Best Radar Guns Under $100
The honest answer first: there isn't a new, true radar gun under $100 from a known maker that publishes a tested accuracy spec. Here's what you can get for under $100, what each option is good for, and when to save up for the $299.99 Ball Coach instead.
SKLZ Bullet Ball: best for kids
Under $30
SKLZ Bullet Ball
Best for: Kids and a first taste of pitch speed
| How it works | Sensor inside the ball (not radar) |
|---|---|
| Speed range | Up to 120 mph |
| Distance setting | 46 ft to 60 ft 6 in |
| App / Bluetooth | No |
$29.99 at sklz.com (checked Oct 24, 2026)
A baseball with a speed sensor inside and a readout on the ball. Set the distance (SKLZ lists 46 ft to 60 ft 6 in), throw it into a net or to a partner, and read the speed. SKLZ lists speeds up to 120 mph. It's a great way to get a 9-year-old excited about throwing. It's not a tool for tracking real velocity gains, and you can't use it in a game or on a live hitter.
Hands-free "smart" radars, like NET PLAYZ
Several brands sell tripod-mounted units with big displays for well under the price of a Pocket Radar. NET PLAYZ's page describes a hands-free radar with an adjustable angle, tripod, large display, mph or km/h readout, and a carry bag and tuning fork in the box. We couldn't find a full spec sheet or an accuracy figure on the maker's page, so we can't vouch for the numbers. If you try one, check it against a tuning fork, and buy where returns are easy.
See NET PLAYZ radars on Amazon (check price)
Bushnell Velocity: maybe, if you find it cheap
The Bushnell Velocity is discontinued, but resellers still sell it. Its manual lists ±1 mph and 10–110 mph on a ball from up to 90 ft. Prices from third-party sellers vary, so check before you assume it's under $100.
Phone apps: free and rough
Video-based radar apps estimate speed from how many frames the ball takes to cover a distance you enter. Phones with high-speed video do better. It's free, so try one. But read radar gun apps vs real radar guns before you trust it for tryouts.
Swing Speed Radar: just over $100, for bat speed
Bat speed, not pitch speed
Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar
Best for: Bat speed only
| Measures | Bat or club swing speed (no ball needed) |
|---|---|
| Speed range | 20–200 mph |
| Power | 3 AA batteries |
| Weight | 7 oz |
$149.99 at swingspeedradar.com (checked Oct 24, 2026)
If what you really want is bat speed, Sports Sensors' Swing Speed Radar measures the bat itself, no ball needed. The maker lists $149.99, 20–200 mph, 3 AA batteries and 7 oz, and says to place it 4–5 ft from the hitting zone. It's made in the USA. More in how to measure bat velocity.
When to spend more
| If you want… | Get | Price (maker) |
|---|---|---|
| A real ±1 mph radar, no frills | Pocket Radar Ball Coach | $299.99 |
| The same, plus app and video | Pocket Radar Smart Coach | $399.99 |
| A trigger gun with a hands-free mode | Sports Radar SR3600 | $287.99 at Hitting Store |
| A real gun for less, used | Used radar guns | Varies |
See every pick, at every budget, in our best baseball radar guns guide →
FAQ
Is there a good radar gun under $100?
Not one we could verify against a published accuracy spec from a known maker. Under $100 you're mostly choosing between sensor balls (like the SKLZ Bullet Ball, $29.99), basic hands-free units with thin spec sheets, or a phone app. For a trustworthy number, the cheapest current option with a published ±1 mph spec is the Pocket Radar Ball Coach at $299.99.
Is the SKLZ Bullet Ball accurate?
SKLZ says it reads up to 120 mph and lets you set the throwing distance from 46 ft to 60 ft 6 in. It's a sensor in the ball, not radar, and SKLZ doesn't publish an accuracy figure. Treat it as a fun, rough number.
What about used radar guns?
Used guns can get you a real radar for less than new, but prices on eBay change daily. See our used radar gun guide.
Can I just use my phone?
Yes, for a rough estimate. Video apps time the ball over a distance you enter, so their accuracy depends on frame rate and setup. See radar gun apps vs real radar guns.