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We get asked frequently about baseball hitting tees, especially for young or teen-age players. Our responses always seem to somehow morph into a Tanner Tee vs. Jugs Tee discussion, so we thought, What the heck let’s put it all in writing.
Tanner and JUGS offer a variety of top-of-the line batting tees, and the companies have been producing quality tees for many years. Both make models specific to certain age levels, all the way up to their well-advanced models for professional baseball players. Differences are difficult to determine, but know that Tanner focuses on hitting tees as a core product, while JUGS is known for making pitching machines first, then other equipment.
To compare, we’ll select 3 tee models from each, provide some insights and details, and let you decide which best would meet your needs for batting training purposes. And we will alternate between the manufacturers, trying to match up similar products, so you don’t have to read consecutive reviews from the same maker.
Tanner Tee Original
Analysis
With user ratings about as high as possible, and thousands of user reviews to boot, the Tanner Tee Original is very popular, and lasting. The manufacturer lists it as a “premium” tee, but it seems all of Tanner’s tees could be called that.
The Original comes with the company’s patented hand-rolled FlexTop, which has proved popular with baseball enthusiasts since its inception over 20 years ago. The shaping of the coned rolled rubber ball rest at the top, involving a specific hand-crafted process, adds durability to go along with ease of use.
This hitting tee has a solid metal design, is light and portable to fit into bags, and the ball rest at top works well so hitters feel all ball and little (if any) tee. The Original is for players age 9 and older, and remains a favorite for instruction for travel ball, college, and professional levels.
Specifications
- Height: adjustable 26” to 43”
- Weight: 6 lbs.
- Material: Composite metal
- Top Drawing Point: Tanner brand name
What We Like
- Patented FlexTop ball rest, for best presentation of ball before the swing
- Lightweight at just 6 lbs.
- Solid metal construction
- Warranty by manufacturer, 1 year guaranteed
JUGS Quick Release T
Analysis
The JUGS pitching machines have been near-standard equipment at baseball and softball practices since the 1970s. That the company dedicates so much attention to detail on its hitting tees is no surprise. Here, we spotlight the JUGS Quick Release T, as the manufacturer is marketing this new model heavily.
Much of what we like with the Quick Release can be found in other JUGS hitting tee models: heavily weighted base to prevent tipping; and well-designed ball rest up top to make batters feel more of the ball and less of the tee upon contact.
What makes this model stand out is the base, which of course features the new Quick Release function making it easier to break down and take from fields. Note the details below. A particular element we really like is a patented internal interlocking bolt system to stop the upper tee stem from slipping ~ a common problem with cheap tees.
Specifications
- Height: adjustment range of 25″ to 46”
- Weight: 10 lbs.
- Material: Rubber and metal
- Top Drawing Point: Multi-faceted base
What We Like
- That Base: heavy, metal covered by rubber, with rounded edges to prevent scuffing interior flooring, a built-in carrying handle, tip-preventing weight, and the quick-release mechanism for faster transport
- Interlocking bolt system to keep upper tee stem in place
- Designed for broad audiences ~ no age limit noted
- 1-Year Guarantee “against normal wear and factory defects”
Tanner Heavy Tee
Analysis
We’ll start the side-by-side comparison of each brand’s professional models with the Tanner Heavy Tee. With a very unique and heavy base, resembling a huge claw, and the FlexTop and other typical Tanner offerings, this is a very good batting tee.
That base design is key because of the 3 points of contact with any surface. The legs can be shifted around on grass, for example, until level points are found. Classic tee bases are flat, like real home plates ripped from the ground, and don’t fare well on uneven natural grasses.
The other plus is the sheer weight and makeup of that plate. It weighs 10 lbs. alone (without tube), and is made of solid metal, covered with a light rubber layer.
Specifications
- Height: adjustment range of 26” to 43”
- Weight: 13 lbs. (base alone is 10 lbs.)
- Material: Solid metal base with rubber covering; polished metal pipe; rubber ball rest
- Top Drawing Point: Heavy 3-point, claw-like base made of metal
What We Like
- The heaviness of the unique-looking, metal base
- 3 points of contact with base gives it an edge on any surface
- Heavier and designed more rugged than the brand’s original tee
JUGS Pro Style Batting Tee
Analysis
Besides the shape of the base, It’s difficult to differentiate the JUGS Pro Style Batting Tee and Tanner’s pro-level model, the Heavy. Since this report is supposed to provide just that, a comparison, let’s just leave it that with the Pro Style, JUGS has a solid hit.
