I love playing pool!
But I hate having to go to a bar to play it.
Unfortunately, I live in a small apartment and just don’t have to space for a pool table. Not even for a portable one.
But I do have the space for a mini pool table. So I decided to get one.
That’s when I realized just how bad most of them are.
Obviously, I don’t expect the same gaming experience as a full sized table.
But I’d like to get close.
It turns out the best small pool tables do come close. But there are only a few really good ones on the market.
Keep reading for a comparison of the best mini pool tables available, plus brief reviews of each and a buying guide, to help you find the ideal one for you and your home.
Best Mini Pool Tables Compared
| Image | Name | Size | Weight | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Hey! Play! Mini Tabletop Pool Set | 20.25" x 12.25" x 3.5" | 5.34 pounds | $ | 10 / 10 |
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Matty's Toy Stop Deluxe Mini Billiard Table | 20.75" x 12.95" x 4.25" | 5.44 pounds | $$ | 9.7 / 10 |
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Mainstreet Classics Miniature Billiard Set | 20" x 13" x 4" | 6 pounds | $$$$ | 9.9 / 10 |
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Jodela Mini Pool Table Set | 36" x 20" x 8.1" | 20.3 pounds | $$$ | 9.7 / 10 |
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Matty's Toy Stop Deluxe Neon Pool Table | 20.5" x 12.75" x 4" | 5.55 pounds | $$ | 9.4 / 10 |
Best Small Pool Table: Reviews
The following mini pool tables are the best options on the market. The first choice represents the best value overall, but All of the tables below are great, so feel free to pick whichever one most appeals to you.
Hey! Play! Mini Tabletop Pool Set
The Hey Play Mini Tabletop Pool Set comes equipped with a triangle rack, stick chalk, two cues, and 16 in 1 pool balls.
It is the best mini billiard table on the market. It not only saves on space but is also easy to move around the house, in case you need a location change.
Usually this means moving it outside when the weather is nice. And back inside when it rains. Which is most of the time here where I live.
This mini tabletop pool table provides you with the best gameplay experience you could hope for from a small table. It comes close to a full-sized pool table.
Coming in at a weight of 5.34 pounds, even the kids can easily set this pool table up. It’s not just the light weight either. It’s relatively easy to set up all around.
Additionally, it’s the most budget-friendly mini-sized tabletop pool table with a lot to offer compared to its counterparts. We can’t stress enough how well the manufacturer set up this table to resemble a standard one.
What We Liked
- Relatively small and portable making it easy to change locations
- Easy to set up, even for complete beginners
- Comes equipped with the most necessary accessories
- Suitable for both adults and children, due to its sturdy yet small design
- A realistic design resembling a real full-sized pool table
- Budget-friendly, compared to other mini-sized billiard tables
What We Didn’t Like
- We honestly found nothing we didn’t like with this particular mini pool table
Matty’s Toy Stop Deluxe Wooden Mini Billiard Table
Second on our list is Matty’s Toy Stop Deluxe wooden mini tabletop billiard table, which is suitable for all ages. Both children and adults can enjoy it.
The table itself is 20 inches in length and can be set up in any location that has enough space for comfortable movement around the table.
This set also comes with a full set of 15 colored and numbered billiard balls, one cue ball, one brush, two pool sticks, two cubes of chalk & a racking triangle.
Matty’s Toy Stop Deluxe pool table weighs only 5.44 pounds. The biggest drawback is a considerably higher price than the previous unit on this list, which is why it is not our favorite. At an equivalent price, it would be.
On the whole, it actually delivers the best experience in terms of gameplay. But when you factor in price, the additional cost just doesn’t make up for the slight superiority of this table. The other is simply a better value.
But if you are looking for a lightweight and easy-to-move mini pool table and budget is not an issue, then the Matty’s Toy Stop Deluxe table is the best choice.
What We Liked
- Easy and quick to move around due to its portable and lightweight design
- No assembly required; pull it out and start playing!
- Comes equipped with the most necessary accessories
- Suitable for children above six years, along with adults
- Small in design yet realistic in gameplay
What We Didn’t Like
- The balls are a bit too small
- Price a bit high, given the price of the previous model above
- Not suitable for children under the age of three
Mainstreet Classics 20-Inch Miniature Billiard Set
Pool enthusiasts looking for a mini pool table set that comes with the actual sized pool table balls have few choices. The best is the Mainstreet Classics 20-Inch miniature billiard set.
