The quick answer
Eight of the launch monitors we have researched cost $1,000 or less new, in stock, at our latest price check. Seven are radar units that sit on the floor behind the ball. The eighth, Bushnell’s Launch Pro i, is a camera unit that sits beside the ball and works indoors only.
At our last price checks, the 8 launch monitors ranged from about $200 to about $1,000.
Among the radar units, three things separate them: whether they show spin, whether they connect to simulator software, and what you pay after the first year. Shot Scope says the LM1 does not display spin, and it charges no subscription. The Garmin Approach R10, Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Blue Tees Rainmaker and Voice Caddie SC4 PRO all list spin and connect to simulator software such as E6. The Launch Pro i is built around PC simulation, and Bushnell sells that software as annual memberships.
Who this is for
Golfers with up to $1,000 for a first launch monitor, for a net in the garage, the backyard or the range, who want to know what that money buys and what it costs to keep using.
How this list is built
The list is every launch monitor in our records whose lowest new, in-stock price was $1,000 or less at our latest check.
The eight are grouped by where the unit sits, behind the ball or beside it. That follows from how each one tracks the ball, and it decides much of the room you need. Within each group they run from lowest price to highest. Where two prices match, they are in alphabetical order by brand.
Seven that sit behind the ball
| Specification | RapsodoMLM1 | Shot ScopeLM1 | Voice CaddieSwing Caddie SC300i | GarminApproach R10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $199.99 (Global Golf) | $199.99 (TGW) | $399.99 (PGA TOUR Superstore) | $499.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) |
| Tracking | Doppler radar paired with an iPhone or iPad camera | Doppler radar | Doppler radar | Radar |
| Where it works | Full indoor/outdoor use | Indoor and outdoor use | Practice sessions both on and off the course | Inside your home, in the backyard or on the range |
| Space needed | Unit 6–8 ft behind the ball, facing down the target line. Into a net: net at least 8 ft in front of the ball. Outdoors: at least 60–80 ft of ball flight | 55 inches / 1.4 m behind the ball | At least 5 feet behind the ball on the same level as the golf ball | Launch monitor on the ground between 6 ft. and 8 ft. behind the tee location. Indoors: the tee location at least 8 ft. away from the net |
| Battery | Not published | 3.7V Lithium Battery (1800mAh); approx. 5 hours of use; USB Type-C charging | Rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery, up to 20 hours (depending on conditions); USB-C charging | Internal rechargeable lithium-ion, up to 10 hours |
| Specification | Blue TeesRainmaker | RapsodoMLM2PRO | Voice CaddieSwing Caddie SC4 PRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $499.99 (2nd Swing Golf) | $699.99 (TGW) | $599.99 (Global Golf) |
| Tracking | Doppler radar | Dual optical camera vision + radar processing | Doppler Radar |
| Where it works | Built for the range, the backyard, the sim bay | Full functionality indoors and outdoors | Indoors and outdoors |
| Space needed | Device 5 feet directly behind the ball. Indoors: at least 10 feet of open space between the ball and the net or impact screen | Indoors: a little more than 14 feet total (8 feet from ball to net, plus the unit 6.5–8.5 feet behind the ball). Outdoors: unit 6.5–8.5 feet directly behind the ball | 5 ft behind the ball on the same level as the ball; 10 ft from the ball to a net or screen recommended |
| Battery | 6+ hour battery life | Not published | Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery 7,500 mAh; 10 hours (depending on conditions) |
Five of the seven use Doppler radar alone. Rapsodo adds cameras to both of its models. The MLM1 pairs its radar with your iPhone or iPad camera, and Rapsodo says the MLM2PRO is “Stacked with two advanced cameras plus Doppler Radar.”
