For some, nothing can say success like owning your own full-sized arcade style air hockey table. As you probably already know, air hockey tables are available in a variety of sizes. The air hockey dimensions can depend on the style and brand, with the arcade style models being the largest and most expensive and the tabletop models offering the most compact design at a more affordable price.
If you’re planning on buying a new table for home use, measuring both the space you have available in the home and paying attention to a table’s dimensions will ensure you get the right model for your basement or family rec room. Once you know what size table you are looking for, check out our collection of the best air hockey tables reviews to help you find the perfect table for your home.
Key Takeaway: Not only do you have to pay attention to the table’s dimensions and the amount of space you have to work with you also have to take into consideration the extra room that’s needed for the players in order to allow them to move around freely. Not factoring in space for the players is a common mistake most newbie air hockey table owners end up making and it’s one that can have a majorly negative impact on the gameplay experience.
What Type of Space Do You Have to Work With?
Not measuring the designated air hockey table space in the home is a common mistake most buyers make. Additionally, most people don’t realize just how much space an arcade-style model can take up.
At home, you may have an empty spare bedroom, family room, or finished basement, so adding an air hockey table to said space may seem brilliant initially, that is until you get it set up.
When you’re shopping for an air hockey table, you have to consider first, where it will go. But if you’re planning on putting it in a spare room or the small dining area off the kitchen you may quickly realize buying a full-sized nine by five-foot standard sized air hockey table was a huge mistake. Not only does the table itself suck up a lot of space, but these monstrous tables can be such a tight fit that those playing the game will hardly have any room to move.
Obviously, this can make playing difficult, if not downright uncomfortable.
If you’re purchasing an arcade style air hockey table, the first thing you should do is measure the space where you’ll set it up. Next, add at least two feet of space around the table. This extra space will give players the freedom to move around freely without knocking into a wall during an intense game.
As you can see, if you don’t have a massive rec room or an unfinished basement to put your new table, you probably won’t have enough space to accommodate one of these large tables.
So, what’s the solution?
Compact Air Hockey Tables: Models Designed for Kids
If you’ve just realized you don’t have the space for an arcade style table, the best solution is to purchase a model that’s about half the size. Miniature air hockey tables are designed with kids in mind, but there are some models, such as the Harvil 4 Foot Air Hockey Game Table, which is perfect for both kids and adults. This table is built tough and its compact design will allow you to easily store it away when it’s not in use, or you can leave it out in the family rec room where it won’t take up much space at all. The lightweight design also makes it very portable. These smaller models also have many of the same bells and whistles that full-sized tables do, they’re just a compact version that’s available at a lower price. So you’ll save both space and money.
Dimensions for these tables can vary from model to model. The larger models will measure in at five feet by two-three feet. As you can see, this size is a nice compromise if you don’t have the space for a traditional air hockey table. Their lightweight design also allows you to move these tables from room to room or store it away when not in use. The weight ranges from twenty to fifty pounds, making them highly portable compared to a full-size table. There are other options available if even these kid-style tables are too large for your home.
To learn more about these smaller air hockey tables click here to read our air hockey tables for kids buyer’s guide.
Tabletop Air Hockey Tables
Tabletop air hockey tables can be a better choice for small children or if you’re looking for a portable table that can easily fit in the hall closet, in a trunk, or under the bed. Obviously, they’re not a great option if you want a table that can provide a similar arcade-style experience, however, they’re a great affordable option for the kids.
These tables measure in at around two-three feet by one-two feet, or smaller. The weight ranges from five to thirty pounds. So there are some slightly larger than average tabletop models available that can handle adult use. Obviously, the larger the table the higher the price tag.
To learn more about popular tabletop models click here to read our tabletop air hockey table buyer’s guide.
Average Air Hockey Table Sizes-Arcade Style Models
For the serious air hockey player, nothing can feel more lavish than having your very own full-sized air hockey table right in the comfort of your home. Not everyone can afford to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on this type of game table. More importantly, not everyone has the type of space these tables require.
If you’re dead set on ordering a new full-sized air hockey table, you don’t have to go with the largest size. Typically, the arcade style models are nine feet by five feet, however, there are slightly smaller models available that comes in at six feet or seven feet. The six-foot tables are the smallest arcade style air hockey tables available. Go any lower and you’ll run into models that are designed for kids. However, as we said, there are some great tables designed for kids that are tough enough for adult use. But if you want the arcade-style feel and don’t have much room, stick with a six-foot model.
The six-foot air hockey table is much more affordable compared to the full-sized tables and it can give you the same type of gaming experience, with a design that won’t totally dominate a room. If you’re willing to compromise, many major brands, such as Dynamo, now offer this great alternative.
There is yet another type of tables that include air hockey in them – multi-game tables. They typically also include ping pong, billiards, and other games like shuffleboard. Some of the best multi-game tables will allow you to enjoy each of those sports with little to no compromises.
Playing in A Cramped Space
Not only will you struggle to fit between the wall and air hockey table, but if you’re playing in a cramped space it can also have a negative impact on your performance. You won’t be able to focus on your opponent and use your shooting techniques, which can be very frustrating for the skilled air hockey player. If you can’t use your air hockey tricks to win a match because you’re not able to move around much, you’ll find yourself losing interest in the game.
While this type of indoor game table doesn’t require as much space to move around as a ping pong table or a pool table, you do need about two feet of extra space on each end of the table in order to move around freely and comfortably.
Fortunately, there are many compact models available that feature space-saving designs that will allow you to enjoy the same type of arcade style gameplay without compromising the player’s gaming experience. While playing on a smaller table can take some getting used to for the seasoned air hockey player, in the end, it’s a better tradeoff than spending hundreds of dollars on a full-sized table that you can’t really play on.
Have you heard about 4-player round air hockey tables? We have a whole guide section dedicated to them! Check it out by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
The price of a table can depend on many factors, with air hockey table dimensions being one of the most important. But if you’re willing to give up the space in your home that a traditional air hockey table requires, then you and your family can enjoy a game table that can offer the type of arcade experience you love.
As you can see, there should be a lot of thought put into buying a new arcade table. You have to have the perfect spot to put it and enough room that will allow players to move around comfortably. If a full-sized arcade style air hockey table just isn’t in the cards for you, then opt for a kid’s size model. These tables will still allow you to enjoy a fun game in the comfort of your home, and they offer a design that won’t take up much space. Kid-style air hockey tables are perfect for families in search of a table that’s very beginner friendly and one that won’t hit your wallet too hard.
