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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Whether you're a pool shark or just a casual player of cue sports, a quality pool table provides endless hours of entertainment in your own home. We researched dozens of pool tables, rating them on ease of assembly, durability, and overall value.
Our best overall pick, the American Legend Brookdale Pool Table, comes with balls and cues, has a solid wood construction, and is reasonably priced.
Here are the best pool tables.
Best Overall
American Legend Brookdale 7.5' Pool Table
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Amazon
Solid wood surface
Balls and cues included
Reasonably priced
No ball return system
What do buyers say? 69% of 80+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Our number one pick is the American Legend Brookdale, which has a rustic manufactured wood frame and iron accents, an attractive navy polyester cloth, and a solid wood playing surface with two-ply lamination to prevent warping.
While it doesn't have a ball return system, the concealed drop pockets have molded corner protectors to limit wear and tear. Rubber rails allow for reliable bank shots, while the legs feature shims to level the playing field on uneven floors.
In addition to the table, you'll get two cues, a set of balls, a triangle, chalk, and a table brush. Some customers were disappointed with the quality of the pool cues, so you'll probably want to use your own if you're an experienced player.
Reviewers noted that the table was relatively easy to assemble, taking around 45 minutes to complete on average. (You may need an additional person to help, especially once you reach the final steps.) The Brookdale is one of the most stylish yet affordable picks on our list.
Best Budget
Hathaway Games Fairmont 6.3' Pool Table
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Way Fair
Reasonably priced
Foldable and portable
Balls and cues included
Somewhat small
No ball return system
For a more affordable option, check out the Fairmont by Hathaway Games. It's a little smaller than a full-size table, but it won't break the bank. With a black finish and a blue-felt surface, this pool table offers a sporty vibe perfect for any game room and deviates from the classic green.
We also appreciate that it's foldable and comes with a storage bag for taking on the go. Despite being portable, the materials are sturdy and long-lasting for years of fun. Users loved being able to fit this amenity into their small space and assembly is a breeze (just fold down the legs!).
Best Splurge
Pottery Barn Parsons Pool Table
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pottery-barn
Large playing surface
Kiln-dried wood
Balls and cues included
Expensive
If you came here to find the crème de la crème of at-home billiards, look no further than Pottery Barn. The Parsons boasts a generous playing surface. Crafted from kiln-dried rubberwood and acacia wood with square legs and a thick apron, this handsome pool table is sure to make a statement in your man cave, bonus room, or finished basement. The timeless design ensures it will fit perfectly in any part of your home and will never go out of style.
Opt for black or brown to better fit your space, and there is even an option to add a table-tennis cover for two games in one. When not in use, lay over the included table cover for extended use. Pottery Barn includes extensive instructions for cleaning your table to guarantee it lasts for a long time.
Best Outdoor
Imperial International Outdoor 8' Pool Table
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Way Fair
Balls and cues included
Weather-resistant
Two-year warranty
Expensive
Whether you have limited square footage inside or want to take your outdoor living space up a notch, this outdoor pool table has your name on it. Boasting a durable metal frame, it's just about regulation size and comes in three classic colors. You can also choose between camel and blue felt for a personalized touch.
While this weather-resistant billiards table is on the expensive side, you can count on quality. The board and cover are both waterproof and fire-retardant, so it is ready to take on the great outdoors. Now you can play pool while lounging by the pool.
Best Tabletop
Rally and Roar Tabletop Pool Table Set
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Realistic appearance
Weighted balls and cues
Small
Short on space? Check out this tabletop model from Rally and Roar. At just 40 x 20 inches, it fits on most dining room tables and coffee tables. While it might be small, this realistic-looking pool table is durable, smooth, and balanced with mini weighted balls and cues to boot.
The small frames make this ideal for teaching little ones how to play the classic game. Place on the ground for kids to have an eye-level view or play as a tabletop game with adults. The versatility of this choice and the compact size make this a perfect option for households with kids or small apartments.
Best Conversion
Atomic Game Tables Hampton 7' 3-in-1 Pool, Dining, and Table Tennis
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Way Fair
Multi-use design
Cues, balls, and paddles included
Storage benches
Some assembly required
Manufactured wood
Want a pool table at home but can't figure out where to put it? Enter: the Hampton. This three-in-one solution is a full-size billiards table, a ping pong table, and a proper dining table, easily converting between configurations. Not only that, but it comes with two storage benches, where you can sit down for a meal and stash the included paddles, balls, cues, and a triangle.
When not in use, the contemporary wood finish operates as a normal table perfect for a multifunctional dining room, playroom, or basement. This choice has the most possibilities for play and still doubles as a sophisticated decor piece.
