Short of space but still want to play table tennis in your home? A mini ping pong table provides a great option to enjoy the sport, but it is not for everyone. Having owned a few over the years, I’ve got quite a lot of experience playing on mini tables and can provide some good insight as to whether a mini ping pong table might be a good fit for you.
A mini ping pong table is exactly what it sounds like. A small version of a full-size table tennis table. Where full-size models measure 108″ (L) x 60″ (W) small ping pong table’s dimensions usually measure around half that, say 50″ (L) x 28″ (W) for example. And unless otherwise stated, mini ping pong tables have the same height as their full-size counterparts at 30″.
What are the Benefits of Owning a Mini Ping Pong Table?
The primary benefit of a mini ping pong table is how little space it takes up. As full-size models are so large, few people can fit them in their homes. Now mini ping pong tables are often a different story. As they take up half of the space a fair portion of players can squeeze one in somewhere, be it the lounge, garage, or perhaps even a garden.
So opting for a mini ping pong table over a full-size one can actually be the difference between being able to buy one, and not being able to buy one.
Another key benefit is that they are way cheaper.
Mini ping pong tables cost around half the price of full-size tables, so they provide a much lower entry point for those just getting into the sport. In fact, if you’re really on a budget you can find mini ping pong tables for less than $100!
The final benefit I’d like to raise is the convenience of having a smaller ping pong table. They are lighter, easier to set up, and you can easily store them when they are not in use.
What are the Disadvantages of Owning a Mini Ping Pong Table?
The primary disadvantage of mini ping pong tables is how their reduced size affects gameplay. It completely shifts the dynamic of the game and prevents you from performing the shots you would usually be able to perform on a full-size table. However, for a beginner, this likely doesn’t matter all that much. It’s more of an issue for intermediate players and above.
Another drawback is that mini ping pong tables are not built to the same standard as full-size models. Their legs and undercarriage are much thinner. This means you have to be more careful with them, and you shouldn’t expect them to last anywhere near as long.
Mini Ping Pong Table Buyer’s Guide
Size
Of course, these ping pong tables are smaller than full-size models, but they all vary to some degree. As mentioned earlier, most tend to measure around half the length and width of a full-size table, but you can find mini ping pong tables that are really small or not too shy off of full-size.
Table Top Thickness
The main aspect that affects the playing quality of the table is its thickness. Thin table tops have a poor bounce and are less fun to play on. However, given mini tables are so much smaller, the style of play you employ on such a table is very different from that of a full-size. As such, table thickness is not as important here. But certainly still a factor you should consider.
Storage
Almost all mini ping pong tables fold for easy storage and are small enough to store somewhere where you won’t see them. However, you should still check the folded dimensions to see if it can fit in your desired storage location.
Build Quality
This is one of the areas where mini ping pong tables can be a little disappointing. As they are more of a “fun” than “serious” item they frequently lack solid build quality. Look for a mini ping pong table with thick legs and sufficient support.
The Killerspin Impact table is one of the more expensive models. This is in part due to Killerspin being a table tennis specialist, their full-size tables are also priced on the higher end so the price tag doesn’t surprise me all that much. The table measures 49″ (L) x 30″ (W) “x 30” (H), so it is very close to half the size of a full-size table (just a touch shorter).
The table top measures 12mm thick, this is around average for a mini table, so not much to comment on there. Our favorite aspect by a long shot is the aesthetics of the table. Killerspin are kings when it comes to producing great-looking tables, and this one is no different. You seldom see black tables as they are rarely used for tournament play, but damn it they do look great! As such, I feel this table is far easier to fit into your home from a decor standpoint than the other tables on this list.
You also shouldn’t look past the build quality of this model, it’s pretty good for a smaller ping pong table. The legs are thick and made of solid steel.
The JOOLA mid-size ping pong table is a great buy if you want to bridge the gap between a miniature ping pong table and a full-size one. That’s because this model measures 72″ (L) x 36″ (W) “x 30” (H) which is 2/3 the size of a full-size table. It’s also made by one of the top table tennis manufacturers around which adds buying confidence.
