Baseball radar guns are used by coaches and umpires as they are helpful in measuring a pitch’s speed or the ball’s speed when pitched, thrown, or hit.
If you or your team need to improve your hitting or pitching speed, then you should consider getting one.
Most manufacturers are focused on producing radar guns that are 100% accurate.
But do they really work?
Find out here in our review of some of the best baseball radar guns.
Discover the Best Baseball Radar Guns of 2023
Product | Speciality | Our Ratings | Price |
Pocket Radar Ball Coach Gun | Offers handsfree operation | ||
Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun | Long battery life | ||
Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun | Point and squeeze trigger system | ||
Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar | Excellent Accuracy & Instant feedback | ||
JUGS Baseball Radar Gun | Data port for transferring data |
The List of Some Top Baseball Radar Guns in 2023
Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun
The Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun is a point-and-shoot radar gun pistol. This baseball pitch speed radar gun has a +/- 1.0 MPH (2 KMP) level of accuracy.
It can be used for baseball, softball, and tennis practices because it has a range of 10 to 110 mph (90 feet away). Moreover, the Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun can be used to measure car speed since it has a range of 10 to 200 mph (1,500 feet away).
The Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun product measures 4.3 x 8.4 x 6 inches and weighs 19 ounces. It has a large and bright LCD display, which makes it easier to read the speed even if the sun is really high. I can imagine having trouble while taking the readings in bright sunlight and can definitely vouch for its display.
This pitching speed gun comes with a “point and squeezes trigger system.” It consists of lining the gun with the object and pulling the trigger. Thanks to this system, the Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun is quite easier to use.
This radar gun operates on 2 Alkaline C batteries. The Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun with a display can do at least 500 readings before the battery dies. Remember to put the batteries on the negative side facing you and the positive side inserted at the tip.
The Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun comes with a 2-year warranty.
Still, people have had some complaints about the Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun. Some say this product doesn’t do accurate readings. The difference is 3 – 5 MPH compared to other products.
Other people have complained about its distance range. They claimed the Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun doesn’t do proper readings from 90 feet away. Moreover, they have said the product only works if you stand as close as 30 – 35 feet away.
The Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun is a good radar gun for Little Leagues baseball coaches. Its price is quite reasonable compared to other radar guns. Additionally, this product is perfect for beginners since it’s easy to use.
Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun
The Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun is one of the most accurate radar guns on the market. This radar gun captures the exact pitching and baserunning speed simultaneously. It has a 300-foot range, further than Bushnell Velocity Speed Radar Gun.
This radar gun measures ball speed from 5 – 150 MPH. Moreover, the Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun has an accuracy of +/- 1 mph.
The Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun measures 6.5 x 3 x 8 inches and weighs 1.75 pounds. It uses 6 non-rechargeable Alkaline batteries. You can use this product for almost 20 hours in a row without worrying if it will turn off.
The Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun has a point-and-shoot system which makes it very easy to use. Moreover, it comes with a 1-year warranty. I think the warranty period could’ve been a little bit longer and in my opinion, it can be a letdown for many people.
Another splendid feature of the Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun is its concurrent radar and stopwatch operation. You’ll be able to record pitching and baserunning speed at two separate windows, and you can check this information afterward.
But the Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun also has its cons. First, this radar can only record your last 5 pitches when it’s on. Once you turn it off, this information is gone forever. Second, compared to other radar guns, this one is more expensive due to its features.
The Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun is a high-quality product for coaches who work in the major leagues. It has been said this is the go-to product for 30 Major League Baseball teams all over the world. I recommend you this radar gun if you’re interested in a product of higher quality.
Pocket Radar Ball Coach Gun
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach is entirely different from the ones we have reviewed before. This radar gun size is 2.3 x 4.7 x 0.8 inches and weighs 4.5 ounces. This is a resistant product since it’s made from the same “high-impact plastic” used in hockey helmets.
This radar gun measures 25 to 130 MPH (40 to 209 KPH). Furthermore, it has a range of 120 feet. The accuracy of the Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun is +/- 1 MPH (+/- 2 KPH).
You might think this radar gun is tiny, but it has dominant modes such as the Constant-On, Clear Memory, Changes Unit (MPH to KPH), and Immediate Shut-Down. The Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun can store up to 25 readings in its deep memory.
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun uses 2 Alkaline batteries. The battery life of this radar gun surpasses any other product since it can do 2,000 readings in “user-triggered” mode. By using rechargeable batteries (AAA NiMH), you can double up your readings.
