DejiMany people love playing pool and billiards since it’s an effective way to improve your skill, or simply unwind with friends.
If you’re a pool enthusiast but sometimes find the trips to the local bar or club inconvenient, you can consider investing in a mini pool table.
Apart from that, you might need such a table if you’d like to own a billiards table but don’t have sufficient space in your home.
A quality mini pool table offers you a lot of benefits. Apart from those expounded above, it also comes handy when you’re seeking to learn how to play the pool game right in the comfort of your home.
These tables offer you an affordable means to hone your skills. Also, they’re ideal for your kids to have some fun in the house when they desire to take a break from their ever-present TV screens.
In this post, we’re reviewing some of the best mini pool tables on the market. In compiling the review article, we examined a couple of essential features, including the playing surface, size, weight, and accessories included.
The playing surface is one crucial factor when shopping for a table, especially if you’re keen about getting something realistic like the felt of a real pool table.
We’ll look into these factors in detail, but first, let’s explore our picks for the best mini pool tables. Here we go!
Top 5 Mini Pool Tables
Ideal Rack’Em Tabletop Pool
The Rack’Em Tabletop Pool from Ideal is among the smallest pool tables out there. Thus, it’s an excellent fit if you’re looking to buy a super-compact pool table.
It’s already assembled, so it’s all set for play straight out of the box.
This table measures 20 inches by 12 inches. Its weight stands at 5.9 lbs.
As for the playing surface, it’s covered in soft green felt, with the sides wearing natural woodgrain finish and black pockets.
The table ships with a pair of cues, sixteen (16) balls (roughly 1 inch in diameter), brush, instruction sheet, a racking triangle as well as billiard chalk.
In the instruction sheet, you’ll find rules for 4 popular games to play on a mini pool table. These are 8-ball, Cut-Throat, 1-pocket, and Straight pools.
Owing to the boxy shape, the Rack’Em Tabletop Pool — instead of baskets or nets — utilizes a system of internal rails for returning the balls.
You won’t see any markings on the railings or the felt, and that’s a standard option in these down-sized tables for pool.
This unit from Ideal is most suitably used for teaching children how to play pool. But it’s not recommended for those kids that are below the age of 3.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comes readily assembled
Cons
- Slightly below the standards for craftsmanship
- The felt isn’t tightly fitted
Costzon Mini Billiard Table 47″
If you’re seeking a standing mini pool table that sports a large playing surface, the Costzon Mini Billiard Table should be top on your list.
It’s built for kids and adults alike and provides standard pool-like experience at a third of the size.
Also, it’s one of the “largest” mini pool tables you’ll get on the market.
The table is a perfect tool to teach your kids how to play this game. For adults, it offers something to flex their hands on.
However, don’t let its large size overwhelm you; while it could be larger than nearly all the other models, the folding design ensures you’ll find it easy to stow away.
Its build quality is superb, straight from the felt to the cues. Also, it offers you something close to an actual feeling of playing pool.
The solid MDF (medium-density fibreboard) pool-bed comes covered with nylon felt. This brings about modest and consistent ball roll.
As regards the pockets, those are correctly sized — they’re neither too large nor too small.
The entire structure feels quite sturdy and doesn’t wobble or shake while playing.
Not only do the MDF legs give stable support to the top but also fold down, allowing for convenient storage and portability.
This set is loaded with all the accessories you can ever think of, including sixteen (16) resin billiard ball, two (2) cue chalk, plastic rack, two 36-inch cues, along with a table brush for cleaning the surface when necessary.
Pros
- Build quality looks solid
- Large playing surface
- Great playability
Cons
- A bit costly but worth the high price
Playcraft Sport Bank Shot 40-Inch Pool Table
This mini pool table measures 40 inches x 20 inches and features blue felt playing surface and laminate cherry sides.
As for the internal measurements of the unit, these are pegged at 17-1/2” x 37-1/2”.
The table — when assembled — is 9 inches tall, and the Bank Shot can be set up easily.
Simply attach the legs, and you’re all set.
Also, the package comprises a set of 16 balls (with a cue ball), a pair of 36-inch cues, racking triangle, table brush, and chalk.
Thanks to the wooden sides and blue felt, this model looks exactly like the real thing.
No markings are on the railings or the felt, as with several other pool tables in this class.
The Playcraft Sport Bank Shot 40-Inch Pool Table is a top-quality tabletop pool set. It’s perfect for parties and also for teaching your children how to play the game.
Apart from these, it’s ideal as a birthday gift.
Pros
- Well equipped
- Easy set-up
- High-quality felt cover
Cons
- The quality of the cues is slightly poor
- The pockets of the table are too wide
Sport Squad Bx40
The Sport Squad Bx40 is a 13-pound lightweight table. Since it’s less than four inches tall, it’s also very compact, making it really easy to store when it’s not in use.
When you’re ready to play, simply put the table on any level surface, and you’re all set.
