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The billiard/pool table is a popular choice when it comes to large entertainment equipment for numerous reasons. However, it can be challenging and confusing to find the right make and model, especially if there are young family members who will use it. Several factors can impact your decision, including price, performance, appearance, size of the table, the size of the room, and many more.
You must know what you need if you want to buy a pool table for your home. Take the measurements of the area where you will place the pool table and ensure there is enough room for operating the pool cues. Also, you must know the type of game you want to have. Do not purchase a pool table like the ones used in tournaments if you are looking for something to pass the time or if you are a beginner. Will your kids use the pool table? Then, you can choose a smaller model that is ideal for kids.
You must do your homework before buying a new pool table regardless of your situation. Doing your homework ensures you find a table that perfectly matches your needs. We would like to make your research more manageable, so we did exhaustive research on some of the most popular pool tables for homes, so you don’t have to. Read below to find one that best fits your situation.
Barrington Springdale |
Fat Cat Trueshot |
Imperial Outdoor |
Hathaway Spartan | |
| Honors | Best in Class | Best Value | ||
| The Good | Very high quality with luxurious appearance. Elegant design adds to any room. High value buy considering the quality. | Solid and affordable pool table. Compact design makes it perfect for almost any room. Good speed control on a small table. | Extremely durable and made to withstand the outdoor elements. Fast and accurate play with no drifting. Good looking table. | Smaller table (6’) that plays much larger than expected. Compact and easy to adjust to almost any environment. Ping pong table is sturdy and doesn’t fold (good thing). |
| The Bad | Not much wrong with this pool table. The cue sticks could use improvement, but those are easily replaced. The table is very heavy, so use a helper or two during assembly. | Smaller table that isn’t regulation size. Accessories exhibit lower quality tendencies. | Outdoor table with a steep price. A premium model that is reflected in the cost. | Some low-quality components. On slow shots, some drift is possible. |
| Overall | One of the best mid-grade pool tables that masquerades as a premium model. | An excellent value buy. High quality workmanship for an affordable and versatile table. Very few problems. | The best outdoor pool table currently available. Lasts forever and plays like a dream. Be prepared to pay for the exquisite craftsmanship. | A good option for budget-conscious buyers. Easy to switch between table tennis and pool. Both play well, but not great. |
| Our Rating | 8.4 | 8.0 | 9.4 | 7.4 |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
A great pool table is an asset in any home. It provides a focal point for entertainment and the many different styles allow a quality pool table to complement the decor and aesthetics of any room. For those in search of that classic style, the Barrington Springdale 90” pool table ticks all the right boxes as it simply oozes quality and luxury – and it also comes complete with everything family and guests require to enjoy a top-class game of billiards/pool. However, the classic and stylish ball and claw design of the legs is not the only design feature that makes this pool table such a great investment, it boasts touches of modernity that make any game of pool an absolute pleasure.
Firstly there is the dark wood grain laminate finish. It maintains that classic look, but is also highly scratch-resistant, making it perfect for families with small children or where the table is going to see regular use. The leather-textured and lined pockets maintain that classic look but are also wear-resistant. Those pockets are also deep enough to ensure that play is not continually interrupted to remove balls. The surface is a tricot polyester blended felt which is easy to clean and provides a professional playing experience. Those legs are immensely attractive but under the wood-look cladding/molds, they are metal, adding to the stability and toughness of the table.
The table comes complete with everything that is required to start playing immediately after it has been assembled (the manufacturer recommends a professional assembler, at 260 pounds the job can be both exhausting and time-consuming for the layman). The table comes complete with a complete set of classic billiard balls (15 numbered billiard balls and 1 cue ball), two high-quality cues, the classic triangle ball rack, and a brush to keep the surface of the table in tip-top condition. Two cubes of chalk are also supplied. If you are on the lookout for a billiard/pool table that sports classic good looks combined with quality design, the Barrington Springdale pool table could be the perfect addition to your home.
A primary concern in finding a pool table for your home is commonly size and where it will fit. The Fat Cat Trueshot 6’ pool table seeks to remedy that quandary with its compact, yet sturdy design. Featuring a smooth black design with folding legs, the Trueshot table is lightweight and extremely versatile to ensure you don’t have any problems with placement. The Fat Cat table measures in at approximately 6-feet, which is smaller than a regulation-sized table. The smaller size makes this a perfect table for older children to start honing their skills. While it is plenty big for most adults, it is not suitable for practicing for tournaments or other semi-professional competitions.
