Are you looking for a game table in which you can enjoy with your kids and you can easily store it when no one is using it?
Have you ever heard of table top games?
I recommend you to keep reading this article to find the best table top air hockey table. Below, I explained what exactly is an air hockey tabletop and what types of the table top air hockey exist.
Types Of Tabletop Games
Tabletop is a special type of almost every game table on the market but there is only one game table with two types of tabletops and that is hockey. A tabletop hockey game can be a regular air hockey game or it can be a tabletop rod hockey game. But, before I explain to you the difference between those two games, let’s talk about the tabletop design.
Why Should You Buy Tabletop Air Hockey Table?
The tabletop hockey game is a great solution for people who don’t have enough room in their home (or office) to install a full-sized game table. A tabletop hockey game is a game table that doesn’t have legs. It is smaller in size and it is more convenient for smaller rooms because you don’t have to have free space for it. You can leave it on the table or you can simply play it on the floor. It is easy to play and it is easier to put it away. Another perk of a tabletop hockey game is that it is a great game for kids that doesn’t cost a fortune.
The Bad Side Of Table Top Air Hockey
The bad thing about every tabletop game is that you can’t expect the same amount of quality or intensity like on the full sized game tables. That is why I mostly recommend them for people with kids.
Differences Between Air Hockey Tabletop And Tabletop Rod Hockey Game
Now that we have talked about the tabletops in general, let’s talk about air hockey tabletop and tabletop rod hockey game. The main difference between those two is that a tabletop rod hockey game has players you have to control. Very similar to the foosball game.You play the regular table top air hockey game with one puck and (mostly) two strikers and you have to push the puck in your opponent’s goal. If you ask me, each game is very entertaining and I love them both. That means that I can’t help you pick one of those two types of hockey games, but I can show you their best models.
Best Air Hockey Tabletops
Best Small Air Hockey Table
Playcraft Sport-inch Table Top Hockey Game
Playcraft is a famous game table brand which produces good quality game tables for an OK price and this tabletop is a good product. It is made of sturdy MDF and the design is simple so it won’t stand out. The table is made of light brown (wooden) design with plastic details that are located in the corners. The playing surface is made to resemble the real ice hockey arena so your kids will feel like they are playing a real hockey.
Due to the size of the tabletop, the game comes with 2 strikers so it is made for two players. The strikers are small which means that the kids will love it, but you won’t feel so comfortable using it for a long time. The electric motor that produces airflow is UL-approved and it provides a good and steady airflow on the field so your kids will enjoy every minute of the match. The manual scoring system is located right above each goal so it is easy to keep an eye on the score during the match.
Best Portable Air Hockey Table Top
Sport Squad Electric Air Hockey Tabletop HX40
The Sport Squad tabletop hockey game is made in the different design, but it is still pretty simple to fit in any room. The frame is made in purple with green details and the playing field is white with few small graphics on it. Just like the Playcraft model above, I would recommend this table for kids, because it is too light and small for adults. It is OK for an occasional match with your kids.
Most tabletops are made without special features and if you are a fan of simplicity, this one is a good choice for you. It comes with 2 strikers and pucks and it has one electric blower under the playing field. The scoring system is very simple to use and it is manual so no gadgets on the table. A game table like this one will keep your kids entertained for hours and that is the most important part.
Best Table Top Large Air Hockey Game
Harvil Tabletop Air Hockey Table
Harvil tabletop air hockey is a very good product and it is made to last. Its compact design is a great solution if you don’t have room but it makes it lighter so don’t try to play aggressively on it. The design of this portable air hockey game is pretty slick, it is made of the gray and blue combination of colors and the playing field is made like the ice hockey arena (of course). This small air hockey table comes with higher legs so it is comfortable to play on both, the table and the floor.
The pucks and strikers are yellow so you can see them on the field and the scoring system is the same as in the models above. It is manual and it is located above the goal. The strong motor produces even airflow for the puck through the entire match. This small air hockey table is made of MDF and it is a pretty good product for the price and the fact that it is a tabletop.
Air Powered Large Tabletop Air Hockey Game
Mainstreet Classics Table Top Air Powered Hockey
This model has a design that is completely adjusted to the kids. It is made in blue, black, and white color and your kids will love it. The entire assembly is easy and quick so your kids don’t have to wait too long to play on it. The table is bigger than the other tables, but not too much. It is a 42-inch tabletop while others are 40-inch so it is not a big difference.
