Upgrade Your Rec Room with the Best Pool Table
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Playcraft Sport Bank Shot 40" Pool Table -
Fat Cat Frisco 7' Pool Table -
Bello Games New York Deluxe Pool Table -
Fat Cat Tucson MMXI 7' Pool Table -
Carmelli NG5026 Breakout 40-in Tabletop Pool Table -
Buyer's Guide
When selecting the best pool table, the most important thing to think about is size. Not all rooms are created like pool halls with tons of room, and often, home rec rooms require something smaller than standard size. So measure before going out to purchase a new pool table, keeping in mind to add at least 10 feet to each dimension of a table to allow enough room for shots. Professional tables are 9 feet in length so a large amount of space is required, but as this list will show you, size isn't important to recreational play.
Slate bed tables are the best to look for and, as such, are also the most pricey. They last the longest and offer the best play. Best pool tables in 2022 made of MDF (pressure treated wood) usually still give excellent play at lesser cost, but they are more prone to warping over time if not properly maintained in a controlled environment. Some MDF tables have steel rods, which limits warping and extends the life of these tables.
This list will look at the best and most versatile pool tables for everyday use with the average household in mind, and each one has made the list based upon a variety of selection criteria. First, these picks utilize quality materials in the construction of each table, including the cabinet, the playing surface, and the felt covering on the surface. The cabinets are sturdy and crafted from strong wood and other high end materials so these tables won't sag or split (thus making the playing surface uneven). The playing surfaces, if not slate, are made of MDF or other reliable slate substitutes such as plywood, fiberboard or slatron. The felt will be a wool and nylon blend with a Teflon coating to keep the material durable and fast, so the balls react properly as they spin across the table.
These tables were also chosen by considering the quality of their side rail and cushion quality, crucial areas where the balls bank across the table during game play, and if they aren't made of materials such as K-66 rubbers or other gum types, then the balls won't bounce accurately. You do not want any dead spots on a rail and these tables have been built with proper materials to avoid these problems. Finally, the legs are constructed to remain sturdy and stable for the life of the product as they hold the majority of the weight of the table; they’re securely attached to the support frames and built to withstand years of play.
Each of these picks represents the best of these criteria in products that are available on the market right now. We also took assembly requirements into account, so keep in mind many of these table have different assembly requirements that could prove difficult for some consumers to navigate successfully without some professional help.
The Best Pool Table Models of 2022 in Detail
Playcraft Sport Bank Shot 40" Pool Table - Best Pool Table Overall
The Sprint brings home real billiard hall gameplay with this table measuring seven feet in length and comes in red, electric blue, or green durable Taclon cloth covering. The table doesn't require much assembly once it's delivered to your house, simply install the legs (which also include levelers to ensure the table is straight and even all the way across) and you're pretty much ready to get started.
The playing surface is composed of resin infused HDF with a pvc coating and k65 rails that provide true and accurate ball response at every part of the table. Tubular aluminum and steel supports round out the package in this well-made and reliable table that you can find at an affordable price of under $1000. The company also offers an optional 2-in-1 table-top insert for ping-pong on one side and push hockey on the other to make the table a complete gaming center for hours of enjoyment.
Fat Cat Frisco 7' Pool Table - Runner Up
Measuring seven feet in length, the Frisco II is an attractive table which brings subtle class to any room. Covered in a brown wool blend cloth, the playing surface is built from 1 inch MDF Accuslate which is designed not to warp over time; in fact, the manufacturer is so sure it will remain straight and completely even, it comes with a seven year warranty. The thick, beveled legs and cabinet are wood veneer mahogany and six inch thick side rails with K66 rubber bumpers which offer excellent ball movement and response for true authentic billiards playability. White diamond inlays along the rails and fringed drop pockets round out the beauty of this sturdy table. The table also comes with a pair of 57 inch long cues, chalk, a full set of pool balls, and a resin triangle for racking them up.