Best Bumper
Hathaway Games Table with Pool, Glide Hockey, and Table Tennis
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Amazon
Convertible
Gum rubber bumpers
Balls, cues, paddles, and pucks included
Small
Some assembly required
We're also loving this three-in-one option from Hathaway Games. What this table lacks in size, it makes up for in features. This game table converts from ping pong to glide hockey to pool, and it comes with everything you need for each game for the ultimate game night. Additionally, all of the materials are environmentally friendly so you can feel good about your purchase.
The pool table is made of manufactured wood with a felt billiards surface and gum rubber bumpers on all sides for accurate, reliable bounce-back—extra points for the included playing equipment. When playing the other games, the bumper fits around the new board for an even playing surface ideal for ping pong and glide hockey.
Best Modern
Barrington Rectangular Wood Billiard Table - Brown
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Amazon
Modern design
Regulation size
Balls and cues included
No ball return system
Full assembly required
If you're drawn to modern furniture, you'll love the Urban Pool Table from Barrington Billiards Company. It's made of contrasting cement and wood with a dapper oak finish. The claw-legged design is guaranteed to add a hint of elegance to your game room or any modern decor in your home.
The surface is competition-grade black wool felt, and the drop pockets have leather covers. The professional-grade bumpers ensure an accurate and even bounce back in every game. This premium billiards table also comes with high-grade accessories that experts and beginners alike can appreciate.
Best Foldable
Fat Cat Trueshot Foldable Billiards Table
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Way Fair
Reasonably priced
Foldable and portable
Balls and cues included
No carrying bag
If you're looking for something you can take on the go or tuck away when it's not in use, we recommend the Fat Cat Trueshot. Now you don't have to commit to incorporating a pool table into your year-round decor. This portable billiards table weighs just 115 pounds, and the sturdy legs are a breeze to fold up.
The portable design does not sacrifice quality with a smooth surface and sleek black cloth design. Plus, it comes with all the essentials: two cues, pool balls, a triangle, and a table brush. Bring along to a friend's house or vacation home to keep practicing your skills.
The best option overall is the American Legend Brookdale (view Amazon), a 7.5-foot pool table with a felt-covered wood playing surface, all the essential billiards equipment, and a reasonable price tag. For a more wallet-friendly model, go with the Hathaway Games Fairmont (view at Amazon), a 6.3-foot portable pool table that folds up and comes with its own carrying bag.
What to Look for in a Pool Table
Size
As Dave Alciatore, Ph.D., PBIA advanced instructor, and the dean of Billiard University notes, size is the most important consideration when buying a pool table for your home. Most pool tables are between 6 and 9 feet long, though there are some smaller models. "An 8-foot table is a common choice for homes, but serious pool players usually prefer the standard 9-foot table," Dr. Alciatore tells The Spruce.
Style
The style is also a crucial factor. Like dining tables and bed frames, billiards tables come in various silhouettes, including slate bed, American pool, English pool, and wood bed, as well as some contemporary iterations.
Higher-end pool tables that hold a permanent space in the home often have wood frames and a felt surface in varying hues. "There is usually a wide selection of cloth colors you can choose from to satisfy your aesthetic taste," says Dr. Alciatore. "Classic green and blue are common choices that offer good contrast with the balls."
Price
The price of pool tables varies drastically. On the higher end, they can run upwards of $10,000, while budget-friendly options can be as low as $200. Then there are tabletop models, which are typically even more affordable. Like furniture, you can generally expect to pay more for better quality and larger sizes.
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What is the standard size of a pool table?
The standard size of a pool table is typically 8 feet (96 inches) long and 3.6 feet (44 inches wide) with an 88-inch playfield. Some regulation-size pool tables are 9 feet (108 inches) long and 4.2 feet (50 inches) wide with a 100-inch playfield.
Qualifying as regulation size isn't just about the dimensions. A pool table must also meet the standard length-to-width ratio. As for height, the table bed is typically between 29 and 31 inches from the floor.
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How much room do you need for a pool table?
When placing a pool table, Dr. Alciatore says, "The amount of space you want beyond each side of the table is about 64 inches." This comes out to about 5.3 feet, which may seem like a lot, but it's crucial to ensure the players have plenty of room to reach, bend, and shoot at different angles. "You also want good lighting for the table," Dr. Alciatore adds.
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How do you clean a pool table?
Pool tables can be tricky to clean, which is why you should always avoid eating around them or placing drinks on the surface. When yours could use some sprucing up, reach for a soft-bristled brush and run it gently over the felt to loosen up the dirt. Then take a vacuum with an upholstery attachment, and run it over the surface on a low suction mode to pick up the debris.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in home design and recreation. For this piece, she interviewed an experienced billiards expert for insight into sizes, styles, and placement, then researched the various types and materials. She combed through user reviews, pored over key specs, and considered the price of many pool tables before landing on her final picks. Theresa has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, where she covers furniture, outdoor living, and games.
Additional research was done by Julia Fields a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product round-ups, expert-focused articles, and more.
Expert advice was provided by Dr. Dave Alciatore, Ph.D., PBIA advanced instructor, and the dean of Billiard University.