Get Competitive: The Best Air Hockey Table
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Valley-Dynamo 8 Ft. Pro Style Air Hockey Table -
Dynamo Fire Storm Air Hockey Table -
Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Table -
Sport Squad HX40 Electric Air Hockey Table -
Playcraft Sport 40" Air Hockey Table -
Buyer's Guide
Can we all agree air hockey is one of the best competitive table top games around? This game is elegant in its simplicity; all you have to do is put the puck in the opposing slot. The pace of the game is fast, and anyone can get in the action since you don't need much of a pre-requisite skill set beyond good hand-eye coordination. That doesn't mean you won't put in a serious calisthenics workout during the game as you lunge and stretch for both sides of the table to attack and defend against your opponent. There’s nothing quite like a good session of air hockey to get the blood and sweat flowing.
There are a lot of tables on the market to choose from. The best way to narrow your options is to decide on where you want to keep the table and who is going to be playing on it. A basic table is best suited for younger and casual players. They're usually intended for home use, and built sturdy enough for the family to enjoy the table for occasional recreational use. Mid-level tables are built to withstand a little more abuse in order to keep the game play consistent. These are usually found in high-traffic areas where many different players will use the table for routine gameplay. For those who want a top-notch table in their home or bar, an arcade-style table offers long-lasting durability, reliable gameplay with high-impact surfaces, and congruous air output for a smoother ride on the puck. Of course, these tables will cost much more, and they're larger in size.
It's really up to you to decide what you want and what you need in an air hockey table. These five Best Picks below should help get you started, each of them making the list judged by a variety of criteria. First and foremost, the unit has to be powerful enough. The blower is one of the most important parts of the game and these are some of the best on the market right now. Without air, the puck doesn't move so you want a table that's going to keep the game moving fast.
These units are also sturdy enough to accommodate even the roughest players, smacking that puck back and forth can start to take a toll on the unit. Of course, air hockey is meant to give you that feel of real-live hockey action so many of these selections offer special enhancements like digital scoreboards, sound effects, and lighting. Puck returns make the game more convenient and exciting as they enable you to put it back in play quicker when someone scores.
For some consumers, the size of an air hockey table is too large for some homes, that means you want to go with a table-top unit and there are some of those on this list as well. Above all, these tables can cost a lot of money, so you want to make sure your investment lasts a long time. You will get plenty of value and consistent game play in every one of the picks on our list. We've compiled the best air hockey tables in 2022.
Best Air Hockey Tables Worth Considering in 2022
Valley-Dynamo 8 Ft. Pro Style Air Hockey Table - Best Air Hockey Table Overall
One of the biggest professional manufacturers in air hockey today, the folks at Dynamo built this thing with all the features they'd want in their ideal table. This unit offers top-shelf options like aluminum rails for accurate puck deflections, heavy commercial-grade wood materials, and polystyrene legs for a durable cabinet perfect for constant use, easy to read LED scoring, and a DynaBlast dual blower air system.
The table measures a regulation-size eight feet, so it's suitable for tournament play. Of course, all this cool stuff is going to cost you, but arcade-level air hockey tables are among the most expensive tables out there. You're looking at somewhere around an easy twenty-five hundred bucks to get this baby out the door. Before you spend all that money, just make sure you're not getting more table than you really need.
Dynamo Fire Storm Air Hockey Table - Runner Up
The Fire Storm has been built for commercial use in arcades and gaming centers which means it's going to be able to withstand constant use and abuse while providing a flashy and fully functional game play experience. This is the pick for those who want an arcade-quality machine in their home, because this one sure delivers.
Aesthetically it's a dazzler; with a glowing UV coated playing surface, blacklight accents, and LED detailed lighting, the Fire Storm is unlike any other table on our list. But all that visual style doesn't mean a thing if it doesn't play well; fortunately, this table offers some of the best functionality around. Using the company's "Dyna-Blast" blower, the table has consistent, fast-paced puck movement without dead spots, while the impact-resistant laminate of the playing area ensures the table will hold up for years.
The table also provides side shields to keep the puck from flying off the table and rounded top rails which prevent player injury at the corners. Audio speakers are located directly in front of each player at either end for an immersive air hockey experience, the table also flashes wildly whenever a goal is scored, and puck returns are positioned for easy retrieval to keep the game going. The Fire Storm doesn’t come cheap, but it's sure to be the centerpiece of any game room.
Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Table - Honorable Mention
The Viper Vancouver is designed and built for constant action with an air-flow motor that outputs at nearly 110 cubic feet per minute, the table surface is smooth and comes with a glossy finish to look like a real ice rink. Rounded edge rails keep the puck in play longer and faster so you can score quicker than your opponent. They're also deeper than previous models, so you won't worry about too many bounce-outs either.
The Vancouver also comes with a new and improved triangular LED scoreboard to remind the competition who's in charge at either side, along with an adjustable game timer, volume control, and game resets. There are puck returns at both ends of the table and 5 inch levelers on the legs to keep the surface even.
You'll get four pucks and four paddles with your table so everyone can enjoy the game, whether you want to play two on two or lose part of your gear. You're probably going to need it, as this table will last for a good long while. Assembling the table might prove to be a challenge for some though, as the directions don't specify all of the particulars very clearly.
Sport Squad HX40 Electric Air Hockey Table - Consider
You might be thinking to yourself that the smaller table-top models don't provide that same high octane powerful game play as the full size versions which have taken up the top spots on our list thus far. Not to worry, the blower on this game offers strong, consistent output so you won't have to compromise on smooth playability just because the unit is portable.
You get manual scoring and easy to assemble goals at either end and the size is definitely right for all ages to enjoy, measuring 40 x 20 x 3.9 inches when it's all set up and ready for action. The unit isn't all that heavy either so it can be placed on just about any table or countertop for hours of game play; simply plug it in and it's game on. When you're not smacking the puck around, simply unplug the unit and store it easily in any closet or under the bed. The set comes with a pair of pucks and a pair of pushers for two players to go head to head anywhere, any time.
Playcraft Sport 40" Air Hockey Table - Best Air Hockey Table
This model offers the same portability to allow for the game to be played in any room of the house, brings some extra additional features and does it at a competitive price. The unit itself is made with a resilient medium-density fiberboard frame and is equipped with 100 cubic feet per minute air powered motor for smooth game play across the entire surface. The ABS puck catching to make sure the puck is deposited into the goal with confidence. That also makes it easy to retrieve to keep the game going. Measuring 40 x 20 x 8 inches, the unit can fit on almost any tabletop or, if you prefer, get the extra leg set which attaches to the unit for a table that stands 26 inches high upright. Either way, you'll find you can play on this table just about anywhere you wish.
Buyer's Guide
Buying the best air hockey table in 2021 can be time-consuming. Read this buyer's guide for a clear understanding of how to choose the best one.
Best Air Hockey Table Buyer's Guide
To understand what goes into making a high-quality air hockey review: best , we must first understand how they work. The ultimate objective is to develop a surface that is free of friction. It enables the puck to move at great speeds while preserving the precise direction in which it was hit. You would be amazed how precisely you can steer the puck into the goal if you do it correctly. Anyway, let's delve a little more into it.
How does the air hockey table work?
The performance of a play surface is determined by two major elements: Table Surface and Airflow.
While the surface material alters the speed and direction of the puck, the airflow maintains it slightly higher above the table. They are both qualities that must be combined in the ideal way to provide a smooth game. Let us take a closer look at each of them individually.
Table surface
A beautiful smooth surface is the most crucial thing to look for. A laminate substance is generally applied to the wood, but a plastic covering can also be used. We frequently choose laminate since it has a smooth, clear finish applied to all of the designs. Raised graphics can produce zones of variable friction, slowing or redirecting the puck. This is difficult to notice for novices, but it can be aggravating for expert players.
Air Flow
Hundreds of small holes may be seen in the place's surface if you look attentively. To keep the puck aloft, air escapes via these openings. The most well-built table we've ever seen had holes that were nearly imperceptibly close together. This results in a good even covering, with the puck's height being steady across the whole surface. Tables with fewer but larger holes are more affordable. These still operate effectively at high speeds. However, if the puck is moving too slowly, it may become caught. The surface material becomes essential the fewer holes there are. Therefore we would opt for a laminate in these cases.
Blower motors
Those motors influence air distribution. A single blower motor is used in most low-cost air hockey tables. This implies that air pressure might be higher in the middle of the table and lower at the corners. This can lead the puck to bend or bounce in an unanticipated way off the table's sides.
