The 12 Best Ping Pong Tables for Your Home (Buyers Guide)

The road between being a table tennis noob and a fanatic is surprisingly short and a very easy one to start.

Trust me, I’ve traveled it myself.

One day someone puts a ping pong paddle in your hand, the next you’re online looking for the best ping pong table for your home. Few games are as immediately accessible as table tennis. All it takes to play is a bit of natural hand-eye coordination and some practice and you’re hooked.

Having said that, it’s a game that’s somewhat dependent on equipment; sadly it’s not a hobby you can carry around in your pocket. Getting a game going needs at least two paddles, some balls, and, most importantly, a table.

While there are always clubs and local leagues that you can join for a regular game, it’s not quite the same as being able to play at home.

Having said that, someone desperate to play a game of table tennis will make do with pretty much any old table. Warped surfaces, cracks, worn-down edges, none of these will prevent the committed enthusiast from playing.

They’re even known to fashion a table form just about any flat surface that’ll stay still long enough. Coffee or dinner tables, bar counters, even wooden floors have substituted as a ping pong table in my many years of playing.

Fortunately, adulthood and employment means that we seldom have to resort to the above options when the ping pong bug bites. If you’re in a position to furnish your home or clubhouse with a quality table tennis table, you’ll have the option of having a game available whenever you want.

What you’ll also notice as you read this article and, inevitably, order one of these amazing products, is what a massive difference in enjoyment playing on a high-quality table tennis makes.

Additionally, if you’re starting to take ping pong a little more seriously and elevate your game to a competitive or professional level, practicing on a table that matches your ambitions is critical.

There are a surprisingly large number of factors to take into consideration as you start looking for the best table tennis table for your home.

There are also a massive number of products available online. As the seventh-most popular sport in the world, you can imagine the size of the market for equipment spanning a broad range of budgets.

To make your research into the top ping pong tables for your home just that little bit easier, we’ve tested 13 of the most popular options on the market at the moment and documented our findings here in this article – the only collection of table tennis table reviews you’ll need to read before making your purchase.

If you’ve ever done any of your own research into this topic, you’ll know that there are an astonishing amount of table tennis tables available for you to choose from.

From indoor to outdoor tables, to those with varying storage options and build materials, here is our list of the top ping pong tables in various categories.

1. STIGA XTR Series – Best Mid-Range Outdoor Option
2. STIGA Advantage Pro – Best Mid-Range Indoor Version
3. STIGA Advantage – Best-Reviewed Indoor Ping Pong Table
4. JOOLA NOVA DX – Highest Pedigree Outdoor Table
5. JOOLA Inside 25 mm – Best Bang for Buck
6. JOOLA Rally TL – Best Value for Money
7. MD Sports Table Tennis Set – Most Affordable Ping Pong Table
8. GamePoint Tables Indoor Ping Pong Table – Most Durable Indoor Product
9. Cornilleau – 250S Crossover Outdoor Table – Most Maneuverable Outdoor Option
10. Cornilleau – 400M Crossover Outdoor Table – Best Outdoor Ping Pong Table
11. STIGA Synergy Indoor Table Tennis Table – Best Design
12. JOOLA Tour 1800 – Easiest Assembly

1. STIGA XTR Series – Best Mid-Range Outdoor Option

Table Type: Outdoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 6 mm (0.25 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 10 minutes
Weight: 75 kg (166 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes

One of the main reasons the STIG XTR is our choice for the best mid-range outdoor table is that it finds the perfect balance between play quality and all-weather durability. Not only that, as you may’ve noticed it’s listed as the best ping pong table overall.

The table surface may only be a quarter of the thickness typically considered ideal for an even bounce, but the aluminum/plastic composite material this table is built from has all-but-removed this concern. Expect balls to bounce evenly across the entire surface of the table’s regulation-sized surface.

As can be expected of a table manufactured by an industry leader like STIGA, when the box says the table is meant to be used outdoors without fears that the elements could damage it, you can believe them. This table tennis table is built to last, come rain or shine.

And this doesn’t just apply to the table surface itself. The sturdy, yet lightweight, frame is rust-resistant and incredibly durable.

