Table Tennis Table Buyer’s Guide (Everything You Need to Know)

Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Alex Horscroft

Table Of Contents

So you want to buy a ping pong table huh? You’ve come to the right place. As an experienced table tennis player I’ve played on hundreds of different table tennis tables, and I know just what to look out for when buying one.

In this table tennis table buying guide, you’ll find absolutely everything you need to know when it comes to purchasing table tennis tables. But be warned. This is quite a beefy article! I recommend using the links above in the contents to jump to the sections you’re interested in learning more about. I’ve also highlighted my favorite tables across various categories to help save you time. Anywho, enough talk, let’s dive in!

Overview of the Best Ping Pong Tables by Category

Indoor table for beginners: JOOLA Inside
Indoor table for intermediate players: Stiga Advantage Pro
Indoor table for advanced players: JOOLA Tour 2500
Indoor table for clubs: Stiga Optimum 30
Indoor space-saving table: Butterfly Compact 19
Outdoor table for beginners: JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor
Outdoor tables for intermediate players: Butterfly Garden 4000
Outdoor table for mobility: Cornilleau 300X Outdoor

Indoor Tables vs. Outdoor Tables

The very first thing to decide when you begin shopping for a table tennis table is which type you want: indoor or outdoor.

To decide which is best for you, you have to ask yourself questions such as do I have enough room to play indoors? And am I just buying a table for fun, or do I want to improve?

There are inherent strengths and weaknesses to each type of table. The main thing going for waterproof ping pong tables is that you can use them anywhere. Table tennis tables are big bits of kit, and they’re tough to fit into the home. But without an outdoor table, there is no need. Play in your garage, garden, or driveway.

Indoor models, on the other hand, are in a league of their own when it comes to bounce quality, which is the most important aspect of a table tennis table.

Want my advice? If you have the space and are keen about the game, an indoor table is your best bet. But please for the love of god don’t leave an indoor table outdoors, it will get destroyed. Only an all-weather ping pong table can withstand the punishment of being kept outdoors all year round.

table tennis table buying guide infographic

Space Availability

As I just mentioned, you have far more space outdoors than indoors. So if you want to play inside, you’d better be sure you have the room before dropping hundreds of dollars.

To discern whether you have enough space, you have to add the size of a table tennis table onto however much space you will need around the table to play. A standard full-size table measures 9 ft x 5 ft, and the space you will need depends on the type of player you are. While the widthway space you need varies a little from person to person, it is mainly the lengthway space to take note of.

table tennis space requirement infographic

As an approximate guide:

Beginners need around 5 feet in length (19 feet total)
Intermediate players need 8 feet in length (25 feet total)
Advanced players need 12 feet in length (33 feet total)

That being said, if you’re really set on having a table indoors but are pressed for room, the minimum playable space you can get away with is around 4 feet at either end (17 feet total). At the sides, around 1.65 feet is as low as I would go. But here are more accurate estimations for the sideways space you need:

Beginners need around 2 feet in width (9 ft total)
Intermediate players need 2.75 ft in width (10.5 ft in total)
Advanced players need 3.25 feet in width (11.5 ft in total)

Table Tennis Robots

Table tennis robots are the perfect companion for home play. Not only do they enable you to practice when you don’t have a playing partner available, but they also give you more room!

Robots don’t require the same space as a person, so you can practically push the table right up against a wall, giving you more space on your side to play. Happy days!

If a robot sounds alluring to you, you might be interested in reading my table tennis robot guide. It took me a long time to write and has lots of useful info.

Bounce Quality

One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a table tennis table is the quality of the bounce. Not all tables are born equal, and you need to be able to tell the difference.

There are only two facts you need to know. The first is that outdoor tables are almost always inferior to indoor tables when it comes to bounce. This is because indoor models use wood whereas outdoor tables use other materials such as melamine, aluminum, and concrete.

The next way to identify the quality of the table top is to look at the thickness. The thicker it is, the better the bounce will be. This of course means increased expense as well. As such, you should try to find a healthy balance between your skill level and budget.