Radar follows the ball in flight, so these units need room behind the ball for the unit and room in front of it for the ball to fly. Shot Scope, Voice Caddie and Blue Tees place their units about 5 feet back. Garmin asks for 6 to 8 feet for the R10, Rapsodo 6 to 8 feet for the MLM1 and 6.5 to 8.5 feet for the MLM2PRO. Indoors, the makers that give a net distance ask for 8 to 10 feet from the ball. Outdoors, Rapsodo says the MLM1 needs at least 60 to 80 feet of ball flight. How much room you need for a home launch monitor has each maker’s full figures.
How you read the numbers differs more than the price suggests:
- On the unit. Shot Scope says the LM1 shows its data on a 3.5-inch color screen. Voice Caddie says the SC300i works without the app if you prefer, with a 5.3-inch LCD, voice output and a remote, and that the SC4 PRO works as a standalone unit with no smartphone required. Blue Tees lists three Rainmaker modes that need no app.
- On your phone. Garmin says the R10 needs a paired compatible smartphone with the Garmin Golf app. Rapsodo’s MLM1 app is iOS only, so you need an iPhone or iPad.
- In the rain. Shot Scope rates the LM1 IPX3 and Blue Tees rates the Rainmaker IPX4.
One that sits beside the ball
| Specification | Bushnell GolfLaunch Pro i |
|---|---|
| Price when checked | $999.99 (PGA TOUR Superstore) |
| Tracking | Auto-calibrating three-camera system: high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared |
| Where it works | Indoor only |
| Space needed | Device 16” to 24” away from the hitting zone, level with the hitting surface |
| Battery | A/C power adapter |
Bushnell says the Launch Pro i combines high-speed cameras with infrared in “an auto calibrating three-camera system,” and that it is “designed specifically for indoor simulation use.” Its manual places it 16 to 24 inches from the hitting zone, level with the hitting surface. It runs on mains power.
It is on this list because of one retailer’s price at our latest check. Another retailer and Bushnell’s own page listed it higher, and Bushnell’s page showed it sold out.
The purchase price is the start of the cost. Bushnell says the Foresight Premier simulation software needs a gaming PC, which is not included, and that the unit must connect to the internet within the United States at least once every 45 days to keep all functions. The free tier gives basic data views and 10 sessions of history. Foresight+ Silver is $199 a year and Gold is $599 a year, and Gold is required for third-party software. GSPro is $250 a year on top. Course Pass ($295 a year) and Course Pass Pro ($595 a year) need Silver or Gold. A 30-day trial comes with new devices.
Bushnell’s page contradicts itself on data. One line says ball and club data require a software subscription, while its plan table lists both under the free tier. Club data also needs the included club markers.
Metrics, software and subscriptions
| Specification | RapsodoMLM1 | Shot ScopeLM1 | Voice CaddieSwing Caddie SC300i | GarminApproach R10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measures | Carry Distance, Total Distance, Ball Speed, Club Speed, Launch Angle, Launch Direction, Smash Factor, Side Carry, Apex, Shot Type, Spin Rate | Club speed, Ball speed, Smash factor, Carry distance, Total distance | Distance (carry), Smash Factor, Swing Speed, Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Apex, Spin Rate (in app) | Club head speed, Club face angle, Club path angle, Angle of attack, Ball speed, Launch angle, Launch direction, Spin axis, Spin rate, Apex height, Smash factor, Carry distance, Total distance, Deviation distance |
| Software | Rapsodo MLM app (iOS only; iPhone or iPad required); R-Cloud web access to session history, shot videos and data export | Shot Scope mobile app (session history), with data shown on the unit’s 3.5-inch color display | MySwingCaddie app (iOS and Android); VC Manager (Windows and Mac) for updates | Garmin Golf app; Home Tee Hero simulator; compatible with GSPro, E6, Awesome Golf and more |
