Best Golf Launch Monitors Under $500
A golf launch monitor can give you some great data about your golf swing, your ball flight, and what things you need to work on in your game. Years ago, an accurate launch monitor could cost you $10,000 or more. Today there are multiple launch monitors on the market for less than $500. You may have to give up on a feature here and there, but for the most part, this is some incredible technology for a really fair price.
Best Overall: Flightscope Mevo
https://www.amazon.com/FlightScope-Mevo-Portable-Personal-Monitor/dp/B07L52KP31/
The Flightscope Mevo is hands down the best launch monitor you can find for less than $500. This unit can be used as part of a golf simulator or on its own at a driving range. With the impressive technology in the Flightscope Mevo, you can use it both indoors and outdoors.
There are 8 data parameters that the launch monitor will read after each of your swings. This includes things like distance and spin ratings. With the 3D doppler radar launch monitor technology, the accuracy is also really impressive.
If you want to take things a bit further you can enjoy the Mevo Skills Challenges that they have set up for a long drive and range competition. The Flightscope Mevo Plus is a more advanced model of this launch monitor, but it comes in well beyond the $500 mark.
Pros
- A lightweight and portable option
- It can be used on the driving range or with an indoor golf simulator
- 8 total parameters measured
- Skills challenges to participate in
Cons
- Does not measure any swing path data
Best For New Player: Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
https://www.amazon.com/Rapsodo-Mobile-Launch-Monitor-Only/dp/B07T91KFMP/
The Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is our favorite option for golfers that are new to the game. However, you can use this for many years, not just when you first start. We like it for a new player because you can get great feedback, share things with professionals and then learn to shoot better scores.
With the Rapsodo Mobile Launch monitor, all you need to do is pair up your phone or iPad, and the rest will take care of itself. The immediate feedback gives you quick and relevant information about your game, and you will learn what areas need the most attention.
Pros
- Allows for more focused practice
- Easy to keep track of progress
- Immediate feedback
- Works with iPad or iPhone
Cons
- Need the phone in order to display data
Best Value: PRGR Pocket Launch Monitors
https://www.amazon.com/PRGR-Pocket-Launch-Monitor-HS-130A/dp/B097DWG9MN/
The PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor is the best value out there. We will warn you that this is not the fanciest or most impressive-looking launch monitor, but if you want accurate data, this will do it. The things that the PRGR measures include swing speed, ball speed, carry distance, total distance, and even smash factor.
For those that play multiple sports, the PRGR will be a good option to consider bringing from the ballpark to the driving range. Even though you may not have heard of this particular brand, it has been around for more than 40 years, and they have a strong 1-year warranty behind them.
You can choose between yards and meters on this launch monitor for those that play golf with the metric system.
Pros
- Very accurate for the price
- Will capture almost all shots with very little delay
- Strong reputation in the industry
Cons
- Not connected to an app or Wifi device
Best For Ease Of Use: Voice Caddie Swing Caddie SC300i
https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Caddie-SC300i-Portable-Monitor/dp/B0914JC67B/
The Voice Caddie Swing Caddie SC300i is the best option for the golfer that does not want to be continually looking at a phone or a device to check their data. The Voice Caddie will even let you know what your total yardage was by repeating it to you after you take your shot.
This particular model will measure swing speed, ball speed, carry/total distance, smash factor, launch angle, apex, and spin. In addition, it has swing video recording capability. You can then take your swing and put in lines and positions to know exactly where you need to work on your game.
With the remote control and the LCD screen, you will find that the Voice Caddie Swing Caddie has a lot to offer for the price.
Pros
- Great data provided
- The unit will say the yardages after you hit
- Works very well outdoors
Cons
- The screen can sometimes be hard to see when hitting in the sunlight
Best Cheap Launch Monitor: Swing Caddie SC 200 Plus
https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Caddie-Swing-SC200-Plus/dp/B07R8JV36B/
We know you are trying to keep the price down when looking for launch monitors under $500; however, this Swing Caddie SC 200 Plus will bring your pricing down well below $500. If you never had a launch monitor before and are not sure how much you will even use it, give the Swing Caddie SC 200 Plus a try.
One of our favorite features of the Swing Caddies SC 200 Plus is that you can set it up to work in a practice swing speed mode. If you have always felt like your practice swing was better than your regular swing, you will now be able to find out for sure!