None of these benefits come at the cost of the “little things” that make a table tennis table stand out from its competitors. Legs are automatically deployed when the table is unfolded, making assembly and storage a breeze. Each of the legs’ height can be fine-tuned to ensure an absolute level play surface.

Four 3-inch wheels mounted to each half of the table enables quick and hassle-free repositioning possible and reliable, sturdy locks will prevent annoying in-game movement.

The STIGA XTR’s portability also means that you can fold it for storage, or into playback mode, without much trouble. Another cool feature this table boasts is the adjustable playback distance allowing someone needing to play “solo” to move the vertical half of the board further away with relative ease.

If you’re looking for an outdoor table that plays as close to an indoor one as possible, look no further than the STIGA XTR.

PROS

• Great durability in all weather conditions.
• Automatically-deploying leg system means setup time is very short.
• Legs can be adjusted individually for perfect leveling.

CONS

• Table surface hasn’t been treated for glare-prevention.

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2. STIGA Advantage Pro – Best Mid-Range Indoor Version

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 18 mm (0.75 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 10 minutes
Weight: 96 kg (210 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

Our pick for the best indoor ping pong table goes to the Stiga Advantage’s big brother, the STIGA Advantage Pro.

The main reason for our decision to award this prestigious honor to the STIGA Advantage Pro is that for a relatively minimal increase in price, it offers all that we love about the Advantage, with the benefit of a thicker surface.

As mentioned before, the someone who wants to play ping pong at a competitive level is almost always looking for a table that offers an even bounce across the table’s entire play surface, and nothing contributes more to this than the thickness of the table itself. At 19 mm (0.75 in) this is still not at the maximum thickness that certain other higher-end tables on our list provides.

But for a mid-range ping pong table, this is still an excellent thickness. If you play at an above-average level and you’re after a slightly more consistent experience, this is a great table for you.

The STIGA Advantage Pro also offers an incredibly fast setup time. The full table is virtually pre-assembled (95% complete). Storage and redeployment is also a breeze, as with all the STIGA tables on review in our list. This is a manufacturer that takes portability seriously, and never so at the expense of quality.

The manufacturer promises a “tournament-quality indoor table tennis table designed for professional-level play…” and this becomes clear once you start to play on it. The bounce is consistent and the table feels incredibly sturdy, despite the extreme portability.

You simply can’t go wrong with STIGA. If you play at a relatively serious level, the Advantage Pro has no equal. It’s our choice for Best Mid-Range Indoor Table.

PROS

• Eight 4-inch wheels make for slightly more convenient movement after assembly.
• Designed and built to deliver tournament-level play.
• Ships with tournament-ready cotton-blend, 72 inch net.

CONS

• At 95 kg (210 lbs), some customers may find that this is a heavy ping pong table.

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3. STIGA Advantage – Best-Reviewed Indoor Ping Pong Table

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 15 mm (0.63 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 10 minutes
Weight: 88 kg (195 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

With over 3k reviews on Amazon with an overall customer rating of 4.8 stars (an astonishing 86% of reviews giving it 5 stars), the STIGA Advantage is the Best Reviewed Table Tennis Table on our list.

In fact, the only thing stopping us from awarding the STIGA Advantage the title of Best Indoor Ping Pong Table, was the surface thickness, which, at 16 mm (0.63 in) is on the somewhat thin side of ideal.

One of the most important considerations when buying a new table tennis table is the consistency of bounce that the ball enjoys across the entire surface of the table. No other factor is as important in this regard than the table thickness, with the thicker tables offering the most consistency here.

Nevertheless, due to the table’s extraordinary overall build quality and the materials used in its construction, the difference between playing on it and the slightly thicker STIGA Advantage Pro (reviewed above) can be disregarded if you play table tennis at a very casual level.

As with most of the other table tennis tables on our list, the STIGA Advantage is exceptionally easy to set up; expect to play your first game a mere 10 minutes after removing it from its container.

For those customers who don’t have a dedicated indoor space to play, the STIGA Advantage is ideal. The table’s legs deploy automatically as the table is unfolded, making it extremely easy to fold up for storage.