| Subscription | MLM1 Premium Membership $99.99/year (non-transferable); a Premium trial is included with purchase | No subscription: Shot Scope includes a free lifetime subscription to the Shot Scope app | Not published | Home Tee Hero course play and stored swing videos require an active Garmin Golf membership; third-party simulator subscriptions are sold separately |
| Specification | Blue TeesRainmaker | RapsodoMLM2PRO | Voice CaddieSwing Caddie SC4 PRO | Bushnell GolfLaunch Pro i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measures | Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Launch Direction, Apex, Carry, Total Distance, Back Spin, Side Spin, Spin Axis, Attack Angle, Club Speed, Club Path, Smash Factor, Side, Side Total, Hang Time, Descent Angle, Apex Time, Landing Speed, Landing Spin | Angle of Attack, Club Path, Ball Speed, Club Speed, Smash Factor, Launch Angle, Launch Direction, Carry Distance, Total Distance, Spin Rate, Spin Axis, Descent Angle, Side Carry, Apex, Shot Type | Carry/Total Distance, Swing Speed, Ball Speed, Smash Factor, Apex (Max Height), Launch Angle, Launch Direction, Spin Rate | Carry Distance, Ball Speed, Total Spin, Launch Angle (Vertical), Horizontal Launch Angle, Spin Tilt Axis, Back Spin, Side Spin, Ball Apex, Ball Descent Angle, Ball Offline, Ball Curve, Hangtime, Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Club Path (In/Out), Angle of Attack |
| Software | Blue Tees LAUNCH App (tablet or mobile); connects to E6 and GSPro | MLM2PRO app (Apple and Android); Rapsodo Courses (30,000+ courses), Rapsodo Range, Rapsodo Combine, R-Speed, R-Cloud; connects with GSPRO, E6 and Awesome Golf | VoiceCaddie S app (Apple and Android); E6 Connect (iOS and PC) and Optishot Orion compatible; VC Manager for Windows and Mac | Foresight Premier simulation software (needs a gaming PC, not included) and the Foresight app through a Foresight+ membership; GSPro with a Gold membership; Gold allows additional 1st and 3rd party software for purchase |
| Subscription | AI Analytics Package: 1 year free, included with purchase | A 45-day Premium Membership trial is included. Premium features listed: cloud video storage, slow-motion replay, session insights, Rapsodo Combine, spin rate and spin axis (with RPT balls), club path and angle of attack, Rapsodo Courses, Rapsodo Range, Impact Vision, dual camera, R-Cloud and R-Speed | The VoiceCaddie S app is free; E6 Connect / Optishot Orion courses are an optional subscription; 5 E6 Connect courses and 1 driving range are included | Free tier: basic data views and 10 sessions of history. Foresight+ Silver $199/yr and Gold $599/yr; Gold is required for third-party software. Course Pass $295/yr and Course Pass Pro $595/yr (need Silver or Gold). GSPro $250/year. New devices include a 30-day trial |
Measured or calculated. Rapsodo is the only maker here that marks which numbers are measured. For the MLM2PRO it marks eight of 15: angle of attack, club path, ball speed, club speed, launch angle, launch direction, spin rate and spin axis. Carry and total distance are not among them. The MLM1’s list marks ball speed, club speed, launch angle, launch direction and smash factor as measured, though the same page also says “10 metrics - 4 measured.” Blue Tees says seven of the Rainmaker’s 20 metrics are available through its app only and are “unique to the Blue Tees Physics Engine.” The other makers do not separate the two. What a home launch monitor can and cannot tell you explains why the difference matters.
Spin. “Spin is not displayed on the LM1,” Shot Scope says. Rapsodo needs Titleist RCT balls for spin on the MLM1, and balls with RPT for spin on the MLM2PRO, where spin rate and spin axis are also Premium Membership features. Voice Caddie shows the SC300i’s spin rate in the app only. The R10, SC4 PRO, Rainmaker and Launch Pro i list spin without a condition.
Simulators. Garmin and Rapsodo list GSPro, E6 and Awesome Golf for the R10 and MLM2PRO. Blue Tees says the Rainmaker connects to E6 and GSPro. Voice Caddie lists E6 Connect and Optishot Orion for the SC4 PRO, with five E6 Connect courses and one driving range included. Voice Caddie says the SC300i “does not work with E6 Connect” or other simulator apps, and Shot Scope names no simulator software for the LM1.
