We’ve tested out both power sources, using batteries on a beach trip with our German Shepherd and the AC adapter indoors on a cloudy day. We found that the batteries provide a bit less power than the adapter, so if you want to do long-distance throwing, we suggest bringing the AC adapter with you.

One of the best things about this ball launcher is the great engineering. It uses patented Arced Wheels, which prevent the balls from getting stuck, for smooth ball launches even with wet balls. 

The launch distance is easy to adjust— simply use the remote control included or press the control buttons. Either way, you have the options of 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet launch distances. We personally like using the random setting to keep our dogs guessing.

Additionally… 

Other noteworthy features are the pause function to give your dog some rest time and the auto turn-off feature to preserve the battery life. As for loudness, well, it does make a launching alert sound, but it’s certainly quieter compared to other automatic ball launchers. 

Aside from the remote control, AC adapter, and batteries, it also comes with three standard-sized tennis balls made from food-grade material, measuring 2.6 inches in diameter each.

Admittedly…

We wouldn’t say the balls are the best ones we’ve tried; they can be punctured easily if your dog chews on them a lot. But the good thing is, this ball launcher is compatible with any brand of tennis balls, so it should be easy to find replacements.

If you want a lot of control when it comes to throwing distance, we highly recommend the Franklin Pet Supply Ready Set Fetch Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher.  

This automatic ball launcher came to us already assembled, which is nice. Provided with each unit is a standard-size tennis ball, which seems well-made, and a screwdriver for opening the battery compartment.

It has three preset angle settings with which you can launch the ball: low, medium, and high. We like that we have the option to put it in the lowest setting when we’re playing with our dogs at home so as not to break any furniture. At the highest setting, it launches tennis balls up to 25 feet, and fetching the ball gives our Lab a nice run.   

With this ball thrower, you have an option to use eight D batteries for on-the-go use or the included power adapter for non-stop playing— whatever works for you. Simply plug it in, and it’s ready for playing!

Before launching a ball, this machine makes a few beeping sounds, but it gives you the option to turn it off, which we appreciate as owners of a sound-sensitive dog. It also has a built-in carry handle to make it easier to bring anywhere you want.

Moreover… 

If you’re wondering how durable it is, we can definitely say it is. We once accidentally left it outside in light rain, and it’s still working now after we let it sit unused for one day. We’re not saying it’s a good idea to submerge it in water, but some water isn’t likely to damage it if you wipe it dry immediately. It’s made from high-grade plastic, so it’s very easy to clean. 

Here’s something to keep in mind, though… 

To ensure that the ball is working at its best, you need to make sure that it’s as dry and clean as possible. This means your dog wouldn’t be able to play independently with this, as you will need to wipe clean the ball if it gets too slobbery. In our experience, the ball still works even when covered with dog saliva, but we noticed that the throw is way less powerful. 

And it’s definitely not quiet, but as we’ve mentioned, you can turn off the beeping sound if it frightens your dog. The noise is barely noticeable when we’re outside, though.

The GoDogGo Fetch Machine Dog Ball Launcher is great for anyone who’s on the lookout for an automatic ball launcher that’s easy to bring anywhere. 

This ball launcher features a unique design, with a safety arc that enables it to launch balls in an upward direction, ensuring your dog won’t get accidentally hit in the face or eyes, and an ergo bucket with a wide mouth, making it easy for your dog to return the ball. 

Another thing we like about the design is that the launching mechanism isn’t internal, so there’s no enclosed tube for the ball to potentially get stuck in. There are also handles on the bucket for easy carrying. 

It’s very compact, lightweight, and capable of holding 17 pieces of 2.5-inch balls for large dogs and 23 pieces of 1.5-inch small balls for puppies and smaller dogs. 

One of the best things about this machine is its customizability. You can choose to launch it anywhere from 15 to 40 feet using the low, medium, and high settings using the controls at the bottom of the unit. 

The low setting is perfect for our small backyard as it launches the ball around 10-15 feet, while the high setting launches from 30 to 40 feet, which is great for larger spaces like parks or beaches.  

Located at the back is the control panel that has the charging port, the power button, and the select button for various time intervals. You can also use the remote control that’s included to launch manually or select from 4, 7, and 15-second intervals for automatic launching. With continuous ball launching, our dogs no longer have to fight over one ball! 

Included in the unit is one set of three different types of balls. We’ve tried them all, along with other types of balls that we have lying around, and it works with everything from regular tennis balls to racquetballs. We also found that the rubber ball launches the farthest.

However… 

We have to say that this machine isn’t something we would recommend for indoor use. We tried it once inside our home, and even in the lowest setting, it’s just so powerful that it hit our ceiling! 

The tennis balls are also less durable than the rubber ball, which is something to keep in mind.

We’ve always been huge fans of the original K9 Kannon from Hyper Pet, but we always thought some improvements wouldn’t hurt. That’s why we were happy when the company announced the newer version, the Hyper Pet Dog Ball Launcher. 

Compared to its predecessor, this toy gun is more durable, has a more comfortable grip, and has two extra storage for tennis balls instead of only one. It has a simple design with minimal parts and features large rubber bands, which make the pull-back easier while providing excellent power. The ball storage allows for continuous ball launching, so your dog won’t get bored.

