Table of Contents
The best pool & billiard tables
Missed a shot…again?
If you can’t seem to pocket your pool balls no matter how hard you try, your table could be to blame.
The best pool table is one that offers a completely level/flat surface, allowing the balls to roll smoothly. If it’s uneven, the balls can end up rolling to one side of the table; hence, compromising your game.
The good news is, you can always invest in a brand new pool table that will give you a better outcome. Here’s a detailed look at the best pool and billiard tables on the market.
Best overall
Hathaway Fairmont Portable Pool Table
Hathaway Fairmont Portable Pool Table
The biggest selling point of the Hathaway Fairmont pool table is that it offers an excellent performance all-round. It boasts a sturdy and stylish design, comes with a wide range of accessories and does not require any assembly.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Have you been hunting for the best pool and billiard table on the market? If you have, you’ll be pleased to discover the Hathaway Fairmont model.
Not only does this pool table boast a nice selection of features, but it also has a striking design. The blue felt at the top makes the table stand out in any space where it’s set up.
One thing you should be mindful of when buying a billiards table is size. Thankfully, the Fairmont comes in a very reasonable size. It has a length of 66 inches and a width of 33 inches, meaning it’s perfect for a standard living room. However, it’s not so small that it fails to offer a decent playing surface.
Another thing you’ll like is the fact that you won’t have to buy gaming accessories separately. This is because the pool table comes with its own set of accessories, which include a nylon bag, cues, brush, chalk, rack and billiard balls.
What this means is that you can start playing as soon as you get your table. Better yet, the table arrives fully assembled. Just unfold the legs and your pool table will be ready for play.
Best with dining table combo
Playcraft Wolf Creek Pool Table with Dining Top
Playcraft Wolf Creek Pool Table with Dining Top
One of the best things you’ll love about Playcraft Wolf Creek is that it doubles up as a dining table. It even boasts an under-table shelf that you can use to store your gaming accessories or a couple of utensils. In addition, this pool table arrives partially assembled, so there’s not much that you’ll need to do to set it up.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
You have been extremely eager to purchase a pool table for your home. Unfortunately, this means that you’d have to forgo getting that dining table you’ve had your eye on.
Well, what if you didn’t have to give up either of these products? Enter the Playcraft Wolf Creek unit. This pool table comes equipped with a dining top, meaning it can double up as a dining table.
And like the Hathaway Fairmont table, it requires minimal assembly. It arrives completely clothed so the only thing you need to do is attach the legs and middle spanner, and you’re all set!
Not many pool tables include a warranty. But, the Wolf Creek is backed by a 1-year warranty. And even then, there’s a good chance that you won’t use this coverage as the table is well-designed. It’s made of an 18mm MDF material alongside a PVC coating, providing maximum durability.
Moreover, this pool table includes a nice range of accessories that include cues, chalk, pool ball set and a brush.
Best affordable
Playcraft Sport Bank Shot 40-Inch Pool Table
Playcraft Sport Bank Shot 40-Inch Pool Table
One of the greatest selling points of the Playcraft Sport Bank Shot is its affordability. This pool table proves that you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy your favorite game. And the best part is, you get a lot more than the billiard table. These include a billiard ball set, 2 wooden cues, chalk pieces, and a cue ball.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Are you working with a shoestring budget? If you are, you’ll love the Playcraft Sport Bank Shot that comes at a very pocket-friendly price.
Despite its fair pricing, this pool table doesn’t skimp on quality or quantity. For one, it comes with multiple accessories, enabling you to start playing immediately. The accessories provided are two wooden cues, one cue ball, a complete set of billiard balls, two chalk pieces and a rack with enough room to hold 15 balls.
This pool table is just 20 inches wide and 40 inches long, which means that it’s quite small. Depending on your preferences, this can either be a negative or positive thing.
On one hand, it means that even young kids and teens can use it to play pool. On the other hand, it might not be big enough to play with fellow adults on a game night.
Best for home
GoSports Portable Billiards Table
GoSports Portable Billiards Table
If you’ve been looking for a pool table that would be good enough to set up in your house, this Go Sports unit is just what you need. It’s reasonably-sized and includes all the accessories you’d need to start playing. And it has a vibrant red-colored playing surface, making a bold fashion statement in your living area.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
If you’re buying a billiards table for your home, you should focus not only on its functionality but its aesthetic appearance as well. One unit that checks both of these boxes is the Go Sports billiards table.
