Buying guide for best ping-pong tables
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A ping-pong table is a big purchase, so it's a good idea to pick one that's built to last. A good table should be sturdy, stable and level so you can play both casual and competitive games without wobbling.
First, decide whether you need an indoor or outdoor table. Once you know that, consider storage and assembly. Most tables are fairly easy to assemble, and some fold-up models even have a playback feature that lets you practice on your own.
Our top pick is the JOOLA Inside Professional MDF Ping-Pong Table. It arrives mostly pre-assembled, so you can play in about 10 minutes without spending a whole day putting it together.
Editors' picks
Dimensions: 108" L x 60" W x 30" H | Weight: 149 lb | Material: Engineered Wood | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 5/8"
If you want a simple yet high-quality ping-pong table for playing recreational matches with friends and family, you won’t be disappointed with the JOOLA Inside Professional MDF Ping-Pong Table.
This professional-grade indoor ping-pong table is a customer favorite because of its 5/8-inch top made of quality engineered wood for reliable bounce. It features independent table halves, a sturdy undercarriage with 3-inch locking caster wheels and a clamp-style heavy-duty net.
Compared to other ping-pong tables, this one is very lightweight at just 149 pounds, making it easy to transport. It’s not quite as durable as some other high-end ping-pong tables, but for casual play, it’s more than enough.
Dimensions: 41.25” L x 22.75” W x 31.4” H | Weight: Approx. 50 to 57 lb | Material: Plastic | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: ~0.5"
Looking for a way to ramp up the fun for your next party? The Tzumi RealPlay 13-in-1 Multigame Ping-Pong Table is a versatile game table that’s sure to keep friends and family having fun. With a compact design, you can easily fit it in most rooms without it taking up too much space.
This table has a sturdy yet lightweight build and offers multiple games, including foosball, air hockey, billiards, ping-pong, chess and basketball. It includes all accessories for playing each game, and you can seamlessly switch between games with minimal setup.
It’s an excellent game table for recreational fun with friends and family, and its miniature design makes it suitable for all ages. Plus, it’s easy to assemble and is relatively lightweight, making it a cinch to move around from room to room.
Dimensions: 108" L x 60" W x 0.47" H | Weight: 74 lb | Material: Engineered Wood | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 1/2"
Ping-pong tables are expensive, and they take up a lot of room. However, if you want to play table tennis with friends, you can do it with this JOOLA Ping-Pong Conversion Top that essentially converts any table into a ping-pong table.
This tabletop weighs just 74 pounds, making it easy to transport and lay flat on most table surfaces. The four-piece hinge design allows it to fold down, and the 1/2-inch thickness provides a consistent tournament-grade bounce. Plus, it comes with pads to protect your table’s surface from scratching.
This tabletop, with the included net, can be assembled in under three minutes. It’s a terrific alternative for those who don’t want a complete ping-pong table. It’s also highly versatile, allowing you to play anywhere without any transportation hassle.
Dimensions: 108" L x 66" W x 30" H | Weight: 146 lb | Material: Resin | Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 1/5"
Most ping-pong tables are designed strictly for indoor use, but this Cornilleau 300X Outdoor Table Tennis Table is the top choice for those who want to enjoy competitive or friendly games outdoors.
This ping-pong table is made with weather-resistant materials. Its 1/5-inch laminated resin playing surface offers high-grade bounce quality and protection from moisture. The folding design provides superior balance and makes storage more manageable. The table is height-adjustable to accommodate players of varying heights, and the retractable point counter system is convenient for scorekeeping.
This ping-pong table's durable build makes it one of the best options for outdoor play. Its modern design gives it a competition-grade appearance, and it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Dimensions: 70" L x 62" W x 22.5" H | Weight: 300 lb | Material: Engineered Wood | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 1”
If money is no object and you want an elite-level ping-pong table, we can’t recommend this STIGA Premium ITTF-Approved Compact Tennis Table enough. It’s built with high-quality materials and has been approved for competitive play by the International Table Tennis Federation.
The commercial-grade pistons make it easy to open both table halves simultaneously, and the premium 1-inch top is sanded and finished with blue tournament-style paint. The heavy-duty frame consists of thick steel legs, multiple cross beams and 5-inch casters. Plus, the white striping is silk-screen printed for a smooth playing surface and reliable bounce.
You won’t find many ping-pong tables built as well as this one. It's guaranteed to last, and the bounce you’ll experience while playing is noticeable from the very first play. It’s the best choice for hardcore competitors.
Dimensions: 68" L x 68" W x 63" H | Weight: 234 lb | Material: Alloy Steel | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 1”
The DONIC Waldner Classic 25 Table Tennis Table is an ITTF-approved ping-pong table that offers a terrific combination of durability and stability. Although it’s not quite as expensive as some of the most high-end tables, it’s designed for tournament play and provides an elite playing experience.
It has a sturdy steel frame with a locking system for safety during play and a blue top with a thick 1-inch playing surface for professional bounce and consistency. The two halves fold separately for convenient storage, and the competition-grade net is easy to install.
