That depends on what your goals are. If you typically practice by yourself, a pickleball throwing machine is the best way to improve your game. If you have a coach or practice with other people, it's a nice add-on but probably not essential. That said, these machines are expensive, so if it's out of your price range, you might want to seek out other options. You can save money by buying a used pickleball machine, and some centers allow you to rent one, too.