Launch monitors are becoming more and more accessible for the average golfer. Gone are the days of only having access to a launch monitor when paying for a custom golf fitting. Today launch monitors are affordable, and they are readily available for a simulator set up at your home. Let’s look at the top affordable golf launch monitors for 2023 and which one could be the right fit for you.
The best budget golf launch monitors are:
- Indoor home simulator – Flightscope Mevo+
- Distance control & gaining distance – FlightScope Mevo
- Indoor with limited space – SkyTrak
- Budget swing speed monitor – SwingCaddy SC300
Flightscope Mevo+
The Flightscope Mevo+ is our favorite affordable golf launch monitor. The setup for this unit is easy, the data parameters give golfers almost all the information that they could want from a launch monitor (now including club head data), and the setup is effortless. If you have been on the fence about the launch monitor and whether or not it is the right investment for you, the Flightscope Mevo+ could seal the deal.
Key features
- 17 different practice ranges
- 5 simulated golf courses
- 16 data parameters (Pro add on for an extra 11 parameters)
- Indoor and outdoor capabilities
- Wifi-enabled
- Accurate results and quick setup
Data & Functionality
The Flightscope Mevo+ gives access to 16 data parameters. These include carry distance, clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, spin rate, spin axis, spin loft, angle of attack, horizontal launch angle, vertical launch angle, lateral landing, shot shape, total distance, roll, and flight time, and height. For an affordable golf launch monitor, this is a lot of data.
Now you can also buy the pro add on that adds another 11 club parameters (see below). These aren’t necessary if you want to run a home golf simulator, but we’d recommend them if you are planning a long winter working on your technique.
- Club Path
- Face to Path/ Target
- Vertical/Horizontal Swing Plane
- Low Point
- Dynamic Loft
- Vertical Descent Angle
- Curve
- Speed Profile
- Acceleration Profile
Most importantly, the data that the Flightscope Mevo+ provides will allow for accurate use with a simulator. With the Flightscope Mevo+, you get access to the iOS E6 Connect to display practice games, driving ranges, and even 5 golf courses.
However you like to practice and work on your game, you can do it with the Mevo+.
Usability & portability
The Flightscope Mevo+ is easy to set up and a super portable launch monitor. It can be used indoors or outdoors. The accuracy for both indoor and outdoor use is very good as long as you meet the minimum requirements (see below), but the indoor setup takes a bit more time to ensure you are properly aligned with your target line.
The Mevo+ is equipped with a camera which makes it easy to line the launch monitor up to its target. Flightscope suggests that indoors you attached the small sliver discs to the golf ball – this helps the launch monitor accurately measure spin rate and axis.
You can use it indoors without these discs, but you’ll find a few shots fly 20-30 yards further than normal, as backspin levels are underestimated. With the discs on the Flightscope Mevo + is incredibly impressive and comparable to a $10 – $15k launch monitor for most golfers, even in short indoor mode
Minimum requirements for good use
For outdoor practice, your setup with the Flightscope Mevo+ is quite simple you need an iPhone/iPad to run the analysis. Indoors you must have 8 feet of ball flight and 8 feet behind the golf ball. This makes it a bit tricky if you have a small space for your indoor simulator. Furthermore, you’ll need the metal discs (these come included) for accurate distances inside.
The Mevo+ has a few different modes, and you will need to adjust the mode for the indoor or outdoor setup you have in place. In testing, this is simple to do, and the results for indoor and outdoor modes are highly consistent when the discs are used indoors.
There is a feature that also allows you to adjust for the height of your golf mat to ensure that the camera angle collects the proper data parameters from the perfect impact position. Again, if you are after accurate data, an extra 30 seconds spent here is well worth your time.
Accuracy
The Flightscope Mevo+ is not as accurate as a Trackman or a Foresight X3 golf launch monitor, but it really isn’t far off! When set up correctly it is more accurate than nearly every other value type launch monitors. The key here is that there are 16 data parameters that this Flightscope Mevo+ collects, with the option of another 11 club head variables with the Pro package add-on. With many launch monitors collecting 6-8, the difference in class is noticeable.
Value
Before the Flightscope Mevo+ came out, the golfing world was quite impressed with the value of the Flightscope Mevo. When Mevo+ was first released, it seemed as though this was an expensive upgrade.
However, when considering the usability and functionality of this model, it’s easy to see why it stands out as the best on the market. Yes, you will pay more for this launch monitor than you do a Flightscope Mevo or a Swing Caddie, but this is a tool that will hope you practice, work on your swing and will even run a home simulator!