What you pay after you buy. Makers state this very differently:
- Shot Scope LM1: Shot Scope says its software is “100% subscription free for life.”
- Voice Caddie SC4 PRO: the VoiceCaddie S app is free. E6 Connect and Optishot Orion courses are an optional subscription, with no price on the page.
- Rapsodo MLM1: Premium Membership is $99.99 a year and non-transferable, with a trial included. Shot apex and slow-motion video are among its features.
- Rapsodo MLM2PRO: a 45-day Premium trial is included, and Rapsodo says the card on file is charged automatically at the end unless you cancel. The page gives no membership price.
- Garmin Approach R10: Home Tee Hero course play and stored swing videos need an active Garmin Golf membership, with no price on the page. Third-party simulator subscriptions are sold separately.
- Blue Tees Rainmaker: the AI Analytics Package is free for one year. Blue Tees does not state the price after that.
- Voice Caddie SC300i: the page does not say whether any feature needs a subscription.
Battery
Voice Caddie gives the longest figure here, up to 20 hours for the SC300i. Garmin lists up to 10 hours for the R10 and Voice Caddie 10 hours for the SC4 PRO. Blue Tees says 6+ hours for the Rainmaker, and Shot Scope about 5 hours for the LM1, charged by USB-C. Rapsodo states no battery life for either of its models, and the Launch Pro i has no battery.
Using the numbers
Once you have a launch monitor, the Golf Lab works with what it reports. The Shot Pattern Lab reads a session as a CSV or pasted table and shows each club’s average carry and spread. It needs the club, carry and sideways distance for each shot, so check what your app exports. Rapsodo lists data export through R-Cloud for the MLM1. The Launch Window Explorer shows which launch and spin carry farthest at your ball speed, and the Ball Flight Explorer shows how carry, height and landing change as you edit ball speed, launch and spin.
All eight
Rapsodo says the MLM1 “pairs doppler-radar technology with your iPhone or iPad camera to provide instant video replay, active shot tracer, and professional-level accuracy.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar paired with an iPhone or iPad camera
- Where it works
- Full indoor/outdoor use
- Space needed
- Unit 6–8 ft behind the ball, facing down the target line. Into a net: net at least 8 ft in front of the ball. Outdoors: at least 60–80 ft of ball flight
$199.99
New Condition; sold as the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
See at Global Golf: Rapsodo MLM1Affiliate linkShot Scope calls the LM1 “a compact training device designed for golfers who want reliable data without complexity.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Space needed
- 55 inches / 1.4 m behind the ball
$199.99
See at TGW: Shot Scope LM1Affiliate linkVoice Caddie calls the Swing Caddie SC300i “a portable and precise golf launch monitor designed to provide golfers with professional-level swing and ball flight data.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Practice sessions both on and off the course
- Space needed
- At least 5 feet behind the ball on the same level as the golf ball
$399.99
Garmin says the Approach R10 is “a lightweight portable launch monitor that brings 43,000 courses to you.”
- Tracking
- Radar
- Where it works
- Inside your home, in the backyard or on the range
- Space needed
- Launch monitor on the ground between 6 ft. and 8 ft. behind the tee location. Indoors: the tee location at least 8 ft. away from the net
$499.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Garmin Approach R10Affiliate linkBlue Tees
Rainmaker
Blue Tees says Rainmaker “delivers the power of a launch monitor with the simplicity golfers want.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Built for the range, the backyard, the sim bay
- Space needed
- Device 5 feet directly behind the ball. Indoors: at least 10 feet of open space between the ball and the net or impact screen
$499.99
Rapsodo says the MLM2PRO is “a launch monitor and golf simulator designed for complete visibility into your game.”
