7 Indispensable Things to Know About Air Hockey Tables Before Buying One

Buying an air hockey table takes some consideration, just like many other table games like billiard, pool, and snooker. We shall be discussing the most important 7 such considerations and more in this article. Adhere to the guide and you would make the best choice of air hockey table for both home and commercial use. 

Things to consider when buying an Air Hockey Table

As it is in many other games, air hockey tables come in different sizes. You have to decide the size of the table you would need. To make the perfect size of a table, you should first consider if it is for home use or business. Air hockey game tables for home use range from 4 feet and above. While air hockey tables for business are mostly 8 feet in length and 4 feet in width. Next, you should consider the available space in your home or business center. There should be enough space for the table and for players to move around it. Players need enough room to plan and execute their shots. And of course, every game requires enough ventilation. So, before buying your air hockey table, put these factors into consideration and that should let you in on the best size for you.

Some air hockey tables have small pucks while others have large pucks. The tables with small pucks are mainly used by children. Most times, they are not fit for adults as the materials are cheap and weak. Rather, go for large puck tables. They are stronger and more durable. Large pucks have bigger blower engines and that means better puck speed. If you are buying an air hockey table for commercial use, these large puck tables are for you. They last longer and have better standards than the small puck ones.

Air hockey tables come with different sizes of pucks, depending on the size of the table. Big tables go with small pucks and vice versa. Also, there are different types of the puck. Some pucks have plain colors while others have glowing qualities. They are best used at night alongside pucks that are designed to make less noise. Apart from the round shape, pucks also come in different shapes like triangles and hexagons.

In buying an air hockey table, you get what you pay for. There are tables made from cheap materials that are sold at cheap prices and there are ones that cost higher but are very durable. So, the choice is yours. Either spend more and choose quality or spend less to spend more. Air hockey tables are usually made from three materials- wood, plastic, and metal. Air hockey tables made from wood are strong and supportive but make sure the wood is thick and strong. Plastic-made air hockey tables are inexpensive. The thicker the plastic material, the better support it would provide. Last but the best is metal-made air hockey tables. They are the most durable, though they cost higher than wood or plastic-made ones. These types of tables are used in commercial areas.

The speed of pucks in an air hockey game is determined by the motor and air perforations. Most tables come with a single motor for blowing air, while bigger ones come with double motors. It is advised that you opt for the double motor tables if you are using the table for business. That would give better customer satisfaction. Also, check for tables with perforations that are close together. They are faster than the ones with far-spaced holes.

The rebound quality of an air hockey table depends on the quality of the rink wall. Thick nylon or aluminum is the best material for side or rink walls. They have better rebound quality and do not dent or scratch over time.

Air hockey table scorers are divided into manual and automatic. In manual scorers, players move up a bead in an abacus-designed form every time they score. While in automatic scorer, the table automatically detects a goal and records it. It also has other features like announcing the goal, making a sound to show that a goal has been scored, or dimming lights.