10 Best Pool Tables for Game Rooms and Basements 2024

By Mary Henn

Updated on Oct. 15, 2024

Cue up some family-friendly competition with the best pool tables on the market.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.

VIA MERCHANT

Looking to embrace your competitive spirit? Here’s your (pool) cue to pick up one of the best billiards tables on the web. As far as I’m concerned, there’s a reason why pool tables have been popular for hundreds of years. (Endless indoor fun? Yes, please.) Evolved from lawn games like croquet, the game has been played by people from all walks of life since its inception. According to an interview conducted with experts from Olhausen Billiards Manufacturing, many people set up their pool tables in a basement or bonus room. However, folks with less space have the option of using dining tops and benches to turn their dining room into a dual-purpose gaming room.

The best pool tables instantly upgrade your basement to entertain family and friends. A few spaces that benefit from installing a pool table include:

So, the million-dollar question: What are you supposed to look for in a billiards table? For starters, it’s important to find a setup that fits in your space—both physically and aesthetically. You’ll also want to focus on high-quality materials like deep pockets and smooth cloth for a seamless experience. If you need some pointers, I have you covered with the best billiards tables worth adding to your cart. Game on!

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

Brunswick Billiards has crafted top-quality pool tables for more than a hundred years. Its Boca Slate pool table is eight feet long and offers a contemporary and casual, yet chic, design. It matches the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) standards and is designed for precise and level play.

With Brunswick tables, you can count on a lifetime of enjoyment. This model has durable pocket corners, round rail sights, jet-black laminate, tightly bound components and a sheared surface for the smoothest playing possible. With 14 felt colors to choose from, you’re sure to find a hue that matches your decor.

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

This classic American Legend pool table features a rustic finish with unique K-shaped legs, concealed drop pockets, molded corner protection and shims for uneven flooring. Now that’s what we call quality features at a value price! The seven-foot table’s design is what really stands out here. The artful, industrial legs make it look much more expensive than it is, and the bold royal blue felt top adds a pop of personality to a subterranean space—no matter what basement paint color covers the walls.

Shop on Pottery Barn

Shop on Pottery Barn

Pros:

Cons:

We love the look of this mid-century pool table with a walnut finish. Its sleek appearance looks fantastic in a variety of rooms and adds some sophistication to traditional basement furniture. Plus, this 8.5-foot table offers natural cushion rubber, leather drop pockets and spill-resistant felt in case the party gets a little rowdy.

All the accessories (and then some) that you’ll need for a game of pool are included: cues, balls, bridge stick, triangle, table brush, table cover and much more. If you have a large game room, this pool table looks excellent next to Pottery Barn’s other mid-century gaming tables, including this ping pong table.

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Walmart

If you’re looking for a pool table to liven up a playroom or an extra-small game room, we found the best mini pool table for you. This one from Costway is just four feet long and a little over two feet wide. The accessories arrive scaled down to the table’s size. However, they’re still durable enough for long-lasting performance.

Its compact proportions and portability offer space-saving excitement without the overwhelming presence of a full-size pool table. It’s made for all ages, from kids who want to learn how to play the popular game to adults who want to practice their skills but don’t have room for a standard-size table.

Pros

Cons

Some buyers note issues with the quality of the cues

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Wayfair

The Hathaway Jupiter Table is comparable in design concept to the Brunswick Billiards Boca Slate pool table, but it’s significantly cheaper. It’s 1.5 feet shorter in length, measuring seven feet long, so it’s an ideal option if you’re looking for a more compact table.

Reviews for this table note its durability, sturdiness and sleek appearance. Its legs resist wobbling and shifting during play. Plus, the extra-wide top rails with inlaid sights and tournament-tested bumpers add subtle sophistication.

Pros

Cons

Felt is not premium quality

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Amazon

If you’re looking for the best pool table you can transport from party to party, then the Hathaway Fairmont is for you. It’s six feet long, so it’s ideal for small spaces, like apartments and offices. Even better, this pool table comes reasonably priced if you’re not ready to shell out the big bucks on a larger version.

We love that this best folding pool table pick comes with a storage bag for taking it with you on the go. Reviews note that the materials are surprisingly sturdy and durable, so you can count on it lasting for many tailgates and backyard game nights for years to come.

Pros

Cons

Smaller than standard-size pool tables

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Wayfair

The Playcraft Santorini table stands out for many reasons: It’s made for indoors and outdoors, converts to tabletop tennis, doubles as a patio dining table and comes with two benches for seating. This seven-foot table is weather-resistant and comes with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover to keep it in mint condition when it’s operating as a dining surface.

While this option comes with a heftier price tag, it could also save you money on patio furniture. The multi-use design is a smart space-saving solution for small patios and backyards. In fact, it’s also the best pool table ping-pong combo on our list.