This ping-pong table's alloy steel construction makes it one of the most durable options available. If you want a competition-grade table that’s guaranteed to last for years, we recommend this one over most other options.
Dimensions: 63" L x 56" W x 5" H | Weight: 115 lb | Material: Engineered Wood | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 5/8"
The STIGA Advantage Series Ping-Pong Table is one of the more affordable options on our list of favorites, but don’t be fooled by its lower price point. It’s a fantastic table for both casual and competitive play.
Its foldable and lightweight design makes this table the best option for those who want to move the table around the house frequently. It comes 95% pre-assembled, and the rest takes just 10 minutes before it's ready for play. The surface is 5/8-thick, and you can lock one half of the table into an upright position for a single-player game. Plus, it comes with a 72-inch tournament-grade net.
It’s a simple yet solid choice for those who want something high-quality that's both lightweight and versatile. Both casual and competitive players can get plenty out of this ping-pong table.
Dimensions: 63" L x 57" W x 4" H | Weight: 172 lb | Material: Aluminum | Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 1/4”
The STIGA XTR is a fantastic mid-tier option for competitive players looking to hone their skills. It’s also designed for all-weather performance, meaning you can practice or face off against friends in both indoor and outdoor environments.
The top is made of aluminum composite, which provides superior weather resistance and a smooth surface that’s easy to wipe down if it gets wet. Independent halves allow you to set up this table for single-player mode, and the 1.5-inch square steel legs feature 2-inch adjustable leg levelers to ensure correct leveling, even if the floors are uneven.
This table offers an excellent combination of value and quality. For the price, few tables provide the kind of high-level performance this one does.
Dimensions: 108" L x 60" W x 30" H | Weight: 190 lb | Material: Engineered Wood | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 3/4”
The HEAD Summit USA Indoor Table Tennis Table is a solid all-around ping-pong table for recreational play among friends and family. It has a neat black-painted design, giving it a flattering aesthetic that makes it look great in any basement, game room or home bar.
It’s a regulation-size table with a laminated playing surface and a folding design that makes it easy to set up and store after playing. The clamp-on net is designed to withstand high-tension contact, and the built-in compartments on each side store balls and paddles.
This mid-tier ping-pong table is a fine choice for casual play, but its high-quality build and design make it suitable for competition play. The most notable distinction this table has over some of our other favorites is the black specialty paint on the surface, which gives it a stylish look.
Dimensions: 108" L x 60" W x 30" H | Weight: 173 lb | Material: Aluminum | Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 1/4"
The JOOLA NOVA is an excellent ping-pong table designed for indoor and outdoor competitive play. It’s a 9-by-5-foot table with a sturdy build and a modern design that looks great in any basement or backyard.
It features a thick quarter-inch aluminum plastic composite surface that’s resistant to both cupping and warping. The undercarriage is powder-coated for superior rust resistance, and the automatic anti-tilting locks allow for one half of the table to be folded up for single-player practice. The screw-clamp net is easy to attach to the tabletop, and the four-wheel trolley system makes the entire table easy to transport.
This is one of the most versatile ping-pong tables and is absolutely worth a look if you want something for both indoor and outdoor play. Customers appreciate it for its quality build, easy storage and reliable bounce during play.
Dimensions: 108" L x 60 "W x 30" H | Weight: 226 lb | Material: Engineered Wood | Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor | Playing Surface Thickness: 3/4"
Those who want a competition-grade ping-pong table will not be disappointed with the high-quality JOOLA Tour Indoor Ping-Pong Table. It comes 95% preassembled, meaning you’ll be playing ping-pong with friends and family in under 10 minutes after unboxing it.
This table has a 3/4-inch playing surface with a multilayer blue painted surface for consistent bounce. It has durable steel legs with adjustable rubber feet, four locking caster wheels and a clamp-on tournament-grade net. The two halves sit independently on separate trolleys, and the anti-tilt locking devices provide safe use.
While there are more expensive tables, this one offers the best performance at a reasonable price. It’s one of the best indoor ping-pong tables because of its hassle-free design for both storage and transport and its high-grade playing surface.
Why buy a ping-pong table?
Most of us have played ping-pong at one time or another. But why should you buy your own ping-pong table?
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It's fun! If you enjoy playing table tennis, why not have your own table so you can play whenever you choose?
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Ping-pong is an excellent family activity, and it can be a godsend for parents who are looking for something to lure their kids away from video games or TV.
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Table tennis is a better exercise than you might imagine, particularly when you play fast-paced games.
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If you intend to play table tennis competitively, you'll ideally need a ping-pong table at home on which to practice.
Types of ping-pong tables
An indoor or an outdoor ping-pong table: Which is right for you?
Indoor ping-pong tables
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Indoor ping-pong tables are designed to be used inside and aren't capable of withstanding the elements.
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While you can find stationary indoor tables, most ping-pong tables designed for beginners and intermediate players fold away to save space when not in use.
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Indoor ping-pong tables tend to give you a better and more consistent bounce as compared to outdoor ping-pong tables of a similar price.
