The Net Return Mini vs The Net Return Pro Series V2

The Quick Verdict

Get The Net Return Pro Series V2. At $246 more at list, you get an 8 ft wide by 7.5 ft tall net instead of a 5 ft wide by 6 ft tall one — and that extra target area matters every time you pull a shot left or catch a fat wedge low. The Net Return Mini is the right call when the room won't cooperate: it needs only a 7 ft ceiling and 7 ft of width, versus 8.5 ft and 10 ft for the V2.

What They Have in Common

Both share the same build: aircraft-grade aluminum frame, UV-treated netting, color-coded connectors, no-tools assembly, automatic ball return, and a 225 mph ball-speed rating. Both ship as net plus frame only — side barriers cost extra on either one. Both carry a 3-year warranty, with The Net Return's FAQ adding a 250,000-shot ceiling.

Where They Differ

The room question

The Net Return publishes room requirements for both, and this is where the decision usually gets made. The Mini asks for 7 ft of width, a 7 ft ceiling, and 14 ft of depth. The Pro Series V2 asks for 10 ft of width, an 8.5 ft ceiling, and the same 14 ft of depth. The ceiling gap between them is 1.5 ft — which sounds manageable until you factor in the garage-door track, an HVAC duct, or a low beam sitting right over where you'd set up. The width gap is 3 ft, which in a single-car garage bay is often the whole margin. Both sets of figures are marked approximate by The Net Return, so measure twice.

The frame and net size

The Mini's frame is 5 ft wide by 6 ft tall by 3 ft 6 in deep. The Pro Series V2's is 8 ft wide by 7 ft 6 in by 3 ft 6 in deep. The V2 is both wider and taller; depth is identical. What that size difference means in practice: a 5 ft wide net is tight. With a driver you're essentially aiming at a doorway. The V2's 8 ft width gives you real margin for a pulled iron or a low mis-hit. Neither net's frame is the same as the room it needs, so don't use those dimensions to clear your ceiling.

Price and what comes in the box

The Mini lists at $549, the V2 at $795. Both prices are for net and frame only. If you want side barriers on the Mini, that's another $149 separately. The Pro Series V2 page also lists a No Fly Zone Package at $1,951.99 list, which is a separate bundle from the $795 net. Neither base price includes side barriers.

Weight and weight discrepancy

The Mini weighs 24 lbs. The V2 is listed at 28 lbs on its product page, making it 4 lbs heavier — though The Net Return's own shipping data puts the V2 at 32 lbs. That inconsistency is worth noting if you're carrying it up stairs or in and out of storage.

Who Should Buy Which

Buy The Net Return Mini if:

• Your ceiling clears 7 ft but not 8.5 ft — this is often the case in finished basements and older garages
• Your bay width is under 10 ft and you can't push the side walls out
• You're primarily hitting irons or shorter clubs and a narrower net is acceptable
• The $246 list-price gap matters and you'd rather put it toward a mat or launch monitor

Buy The Net Return Pro Series V2 if:

• You've got at least 8.5 ft of ceiling clearance and 10 ft of width to work with
• You hit driver regularly and want real margin for a pulled or pushed shot
• You're building a permanent bay and want a net sized like an actual target rather than a doorframe
• The extra cost is less of a factor than getting the setup right the first time

The Bottom Line

These are the same net in a different size, priced $246 apart at list. The architecture is identical — same frame system, same ball-speed rating, same warranty, same setup time, same side-barrier situation. The only real question is whether your room passes the V2's requirements. If it does, spend the extra money and get the bigger net. A 5 ft wide target works in a pinch; an 8 ft wide one lets you actually practice. If the ceiling or the width won't cooperate, the Mini exists precisely for that situation and it doesn't ask you to apologize for the space you've got.

Get The Net Return Pro Series V2.