We discuss what needs to be considered before choosing a ping pong table. Then we take a look at 9 of the best indoor, outdoor and best cheap ping pong tables and give you our recommendations.
There are scores of ping pong tables in the marketplace today, but getting the right one for you does not have to be a mind-numbing task.
Let’s break it down and go over the primary considerations to prepare you to choose the best ping pong table for your needs.
JOOLA Inside Table Tennis Table with Net Set
1st Consideration: Your Play Style and Reason for Play
Your Level of Play
Are you a recreational, amateur, enthusiast or pro? If you want to play a few times a month you may not want to invest a lot, but if you play regularly, competitively, or need a table for the office, your criteria are going to be different.
Location, Location, Location
- Where is this table going?
- In a garage, where you need it to fold as compactly as possible to fit the car too?
- In a recreation room at the office? What size is the room?
- Will the table go outside, where it is exposed to the elements, requiring a special table type?
Keep in mind a full regulation size table is 5 feet by 9 feet. You will need a minimum of 3’ on the sides and 5’ behind each player, and even that will be cramped and does not leave room for spectators. A bit larger space will be more comfortable.
ITTF Certified?
Do you need an ITTF Certified table? Recreational players probably won’t but those who are training, in competitions, or play regularly at clubs, or even those who are competitive and want to use what the pros use to up their game, will want ITTF certified or at minimum regulation size.
Dedicated players will need a table with a 25mm (1”) top, regulation size, high quality table, or similar. Recreational players don’t necessarily need those specs, but should still be on the lookout for the highest quality at a budget price.
The recreational player should look for something that will stand up to a little abuse, and some tables out there simply offer more for your dollar. A lower end table with a 75” top can be a good table with consistent bounce, it just depends on the table you choose.
Consideration 2: Indoor or Outdoor?
Will you be playing indoor or outside?
If you plan to play outside, you need a table that is up to the task. Some experts recommend concrete with a polymer layer on top to play outdoors, but the budget on these can be high and they are not always practical.
If you need an outdoor table you can move, store and play on outside, look for one with an aluminum frame and aluminum composite top, so it will not rust.
It will need a UV topcoat to protect against the sun as well. A savvy buyer of an outdoor ping pong tables reviews these specs to make sure they meet their needs.
Keep in mind, outdoor tables tend to have lower quality bounce and less uniform surface, although some manufactures are far better than others in this respect. Just because a table is weather proof, does not make it the best outdoor ping pong table.
It also needs to play well, have a uniform surface and good bounce, just like an indoor table.
Considerations for an indoor table:
An indoor table needs to be stored in a temperature controlled place, free from humidity, or the surface can warp and crack.
If you plan to place it in a garage, be mindful of humidity and temperature changes. If these are a concern opt for an outdoor table. If you can keep it in a home, office or club, where temp and humidity are consistent and minimal, then an indoor table is the best choice.
The best indoor ping pong tables have a smooth surface, good consistent bounce and are often made from plywood or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), and most have a coating of some sort.
As we mentioned earlier, you also need to take into account the size of the area you will play in, to insure you have enough space to play, and where the table will be stored, so you can select a table that will fold and know the folded dimensions before you purchase.
Consideration 3: Assembly
There are two styles most prevalent in the market today.
The rollaway/wheel away
This table is the style you fold in half. The beauty of this is they are super easy to fold, and usually only take one person to fold and assemble. The downside is they take more space and can be 6’ tall folded.
Tables with two halves
These come apart into two pieces. They use less storage space and are more compact when broken down, but setup and breakdown usually requires two people.
Another assembly consideration is initial assembly time, when you first purchase the ping pong table. The best ping pong tables are easy to assemble the first time and easy to store away.
20 min to an hour is a good amount of time for initial assembly.
The table should include clear assembly instructions as well, or else the table may be assembled incorrectly, affecting performance.
Consideration 4: Table Features
Levelers
Most tables have leg levels to even the playing surface because you can not count on the floor being perfectly level. Some tables go a step further and have elliptical shape legs with levels which offer leg width for stability and are narrow, to allow for compact folding.
The standard height for a ping pong table is 30 inches, so check the height before deciding.
Table Surface
Arguably the most important feature of the table is the playing surface. It should be smooth and even, and the bounce should be the same no matter where the ball is dropped.
It should have a solid feel and the ball should not lose too much momentum from bouncing.
As a rule of thumb a ping pong ball dropped from 30cm should bounce 23 cm high in all places on the playing surface.
Reviews: The TOP 9 Best Ping Pong Table Reviews
So, now that you are familiar with all the basic things to keep in mind, you’re probably wondering – what are the top rated ping pong tables?
3 Best Outdoor Ping Pong Table Reviews
We looked at what the market had to offer and we present to you our choice of best outdoor ping pong table reviews top 3 picks.
Kettler #WoodPong Outdoor Table Tennis Table
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 22mm
- Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor
PROS
- Steel legs
- Aluminum top, laminate top with “wood look”
- High quality table
- Locking wheels
- Stylish Wood Look top
- Steel tube apron with soft bumper/protectors
CONS
- Wood pattern top is not ITTF compliant. Although the size and dimensions are, the color is not.
