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As summer winds down, more of us are looking for ways to stay busy and active inside, sans screens. Like pool tables and air hockey tables, ping-pong tables provide an excellent source of fun and entertainment. And, while table tennis is an official Olympics sport, you don’t have to be a gold medalist to master the basics or get in the game.
Modern-day table tennis originated in the 1880s in England, invented so Victorians could get their fill of lawn tennis indoors during winter. A British manufacturer trademarked the game as Ping-Pong, and it eventually made its way across the pond when U.S. rights were sold to the board game giant Parker Brothers.
These days, ping-pong tables are sold in a wide range of sizes, and you can get a high-quality, regulation-size table for $300 or less. Read on for our recommendations, as we've rounded up the best ping pong tables on the market, plus share advice on the most important things to consider before buying.
The Best Ping-Pong Tables
1
Best Overall
Joola Professional Indoor Ping-Pong Table (13mm)
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What to Consider
Ping-pong tables come in a range of sizes and styles, from lightweight and portable to professional regulation-size options. When compiling our list, we noticed several variables to consider that will impact your enjoyment of the game, depending on your setup and skill level.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Most of the ping-pong tables we write about are designed for indoor use, but we also threw in a few that are made to withstand the elements. There are also compact, portable tables that are easy to set up outside and to collapse for storage.
Size and Storage
Some higher-end ping-pong tables are designed to remain fully assembled like any piece of furniture in your home, while others are more compact and easy to fold and store when not in use. There are also regulation-size conversion table tops that unfold and can be set on top of a dining room table or similar surface. Most of our selection is regulation-size (108 x 60 x 30 inches) and we included a handful of mid-size and portable ping-pong tables that you can break out for parties or pack up for vacations.
How We Selected
We reviewed hundreds of ping-pong tables, keeping a range of skills, space constraints, and budgets in mind. We also consulted experts and looked at consumer assessments, and only included tables that were highly rated by both groups. Our selection includes options from well-established, highly regarded brands, such as Joola and Stiga, and every ping-pong table we write about has an average customer rating of 4 stars, with most rankings 4.5-stars or higher.
Looking for more games to keep you busy indoors in cold weather? Check out our stories on the best party games, the best PS5 games, and the best Xbox games, and the best Nintendo Switch games.
Pros
- Regulation-size
- 3-inch locking casters
- Folds in half for storage
- Comes with net and post set
- Half folds up for single play
Cons
- Some pro-players may prefer a thicker surface
This regulation-size indoor ping-pong table wins our top spot for high-quality construction and a reasonable price tag. Plus, it's made by Joola, a brand that's been around since the 1950s and sponsors nearly all major ping-pong tournaments worldwide.
This model's surface thickness is 13 millimeters and the table comes 95 percent assembled, featuring a regulation 72-inch net with posts and clamps for quick setup, along with 3-inch locking casters. It folds in half for storage and the legs fold underneath, and you can use it for solo play by folding one side up. More than 7,700 reviewers give the ping-pong table an average 4.5 stars.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 13 millimeters |
| Weight | 119 pounds |
2
Best Budget
Joola Regulation-Size Ping-Pong Table (15mm)
Pros
- Top quality for a reasonable price
- Regulation-size
- 15mm surface thickness
- 2-inch locking casters
- Folds in half for storage
- Half folds up for single play
- Net and post set included
Cons
- Frame and castors aren't as hefty as pricier models
For a high-quality, regulation-size ping pong table that offers fantastic value, look no further than this model from Joola, less than $200 at the time of this writing.
It has a 15-millimeter-thick playing surface, similar to the brand's higher-priced models, along with a fold-in-half design, and it comes with a net and post set. The difference between this table and our top pick is that the frame isn't as heavy (though it's still sturdy and durable), it has lighter, 2-inch locking castors, and the net is bit flimsier.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 15 millimeters |
| Weight | 129 pounds |
3
Best Upgrade
Joola Professional Indoor Ping-Pong Table (15mm)
Pros
- Regulation-size
- 15mm surface thickness
- Folds in half for storage
- 3-inch locking casters
- Half folds up for single play
- Comes with net and post set
Cons
This professional regulation-size ping-pong table from Joola is similar to our top pick above, but for an extra $80 you get a higher- quality 15-millimeter surface, which provides better bounce and consistency.
