Buying a vertical jump tester can be a daunting task…
There’s very little information on the web about these devices and they’re quite expensive, so you want to make sure you get it right.
Having measured my own vertical (and other athletes’) hundreds of times in the past, I know all about these devices and can help you decide which product is right for your needs.
Most of these vertical jump measuring devices fall into one of two categories: a mechanical jump tester or a vertical jump mat.
Best Overall |
Best Digital Vertical Jump Tester |
Best Budget Option |
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- Super easy to operate, seamlessly adjusting from 5' to 12' - great for testing standing reach and jump height for a range of different athletes.
- Perfect accuracy - aluminum extrusions lock into place and won't slip like other devices.
- Plenty of convenient mounting options as well as floor stand.
- Excellent build quality and durability.
- Very affordable with our customer discount!
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- Can track more than just vertical jump on the mobile app.
- Athlete management & free cloud storage included.
- Battery operated, super portable.
- More affordable than alternatives.
- Vanes increase in 1/2″ increments for better accuracy.
- Significantly more affordable than other options.
In this article I’m going to run you through the pros and cons of each of the different vertical jump testers on the current market, and I’ll do my best to help you decide which option is best for you.
Let’s begin!
Designed to make vertical jump testing quick, painless, and super accurate, I believe the Top Hopper is by far the best option on the current market.
Best Overall Vertical Jump Tester
The benefit of using a mechanical jump measurement device for vertical jump testing is that you can test not only standing jump, but also running vertical jump, making these devices superior to vertical jump mats in most cases.
However most of these devices are notoriously finicky to operate – they’re difficult to adjust and not particularly durable…
The Top Hopper, on the other hand, is a brand new device that addresses all the issues of existing products and completely blows them out the water!
The Top Hopper comes in three different options: floor stand, wall mount, and basketball rim mount, allowing you to choose the perfect setup for your training environment.
My favorite thing about the TH1000 is the ease with which it adjusts up and down, from 5 feet to 12’3″ with perfect accuracy.
This makes the device super easy to use with a wide range of athletes of varying heights and abilities.
It also allows you to conveniently test athletes’ standing reach without having to mess around with the pole (as you do with most vertecs).
The Top Hopper adjusts from 5 feet to 12’3″ feet by default, but also has an extension plate which allows the device to be raised to over 14 feet, making it the most convenient option for elite jumpers.
Unlike some cheaper mechanical testers, it also comes with a telescopic stick to allow you to easily adjust the measurement vanes, which is super handy.
It’s also way more rigid and accurate than other comparable products – here’s a side by side comparison of the Top Hopper and a Vertec…
You can clearly see how the superior build quality will offer more accurate and reliable measurements.
There’s a ton of different addons you can get for the TH1000, including a carry case, protective cover, and even custom colors!
We’ve also been able to negotiate a 5% customer discount, which makes the Top Hopper about as affordable as the comparable alternatives.
Recommended Use
The Top Hopper is definitely going to be the best choice for sports teams and organizations looking for a versatile and reliable vertical jump tester, especially for sports concerned with measuring the running vertical jump.
Pros
- Super quick and easy to adjust with perfect accuracy (pole can’t slip during testing like other devices).
- Multiple mounting options.
- Bulletproof construction quality – will last a lifetime!
- Surprisingly affordable!
Cons
- Measurement vanes currently increase in 1″ increments (new version coming out shortly will have 1/2″ increments, further improving accuracy).
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We were absolutely blown away by how helpful this jump mat has been... It's ultra portable, SO easy to operate, tracks absolutely everything, and is far more affordable than the alternatives.
Best Digital Vertical Jump Tester For Teams
The Skyhook Contact Mat is the most affordable digital vertical jump mat that comes with integrated data management, meaning it’ll track the progress of multiple athletes over time.
It is a completely wireless system and connects to a super powerful mobile app that is extremely easy to use.