The size is not the only thing that is different. The manual scoring system on this table is not located above the goal, but on the side of the tabletop. I prefer the location above the goal, but this is not too bad as well. The strong motor will keep the puck moving all the time and two strikers will fit perfectly into your kid’s hands.
Best Tabletop Rod Hockey Game
The second type of tabletop hockey game is the rod hockey and I want to show you what are the best and the most popular models in that category too.
Small Air Hockey Game Table With 3D Printed Players
Stiga NHL Stanley Cup Tabletop Rod Hockey
This is probably the best tabletop rod hockey game at the moment. The design is pretty amazing because it is made to look like a real ice hockey match. Besides a realistic playing field, the tabletop comes with a small fence around the field that looks like it is filled with sponsors. You can pick two version of this product and those two versions have different teams playing on the field. The first one is the Detroit Red Wings against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the second one is the NY Rangers against Boston Bruins.
Hockey players are 3D printed and they are attached to the rods below the playing field. The rods have small handles but they aren’t too important because they are really small. By controlling the rods you are controlling the players so it is important to have good rods in the game. The tabletop comes with a protective plexiglass above each goal so that you don’t get hurt while you are playing the match which is great but not surprising. Every table top rod hockey game comes with the shield.
Portable Air Hockey Game With On-Board Scoring System
Franklin Sports Rod Hockey Pro
Another pretty interesting model is this Rod Hockey Pro and the first thing you will notice is the design. The game looks amazing and it is inviting you to join the match. The light blue and white color combination makes the game pop and it is easy to notice it. Here the players aren’t made out of real teams, they are simple Red and Blue, but that doesn’t mean your kids won’t enjoy the game.
The entire table is made to provide your kids hours of fun. The rods that are controlling the players are light and easy to use because of the small handle at the end, which is slightly bigger than on the model I have reviewed above. The entire table has small legs which end up with the small pad so the tabletop hockey game stays in one place which is great.
Best Table Top Rod Hockey Game
Stiga Play Off Hockey Game
This model looks like a lighter version of the High Speed model I have reviewed above because it is completely in white (with colorful details). Their design is very simple, from the fence on the inside of the playing field to the fence outside of the playing field and the playing field itself. The only difference is that this table has PLAYOFF printed on the outside and, of course, it is white.
Just like the High Speed model, this Stiga tabletop rod hockey game also has Sweden and Finland teams on the field and you can pick to play with one of them. The players are controlled by the rods located below the field and you can be sure that the protective plexiglass behind the goal will keep you covered until the certain height.
Best Mini Air Hockey Table Top
NHL Eastpoint Table Top Rod Hockey Game
Another simple, yet quite good tabletop rod hockey game is this model. It is very basic and it looks like an ice hockey rink from inside and out. The fence on the playing field has logos of the NHL teams and from the outside, it is simple white with graphics on the side. This design is perfect for the kids and they will enjoy in this mini air hockey game table.
This mini air hockey table is easily assembled and you can play the game right away. One team has red players and the other has blue players. The side slide scorer helps you keep track of the result. The table comes with tiny legs, which aren’t the most stable in the world, but they keep the playing field away from the floor so it is ok. It is not suitable for kids under age 6 because it has small parts.
More Tabletop Air Hockey Table Models
There are some table top air hockey table models which aren’t really popular, but they are still worth a mention. I have listed those models below and if you are interested, you can check them on Amazon.
● Buxton tabletop air hockey
● ESPN tabletop air hockey
● Holiday Time tabletop air hockey
● HY Pro table top air hockey
● Franklin tabletop neon air hockey
Mini Air Hockey Table Parts
The table top air hockey parts are smaller than the ordinary air hockey table parts and you have to be careful when you need to buy new parts to get the right ones for your table. You can easily find a pack of mini air hockey pucks or pushers and you can also find replacement rods or teams for your rod hockey table.
Conclusion: Best Table Top Air Hockey Game
If you still haven’t found your favorite air hockey tabletop, I will give my opinion on what I think are the best tabletop air hockey game tables from those reviewed.
From the regular table top air hockey game table, I would pick Harvil 40-inch small air hockey game table. You don’t need to put the legs on it if you really don’t want to, it has a modern design and it is durable. The best tabletop rod hockey table in my opinion is Stiga Play Off portable air hockey table. It is quality made, it has protective plexiglass and it has puck ejectors.
You can find more rod hockey tables in my article about the best rod hockey table models or you can check foldable air hockey tables if you want to store the table when you aren’t using it. If you are looking for an adult air hockey tables, you can find them in my post about the best air hockey tables.