It comes in two length options: a 6- or 7-foot. Better yet, the cloth used to cover the playing surface is a vibrant red color, giving it a very stylish look.
Another thing that makes this pool table suitable for living space entails its size. Its dimensions are 76” long, 43” wide and 31” high. This translates to a pool table size that’s big enough for competitive play but compact enough to fit in a standard home.
The fact that this billiards table has a simple setup adds to its many benefits. It arrives ready to use straight out of the box. Simply unfold the legs and you’re all set.
Once you buy the Go Sports pool table, you won’t have to worry yourself with buying other accessories. This is because it comes as a complete set comprising 15 regulation size balls, 2 cue sticks, 2 chalk pieces, a ball rack and felt brush.
Furthermore, this billiards table is built for the long haul. The frame is constructed using steel while the felt is made of premium material, facilitating a smooth playing surface.
Best with ping pong combo
Rack Scorpius 7-Foot Multi Game Pool
Rack Scorpius 7-Foot Multi Game Pool
If you love playing both table tennis and pool, the Rack Scorpius Multi Game table is a worthy buy. It’s designed for playing billiards, and pool. But it also includes a top play field and a ton of other accessories to help you practice your ping pong skills.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
So you enjoy playing ping pong with your allies, but you’re also a diehard fan of pool games. Unfortunately, you only have enough space to set up one of these two gaming tables.
What if you didn’t have to sacrifice on either one of them? Enter the Rack Scorpius Multi Game table. As implied in the title, this table is designed for multiple games; be it billiards, pool and table tennis.
Taking its multifunctional trait into account, it’s not surprising that it comes in a big size. It’s 84 inches long, 48 inches wide and 32 inches high. And while this means you’ll have to set aside enough space, it also provides a generous play area for multi-person games.
Another thing you’re sure to love is that this table includes all the accessories you’d need to play either games.
For billiards, you’ll have access to two 57-inch maplewood billiard cues, 2 chalks, an ABS triangle rack and brush. You will also find a complete set of billiard balls.
For ping pong lovers, the manufacturer has included a table tennis playing field, 2 paddles, 3 balls, a net and post.
Although this multi-functional gaming table boasts a sturdy build, it also comes with a hefty price tag attached.
Best for space saving
Fat Cat by GLD PRODUCTS Trueshot Pool Table
Fat Cat by GLD PRODUCTS Trueshot Pool Table
The primary selling point of the Fat Cat Trueshot entails its compact size. This lets you enjoy playing pool even if you don’t have space for a full-size pool table. Better yet, it has folding legs that you can easily fold when you’re not using the table.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Have you been searching for a pool table that’s compact enough to fit in an apartment, office or small game room? If you have, the Fat Cat Trueshot table is the answer to your problems.
The 6-foot table is incredibly compact, giving you the freedom to play your favorite game even if you’re limited on space.
We also like that it’s made of quality but lightweight materials. Thanks to this, it’s durable but also reasonably light that it can be moved around.
Fat Cat Trueshot is not the type of table that will take up space in your apartment. In addition to coming in a compact size, it also has folding legs. So when it’s not in use, you can fold it into a more compact size and save space.
The range of accessories that come with this pool table is another bonus. These include two cues, a set of billiard balls, one ball triangle, one billiard brush and two chalks.
That said, the manufacturer should consider using a higher quality felt. The one included on this table tends to scratch easily.
Best for kids
Costzon 47 Inch Folding Pool Table
Costzon 47 Inch Folding Pool Table
The Costzon is one of the best billiard tables for kids. It’s just 30 inches, providing a comfortable height for kids to access and play. Better yet, it can be folded, which helps to save on storage space.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Have your kids been requesting you to introduce them to playing billiards? If they have, the Costzon folding billiard table is the best place to start.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that it comes in a vibrant color scheme. The playing surface is red, which beautifully complements the brown color on the frame and legs. Even better is the fact that it’s available in other color palettes too: white and blue, black and green.
However, the key highlight of its design is the fact that it’s foldable. This means you can easily fold it into a more compact shape and save on space. When it’s folded, it’s 4.5” high.
Aesthetics aside, the Costzon is an investment-worthy billiard table. For one, the playing field is made of MDF. This not only results in a consistent roll but it also prevents your table from warping overtime.
The fact that this billiard table comes with all the accessories your kids need to start playing is another plus. Included in the package are 2 cues, 2 chalks, a triangular rack and a whole set of billiard balls. You will also find a brush, designed for cleaning the table cloth.