Golf Insider verdict
If you are serious about getting better or are setting up a home golf simulator and you want a solution that will have strong technology, impressive accuracy, and remain affordable, the Flightscope Mevo+ is the way to go. The portability, the fact that it comes with iOS E6 Connect, and the data parameters it collects easily move the Mevo+ to the top of our list of best budget golf launch monitors.
FlightScope Mevo
The FlightScope Mevo is an affordable golf launch monitor that will help you measure distance and swing speed with full confidence. If you are ready to take your golf game and understanding of swing mechanics to the next level, the Flightscope Mevo could be the tool to do it with.
Key features
- Indoor and outdoor functionality
- Very small and portable
- Easy setup
- Great UX
- Good battery life
- Pairs with phone or tablet to capture video
- 8 valuable data parameters
- Saves video to analyze progress
- Lightweight and portable Doppler radar
Data & functionality
The Flightscope Mevo is only a fraction of the price of the Flightscope Mevo+. This launch monitor can capture carry distance, clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, vertical launch angle, spin, apex height, and flight time.
This makes it perfect for working on strike, distance control or gaining distance. There is no club head data, and no lateral error data – these are the key functions that are missing compared to more premium launch monitors.
With the use of the Flightscope app, it is very easy to pair the Mevo via Bluetooth. The Flightscope Mevo app also allows you to capture video with your phone while using the launch monitor simultaneously.
This ends up creating a very cool video overlay with all of your data. The videos are also automatically saved, allowing you to check back on your swings and data to evaluate your progress over time.
As far as golf simulator technology, you would still need additional software as, unlike the Mevo+, you won’t have access to any golf courses and the lack of launch direction and spin means you can’t track how far off line shots finish.
Usability & portability
One of our favorite things about the Mevo Launch monitor is how portable and easy it is to set up. This unit fits in the palm of your hand and can be set up on the range in a matter of seconds.
The battery life will last up to 4 hours on a full charge, but we found this to be an underestimation if anything. In fact, if you want to do a practice session at the range and then head out on the course to see if you swing the same way on the course, you will have plenty of battery to do so.
The only complaint we have about the Mevo is that there is no built-in camera or display. This means that you will need to use your phone or tablet to view your data and record any videos. This may require a bit of additional setup or the help of a friend. It can be done; it’s just going to take a bit more work than the Flightscope Mevo+ with its built-in camera.
Minimum requirements for good use
To use the Flightscope Mevo, you will need about 15 feet of space at the minimum indoors; we prefer to use 20 when possible. Similar to the Mevo +, there are metal discs that can be placed on the ball when using the Mevo indoors; this helps to improve accuracy and will even help to make sure that the setup is accurate.
The discs do make a big difference when working on distance control of your shots, but less so for ball and clubhead speed.
Overall this is not a difficult model to set up, and if you make a mistake when setting it up, it’s easy to make simple adjustments to fix it. The Mevo now has an Android as well as an iOS app, making it accessible for many more golfers.
Accuracy
The Flightscope is a budget launch monitor that only collects 8 data parameters. For measuring your swing speed and distance, even creating your loft gaps, this is a great golf launch monitor with plenty of accuracy outside and very good accuracy inside when the metal discs are used.
However, if you are working on shots 10 – 50 yards inside, and/or you aren’t using the metal discs for longer shots, be prepared to have a few shots fly 15-20 yards further than expected.
To put it simply, for the data the Mevo does provide is quite accurate when set up correctly.
Value
All of the options on our list are considered affordable golf launch monitors, but the Flightscope Mevo has some of the best value. It is not as technologically advanced as the Mevo+, but when you look at the overall functionality for the price, it is easy to see that this launch monitor is offered for a fair price.
The cool app and ability to sync data with your swing videos is where the Flightscope Mevo differs from the SwingCaddy and many other budget launch monitors. We’d say it is well worth the extra investment.
Golf Insider verdict
As we mentioned at the beginning of our review, this data was not available to the average golfer just a few years ago. If you want to work on yardages, club gapping, gaining distance, or just want a bit more fun for net practice the Mevo is worth the price.
For a portable budget golf launch monitor that can be used indoors or outdoors, we love the Flightscope Mevo. For golfers that want to work on increasing distance and maybe even learning how consistent their golf shots are, the Flightscope Mevo gives you just the right amount of data. This budget golf launch monitor will change your practice session.
SkyTrak Launch monitor
The SkyTrak Launch Monitor is our favorite option for the golfer wanting a great indoor set-up with limited space to work on accuracy and all-around performance.
