Updated October 28, 2026 · 9 min read
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Short on time? Our picks
Best overallTanner Tee The Original4.9★ · 11,000+ ratingsCheck price on Amazon →
Best for toddlers and kidsFranklin Grow-with-Me Tee18,000+ ratingsCheck price on Amazon →Baseball · 2026
The best batting tees
A batting tee is the most-used training tool in baseball and softball. Major leaguers hit off one every day, and it is the best way for young players to groove a level swing. The right tee depends on who is hitting: toddlers need a short, forgiving tee, while older players need a tee that adjusts high and low and lets them hit hundreds of balls without the ball wobbling or the tee falling over.
We compared the best-selling batting tees on Amazon on height range, stability, durability, the tee top and what tens of thousands of buyers say. Below is one clear pick for each player, plus simple tee drills to make every swing count.
Quick answer: the best batting tees
- Best overallTanner Tee The Original · 4.9★ · 11,000+ ratings
- Best for toddlers and kidsFranklin Grow-with-Me Tee · 18,000+ ratings
- Best value heavy dutyFranklin MLB Heavy Duty Tee · 21 to 38 in, rubber and steel
- Best portablePLAYAPUT Portable Tee · 25 to 37 in, easy to carry
If you want one answer: buy the Tanner Tee The Original. It is the tee you will see in pro and college cages, with a flexible top that lets the bat pass through cleanly and a steel stem built to last for years. It has a remarkable 4.9-star rating from more than 11,000 buyers. For toddlers and tee ball beginners, the Franklin Grow-with-Me is cheaper, softer and comes with balls.
Pick by player
| Player | What matters | Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers 2 to 4 | Low height, soft, fun | Franklin Grow-with-Me |
| Tee ball 4 to 7 | Light, adjustable, stable | Franklin Grow-with-Me or Heavy Duty |
| Ages 8 to 14 | Wide height range, durable top | Tanner Tee or Franklin Heavy Duty |
| High school and adult | Precise contact, durable | Tanner Tee |
| Travel and team bags | Light, portable | PLAYAPUT Portable |
The best batting tees, reviewed
Tanner Tee The Original
You need this if: your player is 8 or older and takes hitting seriously, or you want one tee that lasts for years.
- StemSteel
- TopFlexible, handmade rubber top
- UseBaseball and softball
- LevelYouth to pro
- Rating4.9★, 11,000+ ratings
Why we recommend it: The Tanner Tee is the standard in serious training. Its soft, flexible top barely grips the ball, so the bat hits the ball, not the tee, which gives honest feedback on contact. The steel stem and heavy base keep it stable through thousands of swings, and buyers rate it almost perfectly.
Keep in mind: It costs more than basic tees. Very young kids do not need this level of tee yet.
Franklin Sports Grow-with-Me Batting Tee
You need this if: you have a toddler or tee ball beginner and want a fun, safe first tee.
- AgesToddlers to young kids
- HeightAdjustable
- ExtrasUsually comes with balls
- UseBackyard and indoor
- Rating4.4★, 18,000+ ratings
Why we recommend it: It is the best-selling batting tee on Amazon. It is light, adjusts as your child grows, and comes ready to play, which makes it a classic first birthday or holiday gift for little sluggers. The soft parts are safer for indoor play.
Keep in mind: It is designed for young kids. Older players and real bats will outgrow it quickly.
Franklin Sports MLB Heavy Duty Batting Tee
You need this if: you want a sturdy tee for ages 6 to 14 without paying for a Tanner.
- Height21 to 38 in
- BaseRubber and steel
- UseBaseball and softball
- LevelTee ball to teens
- Rating4.5★, 3,200+ ratings
Why we recommend it: The wide 21 to 38 inch range covers low pitches for small kids and high pitches for teens, so one tee lasts many seasons. The weighted base resists tipping, which is the main problem with cheap tees.
Keep in mind: The tee top is firmer than a Tanner, so mishits can catch the tube.
PLAYAPUT Portable Batting Tee
You need this if: you want a light tee to carry to the park, team practice or the cage.
- HeightAbout 25 to 37 in
- DesignPortable, easy to carry
- UseBaseball and softball
- Rating4.2★, 900+ ratings
Why we recommend it: It is light and quick to set up, so it fits in a bat bag or car trunk for practice anywhere. The height range covers most youth and teen players.
Keep in mind: Lighter tees are less stable on windy days or uneven grass than heavy rubber bases.
Batting tees compared
| Tee | Height range | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanner Tee | Adjustable | Serious hitters | 4.9★ (11,000+) |
| Franklin Grow-with-Me | Low, adjustable | Toddlers | 4.4★ (18,000+) |
| Franklin Heavy Duty | 21 to 38 in | Ages 6 to 14 | 4.5★ (3,200+) |
| PLAYAPUT | 25 to 37 in | Travel | 4.2★ (900+) |
What to look for in a batting tee
Height range. A good tee goes low enough for knee-high pitches and high enough for letter-high pitches for your player’s height.
Stability. A heavy, wide base stops the tee falling over after every swing. Rubber bases are heavier than plastic.
Tee top. Soft, flexible tops let the bat pass through without a “thud”, so contact feels like a real pitch. Hard tops wear out faster and jar the hands on mishits.
