6 Best Table Tennis Conversion Tops [Buyers Guide]

Limited space in a rec room or garage often means that families or roommates have to decide on a single gaming table.

Of course debates, arguments, and fistfights can be avoided by buying a multi-game table, but these seldom offer an “authentic” gameplay experience. No matter who you are, a purpose-built pool table is always going to be more fun to play on than one shoehorned into a multi-game unit.

If your selfish housemates have already overruled your requests to invest in a ping pong table and opted for a pool or foosball table instead, there’s no need to start planning your revenge.

A better (and less risky) alternative exists: a table tennis conversion top.

This is just a fancy name for a table tennis surface that doesn’t ship with a frame and can be placed on pretty much any surface big enough to accommodate it.

These conversion tops have been designed specifically to enable placement on top of another table.

They are typically quite lightweight and portable since they will frequently be picked up, placed and then packed away again. This will happen especially frequently if pool or foosball is the household’s game-of-choice.

The best table tennis conversion top is also designed for easy storage since having a regulation-sized ping pong table permanently leaning against your dining-room wall will be an inconvenience. Not to mention a bit of an eyesore. Expect them to consist of at least two independent components that can be easily disassembled.

Another great reason table tennis conversion tops are a great investment for the frustrated ping pong enthusiast, is that many models don’t need to be placed on other gaming tables.

Even if your house doesn’t have a gaming table that can be appropriated for a couple of quick games of ping pong, most houses have a dining table, or even garden furniture that’ll suffice.

The majority of the conversion tops we review here specifically state that they’ve been designed for placement on a pool or billiards table. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t consider other household surfaces.

The best table tennis conversion top usually consists of a foam-padded bottom surface designed to prevent damage to the base. This means your wife’s family heirloom dining table is safe from whatever damage she may fear the conversion top would cause.

Another terrific reason you may consider a table tennis conversion top is that they’re cheaper than a full-sized ping pong table. Even if you do have space for a real ping pong table, it may simply make more economic sense to invest in a conversion top, since an appropriate base may already exist somewhere in your house.

You may ask: “What about the playing experience? I’m a pretty serious player and fully intend to represent my country in the Olympic Games one day. Is a conversion top still a valid option for me?”

While none of us who tested the conversion tops below have ever played professionally, we are all avid players who have at one point taken table tennis quite seriously. I, myself, played in my university’s inter-residence league and was the champion in a very competitive office scenario.

Honestly, I found that I could literally not tell the difference in quality between the best purpose built-table I ever played on and the table tennis conversion top we tested.

And the other four played no worse than a mid-to-lower range purpose-built ping pong table.

Having said that, if you intend to take table tennis really seriously, it’s best to get yourself a purpose-built ping pong table. For many reasons that don’t actually involve the play-quality a conversion top offers.

It’s just good to play in a context that’s as close to a professionally competitive one as possible. And playing on a surface that’s balancing on your mom’s dining room table isn’t the best way to replicate this experience.

If, however, you’re looking for some casual fun, or want to really get the competitive juices flowing on a piece of equipment that’s pretty much as close to the “real thing” as you can expect, don’t hesitate to make this purchase.

Right, on to the reason you’re reading this article.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the six best table tennis conversion tops and then also discuss what you need to bear in mind before making your purchase.

Here are the six best table tennis conversion tops available on Amazon right now:

1. JOOLA Tetra – 4 Piece Ping Pong Table Top for Pool Table – BEST TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP FOR SMALL BASE TABLES
2. JOOLA Regulation Table Tennis Conversion Top – BEST OVERALL TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP
3. MD Sports Table Tennis Set: Regulation Ping Pong Table – LIGHTEST CONVERSION TOP
4. Franklin Sports Table Tennis Tables – Optima Table Tennis Tables – THICKEST TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP
5. Martin Kilpatrick Ping Pong Table for Billiard Table – MOST STABLE CONVERSION TOP
6. Rally & Roar Indoor Table Tennis Conversion Top with Net Set – BEST TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP FOR PORTABILITY

