Frankly, 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. Naturally, we saw this as an opportunity. We rolled up our sleeves, readied our paddles, and put some tables to the test.
In the end, after wins and losses that went into the wee hours, we came away with some genuine standouts. 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.
What to Consider
Style of Play
For the record, 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—just ask anyone who plays pickleball. 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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Portability
No matter what your ping pong skill level is, portability 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, dimensions, 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 for backyard use. 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. Some editors have been playing ping pong for decades (even owning tables themselves) and used their experience to make recommendations for this guide. When evaluating ping pong tables, we looked at table design, size, brand reputation, and added features. We also considered 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.
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Best Overall Ping Pong Table
Joola Inside 15 Table
Cons
- Susceptible to wobble due to weight. Heavier tables will have better durability
There are only a few big names in the table tennis world, and Joola is one of those. 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).
The net is sturdy and true and we liked how the table performed in single-player playback mode, in addition to regular one-on-one games. It’s also easy enough on the eyes that if you choose to keep it set up, it certainly won’t be an eyesore.
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.
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| Material | MDF (medium density fiberboard) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 108″L x 60″W x 30″H |
| Weight | 130 lbs |
Best Multi-Use Outdoor Ping Pong Table
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 backyard barbecue serving table, depending on where you put it. Just remember, it’s not foldable and can be very difficult to move.
| Material | Cement |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 108” L X 60” W X 30” H |
| Weight | 352 lbs |
Best Elite Indoor Ping Pong Table
Butterfly Centrefold 25 Ping Pong Table
Made to the exact 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-inch Perfect Grip top delivers a true bounce, while the 5-inch 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-inch 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. You’ll fall for how this responsive this table is, amplifying your every maneuver.
| Material | Wood |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 108″L x 60″W x 30″H |
| Weight | 280 lbs |
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