If you play casually and you’re willing to make the minor compromise in bounce consistency, the STIGA Advantage is the perfect choice for you.

PROS

• Extremely easy to set up and fold away for storage.
• Ships with regulation-sized net.
• Extremely sturdy and durable.

CONS

• Slightly thinner surface thickness means that it won’t offer bounce consistency to rival more expensive options on our list.

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4. JOOLA NOVA DX – Highest Pedigree Outdoor Table

Table Type: Outdoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 6 mm (0.25 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 15 minutes
Weight: 65 kg (144 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

While more affordable outdoor ping pong tables are reviewed on our list, the JOOLA NOVA DX, comes with the pedigree of being manufactured by one of the undisputed leaders in ping pong equipment.

For over 60 years, JOOLA has been manufacturing tables used at the very top of the sport’s competitive level, including the Olympic Games. Expect great durability, component design, and customer support.

At a mere 65 kg (144 lbs), the JOOLA NOVA DX is also one of the lightest ping pong tables that we’re reviewing on this list, making it ideal for families that have young children wanting to set the table up and pack it away for storage again.

The JOOLA NOVA’s thickness is in the middle of what one would expect an outdoor table to be. 6 mm is still a single millimeter short of the thickest outdoor tables, meaning that it won’t offer bounce consistency comparable with thicker outdoor tables or most indoor tables. Having said that, we found almost no noteworthy inconsistency in this regard.

The table is advertised to be absolutely weather resistant. Expect the table to provide years of enjoyment without the table surface warping or the frame showing signs of rust. This is a promise backed by JOOLA – so you just KNOW you can trust them on this.

The JOOLA NOVA’s legs are designed to be used on outdoor surfaces that may not be as level as an indoor space. Each of them offer independent, easy-to-use height configuration, ensuring that you’ll always play on a level surface with minimal effort.

The JOOLA NOVA DX also ships with a regulation-sized 72 inch net that is, unsurprisingly, also weather resistant.

PROS

• Good overall bounce consistency for an outdoor table.
• JOOLA has a world-renowned reputation for high-quality products.
• Great build quality backed up by 60+ years of manufacturer dedication to perfection.
• Easily packed away for storage.

CONS

• Some customers may be put off by the price, which is slightly higher than outdoor tables offering similar features.

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5. JOOLA Inside 25 mm – Best Bang for Buck

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 25 mm (1 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 10 minutes
Weight: 112 kg (249 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

The JOOLA Inside series is also no slouch in the popularity department. With over 4k customer reviews (80% of them providing 5-star feedback), you know you’re looking at a quality product that’s going to offer you and your opponents a fantastic playing experience.

As mentioned before, not many table tennis table manufacturers providing tables at this price can boast making numerous appearances at the Olympic Games. That is the level of quality you’re looking at when considering a JOOLA table.

The JOOLA Inside 25 mm is the first table we’re reviewing that offers the maximum thickness of 25 mm (1 inch). Meaning that it confirms to the highest standards when it comes to offering bounce consistency. Whereas several of the other options on our list will be more than adequate for casual – or even lightly competitive – gameplay, none offers the level of performance that a 25 mm table does.

If you play at an intermediate level and you’re starting to take the game a little more seriously, or a younger player hoping to make it as a professional one day, investing in a table that offers the most even bounce across its entire surface area is non-negotiable.

As can be expected for a table offering a little more heft, the JOOLA Inside 25 isn’t going to rank as the MOST convenient table to set up or pack away for storage. Having said that, the table’s design and construction is such that customers won’t find this too much of a compromise when compared to lighter tables.

While not the most affordable table on our list, it’s worth noting that the price is extremely competitive for a table offering the maximum thickness and extremely consistent gameplay experience.

NOTE: The Joola Inside range comes with three different models, with the primary difference being the table thickness and price. When making a purchase of this great ping pong table, double-check that you have selected the correct JOOLA Inside product for your needs. The links provided in this article link to the 25 mm (1 inch) table.

