iPong PRO Table Tennis Training Robot Review

Looking for a partner that can help you set new performances benchmarks and enhance your competitive skills? I’m sure at some point you would have realized that not every of your friend can be available all the time.

The million-dollar question is, do you need the physical presence of a partner to fulfill this purpose. Having a practicing partner is probably the best thing a player can ask for to achieve training and long-time goal.

It does not just make us more competitive to outperform the other while preparing, but it also makes us reflect on our mistakes to improve them. But times have changed.

Just like intelligent machines are replacing the need of human beings in performing routine and repetitive tasks, sports are also not far behind in coping with these effects of the technological revolution.

To upskill yourself, you no longer need to plead with your friend. All you need is a tool like iPong Pro. iPong Pro is the latest addition to the list of essential tools for any player, especially now when each game has become more competitive and demands more.

Made of Plastic is a training robot that helps players practice the speed and accuracy of shorts and find out shortcomings that can be overcome. So, stop waiting for a partner, start playing like a pro in just seconds with instant assembly.

This easily controllable & affordable table tennis robot brings recreational table tennis to a new and higher level of competitive play.

Features of iPong PRO –

Specification –

Manufacturer	JOOLA
Brand Name	iPong Pro
Item Dimension	‎12.5 x 12.5 x 9 inches
Item weight	2.5lbs
Size	10.75″ L x 10.75″ W x 18.75″ H
Electric Specification	Input: 100-240V ~50/60Hz 0.6A Output: 9V 2.0A

1. Enhanced Performance –

The iPong PRO has been enhanced to meet the highest standards for high-level table tennis training robots. It has an improved motor and shooting wheel complemented with stronger ball launching and enhanced spin. The key improvements also include improved accuracy and consistency & provide satisfactory long-term performance.

Attention has been paid to the sound issue with the new coming with relatively quieter operation from its previous models and a revamped remote control for easier operation. With the newly updated feeder disc that prevents ball jams, it has truly transformed itself.

2. Remote Controlled –

I find the ability to use the wired remote to adjust power, frequency, spin, and oscillation most fascinating. With the wired remote, players can set their own pace and gradually raise their training benchmarks by constantly increasing the difficulty level they deem essential.

Thanks to the remote control, the blistering ball-feed service is there because one doesn’t have to leave their side of the table. In addition, players can control the oscillation for ball placement on the table and even adjust the balls anywhere between backspin and topspin.

3. Oscillation –

Apart from being remote-controlled, the iPong Pro is a portable ping pong partner with an exciting oscillation feature that adds to your training challenge. It has a side-to-side oscillating head feature that allows players to play more lifelike games and build agility.

The remote control allows you to control the oscillation of the unit’s core for ball placement on the table and adjust the balls anywhere between backspin and topspin. I took the oscillation challenge and found that you can keep up with spin and ball placement simultaneously.

The purpose of the iPong series is not to provide intense and rigorous practice but to allow individuals to receive the enjoyment of playing against live serves

4. Easily control settings –

The feature that makes the iPong Pro beginner-friendly is the user interface. I witnessed it has elementary settings for easy understanding. For starters, the assembly time is minimal, can be ready within seconds.

After that, adjusting speed, frequency, and oscillation features are all remote controlled with a digital display for access control settings.

There’s no more waiting for a practice partner. This compact machine is more like a live opponent who can continuously shoot more than 100 balls before reloading. The fact that I didn’t feel the need for any tool or equipment further sweetens the appeal.

Pros and Cons of iPong PRO –

PROS	CONS
1. Infinite Spin Variations	1. Wired Connections
2. Quick Assembly	2. Plastic body
3. Learn at your Own Pace	3. Occasionally, Jam
4. Improved features & Digital Display
5. 100+ ball holding Capacity
6. Variable shooting

Pros of iPong PRO –

1. Infinite Spin Variations:

There is a lot of variation possibility. The actual game is unpredictable, and practices for that uncertainty are the key to ace. The iPong Pro helps practice returning backspin, topspin, and heavy topspin with infinite variation. Yes, you read it right.

I practiced for hours, and every time, it has managed to surprise me. While the Topspin has been made primarily for beginners who want to practice hitting just topspin balls, the iPong Pro Table Tennis Training robot comes with a backspin and heavy topspin for professional players who can handle different kinds of spins.

