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Billiards has been played in homes and bars for centuries. This beloved game brings together families and friends and gives everyone—including kids—a chance to enjoy camaraderie and fun. If you’re in the market for a full-sized pool table, a foldable pool table for apartments and small spaces, or one that’s small enough to fit on a tabletop, one of these options will do.
Looking for more ways to have fun at home? Check out our picks for the best ping-pong tables, air hockey tables, and video game consoles.
The Best Pool Tables
- Best Overall: Brunswick Billiards Boca 8.5 Slate Pool Table
- Most Affordable: American Legend Maverick 7-Foot Billiard Table
- Best Mid-Range: Hathaway Augusta 8-Foot Pool Table Pool Table
- Best Bar-Sized Table: Barrington Springdale 7.5-Foot Pool Table
- Best Slate: Playcraft Rio Grande 8-Foot Slate Pool Table
What to Consider
Size and Placement
Pool tables measure anywhere from 7 feet (bar-sized) to 9 feet (tournament-sized), but 8 feet is the most common size for in the home. The pricier tables are often the heaviest and require professional assembly, plus extra hands to move (some of these tables weigh around 900 pounds). You can get compact tables for apartments and small living spaces, often equipped with foldable legs and at half the weight of a full-sized option.
Before you buy a full-sized pool table, measure the room where it’ll live. You’ll need enough space for your pool table plus an extra five feet on each side to leave room for a cue. Many tables have built-in levelers to ensure balls roll evenly. If you’ve got uneven floors in your play space, opt for a pool table with adjustable legs.
Materials
Solid wood frames and slate playing surfaces offer premium play and utmost durability, but they’re also the priciest and heaviest. Manufacturers make cheaper options by using metal frames, medium-density fiberboard, and plywood playing surfaces.
Slate is considered the best pool table material due to its resistance to moisture, warping, and general wear and tear. Meanwhile, wool felt is considered the best material to have on top of this slate surface as it can resist moisture and is plenty durable, especially compared to synthetics like nylon and polyester.
How We Selected
We researched pool tables across the marketplace and how to shop for one by researching professional billiard tables, the materials they’re made of, and how they fare in the home compared to a pool hall. We created a list that spans multiple price points, various weights, and different construction options so you can get a pool table in your home whether you live in a suburban mansion or a small apartment. Many of the pool tables we recommend are approved by the Billiards Congress of America, which vets a slew of standards like level playing surfaces and high-quality felt. Our recommendations include options ranging from billiards tables built for pros to tabletop sets that will satisfy green players and party-goers.
Pros
Installation is included - Available in a variety of colors
- Pro-level table that’s built to BCA standards
Cons
- Its heft requires professional help to move
At 8.5 feet, this bar-sized table is excellent for anyone who wants a serious enough table to play real games, but doesn’t need a tournament-sized playing surface. The full-panel legs are durable and stable, and the table is built to BCA (Billiards Congress of America) standards. That also means it’s ultra-heavy, weighing nearly 1,000 pounds.
The good news is that assembly is included and handled by Brunswick Billiards itself. The set includes pool cues, balls, chalk, drop pockets, a rail cap, and a table brush. It also comes in various felt colors, including green, gunmetal gray, charcoal, and red.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 101 x 57 x 32 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | 88 x 44 in. |
| Weight | 900 lbs. |
Pros
- Includes leg levelers
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight enough to move
Cons
- Users say the felt feels cheap
- Prone to warping
The American Legend Maverick is a great option for those with less to spend, clocking in at sub-$1,000.
The table comes with a table brush, cues, and chalk. The play surface and frame are both manufactured wood, which has the benefit of making this a lighter table (about 150 pounds). It also has adjustable legs to make for level play, even on unbalanced floors.
Some reviewers noted that some of the materials seem cheap—particularly the felt.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 84 x 46.5 x 31 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | Not specified |
| Weight | 151 lbs. |
Pros
- Elegant design
- Simple to get a level playing field
- Comes in over 20 cloth colors
- 1-year warranty protects against defects
Cons
- Doesn't come with professional assembly
For billiards purists, a slate table is the only way to go. This pool table combines rustic style with top-of-the-line craftsmanship. The slate top is made of three pieces of one-inch-thick slate, each piece honed to fit within one-thousandth of an inch.
Built-in leveling hardware helps you get a perfectly even surface. You can customize the table to fit your décor by choosing from one of 21 felt colors.
At 850 pounds and over $4,300, this table is one of the costliest and heaviest on our list, and while it doesn’t require professional installation, Playcraft recommends it.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 101 x 57 x 33 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | 88 x 44 in. |
| Weight | 850 lbs. |
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4
Best Mid-Range Pool Table
Hathaway Augusta 8-ft. Pool Table Pool Table
Pros
- Although hefty, moveable with a team of people
- Beautiful finish
- Frequently goes on sale
Cons
- One user says fabric isn’t durable
- Assembly isn’t included in cost
Players who enjoy the rich look of a traditional wood pool table should consider this 8-foot model from Hathaway.
This table doesn’t just look pretty—it’s made for serious players. It has 4.5-inch solid maple hardwood rails, tournament-style gum rubber cushions, and pockets that drop into ball-and-claw legs with adjustable levelers.
The MDF play surface is designed to be both flat and stable and it’s covered with a wool and nylon felt blend. The table comes with 16 regulation-sized balls, two pool cues, a two-piece bridge stick, a racking triangle, a bridge head, a rail brush, and chalk.