PROS

• 25 mm (1 in) table thickness for maximum bounce consistency.
• Ships with a net offering a convenient clamp system for easy attachment.
• Affordable, given table performance and specifications.

CONS

• On the heavy side – packing it away for storage can be a bit of a challenge.

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6. JOOLA Rally TL 15 mm – Best Value for Money

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 15 mm (0.63 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 15 minutes
Weight: 70 kg (155 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

A regulation-sized ping pong table manufactured by a company with the pedigree of JOOLA at such an affordable price represents astonishing value for money.

Sure, the JOOLA Rally’s thickness may not represent the top-tier of the indoor tables we’re reviewing today, but given the table’s fantastic build quality, the manufacturer’s reputation, and the host of other amazing features that the Rally TL 15 mm offers, we had no hesitation in awarding it our Best Value For Money award.

The MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) material that the JOOLA Rally’s surface is built from, as well as the 1.5 inch tube apron supporting it, goes a long way towards alleviating the inconsistent bounce that other tables sporting a similar thickness may suffer from.

For a ping pong table on the affordable side, you could be forgiven for expecting a slightly less sturdy frame than with some of the more expensive options on our list, but you couldn’t be more wrong with the JOOLA Rally. The table’s sturdy 30 mm x 30 mm frame as well as the 38 mm-thick legs are built almost entirely from steel – lending the Rally a solidity that you’d ordinarily expect only from a more mid-range ping pong table.

If you play at a very casual level and you’re on a budget, the JOOLA Rally TL 15 mm is the best choice for you. It offers quality craftsmanship, more-than-adequate play performance, and a terrific reputation at a great price.

NOTE: The JOOLA Rally range comes in three options, each with a different table thickness and (of course) price. The Amazon link provided in this review is for the TL 15 mm table, but the option to select a different model is available. Please ensure that you have the correct model selected when making the purchase.

PROS

• Very affordable for the quality of the product.
• Ships with handy ball holders.
• Sturdy, durable frame.
• Easy to fold up and pack away for storage.

CONS

• Table thickness not ideal for players who want to take ping pong a little more seriously.

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7. MD Sports Table Tennis Set – Most Affordable Ping Pong Table

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 15 mm (0.63 in)
Assembly Effort: Very difficult – 2 hours
Weight: 62 kg (138 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

Quite reasonably, many customers are just going to be reading a list like this one to find the best quality table at the cheapest price. Not everyone looking to furnish their rec-room or clubhouse with a new ping pong table wants to depart with upwards of $300.

But nor do they want to buy a ping pong table that’s going to collapse under the weight of a medium-strength backhand.

For these customers, we’ve included the MD Sports Table Tennis Set – a highly affordable “full package” of table tennis equipment that’ll have you playing as soon as you’ve set up the table. It ships with a net, two basic ping pong paddles, and balls.

Expect the basics done right with the MD Sports Table Tennis set. The table is at the bottom end of the thickness scale, but offers more than adequate bounce consistency for very casual players.

The frame is sturdy and reliable despite also being one of the lightest ping pong tables on our list. It was a pleasant surprise for us to also note that, despite the MD Sports Table Tennis Set’s price, the product also offers a playback position, allowing solo players to get a bit of practice in between having their friends over for a game.

Considering the decent build quality and the accessories the MD Sports Table Tennis Set ships with, this was easily our choice for the most affortable table in our roundup.

PROS

• Most affordable table tennis table on our list.
• Ships with net, balls and ping pong paddles.
• Packing the table up for storage is relatively quick and easy.
• Offers 90-day refund.

CONS

• The table takes quite a bit of time to assemble.

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8. GamePoint Tables Indoor Ping Pong Table – Most Durable Indoor Product

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 15 mm (0.63 in)
Assembly Effort: Easy – 10 minutes
Weight: 73 kg (161 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

Outdoor table tennis tables strive to provide customers with a balance between weather-resistance and bounce consistency for the ball. As mentioned before (and in our Buyer’s Guide below), tables designed to be used outdoors often have to compromise on the latter since they are often made from materials that value durability over playability.

While indoor tables don’t have to concern themselves much with providing all-weather durability, their manufacturers can focus on constructing a table that prioritizes a consistent, high-quality play experience.

