Launching your dog's ball across the sky while your hand remains drool-free is desirable by any dog owner's standards. That's why getting a ball launcher is a great idea for keeping your dog entertained. Not only do these toys have stratospheric fetch potential, but will save your back from constant bending.
We've ranked the top 10 best dog ball launchers on Amazon and Argos to make walkies more enjoyable for both you and your overexcited, four-legged best friend. Including traditional tennis ball launchers, automatic shooters and Nerf guns, you'll be guaranteed to keep your dogs on their toes!
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of ball launchers for dogs available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Petzmotion | 2 ![]() iDogmate | 3 ![]() Hyper Pet | 4 ![]() Chuckit! | 5 ![]() Nerf Dog | 6 ![]() All For Paws | 7 ![]() Rosewood | 8 ![]() Gaodpz | 9 ![]() Good Boy | 10 ![]() Regatta |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Petzball Slinger With Balls | Interactive & Automatic Ball Launcher | Throw-Go Ball | Dog Ball Launcher | Tennis Ball Blaster | Automatic Ball Launcher | Ball Launcher | Gun Launcher | Mini Ball-istic Thrower | Dog Ball Thrower |
Features | Tire Pooch Out With a Staggering 60 Metre Sling | Fetch Until Your Dog's Content With up to 1000 Launches | Premium Feature-Filled Extendable Thrower | Plenty of Colours and Sizes to Tailor Your Fetch Game | Launching Gun Featuring Safety Button for Kids | Compact Automatic Launcher With Three Balls | Long Launcher With Squeaky Glow in the Dark Balls | A Bazooka-Style Launcher for Keen Canines | Shortened Thrower for the Vertically Challenged Paw Patrol | Inexpensive Thrower and Ball to Fetch for Less |
Price | £24.99 | £199.00 | £27.00 | £15.58 | £15.00 | £78.89 | £10.00 | £31.57 | £4.35 | £1.84 |
Type | Thrower | Automatic - station | Thrower | Thrower | Gun | Automatic - station | Thrower | Gun | Thrower | Thrower |
Distance | 40 - 60 m | 3 - 12 m | Not stated | Not stated | 15 m | 3 - 9 m | Not stated | 20 m | Not stated | Not stated |
Mini | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Unique Features | Weighted balls for increased distance | AC adapter and rechargeable li-ion batteries included | Extending arm with two size settings, grip handle, wrist loop | Multiple colours and sizes available | Ball holder | AC charging | Glow in the dark and squeaky balls | 2 ball holders, shoulder strap | - | - |
Balls Included | 13 | 3 safe balls | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | - | 1 | 1 |
Size | Length - 62 cm | 30 x 27.5 x 22.3 cm | Max length - 65 cm | Length - 30 cm, 36 cm, 46 cm, 64 cm and 66 cm available | H 43 x W 23 x D 10 cm | L 31 x H 30.5 x W 25 cm | Length - 75 cm | L 62 x W 19 cm | Length - 38 cm | Length - 52 cm |
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Although all dog launchers will launch tennis balls into the sky for the sole purpose of dogs chasing them, it doesn't mean that they're all built the same. When choosing, you'll need to decide whether a manual thrower or an automatic ball launcher is right for you.
The most recognisable style of launcher that most people think of is the manual thrower. These consist of a bendable yet incredibly durable plastic arm thats perfectly weighted to spring balls into the sky in a way most human arms never could.
The other two types are automatic and require almost no effort from you to get the ball soaring. Automatic ball launching stations spit balls out like nobody's business, and are ideal for the garden or park (when not on a walk). Similarly, launcher guns offer accuracy and some ball launching fun for kids, and big kids at heart.
Why not also check out our picks for the best dog walking bags!
The maximum distance of a ball launcher is important to note, as it gives you the best idea on how effective it'll be when coming up against your jumping ball of built-up energy. While a maximum distance isn't a regular fixture of dog ball launchers, it's always welcomed when it is.
