Air hockey tables are a great addition to the family game room, as long as you choose the right one. With how many air hockey tables there are to choose from finding the right one for your family can be a difficult task.
Choosing the Best Air Hockey Table for Your House
With how many air hockey tables there are to choose from how do you know you are picking the right one? Here are several factors to keep in mind when comparing the different air hockey tables on the market.
Power Source
With air hockey tables you have two power source choices: batteries or AC power. One of the biggest downfalls to battery powered air hockey tables is they go through batteries rather quickly. The upside of batteries is the portability of the table. AC power tables can also be portable, but you must have a way to plug them in.
Scoring Methods
This is a personal preference when it comes to air hockey tables. Manual scoring tables can offer either a slider scoring, where you move the slider up to the correct number of goals. Abacus scoring can also be found where you slide a counter over each time you score a goal. Electronic scoring tables track the goals each time one is made. The downfall to electronic methods is they can be a bit sensitive, so are not always accurate.
Fan or blower
Despite the name, not all air hockey tables come equipped with fan or blower motors. Some tables require you to simply use force to slide the puck from one end to the other. Your best choice is to purchase an air hockey table that offers a built-in fan or blower. A mere 110V motor is enough to help the puck glide across the smooth surface, but some tables offer larger fans.
Table size
This is perhaps the most important factor to consider when purchasing an air hockey table. How old your kids are will partially determine the size of the table you buy, as well as how big of a space you have for your air hockey table. Three to four-foot tables are ideal for younger kids and teenagers will still find them enjoyable. Adults and teenagers will have more fun with a six to a seven-foot table. Smaller tables take up less room and are often small enough to easily store out of sight. Full-sized tables are not easy to store and require a dedicated space.
Check Out Our Top 10 Air Hockey Tables for Kids
Product | Photo | Price | Features | Our Ratings |
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Atomic Top Shelf 7.5' Air Hockey Table | $$$$$ | Looks like an arcade one, 120V motor, electronic scoreboard, and tapered legs | ★★★ ★ ★ |
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Westminster Air Hockey Full Size Table | $$$ | Pucks and pushers, abacus scorer, solid construction | ★★★ ★ ★ |
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NHL 48-Inch Adjust & Store Hover Hockey Table | $$ | Ideal for younger kids, easy to set up, electronic scoreboard | ★★ ★ ★ |
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Mainstreet Classics 35-Inch Table Top Air Hockey Game | $$ | Sliding scorer, smooth playing surface, portable design | ★★★ ★★ |
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Sport Squad HX40 Electric Powered Air Hockey Table | $$ | Padded feet, manual scoreboard, high output fan, smooth playing surface | ★★★ ★ |
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Mini Table Top Air Hockey | $$ | Battery powered, smooth playing surface, portable, manual scorers, puck return | ★ ★★★ |
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Atomic Blazer 7’ Hockey Table **EDITOR"S CHOICE** | $$$ | LED electronic scoreboard, leg levelers, side rails, full size sturdy table | ★★★ ★ |
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Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey | $$ | Tabletop design offers portability, easy to store and use, smooth playing surface | ★★★ ★ |
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Hathaway Enforcer Air Hockey Table | $$$ | Slick playing surface, manual scorekeeper, MDF hardwood build, independent levelers | ★★★ ★ ★ |
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54-Inch Air Hockey Table by Goplus | $$ | Manual and electronic scoring options, smooth playing surface, LED display | ★★★ ★★ |
Atomic Top Shelf 7.5’ Air Hockey Table
If you want a full-sized table that looks like it came out of an arcade room the Atomic Top Shelf 7.5’ Air Hockey Table is an excellent choice. One of the best features is the powerful 120V that puts out enough air to keep the pucks moving on the longest games. An electronic scoreboard allows you to focus on gameplay rather than keeping score and automatically updates after each score.
120V motor
Electronic score board
PVC playing surface
LED pushers
Power cord is on the short side
Not the best choice for young kids
Westminster Air Hockey Full-Size Table
If you are looking for a full-size table that won’t break the bank the Westminster Air Hockey Table is an excellent choice. The table is made from a combination of wood and plastic for a durable and solidly constructed table. The curved panels add to the stability and help keep the legs out of the way of the game. The abacus scorer allows you and your opponent to easily keep track of the score.
Solid construction
Curved panels
Pushers and pucks
Abacus scorer
The motor isn’t as strong as other full-sized tables
No on and off switch
NHL 48-Inch Adjust & Store Hover Hockey Table
Adjustable
Realistic sound effects
Electronic scoreboard
Lock and store feature
Scoreboard is sensitive so keep track manually too
Might need some modification during assembly
Mainstreet Classics 35” Air Hockey Game
Smooth surface
Sliding scorer
Tabletop design
Easy to store
Requires force to move the score
Flimsy design
Sport Squad HX40 Electric Powered Air Hockey Table
Table top design
Smooth play surface
Portability
Padded feet
Motor is loud
Scorekeepers can be knocked off quite easily
Mini Table Top Air Hockey
Battery powered for portability
Puck return
Manual scorers
Table is a bit on the small side
Atomic Blazer 7’ Hockey Table **EDITOR”S CHOICE**
120V motor
LED electronic scorer
Side rails
Leg levelers
Tabletop is made from pressed wood covered with Formica
Heavy and hard to move
Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey
Ideal for younger children
Tabletop design
Easy to use and store
Manual scorer
Side airflow is weak
Puck is extremely light and flies off the table easily
Hathaway Enforcer Air Hockey Table
110V electric blower
Slick playing surface
Independent levelers
Manual scorekeeper
Automatic return
Airflow varies across the table
Puck can easily be shot off the table due to its lightweight design
54-Inch Air Hockey Table by Goplus
Manual and electronic scoring
LED display
Smooth playing surface
Easy to assemble
Solid construction
No on/off switch
Heavy and hard to move
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