This is a similar price point to the Mevo +, but when you look at the functionality, it may make sense. In addition, for the golfer that is looking to set up an at-home golf simulator, the SkyTrak Launch Monitor does a tremendous job of getting you started.
Key Features
- Practice range simulator included (courses and extra games can be added on)
- Compact and wireless unit
- A mix of a launch monitor and golf simulator
- Accurate data inside and outdoors
- Measures club head speed and ball data
- High-speed photography
- Real time data and 3D visualizations
- 5 hours of battery life
Data & functionality
When it comes to the data parameters and the way they will be able to help your golf game, the SkyTrak stands out as the best overall personal golf launch monitor on the list. If you are looking for that perfect mix of launch monitor/golf simulators, this is a great choice. The real reason this model makes such an excellent choice for a simulator is the club and ball data it provides.
With the SkyTrak, you are going to get ball speed, launch angle, backspin, club speed, side spin, and side angle. In addition, you will be able to see carry distance, offline distance, and total distance.
This is all used to create slick visuals for a golf simulator, or viewing on your phone, PC or tablet. Truly the SkyTrak makes it feel as though you are on the golf course as you are working with this launch monitor.
With the new partnerships that SkyTrak has in place, there are ways to connect World Golf Tour, TruGolf E6, Jack Nicklaus Perfect Golf, and The Golf Club Game. Having a choice of a number of different simulator software makes this a great long term option for the serious player.
Where it differs from the Mevo + is that there isn’t an option to look and club face and swing path data, this shouldn’t be a big concern for most players.
Usability & portability
The portability of the SkyTrak is not our favorite. This is certainly one of the larger models, and it is something you will have to plan to use as opposed to a tool that you keep in your golf bag and break out when you need it.
Setting up the SkyTrak will take you a few minutes, but the complexity of the information collected makes it understandable why you will have to spend a bit more time getting this set up just right.
Average golfers that are not overly tech-savvy will still be able to set up the SkyTrak without any trouble. Since this is used mostly for indoor golf simulators, once you have it in place, there will be very few adjustments that you have to make.
Minimum requirements for good use
With the Skytrak, you will need about 12 feet of space at a minimum, this will feel tight, but thanks to this unit sitting to the side of the golf ball, it is a great option if you don’t have space for a Mevo + indoors.
The closer you can get to 20 ft, with 10 feet of overhead clearance, the better the experience will be. This is no different from any of the other simulators on our list. If you are going to set up a golf space in your home, make sure that it has the room necessary to make it effective.
Accuracy
The SkyTrak is one of the best when it comes to accuracy for indoor use – thanks to its high-speed imaging. The model is made to work just like the premium options like the Flightscope GC Quad but is offered at a price that is fair to at-home users.
Considering the price, it is impressive that with the SkyTrak you can get backspin readings, distance offline and side spin. These are parameters that are not often found on affordable golf launch monitors, and they make the user experience considerably better.
Value
The SkyTrak is the joint most expensive launch monitor on our list, yet it still falls in what would be considered the affordable launch monitor category. The thing that really helps improve the value of this model is the fact that it’s a good portion of the equipment you will need for an at home simulator and could be paired just with a net if you are after a basic setup.
If you have done the research on home simulators and all that goes into setting one up, the SkyTrak will check quite a few of the boxes for you.
Golf Insider verdict
Serious golfers that are ready for a complete at-home golf practice bay with limited space can benefit greatly from the SkyTrak. The accuracy of this model, combined with the overall ease of use, makes it a great budget golf launch monitor.
SwingCaddy SC300
Monitoring your swing speed is very important; sometimes, we make swing changes that will end up hurting our distance output as opposed to helping it. If you want to keep a close eye on the most basic stats and ensure that your game is headed in the right direction, the SwingCaddy SC300 is your most budget friendly golf launch monitor option.
Key Features
- Doppler Radar Technology
- Instant feedback
- It comes with a remote
- Strong battery life
- Voice output
- Can measure as far as 370 yards away
- Quick information on the LCD Display
Data & functionality
The Swing Caddie SC300 will give you carry and total distance, smash factor, launch angle, swing speed, Max height, and ball speed. The great thing about this budget golf launch monitor is the fact that the information will display on your screen within a matter of seconds.
Although this will come down to player preference, we do like the ability to work with a launch monitor that does not require the use of the phone or other device. If you are one of those players that like to keep the phone in the bag and keep things simple, the Swing Caddie SC300 will be a great option to consider.
Setting up the Swing Caddie SC300 takes just a few seconds; there is very little configuration to do.