13 mm or less: For casual use, poor bounce quality
15-16 mm: For beginners
18-19 mm: For beginners and intermediate players
21-22 mm: For intermediate and advanced players
25 mm: For advanced players — this is standard for tournaments using professional ping pong tables
30 mm: The thickest available — the difference isn’t very noticeable from 25 mm

table tennis table 16 mm thick — Butterfly Easifold Rollaway – 16 mm

table tennis table 25 mm thick — Butterfly Octet 25 – 25 mm

Weather Conditions

If you elect to pick an outdoor table tennis table, know that you will constantly be at odds with Mother Nature. She’s cruel and may stop you from playing table tennis when you’re really in the mood!

The biggest obstacles here are the wind, rain, and sun. It might surprise you the extent to which even minor wind can impact a table tennis ball. Long story short, if it’s windy, you can’t play. The same goes for rainy days.

As for very sunny spells, you can play, but the glare on the table makes it very difficult. It was a constant source of frustration for me when I played outdoors. This is why getting an outdoor table with an anti-glare coating is so important.

Ground

You might not give the ground any thought when picking a place to play table tennis, but you certainly should. Hard floors are best, such as vinyl. Avoid playing anywhere too slippy, especially if you’re big on footwork.

If you’re playing outdoors, concrete isn’t a bad bet, but it is very hard which can cause joint soreness. You should also make sure you buy a table tennis table with leg levelers as the ground most likely isn’t level. Most tables feature leg levelers, but not all.

I used to play outdoors in my garden which had bumpy cobblestone-like tiles. To say it was a nightmare was an understatement! Every time the ball went off the table it bounced in unpredictable directions making retrieval tiresome. So make sure you give ground conditions some thought unlike me!

Budget

It’s easy to keep creeping higher and higher for a better quality table tennis table, but it’s important to stick with what you are comfortable spending.

There are many affordable table tennis tables on the market, even for advanced players, so there is absolutely no need to spend thousands on a table tennis table.

Solid beginner options are available from $400, and more advanced models begin from the $800 mark.

Recommended Beginner Table Tennis Tables

Beginners should be looking to play on table tennis tables with 16-18 mm tops. Considering 18 mm is not that much more expensive than 16 mm, I usually recommend going with the former. It means you won’t yearn for a better bounce as you begin to improve.

That being said, here are some tables with 16 mm tops which is the lowest you should go. The cost ranges from $400 to $550.

Joola inside table tennis table — JOOLA Inside

Recommended Intermediate Table Tennis Tables

Reasonably-priced intermediate tables will set you back around $550 to $850. Generally speaking, they are 18 mm or 19 mm thick, and you can still use them even if you progress to an advanced level. I play on an 18 mm thick table fairly regularly and I’m a player of over 10 years.

stiga advantage table tennis table — Stiga Advantage Pro

Recommended Advanced Table Tennis Tables

Advanced table tennis tables are a joy to play on for any player, but given their elevated cost, they are not really worth investing in for beginners. Tables in this category cost $800 to $1,300.

Joola tour 2500 table tennis table — JOOLA Tour 2500

Recommended Club/Tournament Table Tennis Tables

While clubs can use standard advanced table tennis tables, they may well want to invest in higher quality models considering they will experience more use. Tables in this category cost $1,300 and above.

stiga optimum 30 table tennis table — Stiga Optimum 30

My Favorite Outdoor Table Tennis Tables

Outdoor tables cost a lot more than indoor models, and you get less bang for your buck. Prices start from $550 and go up to around $5,000.

Joola nova pro plus table tennis table — JOOLA Nova Pro Plus Outdoor

Table Tennis Conversion Tops

Besides indoor and outdoor table tennis tables, you may have come across conversion tops in your research.

These are essentially a table tennis top minus the undercarriage. They are designed to sit on top of a pre-existing table, making them much cheaper and easier to fit into your home. They even outshine compact collapsible ping pong tables when it comes to storage.

The main downside of conversion tops is that they are much thinner than usual table tennis tops. They cap out at about 19 mm, but most are around 13 mm, therefore they are not suitable for serious players.

If you’re interested in purchasing a conversion top, consider giving my conver s ion top guide a read.

Table Tennis Table Dimensions

The vast majority of table tennis tables on the market are full-size. As such, they measure 274 cm (9 ft) x 152.5 cm (5 ft) x 76 cm (2.5 ft). These are the best tables to play on as they are the standard size.

