The 10 Best Pool Tables for Your Home Game Room
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Cue up some family-friendly competition with the best pool tables on the market.
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Billiards (aka pool) has been popular for hundreds of years. Evolved from lawn games like croquet, the game has been played by people from all walks of life since its inception. According to an interview conducted with experts from Olhausen Billiards Manufacturing, many people set up their pool tables in a basement or bonus room. However, folks with less space have the option of using dining tops and benches to turn their dining room into a dual-purpose gaming room.
The best pool tables instantly upgrade your basement to entertain family and friends. A few spaces that benefit from installing a pool table include:
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Best Overall Pool Table
Brunswick Billiards Boca Slate Pool Table
Brunswick Billiards has crafted top-quality pool tables for more than a hundred years. Its Boca Slate pool table is eight feet long and offers a contemporary and casual, yet chic, design. It matches the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) standards and is designed for precise and level play.
With Brunswick tables, you can count on a lifetime of enjoyment. This model has durable pocket corners, round rail sights, jet-black laminate, tightly bound components and a sheared surface for the smoothest playing possible. With 14 felt colors to choose from, you’re sure to find a hue that matches your decor.
Pros
- Professional installation included
- Comes with replaceable felt
- Accessories included
- Available in 14 felt colors
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Weighs 900 pounds
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Best Budget Pool Table
American Legend Kirkwood Pool Table
This classic American Legend pool table features a rustic finish with unique K-shaped legs, concealed drop pockets, molded corner protection and shims for uneven flooring. Now that’s what we call quality features at a value price! The seven-foot table’s design is what really stands out here. The artful, industrial legs make it look much more expensive than it is, and the bold royal blue felt top adds a pop of personality to a subterranean space—no matter what basement paint color covers the walls.
Pros
- Won’t break the bank
- Accessories included
- Easy assembly
- Weighs just over 200 pounds
Cons
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Less durable than other options
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Most Stylish Pool Table
Pottery Barn Mid-Century Modern Pool Table
We love the look of this mid-century pool table with a walnut finish. Its sleek appearance looks fantastic in a variety of rooms and adds some sophistication to traditional basement furniture. Plus, this 8.5-foot table offers natural cushion rubber, leather drop pockets and spill-resistant felt in case the party gets a little rowdy.
All the accessories (and then some) that you’ll need for a game of pool are included: cues, balls, bridge stick, triangle, table brush, table cover and much more. If you have a large game room, this pool table looks excellent next to Pottery Barn’s other mid-century gaming tables, including this ping pong table.
Pros
- Mid-century design
- Built to last
- Spill-proof felt
- Ultimate accessory kit included
Cons
- Expensive
- Weighs 950 pounds
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Best Pool Table for Small Spaces
Costway Mini Pool Table
If you’re looking for a pool table to liven up a playroom or an extra-small game room, we found the best mini pool table for you. This one from Costway is just four feet long and a little over two feet wide. The accessories arrive scaled down to the table’s size. However, they’re still durable enough for long-lasting performance.
Its compact proportions and portability offer space-saving excitement without the overwhelming presence of a full-size pool table. It’s made for all ages, from kids who want to learn how to play the popular game to adults who want to practice their skills but don’t have room for a standard-size table.
Pros
- Four feet by two feet
- Only weighs 33 pounds
- Portable
- Affordable
- Accessories included
Cons
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Some buyers note issues with the quality of the cues
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Best Seven-Foot Pool Table
Hathaway Jupiter Pool Table
The Hathaway Jupiter Table is comparable in design concept to the Brunswick Billiards Boca Slate pool table, but it’s significantly cheaper. It’s 1.5 feet shorter in length, measuring seven feet long, so it’s an ideal option if you’re looking for a more compact table.
Reviews for this table note its durability, sturdiness and sleek appearance. Its legs resist wobbling and shifting during play. Plus, the extra-wide top rails with inlaid sights and tournament-tested bumpers add subtle sophistication.
Pros
- Seven feet long and under 200 pounds
- Post-style leg design for stability
- Accessories included
- Affordable
Cons
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Felt is not premium quality
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Best Portable Pool Table
Hathaway Fairmont Portable Pool Table
If you’re looking for the best pool table you can transport from party to party, then the Hathaway Fairmont is for you. It’s six feet long, so it’s ideal for small spaces, like apartments and offices. Even better, this pool table comes reasonably priced if you’re not ready to shell out the big bucks on a larger version.
We love that this best folding pool table pick comes with a storage bag for taking it with you on the go. Reviews note that the materials are surprisingly sturdy and durable, so you can count on it lasting for many tailgates and backyard game nights for years to come.
Pros
- Foldable
- Comes with a storage bag
- Affordable
- Accessories included
Cons
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Smaller than standard-size pool tables
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Best Outdoor Pool Table
Playcraft Santorini Slate Pool Table
The Playcraft Santorini table stands out for many reasons: It’s made for indoors and outdoors, converts to tabletop tennis, doubles as a patio dining table and comes with two benches for seating. This seven-foot table is weather-resistant and comes with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover to keep it in mint condition when it’s operating as a dining surface.
While this option comes with a heftier price tag, it could also save you money on patio furniture. The multi-use design is a smart space-saving solution for small patios and backyards. In fact, it’s also the best pool table ping-pong combo on our list.