The Fat Cat Trueshot pool table plays at an excellent speed for a smaller pool table. The rails offer just the right amount of rebound for a small table to prevent any uncontrolled ricochets or other problems. Similarly, the felt cloth slows the ball down, which is a good thing on a 6-foot table. Shots go where you expect them to go with little balance issues. If you are having problems with sloped floors, leg levelers are in place to make sure you are playing on an even surface.
Overall, the Fat Cat Trueshot 6’ pool table offers almost any homeowner an excellent way to play pool, in even small rooms. The compact nature of this table makes it an excellent option if you don’t have a dedicated game room or exorbitant amounts of space. The sleek black design allows it to blend into almost any décor without being too distracting. Furthermore, this is a high-quality pool table at a very affordable price. The workmanship is top-notch with only a few gripes, primarily coming from the accessories (triangle, brush, chalk), which are easily replaced.
It is usually expensive to invest in any outdoor pool table. To make a well-informed decision, you must do your due diligence if you want to purchase one. This 8-feet pool table delivers on its high price tag. It will look great on your patio or any place you plan to put it due to its modern aesthetic. It has a full-sized playing surface. The Imperial Outdoor pool table was built with being outdoors in mind, and it shows!
This pool table has anodized aluminum rails, corners, and legs. One hundred forty layers of Formica sheets and polyester resin are used to make the entire bed board. The table is an ideal choice for an outdoor pool table because the polyester resin and Formica sheets enhance weatherproofing and durability.
The Imperial pool table can blend into your outdoor environment because it is equipped with tan coating. The tan coating also helps the table mask dirt and other debris that it can encounter. That is why this pool table can look brand new for an exceptionally long time. The table comes with a set of polyester balls that are ideal for the outdoors. Additionally, a cover that protects it from the elements is included. A waterproof Taclon cloth covers the bed of the table. This makes the table capable to withstand the harsh elements and excess moisture that the outdoors can bring.
This outdoor pool table is pre-assembled, so it is easy to get the table up and ready to play. You will just bolt on the legs, and you are ready to go. This table is perfect for you if you hate ‘babying’ your pool table and you are looking for an outdoor pool table that requires little maintenance. It has a high-quality build and it is durable. It is an ideal choice for those looking for an outdoor setup due to its consistent usage of waterproof materials.
This affordable pool table is a great product for anyone searching for a pool/table tennis combo. Even though the prices of this pool table are affordable, it does not mean you will buy an inferior product. In fact, you will get a good value for your money by buying the Hathaway Spartan.
Firstly, it is a great addition to any game room. It gives a timeless air of elegance due to its black melamine and burgundy felt finish. And it seems to age well. The component features of the table tennis include a poly sealed playing top. The surface of both the table tennis and pool table will provide several years of enjoyment. Measuring approximately 6’, the Hathaway Spartan is smaller than a regulation pool or tennis table. This makes it much more fitting for younger family members. The smaller size and ability to lower the surface of the table provides a much more accommodating experience for smaller players. It still works well for adults if you are just playing for fun and not practicing for professional or semi-professional tournaments.
The ping pong top addition does not fold like others and it works very well. Folding tops can inevitably cause uneven play regardless of the design. This is because of the fold. The table tennis is flawless because it features a solid piece. You will not only get an array of times to play pool, but you will also get several ping pong accessories such as a net and 2 ping pong paddles.
It is easy to have fun with family and friends with this combo. This combo also offers a great value for the money. It is possible to start having fun right away with this package because it comes with all the accessories. It is easy to get the pool table at a reasonable price and the table offers solid play for either solo or groups. Even though this pool table is smaller than a regulation sized table, it makes the play a little more fast paced. Furthermore, the versatility of table allows owners to place it almost anywhere they like in their homes.
This is a massive 100-inches pool table, weighing in at a whopping 384 pounds. It is a premium home pool table, so the build quality of the table is extremely impressive. It is a great choice for almost every home due to its excellent performance and the high-quality nature of the table.
The felt cover slate of this pool table is an eye-catching lime green, but this depends on the style you select. The table also features a spectacular walnut veneer frame and legs. This Barrington table is an ideal addition to any room because it oozes luxury. It is not like other pool tables that are not perfect for a game room. The pool table offers everything you will need. This is because it comes with all the must-have accessories such as a brush, chalk, a triangle, 2 cues, and billiard balls.
Twenty-five-millimeter-thick wool felt covers the pool table. The billiard balls roll consistently and smoothly because a professional-grade 50% blend felt is used for the surface of the table. This satisfies anyone looking for professional-grade performance. The table manages to remain as level as possible as you play because there is an 18mm MDF support frame underneath the table.
