best Ball Launchers for dogs
Updated November 2020
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
- As Good As It Gets
- Best On A Budget
Bottom Line
Strong nylon design. Will work with many medium-sized fetch balls, but works best with Chuckit! Brand balls.
Automatic ball launcher that accommodates tennis balls.
A ‘gun’ style ball launcher that’s fun for the whole family.
Lightweight portable fetching arm with a rubberized grip.
Highly popular automatic ball launcher that’s sure to please.
Pros
Established brand. High-quality construction will last for many years. Strong gripping action on the ball.
Sleek, minimalist design fitting for the home. Multiple levels of adjustment.
The simple spring-loaded design doesn’t require exertion on the part of the ‘thrower’
Simple and inexpensive, this allows the user to throw farther and faster while keeping their hands clean.
Clean sleek design. Low profile so works with even smaller breeds.
Cons
Unless you use Chuckit! Brand balls, some trial-and-error is required to find the right fit.
Can be difficult to find due to popularity.
Additional moving parts mean it can be prone to breaking, especially if dropped.
Not as long as some competitors, which means you’ll still have to stoop to pick up the balls.
Can be costly. Like all electronic devices, it can be prone to breaking.
- As Good As It Gets
ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher
Bottom Line
Strong nylon design. Will work with many medium-sized fetch balls, but works best with Chuckit! Brand balls.
Pros
Established brand. High-quality construction will last for many years. Strong gripping action on the ball.
Cons
Unless you use Chuckit! Brand balls, some trial-and-error is required to find the right fit.
- Best On A Budget
Pet Prime Dog Sport Ball Launcher with Telescoping Handle
Bottom Line
Automatic ball launcher that accommodates tennis balls.
Pros
Sleek, minimalist design fitting for the home. Multiple levels of adjustment.
Cons
Can be difficult to find due to popularity.
Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Ball Launcher Interactive Dog Toys
Bottom Line
A ‘gun’ style ball launcher that’s fun for the whole family.
Pros
The simple spring-loaded design doesn’t require exertion on the part of the ‘thrower’
Cons
Additional moving parts mean it can be prone to breaking, especially if dropped.
PAWISE Dog Ball Launcher Dog Fetch Toy Dog Tennis Ball Thrower
Bottom Line
Lightweight portable fetching arm with a rubberized grip.
Pros
Simple and inexpensive, this allows the user to throw farther and faster while keeping their hands clean.
Cons
Not as long as some competitors, which means you’ll still have to stoop to pick up the balls.
All for Paws Interactive Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy
Bottom Line
Highly popular automatic ball launcher that’s sure to please.
Pros
Clean sleek design. Low profile so works with even smaller breeds.
Cons
Can be costly. Like all electronic devices, it can be prone to breaking.
How We Decided
We scoured the internet, using our proprietary search to separate the signal from the noise across thousands of product reviews. Then we took the best of what we found and gave them to our army of dog-testers. Here’s the breakdown:
23
Models Considered
8
Hours Researched
1
Experts Interviewed
5
Consumer Consulted
Buying Guide For Best Dog Ball Launchers
Buying Guide For Best Dog Ball Launchers
Key Considerations
Caution
When employing a dog ball launcher, it’s important to ensure you have plenty of space at your disposal when using it. Because it can greatly increase the speed and distance you can throw, you might want to practice without your dog to ensure you get a sense of control.
Dog Ball Launcher Features
Expert Tip
Store your dog’s favorite fetch ball in the ball launcher when not in use. This will not only keep your dog from spreading outdoor dirt and germs around the house but will also prevent the frustration of searching for their fetch ball the next time you’re headed to the park.
Dog Ball Launcher Prices
Tips
To make sure you get the most out of your dog’s ball launcher, here are a few things to consider:
- Practice using it beforehand to get used to the mechanics and ensure safe play with your dog.
- Keep your hands clean by washing your dog’s fetch ball while in the launcher itself: just dunk the whole unit in a bucket of warm soapy water from time to time and rinse.
other products we Considered
NERF Dog Tennis Ball Blaster: A good option if you have young kids, this uses a spring-loaded ‘gun’ mechanism to launch purpose-designed tennis balls in your yard.
Chew King Fetch Balls And Launcher: A simple design complete with specially made balls, we like that this unit is fluter so that it can be stored upright in a corner or closet.
FAQ's
Do I Need To Use A Ball Launcher For Fetch?
You don’t have to use a ball launcher, but once many owners do, they never go back. For most owners, the repetitive act of throwing can increase strain and lead to injury (this is especially true if you have an athletic breed). Being able to throw farther with less effort allows for longer games of fetch and more enjoyment for your dog.
Should I Invest In An Automated Fetch Machine?
This is a luxury that’s entirely up to the owner. While nice if your dog spends a lot of time alone, the investment can be substantial for many people. There’s also the need to consider training your dog to use it since while many machines automatically throw the ball, they still require your dog to drop the ball back into the ‘hopper’ to ensure continuous fetching.
The Team That WOrked on This Review
Nitin Gupta
Chief Content Officer
JJ Resnick
Director of Growth
Erik Adler
Editorial Director