Want a ping pong table but without the table? Sounds like a funny question, but there are lots of buyers in search of something similar! Ping pong can be loads of fun, especially when played with family and friends. But because the table itself might not look too appealing in a home when it’s not being used for a game, lots of people tend to shy away from the thought of buying one. Other than that, table tennis tables can be pretty bulky, so some homeowners feel reluctant to allot such a large space for something that might not be used too often.
The solution? A conversion top. Easy, convenient, and allowing the possibility of storage, a table tennis conversion top can take any surface in your home and turn it into a fully operational table tennis set-up. So for that reason, it can become a very practical choice for buyers who don’t want to deal with having a full-fledged table in their space all the time.
Looking for the best table tennis conversion top to spice up that next get together you’re hosting? Follow our guide to find the right one for you.
What are the Benefits of Table Tennis Conversion Top?
Why should you choose a conversion top over a mid-sized table or a collapsible full-sized one? These benefits should help you decide if a conversion top is right for you.
Storage
There are lots of mid-sized and even full-sized tables out there that promise to be ‘easy to store.’ While that might be true with their collapsible designs, having to tuck away that large flat surface – even standing upright – can be a hassle especially if you don’t have a lot of storage space to spare. Conversion tops are often much smaller, and fold down to be much more compact than actual tables, so they’re more ideal for individuals who don’t have too much closet space to offer.
Assembly
Have you ever tried setting up a ping pong table? Even the smaller miniature ones come with quite a few different pieces for a complete set-up. Conversion tops make the whole process of putting together your ping pong table seamless and easy – just take it out and put it over your table.
Space Saving
Unlike larger ping pong tables, a conversion top can save you a whole lot of space. This is because when it’s not in use, you can fold it down to a very compact size, leaving you precious space that a traditional table would have otherwise still occupied even if it weren’t in use.
Affordable
Perhaps you were originally interested in a traditional ping pong table, or even a mid-sized design. But those hefty prices may have discouraged you from your purchase. In case you weren’t able to dig a little deeper during your search, it’s worth mentioning that conversion tops can be drastically more affordable than most other tennis tables you might find.
Different Types of Conversion Tops
Conversion tops are differentiated based on the type of surface they’re attached to. Depending on what you have available at home, it’s important to think about the type of conversion top that would be most appropriate for your space.
Pool Table
A pool table ping pong conversion top basically attaches to a pool table and converts it to a full sized ping pong table. What’s nice about this is that the table can be a similar size to a traditional table tennis table.
Dining Table
A conversion top designed for a dining table can also be a practical choice. Virtually everyone has a dining table in their home. Fortunately, conversion tops for these types of surfaces come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate dining tables of different dimensions. The only downside is that during a party, a dining table that’s converted to a ping pong table by way of a conversion top might lose some of its functionality as a dining essential.
Floating
If you want to step up the challenge, consider getting a floating conversion top. These are designed to float, so they’re ideal for use in pools. They can be strapped down with cables to keep them in place and make it possible to play a full set. Floating table tennis tables are largely used for recreational play, since there are few budding pros that would train in such daring conditions.
Reversible
Want something that needs zero storage effort? A reversible conversion top will best suit you. Designed with a standard usable surface on the other side, reversible conversion tops can switch from game surface to dining surface in a snap. This means you can keep them upside down when not in play so you can use your table as you normally would.
Important Features to Look For
Ease of Maintenance
Most ping pong conversion tops are designed to be multifunctional. That means you can eat on them, work on them, and play a variety of other games on them aside from just table tennis. So you should expect that it will be exposed to spillage, ink marks, and a variety of other factors that could dirty it up.
Consider what it would take to keep your chosen conversion top clean and pristine. If it’s made from materials that might give in to moisture damage over time, like wood that tends to warp, you might want to reconsider your choice.
Stability
In professional table tennis, no one is allowed to touch the table while the ball is in play. But for recreational players, anything goes! So it’s possible that you might rest a hand on your conversion top during a game – especially when things start to get a little heated. Choosing a conversion top that has some sort of provision that stabilizes it against the surface it rests on will prevent it from moving around and disrupting a game.
Multifunctional
You should be looking for more out of your conversion top than just a playing surface for ping pong. Some designs can be used as dining surfaces, and others even have special markings on the game side that allow other games like chess or cards.
The 5 Best Table Tennis Conversion Tops
1. JOOLA Conversion Table Tennis Top
Depend on JOOLA to come up with some of the most popular table tennis equipment. For instance, the JOOLA Conversion Table Tennis Top has become a common choice among buyers who want something durable and full-sized. This pong conversion top for 9’ pool table assemblies can take your nilliard table and make it a regulation size ping pong table with no effort necessary.
The entire set-up comes with its own net, and also features a layer of foam padding underneath to help prevent damage to your pool table. Aside from that, the conversion top also comes in two separate pieces, so you can easily store them and install them with zero hassle.
2. Brunswick Table Tennis Conversion Top
Another popular choice is the Brunswick Table Tennis Conversion Top. Coming from one of the leading brands in the athletics industry, you can be sure this conversion top offers nothing short of professional performance.
Made from high quality, high density material, this top takes well to daily use, showing minimal signs of wear and tear even after years of use and exposure to factors like moisture, pressure, and friction. Of course, it’s got a rather steep price tag to go with all its great features. But if you want to transform your pool table to an ITTF standard ping pong table, this conversion top is your best bet.
3. Funmall 9FT Conversion Table Tennis Top
As the most affordable conversion top on our list of the best ping pong table top choices, the Funmall 9FT Conversion Table Tennis Top is a practical, straightforward pick that will change any table and make it a regulation size ping pong table.
The table tennis conversion top for dining tables is made from fireboard – a high-density material that’s resistant to different forms of damage, including heat, moisture, and friction. So it works well for both indoor and outdoor use. Other than that, the design also boasts a foldable table tennis top design, allowing ease of use and storage.
4. Harvil Table Tennis Conversion Top
This table tennis conversion top for dining tables features EVA foam padding along its borders, letting users feel comfortable and confident that the top won’t damage their furniture. Designed for use on virtually any table surface, this regulation-size tennis table top also produces a satisfying bounce that mimics that of ITTF standard tables.
Price-wise, the Harvil Table Tennis Conversion Top is relatively affordable. Easy to clean, assemble, store, and use, this table is definitely a smart pick for buyers who want to be able to use their conversion top on different surfaces for different occasions.
5. PureX Table Tennis Conversion Top
Stylish, sleek, and sophisticated, the PureX Table Tennis Conversion Top is one that you might not have to remove at all. Made from durable material that can withstand moisture, heat, and frequent friction, this conversion top has the looks to keep your space looking clean and classy – even with a full-sized table tennis top on your dining table.
So it makes a suitable choice for buyers who want to have a conversion top but don’t want to have to keep putting it back in storage after use. Of course, the only downside is that it’s pretty expensive, considering the fact that aesthetic is the only thing that sets it apart from the other choices on our list.
Bottom Line
We’ve done the research – and the results are in! Our pick for the best table tennis conversion top just has to be the JOOLA Conversion Table Tennis Top which boasts all the features you might look for in a conversion top.
Before you click that buy now button though, you might also want to consider some of the other conversion tops we’ve discussed. This should help you get a feel of what’s available on the market, and decide which one is the best ping pong table top that suits your needs, preferences, and standards.