I believe that your capabilities as a hitter fully rely on how aptly you can hit a ball off a batting tee. People can argue that hitting off a pitching machine or playing against a live pitcher is better, and sure, I agree to some extent. But batting tee offers something that no pitching machine or pitcher can offer –
The chance to work on the fundamentals.
Yes, fundamentals are the most important thing for a hitter. Timings and accuracy are, of course, important, but they take a backseat to fundamental skills such as hitting techniques and follow through.
The right batting tee will make it easier for you to acquire these skills, while a poor one will work against you. That is why I always recommend going with a decent batting tee by a decent brand. For affordable options, Jugs batting tees were always my favorites. I’ll explain why when I compare and break down three of my favorite Jugs batting tees.
Top 3 Jugs Batting Tee Reviews
This brand is one of the powerhouses when it comes to baseball accessories and equipment and offers some of the best quality when it comes to batting tees. Here, I will highlight three Jugs batting tees that I’ve used in the past. So, you’ll be able to decide for yourself which one is more suited to your requirements.
1. Jugs T – Pro Style Batting Tee
If you are short on time or simply don’t want to go through the whole article, just go with the Jugs T Pro Style Batting Tee. Trust me – you won’t be disappointed. Even when compared to the other batting tees from other brands, this one stands out tall and proud. I would know; this is the same one I use for my youth players. The closest competitor to the Jugs T Pro Style Batting tee would be the Tanner Tee Original, both in terms of pricing and performance. But I prefer the base design of the Jugs and love how heavy it is. It virtually eliminates “tee walk” issues that you will find in the Tanner Original.
This means even if you have a strong swing, you do not have to worry about the tee moving out of position after a while. Once you set it up on the plate, it will stay there unless you move it yourself. It also comes with an excellent range of height adjustment, allowing you to go from anywhere between 24 to 46 inches. What does this mean for you as a coach? Well, you will be able to work with players of any age group. If you are training a youth hitter, lower the tee. For taller batters, you can quickly increase the height.
On top of giving you an excellent height range and a stable base, this tee is surprisingly portable. This tee features the trademark Grip-n-Go handle, which lets you quickly switch up its position. And its easy disassembly process allows you to break it down and put it in your bag for easy transport. The top of the tee is quite soft and flexible, which ensures you get full bat-to-ball contact without damaging it in any way.
Its interlocking bolt design ensures the upper tee stem remains locked at a fixed height while you are working on your swings. The manufacturers proudly claim that you do not need to add extra weight to the base to keep it stable. This is a game-changer as it cuts down on your setup time by almost half. So, you will be able to start off your training session much faster than normal. There is hardly anything worth complaining about with this tee. But if I had to be critical, I would say that the grease at the top of the stem can catch you quite easily. Then again, if you are careful how you handle it, this should not be too much of an issue.
With a host of features to boot, the Jugs T Pro Style Batting Tee is surely one worth buying, even with its hefty sub-200 dollars price tag. If 3-time MVP Albert Pujols himself can stand by this tee, naturally, you won’t hear me complaining about its quality.
2. JUGS Hit Like a Pro Hitting Tee
Getting the Jugs T Pro Style Batting Tee is definitely the wise idea if you want to go big. But I also understand how it can break the budget for many. Well, that is why I am recommending a Jugs tee that sits at the opposite end of the budget spectrum. The Jugs Hit Like a Pro Hitting Tee is an ideal choice for people who want an entry-level, basic tee to work on their fundamentals. Having used it myself on occasions when I am working with little leaguers, I can confidently say that this is by no means a bad tee.
It does have some issues here and there, but that should be expected considering its sub-100 dollars price tag. The height adjustment option of this batting tee ranges from 21 to 37 inches, which is pretty decent since it is aimed mostly at beginners anyways. Sure, adult hitters can also train with it, but as the maximum height caps out at 37 inches, it is not really ideal for tall players.
Instead of the flexible top that you get with the Jugs T Pro-Style batting tee, the Hit Like A Pro comes with a plastic tube. So, if you miss your swings frequently and end up hitting the tube, there is a good chance of damaging it. This is the main reason why I prefer going with tees with a flexible top.
