Like others, I have been researching robots. I'm one of those guys who will read about the product, find and read as many reviews as possible, and want to know what are the features, that are unique for each individual buyer.
I've yet to pull the trigger on a purchase but I am very close. Here are some important points I have found out that may assist others considering a robot.
First, define what you want to use the robot for. One's use best determines which robots to consider. And if you have not asked yourself what do you want the robot to do, that's the most basic and elementary first question that needs to be asked?
Second, after determining a robots use, what is your budget? Robots range from under a $100 to $2,000+. Price will then provide you the robots to consider defined by your use.
Third, then compare the features and price of the applicable robots. Me, I want to practice drills and work on receiving serves. Receiving serves is the weakest part of my game. I also want to have a feature that allows the spin and oscillation (the movement of ball output) to be unpredictable. Or otherwise stated, I don't want to have to manually turn the ball output to a different spin. I want the output from the robot to resemble game play and be unpredictable. Several robots provide practice drills, and some also provide drills that can be customized.
The old Southern US expression, "I'm like a terrier with a rat", meaning that I will not let go until I have exhausted all available information. My DNA is if I am going to spend hundreds of dollars on a robot, I want to get the possible purchase match for me. I'm the opposite of an impulse buyer.
Forth point, I have been extremely tempted to purchase the models being imported from China, many available online and eBay. The Chaofan 36 comes with a basket, but no net retrieval system, with prices below $200, or step up to a similar model with the catch net and ball retrieval system for around $350. My concern here is that moving components are going to wear out. There a parts moving at high revolution and eventually wheels that spin the ball are need replacing, and electronic parts that control the mechanism are going to fail. What about getting replacement parts for these Chinese imported robots?
So I initially was drawn to the inexpensive iPong robots. For less than $200 I could have a robot with a catch net but no automatic ball loading. The iPong did not have features I wanted. Then an extensive search began online for other robots and I kept coming back to the future need of parts and service. Whose to say one day we are playing and a power surge happens or lightning strikes and components get frizzled?
At present, I feel most comfortable with Newgy. They are based in Tennessee and have a human voice to speak to and they state they offer support and repairs. And they have been around a long time. I am sure the robots offered by Paddle Palace and by Butterfly are equal or better, but they at present don't offer a model comparable in price to the one I am considering. Remember point number two above, budget and price.
Hopefully others reading this on a similar quest will find a point or two to help.