The Best Ping Pong Table To Buy in 2023 (And which to Avoid)

Expert: Kevin James, Last updated: 5th Feb, 2023

Covid-19 Alert: Due to the corona situation, some of the ping pong tables might be out of stock. We have updated the listing accordingly.

The Best 12 Ping Pong Tables of 2023

1. Stiga Advantage

{Stellar build quality, great support, and spare parts are readily available}

Stiga Advantage Review:

STIGA is a popular manufacturer of table tennis equipment worldwide. True to its reputation, the Stiga Advantage (read in-depth review) is no exception - A fantastic table by all means.

The Stiga Advantage is perfect for beginners and casual players who're looking for a high-quality table that is easy to store, occupies low-storage space, and offers competitive gameplay experience at home.

It features a two-piece, 16mm thick, navy-blue color top, which is made out of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). The top is UV cured and painted with multi-layer matt paint, which prevents warping and chipping and, at the same time, offers consistent ball bounce.

Undercarriage: The top sits on top of a sturdy undercarriage, that is built with 30x30mm thick powder-coated steel tubes. Also, a 30x30mm steel apron is attached to the tabletop to prevent warping and provide extra stability to the structure. Each half is attached with self-opening legs that fold during storage, four heavy-duty wheels, and two adjustable height legs. The table stands on eight 3" wheels and four sturdy outer legs. Each wheel is individually lockable, which helps to keep the table stationary during play or storage. As an additional safety measure, each halve comes with an anti-tilting lock, preventing it from opening up accidentally during storage. 

Net & Post: The table comes with a standard 72" clip-type net with a tension adjustment mechanism.

Set up & Storage: Setting up and storing the table is quite easy, thanks to its lightweight, innovative design. The eight large wheels make it easy to move the table around. In storage, the two-halves nest next to another, occupying minimal space. When set up for play, the table measures 60'' x 108'' x 30'', and it can go down to 60" x 28" x 64" for storage.

Solo Practice: Don't have a partner to play - No worries! Simply slide the table in playback position, by keeping one half of the table upright and other horizontal. And you are all set to practice alone.

Warranty: Backed by 90 days replacement warranty and a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects, this table will last you for many years to come. Also, the spare parts are readily available and can be ordered online. Overall, the table is professionally designed and built with high-quality parts.

To summarize: The Stiga Advantage offers the right balance between performance, portability, and pricing. An excellent table for home users who play recreationally as well as those who're looking to play occasional serious matches. 

You would be hard-pressed, finding a better value ping pong table than the Stiga Advantage.

2. JOOLA Rally TL Professional Grade

A.K.A - Joola Motion 15 or Joola Rally TL 300. 

{stylish, elegant, sturdy build quality + bonus features!}

To summarize: No doubt, the table looks classy and stylish. But at the same time, the quality and performance are top-notch.

If you're looking for a table that not only plays well but also complements your home decor, Joola Rally TL may be the right choice for you.

3. Butterfly Compact 16

{Simplicity of design, excellent price point, easy to store}

Butterfly Compact (16mm) Review

If you're looking for a table that plays well, is easy to set up, and occupies less storage space, you should definitely consider the Butterfly Compact 16.

Available in two colors - Blue and Green, the 16mm thick MDF table top offers excellent ball bounce and great overall playability. The top sits on a lightweight yet sturdy 16x16mm thick steel frame. Each frame leg comes with a lock to prevent the table from accidentally closing down during play.

The table features a two-piece design; each half is mounted with two 2" wheels at the center and two steel legs. The lightweight design (147lbs) and sturdy wheels make maneuvering the table an easy task. The table lives up to its name, occupying the least amount of storage space in this category, measuring - 60" (L) x 30" (W) x 56" (H). The table comes with a butterfly clip-type net and post set with internal rubber cladding to prevent any scratches or scuff marks.

The best part about this table is that it requires no assembly, and you can start playing right out of the box. Plus, the 3-year warranty guarantees you a trouble-free ownership experience.

To summarize: Butterfly Compact 16 is the best value for money table in the Beginner's category. The pricing is spot on, and the design is ridiculously simple, offering easy maneuverability and compact storage.

4. Butterfly Easifold 19

Butterfly Easifold 19 Review

The first table in the intermediate category is from the brand none other than the Butterfly. You may have heard about this brand already. They are the top sponsor of almost all major ITTF events and are known for producing high-quality equipment.

Butterfly Easifold 19 is a competitive quality table that offers excellent ball bounce, traction, and superior overall performance. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate level player, this table will serve you well. The best part is, although the table is quite heavy, it's still easy to store, set up, and requires minimal assembly time.

The 19mm thick MDF top offers competition-level ball handling and consistent bounce. The top is mounted a robust undercarriage, which is built out of 40x40mm thick powder coated square steel tubes.

