A 5ft air hockey table typically costs from $80 to $300 new. More important than the cost is the quality of the table you purchase if you want it to provide many useful years of service. Factors to consider when buying an air hockey table are:
Who Will Primarily Be Using It
A table of this length is going to be used primarily by young children, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be a good piece of equipment. Because the users will be short, it is good to get a table that is low enough for them to be able to reach well enough to play.
A standard height for the 5ft air hockey table is approximately the height of a tabletop, which means that anyone using it should be at least tall enough for their arm pits to be at the top of the air hockey table. If buying for a child that is shorter than that, it might be necessary to look for another option other than an air hockey table, such as a legless tabletop model.
Sturdiness of the Table
A table that is well made won’t sway when a little weight is applied to it. It is expected that the air hockey table will take some abuse during a game. People of every size push against the table and down onto the surface. Tables with weak legs or minimal bracing won’t last very long and are damaged easily during game play.
Air hockey tables are light and tend to slide on the floor. This isn’t typically a problem if the tables are structurally sound.
Power of the Blower
The smaller tables may have less powerful blowers, which don’t serve to elevate the puck enough to allow it to slide easily across the table. A cost savings on a table with an inadequate blower doesn’t amount to much if the puck doesn’t move adequately on the table during play.
Some brands offer commercial grade blowers even on their 5ft tables. When planning to make a purchase of an air hockey table, it is recommended to physically demo the models you are considering, and during the process check the RPM of the motors to see which is the better buy for the money.
Materials Used in Construction
Most tables incorporate a large amount of plastics, and this is fine as long as the plastics are of a gauge strong enough to take the use and abuse typical of air hockey play. The tabletop may be made of any number of materials from painted particle board to plastic. Particle board is the least dependable surface because moisture can cause it to buck and become deformed.
A tabletop made of hardboard is a great improvement over particle board. A melamine or plastic laminate top is the best way to go because it is easy to clean and will last a long time.
The person who takes the time to consider this short list of considerations will be better pleased with the air hockey table purchased. Usually the difference in cost between an inferior model and a good one is very little considering the fewer problems you will have with a better quality model. For more information take a look at My Air Hockey Table where you can find table advice and great offers.
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