Air hockey tables are one of the great ways to have fun with your friends, colleagues, and family members. They can be used in a playroom, rec room, garage or basement. While these tables come with hefty prices, the best air hockey table offers excellent value for every penny.
Tabletop or miniature versions are cheaper options designed with children in mind. In this post, we’ve reviewed the best air hockey table under $500 by Consumer Report, considering their weight and dimensions (how these units will match your home), stability, and other accessories such as the scoring system (manual vs electronic scoring system) and the table.
Review of the Best Air Hockey Table Under $500 In 2020
Contents
- 1 Review of the Best Air Hockey Table Under $500 In 2020
- 1.1 MD Sports Air Powered Hockey Table
- 1.2 Harvil 5 Foot Air Hockey Table
- 1.3 ESPN Air Hockey Game Table
- 1.4 Hathaway Face-Off 5-Foot Air Hockey Game Table
- 1.5 Triumph Fire ‘n’ Ice LED Light-Up 54″ Air Hockey Table.
- 1.6 Triumph Lumen-X Lazer 6′ Interactive Air Hockey Table
- 1.7 EastPoint Sports NHL Sting Ray Air Powered Hockey Table
- 2 How to Choose The Right Air Hockey Table Under $500
- 3 Conclusion
Here are list of the 7 Best Air Hockey Table Under $500 based on reviews by consumer report.
MD Sports Air Powered Hockey Table
A basement or rec room with an air-powered hockey table becomes a magnet and centre of attention for family and friends. Sturdy and well built, the MD Sports Air Powered Hockey Table offers incredible stability to handle intense gameplay by enthusiastic players.
For robust construction and accurate puck performance, this model features an arc steel leg design and leg levellers about five inches long for a non-frustrating game. On top of that, this best air hockey table for home will serve as a source of entertainment for an extended period; thanks to is impressive durability which makes it a worthwhile investment.
Further, all necessary accessories including numbered parts and a parts tray come along with the table, which makes it assembling a breeze. Even better, an installation guide is included to makes assembling this large and heavy air hockey table less challenging and time-consuming.
The table comes with four pushers and four pucks to make the gameplay not only fun but also realistic. While for consistent play and fast puck speed, the manufacturers use a 110V motor to provide cool air. Plus, its scratch-resistant finish invites kids, teenagers and adults to play.
Pros:
- High gloss, scratch-resistant playfield
- Impressive stadium sound effects
- 5-inch leg levellers offering level and stable
- All accessories included
Cons:
- The product may come wrong accessories
Harvil 5 Foot Air Hockey Table
For air hockey enthusiasts looking for a budget option model, the Harvil 5 Foot Air Hockey Table should be on top of your list. This table with an Electronic Scoring system that accurately keeps track of all goals made.
Its scoreboard sports two different digital screens; showing the number of points scored by you and your enthusiastic opponent. Sadly, this unit does not come with the countdown feature.
Further, Harvil 5 Foot Air Hockey Table has curved panels between every four feet long legs, which makes it ideal for a small-sized game room, living room or your children’s bedroom.
Weighting not up to 30 pounds, this table is easy to move and store. It sports a 110V motor offering sufficient air to move the puck on the table. However, the electronic score is powered by two AAA batteries. Even better, this model always plater to use the manual scorers in situations where the AAA batteries are not available.
Lastly, Harvil includes leg levellers to ensure the unit doesn’t move or wobble when playing on this table.
Pros:
- Compact size for limited space areas
- Sturdy and reliable design
- Money-back guarantee
- For kids and adults
- Powerful and even airflow
Cons:
- Installation may be a bit challenging as some holes don’t line up
ESPN Air Hockey Game Table
ESPN designs this model ranking high on our model. This game table is designed to offers some excitement associated with hockey games watched on television without having to go outside your room.
With a great look featuring the ESPN logo on the surface, around the edges, and on both side, this unit will quickly become the centrepiece of your game room. That’s not all: it sports an accent in black and red which makes the pucks appear as though it is actually flying.
Running across the table’s centre is an overhead piece, which functions as an electronic scoreboard. Fortunately, without electricity, players can still record their scores using a built-in manual scorer.
Besides, the leg levellers included on the game table bottom makes it easier to customize a table height that works for all players based on the room’s floor. Its 110V blower works perfectly with any outlets to provide consistent airflow. The ESPN Air Hockey Game Table includes all accessories for fun and exciting game – two red pucks, two black pushers, etc.
Pros:
- An excellent choice for air hockey lovers
- Easy to assemble
- Strong and reliable construction
- Bold, impressive design
- Includes all accessories
Cons:
- The edges are a bit too sharp
Hathaway Face-Off 5-Foot Air Hockey Game Table
Decorated in black and dark blue, this 5-foot air hockey game table does not have lines to show the zones, except a centre circle. Like most game table reviewed on this list, this unit has an LED electronic scoreboard to keep records of both teams’ goals. Even better, you can make use of the manual scoreboard if it adds more excitement to your game.
