Best Outdoor Ping Pong Table: Top 5 Tennis Tables of 2018

Are you looking for the best outdoor table tennis table for your family or fun space? If you want to play ping pong outside, you’ll definitely want the best you can afford. There are many things to consider when shopping, including the structure and build of the table to the types of weather conditions it will withstand. With that in mind, we’ve chosen the top five best selling ping pong tables of 2018 that are not only a good value but also loved in our review and in user reviews from people who play on these tables all the time.

Choosing a Table

What’s the difference between the best outdoor and indoor table tennis tables?

In short, the outdoor tables are much heartier and built to withstand the elements. The best ones also have good leg control so they can be adjusted to stay level on different types of terrain.

While indoor ping pong tables are generally cheaper, they can be used outdoors. However, this is only recommended for the short term. For example, if you’re having a family reunion and you want to move the table out to the patio for the afternoon, it will likely be fine. However, if you leave it outside, it’s probably going to get damaged by the sun, heat or cold. Indoor tables often begin to warp when left in direct sunlight even for a short time, so if you decide to put your table outside for the afternoon, be sure it’s in a protected area. The other alternative is to buy a table specifically designed for outdoor use.

Outdoor tables are also much more stable in windy conditions, so this may be a factor as well if you put your indoor table outside. Of course, you probably won’t want to be playing ping pong in the wind because it will definitely affect the aim of the ball.

For these reasons, if you want to play table tennis outside, it’s best to invest in a high quality outdoor table that won’t warp, fade or buckle under windy, hot, sunny and cold conditions. Outdoor tables incorporate a different type of construction, and the best ones use steel for the net, posts and undercarriage, and they have a top that’s weatherproof and UV resistant.

The Undercarriage

When considering which outdoor table to buy, taking a close look at the underside and supports is important. There are many different types available from wood to steel, so having a little knowledge prior to shopping and plunking down money for one will ensure you get one that suits your needs and playing style.

The Legs

It’s good to select a table with really sturdy legs if you plan on being a serious player or playing for a long time. Since they support the entire weight of the table, it’s important that the legs are up to the task.

Take a look at the thickness of the legs. The thicker the legs, the more likely they’ll be able to support the table during frequent games and not come loose or break. Take a look at where they’re connected as well. There should be several points where they connect to the table.

Another feature you’ll want to look for is leg levelers. This is especially important for outdoor play, as many outdoor surfaces aren’t even. In better tables, you can adjust the height of each leg individually to get the table playing surface as even as possible, even on uneven ground.

Separate Halves

Many of the best outdoor table tennis tables actually come in two different pieces. The legs on each side are secured under the table, and the wheels are on the center edge. In these types of tables, the net brackets hold the table together during play.

Tables that come in two separate halves take up a lot less space than the ones that just fold in half, so they’re much easier to store.

Wheels

Many tables, especially the heavier outdoor ones, come on wheels. When shopping, make sure you get one with wheels or casters that lock so the table will be stable during play. The wheels in these models are generally integrated into the legs, so they’re permanently attached.

The downside to wheels is that they increase the height of the table when it’s time to store it, but it’s worth it to have them if you plan on moving the table around. Wheels are especially helpful if you plan on setting up the table yourself without help.

The Top

When looking at outdoor table tennis tables, you’ll notice the tops come in a range of thicknesses. Some are under an inch, and some are well over. Some players prefer tops that are at least an inch thick, but those with less can offer a good playing surface as well.

Mostly the thickness affects the bounce of the ball. What you’re looking for is a nice even bounce.  Tournament players say the thicker the better, so the bottom line is to choose the table with the greatest top thickness that you can afford.

Playback Mode

If you want to play by yourself, it’s good to get a table that offers a playback setup. This is where half of the table is flat and the other half stays vertical. The table essentially forms a 90 degree angle so you can hit the ball without having a partner. This is a great way to practice getting faster and practicing your stroke.

Regulations

Whether you’re a casual or serious player is definitely a factor in the type of table you’ll choose. Professional players only use tables whose dimensions meet those set by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Tables with specs set out by the ITTF are 9 feet long by 5 feet wide by 30 inches tall. The nets stand 6 inches high, and the table surface is blue or green.

