8 best outdoor table tennis tables that serve up hours of ping-pong fun

Totally weatherproof, this 7mm resin laminate table gave us plenty of in-game bounce and it looks great, thanks to its corrosion-resistant zinc and aluminium alloy frame, fixed steel net and rounded base, which also means you’ll spend less time scrabbling around trying to catch your ball when it disappears under the table.

The playing surface didn’t mark or scratch, even when some misfired shots meant the bat connected with the table rather than the ball.

There are buffers at each corner to keep the table kid-friendly and we loved the built-in storage for four bats and the very handy ball dispensers, which ensured we were never far from a replacement. Bats and balls aren’t supplied with the table, so you’ll need to make room in your budget for them, but the table does come with an astonishing 10-year outdoor table guarantee from Cornilleau.

This tournament-sized playing surface is covered in a 4mm melamine resin layer that gave us some of the best gameplay we had while testing. Rallies and smashes were fast and furious and we got plenty of bounce, allowing for subtle shots and plenty of spin.

The four robust double wheels meant we had no problem rolling the table to where we needed it, and the powder-coated steel frame means you can leave the table exposed to the elements without having to worry about the table degrading.

There are side-mounted bat and ball holders, but you’ll have to buy these separately.

We enjoyed our time with this table from one of the most well-known brands in tournament table tennis because it provided plenty of bounce on its 4mm melamine playing surface. The table comes ready assembled – to get up and running, all you have to do is add some wheel brackets. It also comes supplied with two quality bats and three balls.

The height adjusters on the legs make it easy to find a level playing surface, even on an uneven patio, and each half of the table has four wheels, so portability was never a problem for us.

We found that the quality cover provided makes for an effective barrier against the elements.

This steel table was created by a Barcelona-based design studio to be practical and playable. It’s dual-purpose, so you can play on the laminate surface or pack the net, paddles and balls away into a discreet drop-down drawer and eat dinner on a minimalist outdoor dining table.

We found the laminate surface to be suitably hardwearing, offering good bounce and speed when the balls were flying across even the small and medium-sized table options.

Available in black and white versions, the manufacturer warns that the black table needs to be covered to prevent colour fade over time, but we thought the white table with the iroko wood legs looked stunning. If you still don’t think you’re getting your money’s worth – you’ll also get two bats and six balls with your order.

The 100X has a frame made from a corrosion-resistant alloy that looks stylish while clearly standing up to any inclement weather, so you can leave the table out year-round. If you do have some outside storage available, the table folds quickly, thanks to Cornilleau’s push-and-lock system. Plus, the fixed tensible net makes it easy to transition from storage to playing mode in no time.

We found it easy to move about, because of the large double wheels, which let us roll the table over steps and raised areas of our outdoor space. The adjustable feet also worked well when levelling out the table.

The 4mm laminate playing surface, available in grey or blue, gave us good rebound, and we liked the soft finish that’s applied, which successfully reduced glare when playing in direct sunlight.

Bats and balls aren’t included but there is built-in storage on the outside of the 100X’s centre panels, so you won’t have to waste valuable playing time looking around for the right equipment, and this is all backed up by the manufacturer’s 10-year product guarantee.

We got lots of playability from the 6mm aluminium plastic surface, which had lots of spring and released plenty of energy when the ball hit the table, making this a good option for beginners and children who might need a bit of help connecting with their shots. We found that the surface was also durable and took a lot of punishment, without getting scratched or marked.

Underneath is a rust-resistant, powder-coated frame, which means you can keep the table up year-round – although, the folding mechanism was effective, if you have some storage. You also have the option of folding up half of the table for single-player practice – which, again, can really benefit those who are picking up a bat and ball for the first time.

The 5mm melamine, hardwearing playing surface on this table ensured good bounce and high ball speed for faster shots. Stiga’s compact system means the table is quick to fold up, and you leave one side up for some solo training. Stable and robust, the table also comes with the net included but you’ll have to buy bats and balls separately. The four sets of double wheels ensure the table can be moved easily, too.

If you’re looking to invest in a hardwearing outdoor table that anyone can just pitch up and play on, then this heavy-duty option from Butterfly has an 18mm anti-glare resin and ply playing surface that gives the kind of playback professional players are used to. The polyurethane paint that coats the surface is totally weather-resistant and we found that the table is also wheelchair-friendly, meeting paralympic standards.