The Top Foosball Tables for Your Rec Room

Foosball tables are a common sight across many pubs, bars, arcades, game rooms, rec rooms, and garages, both personal and commercial; the odds are good that, even if you’ve never played for yourself, you’ve seen other people playing it in one or more of these areas. It’s essentially a modified, tabletop version of soccer, so its popularity is no surprise. The rules are quite simple, making it easy to learn and a fun game for people of all ages. It’s competitive, loud, and doesn’t require much in the way of upkeep, maintenance, or equipment. Since playing foosball doesn’t require any more effort beyond spinning and controlling the rods with the flick of a wrist or hand, it’s a highly accessible pastime. And the number of players required for a game is flexible. Foosball can be one-on-one or played by four to six people at once. Extra-large tables may allow for an even larger group of friends to play together at the same time.

Whether you’ve played before or not, a foosball table can be a great addition to your home if you have the room for it, especially if you like to host guests or throw parties. Here are a few we recommend.

What to Consider in a Foosball Tables

Here are a few things to think about before buying a foosball table:

• Type: There are three main types of foosball tables you’ll see available for purchase: standard models, tabletop models, and combination gaming tables. Standard foosball tables are the ones you’ll find most commonly in bars and pubs and the like, models that can support six to eight players at once, depending on the number of bars. These can come in slightly smaller sizes as well. Tabletop foosball tables are much smaller, also known as mini foosball tables, and they can be placed and played on a sturdy dining room table, coffee table, or even the floor since they don’t have legs. They’re a great option for anyone whose home has limited available space, for those who want to store their foosball table when it’s not in use, or those who are on a budget. Combination gaming tables (also called multi-game tables) can be converted to play several different games, not just foosball alone but games like air hockey, billiards, and other similar table games. These are more expensive, and you may not want the hassle of constantly switching the table between different modes, but they do give you great bang for your buck, offer superior versatility, and can save some space since you won’t have multiple game tables taking up room in your home.
• Strength: Even though foosball is a simple game, matches can get quite fast, loud, and intense. Therefore the stronger and more heavy-duty your foosball table is, the better. Do note, however, that sturdier tables will generally weigh more, though even lesser strength models still won’t be particularly lightweight unless they’re tabletop models. Solid wood or metal tables will be the most heavy-duty and long-lasting. Foosball tables made of composite materials or especially MDF particleboard alone won’t be as sturdy. It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that real wood models may warp over time if you live in a humid climate. Tabletop models will almost always be made of plastic and are thus not as high quality or sturdy. Look for models with sturdy, thick legs to ensure greater stability. Thicker sidewalls, at least an inch wide, are also optimal.
• Extras: There are a few extra features and options you can look for at a foosball table. Keep an eye out for models with hollow rather than solid metal rods, as they’re lighter, faster, and easier to spin. Some tables are height adjustable or light up. Look for a foosball table with the smoothest and hardest possible finish, like laminate or tempered glass, on the playing surface for optimal speed; a solid wood finish will slow down your foosball as you play. Try to avoid those with stick-on designs, as these will likely peel and roll up over time, which will interfere with your game. A leg-leveled model is also ideal if you can find one, as they ensure a level playing surface even on uneven floors. And while some foosball tables require you to keep score on your own, usually via sliding tiles on the ends, others have automatic electronic scoreboards that save you the trouble.

Top Choice: Best Choice Products Competition Size Foosball Table

You’ll love having this comfortable yet sturdy foosball table in your home game or entertainment room. At 48 inches long by 33.5 inches wide by 32 inches tall, it’s large enough for up to six players at once but not so large that it’ll take up more than its share of space in your living area. It’s short enough for most kids to play and waist-high for most adults so that they don’t have to bend over while playing.