The Skyhook mat is able to track vertical jump height, reactive strength index (RSI), and can also be used to perform the Scandinavian rebound jump test (SRJT), as well as several others.
You can also easily set up team rosters in the mobile app which runs on both iOS and Android devices.
What I like most about this jump mat is that you get free cloud storage included and there’s no software license fees to make life more difficult!
For that reason, I definitely prefer it over the EZEJump mat (which we’ll discuss shortly).
It’s also way more affordable than any other digital vertical jump mat, making it a really solid investment.
Check out our full Skyhook Contact Mat review!
Recommended Use
This is a great option for sports teams looking to track the progress of multiple athletes over time.
Pros
- Tracks a lot more than just vertical jump height.
- Free cloud storage included and no license fees to worry about.
- Battery operated (so no annoying wires) and super portable with built in carry handle.
- Significantly more affordable compared to alternatives.
Cons
- There really isn’t much I don’t like about the Skyhook Contact Mat!
The PowerMax Vertical Jump Trainer is one of the more popular and affordable vertecs on the market, making it a great option for anyone looking for a more affordable version of the Top Hopper.
Best Budget Vertical Jump Tester
The PowerMax Vertec offers a fantastic balance between functionality and affordability.
It’s made of aluminum as opposed to steel, so it’s on the lighter side, but it comes with pins on the base that you can stick weights on as a counterbalance.
This vertec has colored measurements vanes increasing in 1/2″ increments and measures to a height of 12′, which is standard.
You can expect to pay $150-$200 more for a steel version of the same device, but from having read plenty of reviews, the aluminum frame still does a really good job.
Recommended Use
This is the most reliable and affordable option for anyone looking to test standing but also running vertical jump.
Pros
- Allows you to test running vertical jump – super important for volleyball and basketball.
- Significantly more affordable than steel vertecs.
- Tip-and-roll wheels as well as weight sleeves are a nice touch.
Cons
- Durability likely isn’t as good as steel-framed options.
- Pole screws into place which can occasionally cause some issues with accuracy.
If you’re looking for a super portable, extremely simple device to quickly and accurately test your standing vertical jump, the Just Jump vertical jump mat is your best option.
Best Vertical Jump Mat For Personal Use
If you’re only really interested in testing your standing vertical jump, the Just Jump mat is, in my opinion, by far the best method.
This device is able to calculate your jump height by measuring your hang time.
It’s as simple as hitting the on button, jumping, and then seeing how high you jumped (displays on the hand held controller)!
There’s plenty of stats you can track such as reactive strength index (RSI) by using the ‘4 jump mode’.
You can also try the ’60 jump mode’ which will calculate how well you deal with fatigue over time.
Vertical jump mats, although they’re not perfect, have been proven to be very accurate and are a great way to track your personal progress over time.1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24852256/
The best part about this device is that it’s extremely portable compared to something like a Vertec which is super inconvenient to transport.
As far as price goes, these cost about the same as a cheap mechanical vertical jump tester, making them one of the most affordable options on the market.
Recommended Use
The Just Jump mat is ideal for anyone only concerned with testing their standing vertical jump (and not approach jump). It’s also the most portable vertical jump tester, making it great for traveling trainers.
Pros
- Extremely quick and easy to set up and operate.
- Extremely portable.
Cons
- You can’t test your running vertical jump with these.
The Tandem Sport Vertical Challenger is a more budget friendly option that, despite its flaws, should still get the job done if you’re not super concerned about accuracy and durability.
Most Affordable Vertical Jump Tester
When it comes to mechanical jump testers like these, you can usually expect to pay $700+…
The Vertical Challenger is the only option on the market that costs less than $500, making it substantially cheaper than all other options.
Measuring from 4′-12′ in height, the Vertical Challenger does a fairly decent job overall, although it’s definitely not perfect.
The vanes increase in 1″ increments as opposed to half inch increments which is standard for most mechanical devices.
This means you’re not going to get quite as accurate of a reading using this device.
