The golf launch monitor can be an excellent tool for helping you improve your golf game. In this article, I discuss the best golf launch monitor for the money for 2025.
First of all, what is a launch monitor?
In the simplest terms, it is a device that provides you feedback regarding the distance you are hitting shots with each club.
Of course, there are many other data points that it provides, but the distance you are hitting the golf ball with each club is most important.
You can find a launch monitor for under $300, and upwards of $25,000.
So, obviously, your budget will be an important determining factor for what launch monitor you will ultimately choose.
However, the entire focus of this article is to identify the best launch monitor for the money.
Criteria for the best golf launch monitor for the money
Golf launch monitors can come with all sorts of bells and whistles.
Some can be used as golf simulators, others cannot (usually found at the low end of the price range).
Some launch monitors may be used indoors, some are for the driving range only, and some can work both indoors and outdoors.
Some golf launch monitors use doppler radar to produce the ball and club metrics, others use camera technology, and a few use both.
Here are the main criteria to look for in a golf launch monitor…
- Can be used as a golf simulator
- Produces adequate data metrics
- Accurate when compared to Trackman
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Easy to set up and connect to your devices (phone, tablet or computer)
- Portability
- Overall App Experience
Let’s have a look at each of the criteria for identifying the best golf launch monitor for the money.
Can be used as a golf simulator
The first thing to look for in a launch monitor is whether it can be used as a golf simulator.
While I personally don’t use a simulator to play rounds of golf, that’s a cool feature.
If you are practicing at home, whether in your backyard, or indoors, you will want a launch monitor that does more than just provide swing speed, ball speed and carry distance.
You will want to see the ball flight so you can “simulate” being at the driving range.
Produces adequate data metrics
The most useful launch monitors will provide you with excellent data from which you can help identify issues with your swing.
Most launch monitors come with standard data such as carry distance, total distance, smash factor, ball speed, club head speed, spin rate, side spin, etc.
Additional data that you want to see includes club path and club face angle at impact. Therefore, you will want a launch monitor that includes all of these metrics.
When you combine this data with the shot simulation, you can get to work on making adjustments to your swing as needed.
Accuracy
Trackman is effectively the industry standard launch monitor.
However, it was meant primarily for commercial use, and thus it is priced accordingly.
Therefore, you will want to find a launch monitor that produces data that is close to what Trackman produces, but at a fraction of the cost.
A good rule of thumb is that a good launch monitor should produce data that is within 1-2% of the data produced by Trackman in regard to club head speed, carry distance and spin rate.
Many of the launch monitors priced from $500 and up are able to do this now.
Can be used indoors and outdoors
The best golf launch monitor for the money should be usable both indoors and outdoors.
If you want to play indoor golf, obviously you will want to have a launch monitor that works well with an indoor golf simulator setup.
However, it is useful to be able to take your launch monitor to the driving range.
Seeing the real ball flight and then getting the metrics from your launch monitor provides excellent feedback.
Ideally, you’ll also want a launch monitor that works well both on grass and on driving range mats.
Ease of Setup
Some launch monitors are easier to set up and connect to your devices than others.
Launch monitors that use doppler radar require more space than those that rely primarily upon camera technology.
A doppler radar based device will be set up behind you and typically requires eight feet behind the ball, and eight feet in front of the ball (when used indoors) to allow for adequate ball tracking.
Devices that rely upon camera technology are typically set up beside the ball and thus need less indoor space.
Some launch monitors are notoriously more difficult to connect to your devices than others. This is often due to their wifi connection or a software issue.
Also, some launch monitors cannot connect to a computer… they are only usable with your smart phone or tablet.
Therefore, if you want to view your shots and data on a bigger screen, those launch monitors may not be the best choice.
Portability
The last criteria to consider for choosing the best golf launch monitor for the money is portability.
If you like to use your launch monitor just before a round of golf, portability may be an issue.
Some devices can fit easily inside even a relatively small carry bag, while others are simply too big to fit in any golf bag.
Overall App Experience
Lastly, and possibly most importantly for many golfers is the app experience.
If your primary interest is use as a simulator, software compatibility will be an issue.
Most of the launch monitors out there require a subscription on top of a subscription you pay for connection to simulator software.
As a result, the total cost can add up over time.
Also, some golf launch monitors simply offer a better user experience in regard to customizing the data offered.
The best launch monitor for the money
I’ve conducted a ton of research into these launch monitors.
What I’ve found is they all have some positives and negatives, so ultimately this boils down to which launch monitor does the most things well and won’t completely break the bank.
And, the answer is?
You guessed it… the Flightscope Mevo+
I went back and forth between the Mevo+ and the Skytrak+ and the Mevo+ won by a nose.
The only issue I really have with the Mevo+ is the need to get it lined up well so that you get accurate data, and it sits behind you.
I prefer a device you can sit beside the ball, which is what you can do with Skytrak+
With that said, Mevo+ is one of the few launch monitors that you can use as a simulator while not requiring a subscription to use simulator software.
You can learn more about Mevo+ on Amazon here… Flightscope Mevo+.
Skytrak+ is obviously an honorable mention.
If you are looking for a simulator with a lower upfront cost, consider the Rapsodo MLM2Pro. It does require a $200 annual subscription (typically waived for the first year), and only connects to a smart phone or tablet.
Learn more about it here… Rapsodo MLM2Pro.
I prefer a device you can sit beside the ball, which is what you can do with Skytrak+