Bello Games New York Deluxe Pool Table - Honorable Mention
If a regulation size table is just too large for your home but a table-top version is too small, then you may have found just what you're been searching for in the Deluxe Pool Table from Bello Games New York. This table measures 44 inches in length and 24 inches wide, which is considerably less than half the size of a regulation-size table so it can fit in any living room that can't accommodate the dimensions of the larger version. There's no assembly required here either; just take it out of the box, unfold the legs all the way out and place it wherever you want.
The first thing you'll notice about the table is how much it weighs, as it’s heavy and sturdy enough to present a stationary, reliable playing surface. The Deluxe doesn't look, feel or play like one of those cheap tabletop-style tables either. The cabinet is made of solid hardwood and the surface cloth has a thick texture much like that you'd find on a real pool table; while the balls react with the same velocity and inertia off the bumpers as they would at your local billiard hall.
Despite its smaller dimensions, the Deluxe uses regulation balls which are included in the package and you can even use standard size cues to shoot. The table comes with a set of cues that are almost too lightweight for even the most novice of players, but they should do the trick nicely for a night of fun and games at home.
Fat Cat Tucson MMXI 7' Pool Table - Consider
The Tucson is Fat Cat's seven foot table that retails for well under $1000. It uses 18mm thick MDF for the playing surface with thick rubber bumpers and they've covered it all in a brilliant blue polyester cloth. The table is black with silver accents and combined with the blue surface, this is one sharp-looking addition to any room.
Playability of the table is nice and even, with good ball response along the bumpers and it comes equipped with a ball return for easy, one-stop access when you're ready to rack them up again. This also includes the cue-ball which will roll into the hopper on every scratch; if it's late in the game, you'll have to shuffle around to find it among all the others that have been sunk already.
Assembly isn't too complicated but it does take time, as you have to negotiate multiple pieces of 17 different parts that make up the entire product. Yet despite the use of MDF instead of slate, this table is still very heavy and you're going to need at least two sets of hands to maneuver and turn it upright once you've finished putting it all together. The Tucson comes with everything you need to play in one box; along with the table you get a set of regulation size balls, two 57 inch cues, two pieces of chalk, and a triangle.
Carmelli NG5026 Breakout 40-in Tabletop Pool Table - Best Pool Table
Made entirely of thick "CARB" certified MDF, the Sharp Shooter is a forty inch long table-top version of a typical pool table. The CARB designation means it’s much stronger and resilient than your everyday particle board or plastic so you need not worry about letting the little ones play with this without supervision. But you'll want in on the action anyway because despite the size of the table and the subsequent smaller balls and cue in relation, the Sharp Shooter still offers plenty of fun which provides a great introduction of this game to children. The L-shaped legs at each corner ensure stability during game play and soft pads safeguard whatever table or counter-top you choose to set the game up on. When you're done playing the table is lightweight at only 24 pounds, making it easy to store until the next game night.
Buyer's Guide
Buying a pool table for your house or business is a huge investment. Since it is used for the long term and an excellent addition to your valuables, you cannot take an impulse decision while choosing one. There are many factors you have to take into account before investing in a pool table. Similar to expensive cars, pool tables come with all sorts of whistles and belts to consider.
Whether you are a leisure participant, somebody who would like to level up their game, or possibly a league participant, the pool table is where everything begins. So, this guide will provide you will nuggets of information to help you facilitate your pool table hunt.
What Type of Pool Table is Right For You?
English Tables
The standard size of an English tournament table is 6 or 7 feet, which is commonly found in nightclubs and bars. Their balls are smaller in size, i.e., 2 inches in diameter, and on a coin-operated table, the cue ball is 1⅞ inch. Since the size of balls is in direct proportion to the pockets, these pool tables don’t need too much surface to play on. Thus, English pool tables are ideal for people that are short on a place.
American Pool Tables
With bigger balls and bigger pockets, American tables are usually bigger in size, ranging from 7 feet to 9.5 feet. Since their standard tournament size is 9 feet, they are not considered a good fit for most homes. That’s why people prefer Americal pool tables of 8 feet in length, which has become their most popular size. Besides, 7 feet tables are prevalent in many pool halls in America as they cover less space.
