3 Best Pool Table Choices in 2023 | Reviews and Recommendations

What is The Best Pool Table for Your Money This Year?

As we all know, a game of pool is a relaxing social activity that people of all ages play and enjoy a lot.  Having a pool table in your own home will provide you, your family, and your friends with countless hours of fun. However, buying one requires some thinking and planning. This is a very significant purchase that you must approach carefully.  Pool tables can be expensive, and it is important to find one that is well-made and reasonably priced. Moreover, you need to consider space, lighting, accessories, etc. Finding the best pool table for the money is not an easy feat and it takes more than a quick Internet button-clicking operation to get it.

To help you find the best pool table for your home, this buyer’s guide will explain the most important considerations when choosing a table.  Then, we will suggest a handful of 8-foot pool tables that are both well-made and come with excellent value for money!

Things to Consider When Buying a Pool Table

Here are a few things to consider before purchasing your pool table for the home.

What is the best size for a pool table?

Pool tables come in a variety of sizes — from massive 10 x 5-foot carom billiards tables to tiny 3-foot pool tables designed for children.  Before choosing the size of your pool table, carefully measure your game room.  Remember that you must leave enough space around the table for people to play their shots.

You might also want to check out our guide on how to match your room size with a pool table. As we said on that occasion, the size of the room, the table, what type of pool you want to play, the size of the cues, the number of people playing at the same time at that table, the furniture you already have in the room, and even the floor type matter. You need to consider all these factors before you decide to go hunting for the best pool table brands available on the market.

Pool Table Sizes Depending On What and How You Play Pool

If you are going to be playing pool competitively, choose either a 9-foot by 4.5-foot or 8-foot by 4-foot table.  These are the officially approved pool table dimensions from the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).  However, billiards and snooker players often compete on larger tables.  There are certain advantages associated with pool tables of different sizes:

Smaller pool tables (7 feet or shorter):

  • An excellent choice if you have children that you want to teach and play with inside the house or players with mobility problems
  • Easier for beginners to learn on
  • Games can sometimes require more strategy because the balls are sharing a smaller space
  • Ideal for some traditional British pool games like Bank Pool and 1-Pocket.

Larger pool tables (8 feet or longer):

  • Better for common American pool games like Ten-ball
  • More challenging and demanding of players
  • Better for anyone wishing to play competitively

Most home pool players consider 8-foot pool tables to be the “sweet spot” in terms of size.  They are suitable for competitive play but don’t take up a substantial amount of space in your games room.  Children can also play on a table of this size, which is useful for families.

Pool Table Construction

Check the material and construction of the table bed

The pool table bed is the flat playing surface of the table.  Most high-quality pool tables use slate for the bed.  Slate is a type of rock that can be carved in large, flat segments.  It is very durable and remains perfectly flat for many years if the table is treated well.

Some modern tables use slatron — a man-made surface constructed from resin-reinforced fibers. Slatron is 20-times denser than particleboard and lighter than slate.  Cheaper tables may use timber for the beds, which are prone to warping if exposed to moisture.

Consider the pool table legs

The legs of the pool table must be very sturdy and well-built to support the heavy weight.  Well-constructed legs are particularly important for slate tables, because of the substantial weight they carry.

Also consider, some pool tables come on wheels. This is ideal if you have a place to store your pool table when you are not playing. Some might think that wheels are tacky, and not conducive to the elegant appeal of such a sophisticated game like pool. That being said, there is an undeniable convenience in having such a large and heavy piece of furniture on wheels.

Make sure the frame uses strong materials

Having a strong frame is essential for the longevity of your table.  If the table frame begins to fail, your expensive slate top can warp, crack, or become uneven.  A high-quality frame will use wood or metal with cross beams to support the top.  The number of beams used in the table will depend on the size of the table and the number of slate pieces used to form the bed.  You can ask the manufacturer of a table for more information on the frame’s construction.

Durable cushions

The pool table cushions surround the bed.  They are typically made from synthetic materials or natural gum rubber.  The quality of the cushion material will determine how reliably balls bounce off the table cushions.  Ideally, choose a natural material over a synthetic one — natural materials are usually better at retaining their elasticity over time.

Pool Table Extras

Pool table accessories

You should also consider the types of accessories that come with the pool table.  Some tables include pool balls and cues while others are “barebones” tables. Often, pool tables come with cues and balls, but they don’t normally come with a rack to hold those items when they are not in use. Some players like to keep a table cover over their pool table when it is not in use. This could be to keep dust out, for aesthetic purposes, or to use the table for other things when not playing. Either way, this might be an option for you too. Consider these additional costs that come from accessories when purchasing the table. You can check out our guide on the best pool cues to help you play like a pro or ask for recommendations from your seasoned pool-playing friends.

Best Lighting

Now, this is a tricky one, as you do not want to design and build a pool bar, but add a pool table in one of your house rooms. However, the fact that you have some light in the room does not mean you will benefit from all the advantages pool table lights have to offer. If you are serious about creating a pool-friendly space in your home, pool table lighting is crucial. Here are some tips on how to pick the best pool table lights!

  • Your ceiling lamp will not probably do, so consider investing in a pool table light shed set.
  • Call a professional electrician to install the pool table lighting before you bring in the pool table itself to the room. You need to make sure your electrical system supports such lights, the installation is risky if you don’t have the skills, and you do not want to have the table first, only to realize you need to break and fix your ceiling over the new pool table.
  • Make sure you install the pool table lights at the right height. You don’t want to bump into them with your head or hit them with the cue.
  • Remember how a few rows above we said you should first fix the lights and then bring in the table? We will say it again, as you need to make sure the lights are centric to the table and you don’t have to worry about odd shadows or poorly lit areas on or around the table.
  • Now it’s time to also answer the above question regarding what is the best lighting for a pool table. Look for pool table lights able to generate 60 watts. If you feel that such bulbs are too powerful for your eyes, make them 40 watts. The main idea here is to enjoy not-too-bright and not-too-dim light at the same time.

