A ping-pong table is a great investment for your home because it provides hours of fun for everyone. But like most larger recreational purchases, you’ll want to do some research before making your purchase. Ping-pong tables aren’t the most expensive thing you can buy for family fun, but they are still an investment and you’ll want to make an educated decision.

There are several things you need to take into consideration when investing in an at-home indoor ping pong table. You need to have a budget in mind, and you need to know how much space you have. There are standard sized ping-pong tables, but you can also invest in smaller tables if you are short on space. Even a smaller table can be a great play surface on which to practice and it is possible to play indoor table tennis games even with less surface area.

Additionally, you’ll want to look at the overall quality of the table. The price you pay effects the quality, but it is possible to get a great table for a reasonable price. Shop around a bit, see what different brands have to offer, and make a decision based on your personal preference and what you think is right for your home.

Here are a few of our favorite ping pong tables:

JOOLA Inside Ping Pong Table

This is one of the most highly recommended indoor table tennis tables on the market and we love it too. Joola offers this table in two different sizes, so you’ll be able to find a model that fits into most recreational spaces. Joola makes reliable tables and has been in operation for more than five years. The company is also a provider of US Olympic Team ping pong equipment, and this table is similar to ones you’d see in competition play.

It features separate folding valves that make it easier to fold up the table when you want to store it or move it to a different location. It also features castor legs so it’s easy for one person to move even if they aren’t particularly strong. The playing surface is made from composite wood, which gives a consistent bounce. The table can be set up in three positions – two person play, one person play, and storage. The table has a durable frame and legs, so you don’t need to worry about it collapsing during a rigorous round of play when it’s exposed to bumping and leaning.

This Joola table comes fully assembled and setup of this table is easy and takes less than a half hour. This tables tends to be one of the more inexpensive options, so the quality could be upgraded, but we think you get what you should for the money invested. It’s a decent table that can provide hours of fun at home playing ping pong.

JOOLA Midsize Tennis and Ping Pong Table

If you prefer a small table due to budget or space constraints, Joola makes a table that is about 2/3 the size of a regular ping pong table (39.3 x 39.2 x 4). Like the full size table, it is easy to set up as a double or single player table, an easy to fold up when the time comes to store it. This table can also be divided into two equal parts. This means it can double as two card tables or just generic tables when needed. This makes it a versatile addition to your recreation room.

It’s standard height, so it makes for a great practice surface, even though its length is shorter than a standard table. It provides the convenience of being compact without sacrificing play.

The unit comes fully assembled and just needs to be set up, which takes just a few minutes. It weighs about 50 pounds, so it’s fairly easy to move from space to space.

Considering the versatility and the quality of the table, it’s a great deal for the price. It’s durable, but there can be issues with collapsing when the table isn’t used properly. Like the full-size Joola table, it’s not the highest quality on the market, but for the price you’re paying you get a reliable table that offers plenty of ping pong fun.

Stiga Advantage Ping Pong Table

The Stiga Advantage table is one of our favorites because it comes from a well-known brand and offers a great deal of reliability and durability. It’s great for all levels of play, and comes 95% assembled, requiring only easy setup.

The table it set on caster wheels, which makes it easy to move to different locations and to store. The casters can be locked during play to ensure the table stays stationary.

This table ranks high when it comes to playability. The top is made from 5/8” of composite wood and finished with multiple roller coats and a silk screen striping. Attaching and detaching the net is easy. The table measures 63 x 56 x 5 in inches and weighs around 190 pounds. The steel frame is sturdy, which we love, because it helps to avoid some of the collapse issues that occur when you invest in a budget friendly ping pong table. The table can be divided into two halves and used for a variety of purposes when not being used for game play. It also features single and partner play positions, and a third storage position.

There have been some issues reported about the set up and user manual with this table. We found it easy to set up, but if you’re someone who likes to review the manual and ensure you are following step-by-step instructions for your items, you might have some issues with the manual.

Overall, this is a great table that offers a lot of good features. It has the versatility of the Joola tables, but we found it to be sturdier and more reliable. Of course, no table is perfect, and if your games of ping pong tend to get rowdy you need to be concerned for any table collapsing. However, with normal play, this table should hold up and provide years of entertainment to your family and friends.