Articles

The 5 Best Launch Monitors of 2023 to Level Up Your Golf Game

March 17, 2023
8 min

5 Best Launch Monitors of 2023 to Level Up Your Golf Game

In 2023 the game of golf is more advanced than ever. We have the option to take our game from outdoors to inside. Even the pros are taking advantage of technology to level up their game. And the great news is, you can too. 

A high-quality launch monitor is one of the most important aspects of a home golf setup or as an aid to improve your game. A launch monitor will give you data on your strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance. It’s a great tool to have by your side (like a virtual caddie).  

In this article, we will break down the best launch monitors of 2023. Whether you want to use it at home, on the range, or the course, we'll help you find the right option for your needs. 

What are the Best Launch Monitors in 2023?

After detailed research, our picks for the top 5 launch monitors in 2023 are:

  1. Best Overall: Garmin Approach R10
  2. Best Pro Launch Monitor: Bushnell Launch Pro
  3. Best Budget Pro Level Monitor: FlightScope Mevo Plus
  4. Best for a Simple Interface: Swing Caddie SC200
  5. Best Entry-Level Budget Monitor: Rapsodo MLM Launch

There’s a lot to break down here with each one. Stick around until the end of the article to get the details on why these are our favorite options. 

Best Overall: Garmin Approach R10

  • Tracking Technology: Radar Technology
  • Portable: Yes
  • Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Dimensions (Width x Length x Height): 3.5" x 2.8" x 1"
  • Weight: 221 grams

The Garmin Approach R10 is an excellent all-around option, which is why it tops our list as the best overall pick in 2023. 

One of the best features of the Approach R10 is its portable slim design. Whether you want to use this monitor at home, on the range, or the course, it can do it all. It’s also very lightweight, so you can easily tuck it in a golf bag to take with you anywhere. 

The Approach also tracks tons of data about your game. It will track:

  • Clubhead speed/angle
  • Ball speed
  • Launch angle/direction
  • Spin axis
  • Spin rate
  • Carry distance
  • Total distance
  • Angle of attack

With this, you’ll get all the essential data you should need. Plus, this monitor is in a very reasonable price range. As of writing this article, it’s priced at $599, which is a great mid-range for the everyday person looking to use a launch monitor. 

Best Pro Launch Monitor: Bushnell Launch Pro

  • Tracking Technology: 3 Precision 4K Cameras
  • Portable: Yes
  • Battery Life: 5-7 hours
  • Dimensions (WxLxH): 5" x 6" x 12"
  • Weight: 5 pounds

If you have some extra money to spend to get more advanced features, the Bushnell Launch Pro may be the right fit. 

The Launch Pro is one of the most accurate monitors available. With this monitor, you’ll be able to track:

  • Carry distance
  • Ball speed
  • Launch angle
  • Club head speed
  • Smash factor
  • And more (with additional upgrades)

It gives you all the details you need to know about your game, whether you use it at home or on the course. 

Speaking of playing inside, the indoor golf game with Bushnell’s Launch Pro is top-notch. With a subscription, you can access tons of virtual courses. The courses not only perform well, but they’re amazing to look at. The details on each one immerse you, so you almost feel like you’re on a real course. 

While the Launch Pro does come at a cost of $3,499, those who want an immersive and accurate experience will likely find it well worth it. 

Best Budget Pro Level Monitor: FlightScope Mevo Plus

  • Tracking Technology: Doppler Radar
  • Portable: Yes
  • Battery Life: 2 hours
  • Dimensions (WxLxH): 8.2" x 8" x 2.4"
  • Weight: 50 grams

The FlightScope Mevo Plus launch monitor is a step down in price from the Bushnell Launch Pro. However, it’s not much of a step down in performance, accuracy, and data-tracking capabilities. That’s what makes it our best budget pro-level monitor. 

With the Mevo Plus, you can accurately track a wide range of data. It can track:

  • Ball speed
  • Clubhead speed
  • Carry distance 
  • Smash factor
  • Launch direction
  • Spin axis
  • Roll distance
  • Curve
  • And more

With all the data you get with this little monitor, it’s a really great pick. It’s also super compact, so you can take it everywhere you go. 

The one downside of the FlightScope compared to Bushnell is the virtual golfing experience. FlightScope has fewer virtual course options, and the display is less immersive. But priced at $2,199 for a pro-level monitor, you can’t complain too much. 

Best for a Simple Interface: Swing Caddie SC200

  • Tracking Technology: Doppler Radar
  • Portable: Yes
  • Battery Life: 20 hours
  • Dimensions (WxLxH): 5" x 36" x 5"
  • Weight: 227 grams

The Swing Caddie SC200 is less high-tech and flashy than the previously mentioned options. However, those who want a simple, easy-to-use interface will appreciate this one. 

Since the Swing Caddie launch monitor is less high-tech, it comes at a much more budget-friendly price. It retails for $349.99. But you can still accurately track a decent amount from your game at that price. It tracks:

  • Carry distance
  • Swing speed
  • Ball speed
  • Smash factor

While it isn’t as comprehensive and doesn’t track as much as other options, it also requires less power to run it. That means you get a much longer battery life than other options. It’ll run for 20 hours on a single battery charge. Overall, at this price range, it’s a pretty good deal. 

Best Entry-Level Budget Monitor: Rapsodo MLM Launch Monitor

  • Tracking Technology: Doppler Radar + Phone/Tablet Camera
  • Portable: Yes
  • Battery Life: 8 hours
  • Dimensions (WxLxH): 4.72" x 6.85" x 5"
  • Weight: 256 grams

Those who want a budget option that’s more high-tech than the Swing Caddie may find the Rapsodo MLM Launch Monitor to be the right choice. The Rapsodo MLM comes in at a great entry-level price of $299.99. So if you want to get your feet wet with a home golf setup or using a launch monitor to track your performance, this is a great starting point. 

Rapsodo uses your phone’s camera combined with its doppler radar to create a high-tech experience on a budget. By using your phone, you still get a streamlined experience, and it makes your whole setup much more portable. Plus, this small device can still track a lot of data. It tracks: 

  • Carry distance
  • Total distance
  • Launch angle
  • Launch direction
  • Club speed
  • Ball speed
  • Side carry
  • Smash factor

Rapsodo won’t be an immersive home golfing experience like more expensive options. But it's a great deal for a budget launch monitor that you can easily use anywhere. 

Conclusion

There you have it, the 5 best launch monitors in 2023 all stacked up against each other. You should now have a good idea of which option will be best for your needs. 

To choose the best option, remember to consider:

  • Your budget
  • Where you’ll be using the launch monitor
  • The monitor’s size (for portability)
  • The specific data it tracks from your game
  • How immersive the home golfing experience will be

If you think about all these aspects, you’ll be on your way to picking a great launch monitor. Plus, you can’t really go wrong with any of these monitors on this list. 

With that said, it’s time to get out there and start brushing up on that golf game! You’ll be on your way to success with the right setup. 

Similar posts

Check out what else we're cooking up at The Club.

Reserve today.

Be among the first to receive the Graff Golf analytics platform upon launch.
Be among the first 10,000 members
Fully-refundable