While it may not have been the manufacturer’s express intention when they designed this specific ping pong table, GamePoint have built an indoor table that offers great playability but is also the hardiest indoor table on our list of the best ping pong tables for your home.

Not all recreational areas, garages, or other rooms that a table tennis table will be placed in will be perfectly insulated from moisture and direct sunlight. The GamePoint Tables Indoor Ping Pong Table will easily deal with the natural elements that often go hand-in-hand with a partially exposed indoor room.

That’s not to say that we recommended the table be used outdoors. Sure, its build quality will ensure a long life even if storage happens in a humid room exposed to direct sunlight, but if you need an absolute guarantee that the table won’t rust or warp if directly exposed to rain, snow, or shine, opt for an exclusively outdoor table.

However, let’s not get overly distracted by the GamePoint’s durability. Aside from this obvious benefit, this is also one of the best ping pong tables for playability and portability in its price range.

Expect all the typical benefits that a high-quality indoor table provides. It offers better bounce consistency for the ball than many other tables within its price-range and it’s very portable – setup and storage are both extremely easy undertakings. The steel frame is very sturdy and its lockable 3-inch wheels make it easy to move around after deployment.

PROS

• Extremely durable and weather resistant for an indoor table.
• Storage can happen in a space that’s partially exposed to the elements.
• The blue-on-black design makes it a very attractive table.
• Great price-point for such a durable ping pong table.

CONS

• 15 mm table thickness means that it won’t offer the bounce-consistency experienced players will expect.

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9. Cornilleau – 250S Crossover Outdoor Table – Most Maneuverable Outdoor Option

Table Type: Outdoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 5 mm (0.2 in)
Assembly Effort: Difficult – 2 to 3 hours
Weight: 59 kg (130 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

Weighing it at just under 60 kg (130 lbs), the Cornilleau – 250S Crossover Outdoor Table is also one of the easiest tables to maneuver. Sure, the individually-adjustable legs make leveling the table surface an absolute breeze, but there will be occasions where repositioning is necessary.

Further aiding in maneuverability is the oversized 8 inch double-wheel casters with notched grips. Whether this amazing table is placed on grass or gravel, rolling the Cornilleau – 250S Crossover Outdoor Table in a new position is an absolute breeze.

Unsurprisingly, for a ping pong table of this one’s quality, maneuverability doesn’t come at the cost of stability. Each wheel is easily lockable and the 38 mm (1.5 in) galvanized steel frame provides a level of support that’s somewhat unexpected, given the table’s extremely lightweight.

On the topic of the table’s construction, we are happy to report that very little cost has been spared to provide customers with a table tennis table that offers exceptional durability and maneuverability with very little compromise in playability.

Yes, the table thickness (5 mm, or 0.2 in) means that the ball won’t bounce as consistently as it would on an outdoor table with a thicker surface, but it’s by no means something that will impede a fun, competitive game between friends.

The ultra-dense resin laminate play surface may be on the thin side, but unless you’re a very experienced or professional player, this is very unlikely to affect your enjoyment of this awesome ping pong table.

So, if you’re in the market for a great ping pong table that you expect to be moving around to many different areas, the Cornilleau – 250S Crossover Outdoor Table is easily one of the best ping pong tables for your home.

Before we forget, the table also ships with very handy storage areas for bats and balls. So, provided you remember to use it, all your table tennis equipment will now be stored in the same space.

PROS

• Lightweight and exceptionally maneuverable.
• Comes with a 10-year warranty.
• Offers paddle and ball storage areas.

CONS

• Some customers may find the long assembly time an inconvenience.

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10. Cornilleau – 400M Crossover Outdoor Table – Best Outdoor Ping Pong Table

Table Type: Outdoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 6 mm (0.24 in)
Assembly Effort: Medium – 1 hour
Weight: 68 kg (150 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

Some customers are simply looking for one of the best outdoor ping pong tables that money can buy. For those people, we can’t recommend the Cornilleau – 400M Crossover Outdoor Table highly enough. If it’s within your budget to get hold of this wonderful piece of equipment, don’t hesitate. It is easily the best outdoor ping pong table on our list.