The Costzon billiard table comes in a fairly compact size. It’s 47” long, 26” wide and 30” high, resulting in a comfortable height for your kids. Nonetheless, it has a generous playing space so it doesn’t compromise on one’s gaming experience.
Important to note is that this billiard table is on the smaller side of the size spectrum. This is why it’s recommended for kids. If you’re looking for one that would be suitable for both kids and adults, you should probably look for an alternative.
Best for basement
American Legend Kirkwood 84 Inch Billiard Table
American Legend Kirkwood 84 Inch Billiard Table
If you’re looking for a pool/ billiard table that would be good enough to set up in a basement, the American Legend Kirkwood is ideal. It’s the right size, and has a stylish, rustic vibe that’s sure to complement any space.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
American Legend has established a solid reputation for itself when it comes to tabletop gaming equipment. So it’s not too surprising that their Kirkwood billiard table is a top-rated model.
It’s 84 inches long, providing a decent amount of space to play competitively or casually. More importantly, it has a blond finish and k-shaped leg structure, giving it a rustic vibe. These features make it particularly suited for a rec or game room that’s set up in a basement.
The playing field is made of laminated engineered wood. This helps to keep its weight to a minimum while also facilitating an effortless assembly.
The shims are an excellent addition to this billiard table set. They’re meant to be placed underneath the legs, enabling the table to grip the floor nicely.
This, in turn, prevents it from being wobbly during play. The shims also come in handy when you want to set up the table on an uneven floor.
The one area where this pool and billiard table could do with a bit of improvement is in packaging and shipping. There have been instances where the table arrives already damaged.
Best under $2000
MD Sports Billiard Pool Table
MD Sports Billiard Pool Table
While it’s not the cheapest, the MD Sports billiard table comes in at under $2,000. Compared to other high-end models, this is a pretty decent offering. Another selling point is the durability this table offers. It’s made from ultra-thick laminate felt and durable MDF, resulting in a strong and sturdy build.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Pool and billiard tables don’t come cheap. I you’re not looking to spend more than $2,000, the MD Sports Billiard table fits the bill.
For the price, you get a 7.5-long pool table, which is a reasonable size for a recreational or game room. In fact, it’s big enough to be used for game nights.
In addition to this, the manufacturer has included everything you need to get started playing billiards. To be specific, the accessories included are a table brush, 2 pool sticks, a wooden triangle, 2 chalk cubes and a set of official balls.
Another key highlight of the MD Sports billiard table is its durability. It’s constructed using 18mm thick laminate felt. Better yet, the rails, aprons and base are all made of high-quality MDF. This translates to one of the most durable pool tables on the market.
You’ll also be impressed by the consistent bounce offered by this table. This is largely attributed to the k-66 wood bumper guards.
Best for game room
EastPoint Sports 87 Inch Parlour Style Billiard Table
EastPoint Sports 87 Inch Parlour Style Billiard Table
One of the best features about the EastPoint Sports table entails its 87-inch size. The fact that it’s this big, makes it ideal for setting up in a game room. This also means that there can be multiple individuals playing pool at a time. The leg-leveling system was another feature that drew us to this table. It ensures that you have a flat playing field even if your flooring is a bit uneven.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Have you been searching for a pool and billiard table that will fit nicely in your game room? If you have, the EastPoint Sports model is the ultimate choice.
One of the things you’ll love about this pool table is its size. It comes in a generous 87-inch size, making it perfect for multiple-person play.
Another stand-out feature entails its sturdy build. It’s made of highly-durable wood that gives it a sleek look while also improving its durability. The parlor-style drop pockets further enhance the classy design of this pool table.
We also like that it comes with leg levelers. It means you can set it up even on surfaces that aren’t completely flat and still have a level playing surface.
Worried that your pool table will get scratches that will compromise its durability? Well, you’ll never have to worry about this when you invest in the EastPoint Sports pool table. This is because the top boasts a scratch-resistant finish, which helps to prevent wear and tear.
Best mini tabletop
Rally and Roar 40-Inch Tabletop Billiard
Rally and Roar 40-Inch Tabletop Billiard
There are a ton of things you’ll love about the Rally and Roar pool table. But the most impressive is its tabletop design. This not only makes it easy to carry around, but it also saves you space.
- Features:
- Durability:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Do you like the freedom of being able to set up your pool table anywhere within your home? Or, are you looking for a pool table that you can carry with you to your friends’ game nights? If you answered yes, a mini tabletop pool table like the Rally and Roar is exactly what you need.