Pros
- Made for both indoors and outdoors
- Has a table tennis conversion top
- Pool and ping pong table accessories included
- Comes with two bench seats
Cons
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Expensive
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Best Splurge Pool Table
Pottery Barn Griffin Pool Table
Cue up some game night competition on this industrial steel and wooden pool table from Pottery Barn. The modern design of the Griffin pool table is guaranteed to look stunning in your basement. It’s crafted from kiln-dried wood which prevents warping, splitting, cracking and mildew throughout years of use.
It comes with all the typical accessories and beyond, including a PVC table cover, repair kit, felt brush, wall-mounted rack and table tennis kit.
Pros
- Beautifully designed with quality materials
- Features bonded leather detail
- Includes a rubber-lined cover
- Pool and table tennis accessories included
- Stands up to years of use
Cons
- Professional installation required
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Best Pool Table Ping Pong Combo
Fat Cat Original Pockey Pool Table
If pool only makes up part of your passion for tabletop games, we recommend investing in a combo gaming table that also includes ping pong and air hockey. The Fat Cat Original Pockey pool table offers a large 87-inch playing surface. Real rubber bumpers surround the table, offering an authentic bounce. Flip the table around to reveal an air hockey table with an electric motor that outputs up to 80 cubic feet of air per minute.
Prefer to play ping pong? No worries—the table is perfectly capable of that, too. Simply use the locking system on either side of the table to attach the sturdy ping pong court. Best yet, storage located around the table frame offers ample spots to stow away the plethora of accessories.
Pros
- Offers three-in-one gaming capabilities
- Easy to switch from pool to ping pong or air hockey
- Balls, racquets, pucks and cues included
- Built-in accessory storage
- Real rubber bumpers
Cons
- May require leveling prior to play
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Best Pool Table Dining Table Combo
Hathaway Newport Pool Table
Those with limited dining space should consider a pool table that does double duty. The Hathaway Newport pool table isn’t just for game night—a rustic-style driftwood melamine plank locks solidly on top, offering a sturdy dining table. When the game is afoot, simply detach the top to convert it to a luxe pool table. An option to switch to ping pong adds even more variety.
Apart from comfortable seating, the benches boast a lift-top cushion that reveals ample storage for accessories like the included cues, balls and racking triangle. The pool tablecloth comes from wool, so it’s durable and resistant to mold and mildew.
Pros
- Offers a dining table top for small spaces
- The included lift-top benches have built-in storage for accessories
- Converts to ping pong
- Comes in four colors
- Leg levelers included
Cons
- Over 400 pounds
What to Consider When Buying a Pool Table
When shopping for pool tables, it’s important to consider the size of the table itself and the space in which you’ll place it. The standard regulation-size pool table for tournaments is nine feet long, but the best pool tables for home don’t have to adhere to that rigid standard. “The most popular size for the home is eight feet,” says Olhausen Billiards. Those working with a smaller basement or gaming space may want to opt for a six or seven-foot pool table.
For those looking to add a little extra gaming fun to a kid’s playroom, we recommend checking out miniature pool tables. When it comes to pool tables for a patio or deck space, choose one that’s made specifically for the outdoors and can withstand some weathering. Also, consider the space and whether accessories will enhance the enjoyment of your new pool table. Popular pool table accessories include:
- Pool table lights: According to Olhausen Billiards, pool table lights assist in making accurate shots where shadows might be cast. They also eliminate eye strain and provide a cool atmosphere.
- Pool table covers: Pool table covers come in both cloth/leather and hardtop varieties for dining. They protect the pool table from dust and spills and keep the table’s wool and nylon felt from pilling and scratches.
- Pool table brush: Olhausen Billiards says that pool table brushes serve as the easiest way to clear debris and chalk marks. “Make sure your brush is made with fibers that will not ruin your cloth and that you brush in one direction (head to foot),” they note. When cleaning a pool table, the brush should be used along with a damp cloth. No chemicals should ever touch the surface of the table. They remind all players to “blot, don’t rub.”
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m an Associate Shopping Editor at Family Handyman with expertise in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends.
Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece. Way consulted Olhausen Billiards Manufacturing in an exclusive interview for what defines a quality pool table.
How We Chose the Best Pool Tables
While pool is just a game, spending serious money on a pool table is not. To complicate the purchasing process further, finding the best pool table is not a one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why we carefully sourced each pick, combing through specs (dimensions, pool table felt quality, table materials and accessories), cost and user reviews.
While some of the tables on this list cost more than others, we feel that the quality of these picks lend themselves to the higher price point after consulting pool table experts. Whether a pool beginner or a seasoned player, our shopping experts are confident that you’ll find the perfect pool table for your family—and budget—in this list.
FAQ
What is the standard size of a pool table?
Modern pool tables come in several different sizes, but standard pool tables range from six to nine feet in length. While there’s no set standard size for home use, regulation pool tables follow a two-to-one ratio, meaning they are twice as long as they are wide. If you’re looking for a pool table that complies with that requirement, eight and nine-foot pool tables generally adhere to regulation standards.
How much do pool tables cost?
The price range varies widely. While toy and miniature tables typically run a few hundred dollars, basic mid-range tables tend to cost a few thousand dollars. When it comes to the best home pool tables, you’re going to see the price increase with size, quality of materials and intricacy of design.
Where should I put my pool table?
Some pool tables can be used both indoors and outdoors, like the Playcraft Santorini pool table. Depending on where you plan to play, consider the portability and size of the table. As a backyard game, you have more flexibility on placement. However, in a traditional basement area, place it in the center of the room so players have enough space to move the cues around freely.
Originally Published: January 20, 2023
