It’s not possible for everyone to have a full-size pool table in their home. Some folks just don’t have the space to fit a 7 or 8-foot pool table comfortably in their house or apartment (our small-space table guide exists for exactly that problem). And while most people agree that full-size pool tables are best, there are plenty of smaller pool tables on the market. So the real question is whether a mini pool table is worth it.
For most casual players and families, a mini pool table is worth it. A miniature pool table beats no pool table at all, and the low cost and portability make it an easy way to keep playing at home when space or budget rules out a full-size table. Players used to a regulation table will feel the downgrade, so know which camp you fall into before you buy.What a Mini Pool Table Actually Is
A mini pool table is exactly what it sounds like: a miniature version of the larger tables found in bars and pool halls. Sizes run from 20-inch tabletop sets up to 6-foot folding models. The key concepts remain the same as on larger tables. It’s still a game of accuracy and angles, and a mini table can provide hours of fun for the whole family. By the end of this guide you’ll know whether one belongs in your house, and which one to buy.
Games You Can Play on a Mini Table
Pretty much any game that can be played on a full-size table can be played on a mini pool table. Games like 8-ball, 9-ball, cutthroat, 3-ball, and others provide plenty of fun for kids and adults.
The nice thing about this is that you can find a size that will work well for the space you have available. The larger the table, the more “authentic” the gameplay will feel. That doesn’t mean you should automatically go for the biggest table you can fit, though. Take a look at the different kinds of mini pool tables out there before deciding which type suits your situation.
Foldable vs Standard Mini Tables
Foldable pool tables are convenient because they are easily stored. They are designed with legs that can fold under the playing surface, much like the legs of a card table. These are the most popular type because they are easy to store and transport, and they come in larger sizes up to 6 feet. The 6-foot Hathaway Fairmont is the standard example of the breed: it folds into a carry bag and plays well enough that kids don’t feel like they’re practicing on a toy.
Standard mini tables are essentially just smaller versions of those pool tables found in pool halls and bars. Their legs won’t fold in and they can’t be placed on tables (unless you’re super tall and can reach!). They are ideal for those people who are looking for a classic-style pool table but they don’t have enough room for a bigger one.
What Size Balls Mini Tables Use
Some of the larger mini pool tables do use standard 2.25-inch billiard balls on their sets. But this is only common among 6-foot tables. 4-foot mini tables often use 1.5-inch balls.
As the tables get smaller, it only makes sense to downsize the balls as well. After all, a set of regular billiard balls would take up too much space on a small 20-inch tabletop table.
Smaller Balls, Smaller Pockets
The smaller the table, the smaller the balls will be. And, for that matter, the smaller the pockets will be, as well. But this is a good thing. If you can get used to playing with smaller balls on a smaller table, it won’t be a big jump up to a full-size table eventually. This is why many people buy their kids a mini pool table and then upgrade when their kids are big enough to play on a regular table.
How Long a Mini Table Lasts
Expect a couple of years from a cheap mini table and considerably longer from a well-built one that gets decent care. With so many different types out there, and widely varying quality between them, a ballpark estimate is the best anyone can honestly give you.
As with pretty much any product, the more you spend on it, the longer it’s likely to last. The nice thing is that most mini pool tables are not expensive, so it’s not that big a deal when one gives out after 2 years or so.
On full-size pool tables, the best playing surfaces are made of slate, which is a type of rock. The slate provides a flat, smooth surface on which the balls can roll with minimum friction. Slate tables last years and years because they’re impervious to warping due to moisture and humidity.
Why Mini Tables Use MDF Instead of Slate
Mini pool tables, on the other hand, aren’t made with slate. Instead, some kind of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is used to make the playing surface. And even with protective coatings on the fiberboard, it’s still wood. And wood will warp when exposed to enough moisture. On a mini table, though, a slightly warped surface matters less than you’d think.
Ideally, we would want the playing surface on our mini pool table to be completely flat and true. After all, we want the balls to move consistently on every game so we can get good by developing our skills. However, most people with mini pool tables are more concerned with entertainment than developing skill.
Does a Warped Surface Ruin Play?
A warped surface changes play without ruining it. Most people want to get better at anything they do, including playing pool on a mini pool table. But if the goal is a fun time, a slightly warped playing surface won’t make play impossible, and it can even add a new challenge as players adapt to the roll.
This is especially true for kids playing on a mini table. Chances are they won’t care if the table gets a little warped over time. So it’s good to try and get the best mini pool table you can for your budget, but depending on who’s using it, you may still get several years of use out of it even if it does warp.
How Much Mini Tables Weigh
Mini pool tables are light, and skipping slate is the reason. Slate is the major component that makes full-size pool tables so heavy, and no mini table carries it.
The smallest tabletop pool tables weigh under 10 pounds. Mid-size mini pool tables usually weigh between 25 and 50 pounds. The largest of the mini tables, those that are around 6-feet, generally weigh somewhere between 100 and 150 pounds.
The Best Mini Pool Table to Buy
For a true tabletop mini table, the Rally and Roar 40-inch is the one to get. It sits on any flat surface and costs less than a couple of board games, yet it still teaches real fundamentals like aiming and banking. Cleanup takes about 30 seconds, so it earns its spot even in a small apartment.
If you have the floor space for the biggest of the minis, step up to the 6-foot Hathaway Fairmont folding table covered earlier. The bigger surface plays closer to the real thing, and it still packs away when you need the room back.
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For more on this topic, check out the best pool tables under $500, best pool tables for small spaces, standard pool table sizes, how heavy slate pool tables are, and how long pool tables last.
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