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With the right table, air hockey is a fun and easy game that the entire family can enjoy. To find the right table for your basement, garage, or game room, the This Old House Team researched the best air hockey tables on Amazon. Here are our favorite options.
Compare the Best Air Hockey Tables
| Product | Scoreboard Design | Warranty | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Squad Tabletop Air Hockey Table | Slider | 1-year | 14 pounds | 40 x 20 x 4 inches |
| Best Choice Products 4-in-1 Multi Game Table | Slider | Not listed | 31 pounds | 31 x 29.5 x 14 inches |
| Triumph Sports Fire ‘n Ice Air Hockey Table | Slider and electronic | 90-day | 40 pounds | 54 x 27 x 31 inches |
| Triumph Sports Lumen-X Air Hockey Table | Electronic | 90-day | 75 pounds | 72 x 40 x 31 inches |
| ESPN Sports Air Hockey Game Table | Electronic | 30-day limited | 141 pounds | 84 x 48 x 32 inches |
| Product | Scoreboard Design | Warranty | Weight | Dimensions |
In This Guide: Top 5 | Buyer’s Guide | Rules | FAQs | Why Trust This Old House
Top 5 Air Hockey Tables
- Best For Tabletops: Sport Squad Tabletop Air Hockey Table
- Most Versatile: Best Choice Products 4-in-1 Multi Game Table
- Best Entry-Level: Triumph Sports Fire ‘n Ice Air Hockey Table
- Best Features: Triumph Sports Lumen-X Air Hockey Table
- Best Full-Size: ESPN Sports Air Hockey Game Table
Best For Tabletops: Sport Squad Tabletop Air Hockey Table
Sport Squad Tabletop Air Hockey Table
- $105.16
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has puck returns on both sides
✔ Comes with two pucks
✔ Uses rubber foot pads to protect your table
✘ Not meant for serious, competitive games
✘ Doesn’t offer electronic scoring
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this air hockey table was everything the manufacturer said it would be, including being easy to assemble and transport. However, we also noticed that some users claimed that the felt on the bottom of the included pushers tore. Others didn’t like the table’s loud motor.
Most Versatile: Best Choice Products 4-in-1 Multi Game Table
Best Choice Products 4-in-1 Multi Game Table
- $89.99
- $119.99
- 25% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with several accessories, including two ping pong paddles, two pool cues, and more
✔ The table only weighs 31 pounds for easy transport and switching of games
✔ The table meets U.S. Federal Safety Standards (ASTM F963-17)
✘ None of the games are close to full-size
✘ Some customers didn’t receive all of the necessary hardware to assemble the table
What Customers Are Saying
The majority of customers were satisfied with this 4-in-1 multi-game table, stating that it worked well for all activities, including air hockey. We also saw several that said that the table was great value for the money. However, there were several complaints about the complicated assembly process of the table.
Best Entry-Level: Triumph Sports Fire ‘n Ice Air Hockey Table
Triumph Sports Fire ‘n Ice Air Hockey Table
- $153.47
- $249.99
- 39% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features both electronic and slider scoring
✔ Has four leg cross braces for additional stability
✔ Has corner lights that flash when someone scores
✘ Comes with only one puck
✘ Has thin side panels, so the puck could fly off of the board
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were pleased with this table’s easy assembly, medium size, and light-up feature. However, some users said that its affordable price tag meant that it was made from flimsy materials.
Best Features: Triumph Sports Lumen-X Air Hockey Table
Triumph Sports Lumen-X Air Hockey Table
- $549.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with glowing and non-glowing pucks
✔ Features dual motors that provide continuous airflow
✔ Has a large 72-inch playing surface
✘ May be too large for small spaces
✘ Not meant for children under 8 years old
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were satisfied with how easy this table was to set up, even with all of the extra features. They also said that it had a durable build. On the other hand, some customers had issues with the electronic components, saying that the scoreboard, fan, and lights didn’t always work properly.
Best Full-Size: ESPN Sports Air Hockey Game Table
ESPN Sports Air Hockey Game Table
- $1,289.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes four pucks and four pushers for multiplayer gaming
✔ The high-quality, high-gloss playfield offers a consistently smooth playing surface
✔ The oversized six-inch leg levelers provide stability for intense matches
✘ Is the most expensive air hockey table in this review
✘ Heavy and difficult to move by yourself at over 140 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Customers we found cited the table’s glossy finish, the quirky sounds of the LED scorekeeper, and full-size of the air hockey table as reasons for their four- and five-star reviews. Conversely, some customers said that the table was challenging to assemble and that the included pucks and pushers were low-quality.