The table comes in two halves that nest next to one another during storage. Each half is attached with four 3" caster wheels and two height-adjustable legs to level the playing surface. The inner wheels come with a brake to secure the table during play or storage. Plus, the table comes with playback mode for single-player practice. Coming to the net post, it is quite durable and of exceptional quality.

Also, being a USATT approved table, you can also use it for hosting tournaments/leagues.

5. Butterfly Spirit 19

To summarize: The Butterfly Spirit 19 is ideal for serious beginners and intermediate players, who're looking for a pro-quality table. Top-quality performance, add-ons, and innovative design - justifies the price tag and makes it a solid pick.

6. Butterfly Compact 19

Butterfly Compact 19 Review

Are you looking for a compact tournament quality table that not only plays well but also offers value for money? Then we'd recommend that you check out the Butterfly Compact 19. The table comes 100% pre-assembled and requires no installation. Just unpack and start playing - Easy-Peasy!

There are two variants of the table -16mm and 19mm. We recommend intermediate players to go for the 19mm version because thicker tops offer better ball bounce and support competitive gameplay. Also, the 19mm version comes with a more robust undercarriage, and the price difference between the two is just ~50 bucks.

This table weighs under 175lbs, making it the lightest in the category. But don't just go by weight. The table is well-built, sturdy, and yet is very easy to maneuver/set up. And in storage, the table folds down to 4'8" x 5' x 6".

The top is mounted on a sturdy undercarriage. Each table half is attached with two large wheels for easy movement, adjustable legs for leveling the playing surface, and two corner guards. The table comes with a butterfly clip-on net and post set. The spring-clip of the net comes with rubber cladding to safeguard the table from scratches and scuff marks. 

Additionally, the table comes with a standard 3-year warranty, which covers manufacturing defects. Also, the spare parts are readily available.

To summarize: The Butterfly Compact 19 is ideal for anyone who is looking for a compact and easy to store tournament-level table. However, the thing that really seals the deal is the price. At less than $500, it's a truly affordable option.

7. Butterfly Space Saver 22 Table Tennis Table

As the name suggests, the Butterfly Space spacer 22 is a compact professional-grade table tennis table. Being ITTF approved, you can also use the table to host international matches.

Designed to meet the competitive demands of the players, the 22mm thick tabletop offers consistent and true ball bounce with perfect spin reception. Each half of the top is constructed with a single piece of wood, unlike cheaper tables, which use MDF or HDF material. The top is well-built and durable and is available in blue and green color.

A strong and sturdy undercarriage supports the heavy top, ensuring exceptional strength and stability, while the centerfold design makes it easy to set up and move the table around. The undercarriage sits on four 5" lockable wheels and four height-adjustable legs. The large wheels make it easy to maneuver the table while the wheel-locks keep the table stationary during play or storage.

The frame is powder-coated to prevent rusting and painted with scratch-resistant paint. The frame legs are made out of 2''x2" steel tubes while the rails are made with 2" x 3/4" rectangular steel tubes.

The table is supplied with a screw-type Butterfly National League T31 net and post set, which is both height and tension adjustable.

To summarize: Butterfly Space Saver 22 isn't the cheapest table on this list, but for serious home players, clubs, schools, and recreational centers, this is one of the best options. 

Priced under $1400, the quality, performance, and convenience this table offers are the best in the category.

8. Butterfly Centerfold 25 Table Tennis Table

We choose the Butterfly Centerfold 25 as our Pro Pick in the Professional tables category. Not only is this the costliest table on the list but also the best tournament quality table currently available.

Approved by both ITTF and USATT, it was the official table of the 2014 world team championship and 2001-2011 U.S. Open & U.S. National Championships. This table is built to meet the requirements of international tournaments, and this highly speaks about its quality and performance.

There is a strong reason for the widespread popularity of this table - Simple design, Excellent performance, and relatively lower price. A typical tournament-grade tables cost upwards of $3000, and in almost half the price, the Butterfly Centerfold 25 offers similar performance minus the aesthetics.

The 25mm thick top is constructed with a continuous solid piece which offers superior playability, and the top is finished with a high-quality scratchproof matt-finish paint. The undercarriage is built out of 2" thick steel frame, and the top is supported by 2.75" steel rail.

The table can be folded up, locked shut, and rolled into storage on the 5" rubber wheels. The wheels come with a brake to secure the table in place while the legs come with height adjustment levelers to keep the playing surface even.

Despite the hefty price tag of ~$1885 (at the time of writing the review), the product quality speaks for itself and is worth every penny. Not to forget, it also comes with a Butterfly Europa T32 net set valued at $90.

Finally, backed by a 5-year warranty, and easy spare parts availability, you can be sure this product is going to last for many years to come.

