The 8 Best Ping Pong Table Tops to Spice Up Your Games Room in 2024

Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by Alex Horscroft

What Is a Ping Pong Table Top?

A ping pong table top or conversion top enables you to play table tennis on a pool table. In fact, it’s more than that. While advertised mainly for pool tables, they are more like universal convertible ping pong tables as you can use them on any similar surface.

Personally, I don’t have a pool table, so for me, it’s more like a ping pong table top for my dining table! Conversion tops do away with the undercarriage of a traditional table tennis table, leaving you with just the playing surface.

Why Should I Buy a Ping Pong Table Top?

There are many reasons why you might want to buy a pool table ping pong top, but the following are the main reasons that come to mind for me:

• Lack of space for a standard full-size table
• Often cheaper than full-size tables
• Usually require no assembly
• Lightweight and easy to put away
• Include nets

What Skill Level Should Purchase a Table Tennis Top?

The thing to know about conversion tops is that they are comparatively lower quality than standard table tennis tables. Where you’ll have no trouble finding an 18 mm thick table tennis table, the same can’t be said with conversion tops. The average is closer to 13 mm.

For this reason and others, ping pong pool table tops are usually best suited to less serious players. However, there are some premium options that are good choices if you are at an advanced level.

The 8 Best Ping Pong Table Tops

1. Butterfly Pool Table Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Green or blue
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight: 150 lb
Padding: Full foam backing
Type: 2-piece
Warranty: 3-year

My favorite table top ping pong table of the bunch is definitely Butterfly’s. I can’t say I’m surprised, as a premium manufacturer they excel at virtually everything they make.

The first feature to talk about is the playing surface. At 19 mm you won’t find a thicker conversion top anywhere else, and few match it. So full marks there. There’s also the metal apron which keeps the playing surface level and ensures longevity. Most table top ping pong surfaces are a little prone to sagging, so having a metal apron is a real plus.

Fun fact. You can remove this apron to accommodate a 9 ft table. This means you can enjoy both full-size table tennis and full-size pool, perfecto.

Other features going for this superb table top are its complete foam backing, high-quality net, and 3-year warranty period. The table may be pricey and not offer the best value, but it’s certainly the top performer.

2. Martin Kilpatrick Pool Table Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Gray, green, or blue
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight: 150 lb
Padding: Foam pads
Type: 2-piece
Warranty: 3-year

Up next we have the Martin Kilpatrick ping pong table for pool tables which doesn’t differ all that much from the Butterfly version. Unsurprising given Martin Kilpatrick is essentially Butterfly under a different business name.

This top weighs the same at 150 lb, has an identical 19 mm play surface, the same 3-year warranty period, and shares other features.

However, there are some distinctions I want to highlight. The first is the dove-tail bracket. This secures the top as one piece when in use. A strong advantage. You also have multiple colors to choose from when purchasing which is always nice.

Despite these benefits, it is slightly inferior to the Butterfly table overall. It uses small foam pads rather than a full foam backing, and the net is also much more basic. You can’t adjust the height or tension.

3. JOOLA Regulation Table Tennis Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Blue or charcoal
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: 109 lbs or 58 lbs
Padding: 10 EVA foam pads or full foam coverage
Type: 2-piece
Warranty: Unknown

The JOOLA regulation conversion top comes in two different options. Our favored choice is the apron version. This top features a 1.5” steel apron which is really hard to look past. It provides structural strength and prevents the top from bowing which is essential for its longevity. Unsurprisingly, this means the apron version is quite pricey.

The other version instead features more comprehensive foam padding. In fact, it covers the whole underside of the table for maximum protection. The apron version, by comparison, uses 10 EVA foam pads.

There are also a few other differences between the two versions. The apron edition is blue rather than charcoal, weighs heavier at 108 lbs compared to 58 lbs, and also includes a higher quality net. So in my opinion it’s a better table top, but both versions have the same playing surface thickness at 15 mm. Therefore if you want to save some money the full foam padding version could also be a good choice.

4. Stiga Premium Table Tennis Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Gray
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight: 110 lb or 90 lb
Padding: Foam pads
Type: 2-piece or 4 piece

Warranty: Unknown

Surprisingly, the Stiga premium conversion top is priced the same as the Stiga Duo top, however, it definitely outperforms it. Available as either a 2-piece or 4-piece top with a 16 mm thick play surface, it has great playability and can store rather compactly.

I should note that net seems to differ between the two versions though. From the best I can tell, the tension adjustment net is only included in the 2-piece version. The 4-piece top instead uses a more basic net.

For its price, this ping pong conversion top is a decent buy and provides a tonne of fun.

5. HEAD Summit Table Tennis Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Grey
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: Package weight is 131 lb (actual weight not specified)
Padding: Foam
Type: 2-piece
Warranty: 90-day

While the HEAD Summit table is a little pricey, it does have good features to back up the price. This begins with the 15 mm play surface which while isn’t anything exceptional, is certainly above average for conversion tops.

The net on the other hand definitely is. It’s easily one of the best nets included as it features tension and height adjustment. This ensures you can customize the net to meet proper playing conditions.