1. JOOLA Tetra – 4 Piece Ping Pong Table Top for Pool Table – BEST TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP FOR SMALL BASE TABLES

Surface dimensions: Regulation size (9 ft x 5 ft)
Table weight: 85 lbs (39 kg)
Table thickness: 0.47 inch (12 mm)
Net included: Yes
Number of components: 2 independent halves, each foldable.
Ease of assembly: Very easy (2 minutes)

Price is often a major factor in choosing a conversion top over a purpose-built ping pong table.

If you’re looking for a relatively affordable, but adequately playable table tennis surface, then the JOOLA Tetra should be a serious contender.

It’s extremely lightweight, which means a couple of things: Firstly, it’s really easy to assemble. Secondly, it’s very thin (only 12 mm) which means that it’s not going to offer the bounce consistency of the thicker, heavier options on this list.

Having said this, we found the experience of playing on the JOOLA Tetra more than adequate for casual games. It certainly didn’t have the gameplay quality of the more elite options on this list, but we never felt as if the enjoyment of our games was compromised.

One of the benefits of such a lightweight, thin table is that it can be used on a base that’s relatively small. The manufacturers recommend a base-table of at least 7 ft x 3 ft to ensure a stable, level playing surface. This means that foosball, air-hockey or even large coffee tables are all feasible bases.

This is a feature that really makes the JOOLA Tetra stand out from the competition. Not only is it mighty affordable and super easy to assemble, it can be placed on a large number of surfaces.

Table protection comes in the form of foam pads that you’ll need to strategically stick to the bottom of the playing surface at the initial assembly

Another reason to consider this conversion top is the fact that it takes up very little space when packed away for storage. Each of the two halves can be folded in half again, essentially turning it into a quarter of its assembled size when not being used.

PROS:

• Very affordable conversion top.
• Can be used on a wide variety of base tables.
• Folds up into a small unit for storage.

CONS:

• Thin surface means that the quality of gameplay can’t compete with other options on this list.

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2. JOOLA Regulation Table Tennis Conversion Top – BEST OVERALL TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP

Surface dimensions: Regulation size (9 ft x 5 ft)
Table weight: 115 lbs (52 kg)
Table thickness: 0.6 inch (15 mm)
Net included: Yes
Number of components: 2 independent halves
Ease of assembly: Easy (5 minutes)

As one can expect from a manufacturer with JOOLA’s reputation, when they set out to produce a table tennis conversion top that rivals the best on the market, they’re going to succeed.

The JOOLA Regulation conversion top is constructed to be thicker than its more affordable counterpart (the Tetra mentioned above) bringing it as close to playing on a purpose built table as possible. At 5/8 inches, the table offers a terrific bounce consistency, regardless of the surface it’s placed on.

The unit is made from Medium Density Fiberwood (MDF), the material of choice for a professional-level ping pong table. It’s also slightly heavier than the Tetra and, while this does impact its portability a little, it’s just another reason why playing on it feels like you’re playing on the real thing.

There are two versions of the JOOLA Regulation.

The first is surrounded by a 1.5 inch steel apron which adds to its general sturdiness and durability. It also helps significantly in keeping it in place, should it be put on top of a pool table that closely matches its dimensions. This model, however, is more expensive and doesn’t come with a full foam backing that protects the surface of the pool table. Instead, it ships with 10 foam pads that serve the same purpose.

The second model is cheaper, lacks the steel apron, but has the underside completely covered in a durable, high quality foam that offers unparalleled protection to whatever surface it sits upon.

One thing to bear in mind is that both models of the JOOLA Regulation conversion top are on the expensive side, so it may not be best for families or players who want to take things very casually. If you fall in this category, there are more appropriate conversion tops for you to consider.