2. Adjustable Parameters:

JOOLA has a reputation for producing products for the diverse market like the very popular Joola Inside. They believe in creating table tennis tables and accessories for all skill levels and price ranges.

They have achieved this by not making different robots for different user bases but by making the key fundamentals adjustable. I can use the wired remote to adjust power, frequency, spin, and oscillation.

The Adjustable features also include ball frequency, side-to-side oscillation, topspin speed, and backspin speed. I observed that to practice an even more comprehensive range of strokes or to improve accuracy and ball placement by placing the iPong on the iPong tilt stand or using the iPong Table Tennis Training Targets, respectively.

3. Up to Date Features:

Not only the different features are aligned to ensure consistency and accuracy, but they are also updated to satisfy the new needs of players. The iPong PRO features a memory button to save your favorite setting and a play/pause button to make adjustments.

The setting you save will become the new default so that I only need to focus right on the game from the start. It also features a digital display and is visible from a distance.

It uses the remote to switch between endless shot options ranging from levels 0-9 for ball frequency, side-to-side oscillation, topspin speed, and underspin speed to provide a world-class workout.

4. Variable shooting capacity:

iPong Pro has the edge over its competition in the feature that it can hold more than 100 balls. Even though the robot is universal, it supports 40mm or 40+ Poly table tennis balls and shoots them at a frequency of 12-70 balls per minute.

The cherry on top is I can easily adjust the speed I want and gradually increase the difficulty level. This adjustment is not something that will abruptly bring your training to a halt since the frequency can be adjusted using the remote.

I practiced advanced strokes and kept pushing the limits to become better.

Cons of iPong PRO –

1. Wired Connection:

Even though the iPong Pro has no latency and an absolute slight time lag, the fact that we have to deal with a wire connection to operate it with a remote made it sound obsolete in a world where wireless is the new normal, and we are envisioning more ahead.

I’ve compared different periods of operation, and the only shortcoming that can be witnessed is being wired. Even though there is no problem in carrying extra weight, it is not in line with anyone who demands a wireless remote connection.

2. Plastic body:

The Plastic Body, which makes it light, also feels fragile. It looks like a premium, but it may not seem a strong product when held in hand, unlike the EWANYO Indoor Sport Trainer.

It does not have enough power to aid in developing a professional player’s skill since it can be gimmicky on occasions with jams and poor accuracy.

FAQs

Can I adjust the settings according to my need?

Of course. The beauty of this product lies in the very fact that it offers total control to the end-user. We have witnessed training robots in the past that came with prior programmed settings with no scope of altering the default.

That is one way of stealing the liberty to learn at the desired pace. The ability to change the default setting like frequency of ball, their oscillation movement, topspin, and backspin speed, and building that momentum to progress timely offers a great chance to evolve players.

How does it improve motion practice during games?

The iPong Pro comes with a fantastic feature of side-to-side oscillation. The periodic movement allows balls to be thrown in different directions at high velocity to provide the chance to prepare for any possibility.

Compound the factor that this oscillation and more such features are not fixed but can be adjusted by the player, and we have a great environment where a player gets to experience the complete motion practice as if it is a live match.

Does it support any type of table & ball?

Yes absolutely. The iPong Pro isn’t bound to operate on a confided number of tables, but the manufacturers have ensured it is Universal. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what kind of table you already own.

It will work on any standard table (9 feet x 5 feet) flawlessly. In terms of the ball, the internal mechanics supports a ball of a particular dimension & therefore, we need a ball of diameter 40mm/ 4cm.

More than one ball gets thrown at a single time sometimes. How to adjust it?

It is a prevalent issue been observed by many. The balls come simultaneously, which hampers the timing of the subsequent balls, disrupting the rhythm while practicing. We can fix this problem right from the very start.

You can try using the product with no balls in the shooting part when first turning it on. After that, we can use the wired remote to adjust power, frequency, spin, and oscillation.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, the iPong Pro offers a significant improvement in critical features and the overall potency of a training robot. It has the latest digital display, adjustable settings to provide a multi-dimensional enabling atmosphere for the player. The cost is also at par with the competition, making it an affordable buy.