Best Launch Monitors of 2023 - #1 Top Rated

Carl's Place selects the Best Golf Launch Monitors of 2023 by budget, size, performance. Our Buyer's Guide for Top-Rated Launch Monitors for Golf Simulators.

• Best Budget Friendly Launch Monitor: Garmin R10
  Jump to Garmin Approach R10 Review

• Best Home Launch Monitor: SkyTrak
  Jump to SkyTrak Review

• Best Value Launch Monitor: Mevo+
  Jump to Mevo+ Review

• Best Outdoor Launch Monitor: Full Swing KIT
  Jump to Full Swing KIT Review

• Best Commercial Launch Monitor: Uneekor QED
  Jump to QED Review

• Best High-End Launch Monitor: Uneekor EYE XO
  Jump to EYE XO Review

Golf is about as popular as ever, which is leading to an ever-changing landscape when it comes to indoor golf simulators.

What kind of launch monitor are you looking to place in your golf simulator setup? Do you want a fancy, high-end one, or a more budget friendly option? Do you want all the data on your ball and club, or is basic data enough for you to improve your game? There is likely a launch monitor in the market that will fit your wants and needs.

At Carl’s Place, we’ve added several budget friendly items to our lineup this past year, including one new launch monitor: the Garmin Approach R10. The Garmin R10 joins an already strong lineup of launch monitors that include the Uneekor EYE XO, Uneekor QED, SkyTrak and FlightScope Mevo+.

Below, we will give your best golf launch monitor reviews for the year.

2023 Buying Guide for Golf Launch Monitors

BUDGET FRIENDLY LAUNCH MONITOR: GARMIN R10

The Garmin R10 is the most budget friendly launch monitor that Carl’s Place offers, and one of the most budget friendly options you will find anywhere.

And with that not-so-heavy cost, the Garmin R10 launch monitor really packs a punch. It comes with its own software/app for iOS and Android devices, but also can be used with E6 Connect software for a little higher end feel.

The tiny unit is easy to set up and, for the price, provides 10 ball data parameters and four club parameters. 

Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor Details
Types of Play Included	Includes virtual course play, driving range mode, and swing analysis Included on Garmin Golf App with downloadable software updates
Data Parameters	Club Head Speed, Club Face Angle, Club Path Angle, Angle of Attack, Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Launch Direction, Spin Axis, Spin Rate, Apex Height, Smash Factor, Carry Distance, Total Distance, Deviation Distance
Upgrades Available	Compatible with TruGolf E6 Connect
Where To Use	Moderate space requirements: Sits 6-8 feet behind the golfer Portable use with 10 hours battery life and magnetic tripod for easy placement
Technology Requirements	iOS or Android Smartphone running Garmin Golf app

HOME LAUNCH MONITOR: SKYTRAK

The SkyTrak launch monitor is great for home setups for many reasons, but mostly because of its small footprint. The unit itself might be slightly larger than other competitors, but the fact that it sits around a foot to the side of the golf ball is much better than several feet behind the golf ball.

That said, you need significantly less space to have a golf simulator setup if you use a SkyTrak. In our SkyTrak golf simulator review, we recommend you leave some buffer room around your golf enclosure and impact screen (a few inches on the sides and about a foot behind the screen), and then stand/hit ideally 12 feet away from the screen. Leave maybe 5 more feet to feel comfortable with your backswing and follow through, and you only need an 18 foot deep room, compared to possibly 24 or more feet for the Garmin R10 or Mevo+. 

SkyTrak Launch Monitor Details
Types of Play Included	Basic Practice Range Software
Data Parameters	Club Head Speed, Ball Speed, Launch Angle, Back Spin, Side Spin, Side Angle
Upgrades Available	Game Improvement Plan and Tee Off Package Compatible with other software such as World Golf Tour, E6 Connect and TGC 2019
Where To Use	Small space requirements: sits about a foot adjacent to the hitting area Portable use with optional metal case to protect unit
Technology Requirements	SkyTrak app is made for iOS, Android and Windows PCs

BEST VALUE LAUNCH MONITOR: MEVO+

We tested the Mevo+ at the driving range in 2021 and it performed very well. Then, FlightScope added Fusion Tracking and club data (with it’s optional Pro Package add-on) to its mid-range launch monitor, and everything changed.

There’s not another launch monitor like the Mevo+ in the same price range. To us, the Mevo+ launch monitor is performing similarly to much more expensive launch monitors. Not only is it accurate, but also a great value.

Mevo+ Launch Monitor Details
Types of Play Included	FS Golf app available for iOS and Android devices helps you take practice to a new level.
Data Parameters	Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Launch Angle, Ball Speed, Vertical/Horizontal Launch Angle, Back Spin, Side Spin, Side Axis, Carry Distance, Roll, Total Distance, Spin Axis, Spin Loft, Lateral Landing, Angle of Descent
Upgrades Available	E6 Connect software
Where To Use	Moderate space requirements: sits about 8 feet behind golfer Highly portable unit that performs well inside and outside
Technology Requirements	iOS or Android device, or Windows 10 PC with at least Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM, Nvidia 1070 graphics card, 25GB of space on hard drive

OUTDOOR LAUNCH MONITOR: FULL SWING KIT

The Full Swing KIT is a relatively small, radar-based launch monitor that sits behind the hitting area, similar to the Mevo+ and Garmin R10. This means it is not only easy to take to the range, but also does better with more space for the ball to fly and launch monitor to read that flight. 

No need to even have your phone out to get your data. Just check the sleek on-device screen to learn your numbers after every shot!

 

COMMERCIAL LAUNCH MONITOR: UNEEKOR QED

Many launch monitors can be used in a commercial golf simulator setup, but the Uneekor QED (and EYE XO) work great in commercial golf simulator setups.

Both can be sleekly mounted onto a Carl’s Place Pro Golf Enclosure, which gets them out of the way of walking traffic and flying balls and clubs. It also provides useful video feedback of your club at impact from above, while also having the ability to add additional cameras for even more feedback.

Although you are forced to use marked golf balls with the QED, it’s a few thousand bucks less expensive than the EYE XO, and some businesses might be looking to save that money as they start their ventures. 

HIGHEST END LAUNCH MONITOR: UNEEKOR EYE XO

The EYE XO is the cream of the crop for the launch monitors we offer at Carl’s Place.

It’s the priciest because of all that it has to offer: tons of ball and club data, a great overhead mounting spot … and you can use whatever ball you want with it (doesn’t have to be marked like the QED). 

Last year, some of our Carl’s Place team put together some higher end setups for about $20,000.