PROS:

• Thick, high quality table surface means that the unit offers great bounce consistency .
• Relatively lightweight despite the thicker surface.
• Backed by JOOLA’s 100% satisfaction guarantee.

CONS:

• May be out of the price range some casual players are willing to pay.

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3. MD Sports Table Tennis Set: Regulation Ping Pong Table – LIGHTEST CONVERSION TOP

Surface dimensions: Regulation size (9 ft x 5 ft)
Table weight: 90 lbs (41 kg)
Table thickness: 0.51 inch (13 mm)
Net included: Yes
Number of components: 2 (foldable)
Ease of assembly: Extremely Easy (1 minute)

MD Sports have set out to create one of the most affordable table tennis conversion tops with this terrific conversion top. And despite the remarkably affordable price, they have managed to deliver a portable, super lightweight surface that’s even a fraction thicker (offering a more consistent bounce) than the JOOLA Tetra.

The bottom section of the MD Sports conversion top is fully padded with high-quality EVA foam to prevent damage to the pool, foosball, or dinner table that you choose to place it on.

The price is an obvious drawing factor in considering this great conversion top, but we found that it’s actually the table’s extreme portability due to its light weight (a mere 41 kg) that made it stand out from the other tables we tested.

Setting the conversion top up is an absolute breeze. It unfolds without much effort and weighs so little that a single person should be able to set it up without any hassle whatsoever.

The light weight also makes storage extremely easy. Getting the conversion top off the pool table and stocked away in another room is no issue at all.

When it comes to a conversion top that converts one table into another, portability is always going to be a major concern, and it’s here that MD Sports have knocked it out of the park.

PROS:

• Extremely lightweight for easy setup and storage.
• Very affordable and high-quality table.
• Quality EVA foam adds durability and limits damage to the table surface it’s placed upon.

CONS:

• It’s on the thin side, so it won’t offer the level of bounce of a professional level table.

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4. Franklin Sports Optima Conversion Top – THICKEST TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP

Surface dimensions: Regulation size (9 ft x 5 ft)
Table weight: 120 lbs (54 kg)
Table thickness: 1 inch (25 mm)
Net included: Yes
Number of components: 2 independent halves
Ease of assembly: Easy (3 minutes)

Franklin Sports’ obvious intention with the Optima conversion top was to create a conversion top that can compete with a purpose built table in terms of bounce consistency.

While very casual players won’t notice the difference between the Optima and tables offering a thinner playing surface, those that know the game understand the benefit of playing on a 1-inch thick table.

As we’ll discuss below in the buyer’s guide, table thickness is one of a ping pong player’s top concerns, since it ensures a consistent bounce for the ball throughout the surface’s playing area.

At a full inch, the Franklin Sports Optima conversion top offers a thickness that’s not matched by any of the other conversion tops that we tested.

This does mean that the conversion top is slightly heavier than most, but since it is composed of two separate halves that are simply pushed together when setting up, players only have to deal with a weight of 60 lbs per section. We had no trouble dealing with the table’s extra heft when assembling it.

The conversion top plays brilliantly. It’s fast, the bounce consistency is great and it’s a nice looking conversion top too, with its minimalist markings and attractive blue finish.

The net is another feature we loved about the Franklin Sports Optima. It’s fitted with a secure clamp-on mechanism, making for a quick and secure setup.

What’s more is that the unit’s underside is fully covered by a 1/4 inch high-density EVA foam. This means it’s great for placement on top of a pool table, as well as a dinner table, where the entire surface will be touching the conversion top.

PROS:

• High quality 1 inch thick playing surface for maximum bounce consistency.
• Full coverage of EVA foam underneath the table surface for the best protection.
• Net is easy to set up.

CONS:

• Two halves cannot be attached, making it slightly less stable than its similarly priced counterparts.