What’s more? Hathaway Face-Off 5-Foot Air Hockey Game Table has a 110V fan for consistent airflow. Better still, its pucks are weighted for better control and playing. The manufacturer used wood for its construction for longevity and with leg leveller for a levelled play surface.
Two pucks, two paddles and a 180-day warranty which shows the manufacturer’s high level of confidence in this best air hockey for kids.
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Impressive design
- Leg levellers for a levelled playing surface
- 180-day warranty
Cons:
- Installation can be tricky
Triumph Fire ‘n’ Ice LED Light-Up 54″ Air Hockey Table.
Triumph is one of the top brands for air hockey game table. The Fire ‘n’ Ice LED Light-Up 54 Inches has some light-up features found in its high-end products. This unit is one of the best air hockey tables for competitive players.
This unit has a blue pusher and a red pusher with LED lights incorporated to light up the insider of the pushers whenever you the puck. Equally, the included puck has LED inside as well. Its fire and ice on the sides and surface sport the same blue and red colours similar to the pucks.
For extra stability, its built-in cross braces ensure players do not have to deal with a wobbling table. Plus, its integrated leg levellers allow players can easily adjust the table heights until a flat surface is achieved.
Besides, with the abacus scorer plays can manually keep a record of the scores or take advantage of the electronic scoreboard which powered using electricity.
Pros:
- A great choice for teenage and youth players
- Reasonable price
- Easy to put together
- Sturdy construction
- Impressive design with the LEDs
Cons:
- Customer service could be better
Triumph Lumen-X Lazer 6′ Interactive Air Hockey Table
Another beautifully designed game table to add more value to any basement or family room decor. Its leg levellers and two table width legs offer impressive stability for a fair game.
However, its two-motor offers the needed air support allowing your puck to slide all across the table.
Pros:
- Comes with most needed accessories
- Easy to read LED display
- Offers a lot of space for plenty of action
Cons:
- Delivery could be better
EastPoint Sports NHL Sting Ray Air Powered Hockey Table
This unit is a classy addition, as Sting Ray offers players authenticity for more fun and excitement. This unit is easy to put together with little or no hassle.
A lot of work was done to ensure the table surface shines and remains resistant to scratch. Thanks to GlazeTek Compound Coat, this game table will remain beautiful like brand new for years to come.
Pros:
- A built-in leg levelling system
- Four pushers and air-powered pucks
- Easy to assemble
- Durable and scratch-resistant surface
Cons:
- Delivery could be better
How to Choose The Right Air Hockey Table Under $500
Before hitting the market to purchase one of the best air hockey tables, there are several factors to put into consideration to get the right table for your kids or great for fun with family and friends.
Method of Scoring
Newer models are featuring an electronic scoreboard that records your scores automatically and will update your score as you keep making a new goal. On the other hand, a cheaper model features a manual scoring system. This type of scoring system can be stressful, as players have to adjust the small abacuses each time a new goal is scored.
Blower or Fan
Models coming with lower prices are meant to use force the puck by pushing it into the opponent’s goal. However, some high-end air hockey tables are designed with a built-in blower or fan to push the puck. A 110 V fan or blower offers the much-need power to ensure the puck keeps moving though there are other models with larger fans.
Power Source
Models coming with a digital or electronic scoreboard will either use batteries or AC power. Some air hockey tables featuring a small-sized scoreboard tend to use batteries either AA or AAA. The downside to model running on batteries is that they drain your batteries fast.
However, models using AC adapter allows the scoreboard to run without having to shell extra cash on batteries or deal with the troubles of replacing them with new ones.
Combo and Multi-game Tables
A multi-game table, also called a combo table, is an excellent option for some buyers as it lays a good foundation for your game room. These tables are designed to allow you to play a lot of games about three or more games; thanks to its tilt or swivel tops.
Some models come with separate tables that allow you to play cards or ping pong in addition to air hockey and billiards.
Table Size
To find the right table size, you need to consider the people who will be playing on the air hockey table. Smaller tables, usually, three to four feet, are perfect for kids and also teenagers. Larger tables about six to seven feet long or more tend to suitable for adults.
Leg Levelers
For people playing air hockey on a totally flat game room, there’s no need to consider this factor. But, if you have a game room that isn’t wholly levelled, then you should consider purchasing a table with leg levellers. These levellers help avoid having wobbling air hockey table.
Design and Graphic
While many shoppers don’t pay enough attention to the table’s design and graphic. Tables appearing like an ice hockey rinks offer a more realistic experience during play. Besides, bold graphics and bright colours ensure everyone is having fun and excited too.
Conclusion
There’s nothing wrong in having a little fun. Everone needs to engage in one activity or the other to recharge our energy. Here’s a list of the top 7 best air hockey tables under $500 reviews by consumer report for fun and exciting games.
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