Finding someone to practice table tennis with isn’t always easy.Your schedule may not match your friends’. Your regular training partner may be busy. And even when you do find someone to practice with, they may not be able to feed the same shot repeatedly.That’s where a table tennis robot can make a real difference.

The PONGBOT Nova S Pro is designed specifically for players who want to practice alone while still getting consistent, programmable ball feeds. It offers 264+ built-in drills, nine spin variations, adjustable speed and placement, app control, and a compact 4 kg design.But is it actually worth buying? Let’s take a closer look.

PONGBOT Nova S Pro at a Glance

Specifications and current pricing are based on PONGBOT’s product page and may change.Check the current PONGBOT Nova S Pro price.

What Is the PONGBOT Nova S Pro?

The PONGBOT Nova S Pro is a portable table tennis robot for solo training.

Instead of relying on another player to feed balls, the robot can repeatedly deliver balls at different speeds, spins and locations.

PONGBOT lists 264+ built-in training drills, while also allowing users to customize spin, speed, placement and oscillation through its app.

The biggest idea behind the Nova S Pro is simple: You don’t need to wait for a training partner to practice.

For recreational and intermediate players, that can be more valuable than having hundreds of advanced specifications.

Why a Table Tennis Robot Can Be Useful

The biggest problem with solo table tennis practice isn’t always motivation.It’s consistency.

If you’re trying to improve your forehand, backhand, footwork or reaction time, you need repetition.A human partner can provide that—but only when they’re available.

A robot doesn’t have that limitation.You can set up a specific drill and repeat the same type of shot over and over.

Independent users have also highlighted this as one of the Nova S Pro’s biggest benefits: focused repetition allows players to work on specific weaknesses without depending on another player.That’s where the Nova S Pro makes the most sense.

Key Features of the Nova S Pro

1. 264+ Built-In Training Drills

The Nova S Pro comes with 264+ programmed drills designed for different training situations and skill levels.

This is important for players who don’t know exactly how to structure their solo sessions.

Instead of simply pressing “start” and hitting random balls, you can choose a drill designed around a specific movement or shot pattern.

2. Custom Spin, Speed and Placement

The Nova S Pro lets you customize important training variables, including:

• Spin
• Speed
• Ball placement
• Trajectory
• Oscillation

The app also allows players to visualize the programmed shots.

This makes the robot more than a basic ball launcher.

You can create a session around a particular weakness instead of simply hitting as many balls as possible.

3. Nine Spin Variations

Spin is one of the most important parts of table tennis.

The Nova S Pro supports nine spin variations, with a maximum listed spin rate of up to 60 r/s.

That gives players the ability to practice against different ball behaviors rather than receiving the same neutral feed repeatedly.

4. Adjustable Speed and Frequency

The robot can deliver balls at 2–15 m/s and between 30 and 90 balls per minute, with 11 frequency levels.

That makes it possible to adjust the intensity of your training.

You can start slowly while focusing on technique and increase the pace as your consistency improves.

5. Compact and Portable

One of the Nova S Pro’s biggest advantages is its size.

It weighs just 4 kg and measures 465 × 325 × 176 mm. PONGBOT describes it as compact enough to fit in a backpack.

That’s useful for players who don’t want a large robot permanently installed beside their table.

You can train at home, move the robot to another location, and store it when you’re finished.

What We Like About the PONGBOT Nova S Pro

Excellent for solo training

Its biggest strength is simple: you can practice without another player.

Large drill library

The 264+ programmed drills give beginners and intermediate players plenty of training options.

Strong customization

Speed, spin and placement can be adjusted for more targeted practice.

Portable design

At 4 kg, it’s much easier to move and store than larger training robots.

App control

The app provides access to the robot’s more advanced training functions.

What Could Be Better?

The Nova S Pro isn’t perfect.

Manual physical adjustment

PONGBOT specifies that left/right oscillation and vertical/side adjustments are manual rather than automatic.

This may matter to advanced players looking for highly automated training patterns.

Ball recycling isn’t included with the standard robot

The robot holds 150 balls, but the standard package doesn’t include the optional Ball Collection Net. PONGBOT sells that accessory separately for automatic collection and recycling.

For longer training sessions, this is something to consider.

It can’t replace a real opponent

This is perhaps the most important limitation.

A robot can provide repetition, but it can’t reproduce everything that happens during a real match—reading an opponent, reacting to unexpected shots, tactical decisions and match pressure.

Even experienced users emphasize that robot training works best as a complement to human practice rather than a complete replacement.

Who Should Buy the Nova S Pro?

The PONGBOT Nova S Pro is a particularly good fit for:

• Recreational players who want to practice more often
• Intermediate players working on specific weaknesses
• Home players with limited access to training partners
• Busy professionals who want flexible practice sessions
• Players who prefer structured solo drills

It’s less compelling for someone who only plays table tennis occasionally or for elite players who require the most sophisticated automated training available.

PONGBOT Nova S Pro vs. a Basic Ball Launcher

This is an important distinction.

A cheap table tennis machine may simply throw balls at a predetermined speed.

The Nova S Pro is positioned at a different level because it combines:

Programmable drills + spin variation + speed adjustment + placement control + app control.

That means you’re not simply getting more balls.

You’re getting more ways to structure your practice.

That’s arguably the biggest reason to spend more on a dedicated training robot.

Is the PONGBOT Nova S Pro Worth It?

At the current listed price of $299.99, the Nova S Pro sits in an interesting position. PONGBOT currently lists it at $299.99, reduced from $399.99.

For a casual player, $300 may be difficult to justify.

But if you play several times a week and frequently struggle to find someone to practice with, the value becomes much easier to understand.

You’re essentially buying consistent access to solo training.

And that’s where the Nova S Pro’s strongest selling point lies.

Final Verdict

The PONGBOT Nova S Pro is a strong option for players who want structured table tennis training without depending on a practice partner.

Its biggest strengths are:

• 264+ programmed drills
• 9 spin variations
• 2–15 m/s ball speed
• 30–90 balls/min
• Customizable placement
• App + remote control
• Compact 4 kg design

Its biggest compromises are manual physical adjustments and the lack of an automatic ball-recycling system in the standard package.

Our verdict: Recommended for solo recreational and intermediate players.

If your biggest problem isn’t finding time to practice—but finding someone to practice with—the PONGBOT Nova S Pro could be exactly the training partner you’re missing.

See the PONGBOT Nova S Pro

PONGBOT Nova S Pro FAQ

Can I use the PONGBOT Nova S Pro without a partner?

Yes. Solo practice is one of its primary purposes. The robot provides programmable ball feeds so you can train independently.

How many balls does the Nova S Pro hold?

It holds 150 balls according to PONGBOT’s specifications.

How fast can it shoot?

The listed ball speed is 2–15 m/s, with a frequency of 30–90 balls per minute.

How many drills does it have?

PONGBOT lists 264+ built-in drills.

Is the Nova S Pro portable?

Yes. It weighs approximately 4 kg and is designed for portable use.

Can it replace a real table tennis partner?

Not completely. It’s best used for repetitive skill training and structured drills while still combining it with real opponents, coaching and match play.