Stiga Advantage Table Tennis Table Review
Expert: Kevin James, Last Updated: 6th Mar, 2022
Points | Review |
Short Review | Best Table Tennis Table under $400 for Beginners/Recreational players |
Best Price | ~$400 Online |
Recommended for | Recreational/Beginners Players, Decent table for practicing |
Pros | Regulation Size, Durable, Quick setup, Sturdy frame, Self-Play, Easy spares availability |
Cons | 16mm thick table top produces just enough bounce, No complimentary paddles and ball; 90 days limited warranty |
PPB Rating | 4.9/5 (Read about our Rating System) |
If you're looking for the perfect indoor ping pong table for recreational and home usage, look no further than the Stiga Advantage Table Tennis Table.
The only other table that comes close is the Joola Inside, but it marginally falls short of the Stiga Advantage. Read more about the comparison here.
Whether you're looking for a ping pong table for your home to play with your family members or are looking to develop your skills, this table will serve you well.
The table is a perfect combination of excellent features, long durability, and an affordable price point, making it the most popular choice in the beginner/recreational category.
Editor’s Note: Stiga Advantage is our top pick in Beginner/Recreational category.
Stiga Advantage Indoor Ping Pong Table
In-Depth Review
Last weekend I managed to play a couple of matches on this table at my friend’s place. He has the table installed in his garage, where he mostly plays with his son.
When the table is not in use, he folds up the table and stores it at one of the corners.
So here is what I think about the table:
Assembly Time
{Simple 5 minutes setup}
The table comes in two independent halves. It took me about 10 minutes to assemble the table from the upright position. It involved moving the two halves, setting up the table, and installing the nets.
I’m sure if my lazy friend helped that would’ve cut down the setup time by half.
What I liked straightway about the table was the safety latch mechanism, which prevents the table from opening up unexpectedly while moving and storing.
However, while moving the table, one needs to be a bit careful so that the table doesn't fall or dis-balances.
Table Top
{Top-Notch Quality}
Coming to the most important part of the table – Table Top.
The 16mm thick top is made out of good quality MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and painted with matt finish multi-layer coating with silkscreen stripping.
Visually the paint quality looked very consistent, and the white markings were clearly visible.
The table surface was smooth and had no visible imperfections.
The underneath of the top is also painted with a white, water-resistant paint, which is definitely a plus.
However, one thing which I didn't like was that there were no edge protectors.
The edge protectors not only protect the edges from unforeseen damages but also save the players/kids from getting hurt from the sharp corners.
If you've kids, I would suggest baby proofing.
Net
The table comes with a standard clip-on net/post system. It also levels and holds the table's two independent halves together.
The quality of the supporting post was good. And the net has a tension adjustment mechanism to tighten or loosen the net.
However, I felt the quality of the net could have been better, and it was slightly saggy at the center.
Undercarriage
The undercarriage is sturdy and more than adequate to support the top.
The frame is made out of square hollow steel pipes, about 1.2'' inch thick. Just for reference, top-end tables come with a 2'' thick steel frame.
The whole frame sits on eight three-inch rubber castor wheels. The best thing about the rubber wheels is that they don't scratch the floor surface.
All 8-wheels are individually lockable, which firmly keeps the table in place. Also, the bigger wheel size makes it easy to move the table.
The outer legs come with levelers to increase or decrease the table height to level the playing surface on uneven ground.
One area where the table missed is the storage options. I feel Stiga should have provided some space to store bats and balls.
Delivery Checklist: Table tennis tables are inherently quite heavy (upwards of 200 pounds). These tables are prone to damage during transit, especially the corners. Although the Stiga Advantage comes well-packed in a wooden crate, it's always a good idea to double check before accepting the delivery.
In case of any damage, it is best to reject the delivery and request a replacement. Otherwise, it would take at least a couple of weeks for the manufacturer to send you the replacement parts.
Review Summary
Pros
Cons
Game Time – How does the table play
I'll be honest here. I knew the specs of the table, and I knew it was just a 16mm (5/8") table. Like with every 16mm table, I expected it not to produce enough bounce.
So, I was not very enthusiastic about the game.
But boy, I was so WRONG!
My friend is an advanced beginner, so he could play decent rallies.
We started with some rallies and gradually moved to smashing and blocking.
It took me some time to get used to the bounce and speed. But once I was in my zone, I was looping (a personal favorite) and blocking like I usually do.
We played for an hour or so. By the end of the practice, my friend was sweating like a pig. I did sweat but not that much (Pro's advantage, I guess).
Yes, the bounce was definitely less. But if you're a beginner or starter, you would hardly notice. I thought the bounce was almost equal to a 19 mm table.
Another thing I felt was that the table did not carry the spin well. But that was also quite expected.
Overall I would say the table offered competitive gameplay, better than what I had initially anticipated.
User Reviews - What other Owners Are Saying
This is what my friend has to say about Stiga Advantage
'I bought the table because it was within my budget and offered decent features. It's been around a year, and I didn't face any issues. I am definitely a recommender of this table.'
I did some further digging. I analyzed the reviews of the table across the major eCommerce sites (Amazon, Walmart, DICK'S Sporting Goods).
Most of the users had good things to say about the table. Some of the issues mentioned were around damages during transportation, which in most cases, Stiga/eCommerce company rectified.
So the Final Question - is this table Right for you?
If you’re a beginner or recreational player who is looking for a durable, decent, and value for money table, then Yes - You can definitely go for the Stiga Advantage.
You can have hours of fun playing on this table. And when you're done, you can simply fold the table and store it safely.
However, if you’re planning to take the game seriously (maybe not now but in the future), then I would suggest you spend a little extra and get yourself a competition level table.
Still confused which table to go for? Check out our complete guide to choosing the best ping pong table.
Bottom Line: Stiga Advantage is a solid product at a low price tag. The table is excellent for beginners and recreational users.
Due to its robust build, excellent durability and great features, I highly recommend this table.
