What Is The Best Air Hockey Table: 3 Great Tables Compared

Is there a greater one-on-one test of skill than air hockey? This thrilling game, developed in the late 1960s by Billiard manufacturing greats Brunswick Billiards, has a simple enough concept. Two players face off, using the air hockey mallets to knock the pucks past their opponent’s defenses.

The rudimentary premise, however, belies the intense level of skill necessary to compete at the top-tier of play. Indeed, air hockey’s competitiveness had led to no end of tournaments and professional-style face-offs between those that have mastered the game.

If you want to increase your ability at this contest of skill, whether for fun or to begin your career as a competitive player, you’re going to need a suitable table to do it on.

Read on to learn which is the best air hockey table overall.

The Nature of Air Hockey Tables

There are a great many varieties of Air Hockey tables out there, but for the purposes of this guide, we’re going to stay away from options like portable Air Hockey tables and multi-game tables, instead focusing on dedicated Air Hockey tables that beginners, intermediates, and advanced players can appreciate. There are a few things to look at when evaluating Air Hockey tables, each of which will figure into the table’s overall quality and how well it will play.

Size is the first factor. If you can, look for something full-sized to give yourself plenty of room to play on. These tables measure 8-feet, though, you can find smaller models to fit into more compact rooms if you need to save space. In cases where a full-size table won’t fit, you could instead opt for a 4-foot, 5-foot, or 6-foot model.

Materials are the second thing to examine. The best tables are constructed from solid wood, have very sturdy legs, and can support both the weight of the table and of adult-sized players leaning and straining on them in their attempts to gain a competitive advantage. Non-wood tables might be cheaper, but they’re nowhere near as durable.

The table construction isn’t the only thing to look out for here, mind you. You should also consider your rink wall construction. Strong nylon and solid aluminum are the best material choices, as they give the pucks a good amount of bounce and will last longer than substandard materials.

You’ll want to pay close attention to the air motor your table has installed. It’s called Air Hockey for a reason, remember? The motor supplies the air to the playing surface that the pucks glide on. A weak motor equals weak air flow, and hence, substandard levels of play. A good motor will supply plenty of air, run quietly, and won’t spontaneously overheat mid-game.

Another factor to watch out for is the table style. Do you want a basic table that doesn’t have a lot of integrated features? These will run you less money, but on the flipside, you won’t be able to make use of cool extras like electronic scoring features, victory music, sound effects, and the like. Pro-level players usually prefer the simple tables, though, as they are better constructed and allow for more focus on the game itself.

The arcade-style tables include all the bells-and-whistles, but you should be prepared to pay more for them. In addition, they could be seen as tacky, and if you want your Air Hockey table to serve as tasteful decoration, you might be better off with a basic setup.

Last, we can’t forget about price. How much will you be willing to pay for your setup? You could find a cheap table for a few hundred dollars, but will it last? Inexpensive tables have a reputation for being easy to break, so you might want to set your sights on at least a middle-of-the-road, or even more expensive model if you want something quality that will stand the test of time (and your forearms).

Best Air Hockey Table Reviews

Here’s a sampling of what’s out there. These tables represent a mix of sizes, features, price, and overall quality. Each has its own strengths, and a few might have some weaknesses as well.

Hathaway Face-Off Air Hockey Table

We’ll look at a relatively inexpensive option from Hathaway first. They’re known for producing several table-top games, and espouse pro-consumer values like eco-friendliness and the like to make their products more attractive. Aside from that, they supply a great many novice-class gaming products, of which the Face-Off is a member.

What’s Great About the Hathaway Face-Off?

• It’s Compact. If you have a need for a table that’s going to fit into a smaller space, this is a good bet. The Hathaway Face-Off only measures 5-feet. This is closer to the low-end when it comes to Air-Hockey tables. Advanced players might find it small and limiting, however.
• It’s Got Electronic Features. There’s an electronic scoring system that automatically tallies goals. It’s a good feature when it works. Sometimes, the counter refuses to cooperate, forcing you to restart to enable it properly.
• There’s an Auto Return System. This brings the pucks to a central location after a goal. It makes things easy for when you want to start a new game quickly. Unlike the scoring system, this usually works as intended.
• It’s Easy to Assemble. The instructions are easy to follow, and the parts fit together well. Not a lot of specialized knowledge or tools necessary to get started, and Hathaway has pre-drilled holes in the locations you’ll need them.

