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Thanks to the development of technology, tennis not only went electronic, but it also went smart. Thanks to the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, tennis players now have the ability to track their performance, by measuring every perceivable metric crucial to the game. That way, they can gather and analyze data on their smart devices, such as phones and tablets, break down their shots, and improve upon the provided metrics.
In this article, we’ll present you with some of the best tennis sensors that can help you increase your performance and improve your tennis skills. We also included a comprehensive buyer’s guide for those new to tennis sensors to help them choose and purchase a product that’s most suitable for them. Professional players that are well versed in tennis sensors might also benefit from this guide, as it may help them with future selection. Here’s a list of top 5 tennis sensors currently available on the market:
Best Tennis Sensors:
Head Tennis Sensor
Key Features:
- Spec neutral
- Professional-level product
Besides manufacturing some of the highest quality tennis equipment known to tennis players, HEAD teamed up with ZEEP to create the HEAD tennis sensor. As expected from these two high-end companies, the results did not disappoint, and HEAD’s tennis sensor comes with some pretty impressive solutions.
It’s one of the first sensors that completely replaces the end-cap of your racket, without adding the extra weight to it and affecting your shots. In fact, without an LED indicator to signify that the sensor’s working, you wouldn’t even know it’s there.
The sensor powers up by a gentle shake of the racket, and powers down automatically when you’re not playing, to preserve battery power. It’s also water-repellent, allowing you to play in a drizzle without having to provide it with additional protection. However, keep in mind that it isn’t water-resistant, and massive exposure to water might damage it.
This fantastic sensor is accompanied by an equally excellent smartphone app that provides you with several modes, which include training, competition, and regular recording. The data provided by the sensor is displayed neatly, and in great detail, which will help you increase your tennis performance significantly. It will also help developing players, as it can develop unique training programs, based on the collected metrics, to strengthen any weak areas of user’s game.
Pros
- Replaces end cap
- No extra weight
- Fantastic accompanying app
Cons
- Compatible with HEAD rackets only
Zepp Tennis 2 Swing & Match Analyzer
Key Features:
- Fantastic in-app features
- For developing and advanced players
ZEPP took their original tennis sensor, redesigned it, and made it better. Not to say that the original was lousy in any way, but it had room for improvement. The new iteration sports a new overall design, and minor hardware improvements, placing ZEPP 2 among some of the best tennis sensors on the market.
Like the previous version, the ZEPP 2 also attaches to the bottom of the racket, featuring three mounting options, instead of two. The new insertable mount completely replaces the end cap of your racket and works on several different models. Despite what mounting method you choose, the sensor remains entirely removable, for charging purposes.
Charging is done via a magnetic charger that easily attaches to the sensor, which takes approx. 2 hours to fully charge. Fully charged, the battery provides eight hours of playtime, which is more than enough for several training sessions.
Performance-wise, the sensor provides good and reliable counts, metrics, and information on your shots, as well as their categorization and generated power. The accompanying app also features a Smart Capture video recording that can record your training session and generate a highlight reel of your most magnificent shots.
Overall, ZEPP 2 provides an incredibly smart and practical approach to training and increasing your performance levels. We strongly recommend it.
Pros
- Tracks all possible metrics
- Long battery life
- Several mounting options
Cons
- Lacks 3D analysis
Coollang Tennis Racket Sensor Tracker
Key Features:
- Affordable
- Creates personalized training
- Detailed statistical data
Coollang is a rising star among tennis trackers, thanks to its real-time tracking and monitoring capabilities. Its fantastic features and affordable price are factors that make it one of the best tennis sensors you can get your hands on.
Like with most bottom-mounted sensors, the Coollang Tennis Sensor ships out with a silicone adapter mount, which slips over the end cap of any tennis racket. It’s an incredibly convenient solution if you’re using multiple rackets, or you share the sensor with other players. The different mounting solution is somewhat more permanent and includes sticking the sensor to the end cap of your racket.
