If you’re not looking for a full-sized air hockey table, then a tabletop model is a great alternative and one that won’t take a major chunk out of your savings. These affordable tables are highly portable, compact, and perfect for family game night.

This forty-inch model by Playcraft Sport shows us that when it comes to playing air hockey at home, you don’t always have to go big to get that arcade experience. This model may be compact and doesn’t exactly offer the total playing experience that a full-sized table does and can, but if you’re on a tight budget or you simply don’t have the space in your home to accommodate a full-sized model, then this table offers the perfect alternative and the type of ultimate playing experience kids and parents are looking for.

Overview and Features

Playcraft Sport is a big player in the home air hockey table industry. While they’re not known for their massive tables, they do have a reputation for producing compact models that are durable and designed to last. If you’re tired of buying low-priced cheap tables that are made out of thin plastic, then this durable, well-built table is a great alternative and one that can actually survive heavy-duty use from the kids.

If you don’t have a playroom, rec room, man cave, or a dedicated space for a large arcade-style hockey table, then this compact, lightweight model, is a great alternative, and one that’s very affordable and portable.

If you’re looking for a durable table that can survive the kids, then this latest model by Playcraft Sport delivers.

Size

This is one of the best tabletop air hockey tables on the market. While it may not come with as many bells and whistles that a full-sized table can, it’s well-built, and its compact design makes it a space-saving model that’s perfect for apartment dwellers and smaller homes. The table measures in at forty inches wide, eight inches high, and twenty-inches deep.

Extras

This table comes with two pucks and a couple of strikers. These included accessories have been scaled down to work for a table of this size. This means they’re pretty small and obviously designed for smaller hands, which can be a big drawback for some adults. However, the table itself is a great buy if you’re looking for an affordable option for the whole family. The size of the strikers will work perfectly for the kids.

Blower System

The one hundred CM air-powered motor offers more than enough power to get the puck from one end of the table to the other, at lightning-quick speed.

Design

The table is built tough and comes equipped with a tough MDF hardwood frame. Despite its small size, it’s not just designed for children, in fact, it’s perfect for air hockey lovers of all ages who have very limited space in the home. But because of the table’s compact design, you can also expect the pucks and strikers to feature a smaller than average size as well, which can make it difficult for older players with large hands to grasp.

Portability

If you live in an apartment or small house, then the odds are you don’t have the type of space needed to accommodate a full-sized table. Not only do you have to set aside space for the table itself, but you’ll also need to take into consideration how much space is needed at each end of the table, in order to allow players to move around freely.

While this table doesn’t offer an arcade playing experience, it does shine in terms of portability and its space-saving design. This table doesn’t require a dedicated space. Once playtime is over, you can pick up the table and store it in a closet or in the garage, until the family is ready for another match.

Maintenance

Air hockey tables of all sizes need a little TLC from time to time, and while this table is pretty small, it’ll still need a good scrubbing to prevent dirt, dust, and debris from clogging the perforations in the table. If you don’t know how to clean an air hockey table, the process itself is pretty simple, as long as you keep up with it. Use a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down the surface, allowing the table to dry completely before you fire up the motor. I recommend dusting the surface at least once a week, or whenever you notice a change in playability, such as the puck is moving much slower than usual. This is usually an indication that some of the perforations in the table’s surface are clogged with dust. With regular upkeep, you’ll ensure the table remains in perfect working order, for an ultimate game playing experience for the whole family.

Performance

As you can see, this isn’t your average tabletop model. It’s well-built, highly portable, and available at a reasonable price.

It’s compact size also means it won’t require the same type of heavy-duty motor that you’ll commonly find in full-sized tables. However, it offers more than enough power for a table of this size, and effortlessly powers the puck across the surface. While it may look small, it’s actually made from high-quality materials, giving it a solid feel. The table will not wobble or rock during use. Instead of plastic, the table is made out of heavy-duty MDF material, so it’s obvious this is a model that’s designed to last.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros

Cons

Playcraft Sport Triumph Fire ‘N Ice LED Air Hockey Table

The competing table by Triumph is a big step up from this compact tabletop model. It’s a great choice for the kids, or families who love to play a round of air hockey. The table is much larger, measuring in at fifty-four inches, compared to this table’s forty inches. The larger playing surface means a more powerful motor. It’s also more flashy in terms of lights and features. The table’s goals will light up whenever you sink a puck. It also comes with an electronic scoring system, which is a big plus for any buyer. In terms of durability, the table will remain firmly in place with no rocking during a fast-paced game, thanks to the four leg cross braces, which provide much-needed stability and support.

However, since it’s much larger than this tabletop model, you’ll need to carefully measure the available space in your home to determine whether or not you have room for this table. The lack of portability will be a drawback for some, while others will appreciate the larger size, which makes it a better alternative for older children and adults. But with this increase in size comes a higher price tag. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t have room to keep a hockey table out at all times, then you’re better off with the tabletop model by Playcraft Sport.

Conclusion and Rating

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If you’re not shopping for a table that can provide an arcade-style air hockey playing experience, if you need a model that you can pack up and store in a closet at the end of the day, and if you’re on a tight budget, then this type of tabletop model is a great, more affordable alternative.

This Playcraft Sport table may not be able to compete with full-sized models, but as a tabletop model, it easily outperforms competing tables of the same style. The heavy-duty MDF construction combined with the powerful motor and smooth playing surface will give you a taste of that arcade feel, without costing you hundreds of dollars or taking up a lot of space in the home. Well-built, reasonably priced, and a table that the whole family will love, I gave this model a rating of four and a half out of five stars.