Pros

Cons

Expensive

Shop on Pottery Barn

Shop on Pottery Barn

Cue up some game night competition on this industrial steel and wooden pool table from Pottery Barn. The modern design of the Griffin pool table is guaranteed to look stunning in your basement. It’s crafted from kiln-dried wood which prevents warping, splitting, cracking and mildew throughout years of use.

It comes with all the typical accessories and beyond, including a PVC table cover, repair kit, felt brush, wall-mounted rack and table tennis kit.

Pros

Cons

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Wayfair

If pool only makes up part of your passion for tabletop games, we recommend investing in a combo gaming table that also includes ping pong and air hockey. The Fat Cat Original Pockey pool table offers a large 87-inch playing surface. Real rubber bumpers surround the table, offering an authentic bounce. Flip the table around to reveal an air hockey table with an electric motor that outputs up to 80 cubic feet of air per minute.

Prefer to play ping pong? No worries—the table is perfectly capable of that, too. Simply use the locking system on either side of the table to attach the sturdy ping pong court. Best yet, storage located around the table frame offers ample spots to stow away the plethora of accessories.

Pros

Cons

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Wayfair

Those with limited dining space should consider a pool table that does double duty. The Hathaway Newport pool table isn’t just for game night—a rustic-style driftwood melamine plank locks solidly on top, offering a sturdy dining table. When the game is afoot, simply detach the top to convert it to a luxe pool table. An option to switch to ping pong adds even more variety.

Apart from comfortable seating, the benches boast a lift-top cushion that reveals ample storage for accessories like the included cues, balls and racking triangle. The pool tablecloth comes from wool, so it’s durable and resistant to mold and mildew.

Pros

Cons

When shopping for pool tables, it’s important to consider the size of the table itself and the space in which you’ll place it. The standard regulation-size pool table for tournaments is nine feet long, but the best pool tables for home don’t have to adhere to that rigid standard. “The most popular size for the home is eight feet,” says Olhausen Billiards. Those working with a smaller basement or gaming space may want to opt for a six or seven-foot pool table.

For those looking to add a little extra gaming fun to a kid’s playroom, we recommend checking out miniature pool tables. When it comes to pool tables for a patio or deck space, choose one that’s made specifically for the outdoors and can withstand some weathering. Also, consider the space and whether accessories will enhance the enjoyment of your new pool table. Popular pool table accessories include:

At Family Handyman we obsess over finding the best products that are worth of your hard-earned money—and the best pool tables are no exception.As a shopping editor and writer for Family Handyman, I literally shop for a living. During my time at Family Handyman, I have personally tested hundreds of products so I can vouch for a lot of the products you see here. I also consulted with Olhausen Billiards Manufacturing in an exclusive interview for what defines a quality pool table.

While pool is just a game, spending serious money on a pool table is not. To complicate the purchasing process further, finding the best pool table is not a one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why we carefully sourced each pick, combing through specs (dimensions, pool table felt quality, table materials and accessories), cost and user reviews.

While some of the tables on this list cost more than others, we feel that the quality of these picks lend themselves to the higher price point after consulting pool table experts. Whether a pool beginner or a seasoned player, our shopping experts are confident that you’ll find the perfect pool table for your family—and budget—in this list.

Modern pool tables come in several different sizes, but standard pool tables range from six to nine feet in length. While there’s no set standard size for home use, regulation pool tables follow a two-to-one ratio, meaning they are twice as long as they are wide. If you’re looking for a pool table that complies with that requirement, eight and nine-foot pool tables generally adhere to regulation standards.

The price range varies widely. While toy and miniature tables typically run a few hundred dollars, basic mid-range tables tend to cost a few thousand dollars. When it comes to the best home pool tables, you’re going to see the price increase with size, quality of materials and intricacy of design.

Some pool tables can be used both indoors and outdoors, like the Playcraft Santorini pool table. Depending on where you plan to play, consider the portability and size of the table. As a backyard game, you have more flexibility on placement. However, in a traditional basement area, place it in the center of the room so players have enough space to move the cues around freely.

When it comes to quality, it’s all about choosing one made with top-notch materials. Some of the best options out there are constructed from hardwood like oak or maple to ensure durability. Meanwhile, tables with a slate surface and tightly woven felt will help your balls roll with ease. If you’re unsure about a pool table’s quality, you can always read reviews for a fair assessment.

Pool tables with a slate surface indicate quality, but they also come at a high cost. Why? Slate ensures a smooth and consistent playing area, which is essential for accurate ball movement and a better overall playing experience. While slate pool tables might be a big upfront investment, their longevity, superior playability and overall quality make them worthwhile for serious players and enthusiasts alike.