As can be expected, the 400M Crossover offers everything that the aforementioned 250S does, with a number of notable additions in design and construction that pushes it just that little bit further up the ladder in terms of performance (and desirability).

Firstly, and most importantly, the play surface’s extra millimeter in thickness may seem like a minor thing, but, trust us on this, if you’re a serious table tennis player, it makes a very evident difference in bounce consistency for the ball.

Outdoor ping pong tables typically have to compromise somewhat in this area, given that the table surfaces need to be built from materials that are weather-resistant, but the Cornilleau 400M Crossover achieves a great balance in this regard.

Further adding to the 400M’s excellence is the play surface’s MATTOP finish that eliminates glare from the sun – something that will seriously damage your enjoyment of an outdoor table. If you live in a sunny climate, investing in a table with this feature is an absolute must.

One of the reasons we loved the Cornilleau 250S was its exceptional portability – something that is replicated in the 400M. Not only is folding and moving the table easy, the 16 lock-points are a great safety and stability feature that offer unparalleled security whether the table is folded or deployed.

On the topic of safety, the 400M offers the additional benefit of unobtrusive, but highly effective, corner protectors. Not only will this safeguard the table’s most fragile areas, but it will also protect toddlers than may be running around the table.

The Cornilleau – 400M Crossover Outdoor Table is a superb product – easily one of the best on the market and possibly the best we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.

PROS

• Ball experiences fantastic bounce consistency for an outdoor ping pong table.
• MATTOP finish eliminates glare from the sun.
• 1.75 inch galvanized steel frame offers superb stability.
• Frame is easily folded into storage and play positions.

CONS

• High price may place this ping pong table out of reach of many customers.

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11. STIGA Synergy Indoor Table Tennis Table – Best Design

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 15 mm (0.63 in)
Assembly Effort: Medium – 30 minutes
Weight: 68 kg (145 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

If aesthetics is one of your main considerations, you can do a lot worse than the STIGA Synergy. Its attractive black-top play surface with white silk-screen striping, minimalist frame design, and the inclusion of a yellow, curved stabilization component make this the ideal ping pong table for a rec-room designed to impress.

Not that any of these features detract from the table’s performance. Far from it!

STIGA is a world-renowned producer of ping pong equipment and the last thing they would do is create a product that doesn’t compete with others in its price-range in terms of quality.

The 15 mm play surface is on the low-end of the thickness spectrum for an indoor table, meaning that the Synergy may not offer a bounce consistency that one would expect from a professional-level ping pong table, but it offers more than enough of this to make it a more than adequate option for a casual player.

As with other STIGA table tennis tables on our list, the Synergy’s frame is durable, offers exceptional stability, and is extremely easy to fold away for storage.

PROS

• Designed with a unique and attractive visual appearance in mind.
• Affordable when compared to other ping pong tables with similar performance specs.
• Self-deploying leg system means time required to deploy and pack away for storage is very short.

CONS

• May take a bit more time to assemble than the other STIGA ping pong tables we reviewed.

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12. JOOLA Tour 1800 – Easiest Assembly

Table Type: Indoor
Playing Surface Size: 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft)
Playing Surface Thickness: 18 mm (0.63 in)
Assembly Effort: Very easy – Less than 10 minutes
Weight: 102 kg (226 lbs)
Offers Playback Position: Yes
Set Includes Net: Yes

The JOOLA Tour series offers customers a choice between three models – each representing the most common table thickness levels: 15 mm, 18 mm, and 25 mm.

We’ve reviewed the 18 mm model (referred to as the JOOLA Tour 1800) and what immediately stood out for us is that, despite measuring up extremely well to other ping pong tables that boast similar features and performance-quality, this is by far the easiest table to assemble than any of the others we reviewed today.

Note that by “assembly” we’re referring to the initial work that is done to build the table once it has been delivered. This is not a reflection of the time it takes to fold the table up for storage or to deploy it when you want to play.

