There are couple of questions you should ask yourself before you decide which air hockey table to purchase. And for the game room that spares no expense, we added a model from luxury game designer 11 Ravens to the list in our special honors section, which is just one of several eye-catching and thoughtfully engineered designs available in the low-five-figures range. New to our list are the Valley-Dynamo Fire Storm, which is a full-scale commercial model capable of taking currency in exchange for games, and the Brunswick Windchill, which comes from a recognizable name in parlor games, and that offers a lightweight, reliable build quality. That's the main reason we said goodbye to the Triumph Lumen X from our last ranking, as its blower, while strong enough to create a good cushion of air, had durability issues. A weak blower, inconsistently drilled or constricted holes, and you've got no game. That's because the air actually lifts the puck ever-so-slightly off the surface of the table, allowing it to glide with such efficiency. The most important component to any air hockey table is its air flow, of course, and that has to do with the power of its blower and the size, spacing, and consistency of the holes cut in its surface. It's also equipped with a coin slot.Īir hockey can offer nearly endless entertainment, so long as the table is well-built. It is complete with flashing lights and sounds, glowing playing surface accents, and an overhead digital scorekeeper.
On the other hand, the latter is an eye-catching model that would fit right into a trendy arcade setting. The former is endorsed by several air hockey champions and has a professional-quality build with a no-nonsense look that makes it ideal for tournaments and competitive play.
Of these, the Harvil 4-Foot offers the most powerful air flow, and, as a result, the best action, however the Playcraft Sport 40-Inch and Sport Squad HX40 are more affordable and will require less space in a home since they can be more easily hidden away for storage when not in use.įor commercial settings, the Gold Standard Pro Elite and Valley-Dynamo Fire Storm immediately stand out. The Fat Cat Pockey is another combo game table that helps you make the most of your available floor space, however, this offers ping pong and billiards, rather than a place to eat.įor the youngsters in the house, we recommend the Harvil 4-Foot if you want a standalone model, and either the Playcraft Sport 40-Inch or Sport Squad HX40 for tabletop use. However, one if its best features is that it also converts into a rather attractive dining room table. Along with being an air hockey table, it can convert into a ping pong table. When it comes to home use, we think the Atomic Northport 3-in-1 stands out as one of the top options, specifically for those who don't have a dedicated game room or a lot of extra space in their house. We have included models ideal for both applications, as well as those perfect for home and business use. Those that are intended for kids don't need to be quite as strong, since they won't be hitting the pucks as hard, and they generally won't be putting as much weight on the table either. And, since games can get pretty intense, it is important to choose a sturdy model, especially if it is going to be used by adults. Air hockey is a great way to provide hours of entertainment to friends and family members.