- Tracking
- Dual optical camera vision + radar processing
- Where it works
- Full functionality indoors and outdoors
- Space needed
- Indoors: a little more than 14 feet total (8 feet from ball to net, plus the unit 6.5–8.5 feet behind the ball). Outdoors: unit 6.5–8.5 feet directly behind the ball
$699.99
See at TGW: Rapsodo MLM2PROAffiliate linkVoice Caddie says the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro “is a complete simulator and a portable golf launch monitor.”
- Tracking
- Doppler Radar
- Where it works
- Indoors and outdoors
- Space needed
- 5 ft behind the ball on the same level as the ball; 10 ft from the ball to a net or screen recommended
$599.99
New, Black
See at Global Golf: Voice Caddie Swing Caddie SC4 PROAffiliate linkBushnell Golf
Launch Pro i
Bushnell Golf says the “all-new, Circle B Edition Launch Pro i is designed specifically for indoor simulation use with a pay-as-you-go software model.”
- Tracking
- Auto-calibrating three-camera system: high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared
- Where it works
- Indoor only
- Space needed
- Device 16” to 24” away from the hitting zone, level with the hitting surface
$999.99
LPi Circle B Edition
Where to go next
- How much room you need for a home launch monitor, maker by maker.
- What a home launch monitor can and cannot tell you, for tracking technology, metrics and extras.
- Garmin Approach R10 vs Rapsodo MLM2PRO, two of the units above side by side.
- Rapsodo MLM2PRO vs FlightScope Mevo Gen2, against a FlightScope unit priced above this budget.
- All launch monitors we have researched, including the ones above $1,000.
Sources
- Evidence: Verified
Rapsodo publishes the MLM1 radar-and-camera tracking, indoor/outdoor use, metric list, setup distances, app and Premium Membership price, and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Shot Scope publishes the LM1 Doppler radar sensor, indoor and outdoor use, five metrics, setup distance, free app, battery and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Voice Caddie publishes the SC300i Doppler radar, metrics, placement, app support, simulator incompatibility, battery and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Garmin publishes the Approach R10 measurement technology, launch monitor metrics, battery life, simulator compatibility, membership requirements and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. Garmin’s page carries its specs, footnotes and price as product data embedded in the page; matching was done against that embedded text.
- Evidence: Verified
Garmin’s owner’s manual gives the Approach R10 setup distances: launch monitor behind the tee and tee distance from a net indoors.
Garmin Approach R10 Owner’s Manual (PDF)
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the PDF (Preparing for a Shot) when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Blue Tees publishes the Rainmaker Doppler radar, standalone and app metrics, IPX4 rating, LAUNCH App and simulator compatibility, battery life and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Blue Tees gives the Rainmaker placement behind the ball and the indoor space to a net or impact screen.
Blue Tees Golf article: Blue Tees Rainmaker Setup: How to Get Accurate Numbers
A setup article on Blue Tees’ own site, dated Sep 02, 2026. Values were matched against the text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Rapsodo publishes the MLM2PRO tracking system, metric list (marking which are measured), indoor and outdoor space requirements, software, Premium Membership features and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Voice Caddie publishes the SC4 PRO Doppler radar, indoor and outdoor use, eight metrics, placement, app and E6 Connect compatibility, battery and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf publishes the Launch Pro i (Circle B Edition) camera system, indoor-only use, ball and club data points, Foresight+ membership tiers and prices, hitting zone, power and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. Bushnell Golf’s page showed the product as “SOLD OUT” when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf’s LPi user manual gives the device’s distance from the hitting zone.
Bushnell Golf Launch Pro i (LPi) User Manual (PDF)
Linked as the LPi User Manual from Bushnell Golf’s support page (https://www.bushnellgolf.com/pages/support-launch-pro-lpi); the file is hosted on a storage domain, not bushnellgolf.com. Values were matched against the downloaded text of the PDF (Rev. 11-25) when we checked.