Ping Pong Tables

There are lots of ping-pong tables on the market. Many to choose from, depending on your skill level, budget, and dedication to the sport.

For starters, the reasons for buying a ping-pong table for a family of young kids will be different than buying for if you’re a serious player.

Other factors include thickness of the table, legs and support, and evenness of the top. Also, consider whether you’re always going to leave the table down or pack it up and put it in the corner when not playing.

It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a ping-pong table. This is especially true when the majority of its use will be by a family with young children. Buying a less expensive table is ideal. While learning how to play, there will be less concern when the table is beat up or misused.

However, if you or someone else develops a more serious approach to the game, then perhaps a more expensive model that will be treated and maintained properly is the way to go.

If your house or apartment doesn’t have much room, then you might want to buy a fold-up table. One with rollers that can be folded easily by one person and rolled into the closet or corner for storage.

If you have more room, then buying a table that can just be left down all the time is a viable alternative, too. However, any table with rollers is not a bad idea, for the sake of convenience.

Table top thickness is the next issue to consider. The serious player will swear that a thickness of 1 inch is necessary. However, many people opine that a thickness of three-quarters of an inch is acceptable.

It is true that the thicker table gives a more consistent bounce. But it is not worth the extra couple of hundred dollars that it costs over the less thick table. Especially considering that a child or inexperienced player isn’t going to notice the difference.

Regardless of how much you spend or what thickness your table top is, you should buy a sturdy table. A table with strong legs will stand up to the test of time, not to mention the rough treatment it might get from kids. Strong legs supporting the table will simply make it more durable and last longer.

In the end, all that matters should be your satisfaction with the table. The table you buy should have a smooth, even finish. No patches or rough spots, either. And make sure the bounce of the ball is consistent, too – about 9-10 inches in height when dropped from about a foot off the table.