Automatic launchers almost always have a set maximum distance. Through their tried and tested operating systems, manufacturers are able to give clear guidelines of where their balls are likely to drop. Look for station and gun types that have multiple distance settings ranging from 3 to 20 metres for pups, all the way up to feverish labs and such.
While 20 metres is still a fair way, it's considered minimal when compared to the distances manual throwers are likely to dish up for your dog. Some of the longest and strongest throwers are known to hit the 60 metre mark, although, obviously this is very much dependant on the person doing the throwing.
While the max distance is the best way of understanding a dog ball launcher in all its soaring glory, when dealing with throwers, it's not always so simple. You'll notice some brands prefer to label their throwers as 'mini' or for small dogs specifically.
This means the thrower will be shorter in length, typically no more than 40 cm, with the smallest coming in at a mere 30 cm. This shortened length makes them ideal for children to muster the energy required to let a ball fly, as well as suiting small dogs with little legs.
A few prestigious pet brands know the importance of getting the thrower's length just right. This is why they have been so kind as to offer up to five dedicated sizes, with a few mini options in the mix. You might also want to look out for throwers with reduced ball cups for smaller balls to help small dogs fit their mouths around them.
Sure, some ball launchers could be considered pretty straightforward products with little-to-zero flare in design. However, some pet brands are paving the ball launching way by producing more than 'just a stick of plastic'. Check to see if your launcher comes with any unique features to benefit both you and your pet.
For example, squeaky, glow in the dark balls are great for wintertime fetch here in the UK. Equally, extendable arms are clever inventions for when fetch time is over, as they allow you to slip the retracted thrower in your bag.
Other notable features include ball holders for gun-type launchers, as well as multiple charging options for automatic ball-firing stations. Look for stations that are both AC and battery compatible to ensure fast wall charging at home and endless launching capabilities down at the park.
For more toys perfect for your canine friend, check out the best dog toys and interactive dog toys!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£24.99
Type | Thrower |
---|---|
Distance | 40 - 60 m |
Mini | No |
Unique Features | Weighted balls for increased distance |
Balls Included | 13 |
Size | Length - 62 cm |
£199.00
Type | Automatic - station |
---|---|
Distance | 3 - 12 m |
Mini | Yes |
Unique Features | AC adapter and rechargeable li-ion batteries included |
Balls Included | 3 safe balls |
Size | 30 x 27.5 x 22.3 cm |
£27.00
Type | Thrower |
---|---|
Distance | Not stated |
Mini | Yes |
Unique Features | Extending arm with two size settings, grip handle, wrist loop |
Balls Included | 1 |
Size | Max length - 65 cm |
£15.58
Type | Thrower |
---|---|
Distance | Not stated |
Mini | Yes |
Unique Features | Multiple colours and sizes available |
Balls Included | 1 |
Size | Length - 30 cm, 36 cm, 46 cm, 64 cm and 66 cm available |
£15.00
Type | Gun |
---|---|
Distance | 15 m |
Mini | No |
Unique Features | Ball holder |
Balls Included | 1 |
Size | H 43 x W 23 x D 10 cm |
£78.89
Type | Automatic - station |
---|---|
Distance | 3 - 9 m |
Mini | Yes |
Unique Features | AC charging |
Balls Included | 3 |
Size | L 31 x H 30.5 x W 25 cm |
£10.00
Type | Thrower |
---|---|
Distance | Not stated |
Mini | No |
Unique Features | Glow in the dark and squeaky balls |
Balls Included | 3 |
Size | Length - 75 cm |
£31.57
Type | Gun |
---|---|
Distance | 20 m |
Mini | No |
Unique Features | 2 ball holders, shoulder strap |
Balls Included | - |
Size | L 62 x W 19 cm |
£4.35
Type | Thrower |
---|---|
Distance | Not stated |
Mini | Yes |
Unique Features | - |
Balls Included | 1 |
Size | Length - 38 cm |
£1.84
Type | Thrower |
---|---|
Distance | Not stated |
Mini | No |
Unique Features | - |
Balls Included | 1 |
Size | Length - 52 cm |
Written and researched by Connor Macanally
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