Which Table Tennis Table Is Right for Your Space and Needs?
Want to buy a table tennis table, but not sure whether to choose indoor, outdoor, competition, institutional, concrete, compact or multifunctional? The best choice mainly depends on where the table will be placed, how often you play and who will use the table.
Do you occasionally play at home with family or friends? Will the table be placed outside in the garden? Or are you looking for a sturdy table for a school, office, campsite, hotel or club?
With this buying guide, you will discover what to look for when buying a table tennis table: from the available space to the desired playing quality. This helps you choose a table that suits your space, usage and playing intensity.
Quick choice: what type of table tennis table are you looking for?
Still not sure which type of table tennis table suits you best? Use the overview below to quickly choose the right direction.
- Indoor table tennis table
Choose an indoor table tennis table if you play indoors in a dry, heated room and value ball bounce, spin and playing characteristics. - Outdoor table tennis table
Choose an outdoor table tennis table if the table will be placed outside, in a garage, shed, warehouse or another damp or unheated space. - Competition table tennis table
Choose a competition table tennis table if you train at club level, play matches or are looking for a table with official playing characteristics. - Institutional table tennis table
Choose an institutional table tennis table if the table is used intensively at a school, campsite, sports park, hotel, institution, club or office. In this category you will find robust models for frequent use, including tables suitable for permanent outdoor placement. - Concrete table tennis table
Choose a concrete table tennis table if you are looking for a very heavy, fixed table for permanent outdoor placement, for example on a school playground, campsite, playground or in a public space. - Multifunctional table tennis table
Choose a multifunctional table tennis table if you are looking for a table that you can use not only for table tennis, but also as a dining table, meeting table or work table. Models such as Origin and Hyphen combine playing fun with a sleek design and fit well at home, in the office or in a shared space. - Compact, midi or mini table tennis table
Choose a compact, midi or mini table tennis table if you have less space than is needed for a standard-size table tennis table and a smaller table better suits the available space.
Already know which type of table suits you? Use the links above to go straight to the right category.
Popular table tennis tables
Will the table be placed indoors or outdoors?
The location of the table tennis table is the most important choice. An indoor table tennis table is intended for dry, heated indoor spaces. The playing surface is usually made of chipboard, which provides an accurate ball bounce and good playing characteristics. The tabletop thickness of indoor tables varies from 18 mm to 25 mm. The thicker the tabletop, the more consistent the ball bounce. With indoor table tennis tables from Buffalo and Cornilleau, you benefit from a 3-year warranty on the playing surface.
An outdoor table tennis table is designed for outdoor use and is resistant to moisture, sun and temperature changes. An outdoor model is also often the best choice for a garage, shed, basement or other unheated space. The playing surface is made of strong melamine resin and has a tabletop thickness of 4 mm to 9 mm. The best outdoor table tennis tables offer a playing experience that comes close to that of an indoor or competition table. If you choose an outdoor table tennis table from Buffalo or Cornilleau, you benefit from a 10-year warranty on the playing surface.
Not sure whether to choose indoor or outdoor? Choose an outdoor table if the space is not completely dry and heated.
Which table tennis table suits your situation?
A different table is suitable for home use than for a school playground, club, office or campsite. That is why you should not only look at the type of table, but also at where and how intensively the table will be used.
For home
For table tennis tables for home, foldable models with wheels are often chosen. You can easily store them away when the space is needed for something else. Do you want to leave the table in view and also use it as a dining table or work table? Then a multifunctional table tennis table such as the Cornilleau Origin or Hyphen is a great solution.
For the office
For table tennis tables for the office, ease of use, stability and easy storage are important. Do you want to combine playing fun with design and practical use? Then a multifunctional table tennis table is also a good fit for an office, meeting room or shared space.
For schools, campsites, hotels or institutions
Will the table be used intensively by many different players? Then an institutional table tennis table is often the best choice. These tables are robust and designed for schools, campsites, sports parks, hotels, institutions and other locations where the table is used intensively every day.
For fixed outdoor placement or public spaces
Some institutional models are suitable for fixed or permanent outdoor placement. Models such as Park and Campus are a good fit for school playgrounds, campsites, sports parks and recreational areas where the table remains outdoors for long periods. Concrete table tennis tables are also a good choice for public spaces where the table remains outside unattended.