Whichever option you choose, the sensor will protrude from the handle, but thanks to its lightweight design, it won’t adversely affect your racket. Performance-wise, the sensor records up to 100,000 shots in its internal memory, categorizing and displaying them according to their type. You can expect a fully detailed display of all the relative metrics and information regarding the shot’s speed, spin, force, etc.
The accompanying app features several different modes you can choose from, including a Training Center that creates your personalized training regimes. Of course, it also features a video analysis that provides you with the analytical data of each shot recorded, allowing you to improve upon them.
Pros
- Affordable
- Fantastic app features
- Long battery life
Cons
- Some smaller firmware issues
Zepp Tennis Swing Analyzer
Keyeatures:
- Easy to use
- Great for aspiring players
- Detailed statistical data
The ZEEP’s first tennis sensor provided a revolutionary training system for both tennis players and tennis coaches, allowing them to monitor the game performance. It features several technological and mounting solutions that make the sensor compatible with any tennis racket and efficient at the same time.
Unlike its newer iteration, the original ZEPP features a square-shaped design, also attachable by a silicone mount that slips over the butt of your racket. It’s a better option, compared to a hard mount, because it allows you to switch your rackets more comfortably.
The sensor’s internal memory has enough space for 2,000 different shots, which is more than enough for one tennis training session. It automatically syncs with your smart device, categorizing your data into separate shots, and providing feedback on which shots are good, and which need improvement. Besides counting and classifying your shots, the app measures the power behind your shots, velocity, and spin, displaying average and maximum values for each shot.
Like most tennis sensors, the ZEPP tennis swing analyzer features a 3D shot analysis of your serves and tracks your entire swing shape. This is a crucial feature for players looking to improve their serving shots, as it displays all the necessary metrics, impact points, and other statistical data.
Pros
- Accurate data
- 3D analysis
- Works with all rackets
Cons
- Hard mount could be better
Qlipp Tennis Sensor
Key Features:
- Smart vibration dampener
- Plenty of useful features
- Great connectivity range
Unlike most trackers on our list, the QLIPP tennis sensor mounts to the string bed of your racket, rather than the handle. It’s a neat little device that elegantly collects data about your game, while also acting as a vibration dampener. So, if you’re using vibration dampeners, why not use a smart one?As we said, the device mounts to the rackets string bed by a twist and lock mechanism that tightly secures the sensor to the stings. It’s representing a relatively unobtrusive and most accurate method of data collection, which unfortunately requires a constant Bluetooth connection with your smart device. Luckily, the device features a pretty wide connection range, so it doesn’t suffer from connection drops that would make data collection impossible.
The metrics it provides are pretty accurate as the device counts and categorizes each shot, measuring the speed, spin, and sweet spot accuracy. That data is saved on your smartphone or smartwatch and displayed in extreme detail for further analysis. The accompanying app offers a plethora of useful features, including video recording with the statistical overlay.
Pros
- Good metrics
- Long battery life
- Detailed statistical data
Cons
- Difficult to mountNo internal storage
Buyer’s Guide:
If you’re new to them, purchasing your first tennis sensor might seem more complicated than it should be. However, buying a tracker that suits your needs can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for. This buyer’s guide aims to familiarize you with various tennis sensor, how they work, and what features you can expect.
Reading through our guide will help you learn the basics about tennis trackers, so that you may select the one that suits you the best. It can also benefit more experienced users looking to buy a new, more modern sensor. So, let’s get acquainted first.
What are Tennis Sensors?
For years, professional and developing players analyzed slow-motion video recordings of their shots to see what things they need to improve. Though effective, this method was expensive, time-consuming, and at the time, somewhat efficient. However, with the development of technology forever changed the performance tracking in sports, including tennis.
The first commercial tennis sensors appeared back in 2013. They could provide statistical information like shot count and shot type, speed, spin, etc., and were, at the time, a significant improvement over old-school video analysis. Tennis players, and couches, immediately realized the value of tennis sensors, and the market grew, giving rise to more modern and competitive brands.