Most every draw point noted above with the JUGS tees you’ll find here, such as the solid well-designed base with a handle designed in. It’s just that with the Pro, JUGS kept the old-fashioned screw on-and-off method to transport. The company figured, focus energy on the action, and not the storage.
This is a very good hitting tee. The weight is heavy but then again it’s designed for larger players so it’s nice to have more to prevent tipping over. There are 2 things with tees that aggravate the most: a tee tipping over; and the stems sliding so the ball lowers with swings. JUGS addresses the latter here with its interlocking bolt design.
Specifications
- Height: adjustment range of 24” to 46”
- Weight: 11.66 lbs.
- Material: Metal and rubber
- Top Drawing Point: Sturdiness for bigger players
What We Like
- Patented Grip-N-Go handle designed into the base
- FlexTop ball rest
- Solidly built for durability
- 1 Year Guarantee
Tanner Original Youth Batting Tee
Analysis
Makes sense to compare the youth-oriented tees right after the ones for the big boys, right? The difference with the brands is that Tanner puts the “youth” in the model name, and JUGS does not. What does this mean? Probably not much, as this and the following model are wonderful hitting tees.
It’s easy to report on the youth version of Tanner’s original core product because the Original Youth is basically a smaller replica. This tee is designed for age 8 and younger. Only, for young baseball players, the manufacturer sprinkled in some elements he or she might not fully appreciate.
For instance, let us take a moment to get more into FlexTop. Basically, it is designed to provide a realistic hitting experience. That is, the ball’s exit path will not be interfered with by the top of the tee tube. Where older players might appreciate it for just that ~ more closely resembling real action ~ young hitters might just like not feeling the tee.
Specifications
- Height: adjustment range of 20” to 32”
- Weight: 6 lbs.
- Material: Composite metal
- Top Drawing Point: Tanner tee brand name
What We Like
- Lightweight (in case the young player wishes to transport)
- FlexTop ~ a hand-rolled cone for a ball rest
- Short, sturdy tee stem atop a weather-resistant polymer base
- 1 Year Tanner Customer Guarantee
JUGS Hit Like a Pro Batting Tee
Analysis
Where Tanner straight-up put youth into the model name, the JUGS Hit Like a Pro Batting Tee is, um, interestingly named. Apparently, the difference is that one tells you the proper age levels, the other hints at promised results. Not a bad place to go for the JUGS tee for young players.
Here, JUGS kept the tee all-rubber for lightness and flexibility, as younger players have been known to beat the heck out of hitting tees. And the manufacturer includes a lot of known JUGS amenities ~ handle built into the base, for instance.
We would like to point out a neat element for young parents or new coaches: A 2D barcode on the underside of the base leads to links of videos that highlight proper hitting techniques from either side of the plate, and for softball as well as baseball, along with general educational tips.
Specifications
- Height: adjustment range of 21” to 37”
- Weight: 10.3 lbs.
- Material: Rubber
- Top Drawing Point: Affordable price
What We Like
- Ribbed upper tee tube to prevent prevent slippage downward during use
- Barcode on base underside for an array of online training tips
- All-rubber, durable design
Final Results for Tanner Tee vs. JUGS Tee
Both baseball equipment manufacturers produce high-quality hitting tees, with Tanner more apt to experiment with unique elements, while JUGS makes 6 different models each catering to different ages and sizes of players.
Perhaps the best help we can offer is to consider this when trying to decide which brand to go with. Just consider what each promotes the most:
- Tanner focuses on its top, with the hand-rolled FlexTop ball rest
- JUGS points to the base that can’t be tipped over, with the handle built in
So, aside from pricing, maybe think which is more important for you, the top or the bottom. An insider’s tip: the part on hitting tees that fail the most is the very top tip of the tube, the ball rest. If that breaks, the tee is useless. Look for quality material up top, or the FlexTop for a different take on what essentially is a simple physical act.
See Also:
Can You Use Wooden Bats in Little League?
7 Best Baseball Gloves for 8 Year Olds
Travel Baseball: Pros and Cons
8 Best Baseball Bats for 10 Year Old Players
