This Affordable Ping Pong Table Belongs in Every Game Room

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CAN YOU BELIEVE ping pong is an Olympic sport? Whether you can believe it or not, the world's best ping pong players will be making their way to Paris this summer, playing on the best ping pong tables you can buy. You may not be able to compete with the world’s most talented table tennis players, but you can have an Olympic-worthy ping pong table at home.

Ok, so a table fit for this summer’s Paris Olympic Games might not be necessary. But there’s a huge variety of ping pong tables you can buy, whether you’re training for a competition, hosting a (competitive) backyard game night, or outfitting your office with a table that’ll keep your peers energized. Read on to find our favorite ping pong tables, from affordable options that will look great in your garage to hardy surfaces built to survive a harsh life on your patio.

Best Ping Pong Tables

What to Consider

Style of Play

Like we mentioned before, table tennis is an Olympic sport. This means that ping pong can be much more than a recreational activity. For some, it’s a way of life. But for the rest of us, ping pong is just a fun game to play with our friends. Because of this wide spectrum of ping pong players, there’s a wide spectrum of tables you can buy. Pricier tables will suit serious players who want to spend time considering materials and performance. More affordable tables are ideal for folks who just want a durable surface they can use to rally with their pals or have an extra activity when they host their summer barbecue. If you’re serious, pick a table made from high-quality materials that meet Olympic requirements. If you’re just trying to have some fun you’ll want to find a table that’s built to survive all conditions.

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Maneuverability

No matter what your ping pong skill level is, maneuverability is an important factor when selecting the right table for you. Some tables are heavy, rigid, and designed to hold down a spot in your home or yard. Others have wheels and are easily foldable, allowing you to move the table wherever you want it. Be sure that you’ve got an understanding of your space and what you want from your table before you buy—you don’t want to get stuck with a table that doesn’t meet your home’s needs. Check a table's folding points, weight, and wheels before you dial in the right choice.

Surface Material and Durability

This is another variable that will largely depend on what type of ping pong you’re looking to play. Some table tennis tables are made from an indoor-only material designed to rebound just how an Olympian would expect, while others are made to survive an onslaught of summer thunderstorms. If you’re keen on finding a table that you can just leave outside regardless of weather, look for something made from concrete or hard-wearing plastic. Indoor-only tables can vary in material, but will tend to be made with performance features and materials that make it easier to play competitively.

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How We Selected

Our editors and writers got together and used our collective experience in home gaming upgrades to find the best ping pong tables. When evaluating, we looked at table design, size, and added features. We also looked at price point, as some tables provide better value than others. Lastly, we considered popular opinion from the gaming community on forums like r/tabletennis on Reddit.

Inside 15 Table

There are only a few big names in the table tennis world, and Joola is one of them. This table is a great combination of recreational versatility and competition-worthy pedigree, making it perfect for just about anyone. The 15mm-thick MDF surface is competition grade, resulting in a true, consistent bounce, but it comes in at a relatively light 130 pounds (light for a ping pong table, I mean). Assembly only takes 10 minutes out of the box and it has locking wheels that make it easy to move into whatever space you want. As for price? This table is under $450, which is honestly pretty affordable when you stack it up against other ping pong tables of its quality. Simply put, this is a certified deal when you consider how well it holds up over time. Look here first before going to any of our other picks

Prince Challenger Table Tennis Table

Another simple, straightforward ping pong table from one of the best brands in racket sports. Like the Joola above, the Prince Challenger uses a 15mm MDF surface that provides an excellent bounce. It’s outfitted with lockable 3” swivel wheels, leg levelers and bumper corners for safety, and a pro net that clips on easily. It’s quite a bit heavier than comparable options, but it's also a lot more durable than most tables. You can lean on the table without worry about it collapsing, and you can also bump it and not deal with any wobbling.

XTR Professional Table Tennis Table

Another Olympic-worthy table tennis brand, Stiga makes some excellent ping pong tables. The XTR Professional Outdoor Table is made from a weatherproof aluminum composite that excels in all conditions. It comes nearly fully assembled, so you can get it put together in less than 15 minutes, and it’s super easy to fold up and store when you need the space back.

Joola Berkshire Outdoor Table Tennis Table

If you’re looking for a more permanent ping pong solution, you should check out the Joola Berkshire Outdoor Table. The price is considerably higher than most of our other options, but this is just as much a piece of furniture as it is a ping pong table. Made with a cement top and a heavy-duty steel base, the table can be used for marathon table tennis tournaments, but can easily be used as a dining table or conference table, depending on where you put it. Just remember, it’s not foldable and can be very difficult to move.

Butterfly Centrefold 25 Ping Pong Table

Made to the exacting specifications of the International Table Tennis Federation, this table is ideal for tournament play, but it’s also a great option for those who simply want the best of the best. The 1" Perfect Grip top delivers a true bounce, while the 5” rubber wheels make it easy to move into the perfect position. The wood table top is nestled into a durable steel frame with a 2” apron. One of our favorite things about this table, other than it’s high-quality materials, is that it comes fully assembled, so you can get straight to rallying in no time.

Kenari Ping Pong Table

If you’re outfitting your dream game room or want a classy, architecturally-minded table for your office, we recommend going all-in on a made-to-order ping pong table from Jack. First, you’ll choose between three handsome table top options: American Black Walnut, Hard Rock Maple or White Oak. Then you select one of eight powder coated steel bases to round things out. This table looks exceptional and is guaranteed to be the talk of the town—or at least, the talk of the ping pong club.

Regulation Table Tennis Conversion Top

Some of us want a ping pong table but don’t have room for it. In those situations, we recommend getting a ping pong table top like this one from Joola. It’s designed to go on top of a billiard table, but you could use it on top of a dining table, patio table, or, if you really wanted to, balance it on a couple of saw horses. The bottom is fully padded to protect the table you set it on, and the engineered wood surface delivers a great bounce, especially for the price.

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