Who doesn’t love air hockey? It’s easy to play, fast paced, and exciting.
It is pretty much the ultimate game room addition. But air hockey tables are big and can be expensive, so you want to do your research before making such an investment.
If you just came here for our top pick then check out the The Valley-Dynamo 8ft Pro Style Air Hockey Table. This is the table that you need if you want the full arcade experience!
This buyer’s guide is going to take an in-depth look at some of the best air hockey tables available on the market. There are a number of different factors that go into choosing a high quality arcade air hockey table and major differences between the types of designs. A classic air hockey table tends to be built with high-quality materials and functions just like some of the ones found in gaming arcades around the world. When looking for an air hockey table for home use, there is a wide range of price and quality that you can go for.
We looked at specs, functionality, durabilitym and customer feedback for a number of different air hockey tables and broke them down into categories to help you choose the best air hockey table for your needs.
Contents
- Best Air Hockey Table Overall
- Best Air Hockey Table Under $500
- Best Air Hockey Table under $100
- Best Air Hockey Table For Kids
- Buying Guide
Overall Best Air Hockey Tables
These are the best of the best. All of these options are extremely well made and will last a long time as well as providing great playability and speed of play. Each of them has their own unique look and style.
Valley-Dynamo 8ft Pro Style Air Hockey Table
The Valley-Dynamo 8ft Pro Style Air Hockey Table is an extremely high end air hockey table that provides some of the highest quality features on the market. While the features from this table are extremely impressive, it is important to note that the price range is also extremely high when compared to some of the alternative options on the market. If price wasn’t a factor, this would certainly be an air hockey table in contention for the best overall product on the market but the price holds it back just a bit.
You can also get this table without the overhead scoring setup for about $600 less. It’s a great way to save some money and still get the best air table out there.
American Heritage Monarch Air-Hockey Table
The American Heritage Monarch Air-Hockey Table is the kind of air hockey table that looks right at home in a classic man cave or gaming room. It has a unique old-school look that stands out on the market. An overhead arch scoreboard is a bonus feature that compliments an air hockey table that already provides satisfaction to the casual air hockey player. The unique construction of this air hockey table certainly compliments the digital scoreboard and heavy duty construction beneath.
This table comes in considerably lower priced than the Valley Dynamo above. While not the practically indestructible arcade build quality of that machine, the American Heritage Monarch is still very well made and will last for many years. It has the perfect combination of quality and style that would make you happy to put it in any room.
Atomic Top Shelf 7.5’ Air Hockey Table
The Atomic Top Shelf 7.5’ Air Hockey Table brings a modern look to the air hockey market. This is a great option for a great price for anyone that wants a more futuristic feel. This table will go well in a game room that features lots of video games and flashing lights.
There are impressive features included like digital scoreboard and multi-color LED technology that put it in its own category. This is the table to have if you host a lot of parties. Even the puck lights up!
Before you buy any table, you need to check out the video on Amazon of this table being played in the dark with the LED lights lit.
Best Air Hockey Table Under $500
This is a good price point for the family that wants to have the fun of air hockey in their home but doesn’t want to break the bank doing it. Both of these options are decent for the price. They just may not give you that authentic arcade air hockey feel.
Playcraft Center Ice 7′ Air Hockey Table
The Playcraft Center Ice 7′ Air Hockey Table is a modern designed air hockey table from a proven brand. This table has proven to be heavy duty and extremely valuable at its current price range. This is certainly a great air hockey table for the price and would make a great addition to any household.
It checks all the boxes you need to worry about…good quality construction, strong motor for air flow, adjustable legs for leveling, and an electronic scorer.
Triumph Blue-Line 7′ Air-Powered Hockey Table
The Triumph Blue-Line 7′ Air-Powered Hockey Table has a nice modern design and quality construction which makes this table extremely valuable at its current price range. It is very similar to the Playcraft model above but it comes in about $100 cheaper and has a little bit of a different look to it.
The price difference means a small step down in some areas. For example, the air blower is slightly less powerful. That means a slight decrease in the speed that the puck travels during play. If I was choosing between the two, the Playcraft would win out, but this is a great option if you need to save a few bucks.
Best Air Hockey Table Under $100
Playcraft Sport 54″ Air Hockey with Electronic Scorer
Playcraft has created the Playcraft Sport 54″ Air Hockey Table with Electronic Scoring for budget minded buyers. Even at this price range, the table features electronic scoring and a decent construction. However, don’t expect this table to stand up to rigorous play or to last for more than a few years with regular play.
Best Air Hockey Table for Kids
Hathaway Hat Trick 4-Ft Air Hockey Table
The Hathaway Hat Trick 4-Ft Air Hockey Table is a great air hockey table for kids because of its unique kid-friendly design. It is the smallest table on this list at 4 feet (and 31″ high) which makes it a perfect introduction to air hockey for smaller kids.
The game is themed for kids and there are many great features that will have hockey fans jumping up and down while playing air hockey. This table is cheap and makes for a great gift for kids that enjoy air hockey.