Pool Dining Tables
Pool dining tables are also called pool diners that allow you to lay a matching hard top onto them when you want to use them for eating, entertainment, or working. Thus, these tables are mostly equipped for home use. The length and depth of this type of table are ideated in such a way that you can easily have dinner on it using regular dining chairs. Besides, you can remove the top, keep it in a safe place, and set up a match whenever you want a game of pool.
Pool diners are the best option for people who don’t have enough space to accommodate a standard pool table. Currently, a plethora of designs is available in the market to fit a variety of home decors in several different finishes.
Commercial Pool Tables
If you want people to pay you for using your pool table, then commercial models are the best choice as they are available in various styles and systems. The most common system is the straight-six coin handling system, enabling you to select the price and the types of coins to be accepted. The customers just have to put the coins in the tray and push the lever toward the table. Thus, the balls will be released once the mechanism accepts the coins.
If the straight-six mechanism is not a good fit for you, then you can incline toward upgraded coin-operated tables that offer coin handling. These pool tables are designed to accept different kinds of denominations and are reinforced with a push button to start. A more advanced level coin-operated system will allow you to set hourly or daily rates and also come with the feature to change automatically when required.
What are the Styles of Pool Tables?
Vintage
These are the basic pool tables that your grandparents grew up playing and have been in existence for decades. They are typically covered in classic red or green felt and possess a wooden framework. The legs of this table have classic styling and pattern that you may see on elderly tables or chairs.
Contemporary
The contemporary tables have sport bold colors, polished black finishes, and look excellent in a home game room. These pool tables have various designs of cloth covers engraved with the emblems of sport teams, making it easier for you to personalize your model and match it with your interior decor.
Modern
Modern pool tables are a bit darker though some models have more natural wood tones, allowing the elegance of the finished grain to become noticeable. These updated pool tables have great aesthetics and add some visual weight to your place. If you choose a modern-style table, make sure the color of its felt matches your room decor so that your pool table fits seamlessly.
Though pool tables are available in many other styles, these are the most common yet popular styles that most people prefer.
What are the Other Factors You Should Consider When Purchasing a Pool Table?
Slate
A pool table made with slate has no match. Slate is basically a shale or stone that is minded, quarried, sliced, and leveled into sleek horizontal sheets ideal for cue sports or pool. Common alternatives to slate are fiberboard, permaslate, slatron, and plywood, but none can match the level of smooth experience offered by slate.
Pool Table Legs
Pool tables typically have two types of legs: post legs and industry-standard legs. The post legs are made of solid wood pieces from the slate. These are reliable legs that will last long and won’t affect your gameplay experience over time. On the other hand, industry-standard legs further have two types.
The first is a single anchor system that uses a combination of a single bolt and nut. These legs will loosen as time progresses and impact your gaming experience negatively. The other type is the quad anchor system that has a combination of four bolts and nuts, making it better and more secure than the single anchor system.
Bed Cloth
The two most frequent materials used for manufacturing the primary structure of a pool table are MDF and futon. The cost of tables created with these materials varies significantly based on the price of its raw material.
If you are a serious pool player and have a good budget, opt for the futon pool desk. However, you can turn to the MDF pool desk if you are a beginner and have a tight budget.
Final Words
Pool tables are worth the investment. In this guide, we have provided you with all the necessary information you need to purchase the best pool table. All you have to do is keep these factors, styles, and types in mind while comparing different models and spending your money on the one that suits your requirements and preferences.
Pool Table FAQ
Q: How to know whether my pool table is slate or not?
A: Though many pool tables are non-slate, i.e., made of perma-slate or slatron, the best surface for a pool table is slate as it keeps your table durable and long-lasting. To determine whether your pool table is slate or not, look under the table, and you will find all the information related to it.
Q: How can I protect my pool table?
A: You can protect your pool table using a heavy-duty cover. It will not only fend off sunlight and dust but also maintain its polish for years.
Q: How frequently should I refelt a pool table?
A: If you play pool every day, you can estimate the felt to last about three years. However, most people prefer to change the felt long before it is worn out.
