Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by Alex Horscroft
The JOOLA Nova Pro Plus Outdoor is one of the best outdoor table tennis tables in 2024. It’s cheap, made by a top brand, and compares well against many other outdoor tables. I’m particularly impressed by the large double 6″ wheels which make moving the table a cinch.
Read on as I review the JOOLA Nova Pro Plus Outdoor in depth to see if it’s the right table for you.
JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor Specifications
- Dimensions: Full-size
- Table top: 6mm aluminum-plastic composite surface
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
- Type: Two-piece
- Leg levelers: Yes
- Weight: 166lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
Performance
The performance of the JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor table tennis table is pretty good, but it’s far from great. This is simply because it’s an outdoor table, and outdoor models are almost always inferior to indoor models.
This is because their play surface cannot be made primarily from MDF as it will rot after a short time. Instead, they are made from materials such as melamine to emulate the bounce of MDF while providing protection from the elements.
This particular table is made from an aluminum-plastic composite, and its playing surface measures 6mm thick. This is actually very respectable among outdoor tables. Most are around 3-4mm so it’s twice the average! Therefore it is one of the best performers when it comes to outdoor tables, just don’t expect the bounce quality of an indoor model though.
Frame
The NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor is a fairly robust table, it features a 40mm x 40mm rust-resistant steel undercarriage which is plenty enough to support the table.
I’ve seen the undercarriage incorrectly listed as 30mm x 30mm in a few places, so ignore this if you see it. I checked directly on JOOLA’s website to confirm that it is 40mm x 40mm.
Quick Assembly
A super appealing feature of the JOOLA NOVA Pro plus Outdoor table is that it arrives 95% preassembled. This means there is very little for you to do before you can play. In fact, the only thing you have to do is attach the legs using 8 bolts and that’s it!
Of course, many of its competitors also arrive 95% preassembled, so this is far from revolutionary. Nevertheless, it’s a tick in its favor.
Highly Portable
Undoubtedly, one of the greatest strengths of the JOOLA Pro Plus Outdoor is its portability. It sports 6” wheels which are pretty damn massive. The average for most tables is 3” so the Pro Plus dwarfs these.
Having wheels of this size is a big deal for outdoor tables. This is because you’re more likely to have to traverse tough terrain to get to where you’re going to play. 3” wheels really struggle against the likes of mud and bumpy ground, however, 6” wheels tackle this terrain without much issue.
What’s more, the NOVA Pro Plus uses double wheels rather than single wheels. This provides even more surface area and stability. It’s the king of portability!
Storage and Playback Mode
The JOOLA Nova Pro Plus is a two-piece table. This means you can separate each table half and they nest together for compact storage. The folded dimensions measure 61” x 26” x 63.5”.
Another benefit of the table being two-piece is that each table half folds independently. This means you can erect just one side of the table to play solo.
This is great if you are a beginner as it helps you to hone your hand-eye coordination and play when you don’t have anyone around. However, if you’re at an intermediate level or above you probably won’t use it. Trust me, I’ve been there!
Net Included
The JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus comes equipped with a trusty net which is a nice addition, but hardly rare given that most tables include nets these days.
JOOLA does not explicitly state whether this net is waterproof, but given they have included it with an outdoor model, I imagine it is. But even if this is the case I recommend taking it indoors when you are finished playing to prolong its life.
The Amazon listing claims that it’s a “tournament-grade table tennis net”, however, this is a bit of a stretch. While it’s true the net is very good quality and uses a screw clamp style attachment, I wouldn’t call it tournament-grade.
It doesn’t appear to have a height adjustment feature which is an essential quality in a tournament setting. Perhaps this is me being a little picky, as the net is perfectly good quality, but I’d rather you had all the facts.
JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor Pros & Cons
Pros
- Well-priced
- Thick playing surface
- Large 6″ wheels
- Quick assembly
- Leg levelers
- Includes net
Cons
- Bounce quality is inferior to indoor models
Alternative Tables
JOOLA United Pro Outdoor
The JOOLA United pro Outdoor is the model down on the NOVA Pro Plus. It’s a pretty similar table but differs in two key areas.
The first and most important is its wheel size. Its wheels are of average diameter at 3”. They are also single wheels, not doubles. This means it is not the model you want to buy if you will be moving your table long distances outdoors.
The second difference is the undercarriage. It’s a little thinner at 30mmx 30xmm.
Given it currently costs more than the Nova Pro Plus Outdoor, I see little reason to pick it up.
Stiga XTR Pro
Stiga and JOOLA are always battling it out when it comes to tables and the JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus isn’t any different. The XTR is their own version of the Pro Plus. It too sports a 6mm aluminum-composite top and has large 6” double wheels.
There really is very little to separate these two tables. At the time of writing, the Stiga XTR costs a little more. Given this fact, my recommendation is to get the NOVA Pro Plus if you are stuck between the two.
Closing Thoughts
The JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor is a relatively inexpensive table tennis table and it provides a lot of value for such a low cost. Its table top thickness and large wheels are the greatest qualities going for it. And these are easily enough on their own to make it worth the money.
Again, remember it’s a great performer in the outdoor category, but it can’t quite compete with indoor models. If you’re a serious player and have the space indoors I strongly recommend you buy an indoor table instead.
Nonetheless, the NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor is a great buy. And I think it’s suitable from beginner all the way up to advanced in respect to outdoor tables.
I've been playing table tennis since the age of 14 and have competed against some of the top players in England. While I love playing, I also really enjoy coaching too!
Blade: Butterfly Timo Boll ALC | Rubbers: Nittaku Fastarc G-1