Besides full-size there are also three-quarter-size, and mid-size ping pong tables/mini table tennis tables.

Three-quarter-size models, as the name suggests, are around three-quarters the size of a full-size model. As for mid/mini tables, these are usually two-thirds the size of a regular table or smaller.

While miniature ping pong tables are easier to fit in your home, they are not as fun to play on. Small ping pong tables have a smaller playfield, so you are far more limited in how you can play. They are great tables for some family fun but not viable options for serious training. On the flip side, they are the best portable table tennis tables as they are small and light enough to carry with ease.

Storage Dimensions

Few people have the luxury of keeping a table open in their home as it takes up a lot of space. Therefore, you should probably consider where you are going to put your table once you fold it up.

Most one-piece and two-piece models are foldable table tennis tables. They take up roughly the same amount of space at around 63” in width, 64” in height, and 25” in depth. Although two-piece tables are usually a little deeper.

If you’re pressed for space and want a full-size model, a compact table tennis table is definitely the one to go for. These measure around 60” wide, 56” high, and 5” deep! With such narrow depth, these convertible ping pong tables fit behind furniture more easily than you might think!

Table Tennis Table Design

There are four types of table tennis tables you can purchase when it comes to table design.

One Piece and Two Piece

The most common type are two-piece tables. The table is split into two halves and easily joins together. When not in play the halves nest beside one another for compact storage.

Next up are one-piece tables, otherwise known as centerfold tables. They are one solid piece, and each table half may fold independently or together, depending on the model. In my experience, one-piece tables take up a little more room when upright, but this is not always the case. They also tend to be a little pricier and commonly feature a fixed net.

one-piece table tennis table — One piece

two-piece table tennis table — Two-piece

Compact Tables

Compact models are similar to standard two-piece tables with two key differences. While they are made of two pieces, they are far more compact than standard two-piece tables. They achieve this by housing the wheels just beneath the table top. As a result, each half is not freestanding, and more difficult to maneuver into place. This is well worth it if you’re tight for space when it comes to storage.

Stationary Tables

The final type of table tennis table is the stationary kind. These are very heavy and do not fold. They are commonly designed for the outdoors and are very rugged. Such tables are more suited to parks and other shared spaces rather than home use.

Table Top Color

Blue and green are very much the norm with respect to table tennis top color, but these are not the extent of what is on offer.

Black and grey tables have seen a significant rise in recent years, as they have begun to feature at international events.

There are also more in-your-face options such as white and magenta. These tend to be advertised as designer tables. Take note that if you purchase a white table you will need orange balls.

Ping Pong Table Wheels & Portability

Table tennis tables are hefty bits of kit, weighing around 100-400 lbs. So getting them to where they need to go can be a bit of a challenge depending on your circumstances. As such, you may want to take note of wheel size and weight.

For indoor use, portability is less of a focus, so models often feature smaller wheels. Outdoor tables, on the other hand, have to contend with uneven and inclined ground. As a result, wheels are bigger, reaching anywhere up to 8 inches. I strongly recommend getting a model with large wheels if you plan on playing outdoors.

Solo Playback Mode

Solo playback mode is a feature where you erect one side of a table tennis table to play by yourself. It’s a good option for beginners if you’re lacking a partner, however, for anyone else it’s not a feature to look out for. You won’t use it. Trust me.

In any case, all standard two-piece models support playback mode whereas no stationary or compact models have the feature. As for one-piece designs, only those that allow for the independent opening of one-half support it.

Types of Net

Almost any table tennis table you buy comes with a net included, but they are not all of the same quality.

The best ping pong nets are either clamp-style or spring-loaded with height and tension adjustability. There are also fixed nets that are part of the table. These fold out as you open the table up. While many have height and tension adjustability, in my experience they are far less robust, and the net sags over time. They are also more difficult to replace as you have to purchase specialist parts.

The worst type of nets are made of metal. The ball bounces harshly off of these which is very different from the nylon nets usually used. Fortunately, you only ever see these nets on outdoor tables.

Undercarriage and Legs

The undercarriage and legs support the heavy table top, so they need to be well-built. Three materials may be used for undercarriages: aluminum, steel, or wood.