Made of composite wood with steel rods finished with chrome, this foosball table is plenty sturdy to hold up to regular use. The control rods also have ergonomically designed handles to makes them easier and more comfortable to grip during games. The plastic player figurines are made of smoothly curved, molded plastic that offers better ball control, while the surface is smooth and low-friction, so you’ll never need to worry about the ball getting stuck or slowing down at inopportune times. Also included are a set of built-in cupholders, perfect for parties, and two foosballs.

Best Tabletop: Sport Squad Tabletop Foosball Table for Adults and Kids

If you have limited space in your home, already own a particularly sturdy table, or want a portable foosball table for activities like tailgating or camping, a tabletop model rather than a full-sized one may be a better choice. This compact 40- by 20- by 8-inch tabletop foosball model weighs only 15 pounds, making it ideal for kids and traveling alike.

Despite its small size, this tabletop foosball table is suitable for up to four players at once. The six rods are made of steel and plated with chrome for extra durability and faster play. Each has a grooved rubber handle on both ends that provides a sturdier grip and prevents your hands from slipping off as you’re twisting and flicking. And the non-marking rubber pads on the bottom protect whichever table, counter, or surface you rest it on. You won’t have to worry about scratches or other marks being left behind, even if the foosball table moves or slides during play. Two plastic foosballs come included with your purchase.

Best Glow-in-the-Dark: Atomic LED Light Up Foosball Table

If you throw a lot of get-togethers in the evenings, your children have a lot of slumber parties, or you simply want a foosball table that is unique and aesthetically pleasing, this light-up model is the one for you. The built-in LED lights glow a rich, bright azure blue in the dark when turned on and the lights in the room are out. The legs, playing field, goal boxes, scoreboard, and ball returns all light up, and the included LED foosball glows in the dark and can be charged via USB.

In addition to the illuminating, cascading lighting system, this foosball table has built-in music and sound for a further enhanced gaming experience. Scoring is also kept automatically for you, thanks to the electronic scoreboard, so you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to count a goal or argue about whether or not the ball crossed the line. At 58.25 by 30.75 by 34.38 inches, up to four players can play together on this foosball table at once. And the sturdy alloy steel base and frame give this table good durability, further enhanced by the steel player rods.

Most Versatile: Giantex Combo Game Foosball Table

It’s hard to feel bored at home with this combination gaming foosball table. The three-in-one model provides you with a place to play foosball as well as billiards and air hockey, all on the same 48- by 23- by 32.5-inch leveling table. You’ll still have access to all three games without three different gaming tables taking up extra space in your garage or rec room.

Not only can you play all three games on this table, but switching between them is relatively simple. The billiards table, with its soft blue fabric surface, is the main base. If you ever want to play foosball, all you have to do is place the foosball frame on top of the billiards table. And to switch to air hockey, simply flip over the foosball frame, and you’ll have access to the hockey surface. As a bonus, you won’t have to plug the table in to play air hockey, as the puck slides across the smooth surface unencumbered. All the accessories you need for all three games come with your purchase; you’ll receive two soccer ball-style foosballs, two hockey pushers, two hockey pucks, two billiard cues, two chalks for the cues, a set of pool balls, a triangular frame to set them, and even a cleaning brush.

Also Great: KICK Triumph 55″ Foosball Table

Durability is the name of the game with this foosball table. The entire 119-pound table is made from stainless steel, so you know it’s strong, sturdy, anti-rust, and will provide a long service life. Aesthetics aren’t sacrificed for durability either; the simple yet elegant black frame and chrome detailing provide a pleasing modern look that will suit just about any room in your home. And the game players on the rods are painted to look as realistic as possible, including actual soccer-like jerseys and uniforms.

The 55- by 30- by 36-inch size allows up to eight people to play foosball together at once, and you have the option to install two chrome cup holders as an added socialization bonus. The leg levelers on the bottom not only enhance the table’s sturdiness but have rubber bottoms to prevent scratching or damaging your floors. The rods are made from semi-solid stainless steel and plated with chrome for the perfect blend of strength and lightweight feel and are tipped with nonslip wooden handles to provide a superior grip. Two soccer-like foosballs come included.