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5. Martin Kilpatrick Ping Pong Table for Billiard Table – MOST STABLE CONVERSION TOP

Surface dimensions: Regulation size (9 ft x 5 ft)
Table weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Table thickness: 0.75 inch (19 mm)
Net included: Yes
Number of components: 2 independent halves
Ease of assembly: Easy (4 minutes)

Martin Kilpatrick is a name synonymous with table tennis conversion tops. Aside from balls, they make no other table tennis equipment, meaning that the majority of their engineering focus is on producing a table that has little competition in terms of quality.

At 3/4 inches, this conversion top is thick enough to offer a fantastic gameplay experience. The two independent halves attach to each other using dovetail joints, offering an unmatched level of in-game stability.

Sure, it adds an extra minute in terms of setup time, but the added stability is more than worth the effort; you can play indefinitely without the two halves going out of alignment. Making contact with the table may be against the rules, but it happens. And when it does, there’ll be no need to pause games for realignment.

Adding to the conversion top’s stability is the steel apron surrounding the surface perimeter. The Martin Kilpatrick has been designed specifically to fit over a regulation pool table, and the apron compliments this design perfectly. Expect the conversion top to slot perfectly over your pool table, and stay in place throughout your gaming session.

The underside of the conversion top is strategically padded with high-quality foam to prevent hard friction with the pool table. So you can slot the Martin Kilpatrick over your pool table with absolute confidence that no harm will come to either.

This table came extremely close to being chosen as our top choice, narrowly beaten out by the JOOLA Regulation. Our appreciation for it is also matched by the reviews on Amazon. Customers absolutely loved this wonderful piece of equipment and it’s very easy to see why.

If it falls within your budget, and stability is your number one concern, this is the conversion top for you.

PROS:

• High quality Dovetail joint-mechanism results in the best stability of all tops tested.
• 25 mm thickness for exceptional bounce consistency.
• Three year money-back guarantee.

CONS:

• On the heavy side, which can make setup slightly cumbersome.

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6. Rally & Roar Indoor Table Tennis Conversion Top with Net Set – BEST TABLE TENNIS CONVERSION TOP FOR PORTABILITY

Surface dimensions: Regulation size (9 ft x 5 ft)
Table weight: 103 lbs (47 kg)
Table thickness: 0.625 inch (16 mm)
Net included: Yes
Number of components: 2 independent halves, each foldable.
Ease of assembly: Very easy (2 minutes)

Portability doesn’t need to come at the expense of play quality. This was undoubtedly the primary focus when Rally & Roar set out to design and build their indoor conversion top.

JOOLA’s Tetra, the other lightweight table we tested that consists of two independent halves each foldable into smaller units, offers a similar level of portability, its thin base did compromise playability somewhat.

This is certainly not the case with the Rally & Roar.

At a mere 103 lbs (47 kg), it’s the second-lightest table we reviewed, but with an extra 3 mm in thickness, experienced players will greatly appreciate the added stability and bounce consistency.

If storage is an issue because the conversion top has to be removed from the foundation table after each playing session, you’ll want to own a conversion top that’s easy to carry and can be stored away with maximum convenience.

As with JOOLA’s Tetra, you’ll find this to be the case, but with the added benefit of a better playing surface. We absolutely loved the balance between portability and play quality, and if you play at a level that’s slightly higher than super-casual, you’re certain to feel the same way.

PROS:

• Lightweight and extremely portable make it the best conversion top for portability.
• Little compromise in play quality, despite the table’s weight.
• Foldable into quarters for extremely convenient storage.

CONS:

• Electric blue playing surface might be a little aesthetically jarring for some customers.

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While there aren’t as many table tennis conversion top options as purpose-built ping pong tables, there are still plenty of options on the market – each offering a wide selection of pros and cons.

Deciding which conversion top is best for you comes down to numerous factors that the table tennis enthusiast will have to weigh up for themselves.

Here’s a breakdown of the most important considerations.

