Hoping to make those family get-togethers and late nights with friends a little more enjoyable? Why not invest in an outdoor table tennis set-up? Designed specifically to withstand the onslaught of rain, sun, and snow, an outdoor ping pong table requires little maintenance. Plus, it can serve a whole lot of fun when your family and friends stop over for a visit.
Before you head down to your local sporting goods store and buy the first outdoor table you find, there are a few things you might want to consider. Find out how to choose the best outdoor ping pong table and get the most out of every penny you spend on it by following our comprehensive buying guide.
Size Considerations for an Outdoor Ping Pong Table
The standard size for a table for ping pong is at 9 feet by 5 feet. If you’re planning on buying one for your outdoor space, you may want to determine whether you have enough space to accommodate the table itself and also the space around it to allow ease of use.
As a general rule, you should provide at least five steps from the edges of the table to the limits of your space. This won’t only make it easier to move around the table when it’s not in use, but will also give players some room to practice a few tricks and styles during a game.
If you don’t have enough space to accommodate a full sized outdoor table, you may also want to consider buying a mid-sized table. There are also a few options that can be disassembled and folded so they can be stored away when not in use.
What to Consider in an Outdoor Table Tennis Table
1. Durability
Most outdoor tables for ping pong are designed to be exceptionally sturdy and durable. This is especially true if manufacturers design an outdoor table that isn’t specifically made to be collapsed and stored.
Unlike indoor ping pong tables that are usually made from wood, outdoor tables combine different types of metal for increased resistance to the elements. Other than that, the surfaces on outdoor tables are also coated with a special lacquer that makes them less prone to damage from moisture, heat, and dust.
Finally, you might also want to consider the legs on your table. Usually, these designs have legs that connect to the other leg on the same side of the court, forming a U-shape. This ensures the table won’t sink into the ground, especially if you’d like to set up your ping pong table on soil or grass.
2. Convenience
Do you really want a full-sized ping pong table constantly eating up the space in your back yard? If you answered no, you might want to consider getting a table tennis set-up that you can collapse and fold away in case it’s not in use.
There are lots of different mechanisms used by manufacturers so that a table folds away. Some fold along the middle. Others are made up entirely of two different parts that can be detached from each other to make two halves. There are also others that incorporate a set of wheels so that it can be easily moved away into storage by pushing it around.
Consider where you would prefer to store your table when it’s not in use before deciding on the mechanism that will work best for you.
3. Cost
Generally speaking, outdoor tables are usually more expensive than ones intended for indoor use. The basic reason here is because outdoor ping pong tables are made from heavy duty materials that bump up their manufacturing cost.
Make sure you set a budget before you set out in search of the perfect outdoor table for your needs. You might also want to consider the fact that some tables are sold as a stand-alone purchase. That is, you’ll have to buy the net, paddles, balls, and other accessories separately.
Factor in all the items you need for a complete table tennis set-up so you don’t end up spending your entire budget on just a table without the necessary equipment to play the game.
4. Warranty
A product that’s advertised to be a weatherproof ping pong table should be able to fulfil this promise when it’s exposed to the elements. So if you notice that your outdoor table is starting to rot, if parts break after exposure to rain, or if it just doesn’t seem to fair well against the weather, you might want to make sure you’ve got the warranty to cover the damages.
Hey, outdoor ping pong tables aren’t cheap. Make sure you purchase only from trusted brands that will respond to your aftersales needs so you can get the replacement parts and repairs you need in case of any manufacturer damages.
The Best Brands for Outdoor Ping Pong Tables
Joola
Joola is a premier brand of table tennis equipment based in the USA. The brand has been manufacturing ping pong essentials since 1952, and offers both ITTF compliant products in addition to those intended for recreational and personal use. The company has a number of different outdoor table designs that are big on durability and quality, so they’re often the first choice among buyers who want a worthy purchase.
Killerspin
Another globally competitive table tennis equipment manufacturer is Killerspin. Known best for their paddles, the company also has quite a few impressive outdoor table designs that can be right on the money. The brand was established in Chicago in 2001, and has since become a prominent figure in the market of luxury table tennis equipment.
