The Best Golf Launch Monitor for Every Budget
2021 saw the personal launch monitor category explode. Launch monitors went from being something that you could only use at high end fittings to something most golfers can afford. Plugged In Golf spent the year testing almost every major offering, so we’re wrapping things up by letting you know which ones we recommend at each price point, as well as naming the overall best value.
For those of you looking for a professional-grade unit, check out our review of the Foresight GCQUAD HERE
Best Launch Monitor – $2,000+
In the top price tier, our recommendation is the Full Swing KIT. This unit delivers professional grade accuracy in almost every metric at a price that’s roughly 20% of its competitors. It also has the ability to be used as a simulator. Another trait that sets it apart is that it can be used standalone, without an app or smart device.
Full review of the Full Swing KIT HERE
Buy the Full Swing KIT HERE
Best Launch Monitor – $500-$2,000
The Garmin R10 broke down the walls of what an affordable launch monitor can be. At under $600, it does virtually everything that the $2,000 Mevo Plus does: ball data, club data, simulation, and video-syncing. Garmin has built a wonderfully user-friendly app, and the set up of the R10 takes only seconds.
Full review of the Garmin Approach R10 HERE
Buy the Garmin Approach R10 for $599 HERE
Best Launch Monitor – Under $500
The Swing Caddie SC300i is easily the best launch monitor under $500 (retail is $500, but Plugged In Golf readers can get it for $449 at the link below). What I like best about the SC300i is that you can use it with or without your phone. For those that want to get to work as quickly as possible, just turn on the SC300i and drop it behind the ball. Syncing the device with the app gives you spin data, stores your shots, and allows for video analysis.
**UPDATE: The new Swing Caddie SC4 is our new favorite at $500. Review HERE
Full review of the Swing Caddie SC300i HERE
Buy the Swing Caddie SC300i for $449 HERE
Best Launch Monitor – Under $300
The Swing Caddie SC200 Plus delivers the best value for those who just need the basics. The SC200 Plus doesn’t have as many data points as the SC300i, nor does it sync with the Swing Caddie app, but it does measure swings without a ball which is great for speed training. The large, clear display makes it superior to other offerings in this price range.
Full review of the Swing Caddie SC200 Plus HERE
Buy the Swing Caddie SC200 Plus for $289 HERE
The Overall Champ
The Garmin R10 is the clear value champion. You have to spend over three times as much to get a handful of additional features, and even some of the $2,000 launch monitors lose to the R10 head-to-head. There are reasons to choose other launch monitors, but the R10 is our top recommendation for most golfers.
Full review of the Garmin Approach R10 HERE
Buy the Garmin Approach R10 for $599 HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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10 Comments
Matt – thanks for the great summary, based off your recommendations I will order the R10 through your link. Question: I live in San Antonio so golf is year round and have access to a practice area where I can hit my own balls outdoors. I am thinking of buying a quality turf mat to use outdoors in my practice sessions. In your experience as a fitter, are numbers more “accurate” hitting off a mat vs turf or does it matter? Thanks for the great work on PIG.
Odie,
Thank you.
I think spin can sometimes be a bit lower on mats, but I’ve never found the differences to be night and day. Some people complain about mats because they “forgive” fat shots, but I’ve never found that compelling. If you don’t know that you’ve hit it fat, the hitting surface isn’t the issue.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Why was the Rapsodo nit ncluded? I have been using one for 1 1/2-2 years and it works very well. Initially it was inconsistent with the longer clubs but after several software updates it works with almost no issues. I picked the Rapsodo because it showed the ball flight switching from the original Mevo.
Just curious.
Jeff Hemphill
Jeff,
We picked the best device at each price point. The Rapsodo MLM is a fine device, but the SC300i is better.
-Matt
I recently purchased the R10 along with the Mega Mat from Wittek Golf (which I believe was also reviewed here). I definitely know when I hit the ball well and when I don’t with that combo. Also enjoying the E6 software (with six free courses) that comes with the R10. Running it on an iPad Pro and it performs well on that platform.
Christmas is (almost) upon us again, so I would really, *really* appreciate it if you could update your “Best of” list !
Joachim,
Thanks for the request. I don’t know that an update to this piece is in the cards in the next month, but it’s something we may look at in 2025.
Is there a particular price range you’re looking to be in? If so, let me know and I can make some suggestions.
Best,
Matt
A priori, I would say around $600.00, preferably not more than $1,200.00 !
I would primarily like to use the device outdoors on the driving range, possibly also in my garden (not indoors, as my ceilings are too low for that … ! 🙄 ), and if I have the choice, I would prefer accurate and correct data.
That’s why I suspect that measured data is better than calculated data, but when I look at your reviews of the ES BS1 and the SC4 Pro, for example, that doesn’t always seem to be the case – does it … ?
I realize that camera-based systems may be better, but for the price, I can’t expect miracles anyway!
It would also be nice if the device could be updated so that it doesn’t become obsolete right away.
Oh, and I don’t want a device that requires additional “subscriptions” or “in-app purchases” (Garmin, Rapsodo, etc.)!
At the moment, I’m torn between the ES BS1 and the SC4 Pro: The BS1 has the advantage of measuring more data itself than the SC4 Pro, which “only” calculates most of it. However, most reviews – yours, too – indicate that the calculated data from the SC4 Pro can certainly keep up with the measured data from the BS1, so I’m currently leaning towards the SC4 Pro, but that could change at any moment, and I am open to all suggestions – I may end up with a completely different device, especially since development is advancing rapidly, both in terms of quality and price.
And as I said, Christmas is coming – as it always does … ! 😉
I might even be tempted if Flightscope launches the “Mevo Gen. 2” as a “+” version with the capabilities of the “Mevo +” at an attractive price … ! 😁
Regards,
Joachim.
Joachim,
Based on what you’ve said, I would recommend the SC4 Pro. The data is solid and it supports simulation. And there’s no subscription.
Best,
Matt
👍