Foosball tables offer so much fun for all, even those that are not into football. The reason is that a foosball table is an incredible game that can be taught in just a few minutes, even to a beginner. From start to finish, the fun can be enjoyed by any member of the family, including young children. Although the best foosball tables look similar to others, it’s important to get the best one for your needs.

 

How to choose the best Foosball Table

What is my Budget?

The first question you should ask yourself is who is this foosball table for? Then ask yourself, what is my budget. This will help you in determining the best foosball table for your needs and your budget. A table for a family or young kids will be different than a commercial foosball table for a business. Both will have unique needs. Some parents may be be looking for a cheap foosball table for the kids, while a business owner would view the expense as an investment.

After you determine your budget, you can then move on to identifying the best foosball table for you. The next feature to consider is the construction and materials.

Foosball Construction and Materials

There are numerous ways to manufacture foosball tables. You can use top quality materials and make a very expensive foosball table that will cost thousands of dollars. Another option is to get the cheapest materials around to make a cheap but useful foosball table.

There are 2 materials to consider when choosing the best foosball table for your budget.

Hardwood and MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) Foosball Tables

The best foosball tables are made of expensive hardwood. Cheaper foosball tables are made with particle board, sometimes referred to as MDF construction. In either case, the composite woods are the same density and thickness. A sturdy hardwood table is also heavier and will make games more stable. The MDF material will make the table lighter and can sometimes move during play.

If you do use composite wood, make sure the playing surface finish is at least 1 inch thick. This will help improve the quality of the finish. The problem with composite wood is that it can dent, weaken, warp, and absorbs moisture. These drawbacks can and will impact the integrity of the foosball table, but can be avoided by choosing a thicker finish.

Review the wood that is used to manufacture the legs, finish, and construction to ensure that it meets your needs and budget. You can play determine your list of what you need and determine what you want to pay for.

Steel Rods

 Steel Rods are another important factor to consider during your purchase of a foosball table. These steel rods that hold the foosball players are critical in the speed of the game.

There are three types of rods for foosball tables, hollow, solid, and telescoping. For a cheaper foosball table, look for the solid rods. Although these slow the game, most beginners won’t know the difference. For more advanced and higher end foosball tables, make sure you get the hollow rods. The hollow rods in foosball tables allow for faster spinning and movement of the toy players. Because the rods are lightweight, the players are capable of maneuvering the rods at a quicker pace.

Telescoping tubular steel rods are less common, and offer only an advantage for high-end foosball tables. This option protects small children who could stand too close to the table and be hurt by the rod sliding through from the other side. Although this is a great feature, it makes the foosball table more expensive. It would also not be the best option for commercial use as these telescoping rods are not as durable, but offer safety.

Four Types of Foosball Tables 

The are four different types of foosball tables to consider before making your purchase. Once you’ve determine your budget, now it’s time to look at what type of foosball table will fit in your location. Some of these may be a combination or can be transformed from one to the other.

Stand Alone Foosball table

This refers to a foosball table that will be set alone and does not require any other set up. The majority of foosball tables are stand alone. The high-end foosball tables are all stand alone. 

Multi-game Foosball table

This type of foosball table offers the convenience and flexibility of offering numerous games on one table. Most these multi game foosball tables will offer other table games. Thos games can range from table tennis, ping pong, billiards, poker table, even air hockey. They are all fun games and it offers a great purchase for families who wish to pay extra for this flexibility.

Table Top Foosball Table

A table top foosball table allows for extra portability. This table, as the name implies, can be moved and played on most tables. This option offers two things, a cheaper foosball table, and the ability to transport the foosball table. It’s smaller and takes up less space. You can hide this in a closet or under one of the kids’ beds for easy storage.

Folding Foosball Table 

The 4th option to consider is the folding table. This type of table will offer some additional flexibility and purchasing options. The Folding foosball table allows you to get a stand alone foosball table and fold the legs for easier storage just like the Table Top.

Additional Foosball Options to Consider

1 Goalie Foosball Table vs 3 Goalie Foosball Table

Another option to consider, but may not impact price at all is the number of players on the foosball field and/or the number of goalies. Although this may only be a sticking point for some true soccer fanatics. The fact is that foosball tables offer several options when it comes to players and goalies. The USA market may offer 3 goalies, while the European market will offer 1 goalie per team.

​If you want to avoid controversy at the next tournament or family gathering, you may want to choose the 1 goalie foosball table. Only 1 goalie is used in the professional game.

Adjustable Legs on Foosball Table

You should always look for a model that comes with adjustable legs. Adjustable legs can change the angle or slant based on any dips in your floor. You can also adjust those legs to help your kids play easier. The adjustable legs will be especially critical in commercial use or foosball tournaments, when you can’t have any advantages.

Foosball retrieval system

If you are going to get a commercial foosball table or for tournaments, the ball retrieval system is critical. Commercial use will need a coin mechanism that will trap the balls. This should also be considered for tournament play to limit potential cheating.

The ball retrieval system is made up of an internal system that allows the player to grab the small ball that was scored in your goal. Some tables have an elaborate rail system that drop the ball into a slot that holds them. Others have a more basic system that will drop the ball under your goal after a score from the opponent.

A foosball table for home won’t matter where the balls are returned, as long as they can be retrieved. 

The Foosball Table Playing Surface

​The playing surface could be critical, but it’s mostly not a problem. Do make sure that the field is not covered with stickers as they could later peel off. Look for a playing surface with permanent dyed designs, with the design built right into the playing surface to avoid future problems.