Didn’t we say that creating a pool parlor in your home was not an easy challenge?

Now that you know how to go about these logistical and administrative issues, it is time to see the best pool tables for the money you can enjoy this year!

The Best Pool Table For the Money in 2022

The following pool tables have an excellent build quality and are guaranteed to give you years of great performance.

MD Sports Billiard Table with Included Game AccessoriesMizerak Donovan II 8′ Billiard TablePlaycraft Charles River 8′ Espresso Slate Pool Table w/ Leather Drop Pockets
Style:
Multiple Styles
Style:
Modern cabinet design
Style:
Classic
Table Bed:
Wood
Table Bed:
Slate or Slatron
Table Bed:
Slate
Felt color:
Slate Grey
Felt color:
Red
Felt color:
Black
Manufacturer:
MD Sports
Manufacturer:
Escalade Sports
Manufacturer:
Playcraft

MD Sports Billiard Table with Included Game Accessories – 7.5′

pool table

This pool table has a modern design with sleek metal legs and a timber frame.  This sleek appearance makes this table suitable for any high-end games room.  The silver and black is beautiful together and it has been manufactured with exceptional attention to detail.

Playfield is made of 18 mm thick laminate felt, ensuring strength, durability and a flat roll; the aprons, rails and base are made of sturdy medium-density fibreboard (MDF)

The MD Sports Titan Billiards Table is constructed with K818 specification wood bumper guards for a consistent bounce and standard style drop pockets for an authentic look

The bed consists of three pieces of thick slate covered in 35% wool and 65% polyester felt.  The pockets are traditional parlor style.  The pockets are deep enough to hold 2 balls.

It is a sturdy table that looks beautiful.  The MD Sports Modern Billiard Table comes with all of the accessories you may require including 1 set of official balls, 1 table brush, 1 wooden triangle, 2 wooden pool sticks, and 2 chalk cubes.


Mizerak Donovan II 8′ Billiard Table

pool table

The Mizerak Donovan II has a very sleek and modern design.  It features a polished black cabinet with chrome accents and red felt.  This design would be at home in the most technologically advanced games rooms.

The bed is available as slate or slatron.  The 3-5/8” rails are made from K66 nose rubber, which gives the table a consistent rebound.  This rail material will provide you with many years of regular use.  The pool table legs include legs levelers, which are useful if your home has a slightly uneven floor.

The Mizerak Donovan II comes with a range of accessories including 2 cues, billiard balls, triangle rack, felt brush, and chalk.


Playcraft Charles River 8′ Espresso Slate Pool Table w/ Leather Drop Pockets

pool table

The Playcraft Southport has a traditional pool hall design that all experienced pool players will instantly recognize.  This table is commercial quality, meaning all components are highly durable and designed for constant use.

This table features a 1” Brazilian slate bed that is honed to 1/1000th of an inch.  This level of accuracy makes the table perfect for competitive players.  The slate is well supported on all sides by Playcraft’s intelligently designed sub-frame.  The table’s frame is covered in beautiful Cherry timber and has Cabriole legs with carved ball and claw feet. This table is a great choice for pool players who are slightly more serious about their pool playing.  It has been designed to stand up to the rigors of everyday use and will give a homeowner many years of use.


How to Install a Pool Table?

Now that you have the best pool table for the money and your playing needs, it is time to install it, isn’t it? Well, to help you out with this task, here is a video on how to assembly and install a pool table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a full size pool table?

The most common size for a pool table sold in the United States is 44 x 88 inches. Or, at least, that’s the standard size for non-tournament pool tables. As for the standard tournament-sized table, that usually falls in the range of 50 x 100 inches.

Is a 6 foot pool table too small?

Most players will prefer an 8-foot or 9-foot long table, but a 6-foot table can work great as well. Six-foot tables are great for tighter playing spaces, so you should really consider one if your home isn’t all that big. Professional players might not like these smaller tables, but they work just fine for casual players and people who are just beginning to learn how to play pool in real life.

Are slate pool tables better than wooden ones?

While heavier and more expensive than wood, slate ensures that the play surface remans smooth and level. Wood, as well as table tops made from synthetics, can warp quite easily. Because it is so durable and known to last, many manufacturers will provide a lifetime warranty for a slate pool table.

How far does a pool table need to be away from the wall?

You should install the pool table in the center of the room to leave as much space around it as possible so you won’t have trouble scoring tricky shots. The bare minimum distance that the table needs to be away from the wall is five feet. Anything less than that, and your experience will be greatly hindered.

Can you move a pool table without taking it apart?

You can move it as long as the distance is short and you’ve got some people to help you out. We also recommend furniture sliders if you plan on moving the table without taking it apart since it can leave scratches on the floor.

If you dont mind being a little unclassy, there are pool tables that come on wheels for easy mobility. These are not manny players first choice, but can be helpful if you are in a situation where you will often need to relocate your table.

Final Thoughts

Now that we presented you with our guide on how to buy the best pool table for your home and needs, together with our top three choices of 2022, it is time for you to do some sharing as well. First, do you know what is the best way to level your table? In case you don’t, we have a quick guide for you. If you do and you have done it before, we’d love to hear some tips, tricks, and advice from seasoned players!

So, this was our guide on getting the best pool table this year, for the money, and for your needs. Make sure you put aside some budget, not only for the table itself, but also for the lighting, accessories, the electrician maybe, and other unforeseen expenses. We hope this helped. In case you have other questions regarding pool tables, the pool game itself, or how to buy pool accessories, feel free to leave us your comments in the section below!

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