Table tennis tables or ping pong tables have been a proud staple of leisure centres, parks, and homes & gardens for years. With just two paddles and a ball, they have the power to bring people together through a friendly (or competitive) game. With many outdoor table tennis tables designed nowadays to compete on quality with indoor table tennis tables, you can enjoy this sport from the comfort of your own garden, soaking up the summer sun and enjoying time well spent with friends or family.
When looking to buy a ping pong table there is a lot to consider, with so many brands, styles and sizes, you want something durable enough to withstand any adverse weather conditions but built for performance too, and that combination is hard to find. To make it easy, we’ve searched all major retailers and reviewed their best-selling products to bring you a comprehensive list of the best table tennis tables to buy. We’ve also written a detailed, easy to follow buying guide too. This is the last place you’ll need to look to find the perfect table.
But before reading our top reviews, we let's answer the one question we get asked the most...
In this review, we discuss;
Can indoor table tennis tables be used outside?
Indoor table tennis tables shouldn’t go outside for any length of time as they’re not designed to withstand sun or rain, and can therefore get damaged easily. Playing on an indoor ping pong table in direct sunlight can lead to blemishes and even warp the material, and if they get wet can in some cases lead to rotting. However, it can be ok to play on an indoor table outside for a short period of time out of direct sunlight and on a clear day, as long as you move it back indoors afterwards.
Top 6 Outdoor Table Tennis Tables
1. Butterfly Unisex Ultimate Outdoor Table Tennis Table
This Butterfly outdoor table tennis table, made by one of the market leaders in this space in the UK and US, is designed to offer exceptional durability whilst competing with indoor table tennis tables on playing performance and bounce. The 18mm plywood resin playing surface is what achieves this superior game play, with an extra strong top that offers the strength of steel but feel of wood. The frame and legs are both made from steel and are brought together with magenta corner pieces for added protection. It’s a very quick and easy one to assemble too, in no longer than 30 minutes for two adults.
Key features:
- Size: Full size (275cm x 153cm x 161cm)
- Material: Plywood, galvanised steel, polyurethane paint
- Accessories: None
- Price range: £££
- Retailer: Amazon
2. Cornilleau Sport 100S Outdoor Table Tennis Table
When most players think of table tennis table manufacturers they think of Cornilleau before any others. They really are the undisputed leader for playing performance. This Cornilleau outdoor table tennis table is their most affordable option and they proclaim that it’s their best-seller too and we can see why. As with most outdoor tables from this brand it’s made with a resin laminate playing surface (this one is 5mm) making it extremely durable, shock resistant and weather resistant so it can be left outside all year round. This is the most budget-friendly outdoor ping pong table available on-line and our choice for amateurs and players just starting out.
Key features:
- Size: Full size (274cm x 152.5cm x 76cm)
- Material: Resistant steel, resin laminate playing surface
- Accessories: None (accessory packs available separately)
- Price range: £
- Retailer: Home Leisure Direct
3. Cornilleau Sport 300S Outdoor Table Tennis Table
The 300S Sport from Cornilleau is a step up on the 100S without a huge difference in cost, offering all the same qualities as the 100 but with the added benefit of a stronger, more durable frame. The frame is made from zinc and aluminium alloy, all at an incredibly low cost given the quality it offers. Cornilleau are masters in convenience too, and this affordable table demonstrates that with it’s arch legs and leg levellers, and four quality wheels with brakes. Also available in grey.
Key features:
- Size: Full size (274cm x 152.5cm x 76cm)
- Material: Resistant steel, resin laminate playing surface
- Accessories: None (accessory packs available separately)
- Price range: £
- Retailer: Home Leisure Direct
4. Cornilleau Performance 500M Outdoor Table Tennis Table
Another advancement from the masters that are Cornilleau, the 500M puts playing performance and quality at the heart of it with a thick 7mm resin laminate surface that offers a far superior bounce quality to the 5mm alternative. It’s a regulation table tennis table with a stronger frame than similar products from this brand at 60mm, made from zinc and aluminum alloy too to ensure a flat playing surface no matter the weather. A great benefit to this ping pong table is the easy storage of bats and balls built into the table, and with a central handle that means it can be fully locked in play and when folded away it’s amongst the safest products of its kind on the market. This table is also available in grey.
Key features:
- Size: Full size (274cm x 152.5cm x 76cm)
- Material: Resistant steel, resin laminate playing surface
- Accessories: None (accessory packs available separately)
- Price range: ££
- Retailer: Home Leisure Direct
5. Butterfly Slimline Deluxe Outdoor Table Tennis Table
This full size outdoor ping pong table from Butterfly is designed with durability and style in mind, bringing together the strength of steel with its slim frame making it look more stylish but also a lot easier to transport and store at only 66cm in width when folded. It has an ultra thick plywood playing surface at 12mm offering close to premium game play. As with many other quality outdoor table tennis tables to buy, it’s finished with polyurethane paint to ensure it lasts and lasts whatever the weather. This is one of the few products of its type sold by John Lewis & Partners in the UK so a fantastic buy from a highly trusted name.
Key features:
- Size: Full size (274cm x 152.5cm x 76cm)
- Material: Galvanised steel, plywood playing surface
- Accessories: 4x Butterfly Skills reverse table tennis bats, 3x Butterfly Easy Poly practice table tennis balls, waterproof cover, outdoor net, post set
- Price range: ££
- Retailer: John Lewis & Partners
6. RS Barcelona Stationary Table Tennis Table
Without a doubt one of the most stylish and elegant outdoor table tennis tables on the market, and from Spanish manufacturers A.P.O it’s no surprise. As well as the sleek, coated black steel it also comes in white. This is an extremely hard-wearing and durable table with legs built from quality Iroko wood, the net from coated polyester fabric, and the body from protected steel. A surprising benefit to this table is that it’s free delivery, almost unheard of for premium outdoor ping pong tables such as this. On top of all this, it’s designed so that the net can be easily removed and transformed into an elegant outdoor dining table, offering a fantastic table for hosting any special occasions at home.