Steel is strong and hard-wearing. It can also be galvanized, making it a solid choice for outdoor models as well as indoor models. Aluminum, is cheaper and lightweight, as such, it is commonly used on entry-level models.

As for wood, it is less common and often features in stationary tables. It’s also fairly heavy.

Manufacturers make sure the undercarriage and legs are strong enough to support the table top, however, this alone may not fit your needs. If your table will take a lot of punishment in the form of people leaning on it, or god forbid, sitting on it, you should prioritize picking up a table with a thick undercarriage and legs.

table tennis table undercarriage and legs

Table Tennis Table Assembly

Most table tennis tables are pretty darn easy to assemble, especially the inexpensive models. Many require around 15 minutes to set up. You only have to attach the legs and you are good to go!

Often higher-end models take a little longer to put together, usually up to an hour, but it could be longer. That being said, there are a select few elite tables that arrive fully pre-assembled.

My advice is to disregard the assembly time when deciding on a model. Even if a table takes you six hours to assemble, it is well worth it if it is the right one for your needs. And for transparency’s sake, no table takes this long to put together.

ITTF-Approval

Most of you are likely buying for personal use rather than that of a club, so you can probably gloss over this section. In any case, you may want to know what ITTF-approved means.

The International Table Tennis Federation is the governing body of table tennis, and they vet all equipment for the events they sanction. You’ve probably noticed an ITTF logo or text on table tennis balls before. It’s a symbol that the equipment meets their strict standards.

It’s the same for tables. Many high-end models are ITTF-approved, making them the perfect pick for clubs and tournaments where top quality is important. Tables may also be approved by other organizations such as USA Table Tennis (USATT).

Accessories

Some table tennis tables will come with accessories to sweeten the deal. We’ve already covered nets, so I’ll leave these out in this section.

The other main accessories are paddles and balls. While these are handy for casual players, they are not particularly useful for anyone more skilled. This is because many included paddles and balls are not of very good quality. Consequently, you may want to go out and buy your own anyway, meaning you don’t save any money. No bueno!

Another accessory you may come across is table tennis covers. These are a much better accessory in my opinion, especially for outdoor tables. They not only help keep your table clean but also provide additional protection from the elements.

Brands

JOOLA: JOOLA tables are largely sold with value for money in mind. They make tables for beginners through to advanced players, and they are among the cheapest at every level.
Stiga: Stiga does not have as many tables as JOOLA, but the quality is very similar (some are made in the same factory). They have some excellent top-end models as well as nice ping pong tables in their inexpensive Advantage range.
Butterfly: Butterfly sells lots of different tables, and their high-end models are among the best, often featuring at big events. They are, however, on the expensive side more often than not.
Cornilleau: While Cornilleau makes a few indoor models, it is their outdoor tables where they specialize. They are backed with a 10-year warranty which is the best in the industry.
Kettler: Kettler is much like Cornilleau, barring a few indoor models, they only sell outdoor tables. These tables have a range of features and the warranty is almost just as good as Kettler (10 years on the top and 3 years on the frame).
Donic: Donic predominantly makes tables for intermediate players and up. They have a lot of great high-end options.
Gewo: Gewo specializes in high-end table tennis tables. They also sell a few outdoor models too.
Sponeta: Sponeta sells a range of tables, I tend to find most are geared to intermediate levels and up.
Tibhar: Like Sponeta, Tibhar tables are mostly aimed at more serious players, but they do sell some more affordable options. They also have outdoor models as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Assemble a Table Tennis Table?

The assembly time of a ping pong table depends entirely on the model you purchase. Some tables require no assembly, while others can take up to a few hours. Many of the popular affordable options take around 15 minutes.

Can I Use an Indoor Table Outdoors?

While it is not recommended, you can use an indoor table outdoors if you’re struggling for space. However, you must bring it inside when you are finished playing as indoor tables will warp and become otherwise damaged if left outdoors for too long. Ideally, you should purchase an outdoor table if you plan on playing outdoors.

Closing Thoughts

Whew! Looks like we’re finally finished! I did warn you it was a long one! Hopefully, my table tennis buying guide helped shine some light on the criteria you were curious about.

As a parting piece of advice, I recommend you think long and hard about whether it’s an indoor or outdoor table you want. This will make the biggest difference when it comes to picking the right model.