A foosball table is a great recreational investment and a fun addition to any home or business. When you start researching which table to buy, you might be surprised to find out there are so many different kinds of foosball tables. Trying to choose the best foosball table can be tricky with so many variations available. Let’s go through some of the considerations to make to help you choose the right foosball table for your needs.
Choosing A Commercial Or Home Foosball Table
Are you planning to put your foosball table in a business location, or are you going to place it in a home environment? Answering this question will help to begin narrowing the field of choices for you so you can choose the best foosball table. Foosball tables for commercial use tend to be heavier and sturdier, and generally more expensive. Some commercial foosball tables are also coin operated. Home foosball tables, while still being quite sturdy, are better suited for home and family use. They often come in many different finishes to suit your taste, and some even double as furniture, such as a table.
Choosing Indoor or Outdoor Foosball Table
Some tables are designed especially for outdoor use. They are weather resistant and perfect for a patio, deck, or poolside. And while an outdoor foosball table can certainly be used indoors as well, they are constructed of weatherproof materials and rust resistant metals, so they can handle harsh outdoor conditions. It’s best to cover them when not in use to prevent color fading. Unless a table specifies that it is for outdoor use, consider it an indoor table. If you’re looking for an outdoor foosball table, check out models from Berner, Garlando, Park & Sun, and Playcraft.
Furniture-Style Foosball Tables
If you don’t have a dedicated game room in your home or workplace, some manufacturers make tables that are designed to fit in better with furniture. Berner, Garlando, Tornado, and Playcraft all have furniture-style foosball tables. They may be made of woods such as mahogany or walnut, and have more ornate legs and siding than typical foosball tables. There are also some foosball tables that actually double as furniture; for instance there are coffee table foosball tables by Chicago Gaming. They are lower to the ground and have a clear solid cover over the top. There are also many innovative contemporary designs that almost resemble works of art, but you’ll pay extra for those. Choosing the best foosball table for your home is largely a matter of personal taste.
European Style or American Style
Europeans and Americans foosball tables differ in the style of play, and foosball tables generally favor one or the other. American style foosball centers around the speed of the game. European style foosball focuses on maneuverability. To accomplish this ball handling, a cork ball is used along with narrower feet on the players. When it comes down to it, this is merely a personal choice.
American style tables also tend to have two defenders along with a goalie, whereas European style tables tend to just have the goalie. Luckily though you can usually choose the configuration you want during assembly, so you don’t have to commit to one style or the other on a permanent basis.
Game Features
There are some features that are common to most tables. These might include internal ball return, ball entry, side return, and leg levelers. Leg levelers are particularly important, since an uneven table will cause the ball to roll one way or the other, giving one side an advantage. Optional features you may want to consider include cup holders, octagonal handles, and some even come with neon lighting. More advanced tables might offer an easy way to adjust the height of the table.
Researching The Best Foosball Table
It’s also a good idea to read some online reviews of the foosball tables you are considering. By reading reviews you will learn the pros and cons of each table, and find out details and preferences that aren’t always available in the manufacturer’s product descriptions. Read a variety of reviews including positive and negative to get the most information for choosing the best foosball table for your situation.
Recommendations
If you have kids and are putting a foosball table in your gameroom, a Carrom foosball table is a good midrange choice for family use, and comes in many different styles to suit your taste. It’s sturdy, looks good and won’t break the bank. For more money you can enter the higher end realm of brands like Tornado and Garlando tables. Tornado actually makes the tables used in foosball tournaments--the Tornado Tournament 3000. For the extra money you get smoother play, sturdier construction and more choices in terms of aesthetics.
Choose The Best Foosball Table
Considering the wide variety of foosball tables available on the market, you are sure to find one that fits right in for your situation. Just be sure to do a little research and compare features and prices. The enjoyment you get will be well worth the effort!