Key features:
- Size: Oversized (274cm x 184cm x 76cm)
- Material: Treated steel, Iroko wood, polyester paint
- Accessories: 2x Adidas table tennis bats, x6 table tennis balls
- Price range: ££££
- Retailer: Home Leisure Direct
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Buying Guide
Our experts have put together a comprehensive list of everything you need to think about when choosing a table tennis table to buy. Below we take you through what to look for when buying, including size, price, and how to know whether your table is suitable for outdoor use, as well as how to keep it clean and well maintained.
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor table tennis tables?
The main difference is the material used to make indoor and outdoor table tennis tables which has an impact on the game play. Indoor tables are typically made from solid plywood whilst outdoor ping pong tables are a combination of metal and wood, and are coated to protect them from the weather. There is no difference in size. The material used does make the game play slower on an outdoor table as the balls bounce less well, but they’re more durable, usually waterproof and long-lasting.
To make up for the slower playing speed on a table tennis table outdoors, it’s worth buying specially made outdoor table tennis balls which are a similar price to standard ones. These are slightly larger and are made to be harder so they are wind resistant and can withstand water better.
What to look for when buying
1. Size and weight
There is not a lot of variation in the size of a table tennis table even across indoor and outdoor tables, which makes buying one a whole lot simpler. For a full size table tennis table to be considered regulation according to the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) it must be 152.5cm in width, 274cm in length, and 183cm in length. There are of course smaller versions you can buy that are designed for kids, newcomers to the sport or hobbyists which are a lot cheaper but not typically suitable for playing outside. Remember, you need more room than just the size of the table to make sure you can play unobstructed, take a look at our Table Tennis Size Guide and Dimensions to understand exactly how much space you need
2. Price
Outdoor ping pong tables are a little more expensive than indoor alternatives due to the material used to build them (they need to withstand the elements outside), but that’s not to say you can’t find one at a good value. Far from it. For a mid-range table tennis table you can expect to pay between £300 and £1,500, much less and you can’t be certain of the quality. As you pay more the benefits you get are typically a better quality build for durability, and a more advanced folding or rolling mechanism for the portable ping pong tables.
3. Suitable for outside
Before committing to a table tennis table to buy, here’s our short checklist to be confident your table really is suitable to be played on outside.
- Weatherproof surfaces: The material used in an outdoor table tennis table varies a lot more than with the indoor alternatives, but all should clearly state that they’re suitable to be played on outdoors. You can find versions in aluminium, stainless steel, plastic or even concrete for permanent tables. Look for tables with coated surfaces such as resin or polyurethane paint.
- Adjustable legs: One useful feature of an outdoor table is adjustable feet or legs, as it’s a lot harder to find a truly flat surface outside than inside. With adjustable legs you can feel confident in finding an even surface anywhere. Most outdoor ping pong tables are also foldable and come with wheels to make it easier to move them in or out of sunlight, or for moving house.
- Robust and sturdy build: Perhaps the most important thing to be sure of when buying an outdoor ping pong table, you want to know it will last and last. With sun, wind and rain to contend with, be sure to look at the legs and main body of your table, if they look flimsy or thin in pictures they are probably to be avoided. Frames in teel, aluminium and other metals are great, and some quality plastic tables are suitable too. Most combine wood and metal.
4. Folding or permanent
In your search for a table to buy you may have come across a choice of foldable ping pong tables versus permanent table tennis tables. These permanent ones are typically made and sold to businesses or local governments for parks and other recreational areas. That’s because they come at a slightly higher price and are extremely durable to protect against all weathers and even people abusing them. These are of course available to customers too and can be a very good choice for those who know they’d like a table for years to come, however the majority on-line and by far the most common are folding table tennis tables.
How to maintain an outdoor ping pong table
There are two things to consider after buying a new or used table tennis table to ensure it stays good quality: cleaning and covering. If your table isn’t kept clean you’ll quickly see the impact it has on the bounce speed, and any rust or dirt can easily transfer to your table tennis bat or paddle.
Firstly, buy a table tennis table cover to keep it from unnecessary damage whilst you’re not playing with it, this is by far the best thing you can do. Then, try to wipe down the surface with a wet cloth or even a small amount of water mixed with vinegar to remove any dust or dirt. You can even buy table tennis cleaner from Cornilleau or other trusted brands. Lastly, if you’ve chosen a foldable ping pong table try to keep the joints clean and dry, and if they start to creek oil them before they get any worse.
Conclusion
We hope our detailed buying guide and reviews of the best table tennis tables on-line has helped to make finding the perfect one for you that little bit easier, but if you’re still undecided, here are our all time favourites. It’s impossible not to give a special call out to Cornilleau who are the masters in designing indoor and outdoor table tennis tables, and in particular the Cornilleau Sport 300S Outdoor Table Tennis Table which we believe is their best example of bringing together durability with performance. Our other favourite from another expert in this area is the Butterfly Unisex Ultimate Outdoor Table Tennis Table. For even your more advanced players more used to playing on indoor table tennis tables, this premium table will not disappoint as it can rival almost any indoor alternative. So there you have it, thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out the other expert reviews we have on a wide range of products!
Affiliate disclaimer: on some or all of the products above, we receive a small commission if you make a purchase via our site. This does not impact the price you pay, but it allows us to keep helping people by writing these reviews, so thank you!
Co-founder at Mancaves HQ
A true man cave enthusiast. When he isn't trawling through Instagram looking for new ideas, you can find him navigating through the streets of London.