What’s Not So Great About the Hathaway Face-Off?

• It’s A Bit on The Weak Side. It’s a small table and not even made from solid wood. It’ll last if you’re delicate, but if you want a full-on high-stakes competition, you’re going to be disappointed. At least the kids can’t break it.
• The Air Output Leaves Much to Be Desired. This is a budget table, so all you’re getting out of it is budget airflow. You can achieve an acceptable amount of glide and bounce from this table, but nothing even approaching professional grade.

Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Table

Adding the name of a Canadian city helps put you in the hockey mood. Viper has a history of producing good recreational games, and the Vancouver Air Hockey table is representative of their overall quality level—mid-range, and not too expensive.

What’s Great About the Viper Vancouver?

• It’s Close to Full-Sized. At 7.5-feet, this is just under the 8-foot full-sized measurement. It might not be suitable for smaller rooms, but if you have the space and want to play on something closer to regulation, this will get the job done.
• It Has Good Airflow. 110 cubic feet per minute, to be more precise. The high air output allows for smoother play. The pucks glide well and bounce off the sides of the rink walls easily, enabling higher-level shots and a faster overall game.
• It Includes Score Counter. The score counter on this model works well too. You can set it to count down from different lengths, or set it to unlimited and play to a particular number.
• It Has Leg Levelers. These come in handy when the room you’re in isn’t so even. You can adjust the levelers at the bottom of each leg to achieve the perfect, even playing field you need for a match.
• The Look Is Appealing. The graphics on this table are simple but well designed. The red matches the black and white color scheme nicely and really stands out.

What’s Not So Great About the Viper Vancouver?

• It’s A Pricier Table. No getting around this. You’re going to be paying more than $800 for this table, as opposed to around $200 for the Hathaway Face-Off. A considerable increase, but well worth it if you want a better-quality game.

Atomic Top Shelf Air Hockey Table

Atomic has been in the business of producing table game setups for a while, and their products are generally well-received, with notes about the quality and construction holding them in high regard. The Top Shelf is one of their better models, and while it isn’t a basic all-wood table, this arcade style offering is pretty close to something a high-level player would be comfortable using.

What’s Great About the Atomic Top Shelf?

• It Has Great Airflow. Courtesy of the 120V motor. It puts out plenty of air, enabling a high-level of play comparable to some professional setups. Pucks glide smoothly across the PVC playing surface and will go where you want them to if you’re skilled enough.
• It’s Well Put Together. Once you have it assembled, this table is sturdy. The legs are bolstered by supports, so you can put your weight into shots without worrying about bringing the whole thing down.
• It Has the Bells & Whistles. In addition to the score counter, this table has a series of LED lights that illuminate the playing field in the dark and flash when you score goals. It also includes some theme music to accompany games, turning every match into a spectacle.

What’s Not So Great About the Atomic Top Shelf?

• Assembly Is Tricky. The instructions aren’t the easiest, and this is a close to a full-sized table (7.5-feet). You might need to employ an expert hand to help put it all together.
• It’s Expensive. Even more so than the Viper Vancouver. You’ll be paying close to $900 for this model.

In Summation: Which Is The Best Air Hockey Table?

Air Hockey is fun, exhilarating, and fast-paced, but only if you have the right table to play on. Cheaper options like the Hathaway Face-Off might do well as a kid’s or starter table, but for full-on action, the Viper Vancouver might be the best air hockey table for most people. If you’re not dead-set on having all the flashing lights and extra sound effects the Top Shelf offers, the Viper’s simpler-but-still-effective nature is going to do more than enough for you, and you’ll save a bit of money in the process.