The Best Ping Pong Tables
Ping-pong, or table tennis, is a classic game that transcends gender, generation, nationality. Whether you're just starting off or a bonafide professional, most ping-pong tables can be folded to accommodate single player practice or unfurled for pulse-pounding team play. Regardless of your expertise or number of ping-pong pals, our top five recommendations for the best ping-pong table have something for everyone. Lightweight materials, innovative engineering, and weatherproof design make modern table tennis both a competitive exercise and a party favorite for every occasion.
STIGA Advantage Competition Table
The Power Of The Pong
STIGA’s Advantage Competition Table is a highly durable, indoor-only ping pong table constructed to help improve your game and provide hours of endless entertainment. This table comes all but pre-assembled and features eight high-quality casters that make moving this table absolutely effortless. Although most tournament style tables are astronomically expensive, STIGA comes in at a very reasonable price while still boasting a thick play board and easy-to-use net across 72 inches of table length.
Pros:
- The play surface is 5/8″ thick and UV cured
- The clamp-style cotton net is extremely accessible
- Can be placed in playback position for solo practice
- All-metal construction is sturdy and reliable
Cons:
- Customer service can be difficult to contact
GoSports Mid-Size Table Tennis Game Set
Parties Are For Portable Ping Pong
If you’re looking for something more portable in design, GoSports has the product for you. The Mid-Size Table Tennis Game Set sets the standard in mobility with a fully assembled table that can be stored in seconds. The best part about GoSports’ storage capabilities is that the table is the carrying case; by unlatching the handle, extending the legs, and unfolding the table, you can turn a lazy Sunday into a pulse-pounding weekend with included paddles and balls.
Pros:
- Carrying case included for table tennis balls and paddles
- Comes in either blue or red tabletop style
- When assembled, the table is six feet long by three feet wide
- The lightweight aluminum frame is also extremely stable
Cons:
- The top of the net’s ‘poles’ are sharp
STIGA Vapor Indoor/Outdoor Table Tennis Table
Ping Pong For The People
STIGA’s Vapor Indoor/Outdoor Table Tennis Table is an all-weather entertainment masterpiece with standard dimensions and an intuitive setup. What makes the STIGA Vapor all-weather is the aluminum design. Instead of malleable, pressure-treated wood, the metal composite surface rimmed with a steel skirt keeps moisture out much more effectively. The quality engineering extends to the bottom as well. The steel ball-bearing wheels make for smooth transportation, and the legs feature adjustable levelers so you can adapt to every playing surface.
Pros:
- Locking wheels and cross braces lend to added stability
- The table halves are independent, allowing for easy storage
- The table comes expertly-packed and damage-free
- No extra tools required for assembly
Cons:
- The table will warp if exposed to consistently high moisture over time, so store it in a dry place
JOOLA Regulation Table Tennis Conversion Top
Table Tennis Untethered
For those with no space for a ping pong table, we recommend getting a quality table conversion top. If that sounds up your alley, check out this option from JOOLA. A sporting goods company that has been around for 70 years, JOOLA has been pumping out quality equipment for everyone from adolescent aspirants to Olympic athletes. The JOOLA Table Top comes in two halves with a net included. Simply place each half on top of a sturdy table, set up the net, and start the rally.
Pros:
- Regulation size
- Offers true bounce
- Foam backing protects the surface of whatever it rests on
Cons:
- The entire thing weighs over 100 pounds, so you may need two people to set it up
Butterfly Personal Ping Pong Table
Top-Tier Table Tennis
For those in search of the ultimate indoor ping pong performance, Butterfly’s Personal Ping Pong Table will put you on the pro path at first play. While the Butterfly model may not fold as flush as other compact storage models, we’re fairly certain this table won’t fall into disuse anytime soon. The regulation thickness for professional table tennis floats around one inch and lends to a ball’s consistent bounce and a table’s overall durability. Butterfly’s Table is an astonishing 19mm thick, giving you unmatched control for the value. In addition to top-class materials, the oversized wheels, ball/paddle storage, and crossbeam support make the Butterfly Personal Ping Pong Table the full package.
Pros:
- Three-year warranty
- Step-by-step video assembly instructions
- Made in Germany
- Unmatched customer service
Cons:
- No paddles or balls included
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the history of ping pong?
Table tennis traces its origins back to late nineteenth-century England. While the actual originator is up for debate, the game was trendy amongst the upper class as a fun after-party activity by the turn of the century. Originally played with golf balls and books as paddles, the game was, in fact, originally called ping pong. However, after the onomatopoeic name became an enforceable trademark ultimately by The Parker Brothers (Now Hasbro), official organizations soon adopted the name “table tennis”.
What makes a ping pong table professional grade?
Per the regulations set forth from the International Table Tennis Federation, or ITTF, a regulation ping pong table must be made of a wood or wood composite for it to be deemed acceptable. The table’s dimensions must be nine feet by five feet and 2.5 feet off the floor. Although the ITTF does not specify a material composition, it states that a ball dropped from approximately 30 centimeters cannot bounce more than 23.1 centimeters.
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