A single motor with a plastic surface will suffice if you are only seeking a casual gaming experience. However, if you want to improve your air hockey skills and play more difficult games, investing in a high-quality surface with two blower motors would be useful.
What are the factors to consider while buying an air hockey table?
Now that you are familiar with the fundamentals of air hockey tables, it is time to walk you through the thought process you will need to make the most of your investment. There are several factors to which you must pay attention. The most important are:
Size
Air hockey tables are available in a wide range of sizes and styles. Do you want to relive the thrills of the arcade? In the arcade room, the majority of the tables are between 6 and 7 feet long. The larger play area is great for adults since it gives you more control over where the puck travels. You have a bit more time to respond because the puck needs to go a longer distance so that you may make more accurate motions. However, not everyone's game room has enough area for such a huge table. Some versions are so small that they only measure 5 feet diagonally. These small tables are not only space-saving, but they are also far more pleasant for youngsters to use.
There are tabletop air hockey tables that may be readily played anyplace in your home if you are extremely short on the room or seek a more particular table for smaller kids.
Leg levelers
On-air hockey tables are usually little feet that can be rotated to change the height. They are fastened into the table's bottom and may be raised and lowered by rotating them one way or another. This enables you to utilize your table on an uneven surface without the puck slanting in one direction all of the time. We propose a table with somewhat outward-tapered legs for frequent or violent gaming. This provides the table a great, solid foundation. The table will not shift and move if you lean against it or hit it.
Materials and durability
It is vital to think about a table's durability. MDF, a durable yet lightweight wood composite material, is commonly used to make air hockey tables. The strength of an air hockey table is determined by how it is put together, not by the materials used. The most comfortable tables are tapered, with several supporting bars that reinforce all of the weak areas. These tables are often huge and heavy, yet they can endure rough play. Of course, in the house, a commercial-grade table isn't usually required. Some of the less expensive versions are more squared off.
Scoring
The scoring on Air Hockey Tables has always been done manually. It may be tough to keep up with the game's fast-paced nature. In addition, you'll frequently find yourself in a position where the puck is traveling so fast that it bounces right back out of the goal area. That is why we always propose an air hockey table with a built-in computerized scoring system.
What are the features to look for while buying an air hockey table?
Table design
Apart from looking extremely amazing, having an air hockey surface that looks like an ice hockey rink would undoubtedly make things considerably more realistic. These kinds of images also add to the excitement of the game.
Power source
Typically, air hockey tables come with an AC adaptor that supplies electricity to all of the table's components. The scoreboard is powered by AA or AAA batteries in various variants. To prevent having to change the batteries regularly, we recommend purchasing one with an AC adaptor.
Customer service
We've given you a decent idea of what we look for in a table, but there's one more thing to consider: customer service. If you need a replacement component, assistance with assembly, or assistance with a warranty issue, the quality of customer support may make or break your experience.
How Much Does A Decent Air Hockey Table Cost?
The appropriate response is mostly dependent on the purpose for which it will be used and the amount of money you are willing to spend on it.
Cheap
There are numerous alternatives between $200 and $350 if you're searching for a simple yet fantastic lightweight hockey table for youngsters. We've discovered that this is the starting point for most tables, and anything less tends to come with many tradeoffs.
Mid-range
When you spend $400 to $600 on air hockey, you're going big. Tables in this price category are often quite sturdy, well-made, and large enough to accommodate adults. In this pricing range, you're certainly getting the most bang for your dollars.
Expensive
You're looking at tables that are professional-grade and cost upwards of $700. Advanced scoring systems, numerous blower motors, and exceptional construction quality are common features of these tables. These tables are best for serious air hockey players who want to fine-tune their skills, thanks to the subtle improvements in the gameplay.
Best Air Hockey Tables FAQs
Q: Is it worthwhile to invest in an air hockey table?
A: An air hockey table is a fantastic addition to any gaming area. It can entertain players of all ages, from children to seasoned professionals, for hours.
Q: What is the best way to clean an air hockey table without causing damage?
A: To remove dust and other particles, wipe the table with a clean, dry cloth. Soaps should be avoided since they might block the air pores. Turn on the blower and clean the area with an alcohol-soaked cloth.
Q: Is it feasible to resurface a table for air hockey?
A: While it is technically possible to resurface your air hockey tabletop, it may not be practical. If there is too much damage, it is best just to replace the tabletop. This will be less expensive and take up less of your time.