Air Hockey Table Buying Guide (What To Look For)
There are a few things you want to consider when buying an air hockey table. Here’s our guide for making the best choice possible.
Type of Table
The type of air hockey table that you intend to purchase is a major factor to consider before finalizing your decision. Arcade air hockey tables and Tabletop air hockey tables are significantly different from each other and not just because one requires you to insert money to play.
Most people are familiar with the type of table that is found in an arcade where you insert a few coins and begin playing in a matter of seconds.
Tabletop
The tabletop variety are much smaller, much less expensive, and generally of lesser build quality. They are probably more accurately categorized as toys rather than table games.
The standard tabletop air hockey table is a relatively simple design concept. They are a great inexpensive way to still let you play air hockey in your household. These types of tables are typically 4ft by 4ft and can sit on a table with ease while playing air hockey. This is a great mini-game for any household but it doesn’t provide the same experience that an arcade air hockey table would provide. The exhilaration and excitement is simply not provided in a table top air hockey table, yet the game still has the capability of being extremely fun.
Standard Home Table
Standard home tables are somewhat designed as a middle ground between tabletop and arcade air hockey tables. They often takes the designs of both and combine them to place the best of both worlds into a simple household air hockey table that gets the job done. Sometimes these types of tables can also be converted into other games like darts or pool.
Arcade Tables
The arcade air hockey tables are what most people think of when they think of an air hockey table. These are among the highest quality in the market with auto scoring, timing, and high-quality materials to support a great game. This type of table is usually relatively large compared to the ones that you can find for your household.
This type of table has advanced electronic based technology that adds to the air hockey experience. A live scoreboard and timer is often a feature that is included on this type of table. These tables are typically full arcade sized and provide an optimal air hockey experience when compared to anything on the market.
Geting a classic arcade style table requires significant investment and a lot of space…but it is by far the best option and will last forever.
Multi-Game Tables
These types of tables are not optimal for the air hockey experience and there is one simple reason why. The quality of design cannot be at the levels that are expected of an air hockey table when the manufacturer is combining the table with multiple other mini games. These tables are often in sets of three mini games that offer billiards, darts, and air hockey.
While younger kids may still enjoy this type of table, it will certainly not provide high quality air hockey. In most cases, buyers should not even be tempted to purchase one of these for an optimal air hockey experience. There is much more value in finding an inexpensive full sized air hockey table that has high quality design and interesting features that enhance the air hockey experience.
Build Quality and Durability
Air hockey tables are designed with certain features for certain purposes. One of those features is a heavy duty build quality that enhances durability. This is most common the case in full sized air hockey tables that you would find in an arcade. Build quality is an important factor to consider when purchasing an air hockey table, and it is likely something that won’t be found when cutting corners on the budget. It might be in your best interest to invest in a slightly more expensive air hockey table in order to ensure that you are getting a durable air hockey table.
Auto Scoring
Auto scoring is one of the features that really enhances the air hockey experience. There was once a time where players had a little notepad next to the table where they would mark off a tally if somebody scored. That is no longer necessary with electronic scoring technology that can measure and detect a goal on either side of the table. This is a feature that will likely only be found in higher-end tables, but it certainly enhances the overall experience.
Size Options
2-3 feet
The types of tables at this size are typically the smallest and cheapest ones that you can purchase on the market. They are extremely simple and often times lack the quality that some of the arcade sized air hockey tables are designed with.
4-6 feet
This size is associated with the medium household air hockey tables that are currently available. This is probably the average size of air hockey tables across the entire market. There are some high quality air hockey tables at this size, but you may have to break the bank in order to purchase them.
7-8 feet
This is the official arcade size for air hockey tables. They typically range between seven and eight feet and are equipped with the highest quality features, including electronic scoring and timing. These are heavy duty tables that reach the highest end of the air hockey table market.
Setup and Ease of Assembly
Based on the sizes above, the smaller air hockey tables are typically the easiest and simplest to setup. In fact, some of the smaller tables don’t even require an assembly because they are so condensed in their design. The larger tables that stretch out several feet require step by step assembly. Most air hockey tables come equipped with step by step instruction that go into detail regarding the assembly requirements and tools required.
How To Care For And Maintain Your Air Hockey Table
Air hockey tables are relatively simple to care for. You just have to keep them clean, avoid damaging them, and occasionally wax the surface.
Best Wax For An Air Hockey Table
There are a number of different lube and wax products that are designed to increase the slip factor of an air hockey table. Some manufactures actually include a small example of a lube or wax product in their packaging. Pledge floor wax is one product that some customers have claimed to use on their air hockey tables with great satisfaction. Just be sure to spray it on the cloth and then rub the surface. Don’t spray it directly on the surface.
Best Cleaner ForAn Air Hockey Table
It is extremely important to clean air hockey tables on a regular basis to reduce drag on the table that could potentially impact the air hockey experience. Scrubbing the table with a wet cloth and rubbing alcohol is a great way to provide maintenance to your table. Using soap is not recommended because it could potentially damage the air holes on the surface.
