How to Choose the Best Foosball Table for Home?
Table of Contents
Top Best Foosball Tables Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Foosball Table for Home?
If you look for an object of entertainment for your home, you can consider buying a foosball table. However, you might be wondering what it is if you have not heard about it earlier. Here is a small intro:
What is a Foosball Table?
A foosball is generally categorized both as a sport and a game. For many players, it is just a game based on football or soccer. However, for many football enthusiasts from around the world, it is growing popularity as a sport on its own right. You might be surprised to know that there are professional foosball associations and players. Even, they conduct competitions as well. Irrespective of your skill level, this game will keep your family entertained when you buy a foosball table for home.
- Objective: The objective of the foosball game is to move your four rods. By doing this, you will have to control your 13 players in the form of figurines in this game to take the ball towards the target. It might sound easy. Nevertheless, your opponent will also be trying to do the same with his/her team of players. In this game, you will have to race for 5 goals or points. The first team that takes the initial 5 goals will be the winner.
- Types of games: In a foosball table, you can play different formats of this game. The choices are singles, doubles, and goal war to name a few.
Top 8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Foosball Table
Now, you know that a foosball table for home can bring excellent entertainment for your family. However, how to buy it will be your question. Here are some points of considerations that will help you end up with the right shopping for the foosball table:
1. Consider the Type of Foosball Table
When you try to shop for a foosball table, you will come across the following types of tables:
Stand-alone Foosball Tables
A stand-alone table will be larger. Further, it is an expensive type as compared to the others. It is the common type used in schools and big leagues. The reason is that it ensures better stability and it comes attached to everything.
In general, manufacturers use solid wood for producing this type of table. So, it will be heavy to move around. As high-quality materials are used in its making, this type is durable comparatively. The size and cost are the two biggest issues with this type.
Table-top Foosball Tables
This is an affordable and lightweight variant. Most importantly, it will occupy lesser space as compared to a stand-alone table. As you plan to buy a foosball table for home for your kids to play, you can consider this type. The reason is that it suits kids, who are shorter than adults. Also, this type will help if you wish to play foosball in different places in your home and expect portability from the table. Further, it will not consume too much space in your home like a stand-alone foosball table.
The biggest benefit of this type is that it is affordable as compared to the standalone foosball table. Mostly, this kind is made using less-expensive materials like plastic. This is one of the important reasons for the affordability of this type. This kind is the best choice for kids as they can place this foosball table on lower tables like coffee tables and can play comfortably.
Multi-game Foosball Tables
This is yet another type, good for kids. As you look for a foosball table for home, you can consider this type. The reason is that you can play as a family on this table. In turn, you can get a good time together. It can be placed in the game room in your home. When you get rid of the foosball rod from this type, you can play other games like tennis, air hockey, shuffleboard, bowling, and chess in this type of foosball table. However, the problem with this type is that it will cost you more as compared to the other two types.
2. Is the Foosball Table Made Using Quality Material?
Particleboard Foosball Table
When you are considerate about an affordable foosball table, you will find that it is constructed out of particleboard. Particleboard is nothing, but an engineered wood. It is obtained from sawdust, chips and wood shavings and is combined with resin to get the required shape.
However, the problem with this type is that it will not be sturdy to handle. Even, the screws and joints in a table made using this material will loosen quickly with use. It will be lightweight to handle and the sidewalls will be thinner. The thing to remember here is that the thickness of the sidewall will tell you a lot about the construction of the table. If the sidewalls are thicker, the entire table will be stronger.
Pressed Wood Foosball Table
You will come across a foosball table made using pressed wood. The good thing about the table made using this material is that it works extremely well for foosball. This material is similar to particleboard. But, it will generally have a veneer and would have been bonded together with the help of heat and pressure, thereby making it sturdy.
Composite Material Foosball Table
This material is known for its resistance to humidity and moisture. It is made using thermoplastics like PVC or wood fiber. The chances of warping over years of usage will be less if the foosball table for home is made using this material. When you choose this material, it is better to check whether the walls and the playfield have a minimum of one-inch thickness. Otherwise, it will quickly warp and bend.
Solid Wood Foosball Table
The good thing about this material is that it will have a soft playfield. However, the softness can slow down the game progression. The problem with this material is that it can contract and expand due to humidity and other climate changes. When you choose this option, it is better to use the table in a climate-controlled room.
3. Consider the Dimension of the Table
One of the first things you will have to consider when you buy a foosball table is the dimension of the table. Officially, the dimension of a foosball table used for competition is 56 inches length, 36 inches height and 30 inches width. However, as you are looking for a foosball table for home, you need not have to look for a similar dimension as used for competition unless you or one of your family members is going to prepare for a competition. You will have to consider other factors like your room size and your personal preferences rather.
You will have to use a measuring table to measure the area in which you intend to place the foosball table. It is better to do it before you place your order for any table. Just in case, the room in which you have planned to place it is bigger enough and if you have plans to spend time with your friends playing the game, you can go for a larger table. If you will be using the table just for your family use, you can consider a smaller variant.
The size of a small table will be somewhere between 45 and 55 inches. A larger one will be more than 57 inches and the mini table will be lesser than 45 inches. If you are particular about buying a regulation table, it will be 56″ in size.
4. Consider the Goalie Configuration
One of the outstanding aspects that you will notice when you compare foosball tables is that some of them feature three-man goalies, while others will have 1-man goalies. Even, you will come across a table with 2-side defenders that are mounted on either side of the main goalie.
When you will have to decide between one and three-man goalie, it is simply a matter of preference. For instance, people in the UK use a single-man goalie, while those in the USA use a three-man goalie. If you prefer fast-paced gaming, you can consider a three-man goalie set up. If you are looking for a table that will need more accuracy and skill, you can consider a one-man goalie table.
To improve your skills in this game, a one-man goalie will help. Novices and kids will find a three-man goalie to be helpful and easier to handle. Even in high-end models, you can easily convert a three-main goalie into a one-man goalie setup.
5. Safety Features to Consider
As you are planning to buy a foosball table for home for your kids to use, safety features are essential to consider. Here, the biggest safety risks come from the rods on the ends without handles. They can cause the fingers of kids to get caught if there is no protection. Even, when it comes to safety features, consider buying a table with a good ball recovery system.
6. Consider the Legs
Legs are an essential part when you choose a standard table. The reason is that they support the entire table and ensure stability. Check whether the legs are thick as they will ensure stability to achieve perfect shots.
7. Consider the Table Surface
The surface of the table should have laminate designs against stick-on designs. The reason is that the stickers can peel and can come in the way of the gameplay. So, make sure that the surface of the table is smooth. The reason is that it will help your ball to travel quicker as you play.
8. How about the Playing Rod?
You should not compromise on the playing rods used in the table. It is better to consider buying a table with steel rods. The reason is hollow steel rods will speed up your play as they will not be heavy to handle.
Conclusion
A Foosball Table can bring a whole lot of fun and entertainment to your entire family. You can consider the factors mentioned above when buying this table to get the utmost benefits.
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