REVIEW
This is one of the best, and most stylish outdoor ping pong tables available. It has a ‘wood’ look, tournament level, laminate top. This table features a special aluminum underside that has golf ball size indents that keep the table from expanding and contracting under weather conditions.
The bounce is one of the best, especially considering it is an outdoor table.
The wheels are 5″ in diameter and have rubber tread, no worries storing this beauty away. You can put one side up and play solo, and there is no gap for the ball to fall through.
The legs are elliptical and wide offering stability. This is an attractive and well engineered outdoor table.
Stiga Outdoor Table Tennis Table - Vapor
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 6mm
- Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor
PROS
- 2 piece
- Easy to move
- Solo play
- Folds compactly
CONS
- The Pads under the vice that hold the net in place and the sides together look cheap and may need to be replaced.
REVIEW
This is a pretty great and cheap outdoor ping pong table. It stands up to rain and desert conditions with no problem, it is completely weather proof. It breaks down into two parts and can be used with one side up for solo play.
Cornilleau Pro 510 Outdoor Blue Table Tennis Table
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 7mm
- Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor
PROS
- Industrial, commercial outdoor table
- Permanent fixture, not portable
- Great for parks, resorts, for the home if you want a permanent setup
CONS
- The steel net included is very durable, but does not play like a normal net. A net kit can be purchased for a more natural feel
REVIEW
This table is the ultimate in outdoor ping pong tables. They are built to last while looking new, the top is solid and has great bounce, and the surface is anti glare, with a matte finish, while still being smooth, important for outdoor play.
The table can be bolted down, but is not a folding table; it is designed to stay in place. One of the best features of this table is that it is wheelchair friendly due to the curved aluminum stands the table sits on, which incidentally, look pretty cool too.
3 Best Indoor Ping Pong Table Reviews
We give you our top thee picks for the best indoor ping pong table.
Kettler Indoor Table Tennis Table - Champ 5.01
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 7/8”
- Indoor or outdoor? Indoor
PROS
- Integrated racket and ball holder
- Tournament size and quality
- 5″ rubber wheels for easy transport
- Folds compactly
- 2″ square steel legs for stability
CONS
- Challenging to assemble at first, find and watch the YouTube assembly video
REVIEW
This is an excellent table due to its quality and attention to detail. It folds up easily on each side. Includes balls and paddles for added value. The surface offers consistent bounce and it is a pleasure to play on, once you have it set up.
JOOLA Tour 1800 Indoor Table Tennis Table and Net Set
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 18mm
- Indoor or outdoor? Indoor
PROS
- Stable
- East to set up
- Smooth finish
- Regulation size
- Durable metal frame
CONS
- Some folks have mentioned issues with the paint smudging
REVIEW
The Frame is powder coated high quality steel, the table is very easy to fold – one person can fold it. The legs include heavy duty rubber adjuster/levelers.
The wheels are steel casters with rubber wheels, made to last. The net adjusts easily to get optimal tension and the surface is finished with a polyurethane coating for the best play and consistent bounce.
DUNLOP Premium 2Piece Table Tennis
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 1”
- Indoor or outdoor? Indoor
PROS
- Locking casters
- Full size regulation
- Solid feel consistent bounce
- 1” thick table top
CONS
- The clamp pads for the net are not sufficient to protect the table surface.
REVIEW
This is a very attractive table at a great price. It is tournament size with a full 1” thick top. Very attractive table for the price, folds up compactly so you can store in the garage and still have room for the car. It is easy to store and move on 4” rolling caster wheels. (Most Lower end models have 3 or even 2” casters, or none at all.)
3 Best Ping Pong Tables for the Money
We scouted high and low to bring you our recommendations for best cheap ping pong tables.
JOOLA Inside Table Tennis Table with Net Set
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Indoor or outdoor? Indoor
PROS
- Powder coated steel frame
- Easy to fold
- High quality steel/ rubber casters
CONS
- The directions to assemble are not very clear, nevertheless, the table is easy to assemble
REVIEW
All of the components are high quality, and the engineering details well thought out. The table breaks down into two pieces, which come virtually pre-assembled. They fold up smoothly and can be stored upright, nested together to take up minimal space. This table is truly one the best cheap ping pong tables.
Harvil Outsider Table Tennis Table
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Thickness: 6mm
- Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor
PROS
- Budget outdoor table
- Regulation size
- Includes paddle and balls
CONS
- Thin table surface
- Bounce not always consistent
REVIEW
This is a great table for outdoor casual play. It is easy to set up and assemble and includes everything you need to play, including paddles and balls.
While it is not the highest quality and would not qualify for tournaments, it is an excellent price for a regulation size table and it does fold to store away.
JOOLA Midsize Table Tennis Table
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
- Indoor or outdoor? Indoor
PROS
- Small
- Compact
- Can be used as two separate tables for other purposes, in addition to a tennis table
CONS
- Small size is challenging to play on, but can make for good accuracy training
REVIEW
At such a great price, this is truly the best cheap ping pong table. It is about 2/3 regulation size, so it may be small enough to fit in your closet, and it is certainly easier to haul out and start a game.
The two sides also make two separate card tables to use for other things, like too many guests at thanksgiving dinner. This is a fun family table that is easy on the pocket book.
We hope you have gained some insight on choosing the best ping pong table for your situation. We wish you the best. Happy Paddling!