The 8 Best Air Hockey Tables in 2024

Up next, I have another standard-size air hockey table by MD Sports. However, unlike the first model I mentioned, this table features heavy-duty wood grain lamination. As such, I feel it is one of the best air hockey tables for the home as it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb (no need to banish it to the game room!).

This attractive unit features a premium 120V UL-certified motor that guarantees longevity and even airflow. As for the playing surface, it is UV-coated and scratch-resistant, which allows the puck to glide effortlessly along the tabletop.

In fact, the whole build quality of the table is very strong, which is hardly surprising given its weight. Where many tables use cheap, thin legs, this model features 1 2/5″ thick legs with a panel for support. This gives it a distinct advantage over the other MD Sports model I featured, the first air hockey table on our list, which weighs just 92 lbs and uses 12 mm thick legs. 

Overall, it is one of the top-rated air hockey tables, but I just couldn’t give it the top spot as I prefer a classic arcade appearance. This model also lacks an LED playfield, so you don’t quite get full immersion while playing.

6. Atomic Indiglo LED Light Up Arcade Air Powered Hockey Table

Specifications:

• Size: 7.5 ft (90″ x 49″ x 31.25″)
• Weight: 227 lbs
• Materials: Engineered wood
• Air-powered?: Yes

Pros:

• LED rails, pushers, & pucks
• 120V motor
• Fun music
• Bright LED scoring
• High-speed surface
• Sturdy
• Leg levelers

Cons:

• Issues with scoring sensors

If you don’t mind parting with a good amount of cash for an air hockey table close to arcade quality, the Atomic Indiglo is a good model to consider. It measures 7.5 ft making it almost full size.

In my opinion, the most standout feature is the arcade-like design. The bright blue LEDs flash vibrantly against the dark play surface, but that’s not all. There’s music, too, and both of these features are interactive, giving you a true arcade experience.

As for airflow, the Indiglo table uses a powerful 120V motor, which is more than sufficient. Coupled with the smooth poly-coated playing surface, I found the pucks ping nicely around the table.

Coming in at a total of 227 pounds, it’s super robust. It’s sturdy enough not to get knocked around during games. My favorite table by MD Sports is the only model that can compete with it in this quality. So, if you’re a little heavy-handed, you might want to choose between these two. 

As for negatives, I noticed some scoring sensor inaccuracies. These are few and far between, but I cannot ignore that they are present. As the most common fault among air hockey tables, I don’t see this as too much of a turn-off.

In my opinion, Atomic has created one of the best air hockey tables for adults.  

7. SereneLife Air Hockey Table

Specifications:

• Size: 4.5 ft (54″ x 27″ x 32″)
• Weight: 48 lbs
• Materials: Engineered wood
• Air-powered?: Yes

Pros:

• 2 strong motors
• Inexpensive
• LED & abacus scoring

Cons:

• Not very sturdy
• Small

If you’re working with a limited budget and space, the SereneLife air hockey table is one of the best offerings. Measuring 54″ x 27″ x 32″, it’s one of the smallest high-quality models available. It’s also very competitively priced, costing around 1/3 of the more expensive models.

Don’t let the low price fool you, though; this table was built to impress! I was surprised to see two powerful 700mA motors. They deliver consistent airflow to ensure games are fast and action-packed.

Another feature that’s a big plus for me is the dual scoring. While I prefer LED scorers overall, they tend to have a habit of developing faults. By having abacus scorers as a backup, you can buy with confidence. 

8. Sport Squad HX40 Air Hockey Table Top — Best Table Top Air Hockey

Specifications:

• Size: 3.3 ft (40″ x 20″ x 5″)
• Weight: 10.7 lbs
• Materials: Plastic, engineered wood
• Air-powered?: Yes

Pros:

• Portable
• Very inexpensive
• Air-powered
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

Cons:

• Manual scoring system
• Very lightweight
• Feels cheap
• Not as fun to play on as larger tables

As my final recommendation, I have the Sport Squad HX40. It is the most basic table on this list and technically, it’s not an air hockey table, rather, it’s an air hockey table top (no legs).

I recommend placing this air hockey unit on a table of a comfortable height to play games, although if you can’t find one, you can always play on the floor!

Like the Triumph Fire n’ Ice, this is certainly an air hockey table game for kids rather than adults. It measures just 3.3 ft long and weighs only 10.7 lbs. This means even children will have a tough time not budging during the excitement of games.

On the other hand, this does mean that it is highly portable. You should have no trouble storing it out of sight or transporting it to say a friend’s house for instance. In this respect, it’s one of the best air hockey tables for home use.

For the price, I think this tabletop air hockey table is a pretty sound buy as it provides a ton of fun. And it’s sure to keep your kids entertained for countless hours.

As a closing point, the HX40 comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if the table top doesn’t quite meet your expectations, the Sport Squad customer service team should be able to help. 