The things that the SC200 will measure include carry distance, swing speed, ball speed, and smash factor. The range on this is 320 yards, so most golfers can use this without reaching the maximum limit.
Pros
- Voice distance output
- Practice mode option
- Fair pricing
- Accurate results
Cons
- Video is not an option
Best For Multiple Sports: Ernest Sports ESB1 Launch Monitor
https://www.amazon.com/Ernest-Sports-ESB1-Launch-Monitor/dp/B08CZXYSQG/
Ernest Sports is a trusted brand throughout the world of sports. This Ernest Sports ESB1 Launch Monitor is a smart choice for those that are playing several different sports. It’s also a bit more limited in its features but excels in its accuracy.
The rechargeable lithium battery gives you hours of practice time on the range. With the screen on the top of the unit, you can simply look at your numbers for ball speed, club speed, smash factor, spin rate, launch angle, and distance.
We like the way you can work this model independently or with the iOS ESB1 App. Having the two options increases overall functionality.
Pros
- Rechargeable battery
- Nice range of data provided
- Allows golfers to compare PGA and LPGA Tour averages
Cons
- Doesn’t allow for the same amount of record and data keeping that other launch monitors do
What To Look For In The Best Golf Launch Monitors Under $500
Golf launch monitors in the less than $500 category have some similar characteristics, but there are a few key features that you should look for before you invest in one of these launch monitors.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Golf launch monitors can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, some units work better indoors vs. outdoors. Before you decide on which launch monitor is the best for your needs, make sure you check the compatibility with indoor and outdoor use.
This is especially important for golfers that have a simulator setup and want to connect their launch monitor to the simulator.
Data Parameters
There are data parameters that each launch monitor has. The basics are just distance and speed. However, there are some benefits to understanding spin rates as well as different types of distance measurements.
Distance measurements can include total distance, carry distance, and roll distance. Some of the more accurate launch monitors in the game will give you the difference between total distance and carry distance, so you know which clubs to hit over a hazard.
The more data parameters a launch monitor has, the more money it will cost.
Wifi/App Installed
Some launch monitors have an app that goes with them. The app can allow you to check your data and see how you are improving. In addition, you can then send some of your data to a golf coach or professional.
Having the wifi capabilities is a great feature. However, some people like getting to use a launch monitor without needing their phone. Something like the Ernest ESB1 displays the data directly on the launch monitor, so you won’t need to worry about bringing your phone along if you don’t want to.
Video Recording
Having a video of your golf swing in addition to the data that was recorded is beneficial when working through a problem in your game. The video recording can often be saved and then used to help you in the future by seeing how much progress you have made.
With a video recording, you will sometimes be able to put in another golfers swing or draw lines to check on your swing plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the best golf launch monitors under $500. With launch monitors continuing to come down in price, 2022 could be your year to grab one that will benefit your game.
What is the best affordable golf launch monitor?
The best affordable launch monitor is the Flightscope Mevo. The Flightscope Mevo has some of the accuracies of the higher-end launch monitors for a very fair price. This small unit can fit in your golf bag and travel with you to the golf course and back home again.
Is it worth buying a golf launch monitor?
Buying a launch monitor is well worth the money for golfers that are working on improving their game. If you always thought you hit your 7 iron 150 yards, but it turns out you only hit it 140, you may be able to club yourself better the next time you go out on the course.
For players that play the game of golf for fun and are not all that concerned about taking the next steps towards lower scores or game improvement, then the launch monitor is not really worth the money.
Is Mevo plus better than SkyTrak?
The Mevo Plus and the SkyTrak have great reviews. However, with recent updates and changes to the Mevo Plus, many are finding this to be a more user-friendly model that has great compatibility both indoors and outdoors.
Do Launch monitors improve your golf?
A launch monitor can improve your golf if you can take the data from the launch monitor and turn it into usable information for your swing. Without understanding the data like spin rates and smash factor you won’t be able to properly analyze what needs to change in your game.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel confident about the options for the best golf launch monitors under $500. The Flightscope Mevo is the hands-down favorite, but the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor also offers some great features. The key here is to choose something that is affordable but still accurate. There is no sense in purchasing a launch monitor that is cheap but gives you terrible accuracy and inconsistent results. With the Mevo, you won’t have to worry about that. After a few years, you may even decide to upgrade to the Mevo+.