Choosing a Table Tennis Table

Wang Liqin knows a good table when he sees one!

Photo by: Aadel Mahaba, courtesy of www.ittf.com

This page has moved to here.

Greg is now running the About.com Table Tennis site, and as such a number of these articles will be transferred over to About.com. Please feel free to join me at About!

Have a comment you'd like to add to this page? Email me and I'll add your two cent's worth below.

COMMENTS

14th May 2005

Deepak Mukhi wrote:

A really useful article and the only one I could find after an hour of trawling. A word on outdoor tables would be really handy. If it's to be left outdoors with or without a cover is a weatherproof version essential? Does weatherproofing (possibly aluminium tops) affect bounce? What are the best options available at present? Any help here would be so helpful.

Thanks!

13th June 2005

Geoff Deutsch wrote:

Thanks for the great site. A question. I bought a used indoor table but want to keep it outside. Is there anything I can coat it with to get the top to last longer.? I realize it may afect the bounce a bit but that's OK. Thanks!

Greg replies:

I'd probably recommend a waterproof sealer - it probably won't help the bounce but should help keep the table from getting waterlogged. Make sure you do the sides and underneath as well. I've read elsewhere that several coats of clear satin sheen polyurethane spray make a good table surface sealer - I'd imagine that they would be pretty water and weatherproof.

Has anybody else out there got any experience with this that they would care to share? If so, please email me so I can add it to the article and make it more useful to anyone trying to choose a table tennis table.

Thanks,

Greg

21st June 2005

Todd Holland wrote:

Greg

Thanks for making such a great, user friendly website. I've been looking around for awhile and have found yours to be the most helpful. However, it is still not yet enough. There is way, way more to ping pong/table tennis than I ever expected. I could use some detailed advice on some purchases.

First, a little background. In addition to the usual childhood ping pong games, things got semi-serious last spring on a job in which the boss brought in his table and the games began. Games were fast paced and fun; an office tournament ensued. All fun.

One day, as a thank you to the boss for letting us play, I upgraded his heavily worn crappy paddles with a set for about US $20 each. BIG difference. It took us a few weeks to get the hang of the new paddles, but we loved them! The old ones felt like lead. Of course, things got out of hand and pretty soon people were buying $40 and $50 paddles! They were beyond our ability after some initial amazement, dropped them for the $20 pair. Anyway, the job ended and now I am jonesing to play some more! I need to buy my own equipment and there are just too many choices out there and I can barely keep track of things in the forums.

I have a house with plenty of space, indoor and outdoor for a table. I would like to use the table outdoors in full sun (Southern California), but never leave it in the rain-- though morning dew might be a problem. I suppose it could live indoors mostly, brought out for parties. I want to buy a table-- one table-- for myself and adults to play on. I don't plan on being a pro or even close, just a good player who can have fun with guests. The table will move in and out of the house and perhaps, sometimes I'll bring it to work. Therefore, I suppose durability is an issue. Can you recommend one or two tables that fit this lifestyle?

As for paddles (blades?), I bought a Stiga Prestige WRB. As I recall, I wasn't in love with it. Too lively, i think. I liked those $20 paddles better. More rallys and more fun. Where does one even go to play and or try out paddles?

Okay, I've already taken too much of your time. The table is most important right now, since it's the start of everything.

Thanks!
todd

Greg replied:

Hi Todd,

I've been having a bit of a look around the About.com table tennis forum (one of my favourite places to go for researching table tennis stuff!), and have found a few things that may help you out with the table.

The page below has an extensive list of outdoor tables - the about.com crew seem to like the Kettler variety for value for money.

http://www.robbinstabletennis.com/prodtab4.htm

This thread on about.com has some more worthwhile info as well.

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages/?msg=18596.1

Personally, I think that if you can store the table inside when not in use, I'd be inclined to recommend a good indoor table that folds up and has rollers - the Stiga and Butterfly models spring to mind - really any sturdy roller table with at least a 19mm thick surface should be fine. It's just that the outdoor tables seem to bounce a bit differently, and if you're starting to think about playing seriously I think you would be better off with a table that plays like a competition table. You don't need a full priced competition model - the lower end rollers should be just fine. Have a look at http://www.ping-pong.com/table.php for examples of the models on offer. Personally, I have a Stiga at home and we use them locally, and I think they are pretty good - although really you can probably look for the best priced of any of the lower end roller models.

Now table tennis blades - that's another story! If you keep playing and go to your local club, you will be looking at the more expensive blades and rubbers pretty soon - don't worry it doesn't take long to get used to them - but I'd recommend getting some coaching though - it will be well worth it in the long run.

Feel free to email if you have any other questions.

Greg

10th March 2006

James Poole wrote:

Hi Greg,

Thanks for your excellent site, keep up the good work.

I have found it to be probably the best resource I have found so far on
the subject. I find your writing style to be informative yet sometimes
humerous and thus it is always a good read.

I live in England and me and my fiance have recently taken up table tennis
at a local club and are really enjoying ourselves. I have a question if I
may. We have limited space in our home but would like to get ourselves a
table tennis table. We have seen a smaller table which is made by Jaques
of London and measures 6ft by 3ft and standard height. Here is the link
(its the 67760 Foldamatic Mini 6 x 3 Compact ) :

http://www.jaques.co.uk/online_brochure/table_tennis_collection/index.htm

What are your opinions on playing/practising on a smaller table like this.
Do you think it would hinder our playing progression or not really matter?

Many thanks for your help,

James Poole.

Greg replied:

Hi James,

Glad to hear you and your fiance are enjoying your table tennis - I hope I can continue to keep my website interesting and entertaining for you both.

Now, onto the subject of this compact table. I would say that if both of you are thinking that you will be still playing in a year or two, I wouldn't bother getting a compact table. By that stage it wouldn't really be useful for practicing so you would probably find it a waste of money.

If you were thinking of playing just for fun (ie socially once a week, no tournaments or competitions) then it might be something fun for you both to have a hit on at home.

Essentially, if you get serious about the sport, you won't find a table that small useful - it could actually introduce some bad habits into your game (ie serving too short, hitting too short, etc). If you aren't going to get serious, then it could be a fun way to spend the night with some friends or by yourselves.

Regards,

Greg Letts