Buying a pool table is a hefty investment regardless of its size, materials, or how often you use it. While some can certainly be double, if not triple, the cost of a smaller table made with cheaper materials, even the cheapest pool table can cost hundreds of dollars, if not upwards of $1,000. Obviously, you want to make sure this investment pays off. The best way to do that is to purchase a pool table from the most renowned brands.
The best pool table brands include:
- Diamond Billiards
- Olhausen Billiards
- Brunswick Pool tables
- Presidential Billiards
- Fat Cat Pool Tables
- Plank and Hide Co.
- Harvil Pool Tables
These companies are listed here for their unfailing dedication to exceptional table design, durability, and other essential traits.
In this article, we’ll discuss what sets these brands above the competition and renders them the first choice for both novice and expert pool players when the time comes to buy a new table.
Traits That Make a Pool Table Brand the Best in the Industry
There’s no denying that while most pool tables are composed of the same components, they are not all made alike.
If you’re looking for a pool table of the highest quality, you’ll want to make sure it comes from a brand that values these qualities:
- Material
- Design
- Accessibility
Here are why we deem these three points to be the most significant for a pool table brand to be considered “the best.”
Material
In terms of material, the table should be made of the most durable and aesthetically pleasing materials possible for a pool table. Typically, pool tables made by top brands will have a wooden frame paired with one or more pieces of slate for maximum support and aesthetic appeal. On top of the wooden frame should be a wool felt (ideally worsted wool), for durability, visual impact, and ball speed.
Design
What’s more important than the material of a pool table is its design. Pool tables are made with some extremely heavy materials, and if the table isn’t designed properly, these materials will suffer. Most of this falls to the frame, which is why the best pool tables have a wooden frame, slate slabs, and cross beams to withstand all of the weight.
Of course, design should also refer to how the table looks, considering these massive pieces will become the focal point of any room. The best companies will sell pool tables that go beyond being a piece of sporting equipment, but a fine piece of aesthetically pleasing art or décor as well.
Accessibility
When we talk about accessibility, we are referring to two things:
- Table cost
- Table availability
Cost is, of course, the element most people think about first. While it is unlikely that you’ll find a cheap table from these brands, you will find some that are surprisingly affordable considering the table’s high quality materials and craftsmanship.
As far as availability goes, while not everyone might be able to purchase a pool table from Olhausen or Plank and Hide due to their significant prices, when the day arrives that you can finally splurge on a table from these companies, they’re easy to find. This is because of their exceptional reputation which has allowed the company to have their products accessible to anyone who wants them (as long as they can pay).
Top 7 Pool Table Brands
The list of pool table making companies is a lengthy one to say the least. Therefore, we’ve provided a list of what we deem to be the top seven pool table brands to help make the selection process at least a little easier.
Diamond Billiards
One of the most reputable pool table brands is Diamond Billiards. Ever since its inception in 1987, this brand has created exceptional tabletop pool tables from materials such as from Solid Oak, Solid Hardwood Maple or Ash Hardwood.
This brand is so esteemed that their tables have been featured in professional games worldwide. Of course, such a reputation comes at a cost, rendering this brand one of the most expensive on the list.
Olhausen Billiards
The Olausen brand has come a long way since its roots as a small, family-owned business. Today, it is one of the most revered pool table brands. We guarantee it is the dream of any avid pool player to own a Olhausen pool table, if only they had the $8,000+ to afford it. Cost aside, every material, design choice, and accessory that comes with these tables is well worthwhile.
Brusnwick Pool Tables
One of the factors Brunswick pool tables really have going for them is their reputation for being extremely durable. When you purchase a $1,000+ pool table, the last thing you want to do is constantly drop hundreds of dollars on repairs. Brunswick ensures this doesn’t happen by designing pool tables with longevity in mind.
Presidential Billiards
The fact that Presidential is known for making exceptional furniture should say something about their pool table designs. With this brand, you’re guaranteed to find a pool table that not only plays well, but makes a striking visual impact in any room.
Fat Cat Pool Tables
If spending 8,000 on a pool table sounds a bit egregious to you, we’d like you to take a look at tables created by Fat Cat Pool Tables. This brand is known for creating magnificent pool tables that won’t leave your bank account weeping. Most pool tables here cost around $3,000, which is pricier than the cheapest table you can get, but the quality comparison is staggering.
Plank and Hide Co.
A company that creates some of the most elegant pool tables for middling price is Plank and Hide Co. If your guests didn’t know any better, they’d think your covered Plank and Hide Co. pool table was just a sophisticated looking dinner table until you revealed the splendor beneath.
These stunning tables boast a rustic design for $5,000-$6,000, making it an exceptional alternative to the priciest brands.
Harvil Pool Tables
The last brand on our list is none other than Harvil. Designed with a modern flair, Harvil pool tables are another great choice for the pool player on a budget. You can typically acquire these tables for around $1,000-3,000 without jeopardizing quality in the process. You might not get all of the top-notch materials as other brands, by Harvil is fantastic at creating reliable tables regardless of materials used.
Final Thoughts
Pool tables should be a piece of sporting equipment you enjoy, and we guarantee you’ll enjoy them visually and for longer if you buy them from one of these brands. Remember to check the table’s materials, design, and accessibility before deciding on a brand, and choose the one that matches your pool table space and ambitions most.