Free Deals and Offers

Best Foosball Table Buying Guide : Things to consider while buying a Foosball Table

The choice of Foosball tables depend largely on the budget and expertise level of players. In order to get the best playing experience, you need to ensure that you get the best-quality table.

It is important to take a moment and familiarize yourself with the more popular features that you can look for in a new table. As you’ll see below, features vary a bit and often the price of the table is what determines if you’re getting the cheap features and components or the high-end ones. We suggest you determine which of the below features are most important to you and shop based on that.

Table Size

If you want a standard full-size table, then you need one that is 56-inches long and 30-inches wide. And remember, that width does not include fully extended rods. So, if shopping for a tight or narrow space in your home, be sure to get the width with the rods extended. On average, experts recommend having a playing space of 7-feet by 8-feet for your foosball table.

Goalie Configuration

One thing that you will immediately notice as you compare foosball tables is that some are single-man goalies and some are three-man goalies. When it comes to the foosball one goalie or three question, which one is best is just a matter of preference. Most tables in the USA are three-man goalies while most in the UK are single-man goalies.

If you want a game that is very fast paced, then go with the three-man goalie setup. If you want a game that requires more skill and precision, then go with a one-man goalie setup. And if you’re attempting to build your skills, know that the single-man goalie table will definitely help you become a better player. We suggest the three-man goalie setup for kids and beginners.

Keep in mind that most of the high end tables with a three-man goalie setup can easily be converted to a one-man goalie setup.

Counter Weighted Men

For the best game play, and if you wanna do it like the pros do, opt for a table that has counter weighted men. If you’re wondering what the big deal is about these, it’s easy – they stay in a horizontal position when you release them, which means you don’t have to worry about them getting in your way when you’re taking a shot. Overall, you’ll be able to play a much better game if you have counter weighted men on the playing rods.

Table Levelers

If you want to play a fair game, then choosing a foosball table that has table levelers is a necessity. Just think about it – if you have a table that leans at all, then whoever is not on that leaning side has the advantage every single game. There are a few different types of levelers that you can encounter, but they all work toward the same basic function. So, as you compare tables, keep in mind that you should look for one with levelers to keep the game play fair.

Playing Rods

One thing that you should not compromise on is playing rods that are made of steel. You definitely want to make sure that you only consider buying something with steel rods. Hollow rods are the best because they speed up your game play since they rods are not has heavy. Most of the high-end foosball tables, like those by Tornado, usually have hollow rods. And you find solid steel rods in the mid-level foosball tables. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with sold steel rods, in fact they are great, but the reduced weight of the hollow rods really speeds up your game play with those super fast shots.

Construction

As you shop, you will notice that the tables vary when it comes to what materials are used in their construction. You will see:

• Solid Wood
• Composite
• Particle board

Obviously, some of the highest quality models are going to be made with solid wood and the lowest quality with particle board. Composite falls between the two of those, but it does have a few advantages over solid wood. With solid wood tables, the wood is subject to humidity, which can lead to some warping if you live in a humid climate or if you keep it in a humid room. However composite is not affected by humidity, so it won’t warp and it is very durable as long as it is at least one-inch thick.   Particle board is a very, very cheap material that actually weakens and breaks down over time. In fact, if you buy a particle board table then it can actually fall apart over time. A good indicator that a table is made of particleboard is that it weighs well under 70 pounds. We suggest you avoid any tables made of particleboard.

Table Surface

There are a few different things that you will want to pay attention to when checking out the table’s surface. Even if you’re not there to physically inspect it, you can usually get the info from the product description.

You definitely want a table with a laminate instead of stick-on designs. Why? Because the stick-on ones can peel and roll up, which is a problem during game play. Normally, you only have to worry about the stick-on designs if you get a cheap particleboard table. This also includes the field markings – stay away from tables that use stick-on field markings for the same reason.

The final thing to consider about the table surface is speed. With most American tables, the playing surface has a very smooth and hard finish. And the harder and smoother the surface, the faster your ball will travel during play. Many European tables have a solid wood finish that results in slower ball travel. If you want to get really good and play like the professionals, then you need a table that offers quick ball travel like Tornado tables.

Laminated Foosball Table

Check whether the table has stick-on designs or are laminated. This will tell a lot about the longevity of your foosball table. Cheap quality of stickers will eventually start to peel off and ruin the look of your table.
Superior quality of laminated composite table will enhance the aesthetic look of the table, making it appear brand-new for a long period of time.
Very high-quality and tournament-level foosball tables feature solid wood construction with furniture-style veneer cabinets and accents of stainless steel to enhance its durability.

Markings on the Foosball Table

Field markings on the foosball table make a huge impact on your game. It will help you line up the ball while taking shots and also make your table look quite stylish.
As I mentioned above, some brands might use low-quality stickers to provide these markings on the table. These tend to wear off very quickly and before you know it, your table starts to look old and worn out.
Premium quality tables will come with permanent dyed markings with lamination.

Safety features

The importance of safety features depends on how you plan on using your table. However, this is definitely something that should be taken into account. If your kids will be using the table, you should ensure that it is actually safe for them to play. One of the biggest safety concerns is the rods especially on the ends without handles because fingers can easily get caught if they don’t have ample protection.
You should also ensure that you buy a table that has a good and reliable ball recovery system to ensure that you don’t have to reach into the foosball table itself to grab the ball out of the goal.

Look and feel

It’s definitely very important to get a table that you’ll enjoy having and looking at; probably a table that complements the general appeal of your business or recreational room. Look around to see if you can find a foosball table that matches your personal taste. Fun graphics and sleek designs can even get you more excited about playing and this will make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Some foosball tables also include brightly colored/painted players making the game feel even more real. Other tables have the traditional blue and red peg style take makes the game feel like the good old fun days. The style or design you choose is definitely a personal choice.

Height adjustment of the table

Standard foosball tables usually have a height of about 36” which is perfect for both teens and adults. However, this height is not ideal for children who want to play foosball and this makes it necessary to lower the height. Therefore, if you are looking for a table that will be used by the entire family, you should choose a table that allows height adjustment.