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach comes with a belt holster case, a wrist strap, and 2 non-rechargeable Alkaline batteries. This product can be used in hands-free mode, but it doesn’t come with the tripod you might see in the photos.
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach was named the best radar gun at the 2014 American Baseball Coaches Association National Convention. Andy López, the three-time National Coach of the Year, said, “If you are looking to elevate player performance, you need to own the Ball Coach.”
The price of the Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun is not as high as you imagine. An excellent feature of a product with many complimentary reviews.
Does the Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun have any drawbacks? Its “easy automatic operation” might not be as smooth as it seems. Some people have complained the button is hard to press.
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun is an excellent product for Major League and Little League Baseball coaches.
Yes, I agree the product doesn’t seem as good as the others. But hey, considering the price of this gun, I think it’s a pretty good offering.
Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar
The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar is a small “microwave Doppler radar sensor” that measures a baseball swing’s speed. It can calculate the speed of objects going from 20 – 200 MPH (32 – 320 KMP).
It can be positioned within from 8 to 10 inches “from the tee or suspended from a batting cage or net.” The accuracy is +/- 1 MPH. The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar can display in MPH or KPH. I think the range could’ve been somewhat higher.
The size of this product is 7.2 x 5.4 x 4.6 inches. The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar weighs 10.2 ounces. The display type of this product consists of a 3-segment LCD. This product comes with a metal stand, which means you won’t need to hold it.
With the Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar, you can measure tempo time and swing speed separately or together.
The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar uses 3 AA Alkaline batteries. This radar turns off after 5 minutes of not being used.
As you can tell, this product doesn’t come as close to the others we have reviewed. The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar has the same accuracy, but it must be used close to the players. Moreover, this product doesn’t record readings.
Overall, the Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar is an excellent product for people who are just starting to be coaches. I think it’s great for practicing, but you have to resource other radar guns once you begin ascending in your job.
JUGS Baseball Radar Gun
The JUGS Baseball Radar Gun competes with the Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun for the title: of best radar gun for Major League Baseball coaches. The size of this radar gun is 14 x 10.8 x 4.2 inches, and it weighs 3 pounds. Now I can imagine some people may find its size a little too big.
This radar can work up to a 300 feet distance. The JUGS Baseball Radar Gun can measure the pitching and plate speed at the same time. This radar gun operates in 2 modes: Trigger and Continuous. I can imagine it’s an excellent distance coverage.
Trigger Mode is done while pulling the trigger. This mode can record the speed “on the radar gun for the duration you set in the menu.” The default time is 5 seconds. In the Continuous Mode of the JUGS Baseball Radar Gun, you can pull the trigger twice, and the radar gun will read the pitch automatically, and “the speed of the pitch automatically then clears itself to read the speed of the next pitch.”
This radar gun can recall the last 5 pitches made by the player. The JUGS Baseball Radar Gun uses 6 NiMH rechargeable batteries that last a week. These batteries are completely recharged in 2 hours.
This radar gun has a data port for transmitting recorded information to a computer.
The JUGS Baseball Radar Gun has a speed range of 5 – 140 MPH. The speed can be displayed at MPH or KPH. Moreover, this radar gun has an accuracy index of +/- 0.5 MPH.
I think the biggest drawback of this gun is its price. The JUGS Baseball Radar Gun is even more expensive than the Stalker Sport 2 Radar Gun.
According to the JUGS website, this radar gun is the “main tool in discovering new pitching prospects.” I do think it is an excellent tool for Major League Baseball coaches due to its features and price.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Radar Gun for Baseball
Distance
Distance is an essential feature to consider when purchasing a radar gun for baseball. Do you know at which distance you are going to be standing? Are you going to be right behind the home plate or further away?
It’s important to determine your position as a baseball coach, which means: Are you a Major League Baseball coach or a Little League Baseball coach?
Radar Guns for Major League Baseball Coach
If you’re going to be scouting for Major League Baseball players, I am pretty sure you’ll need a radar gun with a higher distance range. The higher range comes with higher prices.
Radar Guns for Little League Baseball Coach
If you’re a peewee-level coach, you won’t need a radar gun with a higher distance range. In this case, you can opt for other options.