The surface of the table is also important. According to the ITTF regulations, if you drop a ping pong ball from 12 inches above the surface, it should bounce up to 8.75 inches. If you’re serious about the game or are in training, you’ll want to buy a table that fits these specifications.

Regulation Size: 9’ long x 5’ wide x 30” tall

Warranty

The warranty on the table is definitely worth considering when making a choice. Some models offer one year and others up to ten years. Get the best you can to protect your investment. A long term warranty also shows that a company is confident in their product and thinks it will stand up over time.

Covers

Some of the best outdoor ping pong tables come with a cover. Others don’t, and you’ll want to purchase a good one to keep it protected when it’s not in use. While outdoor tables are built to withstand all different types of weather, it’s best to keep the dust and snow away from it to keep it looking and performing well. A good cover also keeps other things off your table like bird droppings, dead bugs and scratches if the cats jump on it.

There are a few types of covers. One type is meant to cover the table while it’s lying flat. Others only work when it’s folded up for storage.

Build Your Own

While it may be as durable as a professionally made table built to last and for regulations, if you’re up for it, you can try your hand at building your own ping pong table. If you’re a do it yourself-er and want a challenge, you may want try it just for fun. Keep in mind that most hand built tables won’t withstand a lot of time outside.

Building your own table tennis table will be easiest if you have experience with woodworking or construction projects. It will likely be cheaper than buying one pre-made and of course will give you bragging rights with your friends if it turns out well.

For materials, you can use plywood or high or medium density fiber board. The higher density is without higher quality, but it’s also more expensive. Most sheets come in only eight by four foot sheets, so this might present a challenge if you want a standard nine by five foot table. It might be easier to use wood you can get in five foot sheets. Then you can make the table in two separate halves to regulation size.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 sheets of 5’ x 5’ Baltic birch plywood
• 1” x 2” poplar for bracing – about 30’
• 1 ¼” wood screws
• Finishing nails
• Wood filler or wood plugs
• 150 grit silicon carbide sandpaper
• Painter’s tape
• Circular saw
• Drill with countersink bit
• Miter saw
• Nail gun (not required but helpful)
• Drill press (if you want to make your own wood plugs)
• 5” long piano hinge
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Wood glue
• Green or blue paint
• White paint
• Polyurethane
• Paint brushes
• 6” long table tennis net

Video Instructions

1. Cut six inches off one edge of one of the pieces of plywood using a circular saw. Tape over where the blade will be cutting to prevent tearing or chipping of the wood.
2. On the underside, measure and mark the holes you’ll use to attach the braces. Make the holes 1 7/8” inside the outer edge to create a 1 ½” overhang.
3. Cut poplar boards for bracing the outside edges using a miter saw for the corners. Screw the boards in place using 1 ¼” wood screws, wood glue and nails.
4. Cut 4 piece of poplar at 32” each with the miter saw for the inside braces. Attach using wood glue and nails.
5. Use wood plugs or wood filler to cover the screw holes in the top of the table.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the other piece of plywood.
7. Sand and both the top and underside of both pieces of plywood.
8. Use green or blue paint to mark the edges and boundary lines of the table.
9. Coat with polyurethane.
10. Secure the two table halves together using the piano hinge.
11. Secure net in the center.

To play, you can lay the tabletop on top of a work table or on saw horses. This is just one way to build your own. We found some other good instructions at LiveStrong and Do It Yourself.

You may wish to alter these instructions and paint the entire surface of the table. If so, you’ll want to use a paint made specifically for table tennis. Use a primer first, and the paint can be dark green, white or you can even use chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint has a matte finish to reduce glare, and it’s also scratch-resistant.

Ping Pong Table Repair

What happens if you’ve left your table outside and the surface was damaged, you dinged it during moving, or the kids went crazy and it got scratched? Repairing the top of a ping pong table is not that different from refinishing any type of furniture. However, you want to be extra careful that the surface remains smooth.