This 20-inch mini billiard table is great for anyone lacking the space for a full-sized pool table, but looking for an almost identical experience, with real, full-sized balls.
The tabletop is quite portable, weighing around 6 pounds. It comes with two billiard cues, a set of billiard balls, a triangle, a table brush, and a pool table chalk.
The Mainstreet Classics table is not as suitable for young kids as the other options above, since the balls are larger, but it is perfect for adults looking to replicate a real pool experience at home, while saving on space.
What We Liked
- Portable and lightweight in design
- Realistic design
- Comes with full-sized pool table balls
- Comes equipped with the most necessary accessories
What We Didn’t Like
- Not suitable for the younger ones, due to the size of the balls
- The ball bounces from the sides on some occasions
- Some users had issues with the bottom of the table being uneven
Jodela Mini Pool Table Set
You may have noticed that all of the mini pool tables on this list are around the same size. All but this one.
The Jodela small billiard table is here because we wanted to include one option that was slightly larger. It is also perhaps the best option on this list, but because it is larger, it could not have the top spot.
In other words, if you don’t need the absolute smallest size, this is the table to get. But if you need a truly mini billiard table, then the other 4 are the best choices on the market.
So just how big is the Jodela?
It measures 36 by 20 by 8 inches. It also weighs quite a bit more at 20 pounds.
Like the others, it comes in a complete package that includes a set of game balls, a triangle rack, two pool sticks, two chalks, and a pool table brush.
It is easy to assemble and is suitable for even the youngest of children (3 years or older, according to the manufacturer).
What We Liked
- Larger size (this is also a drawback, depending on your needs)
- Realistic pool table design
- Trapezoidal feet for more stability
- Soft rubber buffers around the pockets
- Comes equipped with the most necessary accessories
- Easy to assemble
What We Didn’t Like
- Larger size (again, this depends on your needs)
- Balls are not standard size
Matty’s Toy Stop Deluxe Wooden 20″ Mini Neon Pool Table
At 20 inches long, Matty’s Toy Stop Deluxe wooden 20″ mini tabletop neon pool table is small, but tons of fun for kids and adults alike.
The neon blue color theme with a black finishing makes this tabletop billiard table unique. But it doesn’t look as realistic as the other mini pool tables on this list with their standard green color.
It is definitely a niche product that will not appeal to everyone, which is why we ranked it below the identical Matty’s table with the standard colors.. But it is a great product nonetheless.
With it’s fun color scheme, it is the perfect way to introduce kids to pool. It comes in a package that includes the black-felted table with neon accents, 15 colored balls, a cue ball, a brush, two pool cues, two cubes of chalk and a racking triangle.
The table is small enough to store away, yet big enough to give you an almost equivalent gaming experience to a full-sized pool table.
It weighs 5.55 pounds, making it easily portable. We have no problem recommending it to pool enthusiasts of all ages, as long as they are above five years of age.
What We Liked
- Lightweight in design
- Stylish and sleek looking design
- Comes equipped with the most necessary accessories
- Easy to set up
What We Didn’t Like
- Poor quality cues
- Pockets are a bit smaller than we’d like
Mini Pool Table Buying Guide
Whether you play pool as a way of passing time or because you hope to become a professional, a mini pool table will give you far more opportunities to practice.
But you need to know what features to look for and which ones are simply marketing, in order to ensure you get the best possible billiards table. Here are the most important characteristics to pay attention to.
Size Of The Table
Mini pool tables come in different sizes. Since you are likely getting one because space is limited, the size if extremely important. You need to make sure the table fits in the space you have available.
In general, the larger the table, the close the playing experience is to that of a standard table. As a result, the goal is usually to get the largest table possible given your space and budget.
All of the tables above are similar in size, except for one. And all are tabletop tables, meaning the are designed to sit atop an existing table or other structure.
Cost Of The Table
You may have noticed that our top choice above is also the cheapest table on the list. And by a lot.
That’s because we ranked the tables by value. Some of the others are a bit better, but they also cost quite a bit more. The first one represents the best value.
If you can afford to spend more and you have more space, get the larger model. It is the best in terms of build quality and gaming experience.
But if you are on a budget, the first one is easily the best value. It is a shockingly good pool table when you take the low price into account.