Purpose
Every radar gun has an objective. In this case, I’m looking to offer you the best baseball radar guns. That’s the reason why I need to take into consideration elements like pitch speed improvement, base running speed improvement, and session reviewing.
Accuracy
An accurate radar gun is a gun to judge the speed and trajectory of the ball much better. Usually, accurate guns are more expensive. As you might already know, the only way of knowing if a radar one is accurate is by comparing its performance with other radar guns.
So, whatever gun you purchase, I think you should make sure to check the accuracy of that radar gun.
Review Training
The best radar guns have the possibility of recording your progress. This is essential for keeping a track of your pitch speed.
Battery Life
It’s essential to understand how the radar is powered. Some radar guns use rechargeable batteries. When purchasing this type of radar gun, you must know which batteries the device uses and the size. Additionally, you must test the product to see how long the batteries last.
Also, I would recommend you get some lithium batteries. They are light and offer much better battery performance than their alkaline counterparts.
Portability
Radar guns come in varied sizes. These products can be as small as the Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun (4.6 x 0.8 x 2.3 inches) or as big as the Jugs Baseball Radar Gun (14 x 10.8 x 4.2 inches). A bigger size doesn’t imply better performance.
Price
You must calculate the budget you have for buying a radar gun. Depending on your estimated budget, you’ll be able to decide which radar gun is better for you.
FAQ about Speed Measuring Guns
How does a Speed Camera or Radar Gun Work to Measure Pitching speed?
You may have thought about it like how a radar gun quickly measures the speed of a pitch from 20 to 30 feet away. The answer is a little technical.
The antenna present in the radar gun sends a signal, and some energy from that signal bounces off the baseball, and it comes back to the sensors of the speed-measuring gun. Then, after doing the calculations, it measures the accurate pitching speed on the display screen.
Even, the radar guns used by police to measure fast-moving objects and guns in other sports work on the same principle.
Do Radar Guns Accurately Measure Pitching Speed?
The answer is Yes. Whether you use a radar gun to measure pitching speed or any moving object, you can trust its accuracy.
In general, you can expect 1 mile per hour more or less on the real speed. This is a general idea because some expensive speed guns are so accurate that they can measure the difference of up to 1/10 mile per hour.
So, the more you spend, the more accurate your speed-measuring gun will be. But, even for an affordable pitching speed gun, it’ll be pretty reasonable for a normal sportsperson.
They’re so accurate that in the past they have been used as evidence in court.
Which is the Best Radar Gun for Baseball?
I think the best speed gun for measuring pitching and hitting speed is Pocket Radar Gun. There are so many things that make it one of the best options for sportspersons.
Players need to improve their performance; therefore, they have to compare their pitching speed. With this device, you can not only accurately measure the speed; the built-in memory feature allows you to store up to 25 previous speed tests. So, you can compare your last 25 speeds, and observe how you perform.
Whether you play baseball, softball, volleyball, cricket, or hockey, you can use it and improve your performance to become better than yesterday.
Along with that, the compact design and easy-to-use functionality make it the favorite of coaches and players.
What is the Distance to Accurately Measure Pitching Speed with a Speed Gun?
A sports radar gun can precisely measure the speed from approximately 100 feet away. This is just a general estimate because this distance range depends on the price of the device.
I mean it’s pretty obvious that the expensive speed guns offer more distance range as compared to the budget-friendly ones.
Are radar guns used in MLB?
Yes, radar guns are used in the MLB. Not only in MLB and baseball leagues, but it is also used in other sports like tennis, volleyball, cricket, hockey, and more.
Can I Use my Baseball Speed Gun for Softball and Other Sports?
Yes, the same velocity speed gun that you use to measure pitching speed and hitting speed can be used for other sports like softball, volleyball, tennis, etc. Not only tennis, but you can also measure any fast-moving object like any vehicle.
Along with that, you can use these devices for practice. For example, you can use a speed gun to measure your hitting speed when you’re practicing using it alone in your backyard.
Final Words
Taking this information into consideration, I believe the best choice you can opt for is the Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun. This is the best radar gun for baseball pitching because it complies with the requirements of the Little and Major Baseball League.
Still, you can choose any radar gun that you like the best.
In any case, baseball radar guns are a helpful tool to help you improve your speed so make sure to invest in the best ones.
There are a few things that you need to consider before buying baseball radar guns. Likewise, there are a ton of options in the market. To make a wise purchase, make sure to take into account the things we have talked about and check out the products mentioned above.