The JOOLA Tour 1800 is 95% pre-assembled when Amazon delivers it to your front-door and all that is required is the insertion of eight bolts with a standard socket-wrench. In fact, most reviewers found that unpacking the table components from its container took longer than assembling it.

In terms of the table’s playability, you get what you expect from a manufacturer with the JOOLA pedigree. The 18 mm Medium Density Fiberwood surface delivers a fantastically even bounce for the ball – throughout the table’s play surface.

This evenness in bounce is further enforced by the table frame’s great build quality; the all-metal frame provides terrific sturdiness.

This is a mid-range table that is ideal for players who take table tennis just that little bit more seriously. Although it must be said that if you are aiming to play competitively, opting for a table (like the JOOLA Tour 2500) with a thicker play surface.

Overall, the JOOLA Tour 1800 is one of the tables for your home, narrowly being beaten to the Best Mid-Range Indoor Table title by the slightly more affordable Stiga Advantage Pro.

PROS

• Incredibly easy to assemble.
• Offers all the features and performance quality .
• Ideal for players who play a slightly more competitive casual game.

CONS

• A tad on the expensive side when compared to its nearest rival.

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Unsurprisingly, given table tennis’ incredible popularity, table manufacturers provide equipment that cater for a very wide variety of needs. If you are a first-time buyer, knowing what yours are is key to choosing the right table.

The last thing you want to do is spend more money than you need to in buying a ping pong table that offers unnecessarily high performance-levels. Conversely, if you want to take the game a little more seriously, spending too little and ending up with a table that can’t be used at the level you require.

Of course, it’s not only skill levels that are taken into consideration here. Below we’ve summed up the most common factors that all buyers need to consider before making that purchase.

Your Ambitions and Table Performance

The primary performance aspect that ping pong tables are judged on is the bounce consistency they offer for the ball. You’ll see this mentioned in several places throughout this article.

Bounce consistency refers to the evenness with which the ping pong ball bounces across the entire surface area of the table. If the ball experiences more or less bounce closer to the net than to the edges, it is considered to have poor consistency.

Casual players are very unlikely to consider this an impediment to enjoying their game. In fact, most players won’t even notice that the ball bounces unevenly. If you’re someone who is just looking to buy a ping pong table to have some fun with your family and friends, this should be of little concern to you, and you may even get used to the ball bouncing slightly differently on various parts of the table.

If, however, you are someone who relishes competition or you’re used to playing on a thick table surface, you should absolutely consider investing in a table that offers more even bounce for the ball.

Table Thickness and Bounce Consistency

No other factor influences bounce consistency as much as the thickness of the table’s play surface. It is one of the key factors that you should consider in your research before making a purchase. As we said above, balance the table thickness (and resultant consistency) against your intentions with the table.

An interesting note on this topic is that an “ideal” bounce height, as prescribed by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation), is 21 cm if the ball was dropped from a distance of 30 cm. This is referred to as “true bounce”.

Typically, there are three different table thicknesses for outdoor and indoor tables:

INDOOR TABLES

• 15 mm (0.63 in)
• 18 mm (0.75 in)
• 25 mm (1 in)

OUTDOOR TABLES

• 5 mm (0.2 in)
• 6 mm (0.25 in)
• 7 mm (0.3 in)

As you can see, the thicknesses differ greatly between indoor and outdoor tables, and yes, you are correct in assuming that this means indoor tables are typically preferred by serious players.

While the materials that outdoor table surfaces are built from aim to get as close to true bounce as possible, there is no substitute for physical dimension.

Indoor vs Outdoor Tables

When choosing between a table that’s going to be used inside your home or outdoors, there are many considerations. The most obvious being the physical room that you have available to play in.

Indoor tables offer a better bounce consistency at a lower price and don’t need to be built with weather-resistance in mind. This means that your spend on a high-quality indoor table is typically lower than an indoor table tennis table.

However, not everyone is blessed with enough room to accommodate a table tennis table inside, meaning that there sometimes simply won’t be another option than buying a table that can be used outdoors.