Foosball Score Board

Finally the score board is another feature to review when looking for the best foosball table. An electronic scoreboard will obviously add costs to the price of your table. Since foosball game matches are normally short and to only 5-7 goals, there is no need for an electronic scoreboard. Consider the electronic score board when holding tournaments or for commercial use.

Are the balls included. The majority of the foosball machines come with the foosballs, but confirm before purchasing.

Precautions for buying a Foosball Table

Who will be putting the table together? 

The foosball table needs to be assembled correctly so that the integrity is not jeopardized. The table needs to be squared, leveled, stable, and adjusted accordingly.

Does the Foosball get stuck?

Another issue that could arise from an improperly assembled foosball table is that the ball gets stuck under the foosball player’s feet. This could ruin the game if you need to continuously keep restarting. Check for this immediately after assembling.

Now that you are well versed on finding the correct foosball table for your budget and use, you can proceed to review the top foosball tables listed, in no particular order.  

Best Foosball Table for your Money

Hathaway Playoff 4’ Foosball Table

An offordable option with quality construction makes the Hathaway Playoff Foosball 4′ Table an ideal option for a family. With  dimensions of 48.5” L x 24” W x 32” the stand alone Hathaway foosball table combines quality material and great design to keep costs down and affordable. They also included 1/2 inch chrome plated hollow steel rods to improve the speed of play. 

Although the table uses MDF certified wood, it makes for it by offering other features like ergonomic handles, leg levelers,  and colorful graphics that enhance the table’s aesthics. Besides the look, the goal boxes were built with an automatic end ball return for each player,  ergonomic handles on the hollow rods, and ABS molded players for visual effects. Hathaway also threw in a 180 day manufacturers warranty for the price concious shopper, which shows they stand behind their product! 

Best Home Quality Foosball Table

Carrom Signature Foosball Table

The Carrom foosball table is a little more expensive than the average, budget friendly, foosball tables. Carrom made the “Signature” with dimensions of 55L x 29W x 36H inches, with a 3/8 inch thick wear resistant playing surface. The Signature offers four drink holders, which are removable, leg levelers, and 2″ leg supports. This helps with entertainment around the family home. The cabinet is a Wild Cherry wood laminated finish (sides and ends). 

One unique feature offered by this table is that you can choose between one or three goalies, depending on your preference. This will help you avoid some arguments between family members. To allow you to play with one goalie, the corner ramps are included to interchange them. 

Best Commercial Quality Foosball Table

Tornado T-3000 Foosball Table with 1-Man Goalie

The top of the line and preeminent name in the Foosball table industry, Tornado is arguably the best offering. The Tornado Foosball company made the T-3000 sturdy, with true craftsmanship, and a true work of art. 

This is the official table of the Tornado National Tour, and the most notable name in foosball competition. The Tournament-3000 table will come with a 1-Man Goalie and Banked Corners for continous non stop play. The cabinet is made of 1 1/2″ Stainless Steel laminate.

This table also offers Commercial quality brushed hollow steel rods (.156 thick) that can withstand the most aggressive play. The rods are engineered to offer enhanced precision and ball control, as well as a non-slip, eight-sided handles for comfort, stability, and more efficient play. 

Tornado wasted no opportunity to show off their craftmansship and included split bearings on the steel rods to improve speed of play. Counter-balanced field players improve efficiency and technique. 

Tournament 3000 is definietly the competition table that shook up the industry and set new standards for exceptional quality, strength, and durability.

Best Table Top Mini Foosball Table

Rally and Roar Mini Foosball Tabletop 

The Mini Tabletop Foosball table offered by Rally and Roar offers a few of the features and options for foosball tables that we have discussed. First of all, the name says it all, it is a Mini Tabletop Foosball table. This table offers transportability and lightweight at only 17 lbs and dimensions of 40L x 20W x 9H inches.  The price is very affordable. 

The manufacturing delivers eachplaying  rod at ½ inch steel-plated chrome with ergonomic plastic wood handles for a smooth and sturdy grip. Consists of ABS-constructed mini field players that spin swiftly and effortlessly.  The foam padded, folding legs, offer some stability, but not much is required since the mini foosball table will sit on the tabletop. 

Best Combination Multi Game Foosball Table

Sunnydaze 10 Combination Multi Game Table

The Sunnydaze 10 offers another great feature in Foosball table manufacturing, the ability to include more than just Foosball. The 10 different games might be a bit much but if versatility is what you are looking for, then this is the foosball table for you. 

The tabletops are interchangeable and allow you to play air hockey, foosball, pool, shuffleboard, table tennis, chess, cards, checkers, bowling, and backgammon. The fun will never end. The games are easily switched since all the tables stack between the billiard base and foosball table. 

If you are looking for just a foosball table, this is probably not for you. But if you would like a foosball table and some added benefits for the play room, well then you found your match! Sunnydaze did not go all out on the construction of the foosball accessories, since it’s not a strict foosball table. In any case, it’s an affordable combination multi game foosball table. 

Conclusion

Choosing the best foosball table for your needs is now easier than ever. Refer to our guidelines above and do additional research by watching the video below on how to assemble a foosball table to see if you are ready for the challenge. 

Decide on your budget by analyzing your needs. Don’t over spend for something you don’t need. If you are just buying for a novice youth, then a small one will do. If you are buying for an enthusiast, you may want to look at the Tornado if you have the budget.