subject: Tips For Buying A Table Tennis Table [print this page] In this article we are going to be discussing what to look for when purchasing a table tennis table, this article is for folks new to the sport of for people who want to upgrade an existing table.
spend your money wisely!
Remember all makers say their Table is best for you! It is very important before you make your purchase that your needs are clear in your mind. Many folks just want to play for fun or fitness (or both!) others want to improve their game and enter competitions, either way unless you have plenty of money, you will need to choose carefully.
Is this your Families First Table Tennis Table.
For your families first table tennis table I would recommend exploring the cheaper tables. If you want all members of the family to enjoy table tennis it might be a good idea to buy a cheaper table first. All young families will tend to give their first table tennis table a tough time, so if you buy a cheaper table to start off, then if you have a budding world champion in the family. You can upgrade to a more professional model later.
Permanent Vs Fold Flat Table Tennis Tables.
Few people have the room to leave a table tennis table set up permanently in the house so i would recommend a folding table as they are very easy to use, and make good starter tables. Ensure the table can be setup and closed by 1 person. Good tables have rollers so you can move it around. You don't want your table to move during play, so ensure the brakes work well.
Even if you determine that you can leave your table set up all the time, things can, and inevitably do change so a folding table can make very good sense in the long term.There are many factors to consider when making a big purchase such as this.
How thick is a good table?
The upper end of the market are 1 inch (25mm) thick, this is a competition standard table and does come with increased cost. I have found that the play on modern 19mm (0.75 inches) tables is excellent and well worth considering. Most top players will not be afraid to admit that their first, or second for that matter, table was not full spec competition standard. So I would recommend looking for a 19mm thick top from a good manufacturer like Stiga, unless you can find a thicker top for a great price.
When you are playing competitions it makes sense to practice on a table of the same standard as your competetors, so now is a good time to upgrade.
The Top is not the only thing to think about.
Make sure that the table you buy is of a good quality all round, paying particular attention to the support legs. A good feature built into a lot of tables is leg levellers. Outdoor Table Tennis is great fun so leg levellers are very useful here. Make sure your table top is precisely 76cm from the floor. Equally crucial to the overall quality are the small things like the net fittings etc.
All these small points add up and you deserve to get a good quality product for your money. These days good quality and value for money are important and if you follow these points I'm sure you will find a great table