The first thing you’ll want to do is to take the net off. Look at the table from different angles and examine it for any gouges, scratches or cracks in the painted surface. You can use regular wood putty from the hardware store to fill any cracks. Don’t use caulk or anything rubbery for the fill. Only use putty made from real wood, as it will expand and contract with the rest of the table surface.

Make sure you use a spatula, spreader or putty knife to force the putty in as deep as you can to ensure the scratches are filled. After the putty is dry (usually takes an hour or so), check to see if it’s settled deeper than the table surface. If it has, a second coat may be required.

If the scratches are only on the surface, you won’t need to fill those with putty, as they’ll be easily filled in by a new coat of paint.

After any deep scratches or gouges are filled, sand the table smooth using 180 grit paper. First, use a sanding block and go over the areas where you added the wood putty until they’re even. Then move on to the rest of the table top.

Next, move on to a finer grain paper like a 220 grit. This will prepare the surface for a new coat of paint. When you see the entire surface is covered with a fine powder, you’re done. Wipe the surface clean using a soft cloth. You’ll likely need to repeat this process several times to get rid of all the dust. You want it to be sparkling clean so no grit ends up in your new paint job.

Now you’re ready for paint. Spray paint can work great for this. Use a chalkboard or satin finish paint in any color (standard tables are blue or green). Make sure to apply the paint according to the directions on the can with steady, even strokes. Work in sections until the entire top is wet but there are no pools of paint. It’s better to do a few thinner coats than one thick one.

Let the paint dry overnight. Then, go back and look for any thin spots to see if another coat is required. Repeat this process until you have a nice even-colored surface on the top of the table.

Now for the boundary line and markings. Use painter’s tap to mask off the edges. Make sure to press the tape down so the edges are fixed. A credit card works great for smoothing down tape edges. Then, use paper (newspaper works fine) to cover the inside of the lines toward the center of the table. Hold it in place with tape. This ensures the main part of the table will remain protected if you accidentally slop or drip while doing the edges.

Use white spray paint to cover the exterior edge of the table in the same manner as you painted the rest. It may take more coats of the white if you’re painting over a dark color. When the paint is completely dry, carefully remove the paper and tape. Now you’re ready to play!

Keeping it Clean

If you’ve invested in a high quality table tennis table, you’ll want to keep it clean and well maintained for years to come. Here are a few ways to ensure it lasts through many years of play.

The best way to clean the table is to wipe it down with a dry soft cloth after every time you use it. Then put on the cover. This keeps it free of dust and debris.

For a more thorough cleaning, start by removing the net so you can get at all the parts of the table top. There are companies that make specially formulated solutions for cleaning both the nets and tops of ping pong tables, but if you’d rather make your own, it’s really very easy.

If you need a more in-depth cleaning, you can use this process every few months (or more depending on how much use the table gets): Mix 2-3 cups of water with 1/3 cup white vinegar. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, and then wring it out so it’s damp. Wipe the surface of the table, paying special attention to any particularly dirty areas. Follow this by wiping with a dry cloth.

Now on to the net. To get the net nice and clean, soak in that same water and vinegar solution for about 15 minutes. Lay it on a flat surface to dry. Once it’s completely dry, go ahead and reinstall it on the table.

If there are any metal parts of your table that move, like hinges between the two halves for instance, it’s good to occasionally use some spray silicon or WD40 to lubricate them and prevent rust.

You’ll also want to take good care of your rackets or paddles. If you don’t, the rubber mat on the surface might end peeling up or flaking off. The best thing to do is pick up a cleanser made specifically for rubber and use it whenever you’re done playing a game. It will remove any dirt and debris but also the oils left behind by your hand during game play.

Rackets also get dirty if you’re playing with a new ball. New balls come with a powder-like coating that can get on the surface of your rackets and on the table as well. You may see dusty marks you’ll want to remove, and these are caused by using new balls.

It’s a quick job if you just spray on the cleaner and wipe with a towel. This will keep your rackets lasting a good long time. Even better, keep your rackets covered when not in use – that way they are less likely to get dusty and require more frequent cleaning.