Kettler Champ 5.0 Review

Here’s our review of the Champ 5.0, an outdoor table tennis table from German brand Kettler. It’s got a lot of the features that we look for when evaluating tables and we particularly liked the 7/8″ aluminum compound weather resistant table surface that gave a great bounce when we tried it. Let’s take a look at some of its features in a bit more details and cover what we like (and don’t like) about it.

Specifications:

• Dimensions – 9 x 5 ft
• Assembly time – 2 hours (You’ll need two people)
• Surface thickness – 7/8″ (22mm) Non-glare waterproof aluminum top
• Price – $$$$ (Check the latest price on Amazon)
• Our rating – 9.2/10

Overview of the Kettler Champ 5.0 outdoor table tennis table

A look at some of its features

7/8″ thick table top: Ideal for outdoors

We’ve played on a lot of different tables over the last 8 years since starting this website and Kettler’s table tops are always one of our favorite outdoor tables to play on. The Champ 5.0 comes with a 7/8″ (22mm) thick top that gives it a great bounce. It’s not quite 1″ thick but because of the additional features that outdoor tables have to make them weatherproof, it’s more than enough.

You can leave it outside all year round as it’s completely resistant to water although we always recommend buying a table cover and not leaving it outside 24/7 just to keep it in the best condition possible. Thankfully Kettler includes a table cover when buying through Amazon so you won’t need to make any additional purchase. The table uses Kettler’s Alu-Tec climate control technology which cleverly controls the materials in the table as they expand and contract in the weather to help it last and keep it free from warping.

To support the thick tabletop it’s got a 2.25″ apron that’s finished with resin to prevent any water from getting in and causing the table to warp. Moisture is the worst enemy of a table tennis table as it gets to the wood it will ruin the table. This is why if you want to use your table outside you should buy a table designed for outdoors.

Durable galvanized stainless steel frame

A very important feature in any ping pong table is a strong and durable frame. You don’t want it to collapse mid game or when you’re moving it. The Champ 5 is supported by 2″ thick stainless steel legs that are galvanized (coated in Zinc to prevent it from rusting) to ensure that it keeps its strength and is durable.

Each of the legs as an adjustable floor leveller so you can ensure that the table is completely flat no matter where you’re putting it.

Foldable and large casters to make it easy to move

One feature that we’re fond of is that the table folds up to make putting it into storage easy and convenient. The Champ has a patented Safety-Fold locking system to ensure it won’t open unintentionally, a key safety feature. It also means you can fold up one half and use it in the playback position to practice alone and warm up. When folded up it has dimensions of H72 x W64.75 x D25 inches.

Another great thing about it is the huge 6″ double caster wheels to make it very mobile and easy to push across most terrain.

Complete set: Comes with bats, balls, net and table cover

Kettler will often bundle their tables together with all the accessories that you need to start playing straight out of the box. The Champ 5.0 (when ordering through Amazon anyway) comes with two Kettler Halo 5.0 outdoor bats, six 3-star ping pong balls, and a Kettler premium outdoor cover so you can start playing straight away.

We particularly liked the net and post system on this table as you don’t have to remove it when folding the table away. It very conveniently can stay on the table even when completely folded up. You can also adjust the tension for optimal play.

Paddle and ball holders on each side

To stop you from losing your accessories it has a handy little holder for two paddles and three or four balls on each side. We don’t recommend putting expensive paddles in here though as you’ll want to get a paddle case but the two bats that are included with this table are outdoor rackets so offer more weather resistance.

Assembly will take around 2 hours

One downside to the Champ is that it takes quite a long time to put together. We’ve grown accustomed to most tables arriving 95% preassembled and only having to put the legs on and then it’s ready to play. Sadly though, this table will take around two hours to set up and will require two people as it’s quite heavy. Most outdoor tables will take considerably longer than indoor tables though. Amazon does offer expert assembly for an additional fee which we don’t usually recommend but with tables that will take over 2 hours it’s sometimes worth it.

Below is the official assembly video from Kettler which should give you a good idea of what to expect and here is the manual in PDF form.

About Kettler

Kettler are a German manufacturer of table tennis equipment that have been in business since 1949. They make a whole host of different products that have been sold into over 60 countries. We’ve played on a few different Kettler tables and have always enjoyed the bounce and quality. If you’re based in VA US you can pop into their showroom in Virginia Beach too.

You can check the best Kettler ping pong tables in our guide here.

The pros

• Aluminum compound table top – A certified true bounce 22mm thick table top that is completely weatherproof
• Strong weatherproof frame – 2 inch thick galvanized steel legs that are corrosion resistant
• Foldable and easy to move – Folds up and can be put into playback position
• Complete bundle – Comes with everything you need to play including two paddles, six balls, net and posts and a table cover
• Paddle and ball holders – It has a convenient holder on each side for your bats and balls
• You don’t have to remove the net and posts – When you fold the table away you don’t have to take the net and posts off

The cons

• Long assembly – Will take around two hours to put together and require two people
• Needs two people to fold – The safety mechanism on the table means that you’ll need two people to be able to fold it
• Quite expensive – Kettler tables are generally a little more expensive than other tables

Conclusion:

So to sum up the Kettler Champ 5.0, we really liked it. It has all the features that we look for in an outdoor table that we can recommend to people looking for a solid, durable and safe table. We liked playing on the 7/8″ table top that is completely weather resistant and we love that it comes as a bundle with paddles, balls, net and cover included. Ideal for casual players looking for an outdoor table.

There were a couple of downsides mainly the 2 hours set up time but we think the pros outweighed the cons in this case. We actually included it in our favorite ping pong tables of 2022 that you can check out here too.