Usability & portability
The size of the Swing Caddie SC300 is similar to the Mevo, just a tad wider. However, keeping this in your bag after or before a practice session will not be a problem. It’s a wireless unit that will have a long battery life, usually five hours or more.
The Swing Caddie SC300 is a more affordable version that will not capture video of your swing. If you want a video recording model, you have to go with the Swing Caddie SC300i. The good thing about no video capture is that it typically is quicker to set up, and it gets the basic numbers like swing speed and total distance quite accurate.
Minimum requirements for good use
Setting up this launch monitor only takes a matter of seconds, and for indoor space, we again recommend 15 to 20 feet of space for the greatest accuracy. This is a launch monitor that works both indoors and outdoors, but the accuracy did seem a bit better outdoors.
Accuracy
The Swing Caddie SC300 will give you accurate data for club speed and pretty accurate data for ball speed, but we would not recommend it for working on distance control and club gapping indoors.
The issue here is spin, or a limited ability to measure it accurately. The amount of backspin on golf shots plays a critical part in how far the ball flies and this isn’t captured accurately enough indoors. The result for us was a steep over-estimation in carry distance and total distance.
The limited of spin data means Swing Caddy needs to model the estimated spin and resultant distance when you aren’t using it on a golf range. You may be one of those lucky golfers that the model fits well (hence why you’ll see mixed reviews online), however, if you want to work on gapping or distances indoors we’d push you towards the FlightScope Mevo.
Value
The Swing Caddie SC300 is one of the best values for affordable golf launch monitors. With this unit, you get accurate clubhead speed and ball speed data, and you can monitor several other aspects of your game with good levels of precision.
Golf Insider verdict
For swing speed and ball speed, we really like the Swing Caddie SC300, it is a budget monitor that will offer value to many golfers. Sometimes the data that premium launch monitors provide can make things a bit confusing. If you want simple, clear data and a no-fuss set up the Swing Caddie SC300 is a good choice.
Frequently asked questions – Best budget golf launch monitors
In this section, we will cover some of the most frequently asked questions bout the best budget golf launch monitor. Choosing one of these launch monitors can be a big decision. With the pricing and the functionality, it pays to take a bit of time and choose the perfect model.
Is it worth buying a golf launch monitor?
It is worth buying a launch monitor if you know that you will use it. To get your money’s worth, you must use your launch monitor at least a few times a month to check on your swing stats. For golfers that plan on using the launch monitor as a winter practice aide, that is a great way to ensure that it is worth getting a launch monitor.
Like any other piece of golf equipment, if you use it, and it can help make your golf game better, it will be well worth the money.
What is the most affordable launch monitor?
The PRGR Launch monitor is the most affordable golf launch monitor. This is a very simple model with basic functionality and a design that has no bells and whistles. However, if you want to know how far you are hitting the golf ball and how fast you are swinging the club, the PRGR does a great job. This company has been in the industry for quite some time, and the product’s reliability is quite good.
What is the best golf launch monitor under $500
The Flightscope Mevo is the best golf launch monitor under $500. This is a launch monitor small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but powerful enough to give you eight different data points about your golf game. The Flightscope Mevo pairs with a very easy to use app that can also record videos of your golf swing. If you are on the fence about whether to enter into the world of golf launch monitors, the Mevo is the way to go.
What is the best golf launch monitor under $2000
The best golf launch monitor under $2000 is the FLightscope Mevo+. The Mevo+ is an excellent option for a home simulator, and it has video recording capabilities an the collection of 16 data parameters. Average golfers to aspiring professionals can use this Flightscope Mevo + to help improve their game and have better awareness about their abilities on the golf course.
What is the best golf launch monitor under $3000
The best golf launch monitor under $3000 is the SkyTrak or the Flightscope Mevo + depending on how much space you have. To find launch monitors with this much accuracy and data in the under $3000 range was almost unheard of a few years ago. The SkyTrak easy to use and can be used with minimal space indoors. The Mevo + requires a little more distance behind the golf ball but provides exceptional data and practice games.
Summary – Best budget golf launch monitors
Golfers should honestly be thankful that there is even an affordable golf launch monitor category. Five years ago, this was not the case. Technology is improving, and accuracy and usability are getting better each day. Now is the time to get involved with a simulator and a launch monitor setup. The Flightscope Mevo + is the best overall option to make it easy to manage and control the future of your golf game.
If this is part of a plan to build a home golf simulator, check out this link for some pre-build solutions, and for information on how much different parts of a golf simulator costs click here.
Happy golfing.
