If you’ve ever run a tennis drill or practiced with dozens of balls, you know how much time and energy gets spent picking them up. That’s where tools like FLIPP and TenniBot come in — both aim to make ball collection faster and easier, but they do it in very different ways.

Whether you’re a coach, player, or club manager, choosing the right solution depends on your budget, training needs, and how you value convenience vs. technology. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between FLIPP, a new manual ball picker/hopper from NKORT, and TenniBot, one of the leading automated options on the market.

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Quick Overview

Feature	FLIPP	TenniBot
Type	Manual ball picker & hopper (2-in-1)	Automated robotic ball picker
Ball Capacity	~80 balls	~80 balls
Collection Method	Push along ground with spring-loaded forks	Autonomous navigation via camera + sensors
Power Source	None (fully manual)	Rechargeable battery (4–5 hours per charge)
Portability	Lightweight and foldable	Wheeled robot, bulkier than FLIPP
Feeding Capability	Yes – converts to waist-height hopper	No – storage only, needs separate hopper
Price Range	~$150 retail	~$3,000 retail
Maintenance	Very low (no electronics)	Moderate – battery, software updates, etc.
Ideal For	Coaches, clubs, regular players	High-end academies, tech-forward users

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What is FLIPP?

FLIPP is a new product designed by NKORT to combine two familiar tools into one: a ball picker and a hopper. Instead of bending to scoop balls or carrying a separate basket, you simply roll FLIPP across the court to collect balls using its forked pickup system. Once full, you flip the handle and it becomes a hopper at waist height — ready for feeding drills.

It’s manual, but thoughtfully designed to be efficient, lightweight, and portable. After testing at local clubs, early feedback has been very positive, especially from coaches who liked the speed and simplicity.

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What is TenniBot?

TenniBot is an automated ball collector — think of it as the “Roomba” for your tennis court. It uses cameras and sensors to navigate and scoop up balls on its own. You can even control zones via an app. It holds about the same number of balls as FLIPP but does not serve as a hopper, so you’ll still need a separate container for feeding.

The main draw is convenience: set it up, start hitting, and let the robot do the cleanup. It’s fully autonomous, but it comes at a steep cost (around $3,000).

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Why Choose FLIPP Over Automation?

1. Cost-Effective and Accessible

Not everyone has the budget for a $3,000 robot — especially local clubs, school programs, or individual players. FLIPP delivers a big time-saving upgrade over traditional baskets and tubes at a fraction of the cost. It’s also easier to justify when buying multiple units for different courts or teams.

2. No Charging, No Apps, No Tech Hassles

FLIPP works anytime, anywhere. There’s no battery, no software updates, and no learning curve. Just roll, flip, and go. If you’ve ever had tech issues mid-practice, you’ll appreciate the simplicity.

3. Built-In Hopper Functionality

TenniBot collects balls, but you still need to transfer them to another hopper to run feeding drills. FLIPP cuts out that extra step — once full, it’s ready to use. That’s less equipment to manage and less setup time between drills.

4. Portable and Durable

FLIPP is compact and foldable, making it easy to throw in your trunk or store at the club. It’s made for the real world — no fragile electronics, and no need for a perfectly flat court to operate.

5. Good Fit for Most Players and Coaches

While TenniBot might appeal to academies with big budgets, FLIPP is designed for practical, everyday use. If you’re a coach working with kids, or a club player doing serve drills, it gets the job done without overcomplicating your setup.

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When Automation Might Make Sense

TenniBot does shine in certain environments:

• Elite academies with dozens of courts and large-scale training programs.
• Private users who want to eliminate all manual work (and can afford the cost).
• Facilities looking to showcase cutting-edge tech as part of their brand.

If you’re in one of those groups, the automation may be worth it.

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Final Thoughts

In the end, both FLIPP and TenniBot are trying to solve the same problem — how to pick up balls faster. The key difference is in how they approach the problem, and who they’re built for.

• If you want an affordable, durable, and coach-friendly tool that improves your workflow on court, FLIPP is a smart choice.
• If you’re running a high-budget academy and want a hands-off, futuristic solution, TenniBot might be right — assuming the investment makes sense.

For most players and clubs, FLIPP offers the best blend of efficiency, practicality, and value. It’s a modern take on a tool every tennis program needs — without the complexity or price tag of automation.