Note that the product requires full assembly, which isn’t included in the cost, and that it weighs over 350 pounds, so it’s a project best tackled with a friend or two. One user says the fabric construction isn’t especially tough, so keep that in mind if you plan on playing every single day.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 100.5 x 55 x 32.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | 88 x 44 in. |
| Weight | 352.5 lbs. |
5
Best Classic Style
Barrington Springdale 7.5-ft. Pool Table
Pros
- Excellent size and weight makes it easier to move
- Simple assembly doesn't require professionals
- Easy to keep level
Cons
- Legs are weak and made of plastic
At 7.5 feet, this bar-sized table is excellent for anyone with a smaller space who wants a full-sized pool table but can’t quite fit an 8- or 9-foot model.
The full-panel legs are durable and stable. They’re topped with a 0.71-inch piece of particleboard covered in polyester felt fabric, making smooth performance.
This set includes pool cues, balls, chalk, drop pockets, and a table brush. While this table isn’t as heavy as some others, at nearly 200 pounds, you’ll probably need some friends to help you unload and assemble it. Some say the legs are weak due to being made of plastic, and they don't recommend stacking more weight on the table.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 89.5 x 50.5 x 31 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | 77.5 x 38.75 in. |
| Weight | 198 lbs. |
Pros
- Comes with a durable vinyl cover
- Sturdy, durable, and level for play
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Felt has less nap than indoor tables, so balls roll fast
- Pockets are shallow
Are you looking for a pool table to complete your outdoor oasis? With an anodized aluminum frame and legs, a Formica and resin bed, and waterproof fabric, this Imperial outdoor billiards table is made to weather the elements.
Built-in leg levelers allow you to stabilize the table on any surface. It comes with two cues, balls, chalk, a triangle, and a table cover. While the table comes mostly assembled (just bolt on the legs, level it, and it’s ready to play), reviewers noted that, at over 800 pounds, it takes four adults to carry the table and flip it upright after assembly.
Users also say that because the felt has less nap than indoor tables, balls in play roll faster. Some also say the pockets are shallow and advise others to replace them.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 98.25 x 54.24 x 31.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | 88 x 44 in. |
| Weight | 820 lbs. |
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7
Best for Small Spaces
Hathaway Fairmont Portable 6-ft. Pool Table
Pros
- Comes with high-quality billiard balls
- Easily foldable for carry, storage, and travel
Cons
- Made with cheaper materials, which affects ball speed
Consider this 6-foot portable table if you’re looking for a table for an apartment, small game room, or office. With durable steel legs that easily fold for storage and transport, it’s also a good option for family vacations.
A carrying bag makes it easy to move and store and it comes with two pool cues, chalk, a table brush, and a racking triangle. A few users noted that the table warps if used outside, but considering it isn’t marketed for outdoor use, this isn’t a surprise. Others say it bends when folded up and moved, but for occasional billiards parties, it’s a decent table at a great price.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 76 x 43.25 x 32 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | 66 x 33 in. |
| Weight | 115.5 lbs. |
Pros
- Solid price
- Surprisingly sturdy while in play
- Compact solution to small spaces
Cons
- Wobbles when bumped into
- Constructed with cheaper materials than other options on this list
When friends and family come over for the holidays, you’ll want entertainment that can keep them occupied for hours. This pool table is a great option—especially because it’s foldable and doesn’t always have to take up too much space in your home.
The mid-size pool table is 6 feet long and made of a heavy-duty steel that weighs 120 pounds, and it has sturdy, adjustable feet. The set comes with a cue ball, 15 regulation balls, a ball rack, two cue sticks, two pieces of cue chalk, and a felt brush. It’s available in red, black, and blue, as well as a 7-foot option if you need more space.
Users say it’s surprisingly sturdy while in play but, as expected at its weight, wobbles if bumped into. (If your family is overly competitive, maybe opt for a sturdier option—nothing’s worse than ruining a game because someone simply bumped the edge of the tabletop.)
Others say the felt is cheap and easily damaged, and it slows balls down, though many note that the felt wears in nicely with use. It’s an excellent price for those on a budget or looking for interesting entertainment options for cheap.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 76 x 43 x 31 inches |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | Not specified |
| Weight | 120 lbs. |
9
Best Tabletop
Trademark Games Hey Play Mini Billiards Table
Pros
- Affordable, novel pool table
- Great for children and offices
- Users say it's well made for a tiny table
Cons
- Felt isn't durable
- Not great for rebound shots
When space is at a true premium—or you have kids who want to learn the game on a set their own size—a tabletop pool table just might be the answer. This Trademark Games pool set measures 20.25 by 12.25 by 3.5 inches and is made of wood with a green felt playing field.
The set comes with a triangle, balls, and cues and has two automatic ball returns. Some players thought the pool table was not very responsive for rebound shots, but for a play kit under $30, we don’t think that’s too problematic.
Key Specs
| Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20.25 x 12.25 x 3.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Play Surface Dimensions (L x W) | Not specified |
| Weight | 7 oz. |
Kevin Cortez
Commerce Editor
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
Kylee McGuigan
Associate Commerce Editor
Kylee McGuigan is an associate commerce editor for Hearst Magazines’s Enthusiast Group. She works with content for brands such as Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. Kylee graduated from Penn State in May 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in French. During her undergraduate career, she spent a majority of her time writing for, and eventually editing, VALLEY Magazine: Penn State’s only student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine. She has produced content ranging from beauty and health, to lifestyle and self-improvement. After spending four years in the happiest of valleys (State College, PA), she moved back home to South Jersey—otherwise known as the famous “outside of Philly” area. Kylee can be found working out of her local Starbucks with her best friend, an iced chai in hand, and endless hours of music playlists to get her through the day. When she’s not working, she is more than likely on her daily walk in her neighborhood, at Orangetheory, binging Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, checking out local coffee shops, or trying new bars and restaurants in the city with friends and family.