All other features are the same, including 3-inch locking castors and a regulation 72-inch net with clamps. It also folds in half for storage and the legs tuck underneath, plus you can fold one side up for single play.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 15 millimeters |
| Weight | 130 pounds |
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4
Best Mid-Range
Stiga Advantage Professional Table Tennis
Pros
- Regulation-size
- 19mm surface thickness
- Folds in half for storage
- Included net and post are tension- and height-adjustable
- 4-inch locking castors
- Half folds up for single play
Cons
- Higher price point
If you're a serious ping-pong competitor but don't want to spend more than $1000 on a table, this option from Stiga is your best bet. The regulation-size table offers excellent play for its price, featuring a 19-millimeter-thick surface, 4-inch locking casters, and a tournament-grade 72-inch clamp-style net and post set with tension and height adjustment. It also gets high marks from customers, with an average 4.6 stars from more than 6,800 reviewers.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 19 millimeters |
| Weight | 211 pounds |
Pros
- Great space-saving alternative
- Full-size table top that's easy to store
- Net and post set included
- Pads to protect surface underneath
Cons
- No carrying handles
You can convert your dining room into a ping-pong parlor with this conversion top, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a full-sized table but lacks space. It comes preassembled, so all you have to do is clip on the included net and start playing.
The table is only 12 millimeters thick and made of particle board with a PVC laminate, though it's far from flimsy at nearly 75 pounds. It features a hinge in the center so it folds down for easy storage and there are also protective pads to attach to the bottom to prevent scratches on surfaces.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 0.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 12.7 millimeters |
| Weight | 74 pound |
Pros
- Attractive, compact design
- Professional-grade construction
- 15mm surface thickness
- Net and post set included
- Folds in half for storage
- Carrying handles
- Halves separate for other uses
Cons
If you're looking for a space-saving ping-pong table with some style, this model from Stiga is well worth consideration. It features an attractive engineered woodgrain top that's 15 millimeters thick, and the same high-quality, professional-grade construction for which the brand is known.
The table is regulation height, with a compact playing surface, fold-in legs, and a clamp-on net. It's also versatile, as it separates into two halves that can be used as card tables or for other table games.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 71 x 40.5 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 15 millimeters |
| Weight | 79 pounds |
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Pros
- Regulation-size
- Rust-resistant undercarriage
- Waterproof net and post set included
- 3-inch locking casters
- Folds in half for storage
- Half folds up for single play
Cons
- Surface isn't as thick as other similarly priced models
This regulation-sized table features indoor ping-pong quality with outdoors durability, featuring a powder-coated undercarriage, waterproof regulation-length net, and leg levelers for adjustment on uneven surfaces. There's also an anti-tilt locking safety latch underneath to prevent the table from separating when folded.
Like other models from Joola, it has 3-inch locking casters, folds in half for storage, and you can fold up one half for solo play. It comes 95 percent assembled, with a set-up time of about 10 minutes.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | 6 millimeters |
| Weight | 134 pounds |
Pros
- Sturdy and highly portable
- Folds in half for storage
- Carrying handles
- Indoor-outdoor use
- Comes with net, paddles, balls, and accessories case
Cons
- Surface thickness not listed
This mid-size ping-pong table is perfect for parties and barbecues, or for game night. While it may be smaller than standard competition size, it does the job for casual games, and it's compact enough to easily store, thanks to fold-in legs and integrated carrying handles on the sides. The ping-pong table can also be set up indoors or out.
The set includes two wooden paddles, four ping-pong balls, and a zippered accessories case. It comes in the bright-red option that's shown, along with standard blue, and makes a great holiday gift.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 72 x 36 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | Not listed |
| Weight | 34.8 pounds |
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Folds in half for storage
- Carrying handles
- Net, paddles, and balls included
Cons
- A bit pricey for overall quality
- Surface thickness not listed
This portable mini table tennis game collapses and folds in half for easy transport, and features a wide top carrying handle. It's made of aluminum and weighs roughly 30 pounds, and the set comes with everything you need for gameplay, including a net, two bright wooden paddles, and three ping-pong balls.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions | 59 x 27 x 26 inches |
|---|---|
| Surface Thickness | Not listed |
| Weight | 30 pounds |
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