Performance And Style
You definitely can not expect a mini billiard table to give you the full experience of a full-sized pool table and act as a direct replacement.
I’m sure you already know that.
Mini pool tables are mostly used by children and by adults with limited space when they want to play games at home. The quality of balls, cues, and banks varies from table to table, but they never approach the quality of a real pool table and accessories.
You’ll notice a few different designs in the list above. We generally prefer the classic design, which mimics that of a real billiard table. But you might prefer the black and neon design. To each their own.
Material
Most mini pool tables are made from medium-density fiberboard. Some also have metallic finishing to make the tabletop look more stylish and appealing.
Cheaper tables tend to use cheap materials, while expensive ones are made with higher quality materials. I’m sure this does not come as news to you.
It is the same with full sized tables, where your main decision comes down to a slate vs wood pool table. Slate is better and generally the material used in tournaments, but it is far heavier and far more expensive.
Some mini tables use nets to return the balls, while others use a rail system, making it easier for them to be tossed back.
Included Accessories
In most cases, mini tables come with a set of balls, a racking triangle, two pool sticks, chalks, and sometimes, a brush.
Pay attention to the accessories that come with any table you are considering. Often, a lower price is due to a lack of accessories, or perhaps lower quality ones.
Small Pool Table FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get when it comes to mini billiard tables, along with our answers of each.
What is the smallest size pool table?
Did you know that standard pool tables come in different sizes? The smallest sized regular pool table is 7 feet in length. But you should be aware that American tables are larger than British ones.
How big is a mini pool table?
Mini pool tables come in different sizes ranging from 20 inches to 40 inches in length. Folding mini tables are a bit larger than the standard mini tabletops, starting at 40 inches.
If you live in an apartment with limited space for a full-sized pool table or a folding mini table, a small 20-inch mini pool table would be ideal for you.
What is the difference between a billiard table and a pool table?
Billiard and pool are the same game, with different technicalities setting them apart.
The most significant difference between the two is the table used to play each game. To put this into perspective, here are a few things that set the two apart.
| Billiards | Pool |
|---|---|
| Played on a table with no pockets and uses three balls. | Played on a table with six pockets and uses 9 to 15 balls. |
| Standard dimensions are 9.3 by 4.7 feet. | Standard dimensions are 9, 8, or 7 feet. |
| The table is covered with fine cloth known as baize, which is 100% worsted wool. | The baize is 100% synthetic. |
| Uses slightly larger balls than those found in pool | Uses slightly smaller balls than those found in billiards |
In simple terms, pool is a version of billiard played on a table with pockets.
In the U.S, pool is just a common name used to refer to all the cue sports, while in European countries, billiard is the common name used to refer to all the cue sports.
Why are pool tables green?
In the 13th century, billiards was initially played outdoors on a lawn, similar to croquet. It was taken indoors during the 14th century.
The game started gaining massive popularity during the 17th century in England and several parts of Europe.
During this time, it was decided that the cloth in use would remain green in color to make it look like the game was still being played on grass, just as before.
Even today, the tradition remains. But there are a lot of exceptions. Other common table colors are red and blue.
You will often see blue tables used on televised tournamanets. That is because it was more difficult for viewers to follow the ball on a green table when watching on TV in the 1970s, due to the lower picture quality at the time.
Although that is no longer an issue these days, the championships have stuck with blue tables, since it has come to symbolizes national championships.
How do you maintain the felt?
The felt is the top cloth on the pool table. Cleaning this part of the table can enhance your game, if your felt is dirty.
Some manufacturers give you a free brush when purchasing a mini pool table, but some won’t, so you’ll have to buy one separately.
Use a detergent that’s not harsh on clothing and scrub gently with the brush, removing unwanted particles like dust from the table.
Some vacuums will also do the job, but you need to be careful not to overdo it and damage the felt. After a thorough cleaning, cover the table to give it some time to dry before resuming use.
Best Mini Pool Table: Conclusion
No mini billiard table can replace a full sized one. That should be obvious. But the best mini pool tables can come close to replicating the playing experience.
This makes them a great addition to the home of any pool enthusiast who does not have the space or the budget for one of the standard pool table sizes.
They allow you to enjoy a game of pool at home, anytime you feel like it. No more having to go down to the nearest bar and wait your turn for a chance to play!
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