What the finder scores
The matching tool begins with a neutral base score for every machine. It then changes the score using six answers: maximum budget, primary training goal, need for physical movement, carry-weight tolerance, player profile and buying region.
| Factor | Why it matters | How it changes a result |
|---|---|---|
| Budget fit | A recommendation that cannot be purchased is not useful | Strong positive inside budget; increasing penalty above it |
| Training goal | Rallies, portability, drills, speed and value are different jobs | The selected goal receives the largest feature weighting |
| Movement | Moving systems create different visual and recovery demands | Required movement penalizes fixed machines |
| Weight | Setup friction changes actual usage | Strict carry limits favor lighter machines |
| Player profile | Beginners, competitors and coaches value different specs | Changes weight given to price, speed, capacity and warranty |
| Region | Shipping and service can make a model impractical | Unsupported direct regions receive a major penalty |
What a match percentage means
The percentage is a relative match among the machines currently in our database. It is not a product quality rating, failure prediction, or manufacturer score. A 92% match means “best fit among the compared options for these answers,” not “92% perfect.”
Our evidence standard
Prices, speeds, weights, battery claims, hopper capacities, warranty periods and shipping restrictions are checked first against manufacturer product and specification pages. We keep the date of the latest check beside time-sensitive price data.
Manufacturer claims are reported as claims. We do not turn a quoted battery ceiling into a guaranteed real-world runtime, and we do not describe an AI label as a returned rally unless the machine’s physical behavior supports that distinction.
Research-based, not fake hands-on testing
Our current model pages are independent desk research, not laboratory or long-term ownership reviews. We say so because pretending to have tested a machine would make the comparison less useful, not more authoritative. Future hands-on observations will be labeled separately from manufacturer specifications.
Commercial independence
A manufacturer cannot pay for a higher score or a “best” position. Some outbound links may earn a commission if a commercial relationship is active, but the scoring code does not contain commission rates and the same link can be replaced without changing a recommendation.
Corrections and updates
This is a fast-moving category. If a listed price, shipping policy or specification is wrong, email corrections@tennisrobotfinder.com with the manufacturer source. Material corrections are applied to the database and affected guide pages.