Durability. Steel stems and thick rubber last longer than thin plastic tubes.
Portability. If you practise away from home, choose a lighter tee that packs easily.
Batting tee drills for all ages
- Middle-middle: tee at belt height over the plate. 20 swings focusing on a level swing and line drives.
- Inside pitch: move the tee forward and closer to the hitter. Turn quickly and hit it out front.
- Outside pitch: move the tee back and away. Let the ball travel and hit it to the opposite field.
- High and low: raise and lower the tee to practise staying through the ball.
- Two-tee drill: set a second tee in front of the first; hit the back ball without touching the front tee to fix a long, loopy swing.
Quality beats quantity: 50 focused swings are worth more than 200 lazy ones.
Setting up a home hitting station
Pair your tee with a hitting net so you can practise in a backyard, garage or basement. A net catches the ball a few feet away, so you do not need a field. Use practice balls to protect the net and nearby windows. See our best baseball hitting nets and best practice balls for hitting at home.
Batting tees for softball
All of these tees work for softball. Fastpitch hitters often set the tee a little lower and further forward, because the ball comes in on a rising or flat plane. Softballs are larger, so a soft, wide tee top helps the ball sit securely.
Our verdict
The Tanner Tee The Original is the best batting tee for serious hitters of any age. Choose the Franklin Grow-with-Me for toddlers and tee ball beginners, the Franklin Heavy Duty for a sturdy budget option that grows with kids, and the PLAYAPUT for portability.
Why tee work matters, even for good hitters
It is easy to think a batting tee is only for little kids, but hitting coaches at every level use it daily. A tee removes the pitch, so the hitter can focus entirely on their swing: stance, load, stride, path and finish. Because the ball is still, any flaw shows up immediately as a ground ball, a pop-up or a weak line drive. Fixing those flaws on the tee, then taking them into live batting practice, is how most players build a consistent swing. Many big leaguers start their pre-game routine with tee work for exactly this reason.
How to place the tee
Where you put the tee matters as much as the swing. For a middle pitch, place the tee even with the front of home plate. For an inside pitch, move it forward and closer to the hitter, so they learn to make contact out front. For an outside pitch, move it back and away, so they learn to let the ball travel deeper. Many coaches put down a rubber home plate or a piece of tape so players can see exactly where the tee sits.
Tee practice by age
- Ages 3 to 6: 10 to 15 minutes, lots of praise, soft balls, one tee position.
- Ages 7 to 10: 15 to 20 minutes, two or three tee positions, a hitting net.
- Ages 11 to 14: 20 to 30 minutes with all five drills and a goal for line drives.
- High school: daily tee routine before live hitting, focusing on one swing cue at a time.
Batting tee mistakes to avoid
- Setting the tee at the same height every time; vary it to train different pitches.
- Swinging fast without a purpose; pick one cue per round.
- Hitting the tee instead of the ball, which often means the swing is too long.
- Using a wobbly tee that falls over and wastes practice time.
Batting tees as gifts
A batting tee is a great gift for young players, especially paired with a set of practice balls or a hitting net. The Franklin Grow-with-Me suits toddlers and tee ball kids, while a Tanner Tee is a gift a serious hitter will use for years. See our gifts for baseball players.
Caring for your tee
Store your tee out of the sun, which can crack rubber over time. Clean the top so it stays soft and grippy, and replace a split or torn top rather than the whole tee; many brands sell replacement tops. Tighten adjustment knobs before each session so the height does not slip mid-drill.
Tee vs soft toss vs live pitching
Each type of practice has a job. Tee work builds the swing itself. Soft toss, where a partner tosses the ball from the side, adds timing and tracking a moving ball. Front toss and live pitching add speed and pitch recognition. A good weekly routine uses all three, starting each session on the tee to lock in the swing before moving to moving balls. If you only have time for one, the tee gives the most swings per minute with the least setup.
How many swings a day?
For young players, 25 to 50 good swings a few times a week is plenty. Teens working on their game might take 75 to 150 focused swings on practice days. Rest days matter too, especially for growing bodies, so avoid daily marathon sessions that lead to sore backs and sloppy habits.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best batting tee for kids?
The Franklin Grow-with-Me for toddlers and tee ball, and the Franklin Heavy Duty or Tanner Tee for ages 7 and up.
Why do pros use the Tanner Tee?
Its soft, flexible top lets the bat hit only the ball, giving true feedback, and it is very durable.
How tall should a batting tee be?
It should adjust from about knee height to chest height for the player.
Can I use a baseball tee for softball?
Yes. Most tees work for both.
Is hitting off a tee good practice?
Yes. It is one of the best ways to build a consistent, level swing at every level.
How do I stop my tee from falling over?
Choose a heavy rubber base, practise on flat ground, and keep the tee top soft so the bat does not hit the stem.
How we chose
We did not test these tees ourselves. We compared the best-selling batting tees on Amazon on height range, base, tee top, build and ratings, and read what tens of thousands of buyers said about stability and durability. We chose one tee for each type of hitter.
We research sports gear for players, coaches and sports parents. We compare specs, read verified buyer reviews and name one clear pick for each kind of player. How we pick · Affiliate disclosure
