Are you thinking about purchasing a tabletop air hockey game for the kids, or even the adults? Could you benefit from some information on how to choose the very best tabletop air hockey game for your particular room?
If so, you have come to the right place. In the following article we have reviewed several of the most popular and best-selling tabletop air hockey games on the market today, and highlighted the pros and cons associated with each model.
We have also included a Tabletop Air Hockey Game Buying Guide, in which we will outline and explain the various factors and features you should look for when making a purchase of this type.
Best Tabletop Air Hockey Tables
1.Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey
- Easy Storage. At only 40-inches at its longest, the Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey is very easy to store
- Accessories included. Along with the main game unit, this tabletop air hockey game comes with 2 paddles or strikers and 2 pucks.
- Very small. The Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey is not suited for truly competitive play.
- Compromised puck movement. The game does not put out enough airflow to allow for smooth puck movement.
If you have limited space in your man cave or game room, the Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey game might be for you. Designed with a sturdy MDF hardwood frame, the game is made to sit directly on any tabletop for hours of uninterrupted fun.
The game is 100 percent UL-approved, and the air is supplied by a 100-cfm air-powered motor. The ABS puck catcher on the game makes for easy and fast puck return; and the package includes 2 paddles and 2 pucks in addition to the game unit.
2. Sport Squad HX40 Table Top Air Hockey Table
- Lightweight. The Sport Squad HX40 Table Top Air Hockey Table is one of the lightest and most portable air hockey games on the market today.
- Rapid assembly. Assembly of this air hockey game is fast and easy—just snap in the goals, turn on the motor and play.
- Motor can overheat. When played on carpet rather than a hard surface, the motor on the Sport Squad HX40 Table Top Air Hockey Table can overheat.
- AC power only. There is no on/off switch on this table, which means the only way to control the power is to plug it in or unplug it.
The Sport Squad HX40 Table Top Air Hockey Table may be small in size but what it delivers in power is far from puny. The high output fan on this game generates a realistic air hockey feel. It is powered by a hefty AC 12-volt motor and adaptor, all of which combine to produce an even amount of airflow for smooth and frictionless play.
The Sport Squad HX40 is made from durable MDF hardwood, measures 40″L x 20″W x 5″H and weighs 14 pounds. Lastly, the compact and very portable air hockey table features non-marking rubber pads to protect all your table surfaces.
3. Simtec PowerBand Air Hockey Tabletop Game
- Safe. Because this air hockey game uses no form of electrical power, it is very safe for children.
- Inclusive set. The Simtec PowerBand Air Hockey Tabletop Game includes all the accessories you need to play the game right out of the box.
- Flimsy. The flimsy nature of this game, according to some reviewers, means it will not stand up to rigorous adult play.
Slightly larger than our other two tabletop air hockey games, the Simtec PowerBand Air Hockey Tabletop Game measures 49 inches in length by 34 inches across. The game is very portable and versatile, mostly because it creates high-speed air hockey action without the use of batteries or electric power.
The frame of the game is made from plastic and is extremely lightweight, making the game ideal for children. Purchasers of this game will receive the air hockey game board, 2 carpet pucks, 2 surface protector pads and 2 quick-flip goalie mallets for protecting the goal.
Tabletop Air Hockey Games Buying Guide
Are you interested in buying an air hockey table for your man cave or game room? Are you aware of the many factors and features you should consider when making one of these purchases?
If not, there is no need to worry. In the following Buying Guide we will discuss the various aspects and characteristics you should look for in an air hockey game, and ultimately help you make the very best purchasing decision depending on your individual needs and preferences.
Types of Air Hockey Games
Although heretofore this article has focused strictly on tabletop air hockey games, we think you should know that there are actually many different types of air hockey games available for purchase.
The type you select will ultimately be a matter of preference, but you should know that different air hockey games come with many disparate features and functions, as well as a wide array of price tags.
There are arcade-style air hockey games, for example, that have the look and feel of those you would see in your local arcade or game emporium. Although they tend to be very pricey, they do offer a lot of advantages.
First, arcade-style arcade games are durably built and tend to stand the test of time when used and cared for correctly. They are of regulation size, which means you can either play friendly games on these air hockey tables or engage in more serious tournament competition.
Home air hockey tables usually look similar to the arcade-style games, with a rectangular playing surface and four legs to hold it. These are considerably more affordable than the arcade-style air hockey tables, but they are not as sturdily built.
Some of these tables are of regulation size, while others fall short of regulation on the low side.
Finally, there are tabletop air hockey games, the title subject of our article. As their name suggests, tabletop air hockey games have very short legs (or they are legless) and designed to be placed on a table of some kind before they are played.
Of all the various types of air hockey games on the market today, the tabletop varieties are the least expensive, and some are more durable than others. Typically, tabletop air hockey games fall short in terms of regulation dimensions, although there are some manufacturers that build these models to scale.
Size
The size of your tabletop air hockey game is another important consideration. Of course, you will need to buy a game that is small enough to adequately fit on the table on which you plan to play it—one that will also not take up too much room in your man cave or game room.
However, when determining the size you need, you should also consider the people who will be playing the game most frequently. If you are purchasing this table for adults, for example, perhaps to engage in friendly tournaments, you should probably go with a larger and sturdier model that can take the punishment of adult play.
On the other hand, if your children will be the primary users of the table, you might be better served to get a smaller tabletop game, one children can easily reach and access, and save yourself a couple of bucks in the process.
Portability
Do you intend to take your tabletop air hockey game from place to place, perhaps on vacations, to parties or to family reunions? If you do, you must consider the portability of the model you intend to purchase.
Portability has much more to do with the size of the table, although that is also very important. No, portability also includes things like a handy carrying case, the ability of the game to fold up to a more compact size, and adequate space in the carrying case for the paddles and score sheets.
Material
Tabletop air hockey games come in a variety of materials. The actual playing surface can be made from plastic or metal, and the support pieces can also vary in their material.
For a heavy and more durable game, you should think about purchasing those machines made from thick plastics or heavy metals like steel. However, if portability is your main concern, you might want to opt for a tabletop air hockey game that is made of lightweight plastic composite or aluminum, both of which are lighter than other materials.
What’s Included?
It’s no fun buying a tabletop air hockey game just to get home and discover it lacks some of the critical game components. That’s why you should always buy a tabletop air hockey game that comes complete with at least 2 paddles and perhaps even a built-in scoring system. Games that force you to buy these items separately might not be worth the trouble.
Extra “Bells and Whistles”
There are some very elaborate tabletop air hockey games on the market that come with a variety of “bells and whistles”—extra features that really set them apart. Some of these extras include LED lights, sounds when a goal is scored, and an automatic scoring system that helps to constantly keep you informed of the score as you play.
Moreover, you might want to get a tabletop air hockey game that is adjustable in terms of height. This will allow you to change the height of the game based on who is playing—a group of adults or teenagers or smaller children who need the game at a lower height.
Warranty
Last but not least, it’s important to buy a tabletop air hockey game that comes with a fairly good warranty at no extra cost to the consumer.
Most of these games will only come with a one-year warranty (or no warranty whatsoever), but if you look around long enough, and read enough customer reviews, you can often find products with longer warranties, which usually serves as a signal that the quality of that product is up to par.
So there you have it – our top 3 best tabletop air hockey table reviews. Let us know what you think in the comments.