Another massive drawback of the unit is its rubber plate. It’s not the end of the world considering the price, but since it is not as heavy as a metal base, it can topple over. If you remember to add some weight to the base, it should hold its ground pretty firmly.
You can still find the Jugs Grip-n-Go design in this batting tee, making it extremely portable. Its easy disassembly process means you will be able to fold it up and take it in your bag whenever you are done with your training session. Overall, as a budget-friendly option, the Jugs Hit Like a Pro is not a bad investment at all. It delivers consistent performance, and if you can put up with the minor quirks here and there, it should serve you well for a pretty long time.
3. Jugs Combo T Package
I try not to think of a budget when shopping for training equipment that can help my hitters be better. When I look at a batting tee, I look at its base, the range of height it offers, and most importantly, how versatile it is. So naturally, the Jugs Combo T Package is one of my favorites. With a price tag that often goes over 200 dollars, it is the most expensive batting tee on this list. It delivers a level of performance that more than justifies its cost. For instance, you are not paying for one but two separate batting tees with this package.
The Jugs Combo T Package includes a regular T base, a Jugs Short T stem, and a regular Jugs T stem. If you bought them separately, you would have to pay a lot more than what you would pay while buying the Combo T Package. Needless to say, it offers a lot of value.
The regular Jugs T stem has a height range of 24 to 45 inches, which is already pretty decent for teens and adults. But when planning for hitters under 13 years old, the Short T stem with its height range of 16 to 23 inches will offer a better experience. Between these two stems, you will have complete coverage of the strike zone.
Not only that, but the quality of the top in both the stems is top-notch. These are flexible tops, the same ones you will find in the flagship Jugs T Pro-Style batting tee. So, you will get excellent bat-to-ball contact without having to worry about breaking or damaging the top in any way.
Though you get two stems, you only get one T base in this bundle, and you need to switch the stems when you want to change the height range. The base is made of metal and has a decent weight to it. So, you will not have to worry about any tee walk issues once you set it up on the home plate.
It disassembles easily and features the signature Grab-n-Go design that defines the brand. So, you will be able to move it from the locker to the pitch without too much hassle. Sure, the price tag of the Jugs Complete T Package will dissuade many of my readers. But if you are a coach who wants to work with both youths and adults, then this one investment will be worth every penny.
What Makes Jugs a Good Brand for Baseball Players
Let me tell you this right off the bat – I am not the least bit biased towards this brand. In fact, if you read some of my other articles, you’ll see that I hate some Jugs products because they’re complete trash.
But the only reason you see me sing high praises of Jugs is that they cater to their customers, and that is essential to establish yourself as a leading brand in this industry. And while just like any other popular brand, they do screw up sometimes, they’re still better than a lot of other sporting equipment providers.
Here are three reasons why I think this is a great brand for Baseball players.
Consistent Quality
I have used many Jugs pitching machines, batting tees, and ball feeders over the course of my career as a coach. But I have yet to be disappointed with the quality that this brand delivers. Whether I am going with their high-end options or affordable units, the quality control is superb.
Of course, your expectations have to be realistic. For instance, you cannot just buy the Jugs Hit Like A Pro Batting tee and expect it to be on par with their more expensive Jugs T Pro-Style Tee.
Something for Everyone
What I love most about the brand is that they really offer something for everyone at every budget range. Whether you are looking for a baseball batting tee or a low-cost pitching machine, you can safely bet that Jugs has what you are looking for.
Good Warranty Services
Did you know that Jugs also provide warranties with many of their products? In most cases, if you end up with a piece of faulty equipment, you can get in touch with the officials who will help you sort things out easily.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, Jugs is pretty flexible in its product pricing. If budget is no issue, then going with the Jugs T Pro-Style or the Jugs Complete T Package is a no-brainer. For those on a budget, the Jugs Hit Like A Pro Batting Tee might be the better fit. Hopefully, my hands-on review of the three Jugs batting tees could help you figure out which one is the perfect choice for you. Good luck!