When making this decision, you shouldn’t only consider the table dimensions – regulation table size is 2.74 m x 1.525 m (9 ft x 5 ft) – but also the room that players need to move and swing their arms. If you’re considering converting an extra room into your dedicated table tennis room, experts recommend that it has a total area of at least 5.8 m (19 ft) x 3.4 m (11 ft) available.

As you can probably deduce from all this information is that you should really only consider an outdoor table if there is no option to play inside your home.

Don’t take this to mean that you’ll have less fun playing outdoors. On the contrary, playing in the fresh air is awesome, provided the elements allow you to. Quality outdoor tables are very hardy and can withstand quite a bit of environmental punishment. If you only have an outdoor space available to play in, don’t hesitate to invest in one of these.

Safety

While safety may not even register as a possible consideration when looking for your first table, it certainly is something a family should bear in mind.

The most common safety feature is a lock system which keeps the collapsed table in place. As any exasperated parent will tell you, nothing draws a youngster’s attention faster than an exotic new thingamajig stored in the corner of the room.

Messing with a collapsed table that isn’t properly secured could result in serious safety concerns.

If you have a young family, or are accident-prone yourself, opt for a table that takes safety seriously and ensures that a collapsed table doesn’t fold open at the slightest touch.

Another little feature that makes a considerable contribution to the safety of the little ones, are corner protection pads. These offer just that little bit of extra softness right where it’s needed: the most likely place someone small could smash their face into.

Playback Position

If you’re a player who wants to take table tennis more seriously, you’ll understand the importance of practice. Like all things, you only get better at basic things like hand-eye coordination and muscle memory if you practice the key movements frequently.

Unfortunately, a competitive game isn’t always the ideal time to practice a specific shot or just your general consistency. Added to this conundrum is the fact that you may not always have a partner available when you want to practice.

For this eventuality, the better tennis tables offer a playback position which allows the player to fold one half of the table into a vertical position, making a wall of sorts which will always return the ball perfectly back to you.

Yes, just like in Forrest Gump.

This may not be the ideal way to practice your overall game, but is certainly better than just sitting and thinking about how you can get better.

Portability, Storage and Ease of Deployment

Once the table is assembled, you don’t need to have it permanently set up in a play position. Most modern tables have been designed so that they can be folded into storage or play positions in virtually no time at all. If you’re willing to spend upwards of $250, you’re not going to be hauling around several disparate elements every time you want to play or pack away your ping pong table. Expect the ability to fold your table without much fuss.

The top table tennis tables make this process as easy as possible. Bear it in mind, especially if you are going to play in an indoor space that is typically used for another purpose, like a garage.

Portability doesn’t just involve the ease with which you can fold the table into storage position. It also refers to how easy it is to maneuver a deployed ping pong table. All of the products we reviewed in this article come with wheels, making finding the ideal spot post-deployment extremely easy.

One factor that influences both general portability and ease of storage is the table’s weight. As you can see from the specifics provided in our reviews above, ping pong tables span a very wide spectrum of weight. If you are buying the table for young children and it needs to be stored after every playing session, a heavy table may cause some headaches.

Stability During Play and Frame Durability

While most ping pong players avoid touching the table (chiefly because it’s against the rules to do so), coming into contact with the thing isn’t always avoidable. For that reason, it’s generally a better idea to purchase a table that won’t collapse or experience misalignment if contact is made with it.

Table tennis tables are also quite large and take up a lot of space in spaces that accommodate humans that are neither players nor spectators. Making accidental contact with a table could well result in toppling and damaging it.

With this in mind, it’s important to invest in a ping pong table that has a sturdy frame or chassis. Opt for steel, where possible. Not only will this result in a more consistent gameplay experience, but will also protect your table against general damage or wear-and-tear.

The Net

While this may not be a prominent consideration for any buyer, it is worth mentioning that most tables ship with a net. However, not all of them come with a net that is of standard regulation size.

The ITTF specifies that a regulation table tennis net must be 15.25 cm (6 in) in height. Some tables available online and in stores come with a net that is slightly smaller. These are to be avoided if you want to take the game seriously.

However, if you play very casually and want to give younger players a chance to enjoy the game more, consider opting for a net that is slightly smaller in height.