Outdoor Table Tennis Tables

Outdoor Table Tennis Table Buying Guide: How to Find the Right Table for Your Outdoor Area

Table tennis tables are a real crowd-puller in schoolyards, playgrounds, youth centres and parks. At home, mobile tables are popular in the garden whenever boredom strikes. To help you choose a particularly durable table that perfectly matches where it will be used, this buying guide explains what makes a great outdoor table tennis table – from key material differences and the ideal space requirements to smart care tips for maximum lifespan.

• What is the difference between indoor and outdoor table tennis tables?
• What makes an outdoor table tennis table weatherproof?
• Can you leave an outdoor table tennis table outside all year round?
• What are the dimensions of an outdoor table tennis table?
• How do you clean an outdoor table tennis table?
• Which colour is best for outdoor table tennis tables?
• Do outdoor table tennis tables have a playback function?

What is the difference between indoor and outdoor table tennis tables?

The material is the main reason why the tables differ and is the key factor in determining where they can be used.

++ Indoor tables: The surface is usually made of chipboard (wood). Wood offers fantastic playing characteristics, but is extremely sensitive to the elements. Even high humidity or direct sunlight can cause the top to swell, warp or fade. Indoor tables really belong only in dry, enclosed rooms.

++ Outdoor tables: The playing surface is usually made of melamine resin or an aluminium composite. These materials are 100% weatherproof. They withstand rain, snow, major temperature fluctuations and UV radiation – perfect for permanent outdoor use. The frame is also more solid, heavier and more robust than on indoor tables. Undercarriages are often galvanised or specially powder-coated to prevent rust.

Good to know: Because wood offers the most natural ball bounce, professional clubs and official competitions use indoor tables only.

 

What makes an outdoor table tennis table weatherproof?

A weatherproof outdoor table tennis table features a robust melamine resin or aluminium surface combined with a rustproof, stable undercarriage, allowing it to reliably withstand moisture, UV radiation and temperature fluctuations over the long term.

 

Can you leave an outdoor table tennis table outside?

Yes, absolutely! A genuine outdoor table tennis table can stay outside all year round. The surface and frame construction of outdoor models are extremely hard-wearing. However, good positioning and care are still important:

• When the table is not in use, it should be folded up. Important: Always lock the wheel brakes.
• In strong autumn winds, it’s best to move the folded table to a sheltered house wall so it can’t be blown over.
• A perfectly fitting, weatherproof cover is a very useful accessory: it protects the table from dirt as well as from the elements.
  
  

What are the dimensions of an outdoor table tennis table?

First things first: the official dimensions of a standard outdoor table tennis table are exactly the same as for an indoor table. They are based on the international tournament dimensions set by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation).

The exact dimensions:

• Length: 274 cm (2.74 m)
• Width: 152.5 cm (1.52 m)
• Height: 76 cm (0.76 m) from the floor
• Net: The net is 15.25 cm high and extends exactly 15.25 cm beyond the table edge on both sides.

 

How do you clean an outdoor table tennis table?

Loose dirt can simply be swept off the table with a soft hand brush. Stubborn dirt can be removed with a soft, damp cloth and a little washing-up liquid. To prevent water marks, briefly wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth afterwards.

Please note: Never use abrasive cleaners or pressure washers. These will permanently damage the weatherproof coating!

 

Which colour is best for outdoor table tennis tables?

Outdoor table tennis tables generally come in 3 colours: blue, green and grey.

++ Blue has become the absolute standard in recent years, including in professional sport. The visual contrast between a white or orange ball and a blue surface is extremely sharp for the human eye. This is ideal for classic paved schoolyards, club grounds or sports halls.

++ Green is the classic and was the undisputed No. 1 for decades. Green surfaces blend beautifully and unobtrusively into natural surroundings. The contrast with the ball is still very good, even if blue has a slight edge here. If the table is in a park, on the sunbathing lawn at an outdoor pool or in the landscaped garden of a rehab clinic, a green table often looks much more harmonious than a bright blue one.

++ Grey tables are currently very popular. They look elegant, understated and minimalist. A great advantage: pollen, sand or fine dust are much less noticeable on grey than on dark blue or green! Typical locations for grey tables include private homes, urban squares, newly designed youth centres or modern concrete landscapes.

 

Do outdoor table tennis tables also have a playback function?

Many outdoor table tennis tables offer a playback function, but it depends on the design. Mobile outdoor tables on wheels almost always include this feature. One half of the table is simply folded up vertically and locked in place. Fixed outdoor tables made of solid metal or polymer concrete do not have a playback function.

 

Whether for public playgrounds, schoolyards, parks or your own garden: you’ll find outdoor table tennis tables on this page of our Sport-Thieme online shop.