Read More: Best Multi Game Tables

Choosing the Best Air Hockey Table

Scoring

There are two air hockey table options when it comes to scoring: manual and electronic.

Cheaper tables usually use manual scoring. These are called abacus scorers. After scoring a goal, you slide a numbered bead across. Although common in inexpensive machines, some higher-end tables use them too. A particular benefit is that scoring sensors are one of the most commonly reported issues with air hockey tables. You bypass this issue with manual scoring.

However, the best air hockey tables will tend to use electronic scoring. With this, goals are automatically detected and digitally displayed. This is more reminiscent of the arcade hockey machines we love. It means you don’t have to stop the action repeatedly to manually count scores.

Based on my research, most air hockey tables over $400 use electronic scoring.

Size

Air hockey tables tend to vary from 3 ft to 8 ft in length. I advise you to consider who the table is for before purchasing. If the table is for children, around 3-4 feet works. For adults, 6-7 feet is better — this is the standard air hockey table size that you will find. Although you can go larger than this if you like.

Regulation-size air hockey tables are about 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. Full-sized tables are best if you have the space, as they provide the most enjoyable playing experience. 

Space restrictions are likely to dictate what you can buy, though. You will need at least 2 additional feet longways to ensure each player has enough room to maneuver.

However, you can place the table flush against the wall, unlike a ping pong table or pool table, which is quite useful for fitting it in your game room. Air hockey tables are certainly more space-efficient than many other large gaming apparatuses.  

Fans

The best home air hockey tables feature powerful fans; adequate airflow is vital. Poor-quality air hockey tables have little or no uplift, and you really feel the puck drag along the table as you hit it. It feels cheap because it is.

The best air hockey tables for the home will always use a fan. Now, the power of this fan largely depends on how much you are willing to spend. Ideally, 110V or more is what you should be looking for. This provides a nice, consistent air flow.

Rails

The rails are the sections that enclose the playing field on which the puck rebounds. They produce the tell-tale ‘ping’ sound we know and love.

However, this pleasing sound is usually reserved for commercial tables, as their rails are made from metal. Home air hockey tables instead use plastic, although some higher-end models offer metal.  

Power Source

The top-rated air hockey tables feature blowers that need power. This is either supplied by batteries or via AC. AC is the superior method as batteries wear out pretty quickly.  

Best Air Hockey Table Brands

After looking at all available air hockey tables, two brands stood out to me. The first is MD Sports. They produce mid-range air hockey tables, and two of their models placed highly on this list.

The second brand is Triumph. Their air hockey tables are more affordable, and once again, two of their models earned their rightful spot among my favorites. 

Read More: How to Clean Air Hockey Tables

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Full-Size Air Hockey Table?

According to the United States Airhockey Association (USAA), full-size air hockey tables measure 8 ft long. These are the only kind that are approved for tournament play.

How Much Does a Good Air Hockey Table Cost?

While you can pick up a decent table top air hockey table for around $60, we recommend spending at least $500 to get a quality air hockey table. However, if you can afford an extra $400, the quality improves considerably. 

What Is the Average Price of an Air Hockey Table?

Typically, 6 ft-8 ft air hockey tables cost around $700-$800. However, the cheapest models cost less than $100, whereas the most expensive tables can set you back almost $10,000. But we should note that these top-end models are primarily for commercial use rather than home use.

How Long Do Air Hockey Tables Last?

Air hockey tables typically last around 5-8 years. To get the most out of your table you should treat it with care and perform regular maintenance. I highly recommend cleaning the filter of the air blower to keep the airflow strong. 

Do Air Hockey Tables Need to Be Plugged in?

Most electric air hockey tables need plugging in, but some run on batteries. There are even models that don’t use air power at all, so they do not need plugging in. These are sold as air hockey tables but are better defined as push hockey tables.

Do Air Hockey Tables Come Apart?

Although it is not advisable to disassemble your air hockey table, you can take most models apart for easier transportation. We recommend having the instructions handy for reassembly. 

What’s Inside an Air Hockey Table?

Housed within an air hockey table are various components needed for operation. These include the air blower, speakers, sensors, and chambers for airflow.

What Is the Most Common Air Hockey Table Surface?

The most common air hockey table surface material is laminated plastic or stainless steel. It is often scratch-proof to ensure longevity.

Closing Thoughts

Now that I’ve covered all of the best air hockey tables for 2023, it’s time to hone in on my top recommendations. My favorite table of the bunch is the MD Sports air powered hockey table. The reason I chose this model above the rest was due to a few different factors. First, was the premium 120V UL-certified motor and scratch-resistant UV-coated playing surface. Both of these features are very high quality, and the motor especially is the best on this list. I also like that it’s fairly lightweight which makes it easy to move around your home should you need to.