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ByMary Henn
Updated: Jun. 26, 2024
Bring the excitement of the arcade to your home game room with the best air hockey tables
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Air hockey is one of the most popular arcade table games available, combining the intensity of ice hockey with the convenience of a tabletop game. Air hockey tables allow you to bring thrill and excitement into your home game room or basem*nt and—similar to the best pool tables andping pong tables—provide endless hours of competitive and physical gameplay for your friends and family.
The best air hockey tables provide a secure, level playing surface and a convenient scoring system. They are sized to fit users’ age and skill levels. Playing a game on any particular table will help assess its quality. “The surface should be sleek, and the blower should move the airflow throughout the surface so the pucks do not get idle or stationary,” says Lynne Cornwall, co-owner of Encore Billiards & Gameroom.We’ve provided various options so you can find the best air hockey table that fits your needs regardless of your budget and space.
Best Overall Air Hockey Table
Hathaway Midtown 6-Foot Air Hockey Table
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Best Budget Air Hockey Table
Best Choice Products 58-Inch Air Hockey Table
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Best Rustic Air Hockey Table
Pottery Barn Air Hockey Table
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Best Air Hockey Table for Kids
Hey! Play! Mini Arcade Air Hockey Table
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Best Splurge Air Hockey Table
ESPN 84-Inch Air Powered Hockey Table
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Best All-In-One Air Hockey Table
Best Choice Products Four-in-One Multi-Game Table
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Best Tabletop Air Hockey Table
Sport Squad 40-Inch Tabletop Air Hockey Table
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Best Convertible Air Hockey Table
Hampton 3-in-1 Air Hockey, Dining and Table Tennis Table
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Pros:
- Arcade-style look and size
- Electronic scoreboard is easy to read
- Powerful blower motor for frictionless play
- Automatic puck return
- Comes with a 180-day warranty
Cons:
- Not ideal for smaller rooms
The high-quality look and feel of this Hathaway Midtown Air Hockey Table make it our best overall pick, especially for those with a dedicated game room or man cave. Its heavy-duty, 6-foot frame is built to last, and the raised LED-lit scoreboard and timer are large enough for both players and spectators to see. The powerful fan creates a near-friction-free playing surface, which adds to that arcade-like experience. Bonus: The automatic puck return is a convenient perk.
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Pros:
- Affordable price
- Freestanding table
- Large LED scoreboard
- Comes with a carrying bag
Cons:
- Smaller than full-sized tables
Despite its comparably low price, this air hockey table offers several attractive features, like a large LED scoreboard and a 12-volt blower fan that allows the puck to glide smoothly across its nearly 5-foot-long surface. Best of all, unlike similarly-priced options that require a tabletop, this model has sturdy legs, allowing you to use it practically anywhere. And at just over 43 pounds, it’s easy to transport.
5-star Amazon reviewer, Mimi, loves this air hockey table saying, “We bought 2 of these, one for each grandchild’s family, and they are a big hit. They are a bit smaller than a traditional air hockey table but that’s what was needed; big enough for adults to play and small enough for 8 year old boys. We’ve played it, too, and it’s a lot of fun. It seems sturdy and well made. These were good purchases.”
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Pros:
- Hand-stained rustic stone finish
- Legs have a steel black finish
- Comes with all playing essentials
- Two color options
- Financing is available
- Each purchase of this air hockey table plants a tree
Cons:
- Pricey
- Assembly required
When it comes to gaming tables, Pottery Barn designs some of the best-looking ping pong, pool and air hockey tables on the market. The PB Air Hockey Table is made to regulation standards and includes everything you need to get the game going: four pucks, four goalies and two manual scoring systems.
We love the hand-stained oak veneer on this expertly crafted table, and the sturdy x-shaped base makes it a focal point in any home game room. It comes in two colors: Pine and antique stone. Plus, the playing surface of the table has a timeless design fit for every decor style.
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Pros:
- Compact and portable
- Affordable
- Battery-powered
- Edges made of attractive brown wood
Cons:
- Too small for adult play
If you’re looking to add a little gaming fun to a kid’s playroom, this miniature air hockey table on Amazon is a great option for children who can’t reach to play on a full-size air hockey table. This miniature table is battery-powered and has all the essential functions of a full-size air hockey table, so kids can have all the fun adults do on a standard air hockey table.
It has airflow, a sliding scorekeeper on each side, and is portable! So, you can take your mini air hockey table from the toy room to the backyard and beyond.
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Pros:
- Extra-large, 7-foot playing surface
- Overhead light-up scoreboard
- Very sturdy construction
- Includes cup holders
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of space
- Pricey
If you’re looking to recreate an authentic arcade atmosphere in your home game room, consider this pro-style ESPN air hockey table. Wow your family and guests with the table’s 7-foot-long size and striking red color scheme. The light-up goal indicator suspended above the table cranks up the intensity of your games. Plus, unlike most tables that only provide two pucks and two pushers, this one gives you four of each.