The Barrington 100” table comes with an official-size dartboard made of birch wood-veneer. Also, there is everything you will need to get started in this set. Included in the set are 6 flights, a dry erase marker, and 6 steel tip professional darts.
The Barrington Hatherley pool table is exceedingly durable, well-made, and looks great! It is among the better all-around pool tables for homes. While the Barrington pool table is not cheap, it does not cost as much as most commercial models. The old-fashioned design of this pool table brings luxury to any room. It drips with class and elegance for anyone who wants a classic looking billiard table for their homes.
A pool table is a great addition to your game room. In fact, it can be the centerpiece of your game room if you invest in the right product. A high-quality pool table provides many hours of fun for your family and friends. With many models, sizes, and styles to choose from, a pool table can be a confusing purchase to make. This article provides information on what you need to look for when buying a pool table for your home.
Difference Between Slate And MDFThe bed forms the playfield of the pool table. It is usually covered by a cloth and generates a flat and consistent surface to play the game. If you want a high-end pool table for a great playing experience, you should opt for a slate bed pool table. Slate bed pool tables are made from real rock slate where the slate is carefully honed to make it perfectly flat. In fact, some of the larger pool tables consist of sectional slate beds. When installing the table, two or three sections of slate are joined by technicians.
On the other hand, MDF bed pool tables are specifically designed for home game rooms. They are great for fun experiences with your family and friends. The game experience may not be quite as good as with slate, but these tables are lightweight and low-cost compared to slate-bed pool tables. They also have many other household-friendly features such as multi-game systems and folding systems.
This is one of the first things to consider when you decide to buy a pool table for your home. A pool table takes up a lot of space in your home. One important reason is a pool table should have access from every angle with plenty of cueing room. British tables are more compact compared to American tables. In fact, a British table is 6ft to 7ft in length while an American table is 7ft to 9ft in length. If you have limited space in your home, you should opt for a British table instead of an American table. You should also add the length of your cue to the width and depth of the pool table for a rough guide on space. For example, if you decide to buy a 6-foot table with a playfield length/width of 82 cm x 160 cm, the game room should measure at least 372 cm x 450 cm if you are using a 145 cm pool cue.
Slate bed tables come with a cloth fitted. The cloth is usually fitted to the slate prior to installation. High-end slate pool tables come with a high-quality cloth fitted. The feel of the cloth will affect how the ball rolls and reacts during play. A fuzzy and soft cloth will play slower while smooth cloths play faster and make the ball go a long way with a small amount of force.
Professional-grade cloth is what is usually fitted to high-end pool tables. This type of cloth has a high wool content and a very tight weave. They are smooth and fast. Recreational-grade cloth is fitted to amateur pool tables that play slower. On the other hand, intermediate-grade cloth plays faster than recreational-grade cloth and is more durable. Most MDF bed pool tables have a cloth pre-fitted during manufacture. You can choose from a wide variety of cloth options that changes with your chosen table finish.
Other Features To ConsiderMost British pool tables have pockets that are linked via an internal ball return chute, which helps return the balls to one end of the table after potting. The chute will be split into two parts on a coin-operated table. One part will return colored balls to the ball drawer ready for the next coin while the other part will return the white ball to the end of the table ready for re-spotting. On the other hand, American pool tables usually come with simple drop pockets, similar to snooker pockets. The pockets will simply fill with the balls as they are potted. While some of these tables have ball return options, they can be somewhat expensive.
MDF-bed pool tables accompany a folding design at times. The weight of a slate-bed table makes it very difficult to fold such a table. MDF-bed folding pool tables come with retractable legs fitting into the underside of the table. You can easily store such a table up against the wall or under a bed.
Almost all pool tables need level adjusters, which are simple threads that let you easily adjust each foot of the pool table to get it perfectly level. Some high-quality pool tables have slate adjusters instead of foot adjusters. Slate adjusters will allow the players to level the playing surface at different points around the slate and get the best possible results when playing the game.
Don’t forget to check the quality of the accessories you receive with the pool table. For example, check the quality of billiard balls, pool cues, ball racks, brushes, bridge sticks, cue chalk, training balls, and more.
Q: What is the standard size of a pool table?
A: The standard 8 feet pool table with a playfield of 44″ X 88″ is the most commonly sold product in the U.S for homes and private residences.
Q: Can a pool table fit a 12 X 12 room?
A: Pool tables are available in different standard sizes. The typical home table is approximately 8 feet long. With the pool cue being 58 inches in length, players will not have enough space to move around in 12 feet by 12 feet room.
Q: How long does a slate pool table last?
A: If you use such a table between 4-6 hours a day, the playing surface cloth will last for about 3 years.