The foam coverage is also better than most, so there’s very little chance of you scratching whatever surface you choose to rest the top on. And finally, there are the handles. This is a feature unique to the Head Summit top and they are pretty rad! Not only do they make the table easier to carry, but they also double up as bat or ball holders. Me like!

Considering this ping pong table top isn’t made by a reputable table tennis brand, I’m a little surprised by the quality. The HEAD Summit top makes for a great buy for all casual players, and even some who like to take the game a little more seriously.

6. Hathaway BG2323 Table Tennis Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Green
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 88 lb
Padding: Felt pads
Type: 4-piece
Warranty: 180–day

The Hathaway BG2323 is another “Amazon Choice” product. While the playing surface is just 13 mm thick, the table top is admirably priced, so it’s clear to see why so many people are purchasing it.

I feel that it is pretty well-priced for what it is, and the 180-day warranty is a nice addition, although you probably won’t need it.

I saw one review left by a satisfied buyer who claimed that her table is going strong after a staggering 8 years. To make things even more impressive she emphasized that it’s been through the wars with heavy-handed kids, spilled drinks, and the like. Therefore it’s safe to say the table is pretty durable!

7. Stiga Duo Table Tennis Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Green
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 98 lb
Padding: Sponge rubber strips
Type: 2-piece
Warranty: Unknown

There’s not much to say about the Stiga Duo. While it’s made by a top table tennis brand in Stiga, I find it to be rather uninspiring. There’s nothing to convince you to purchase it over the Rally and Roar top which is currently priced the same.

With a 13 mm play surface and a run-of-the-mill net, it’s a little average across the board. To be honest, I expected better of Stiga as most of their equipment is pretty great.

8. EastPoint Sports Ping Pong Conversion Top

Specifications

Color: Blue
Dimensions: 9 x 5 feet
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight: 86 lb
Padding: Foam pads
Type: 4-piece
Warranty: 90-day

Currently sitting as an “Amazon Choice” product there may be those of you that are already considering the EastPoint Sports conversion top. And for good reason. This ping pong conversion table is pretty damn cheap. However, it is certainly not for everyone.

Sporting a 12mm playing surface there is no avoiding the fact that this table top is exceedingly thin. With that in mind, I only recommend it for very casual players. Half-decent players will want a higher more consistent bounce than what this table can offer.

I should also note that this model is 4-piece which you might not be aware of. This means it is made up of two sections, each with hinges that allow it to fold in on itself. As such, it’s a relatively easy table top to store even though it is full-size.

Ping Pong Table Top Buying Guide

Type and Size

The primary reason to purchase a pool table conversion top is its space-saving ability, but not all conversion tops are the same. While almost all are full-size, a select few are smaller, so be sure to check before purchasing.

A more common decision you’ll have to make is 2-piece vs 4-piece.

While both types come in two actual pieces, 4-piece models have a hinge so that they can fold for even more compact storage. The drawback to this is that you have a large seam running through the table when you are playing. This can occasionally cause the ball to bounce slightly off course.

Table Top Thickness

If you care about playing quality (which you should), table top thickness is the best indicator. The thicker you go, the better the bounce quality will be.

Just know that ping pong tops for pool tables don’t go anywhere near as high as regular tables, varying from around 9 mm to 19 mm. Regular tables, by comparison, go as high as 30 mm.

Padding Coverage

When purchasing a ping pong table top for a pool table you want to ensure it doesn’t cause any damage. This is why underlying padding is so important.

Most conversion tops use small foam pads for protection. However, some will have full foam backing for unrivaled protection.

Conclusion

Ping Pong table tops are great alternatives to full-size tables if you lack the space, or simply want to keep your house free of another large piece of furniture.

There are many great tops on offer, but for me, the clear best performing table tennis top is the Butterfly pool table conversion top. It simply ticks every box, the only issue is the price as it doesn’t offer the best value.

So if value rather than top-quality is your goal, I instead recommend the Rack Virgo conversion top. It’s much cheaper and still has a quality 19 mm thick play surface. Just remember you might have to purchase a cheap net to go with it, as the included net is not very good.

FAQs

How Do I Stop My Ping Pong Table Top From Bending in the Middle?

Table tennis tops for pool tables are often thin, so they have a tendency to sag if they are not well supported. If you notice your conversion top bowing, insert something solid between your pool table and the top.

How Much are Conversion Tops?

Ping pong table conversion tops vary in price from around $100 to $650.

Are There Outdoor Ping Pong Table Tops?

Unfortunately not. All current ping pong table tops are for indoor use only. However, there is still every chance that they could be produced in the future.

Can Any Pool Table Convert to Ping Pong?

Most pool tables can, but not all. Ultimately you want the ping pong table top to extend over the pool table’s surface but not by too much. Otherwise, it may be at risk of being knocked off. Generally, 7 ft and 8 ft pool tables are ideal. However, some conversion tops work on full-size 9 ft tables too.

Recommended Reads:

• The 11 Best Luxury Ping Pong Tables
• Concrete Ping Pong Tables: Everything You Need to Know