Personal Review:

"I can personally vouch for the quality of the Butterfly Centerfold 25 as I have six of them at my club with the oldest one being four years old. We use them for both practicing and hosting local tournaments, and I have no complaints about them whatsoever!"

To summarize: The Butterfly Centerfold 25 is ideal for serious home players, clubs, or schools, who're looking for a top-of-the-line professional table tennis table.

9. Butterfly Easifold Deluxe 22 Table Tennis Table

Butterfly Easifold Deluxe 22 Review

You're not going to get a better bang for your buck in the professional table tennis table category then the Butterfly Easifold 22. It comes with a 22mm top, sturdy undercarriage, and performs as good as any tournament grade table. Priced at about $850, this table delivers top-performance at almost half the cost.

It is by far the cheapest 22mm table in the market. While some may argue that Butterfly Compact 22 is the more affordable, but I beg to differ. The butterfly compact is excellent and cheap, but its undercarriage isn't sturdy enough to support professional play. Moreover, the butterfly compact cannot handle the abuse that well in comparison.

The 22mm thick top offers consistent ball bounce, perfect for competitive practice, and hosting professional tournaments. The top rests on a strong and sturdy undercarriage, which is made out of 1.5" x 1.5" gauge steel. The outer legs of the frame come with height adjustment levelers to even the playing surface while the eight 4" caster wheels make it easy to move the table. The wheels come with a safety brake to secure the table in position while playing or during storage.

The net set provided along is excellent and comes with both height and tension adjustment options.

To summarize: Overall, for the price, features, and build quality, we think you'll have a tough time finding a better value deal than the Butterfly Easifold Deluxe 22!

10. Kettler Outdoor - Axos 1

To summarize: Retailing at approximately $550, the Kettler Outdoor Axos 1, in our opinion, is the best option for outdoor usage offering the right balance between price, features, and performance.

11. Kettler Champ 5.0 Outdoor

Kettler Champ 5.0 Outdoor Table Review

Someone who is looking for a high-quality, durable outdoor table will surely appreciate the Kettler Champ 5.0. The table offers not only superior playability but also handles outdoor weather pretty well. This sturdy table comes with several innovative features and is very easy to set up and store. Suitable for both recreational as well as competitive gameplay, this is by far the best outdoor table currently available in the market. 

The blue color all-weather top is 22mm thick, which offers optimized playing performance. The top surface is finished with anti-glare waterproof paint, which provides excellent ball bounce and adherence similar to a typical 19mm indoor table.

A robust undercarriage supports the top. The frame legs are made out of 2" thick galvanized steel while a 2.25" thick resin apron wraps around the table top for extra rigidity.

Four extra-large 6" dual-wheels makes it easy to move the table and put in storage while the four leg levelers are provided to level the playing surface when required. The wheels come with a break to safely secure the table in place. In storage, the table folds down to 6' x 2'1'' x 6'.

Additionally, an accessory bundle worth $110 is provided free, which includes two Halo 5.0 rackets, three 3-star balls, and a premium outdoor table cover. The table comes with a built-in accessory holder that can store up to 4 paddles and a couple of balls. The net post is directly built into the frame, which automatically closes down during storage.

To summarize: Kettler Champ 5.0 is a pro-quality outdoor table suitable for both recreational and professional gameplay. If you're not constrained by budget, choose this table without hesitation.

12. JOOLA Rapid Play Indoor/Outdoor Aluminum

JOOLA Rapid Play Review

If you're on a budget, you can't really go wrong with the Joola Rapid Play. The table offers a nice playing surface for a casual game of ping pong without denting your pocket. The table is quite sturdy, easy to move/store, and can be used for both indoors and outdoors. Ideal for placing in the backyard and patio, as well as inside the garage or even your home.

The 6mm thick top is made out of aluminum-plastic, which is resistant to warping and chipping and is coated with anti-glare paint. The ball bounce isn't the best but still good enough for recreational usage. Plus, considering the price-point, it may be too much to ask for. If you're looking for a better ball bounce and playability, you can opt for the costlier - Axos 1 or Champ 5.0.

The two-piece table is easy to set up and put into storage. The two halves nest next to another in storage, occupying minimal space. The undercarriage is made out of 3/4" thick steel frame and powder coated to prevent rusting. The table comes with adjustable levelers to even the playing surface while four 3" caster wheels make it easy to maneuver the table. The wheels are individually lockable and firmly hold the table in place on uneven surfaces and during storage. As an additional safety measure, each table half comes with an anti-tilt lock that prevents the table from opening accidentally.

The table comes with a decent quality waterproof screw-type net and post, which attaches to the table quickly. You can also practice solo on the table, thanks to the playback mode.

To summarize: We think Joola Rapid offers excellent value for money and is ideal for those who're looking for an outdoor budget table.

