Who doesn’t enjoy blowing off some steam through a good old game of air hockey? A favorite pastime enjoyed, not just by kids, air hockey is a great way to wind down after a hard day’s work or if you just want to spend some quality time with the family in the game room. It’s also a great form of exercise! Purchasing a full-size air hockey table is quite an investment, so to help you make the right choice for you below is a short guide as to what you should look out for in a good full-size air hockey table as well as some of the best that are available to buy currently.

What makes a good full-size air hockey table?

There are many great sport tables sports out there for players of all ages, such as pool tables, snooker tables, billiard tables, table tennis tables (ping pong tables), foosball tables and, of course, air hockey tables. Like with all sports tables, one of the most important things to look out for when shopping for a full-size air hockey table is how stable it is while playing. Those that are made of metal and solid wood will no doubt last the longest, but will also cost the most too. The best air hockey tables will also have leg levelers included to ensure you get an even playing surface.

Another thing to look out for is the size of the motor that’s powering the airflow. Obviously, the more powerful the motor, the better the air distribution, and the easier the puck will glide across the table. But it’s not all about power, quality is important here too. A good quality motor will run silently for hours on end without overheating.

You should also ideally look for an air hockey table that has rink walls which are made from either nylon or solid aluminum. These will give the best rebound and deflection for your puck and are the most durable too.

So, now that you know what to look for in a good full-size air hockey table to go with your pinball machine and arcade machines in your game room or rec room, keep reading to check out some of the best that 2017 has to offer. So, grab an air hockey puck and some air hockey paddles and let’s go.

Hathaway Phantom 7.5-Foot Air Hockey Game Table

Price range: High. Hold your very own tournament within the comfort of your own home or office with this full-size air hockey table. Made from Hathaway, this table is made with specially crafted wood that’s built to last allowing you to have hours of playtime for players of all ages. Its classic design means it will look good just about anywhere and its scratch-resistant surface keeps your table looking good for longer. One of the best features about this table is you don’t just get one motor to distribute the airflow—you get two high-output blower motors to give you a much smoother game. Everything you need to get going is included in this package including 2 pucks and 2 pushers. There are also various gameplay settings to try out that ensures you never get bored of playing. Measurements: 89” x 48” x 32.

Verdict: This air hockey table is extremely well-made and is very sturdy. The only thing that really lets it down is the pucks are quite light. Overall rating: 9/10

Triumph Lumen-X Lazer 6’ Air Hockey Table

Price range: Mid. Light up the room with this full-size air hockey table. All along the edge of the rail is interactive LED lighting that adds more excitement to the game. It’s built using MDF and is supported by thick legs and leg levelers to ensure you get an even surface to play on. The table is equipped with dual motor blowers to keep the airflow going continuously throughout play and the electronic scorer sits to the side keeping track of all those glory goals. Along with this Triumph air hockey table, you get 2 ultra-light blue pushers and 1 blue lightup puck. Measurements: 72” x 40” x 31”.

Verdict: I can’t get enough of the lights on this table. It really does make gameplay that much more exciting. The only slightly annoying thing about this air hockey table is that the pockets that you retrieve the pucks from are quite small, so those with big hands may struggle a little. Overall rating: 10/10

Brunswick 7ft Air Hockey Table – Windchill

Price range: High. This full-size air hockey table has been designed to the highest standard and made with the highest level of craftsmanship. Its laminated MDF finish, sturdy pedestal base and constant flow UL blower ensure smooth gameplay throughout. There are also dual abacus scoring systems along the side. As well as the table, you also get included in the package 2 pushers and 4 pucks. Measurements: 83.75” x 41.75” x 30”.

Verdict: If you’ve got the money to spare, this Brunswick air hockey table is a good investment. It’s a sleek, contemporary style that will look good pretty much anywhere and the quality of it can’t be faltered. However, it is a little disappointing not to at least have the option of a digital scoring system, especially for the money you’re paying. Overall rating: 9/10

Hathaway Midtown 6’ Air Hockey Family Game Table

Price range: Low. Made from a rich, cherry-wood tone laminate and chrome-plated corner caps this full-size air hockey table has a distinguished look and will look fantastic in just about any room. It’s kitted out with a 110v blower for even, tournament-quality airflow and comes complete with an electronic motion-detecting scoring system to enable faster, continuous play. Included in the package, you’ll also get 2 pushers and 3 pucks, so there’s no excuse not to get playing as soon as you’ve assembled it. Measurements: 72” x 36” x 31”.

Verdict: It is one of the lower priced models available so, although it looks really good, the quality does lack a little compared to some others available for not too much more money. Overall rating: 7/10

EA Sports 84” Fast Line Air Powered Hockey Table

Price range: Mid. This is one sleek looking, full-size air hockey table that’s great fun for people of all ages. It comes complete with an overhead electronic scoring system for easy viewing and arcade sound effects to bring even more excitement to this fast-paced game. One great feature of this table that not many others offer is it has built-in storage space and a cup holder. The 120v UL-certified motor blower ensures even airflow throughout play and its sturdy leg construction means you get top durability even through the most vigorous of playing. Measurements: 84” x 48” x 32”.

Verdict: An all-around top quality air hockey table that’s great value for money. The only real downside is the initial assembly is quite tricky. But, once you master it, you’ll have hours of fun. Overall rating: 10/10