Outdoor ping-pong tables
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Outdoor ping-pong tables are made from strong materials such as aluminum composite. As a result, they can last for decades outdoors.
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While the materials used to make outdoor ping-pong tables are hard-wearing, they do result in a less uniform bounce.
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Most outdoor ping-pong tables are stationary and can't be folded, though you can find some exceptions.
Considerations for selecting a ping-pong table
Playing surface thickness
The playing surface thickness of a ping-pong table is important. You can find tables with playing surfaces between 1/4- and 1-inch thick.
The best-quality ping-pong tables are 7/8 to 1-inch thick. This gives a consistent bounce over the whole of the playing surface.
However, if you're just playing for fun, it probably won't matter to you too much if you get a lower bounce in some areas of the table.
Convertible tables
You can find convertible ping-pong tables that have interchangeable tops. These tops may enable the ping-pong table to double as a pool table, foosball table or similar. This sounds like a great idea for a game room, but convertible ping-pong tables do tend to compromise on quality, so you might inadvertently end up with two or three subpar games tables in one.
Frame strength
A strong frame will give your ping pong table more stability. To gauge strength, look at the thickness of the frame, its material and the width of the chassis.
Size
The standard size for a ping-pong table is 9 by 5 feet, but some home models may be smaller. If you're serious about ping-pong, you'll probably want to practice at home on a standard-size table — primarily if you compete or intend to do so in the future.
From our list of top picks, the JOOLA Tour Indoor Ping-Pong Table, JOOLA Inside Professional MDF Ping-Pong Table, JOOLA Ping-Pong Conversion Top, HEAD Summit USA Indoor Table Tennis Table, and JOOLA NOVA Outdoor Ping-Pong Table are all regulation-size and measure 9 by 5 feet.
Storage
While some people are lucky enough to have the space to keep their table tennis table in position at all times, others have to tuck away their table while not in use. Many indoor tables fold in the middle, making them small enough to store in a corner without taking up too much space. Ideally, look for a table set on casters. This will enable you to roll the table out of the way rather than having to lift it.
Ping-pong table tips
These tips will help you make safe and effective use of your new ping-pong table.
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Give it some room: Wherever you choose to set up your ping-pong table, make sure you have enough room on all sides for players to move around.
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Protect it: Even with a good-quality outdoor ping-pong table, we recommend purchasing a decent cover for it to increase longevity.
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Stay organized: Accessory holders that accommodate paddles and balls are handy. If you have these extras, your paddles and balls are less likely to get strewn around the house and misplaced.
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Be careful around children: Watch out for kids when opening out a folding table; little fingers can get trapped in the hinges and moving parts.
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Clean it gently: If you need to clean the surface of your ping-pong table, be wary. The chemicals in some cleaning products could damage the finish of the table. Instead, use a natural solution such as a mixture of five parts water and one part distilled white vinegar.
Price
Just how much do you need to spend on a ping-pong table? Below, we examine average table prices.
$250 to $700
Basic ping-pong tables cost between $250 and $700. These entry-level models tend to have thinner playing surfaces and less sturdy frames, though their quality generally improves as the price increases. You can find cheaper “compact” ping-pong tables, but we don't recommend them unless you're short on space or want something affordable for casual play.
Our top picks that fall into this price range include the JOOLA Inside Professional MDF Ping-Pong Table, JOOLA Ping-Pong Conversion Top, STIGA Advantage Series Ping-Pong Table, STIGA XTR Professional Outdoor Table Tennis Table, HEAD Summit USA Indoor Table Tennis Table and JOOLA NOVA Outdoor Ping-Pong Table.
$700 to $1,500
Mid-range ping-pong tables cost roughly $700 to $1,500. You can find some excellent models in this price range, but most won't meet tournament standards, so they aren't ideal for competitive players to practice on. Of our top picks, the JOOLA Tour Indoor Ping-Pong Table, Cornilleau 300X Outdoor Table Tennis Table and DONIC Waldner Classic 25 Table Tennis Table fall in this range.
$1,500 to $4,000
High-end ping-pong tables can cost between $1,500 and $4,000. They should be approved by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and meet its tournament standards. For instance, the STIGA Premium ITTF-Approved Compact Tennis Table costs $2,000 and is approved by the ITTF for tournament-grade competitions.
FAQ
Q. Will I have to assemble my new ping-pong table?
A. While some high-end table tennis tables come fully assembled, most require some degree of assembly. Luckily, this process isn't usually too complex and generally takes no more than 30 minutes.
Q. Do I need a ping-pong table that meets the tournament standards of the ITTF?
A. If you or a family member intends to play competitively, you really need to own a ping-pong table that meets the tournament standards of the ITTF. Tables that don't meet these standards will feel slightly different to play on, and this would leave you at a disadvantage come competition time.
Q. Will my ping-pong table come with a net and posts?
A. Most, if not all, come with a net and posts. Some are fixed in place, whereas others are removable.
Q. What should I do if the surface on which I want to set my ping-pong table isn't completely level?
A. In this case, you should look for a ping-pong table with built-in leg levelers. These can be adjusted to help keep your table level and stable on an uneven floor.