For sports clubs, associations and competition
For enthusiastic players, playing quality matters most. Pay extra attention to the thickness of the tabletop, the stability of the frame and the quality of the net. For official matches, you should preferably choose a competition table tennis table that is approved by the ITTF.
How much space do you need?
A standard table tennis table has an official competition size of 274 cm long and 152.5 cm wide. You should also allow extra playing space around the table. As a guideline, you can use the following total playing space including the table:
- Recreational home use: approximately 6 x 4 metres.
- More intensive use: approximately 8 x 5 metres.
- Professional competition play: approximately 12 to 14 metres in length and 6 metres in width, with a free height of at least 2.5 metres.
Do you have less space available? Choose a compact midi or mini table tennis table. These models fit better in smaller spaces and are mainly suitable for recreational use.
When arranging delivery, also consider the route to the playing area: large tabletops can be difficult to move through a narrow stairwell, hallway or tight doorway.
What should you look for when buying a table tennis table?
When choosing a table tennis table, pay particular attention to its placement, use and desired playing quality. Check whether the table fits, whether there is enough playing space and whether the table can be delivered easily to the desired location.
Practical details also make a difference. Think of transport wheels, a safe folding system, locking mechanism, playback position, adjustable net and bat and ball holders.
For schools, institutions, campsites and business locations, it is important to choose a table that can withstand intensive use.
Do not forget the accessories
Almost no table tennis table comes standard with accessories such as bats or balls. Exceptions include some multifunctional table tennis tables, such as Origin and Hyphen. Therefore, always check the product specifications to see exactly what is included.
To start playing straight away, you need table tennis bats and table tennis balls. Do you use the table outdoors? Then a protective cover is a smart addition to keep your table clean and tidy for longer.
Need help choosing?
Not sure yet which table tennis table suits you best? View our range and use the filters to search by type, usage situation, size, playing quality, model and brand.
This way, you do not just choose any table tennis table, but a model that suits your space, usage and playing level.
Still not sure? Our table tennis specialists will be happy to help you with personal advice. Call us on +31 (0)20 610 2031, email info@buffalo.nl or visit our showroom at Jan Rebelstraat 10, 1069 CB Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions about table tennis tables
Which table tennis table should I buy?
That mainly depends on where the table will be placed and how intensively you play. For a dry indoor space, you usually choose an indoor table tennis table. For outdoors, a garage, shed or unheated space, an outdoor table tennis table is a better choice. For schools, campsites, hotels and institutions, an institutional table tennis table is often the best choice. For official match play, choose a competition table tennis table.
What is the difference between an indoor and outdoor table tennis table?
An indoor table tennis table is intended for dry, heated indoor spaces and usually has a chipboard playing surface. An outdoor table tennis table has a weather-resistant playing surface and is suitable for outdoors, garages, sheds or unheated spaces.
Can an indoor table tennis table be placed in a garage?
Only if the garage is dry and heated. Is the garage damp, cold or unheated? Then an outdoor table tennis table is the better choice.
How much space do you need for a table tennis table?
A standard table tennis table is 274 cm long and 152.5 cm wide. For comfortable recreational play, we recommend a total playing space of approximately 6 x 4 metres, including the table. Do you have less space? Then a midi or mini table tennis table is a good alternative.
Which table tennis table is suitable for schools, campsites or hotels?
For schools, campsites, hotels and other locations where many different players use the same table, an institutional table tennis table is usually the best choice. These tables are designed for intensive use and are often suitable for outdoor placement.
What is an institutional table tennis table?
An institutional table tennis table is a robust table for intensive use at schools, campsites, hotels, institutions, sports parks and public spaces.
What is a multifunctional table tennis table?
A multifunctional table tennis table is not only used for table tennis, but also as a dining table, work table or meeting table. Models such as Origin and Hyphen combine table tennis with design and practical use.
Can an outdoor table tennis table stay outside all year round?
Yes, an outdoor table tennis table is made for outdoor use and can withstand changing weather conditions. However, a protective cover is recommended when you do not use the table for a longer period.
Does a table tennis table come standard with bats and balls?
Usually not. Almost no table tennis table comes standard with accessories such as bats or balls. Exceptions include some multifunctional models, such as Origin and Hyphen. Therefore, always check the product specifications.