Also, no need to worry about scratches, the felt-covered legs come with non-marking pads, which help in keeping your tabletop or floors safe.
The mini pool table features two 36” pool cues, a rack, a set of real to-scale billiard balls, in addition to 2 pieces of chalk. Apart from these, there are cushioned rails and deep pockets, which let you enjoy fast and fun play.
The MDF surface lasts long and is covered in blue felt for providing a realistic playing surface.
According to some users, the pockets were small, and removing the balls was a hard thing to do for an adult.
Also, the cues are slightly light and warp easily.
While the artwork on the side is a beautiful feature to behold for kids, some older players didn’t really find it fanciful.
Pros
- Non-marking pads help in protecting tabletops and floors
- Easy to transport
- Easy to store
- Real felt surface
- Has cushioned bumpers
Cons
- Cues easily warp
- Features small pockets
- Artwork designed for kids
Hathaway Sharp Shooter 40” Table Top Pool Table Set
This product is a durable table that equally delivers superb gameplay experience. It’s designed using thicker than average MDF wood. For the corners, it gets heady-duty round plastic bumpers.
The mini table is not only sturdy but also lightweight and compact, allowing for easy portability. Thus, it’s a great travel companion, too.
The dimensions of the top, 40in by 21.5in, are large enough to allow your youngsters to play and experience the pool game.
Furthermore, it’s also full-featured with all the accessories you’d need, such as sixteen 1.5-inch balls, two 36-inch cues, 2-piece pool chalk, a pool rack, and a brush.
Also, the legs come fitted with anti-skid zero-defect pads for protecting the underneath table from scratches and still offering a stable play surface.
Sporting robust construction, the Hathaway’s model is backed by a 180-day warranty against manufacturing defects.
All in all, this set is a great buy to provide your kids with years of playtime. It’s no doubt one of the best mini pool tables in the industry.
Pros
- Loaded with all accessories
- Durable and sturdy build
- Among the most popular choices on Amazon
- Features a larger play surface than other tables
Cons
- Not sold pre-assembled
Buying Guide for the Best Mini Pool Table
In this section, we look at the primary factors to consider while shopping for a top-quality mini pool table.
Size
You’ll first have to decide which specific size is most suitable for you. We do know that we’re starting small here; however, we’ve still a lot of variations in dimensions even within this class.
For instance, if you reside in a small apartment or if you’ve little space for a folding table, you can choose a tabletop option.
These are sold in different sizes that range from 20in to 40in in length.
But if you seek a more realistic experience, you can opt for a folding table, though folding mini pool tables occupy considerably more space compared with their tabletop counterparts.
Such folding tables start at about 40 inches.
Budget
What comes next is to decide how much you want to spend on a mini pool table. Bear in mind that tabletops start at about $20.
Factors that determine the price tag include the table size, craftsmanship as well as included accessories.
For this reason, before you purchase your tabletop set, ensure it comes with everything you want.
On the flip side, folding tables start at about $70 – $80, and the cost can easily rise to $400 or $500.
Type of Materials and Construction
Almost all mini pool tables, especially those in the lower rungs of the ladder, are designed using MDF.
Apart from that, some cooler models could feature carved sides or metallic details.
Also, the cheaper models are often of lower construction quality. However, there’s no need for you to spend a fortune to acquire a modest mini pool table.
Usually, we’ve the playing felt in blue, red, or green, and the pockets will typically feature rope nets.
Certain models, such as the Rack’Em Tabletop Pool, are built with a rail system on the inside, rather than nets.
FAQs about the Best Mini Pool Table
Can a tabletop pool table damage the surface on which it stands?
Yes.
For this reason, it’s essential that you go for a model with non-marking pads or felt for protecting the surface of your tables and floors.
If there’s a table you’d love to buy but doesn’t have this option, you can make use of store-bought products instead, which stick onto the bottom of the table legs easily.
Who’s the mini pool table for?
One crucial factor to take into account while shopping for a pool table is who‘ll be using it.
If you want to buy a mini pool table for your youngsters, go for a durable unit, with a minimum of 20 inches in length.
For teens and adults, we recommend choosing a larger playing surface, a minimum of 40 inches with standing legs.
The kind of table to buy is mainly dependent on what the intended use is, so ensure you know your audience before buying.
Is it okay for a mini pool table to be played outside?
Yes. But the table shouldn’t be left outside since it’s made for indoor use.
These tables aren’t waterproof and could get damaged when exposed to inclement weather and direct sunlight.
If you really have to use one outside, you can set it up in a place where the table will be shielded from direct sunlight.
When there’s wet weather, you’ve to move it inside and always take it in when you’re done making use of it.
Is it possible to learn pool tricks on a mini pool table?
Of course! There’s no difference between the physics of mini pool and regular pool.
Thus, the tricks can still work. But note this: A mini table surface isn’t quite as smooth; therefore, spinning balls and other tricks you want to learn will respond slightly differently than they’d on a professional pool table.
Having said that, we draw the curtain on today’s post on the best mini pool table.