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Pros:
- Includes four games in one
- Compact size
- Easy to switch between games
- Includes all accessories needed
- Games stack on top of each other when not in use
Cons:
- Hockey table doesn't have an air blower
This multi-game table offers much more than tabletop hockey, transforming into three additional games: Ping pong, pool and foosball. This multipurpose design saves a ton of floor space, and because all the games stack on top of each other during use, it doesn’t require separate storage. This table is rated for ages three and older, and its smaller 31-inch playing surface also makes it easier for little ones to follow the puck. The lack of a fan means the game isn’t true air hockey, but the slower-moving puck is also a boon for younger players.
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Pros:
- Can be used anywhere with a flat surface
- Features 12-volt blower for airflow
- Affordable price
- No assembly required
Cons:
- Table could shift during game play
If you don’t have the available floor space or prefer an air hockey table that’s portable enough to use as a backyard game, consider this tabletop model from Joola. A 12-volt fan provides that smooth puck action just like full-sized tables, and the puck return tray makes it clear when a shot has been scored. With no legs, this table doesn’t require assembly and is ready to be used right out of the box. This design also makes it easy to store when not in use, whether under the bed or on end in a closet.
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Best Convertible Air Hockey Table
Hampton 3-in-1 Air Hockey, Dining and Table Tennis Table
Pros:
- Multi-functional, convertible gaming table
- Contemporary, space-saving design
- Storage built into benches
- Easy table transformation
Cons:
- Pricey
No game room? No problem. This sleek, multi-functional table will work in any room of your home thanks to its ability to convert into a dining table. The Hampton 3-in-1 Dining Table includes an air hockey and ping pong table, and it comes with dual storage bench seating to store all your gaming accessories. The storage benches conveniently tuck under the table to save space and blend into any room.
All you have to do is remove or flip over the dining top to instantly convert your table to a full-size, air-powered hockey table—and it has all accessories you need for playing air hockey and table tennis, including pucks, pushers, a net, post and paddles. The hockey table’s high-powered blower provides fast gameplay, while two inlaid scorers help keep track of points.
What to Look For When Buying an Air Hockey Table
The most important thing to consider when shopping for the best air hockey table is whether or not it will fit in your space. Air hockey tables come in a wide range of lengths, so ensure you have enough room for the table to fit and for players to move around comfortably and safely. Large and full-sized tables are better suited for older and more experienced players, while smaller tables are better for kids.
Beyond size, other things to consider when buying an air hockey table include:
- Whether the air hockey table has a built-in blower for airflow (non-blower tables are still a fun option for those who prefer portability or are shopping on a budget)
- How many players can play at once
- Style and design of the table
- How it’s powered (plug-in or battery-operated)
- Whether accessories are included
For home purchases, look for a sturdy table that does not wobble. “Individual legs or heavy pedestal legs make for a sturdier design on home tables,” says Cornwall. “Metal perimeters are more durable than plastic. The airflow distribution is key to ensure a fast game.”
How We Found the Best Air Hockey Tables
Air hockey tables are great additions to home game rooms, providing fun for the entire family. To find the best air hockey tables, we searched for gaming tables suitable for various ages, styles and budgets. We combed through several retailers to find high-quality products that fit multiple needs and design interests. Then, we looked at consumer reviews and sought expert guidance before narrowing down our top picks. Overall, we found that the heavier an air hockey table, the more durable and better quality it is likely to be.
Why You Should Trust Us
Mary Henn, the author of this piece, is a shopping editor and writer forFamily Handyman. She has also contributed product reviews to publications, including Reader’s Digest and Taste of Home, where she specializes in outdoor trends and interior design. She previously worked as an editor at Kansas City magazine, covering trends, local news and architecture,among other topics.
Lynn E. Cornwall is a co-owner of Encore Billiards & Gameroom in Milford, Connecticut. The family-owned and operated retail store specializes in top-quality gaming and recreational equipment, including air hockey tables, billiards and arcade games.
Nina Derwin is a commerce updates editor for Reader’s Digest, Taste of Home and Family Handyman. She hasexperience researching and reviewing various items to help shoppers find the best products on the market. She researched and updated this piece.
FAQ
How do air hockey tables work?
Air hockey tables work by blowing air through small perforations in the playing surface, creating a nearly frictionless surface (much like the ice on a hockey rink) so the puck glides quickly and smoothly when struck by the pusher. These internal blowers are typically powered by plugging the table into a standard electrical outlet.
How do you clean an air hockey table?
The best air hockey tables have a laminate surface, which wipes clean easily with the brush attachment on your vacuum. You can also use isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the surface—just make sure to turn the blower on before wiping to prevent any liquid from dripping inside.
How can you tell if an air hockey table is good quality?
When shopping for an air hockey table, Cornwall recommends focusing on weight. “It should be on the heavier side to not be wobbly. The legs and aprons should be thick to add weight and be durable.” Secondly, look for dead spots as pucks move across the table. Good-quality tables have level, smooth playing surfaces.
Originally Published: May 19, 2023
Author
Mary Henn
Mary Henn, MA, MFA is a shopping editor at Family Handyman. She’s also a national award-winning writer and journalist. Her expertise lies in interior design, cleaning, pets, and outdoor trends.
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