It comes with one Hyper Pet tennis ball, which has a bright color to make it easy for your dog to spot, whether in the sand or on a grassy field.

This toy gun has an adjustable launch power and distance, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. How powerful and far the throw will depend on how many clicks you pull back the lever. 

For indoor use, we suggest up to three clicks, unless you want to break something at your home. On the other hand, you can do up to 9 clicks for outdoor use, which is the maximum, depending on how far you want the ball to go. 

In our experience, two clicks can launch up to 20 feet, three clicks up to 40 feet, and the farthest it was able to launch tennis balls is up to 60 feet. It also shoots high when aimed at an upward angle, but the kind of ball used can affect how far the ball will go. 

Furthermore…

It’s so easy to load this toy gun with balls— you won’t even have to bend over or use your hands! Just push down the ball with the end of the gun, pull the lever, and the ball is loaded. We like how easily the barrel fits over the ball no matter how slobbery the ball gets,  

But remember: 

To ensure it holds up well for a long time, don’t leave it outside where the weather and elements can do damage to it. We once made the mistake of leaving it outside on our porch during summer, and the rubber band broke. We got a second one, and it’s still working even after three years of use. 

There’s also a break-in period where it doesn’t shoot very far, but that only lasted for several weeks.

And last on our list is the Nerf Dog 16-Inch Blaster, which is another good option if you prefer toy gun-type ball launchers. 

Weighing only 2.03 pounds, this offering from Nerf Dog is made from top-grade materials resulting in an ultra-lightweight, durable, water-resistant, and weather-resistant product. 

We used this many times already, especially on beach trips, and we never have to worry about it being damaged by water.  

Operating it is a piece of cake, as well: Pull back on the handle, load your ball, then shoot. And it can shoot up to 50 feet! We love using it to play with our tireless Border Collie puppy as it holds smaller balls. 

But so far…

The only thing we don’t like is that the elastic band would be hard to replace once it snaps. It seems very durable, though, so we’re not worried about it for now.

The ball can get stuck inside too, so if your dog is a slobberer, we suggest having extra balls with you when using this.

The PetPrime Dog Automatic Ball Launcher is another great option for puppies and small dogs. It’s constructed from thick ABS plastic material that’s sturdy and weather-resistant. It features non-slip legs with rubber feet, which are easy to glue on in case your puppy chewed on them. 

It comes with three 2-inch mini tennis balls that fit perfectly in our puppy’s small mouth. The balls are very small, about the size of ping pong balls, but they have a bit of weight to them. While this machine is suitable for dogs of all ages, we wouldn’t recommend them for big dogs as the small balls can be a choking hazard. 

This ball launcher can be used either indoors or outdoors, owing to the adjustable distance settings. It allows you to adjust the shooting distance from 10 feet up to 30 feet; however, you will need to use the included AC adapter if you want to go for the maximum shooting distance.

What’s more…

We like that the ball shoots at an upward angle, which reduces the risk of the ball going straight to your dog’s face. It makes a little sound before launching a ball, but it’s not very loud; it’s more like a dull, vibrating sound that stops once the ball has been launched, so it shouldn’t scare your dog. 

It’s very easy to operate, as well— the design is similar to that of a baseball launcher. Still, it includes an instruction manual for anyone new to automatic dog ball throwers.

Just a warning:  

The maximum distance can drop to 8 meters once the machine is already running out of battery. For this reason, we highly suggest that you always bring the charger with you, even when you’re operating it with the required six C batteries (not included).

And the balls can get stuck in the machine if they get too frayed or there’s too much loose fuzz, but we were able to avoid that by regularly trimming them.

Is your playtime getting a bit boring and predictable for your dog? You can add some excitement by trying out the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster Dog Toy. 

This toy gun is actually easier to operate than it looks— simply pull back on the handle, stuff the ball in, then take a shot. The shooting distance is totally adjustable for different environments, depending on how far you pull the trigger. 

It doesn’t require any power source— no need for batteries or a power cord to run this, which we find very convenient. It’s spring-loaded and features an ergonomic handle, which makes shooting easier.

And we were surprised at how far this thing can shoot! It can launch balls up to 50 feet in the air, and it feels satisfying to pull the trigger and watch the ball fly in the air.  

Now, while we love playing with our dogs, it can get very messy, too; it’s unavoidable that the balls get sopping wet or muddy during playtime. But the good news is that you won’t have to pick up the ball with your bare hands when using this toy. Just poke the ball with the barrel to reload! There’s also a loop that you can use for small attachments. 

And better yet… 

It comes with a standard tennis ball, but it works with other brands as long as the ball is 2.5 inches in diameter or smaller. We love how it doesn’t jam up even with dirty or wet balls, though, of course, the ball still needs to be cleaned after every use.

This toy is great for all breed sizes, as the ball size is big enough not to be a choking hazard for larger dogs.  

Just a warning: 

It can be addictive! Our dogs were very wary of the noise it made at first, but once they got over it, they quickly became obsessed with this toy, so much so that we even had to hide it from them once playtime was over! 

It can be tricky to use at first, but once you get the hang of it, it will give you and your dogs hours of fun. Also, while the ball that comes with it can withstand almost anything, including being tossed around, don’t let your dog chew on it too much, as it can break easily. If your dog is a hardcore chewer, definitely stock up on lots of tennis balls.