Modern tennis sensors are actually inertial measurement units that use the combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure and report specific details about the tennis racket. Those details include, but aren’t limited to, the specific force, angular rate, and orientation of the tennis racket, relaying them to the smartphone app.
The Tennis Sensor App:
The smartphone app is the real brains of the smart sensor. It uses the data provided by the sensor itself to analyze, categorize, and display data. Statistical data gets broken down into useful information upon which the players can improve their game.
Apps determine how you use your sensor, what data gets recorded and analyzed, depending on the mode you selected. Most sensor apps come pre-programmed with several different modes, which include a single session analysis, practice mode, and a performance log.
Depending on the brand, some apps are equipped with a 3D shot analysis and sharing your stats on social media. Most accompanying apps even feature a proprietary social network or a community of players, which allows you to post your scores and compete against your friends.
Types of Tennis Sensors:
There are several different types of tennis sensors, all with their unique strengths and downsides. Some are mounted on the handle, while others replace the end cap, or act as dampeners. Choose the type that suits you the most, depending on your needs.
Bottom of The Handle:
Most tennis sensors sit at the bottom of the racket, mounted on the handle. This is achieved by either using a silicone sleeve that slips over the handle, or the mount that adheres to the end cap and holds the sensor in place.
The sensor usually protrudes from the handle, which is barely noticeable and doesn’t detrimentally affect the racket. However, if you like holding your racket at the bottom of the handle, the sensor might get in the way, and affect your play. Even so, it’s a great option if you’re using several tennis rackets, or share your sensor with family members.
Integrated or Embedded Into The Handle:
The first commercial tennis sensor was embedded into the end cap of a tennis racket. This type addresses the issue of having a sensor protruding from the handle, by hiding it inside it. As they’re fully integrated into the handle, there aren’t leaving your racket, meaning that you can’t exactly share it with anyone. Embedded sensors are somewhat different, as they’re embedded in the end cap of your racket. Though removable, they’re only compatible with specific models of tennis rackets, making them less versatile than sensors mounted on the handle.
Dampener Sensors:
These sensors work as both the sports trackers and vibration dampeners for your racket. They mounted between the two strings, just like your typical vibe absorber; however, they also track your metrics while you play. Also, they’re designed to withstand a direct impact of tennis balls, without suffering damage, even at high speeds.
Wearable Sensors:
These are wearable on the athlete, rather than mounted on a tennis racket. They usually come in the form of a wrist band that tracks and measures the movement of an athlete’s body. Worn at the same place, in the same way, these sensors do provide consistent and comparable data.
What Do Tennis Sensors Track?
The sensors collect valuable information, like power, spin, impact location, shot count and types, spins, balls speed, and real-time tracking. They relay this information to the accompanying app that displays the information in a manner understandable to the user. This enables you to track the real-time data provided by the sensor or review it at the later point, to gain an insight into his game performance.
Many sensors provide additional features, like video analysis, and 3D representation of your swings, along with other useful metrics.
Are They Accurate and Practical?
Most tennis sensors are 98% accurate, while some premium-quality models boast 100% accuracy. Other, less reliably models are only 70% accurate, but even those provide accurate shot counts and comparable metrics. Of course, some models and types are more accurate than others.
Accuracy depends on multiple factors, which are usually dictated by price. So, if you’re looking for a highly accurate device, expect to pay a bit extra.
Practicality depends on the player’s skill level and their style of playing. More advanced players dislike the additional weight of more robust sensors, claiming that it adversely affects their game. Others have no complaints at all, barely noticing that the sensor is even there. Though it can alter the stroke of highly advanced players, for beginner and intermediate players, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, our article and buyer’s guide helped you gain some insight into tennis sensors and helped you choose the best one for you. They’re a great way to improve your tennis game and take your skill to a different, higher level. Based on our reviews, we strongly recommend the ZEPP 2, as it’s easily mounted on the racket, has a good battery life, and provides highly accurate metrics. Of course, if you’re using a HEAD racket, using their sensor makes much more sense.