Table Thickness and Your Level of Play

Bounce consistency is the chief indicator of a table tennis surface’s quality.

Not only do you want a unit that offers consistent bounce throughout the entire table’s surface area, the bounce itself must be as close to what the professionals refer to as “true bounce” as possible.

True bounce, as described by the International Table Tennis Federation, is a height of 21 cm if the ball was dropped from a height of 30 cm. The highest quality tables typically show this bounce distance.

As a general rule, although there are some exceptions related to the material the unit is built from, the thicker the table surface, the closer you’ll get to true bounce.

However, this is balanced out against aspects like portability and cost. Which brings us to the main consideration when it comes to table thickness. Do you and your family and friends absolutely HAVE to play on a surface that offers true bounce?

If not, there’s nothing wrong in prioritizing portability and affordability over bounce consistency. There are still some great quality tables available in this category.

There wasn’t a single table we tested that we found the bounce unpleasant. All of the conversion tops featured above offered a more than adequate playing experience, so shop from this list with confidence.

The Conversion Top Foundation

The “foundation” refers to the table that you’ll be placing your conversion top on top of. Conversion tops, by definition, ship without a frame, so each of the conversion tops reviewed above need to be placed on another unit like a pool, foosball, air-hockey, or dinner table.

All regulation-size conversion tops need to be placed on a foundation that is, at most, 9 ft by 5 ft. Fortunately, all regulation-size pool or billiards tables match these specifications. So if you own one of these, you’re in the clear – your conversion top will fit snugly on its foundation.

If, however, the only foundation you have available is an undersized foosball or coffee table, not every conversion top will be appropriate for you, especially those that are heavy and don’t offer a solid joining mechanism.

Several conversion tops are simply two independent halves that are pushed together without the mechanics that hold them together. These conversion tops will definitely not be appropriate for an undersized foundation since any pressure on one of the halves will cause it to tip over.

While I’m hesitant to give hard-and-fast rules, I’m comfortable to say that table tennis conversion tops are typically designed to be placed on billiard, pool, or dinner tables that very closely match their size. Put it on anything much smaller, and you’re not doing yourself or the conversion top any favors.

Another aspect to bear in mind here is the height of the foundation. Regulation ping pong tables stand at a height of 2.6 feet. Most pool or billiards tables will be close enough to this height not to compromise your game. But, again, if you’re considering a non-standard foundation, height is something you must consider.

The Importance of Padding

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth putting a really fine point on. If you’ve invested a thousand dollars into a beautiful wooden pool or dining table, you’re going to be sensitive to causing it damage.

Frequently placing and removing heavy, wooden boards into your precious surface represents a serious risk in causing dents and scratches. That’s why table tennis conversion tops always ship with some form of protection placed at the underside of the playing surface.

In some cases, the full surface is covered with foam. Other conversion tops are padded in strategic areas only, while some ship with padding components that you can attach at your own discretion, depending on the surface you’ll be placing it on.

When choosing a conversion top, make sure that the padding it offers matches the foundation table you’ll be using.

Portability and Storage

By definition, a table tennis conversion top has been designed to be frequently set up, disassembled, and packed away for storage. If you had a ton of space available in your home, you’d probably just invest in a full ping pong table, right?

From a portability perspective, not all conversion tops are created equal.

While most of the conversion tops we tested were relatively lightweight, there was a noticeable difference between the heaviest and lightest. If you’re buying a conversion top for your kids to play on, and you have little interest in being roped into setting it up for them every time they want to play, opt for a lightweight unit.

Another concern is storage. If, after a playing session, the conversion top must be packed away in a small area in your home, opt for one of the two conversion tops above that fold into a quarter of the assembled size.

Trust us on this. Setting up a table and packing it away for storage becomes a serious hassle if it has to happen often.

If, however, your conversion top will be placed in a space where you don’t need to disassemble it after every single playing session, or available storage space is ample, opt for a heavier two-piece conversion top.