Table Tennis Table: Buyer's Guide

What is your ultimate goal - Do you want to recreationally, professionally or a bit of both?

Here's how to go about the selection either way:

1) For Recreational Purpose

Don't blindly go for a table with the highest price tag. Look for a strong and sturdy that can handle abuse well.

Key features to look for: Tables under $450, with a sturdy frame, at least 15mm to 16mm thick, and easy to store. For an outdoor table, look for a table under $600 with an aluminum composite top.

Here are my top recommendations for recreational usage:

• Stiga Advantage (Top Pick)
• JOOLA Rally TL (Pro Pick)
• Butterfly Compact 16 (Budget Pick)

2) Intermediate Usage

Whether you're a beginner, improver, or an intermediate player, you should get a table that can facilitate competitive practice and training. If you're unsure whether you may take the sport seriously or not in the future, I still suggest choosing a table from this category.

You don't want to be in a position where you're left with a recreational table which does not let you seriously practice. Moreover, the difference between both the table types is hardly a couple of hundred dollars.

Key features to look for: priced between $500 to $800, at least 19mm thick with a high-quality net post.

Here are my top recommendations in the intermediate category:

• Butterfly Easifold (Top Pick)
• Butterfly Compact (Pro Pick)
• Butterfly Spirit (Budget Pick)

3) For Professional Players or Clubs

Top players require high-quality tournament-grade tables to practice. These tables are at least 22mm thick and provide a consistent bounce, spin, and adherence while the undercarriage is made out of at least 1" thick steel tubes for extra rigidity and support.

The top is significantly faster and offers better ball bounce in comparison to intermediate tables.

Key features to look for: price range between $700 to $1500, at least 22mm thick.

Here are my top recommendations in professional category:

• Butterfly T22 Space Saver (Top Choice)
• Butterfly Centerfold 25 (Pro Pick)
• Butterfly Easifold Deluxe 22 (Value Pick)

Indoor

Indoor tables, as the name implies, are designed to be kept and stored in an indoor setting like inside the house, garage, rec room, etc. These are the most common types of tables; you see them in clubs or tournaments. These tables can't be used outdoors because they're not constructed with water/weatherproof materials.

The indoor tables offer better overall playability, ball bounce and spin in comparison to outdoor tables.

However, these tables must be placed in areas where there is NO severe temperature variation, humidity, or direct sunlight as they are made out of untreated wooden materials that may warp and rot under such conditions.

Can be placed:

• Inside the house
• In the basement or garage
• Rec rooms

NOT Recommend for:

• Patios or garages exposed to direct sunlight, rain, or wind

Outdoor

Looking to add some fun to your backyard or patio, consider getting an outdoor table tennis table. These tables are designed to withstand outdoor elements and they do not deteriorate with time.

The top is made out of aluminum composite material or waterproof wood, which prevents the table from warping or rotting. Additionally, the undercarriage is coated with multi-layers of UV, scratch, and corrosion-resistant paint.

The downside of the outdoor tables is that they do not produce as much bounce and spin as indoor tables do. That being said, they are excellent for fun games with family members and at gatherings.

BEST FOR: 

• Year-round, outdoor play
• Areas that experience extreme weather conditions
• Patios, camping grounds, decks, backyards

Still unsure - Do the cardboard test?

If you're still unable to decide which table type to for, consider doing a cardboard test.

Place a piece of cardboard where you'd like to place the table (basement, garage, etc). If after a week, the cardboard is still dry and crisp, it means the environment is conducive for an indoor table.

But if the cardboard turns a bit moist, you should opt for an outdoor table instead.

Next, you need to check if you've sufficient space to fit in a full-size table. A standard table measures 9 ft by 5 ft. You'll need at least enough space to move two steps back on either side and one step sideways – and that's a MINIMUM! 

Playing in a congested space will prohibit you from moving freely and play the game at the level you want.

• For home usage, I recommend a minimum clearance of 17 ft by 10 ft
• For competitive practice, I recommend 22 ft by 14 ft

For reference, the standard size of an international table tennis court is 30 ft x 16 ft.

Ensure that you measure the space before ordering the table. If you're short on space, consider going for a midsize table or ¾ size table. It is the compact version (25% smaller) of the regulation size table that allows you to play your favorite game but in a smaller area.

The midsize tables play similar to the standard ones. You just need to adapt your game according to the smaller specifications.

Here are my top recommendations for the midsize table:

• STIGA Space Saver Compact (Top Pick)
• Butterfly Junior (Pro Pick)
• JOOLA Midsize Compact (Budget Pick)

Help Us Improve

While writing the review, we analyzed the top ping pong tables in the market. But we may have missed some. If you would like to suggest a table which you've personally tried and tested, we're all ears.

Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.