Buyer’s Guide
Before deciding what air hockey table is right for your game room, there are a range of factors to think about, including who will be using it, how much space you have, and what features you want. Read our buyer’s guide below to learn about these aspects and others.
Type
Air hockey tables usually fall into one of the following groups.
Arcade
Arcade-style air hockey tables come with all of the bells and whistles you would expect from the ones in your local arcade. This includes electronic scoreboards, lights, and sound effects.
Standard
Standard air hockey tables are usually more affordable than arcade ones because they don’t have some or all of the extra features. Another major difference is that standard tables come in various sizes, and arcade tables are regulation size.
Tabletop
Tabletop air hockey tables are miniature boards that you place on the table or floor. They’re small and lightweight if you want to take them to a friend’s house. However, they won’t work if you’re looking for a competitive air hockey experience.
Combination
Combination air hockey tables are part of a multi-game set, which typically includes table tennis, pool or billiards, and foosball. These air hockey tables are small and meant for casual gameplay.
Size
Regulation air hockey tables are around 84 inches long and 48 inches wide, but you can find standard and tabletop tables in a variety of sizes to fit your available space. Larger tables make for an arcade-like experience, while smaller tables may be better for kids or casual players. As you’re searching, eliminate tables that won’t fit in your space or give players enough room to move.
Weight
The more your air hockey table weighs, the more likely it is to stay grounded and stable during the heat of gameplay. Typically, the larger the table, the more it weighs. Air hockey tables made of solid and heavy materials, such as wood or vinyl, may add additional weight to the table.
Airflow
Without proper airflow, you won’t be able to push the puck across your air hockey table. For full-size tables, make sure that the fan or blower motor uses at least 100 volts of power for consistent, quiet airflow.
Extras
All air hockey tables should come with at least one puck, two pushers or strikers, and one scoring system. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can also get extra accessories and features, including lights, sound effects, electronic scoreboards, spare pushers, and leg levelers.
Air Hockey Rules
An air hockey table is an ideal addition to your game room alongside your ping pong table, foosball table, and dartboard. One of the best parts about air hockey is that you can learn it in minutes without needing to memorize too many rules. However, there are a few basic regulations to keep in mind for fair competitive matchups.
Don’t reach over the centerline
One of the most basic rules of air hockey is to stay on your side of the table. With a smaller table, you may be able to reach the opponent’s side, but that’s typically an illegal maneuver. If a puck is stuck in the dead center of the table, both players are allowed to try and get it without penalty.
A goal only counts if it stays in
The most common way a game of air hockey quickly turns into an argument is when you’re determining if a goal counts. As a general rule of thumb, a goal only counts if the puck goes all the way through the slot. It doesn’t count if the puck bounces back out or stops halfway through.
Play to seven
A typical air hockey game goes until one player scores seven goals. Although there are variations that play to five or 10 or use a timer, playing to seven is the widely accepted version.
Knocking the puck out of play is a turnover
Sometimes, you may get a little too rowdy and hit the puck hard enough that it flies off of the table. When this happens, it results in a turnover, with the opponent getting to serve. However, if the puck flies out of play when you’re blocking or deflecting it, it’s not a turnover.
Topping the puck isn’t allowed
Topping is when you place your pusher over the puck, holding it in place and preventing it from moving. This is usually not allowed and may result in a turnover or even a goal for the other player.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price for an air hockey table?
The average price for an air hockey table ranges between $200 to $600 or more. Tables on the lower end may not be full-sized air hockey tables, or part of a combination tabletop gaming set.
How do you clean an air hockey table?
To clean an air hockey table, gently wipe a glass or surface cleaner over the playing surface with a cloth. Be sure to also wipe the pushers and pucks.
How long does an air hockey table last?
A quality air hockey table should be able to last for years. Tables with a metal or wood base and frame are generally the sturdiest.
How long does a game of air hockey last?
A game usually ends when a player reaches seven goals. How quickly this happens depends on the skill level of the players as well as the quality of the table. It takes longer to finish a game if the table has smaller goals or poor airflow.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
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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