Top 6 Best Portable Golf Launch Monitors You Should Buy in 2023 | Buyer's Guide

Chalk up the last few years as a standout era for the best golf launch monitor! First, Swing Caddie made some solid upgrades to their SC300i golf launch monitor and MySwingCaddie app. Then Garmin came out of nowhere with the almost too good to be true Approach R10 portable launch monitor and golf simulator. And while these latest personal golf launch monitors—the R10 especially because of its simulation capabilities and outrageously low price—are like gifts from the golf tech gods, they drafted off some pretty impressive early golf launch monitors.

In this comparison, we pulled the six best golf launch monitors in our PlayBetter collection—Swing Caddie SC300i, Garmin Approach R10, Rapsodo MLM, FlightScope Mevo and Mevo+, and SkyTrak—and are giving you the pros and cons of each. The we'll finish with the flourish of a golf launch monitor comparison table!

For several reasons, the Garmin Approach R10 has our vote for best golf launch monitor! Aside from a sweet suite of features—including club path metrics—and the fact that it is also a simulator, the price alone is enough to make an earnest golfer whip out their credit card. This 3-receiver Doppler technology launch monitor can go anywhere and requires a mobile device that has the Garmin Golf app downloaded. You can opt for the premium app subscription ($9.99 a month or $99 a year) for access to simulation features, including 42,000 golf courses worldwide.

Garmin Approach R10 Pros

• It has club path, club face, and angle of attack metrics that you won't find on golf launch monitors/simulators for less than $5,000. Yes, that's a 5 with 3 zeros!
• The Approach R10 has all the other metrics you could want, like ball speed, launch angle, launch direction, club head speed, back swing and down swing times, and more! See them all in the comparison table below!
• This personal golf launch monitor is highly accurate, especially outside. Our friend Gabe at Let's Play Thru has tested it against other golf launch monitors and simulators, including SkyTrak, Mevo, and the GC2.
• Game modes with rich visual graphics and multiplayer games and challenges.
• Garmin's own simulation on 42,000 courses worldwide and access to E6 Connect (for iOS and PC only).
• Super easy setup.
• 10 hours of battery life.
• Did we mention that it is only $600?!!!

Approach R10 Cons

• Gabe from Let's Play Thru found the indoor distances to be a little under what they would be on the range. He and we are confident that Garmin can adjust this with a firmware update.
• The R10 does not have putting. If that's a super important must-have for you on the course simulation, you'll want to know that.
• The E6 Connect simulation is currently not available (this could change) to Android users through the Garmin app. It is, however, available for PCs.
• Like some golf launch monitors, the Approach R10 will not automatically recognize you clubs because it uses Doppler-based technology as opposed to camera-based.

Dial in your game with the Rapsodo mobile launch monitor that uses the power and convenience of your own iOS device to deliver pro-grade launch data for golfers of all skill levels. Get professional-grade accuracy both indoor/outdoor with the Rapsodo golf launch monitor that harnesses the power of your iPhone and combines it with machine-learning to provide you with feedback that is trusted by the pros. Check out all the impressive features you get with this unique personal golf launch monitor—whether you're in your basement, backyard, garage, or at the driving range!

Rapsodo MLM Pros

• The Rapsodo Golf Launch has key features you'll love like smart club recognition, shot tracer, GPS shot map, video playback, club gapping, interactive game/sharing, shot library, indoor/outdoor net with select iOS devices.
• Metrics that include distance, ball speed, club speed, smash factor, launch angle, and launch direction.
• The Rapsodo works anywhere you can hit balls!
• A unique experience for iPhone users!

Rapsodo Cons

• The Rapsodo is limited to iPhones only.
• Has limited metrics compared to the R10 and SkyTrak.
• The Rapsodo MLM is not compatible with golf simulation.

FlightScope provides two notably different golf launch monitor options, which is why you'll want to check out the Mevo and the Mevo+. While both launch monitors are very accurate and very portable, their features and price are considerably different. The FlightScope Mevo is a 3D doppler radar personal launch monitor designed to help you improve performance—a very small, but accurate package (3.55" x 2.76" x 1.18"). The unique FlightScope Mevo+ portable golf launch monitor, designed for more serious golfers, adds simulation to the mix and doubles the data parameters of the Mevo. Still conveniently small (6.8" x 1.2" x 4.6" ), this home launch monitor and simulator is a big step up in features and price—$1,999.00 compared to the $499.00 Mevo price tag.

Mevo Portable Launch Monitor Pros

• 8 basic essential data parameters: Carry Distance, Club Head Speed, Ball Speed, Smash Factor, Vertical Launch Angle, Spin Rate, Apex Height, and Flight Time
• On the affordable end of the high-quality launch monitor spectrum
• Can be used indoor or outdoors
• Very accurate numbers
• Portable and Pocketable: 3.55" x 2.76" x 1.8" (90 x 70 x 30mm)
• Long battery life: up to 4 hours on a full charge
• No subscription fees

FightScope Mevo Cons

• Requires 4-7 Feet behind the ball
• Launch Angles can read slightly higher
• Can be hard to use indoors due to space required
• Can't be used with simulator software

Mevo+ Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Pros

• 16 of the most important data parameters: Carry Distance, Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Apex Height, Flight Time, Ball Speed, Vertical Launch Angle, Horizontal Launch Angle, Lateral Landing, Angle of Attack, Total Distance, Roll Distance, Spin Axis, Spin Rate, Spin Loft, and Shot Shape
• Can be used indoor or outdoors
• Numbers rival many high-end monitors
• Great for Simulator Use
• Comes with very good simulation software; 5 free E6 Connect courses
• No subscription fees

FightScope Mevo+ Cons

• Requires a minimum of 8 feet behind the ball
• Requires stickers on golf ball to measure spin
• Launch Monitor will work with less space but will be completely inaccurate
• Battery Life can be low for a long day at the range

SkyTrak golf launch monitor is the first affordable practice, play, and entertainment simulator that provides realistic results that compare accurately to your actual shot-making ability. After downloading the FREE app, SkyTrak connects easily and quickly to compatible iPads, Androids, and PC's via its built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, and you are ready to start hitting shots on the SkyTrak 3D Practice Range anywhere, anytime.

SkyTrak Portable Golf Launch Monitor Pros

• Shot-Tracer provides views from two camera angles for enhanced feedback and better information than you would get at the course.
• The SkyTrak is known to have proven, excellent accuracy.
• Multiple data points, including Ball Speed, Launch Angle, BackSpin, Side Spin and Carry Distance. (See full list of metrics in the comparison table below!
• Get fun challenges like Closest to the Pin, Long Drive, and Target Practice.
• The SkyTrak measures putting.
• Play the world’s most famous golf courses from the comfort of your own home.
• Customize you SkyTrak experience by inputting a series of desired variables and environmental factors such as weather and course conditions.

SkyTrak Cons

• It's no longer the most affordable golf launch monitor and simulator.
• It doesn't have Club Path metrics.
• The SkyTrak golf launch monitor and simulator only has a 5 hour battery life.