There's nothing sweeter than spending some quality time with your pooch. Playing fetch is a great way to bond with your pet and squeeze in some exercise. But if you're bending, scooping, and lobbing the ball again and again, your arms are going to get very tired, very soon. Not to mention, your hands are going to get covered with dog slobber!
That's why a ball launcher is a great investment. They come in a variety of sizes and are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Our top pick is the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster, which makes playing fetch a lot of fun for the dog and its human. Below you'll see that we have already gone through all the factors that make a ball launcher worth buying and have compiled a list below for you and your canine friend.
Check out our nine best recommendations when it comes to manual ball launchers. While this list focuses on manual launchers, automatic launchers are also available.
Editor's note: Though we mention automatic ball launchers in our buying guide, we weren't able to find reliable products on the current market. When reliable ones become available, we will update this article accordingly.
$15.99
Dog size | All sizes |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Tennis balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
31367
$11.09
Dog size | All sizes |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Proprietary balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
26M
$9.92
Dog size | All sizes |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Tennis balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
Full size
$19.95
Dog size | Large to medium |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Tennis balls |
Uses | Indoor and outdoor |
$13.99
Dog size | All sizes |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Tennis balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
$12.95
Dog size | All sizes - options available |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Tennis balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
$20.00
Dog size | Larger dogs |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Proprietary and tennis balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
2.5 in. balls
$18.99
Dog size | All sizes - options available |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Proprietary balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
$25.00
Dog size | Small dogs |
---|---|
Power type | Manual |
Ball type | Proprietary balls |
Uses | Outdoor |
Image | 1 ![]() Nerf Dog | 2 ![]() Chuckit! | 3 ![]() Chuckit! | 4 ![]() Hyper Pet | 5 ![]() Franklin Sports | 6 ![]() Hyper Pet | 7 ![]() Hyper Pet | 8 ![]() Chew King | 9 ![]() Chuckit! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Tennis Ball Blaster | Pro Max Glow Ball Launcher | Classic Ball Launcher | K9 Kannon K2 | Ready Set Fetch Launcher | Throw-N-Go | Ball Launcher | Ball Launcher | Small Ball Launcher |
Features | You and Your Dog's New Nerf Obsession | Play Fetch With Your Dog Even After Dark | A Beloved Thrower in a Medium Size | A Fun Way to Exercise Your Pet | Comfort and Fun in One Toy | Travel-Friendly Fun for Your Furry Buddy | Something to Keep You and Your Dog Entertained | No Worrying About Finding the Right Size Ball | Big Fun for Smaller Dogs |
Price | $15.99 | $11.09 | $9.92 | $19.95 | $13.99 | $12.95 | $20.00 | $18.99 | $25.00 |
Dog size | All sizes | All sizes | All sizes | Large to medium | All sizes | All sizes - options available | Larger dogs | All sizes - options available | Small dogs |
Power type | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Ball type | Tennis balls | Proprietary balls | Tennis balls | Tennis balls | Tennis balls | Tennis balls | Proprietary and tennis balls | Proprietary balls | Proprietary balls |
Uses | Outdoor | Outdoor | Outdoor | Indoor and outdoor | Outdoor | Outdoor | Outdoor | Outdoor | Outdoor |
Link |
Below we have some points that are good to keep in mind as you're shopping for your new ball launcher.
Ball launchers for dogs can be manual or automatic. There are plenty of options you can choose from depending on your lifestyle, where you live and the type of dog you have.
An automatic ball launcher is great way to get your dog some exercise without sacrificing your arm. Automatic ball launchers can be programmed to throw balls at different speeds and distances depending on the needs of your pup.
Some automatic ones can also be loaded with multiple balls at a single time, which is handy if you have more than one dog to keep happy. Though launchers that can throw multiple balls are pretty convenient, it does mean a little more time on clean up.
Many can be used even by the dog itself. This is an excellent way to keep your dog occupied when you are not at home. Also, you can keep your hands free of dog slobber and go about your business as your pet learns to load the launcher by itself.
The latest automatic ball launchers come with features like motion sensors that ensure the ball doesn't hit anyone or any pet. Also, they can be programmed to make sure the animal gets some rest and doesn't tire itself out. Unfortunately, in our research, we discovered that these features don't always work as they're supposed to.
Automatic ball launchers, like pretty much all electronics, can also be somewhat unreliable. They can make a loud noise when they release the ball, which can scare some dogs. If you want to go for an automatic ball launcher, we advise reading reviews very carefully and using it while your pet is supervised.
Manual ball launchers great to get some one-on-one bonding time with your dog. They are cheaper than automatic ones and don't need any electricity or batteries. Since they are human-powered, you may need to be patient as your pet won't be satisfied after only a couple of throws.
Gun-style ball launchers are a good investment as they can throw a ball long distances. They don't require much effort except a pull of a trigger. Though some launchers let you scoop the ball off the ground, you may have to touch a ball covered with dirt and dog drool.
If you decide to get a thrower style, you can scoop the ball from the ground, keeping your hands drool free. However, these types of launchers can be quite tiring to use, especially if you have a large or very active dog.
When choosing a ball launcher for your dog, think about what would be appropriate for the size of your dog. Larger dogs can go longer distances and jump higher than smaller dogs. For such pets, select a ball launcher that will present a little bit of a challenge to your dog as they attempt to catch the ball.
On the other hand, you don't want to lose your small pooch somewhere beyond the horizon if you send a ball too far. If you plan on getting a automatic dog launcher, get one which can be programmed for small sized dogs. You can even consider mini-ball launchers that are better for breeds like maltipoo and pugs.
There are many options for ball launchers and you can find a perfect one whether you live in an apartment with no outdoor area or if you have a yard with plenty of space to run around.
If you live in an apartment, think of how far the ball can go without causing too much destruction. You won't need a very powerful launcher that sends a ball 40 feet. Fortunately, there are many automatic launchers that are specially designed for indoor use.
However, most people enjoy using launchers outdoors. As you can switch the direction and angle at will, it gives your dog an element of surprise and keeps it mentally alert while playing. Automatic launchers also come with programs which vary the direction and angle. They can be used outdoors as well as indoors to entertain your furry friend.
Tennis balls are popular for dogs, but they aren't very good for their health. But with supervised play and limited time, tennis balls can be given to your dog. Many launchers, both manual and automatic, can use ordinary tennis balls in addition to proprietary balls but be sure to check before purchase.
Getting a launcher that can use tennis balls can be advantageous. If you lose them in parks or your dog just tends to destroy them, you can replace these types of balls without too much worry. However, some launchers only use proprietary balls.
When buying a launcher, check what type of balls can be used and if you can substitute tennis balls with more dog-friendly ones.
A healthy dog is a happy dog! Check out our other recommendations below to keep your pooch going physically and mentally.
Spending quality time with our pets by playing fetch is an amazing bonding exercise. It's good for both the human and the dog. By investing in a ball launcher, you will keep your dog well exercised, making sure it's healthy and happy.
When looking for a launcher, keep in mind whether you want to go for the manual or automatic type. There are plenty of options available depending on the size of your dog, where you plan to use it and what type of balls would be good to use. These small considerations will make sure your dog is active and engaged.
Author: Amena Rahman
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