Whether you intend to play just with friends and family or want to hold professional tournaments, buying a pool table for the first time can seem daunting. There are many brands out there and a wide range of prices so it can be difficult to know which is best for you.
How much you spend will depend on how you plan to play.
- Smaller tables are cheaper than the professional sized
- Any customizations will rack up the price
- Purchasing a used table can be as cheap as $300
- A luxury table with customizations can be as much as $20,000
There are a lot of different aspects to consider when it comes to buying a pool table, including size, price and purpose. Keep reading to find out more about your options.
How Much Should You Spend On a Pool Table?
Professional players use the standard 9 foot table although there are also 7 foot and 8 foot tables on the market.
As we mentioned above, tables range widely in price. By taking a look at your budget and intended use for the table, you can determine what price range you should purchase at.
Spend Less On a Smaller Pool Table
A smaller table would be perfect for someone who plans to play casually or who needs to save space, but if you want to use it for competitions, brackets or otherwise playing professionally, you should plan to buy a 9 foot table.
Spend More On a Quality Pool Table
Another factor to take into account is how long you want the table to last. High quality pool tables can last upwards of 25 years and can even become a treasured family heirloom. Cheaper ones may only last 5 to 10 years.
Buying Old Vs. New Pool Tables
While buying a used table can be good in some cases, it is not recommended for aspiring professionals to practice on or compete with due to potential deformities.
Used Pool Tables Are Cheaper, But Less In Quality
Obviously the benefit of buying a used pool table is how much cheaper it is. $300- $500 is the average price of a used table, which is as much as 3 times less than buying new. This may be appealing to someone with a smaller budget or who wants it just to have fun.
Used tables may have what is called “dead” rails or “dead” cushions, which is when the materials have hardened or deteriorated over time or with use. This changes how the balls move on the table and can affect the outcome of a game.
Best Pool Table Brands
The market can seem flooded with brands to somebody who is just starting to shop around. It can be difficult to know which brands are trustworthy and consistently sell good products.
Here are some examples of brands that have been popular for decades:
- Brunswick- Brunswick has average to expensive tables and has been around since 1845. It’s one of the best known and highly trusted billiard brands.
- Olhausen- Olhausen was founded in the 70’s and has remained a popular company. They are best known for their high end and ultra- customizable options.
- Presidential Billiards- Known for their premium wood working, Presidential Billiards actually gets a lot of their lumber from Zimbabwe.
- Diamond Billiard Products- As a popular brand for professionals, Diamond Billiard products have a great reputation due to their durability and adherence to professional guidelines.
- Hathaway- Hathaway is a great brand for the casual player. They offer great quality tables at a more affordable price due to their use of compressed wood and melamine.
This list will give you a great starting point when beginning to shop for a pool table.
Beginner, Intermediate and Professional Pool Tables
As we touched upon above, certain tables are better suited to different types of players.
We compiled together a table so that you can easily decide which brands and sizes might be best for you based on your level of playing:
| Beginner- 6 to 8 feet | Intermediate- 7 to 8 feet | Professional- 9 feet |
| https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K475JKF?tag=supremebilliards-20 | Great American Monarch Table, $3,300 | Diamond Professional Table, $8,300 |
| Mizerak Space Saver Table, $500 | Brunswick Glenwood, $4,200 | Diamond Paragon Table, $11,000 |
| EastPoint Sports Billiard Table, $500 | Plank & Hide Otis Table, $5,000 | White Billiards Olics Pool Table, $12,000 |
| Barrington Billiards Table, $700 | Presidential Billiards Roosevelt, $5,200 | Olhausen Bishop Table, $15,000 |
Now you have a comprehensive list of which table may be best for you.
Conclusion
We hope this extensive guide gives you some good background information on your purchase. While buying a pool table can be expensive, there is such a wide range of prices to choose from.
It should also be seen as a great investment for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Have fun playing with your new pool table from the comfort of your home.