Tips on buying a table tennis table for your home

Tips on Buying a Table Tennis Table for Your Home

A few years ago, I purchased a table tennis table for my home. It was a challenging decision. Do I have enough space? Where will I store it? How much should I spend? Who am I going to play with? Am I really going to use it?

After weeks of deliberation and careful planning with my measuring tape, I bought a Butterfly Easifold indoor table tennis table. It wasn't the most expensive table available but suited my needs and budget. I set the table up in my garage, purchased a robot, and played a lot of table tennis.

Since that initial purchase, I have bought three more tables! My garage was converted to a bedroom, so I got a 3/4 size table top for my lounge. My kids eventually outgrew this, so I purchased an outdoor table for the garden. Lastly, I built a room in my garden to play table tennis year-round. For my new garden room, I purchased a lovely 22mm JOOLA World Cup Table.

With all these purchases, I'd like to consider myself an expert at buying a table tennis table for home use. So in this blog post, I'll share some advice about buying a table and give a few recommendations of decent (and affordable) tables you can buy.

How Much Space Do You Need?

The first and most important thing to consider is space. Do you have enough space in your home for a table tennis table?

The length of a full-size table tennis table is 2.74 meters, and the width is 1.525 meters. However, you need more space around it to play comfortably. Ideally, you need about 2 meters behind each end of the table and 1 meter on each side. This means you need a room that’s approximately 6.74 meters long and 3.525 meters wide.

Options If You Have Less Space

If you don't have a room this size, you still have a few options.

1. Squeeze In

You can play with less space if your room isn't as big as the measurements above. If you only have space for two or three steps back from the table, rather than four, you can still play, but it will be tighter. You'll have to play close to the table all the time, and if you step back too far, you might hit a wall. It’s possible to play with less space, but it’s more restrictive.

In my garden room, I have about 1.5 meters of space behind each end of the table, which is less than ideal. But it works fine for playing with my kids or training with my robot by pushing the table toward one end.

2. Buy a 3/4 Size Table Tennis Table

It’s possible to buy a smaller table, one that’s 3/4 the size of a full-size table. This is fine for casual play with friends and family but isn't ideal for serious training, as you’ll need to adjust when switching from a smaller table at home to a bigger one at a club.

3. Buy a Table Top

If you have space taken up by a dining table, consider just buying the table top. This can sit on top of the dining table and be stored away when not in use. After my garage was converted into a bedroom, I used a table top, which was easy to set up and store in the shed. It was perfect for playing with my kids.

4. Push Table Up Against Wall and Use a Robot

When I first got my table for the garage, there wasn’t enough room for two people to play. Instead, I used my Power Pong Omega robot to train. By pushing the table against the garage doors, I gained enough space to play at my end. It was also a hit during parties.

5. Go Outside

If indoor space is really an issue, consider an outdoor table tennis table. After my garage was converted, I purchased a Cornilleau Outdoor 600x Crossover table. While it’s a bit tough to play in the wind, playing outside on a sunny day is a lot of fun.

Table Quality

If you have enough space, the next thing to consider is table quality. There are many different table tennis tables available, ranging from very cheap to very expensive. How do you know if a table is any good?

As a general rule, judge the quality of a table by the thickness of its wooden top, which ranges from 12mm (poor quality) to 25mm (excellent quality). The thicker the wooden top, the better the quality. Avoid tables with a 12mm top as they don't offer good bounce and tend to be flimsy.

An affordable option is to get a table with at least a 16mm top. My first table was 19mm thick, and it was great for training with a robot. If you can afford it, go for a table with a 22mm-25mm top. These high-quality tables are used in competitive leagues and tournaments. My current 22mm table is a joy to play on.

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Other Considerations

There are a few other things to consider, although they aren’t as crucial as space and table quality.

Flooring

Wood or laminate flooring is ideal for your table tennis room as it's easy to move around on and durable. Playing on carpet is okay but can wear it down, especially thick carpet. Tile flooring can get slippery if moisture builds up, and concrete floors, while okay, are harsh on the body.

Ceiling Height

Ceiling height isn't a big issue as long as you can stand upright. A high ceiling isn’t necessary for playing table tennis at home.

Playing in the Garage

Some advise against using indoor tables in garages because of potential warping. However, I kept my indoor table in my garage for years with no issues. As long as the garage isn’t leaking, it should be fine.

Looking After Your Table Tennis Table

Maintaining your table tennis table is straightforward. Clean the surface with a damp cloth occasionally. If your table is in a dusty environment, buy a cover to protect it from dust and grime.

Robots, Nets, Collectors, and Balls

I'll finish with a few recommendations for items to enhance your table tennis experience.

Table Tennis Robot

A table tennis robot, like the Power Pong Omega, can be great for training, especially if you don’t have a practice partner. It offers various features, including alternating spins and app-controlled drills.

Table Tennis Net

Invest in a quality net rather than a cheap one. A sturdier net like the Butterfly clip net or the JOOLA Pro Tour net will last longer and provide a better playing experience.

Ball Catch Net

A ball catch net is useful for collecting balls during robot training or service practice, saving you from constantly picking up balls off the ground.

Table Tennis Balls

You’ll need plenty of balls. For training, get a box of training balls. For competition quality, I recommend Nittaku Premium 3 Star balls, which are my favorite to play with.

Personalized Equipment Advice

If you would like personalized equipment advice, join Tom’s TT Academy. As a member, you can ask any questions about table tennis equipment and receive recommendations from me and other members. Additionally, you’ll have access to extensive coaching content.

New content is regularly added, and you can join players around the world at www.tomsttacademy.com. Are you interested in learning more about indoor volleyball court flooring? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!