Finding a great at-home table tennis table can be exciting, but the shopping experience can be a little daunting. There are a lot of options available and determining which one is right for your family, especially if you’ve never bought a table before, can feel like a challenge. It’s worth it, though, because once you find the right table you’ll enjoy hours of table tennis play.

Before you begin the shopping process, there are a few things you should consider. First, consider whether you intend to use the table indoors or outdoors. Some tables work in both environments, but you don’t want to buy an indoor-only table if you plan to use it outside because the elements will damage it.

Other features you’ll want to pay close attention to when shopping for a table include the legs of the table and how sturdy they are, the table’s ability to fold up and be stored away, whether or not there are multiple configurations for one-person play and storage, whether or not the nets are removable and how difficult it is to do so, and the thickness of the table. Many of the budget friendly options have a less than 1” thickness, which is fine for at-home play, but doesn’t meet regulation standards. If you’re serious about playing table tennis and/or you just want a table that meets professional standards, shop for a table that’s 1” thick.

In addition to the quality and the basic features of a table, you’ll also want to think about a few additions some tables offer and whether or not they are important for you. For instance, do you want your table to feature glare reduction? Is it important that the table come with storage for table tennis equipment? Is it important your table be easy to assemble or come pre-assembled? How about movement – do you want a table that’s mobile and easy to move to different locations for storage or play?

Everyone’s needs are different, so just because a table has a feature doesn’t mean it will be important to you. There’s no need to pay a premium price for something that you’ll never use.

Now that you have a general idea which options you’ll be considering, you can begin the buying process. First, consider the size of the table you need. Are you looking for a standard size or does your home only allow for something more compact? Once you’ve determined the basics of size, you can set a budget. Do your best to shop within this budget, so you won’t later regret spending too much on your table. Nobody wants to bring a recreational item into their home that makes them feel as if they spent too much.

Now that you know have an idea what you want in a table tennis table, you can check out the tables we’ve ranked. They’re sorted into “best in” categories to make shopping easier.

Best Low-Budget Table

We want to find a reasonably priced option available for less than $200 and the Park & Sun Mini is it. This table tennis table is the best in this price range for its size at 60 x 28 x 30 inches. The table is completely foldable and comes with two balls and two paddles. The legs are made from steel and coated and have several support points, so they are very durable. The playing surface is MDF, also known as fiberboard, and features a blue playing surface.

We love this budget friendly, durable table, and as long as you’re willing to play on a small surface (or have no choice because of space restraints) this is a great table!

Best Mid Price Range Table

If you’re looking to spend a little bit more on a table, you have a lot of great options. Our choice for best table under $7000 is the Stiga Synergy table tennis table. We love this table’s sturdy construction and the fact that it’s easy to assemble – most people can do it in under 20 minutes.

The table features four wheels which make moving it a breeze. It has a 5/8” inch top and features the latest in bounce technology. Playing on this table is just fun and it’s a great way to learn the game of table tennis at home. It has sturdy reinforced legs, so you don’t need to worry about aggressive play. The only thing we can find to say about this table that’s negative is about the color. The top is dark, which some people aren’t expecting, and the color of the reinforcements for the legs are a different color. They’re functional, but some people prefer a more cohesive look.

Viper Aurora

We’ve listed another mid-range table in this category that we also love – the Viper Aurora. This has the look of a more traditional table. It measures 107X60X30 and features a professional playing surface that meets International Table Tennis Federation regulation making it suitable for professional play. It comes with eight wheels, so it’s easy to move the table without much effort. It also has a durable steel frame that can stand up to aggressive play.

The table can be fully folded and is compact enough for easy storage. Assembly can be a bit dicey, especially compared to many of the tables on the market that come fully assembled. It’s also heavier than many of the tables available, so lifting it can be difficult.

Best Outdoor Table Tennis Table

If you want to play outdoors, the Cornilleau 500M Cross Over Indoor/Outdoor table tennis table is a great option. This versatile table is suitable for indoor or outdoor play, which we love because you won’t be spending more to get a second table for indoor or outdoor use. We also love this table’s sturdy, high-tech look that ensures it can not only stand up to the elements, but also to aggressive play. It’s made from durable materials that are water proof and features a galvanized steel frame. This table offers storage for paddles and has the added benefit of being wheelchair friendly. It’s 7mm top thickness prevents it from meeting professional regulation standards, but we still love it for its versatility.