I really like that they offer both a classic and sport version. The classic version is blue whereas the sport version is black with two stripes. Now the black/white variant would get my seal of approval but the two stripes are white. Not the wisest idea given ping pong balls are also white. Silly JOOLA. My advice is to stick to orange balls if you go with this one…
Moving away from known table tennis brands we come to the GoSports mid-size table, and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed for an unknown company, but it does fall short in some areas. Starting with the good, it uses a clamshell design with carry handles. This makes it very easy to carry over extended distances. And you might just want to do this as it is designed for outdoor use. It is in fact the only outdoor table on this list. This gives it a clear advantage over the others in regards to outdoor use.
Of course, this comes at a price. The table weighs just 35lb for easy mobility, but this means it is not that robust. The table is made from aluminum as opposed to steel making it much weaker. Outdoor tables are also known to have a much inferior bounce to their indoor counterparts. Now GoSports does not specify the thickness of the table, but I suspect it is very thin.
However, all in all, I still think it’s a great buy! It’s well priced, and the included bats and balls mean you can get playing right away.
This table is very similar to Killerspin’s model. They both feature an all-black design with an almost identical-looking undercarriage. Unfortunately, I couldn’t track down the exact weight as Stiga does not have it listed anywhere. However, I did find the package weight which is 42lbs, so the table will only be a little lighter than this. By comparison, the weight of the Killerspin table is actually 42lbs, so again, these tables are very similar!
An area the Stiga mini ping pong table excels over the Killerspin model is with respect to the net. Killerspin’s is a little flimsy for my liking, I certainly prefer Stiga’s.
The final compact ping pong table and the model that takes our crown for the best mini ping pong table is the Stiga Space Saver. It’s Stiga’s 2/3 size equivalent and the one you want if you’re after the best possible playing experience. As it’s longer than most you can play more powerful shots, and the thickness is 16mm compared with many of the others which measure 12mm. 16mm provides a relatively okay bounce by a full-size table’s standard, so it’s top-notch for a mini table.
The Space Saver is also far more robust than many of its competitors. It features 1.25″ square steel legs and weighs 73lbs. There’s no doubt in my mind that it can take the most punishment and will likely last the longest.
Furthermore, I really like that they sell it in both blue and woodgrain. Woodgrain is not for me personally, but certainly might be a good choice for someone with a lot of wooden finish furniture.
The main issue I have with this table is its net which is pretty poor if I’m honest. You can even see it’s bent in the photo! However, this doesn’t matter all that much. If it provides too much of an issue you can simply replace it with a cheap net.
Ping pong tables come in a range of sizes. Most are full-size, but there are many mini ping pong tables for sale too. Generally, these are around half the length of full-size tables. You can also find small ping pong tables that are smaller than this, and equally, tables that are larger at around 2/3 or 3/4 the size of full-size tables.
What is the Size of a Mini Ping Pong Table?
Small table tennis table sizes are usually around half the size of full-size tables making them 4ft/48″ (L) x 2.5ft/30″ (W). Unless otherwise mentioned they are always the same height as full-size tables as well which is 30″.
How Much Does a Small Ping Pong Table Cost?
Most mini ping pong tables fall within the $150-$300 range. Few tables cost more than this and we wouldn’t recommend exceeding $300 as we feel this is too much money.
Can I Easily Fold up a Mini Ping Pong Table?
Mini ping pong tables are very simple to fold up. For most tables, you place them on their side, push in on the angled supports, and then fold both legs inward so that they are flush with the bottom of the table.
How Much Space Is Needed to Play With a Mini Ping Pong Table?
Mini ping pong tables do not require as much space to use compared with full-size tables. At a minimum, we recommend an additional 2.5-3ft at either end of the table plus another 1ft at the sides. This should be enough for most players.
Final Thoughts
Mini ping pong tables are a great choice for people that lack the space to house a full-size model. Beginners especially will get a lot of kick out of owning one. Having looked at all of the tables on offer one clearly stands out above the rest, and that’s the Stiga Space Saver.
Having a 4mm thicker playing surface than the next best tables represented a huge advantage, and that paired with the superior frame sealed the deal. These are two of the most important features when selecting any table, be it a full-size model, or a small ping pong table.