It’s 40 inches long and 20 inches wide, which makes for a compact pool table. However, it still provides enough surface area to play your favorite game.
Its tabletop design might get you into thinking that it’s not sturdy. Contrary to this, it boasts a well-built and robust design that can withstand any game.
Its frame is constructed using a deep brown wood that not only renders it durable but also stylish. The rubber bumpers are another feature that we like as they provide a true bounce.
The Rally and Roar pool table comes with a nice array of accessories. These include two 36” cues, 1-⅜” billiard ball, a ball rack, brush and two pieces of chalk. Essentially, you’ll have everything you need to play this game.
We also like that the pool table has a simple installation. Simply find a suitable spot to set up, attach the legs, and voila, you’re all set.
For the most part, the Rally and Roar is an excellent pool table for casual play. However, it’s not the most suited for intermediate and professional games.
What to look for in a good billiard table
Here are a couple of things you should take into account before purchasing pool and billiards table:
Size
Though this sounds like a no-brainer, it’s an area where a lot of buyers go wrong. The biggest mistake people make is considering the table size only. They forget that once the table is set up, there should be enough room all round to enable players to shoot.
On that note, there should be a 5-foot clearance on all four sides. So let’s say you have a table, whose dimensions are 5 ½ feet by 8 feet. It means the ideal space should be 15 ½ feet by 18 feet on the respective sides.
Play field
The next things you’ll want to consider are the features that make up your pool table, starting with the play field/bed.
In many cases, you’ll find this part being made from one of two materials: slate or medium density fiberboard (MDF).
Slate tables are constructed using slate rocks, and they result in an ultra-smooth play area. Plus, slate is not prone to warping.
With MDF, the tables constitute tiny fibers attached together using resin, then compressed so as to form a flat play area. What’s unfortunate about this material is that it warps overtime.
Legs
Another part you’ll want to pay attention to entails the legs.
These are responsible for supporting the entire weight of the cabinet. And chances are, you’ll have a few players who want to lean against or sit on the pool table, exerting even more stress. For these reasons, invest in a pool table whose legs are made of sturdy and durable material.
Felt
One other section of your pool table that really takes a beating is the felt.
Chalk-covered balls spinning at supersonic speed over this cloth lead to its wear and tear over time. And when this happens, it can compromise your precision and speed in the game.
For the best outcome, consider going for a cloth made of durable material. The most popular options are: worsted wool, wool and teflon.
To determine how durable any of these materials are, check the felt’s ounce weight per yard. Ideally, it should have between 18 and 22 ounces.
Accessories
If this is your first time playing pool at home, then you’ll need a lot more than just your pool table. In that regard, check whether the manufacturer provides other accessories such as:
- Pool cues/ cue stick – this is what a player uses to strike the pool balls
- Bridge stick – this makes it easier to access balls that are distant
- Billiard balls
- A ball rack
FAQ
What’s the best way to take care of the cloth on my pool table?
For starters, get into the habit of covering your pool table anytime it’s not in use. This will prevent dirt and debris from accumulating, which would otherwise cause the fibers in this cloth to break down.
Next, invest in a felt brush (if your pool table didn’t come with one). Use this brush to wipe off dust regularly. If it seems like the cloth needs more cleaning, then look for a felt cleaner. You can also vacuum it, but be sure to use a very mild suction setting.
Can I move my billiards table without disassembling it?
Yes, you can but only if you’re moving it for a short distance. And even then, ask at least 3 more people to help you move it.
If you plan to move it for a long distance, it’s better to take it apart first. This minimizes the risk of damaging the felt, which cracks rather easily. Besides, disassembling it makes it easier to fit through narrow doors and hallways.
Can I sit on my pool table?
You should never sit or even lean against your pool table. The table is designed to stay level /flat and leaning can throw it off course; compromising your accuracy in the game.
I spilled on my pool table, how can I remove the stain?
If you spill, you should make an effort to clean it up as soon as you can. Look for a sponge or rag to soak up the liquid. Once you get rid of the spill, use a clean damp sponge to wash the area. You can then dry the spot with a paper towel or rag.
Final verdict
If you’re looking to buy a pool table, there are a few points you should take into account.
First consider the size of the pool table, and the amount of space you have for its setup. While you’re at it, leave a 5-foot clearance on each side of the table to enable players to move around and shoot with ease.
Secondly, examine the quality of materials used to make the table. Focus not only on the frame but also the felt, legs, and play area. Finally, check the accessories included in the package.