Kettler
Kettler ping pong tables are German made tables that are manufactured to meet ITTF standards. Of course, the brand does offer quite a few that are made for recreational use, ideal for buyers who want to use their tables more for fun rather than for training or professional use.
In their line-up of outdoor tables, they do have several folding designs that are perfect for homes with limited storage. They’re also exceptionally impressive when it comes to durability, offering structurally sound tables that can withstand all types of weather.
Stiga
Stiga is a premier, global brand for table tennis equipment that offers high quality tables at reasonable prices. The company is best known for their wide array of ping pong bats, but they do also offer a wide range of tables. We particularly appreciate how the brand takes into account the different needs of its buyers, releasing choices that cater to almost every standard and preference.
The 5 Best Outdoor Ping Pong Tables
1. JOOLA NOVA Outdoor Table
After researching the variety of outdoor table tennis tables on the market and comparing each one, we’ve come to conclude that the JOOLA NOVA Outdoor Table is nothing short of the finest currently available. This premier piece of equipment boasts a durable and convenient design that makes it perfect for buyers who want a purchase that’s easy to use and maintain.
The JOOLA NOVA can be assembled in less than 15 minutes, and features an all-weather construction that’s built to resist the onslaught of the elements. The two piece aluminum and composite design is resistant to rust, warping, and chipping, and requires little cleaning to keep it in pristine shape.
Other than that, the table also comes with several that make it convenient to use and store, including a two piece folding design, caster wheels, adjustable legs, and an anti-tilting system that keeps it level at all times.
2. Kettler Axos 1 Outdoor Tennis Table
It’s difficult to top the JOOLA NOVA, but the Kettler Axos 1 Outdoor Tennis Table came pretty close. This outdoor table offers tournament-quality performance, and even features a heavy-duty build that guarantees a much longer lifespan compared to the majority of other outdoor ping pong tables.
Another feature that places the Kettler Axos 1 a cut above the rest is the fact that it is both UV resistant and corrosion resistant. This makes it exceptionally efficient at withstanding outdoor conditions, standing firm against the onslaught of extreme weather conditions.
Compact, convenient, durable, and stable, the only downside to the Kettler is its price tag. At half a thousand dollars, this is a table that might not seem practical to a lot of recreational players.
3. Stiga Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis Table
When you take it out of the box for the first time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that the Stiga Vapor is already 90% assembled. This makes it easy to set up in your space, minimizing the time you spend with tools, and letting you try out new equipment within minutes of its delivery.
Made from weatherproof materials, the Stiga Vapor is rust-proof and durable. But despite its pretty burly build, it’s also lightweight and compact, easy to fold and store for when it’s not in use. This is made even easier by 4 pairs of caster wheels along the sides which don’t only support it when standing, but also make it easier to transport around your space.
4. Killerspin MyT7 BlackStorm Table Tennis Table
For a sturdy outdoor table that delivers impressive performance, the Killerspin MyT7 makes a sound choice. This outdoor table is made from a combination of high density plastic and aluminum, so it withstands the challenges of outdoor conditions pretty well.
In terms of convenience, it’s also one of the better choices. The design folds down to a very slim silhouette, so you can easily slip it into a small space – perfect for homes with limited storage. It also has 2 pockets on either side of the ping pong table that can accommodate paddles and balls so all your equipment can be in one place, ready for a game at any time.
5. Harvil Outsider Table
The last table on our list is the Harvil Outsider. It features pretty much the same design as some of the others on our list, including a foldable structure, aluminium materials, steel frame (powder coated), and of course, a weatherproof construction.
Despite offering some of the same features though, the Harvil is significantly more affordable. So at just the fraction of the cost of the 4 other picks on our list, this ping pong table makes an affordable alternative that won’t sacrifice quality and performance.
Conclusion
For those seeking to make those get-togethers a little more memorable, or to start your kids out on a new summer sports hobby, then check out our recommendations for the best outdoor ping pong table. Based on our standards, the JOOLA NOVA Outdoor Table makes a solid pick for its practical cost, efficient design, and impressive performance. If you’re after other options though, feel free to browse through the other vetted tables on our list to discover the one that’s perfect for your home.