Last Updated on March 8, 2021 by
Are you thinking of investing in a foosball table but wondering how to go about it? Worry not as we are here to advise you. Before you consider buying a foosball table, you need to think about the price and also your budget. There are several foosball table brands, and their cost depends on the features that you want. However, the foosball table costs between $20 and $ 4,000.
The price of these tools also depends on the quality and the cost of the soccer game you are willing to play. Several foosball tables exist that are cheap, while others are expensive, good, bad, small, and big. To choose the best price for a foosball table, you must know what your requirements are and how long you need to have it.
Features And Qualities Of A Good Foosball Table That Determine Their Cost
If you are serious about the foosball game and want to take your skills to a high level, you will need to invest in a quality table. With a cheap table, you cannot learn ball control or shooting and passing techniques necessary for a serious player.
However, if you intend to buy a toy for your kids, you can purchase one with cheaper components. The following features are vital when looking for quality equipment:
1. Weight Of The Table And Side Rails Thickness
If you are looking for a stable table during heavy play and one that is durable, then choose one that is at least 200 pounds heavy. The rails also need to be 1 ½ – inches thick for maximum performance and consistency when your ball bounces around. You will also learn bank shots accurately with thicker and heavy tables.
Light and thin foosball tables are not durable, and they flake around the goalposts. They undergo wear and tear after only about one or two years, making them not cost-effective. These models may also shift position during gameplay and hence need constant leveling.
2. Counterweighted Or Counterbalanced Men
Counterbalanced foosball men feature is common in high-quality tables. The head of the men’s weight is equals to the toe’s height. A table that lacks this feature cannot keep the men’s horizontal position without holding the rod. It will frustrate you if playing a one-on-one game since you will have to raise the man front. Doing this will prevent blocking your shots from the back.
A foosball table without a counterweighted man requires you to rotate your men upside down vertically when on your defense. If you have the men horizontally, the feet’s weight will make them fall, thus blocking the shots. Counterbalanced men table allows you to rotate the men horizontally and helps them remain in that position. The height will stay out of your way while the weight will add speed to your shots.
3. Solid Rods Of Steel With A Hollow Interior
Rods influence the style that your table will have. Some manufacturers may use lightweight, cheap metals that will bend over time. Others may use solid steel metal that is not hollow (hollowing reduces the weight).
Make sure that you get a reinforced or hardened model with a center that is drilled thoroughly. This makes your device lightweight and ensures a smooth glide with excellent performance.
4. Foosball Men Without Slick, Rounded Toes
A foosball table whose men have cross-hatching and a pointed-toe structure lets you have better ball control. Cross-hatch looks like small teeth or ridges along the foot bottom to help improve ball control. You will get to catch the foosball and pin the ball down for superior shots such as snake shot.
A conventional man with a round, slick toe design prevents you from passing the ball back and forth to the players. This man is also not favorable for shooting bank shots since they need a sharp edge.
5. Octagon Shape Tacky Plastic Or Wooden Handles
Excellent quality tables are octagonal to give an ergonomic grip. The grip lets you place your hand well for a better shooting experience. Ensure that you look for a plastic or wooden material with a tacky feel instead of a slick or rounded handle that causes your hand to slip and slide around.
Plastic handles are likely to cause accidental spins. They are also less effective in shooting since they will make your hands slip loose from the shaft. Ensure that the equipment you choose gives you maximum opportunities to score highly.
6. Table Sides With Ball Returns
Although the side balls on the table do not necessarily affect the actual gameplay, they are convenient. The features help you to position your table near the wall and keep it out of the way. You will not have to strain to get to the side of the table when practicing foosball, and the ball will not fall out of place.
The side balls, therefore, make your equipment user-friendly.
7. Thick Legs With Spinning, Adjustable Leg Levelers
Thick legs give your table the stability it requires not to shake when the game is in play. The legs should be bolted tightly to the cabinet to prevent wobbling in the structure. Higher priced tables come with spinning, adjustable leg levelers at the bottom. You can adjust the legs to the desired height so that you can play comfortably.
A level foosball table gives you a chance for a fair and competitive game. You will also get a level playing field for serving, passing, and setting your scores.
8. Sticky (Tacky) Foosball
Make sure that the balls can be easily pinned down or gripped against the table with your men. Avoid plastic balls or those with a shiny, slick finish. Tables that cost over $500 usually come with excellent quality balls. Foos balls are easy and cheap to upgrade, and you need to replace them yearly as they wear down quickly.
What Is The Standard Size Of A Foosball Table?
The dimensions of a full-size foosball table are 5-feet long and two ½-feet wide (60-inches long and 30-inches wide). Foosball tables have specifications depending on their use, whether for sporting clubs or use at home. There are also those made to satisfy a small kid’s curiosity.
You will therefore look for a suitable size depending on where you need to use them.
