The 5 Best Foosball Tables (2023 Guide)

In This Guide: Sport Squad FX40 Tabletop Foosball | KICK Foosball Table | Barrington Billiards Foosball Table | ESPN Foosball Table | Atomic Azure Light-Up Foosball Table | Buyer’s Guide | To Spin or Not To Spin? | FAQs

No matter your level of expertise, foosball, also called table soccer, is an exciting, fast-paced game. In this review, we at the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best foosball tables for any foosball player to help you find the one that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various retail stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

Below you’ll find our top foosball table recommendations, our comprehensive buying guide, and answers to some common questions.

Top 5 Foosball Tables

• Best Tabletop: Sport Squad FX40 TableTop Foosball
• Best Protection: KICK Foosball Table
• Best Design: Barrington Billiards Foosball Table
• Best Value: ESPN Foosball Table
• Best Lighted: Atomic Azure Light-Up Foosball Table

Best Tabletop: Sport Squad FX40 Tabletop Foosball

Pros and Cons

✔ Can accommodate two to four players
✔ Features premium chrome-plated steel rods
✔ Has comfortable rubber handles

✘ Not ideal for serious players
✘ Limited space for teams

What Customers Are Saying

We found that those who were happy with this foosball table liked that it was easy to assemble, sturdy, and portable. However, unhappy customers said that the legs couldn’t support the weight of the table. Another common complaint was that the ball got stuck often.

Best Protection: KICK Foosball Table

Pros and Cons

✔ Can get free rod lubricant upon request
✔ Can set up a one- or three-goalie rod
✔ Comes with four balls of two styles

✘ Weighs almost 150 pounds
✘ May be too bulky for small spaces

What Customers Are Saying

Customers said that this table was made from quality materials that held up to frequent use. They also liked its stylish design. Some users were frustrated by its difficult assembly process. However, we did find that others were disappointed that the rods weren’t lubricated, though this was available upon request.

Best Design: Barrington Billiards Foosball Table

Pros and Cons

✔ Has counterbalanced players
✔ Comes with bead scoreboards for each side
✔ Has stable A-shaped legs

✘ May require multiple people for assembly
✘ Playing field lacks tapered inner corners

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers said that this table balanced durability with elegance. On the other hand, our team found that some customers said the tabled wobbled, even with the built-in leg levelers. The corners were also dead spots where the ball got stuck often.

Best Value: ESPN Foosball Table

Pros and Cons

✔ Doesn’t require tools for assembly
✔ Includes oversized leg levelers
✔ Has a stylish, sleek look

✘ Not overly durable because it’s made from composite wood and plastic
✘ Needs to be in a room that’s at least 8 x 6 feet

What Customers Are Saying

For the price, we noted that several customers thought that this foosball table was relatively sturdy and stylish. However, many didn’t like that so much of it was made from plastic. Other reviewers thought that assembly was tough.

Best Lighted: Atomic Azure Light-Up Foosball Table

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with a USB charging cable for the two balls
✔ Offers electronic scoring
✔ Has in-game music to go along with the lighting

✘ May be difficult to see the players in the dark
✘ Music can’t be customized

What Customers Are Saying

Simple assembly and sharp design were two descriptions many happy customers used for this foosball table. However, we noted that some unimpressed reviewers didn’t like all of the dead spots that the board had.

Buyer’s Guide

What foosball table works best for your basement, garage, rec room or game room, or man den can depend on various factors, including type, size, purpose, and features. Read our buyer’s guide below for more information on these aspects.

Type

Below, we explain four common types of foosball tables.

Traditional

Traditional, high-quality foosball tables measure about 55 inches across, 30 inches deep, and 35 inches high. They typically have 13 players across four rods for each team, allowing for superior ball control and player and goalie setup.

Tabletop

Tabletop foosball tables are useful if you have limited space or want to play on the go. The small playing field allows users to place them on a table or another flat surface. Due to their versatile design, they make for popular outdoor foosball tables.

Coffee

Foosball coffee tables are the same size as traditional coffee tables, but the tabletop has a board that’s encased in glass. To play, players have to sit or kneel on opposite sides of the table, which doesn’t always make for the most comfortable playing experience.

Multi-Game

These tables convert into boards for foosball, table tennis, air hockey, shuffleboard or as a pool table. Since they have removable pieces, they’re not the sturdiest or highest-quality table for serious players.

Size

Traditional and multi-game tables usually measure 55 by 30 by 35 inches to fit two players on each side. Multi-game, coffee, and tabletop models are all options if you have limited space.

Coffee and tabletop tables are generally a little smaller and may be a good choice for beginners. You can usually fit two people on either side, but it might be a little cramped. A coffee foosball table serves two functions for the size of one, and you can put a tabletop table away when you’re not using it.

While multi-game tables are large, they cost less and take up less space than traditional models, which have separate boards for each game.

Purpose

If you’re a parent who is buying a foosball table for their young children to play with their siblings and friends, you may not care as much about goalie configuration, surface area, and other elements. However, if you’re purchasing a table for serious competition among adults, those qualities may be more important.

Features

If you’re looking for a high-end table, look for a model with extra table features. For example, some foosball tables are wired for lights, electronic scoreboards, and music, while others have decals on their pitch. Some tables also have automatic ball return or cup holders for holding drinks while you play.

To Spin or Not To Spin?

If you’ve ever played foosball, you likely fall into one of two categories: spinner or non-spinner. If you’re unfamiliar with this concept, spinning involves rotating a foos man 360 degrees before or after making contact with the ball. Spinning generates a forceful shot that’s difficult to stop, but some players consider it to be cheating.

If you’re playing in a competitive foosball tournament, it’s almost certain that spinning will be outlawed. If you’re playing casually, you’ll have to decide ahead of time among your friends and family if you will allow spinning.

For young kids, spinning may be more fun and easier to master than trying intricate passes. Spinning also makes scoring goals easier and quicker, which could be beneficial if you have a large group of people who are waiting for their turn to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many goalies do foosball teams have?

Depending on the table you get, it may have one or three goalies per team. Some even come with both, so you can choose which style you prefer. Most modern American sets come with three goalies, but older European sets have one goalie. Single-goalie tables allow for easier scoring, while three-goalie sets give you more control.

How many people can play foosball at once?

Foosball is usually played either as a one-on-one or two-on-two game. However, you can technically play with as many as four people per team on a full-size foosball table, with each person controlling one rod.

How do you clean a foosball table?

To ensure that your foosball table stays in pristine condition, keep it clean by dusting it when you dust the rest of your home. For the occasional deep clean, use rubbing alcohol or a cleaning solution.

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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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