The measurement vanes are also a little stiff and don’t move quite as smoothly as the more expensive choices, but they still get the job done.
It also comes with a reset pole which is a nice feature, as not all products come standard with these.
Overall the quality of this device is definitely on the lower side…
There was a few complaints about bolts/screws missing as well as holes needing to be rethredded.
For casual users, the fact that this tester is half the price of the next cheapest option means we can overlook a few quality issues since it’s going to be the difference between being affordable and way too expensive.
Recommended Use
A decent option for anyone who simply can’t justify spending $700+ on a vertical jump tester. I’d avoid this option for sports organizations looking to test large volumes of athletes – this is a far better option for individual or casual use.
Pros
- This tester is considerably more affordable than the alternatives and conveniently retails through Amazon.
- Comes with reset pole.
Cons
- Measurement vanes increase in 1″ increments as opposed to half inch increments.
- Several minor complaints about quality.
Final Verdict?
If you want to test for running vertical jump, make sure you go for a mechanical vertical jump tester.
The Top Hopper TH1000 is easily the best choice on the current market, making it a no brainer for sports organizations and teams looking to regularly test vertical jump performance.
The PowerMax Vertec is next in line and still a decent option at a lower price point.
If you don’t need to test your running vertical jump, then perhaps a vertical jump mat is going to be the best option for you.
I recommend the Just Jump System for the majority of users and the Skyhook Contact Mat for sports performance organizations.
My Vertical Jump Tester Review Process
I always make it my mission to be as comprehensive as possible with these product reviews so I can be as helpful as possible to my readers.
Unfortunately, I’ve not yet been able to personally test each of these vertical jump testers, as getting products imported into the Kingdom of Thailand (where I’m currently based) can be a fairly slow and arduous process…
We will however be testing the Top Hopper in the next couple months and will be releasing a full product review video shortly!
How Do I Know What I’m Talking About?
Having trained full time in an elite development program as a volleyballer for a number of years, I’ve tested my vertical well over 100 times in my life, so I have a lot of experience, particularly with mechanical testers.
I can’t quite remember which brand we used, so in the interest of full transparency I can’t yet speak about all of the products in this article from first hand experience.
I do have plans to do some more detailed testing and reviews of each of these products while I’m in the USA next year. At that point I’ll be able to update this article with more accurate information.
Research Process
I spent a good couple of days finding out as much information as possible about each of the vertical jump testers discussed in this article.
I read all the reviews and came up with this list of what I believe are the 5 best testers in today’s market.
Up until the recent launch of the Top Hopper, the jump tester market was looking pretty bleak, with very low stocks and several products being discontinued.
Right now we’re pretty spoilt for choice with the TH1000 and PowerMax jump testers.
I’ve also been given direct access to the manufacturers of the Skyhook Mat who have sent me several videos of it being used, so I could get a feel for how the device functions.
Continually Updating With New Products & Information
As I gain more experience with these products, I’ll be updating this article so that you know exactly how my feelings towards each product evolve over time.
I’m also constantly on the hunt for new vertical jump testers that can offer value to the marketplace for inclusion in this article.
Feel free to read more about my product testing standards and review process.
What Is The Price Of A Vertical Jump Tester?
Currently you can expect to pay anywhere from $360 to $1,000 for a mechanical vertical jump tester.
Vertical jump mats will generally be a little more pricey, ranging from $700-$2,500+.
Please note that these prices definitely do fluctuate over time, so make sure you confirm the prices if you’re considering multiple options.
Cheap Vertical Jump Testers
The cheapest vertical jump tester actually worth looking at is the Tandem Sport Vertical Challenger at ~$475 but it’s very often out of stock, so you’re probably looking at around the $800 mark for the next cheapest tester.
Unfortunately there’s no real accurate and convenient way to test your vertical jump for much less than this.
When it comes to mechanical testers, I highly recommend spending the extra couple hundred bucks to ensure you’re going to get a product that will function for years and won’t be riddled with issue out of the box like some of the cheaper options are!
