Table Tennis Table Buying Guide

The range of table tennis tables for sale can be daunting. So here is a guide that should help you narrow down your choices.

Size

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has been controlling table tennis since 1926. The standard table tennis dimensions specified by the ITTF is

Length 2.74 m 9 foot
Width 1.525 m 5 foot
Height 76 cm 30 inches

For competitions, a room of at least 14m long, 7 m wide and 5 m in height.

Location - indoor or outdoor

Since the playing area of a table tennis table is quite large, an outdoor table is an option. However, the table made for outdoor play needs to more sturdy, as they need to withstand rain and sunlight so that they do not warp and cause balls to bounce unevenly.

Therefore tables made for outdoor will be made with an aluminium layer wrapping a wooden core. In addition, the aluminium will be coated in a resin that will UV resistant.

For indoor use, tables are usually made of wood and will warp or blister if exposed to excessive moisture, and temperature extremes.

Surface

The thickness of the table surface is important, and vary from ½ inch to 1 inch. Look for surfaces that are at least ¾ inch thick, as thinner surfaces are more likely to warp. Also, lines that are screened (imprinted) on the table are better than taped ones as they create a smoother surface that will not interfere with the ball bounce.

Frame

Although the top of the table is important, so is the undercarriage and leg. You should look out for undercarriages made from the heavier materials, such as steel tubing, for stability. Tables made from lower quality materials may deteriorate over time and become shaky. Also, the more crossbeams attached to legs help stabilise the table.

Playback

Table Tennis Playback

This is a feature that allows solo play practise, where one side is folded up so that it acts as a wall for the ball to bounce back. Although this is not exactly the same a playing another player, as the ball needs to be hit harder to bounce back you. However, it is great to improve your hand-eye coordination and improve your reflexes.

Note that this feature is found on foldable tables, where the folding is used to make the table more compact for storage and easier movement.

Top brands

Brands to look out for are

  • Adidas
  • Butterfly
  • Cornileau
  • DHS
  • EastPoint
  • Franklin Sports
  • Hathaway
  • Joola
  • Kettler
  • Killerspin
  • Prince
  • Sportcraft
  • Stiga