Joseph works as an editor in one of the magazines dedicated to video games. Here, at RecRoomPick, he’s given the opportunity to enjoy the reverse of the medal – the no less engaging world of offline games.
Ryan knows everything when it comes to gaming, both online and offline. Since his early years he’s been in love with arcades, air hockey, and foosball. Finally, he’s given the opportunity to share his knowledge and opinion on the hobby of his life (and even get paid for it!).
Last updated: March 11, 2024
Rec Room Pick is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Pool tables are a great addition to any game room, even the portable kind. In fact, portable pool tables offer the ultimate solution for people who want to own a pool table but don’t have an entire room to dedicate to it. These models come in various sizes with minimal assembly required and are typically crafted from a blend of laminated woods and artificial materials.
However, given their smaller dimensions when compared to standard pool tables doesn’t mean taking any of the fun or thrill out of the game. If anything, the best portable pool tables will offer all the same excitement as you would experience with a standard table, only on a somewhat smaller scale. That is why you need to consider important features like size and weight, surface material, construction quality, assembly requirements and warranty information before you decide on a model suited to your requirements. Given the shortage of space available, you should be able to store your table away easily after you’ve finished playing.
To help you out with your choice, our pool table experts tried their hand on several portable models and came up with this list of the six best in this category. Our recommendations are given below in a comparison table followed by in-depth product reviews. You can conclude with our buying guide to answer any questions you may have about getting a quality portable pool table.
The GoSports 6ft or 7ft billiards table is a top-notch table suitable for fun and competitive games for players. Made of steel, the billiards table has a heavy-duty steel frame that ensures that it is stable and sturdy without movement.
With a compact design, the GoSports table is pre assembled and packaged to make it easy for players to set up instantly out of the box ready to play. Players can simply fold the legs out to set the table up and begin playing their games.
The quality premium felt surface of the table allows players to get on with their game on a smooth surface ensuring that the classic billiards fun is enjoyed to the maximum.
With its compact size, the GoSports billiards table is perfect for game rooms, apartments, offices or anyone who doesn’t want to deal with a full-size table and can easily be stored anywhere.
The GoSports 6ft or 7ft billiards table comes fully packaged with a full set of balls, 2 cue sticks, chalk and felt brush.
Looking for a lightweight pool table that’s both sturdy and space-saving? The deluxe folding pool table from Bello Games New York is definitely an option that’s worth looking at. Made with quality materials and a simple folding system, this table is easy to store, move, and ready to use in any size game room.
Made with a hardwood frame and surfaced with a green woolen blend cloth, this pool table under $1000 gives the feel of a more traditional table as you play. It’s been designed for almost any experience level and includes a “super speed” bumper rail that allows for more accurate and professional playability. Many customers have been pleasantly surprised with this table’s sturdiness and playability, especially for a folding table.
This table requires no assembly: it’s ready to play with as soon as you set it up. When fully folded again the table is only 4 ½” high, making it great for storing anywhere from under the bed to behind a sofa. The 44” table surface provides good space for playing, though professional users more accustomed to traditional surfaces may find this size a bit small.
This table comes with all the standard accessories: a set of genuine billiard balls, 2 cue sticks, a triangle rack, a brush and pool table chalk.
One feature customers believe is missing is the ability to level the table. Though this may not be a major issue to fix, it comes as an inconvenience if the ground is uneven.
The Fat Cat Stormstrike pool table is a great home model for those who may not have the room for a traditional table. With a compact, old-school arcade design, this pool table is sure to be a fun addition to your mini game room.
This table is made with a wood frame and topped with a black felt surface for a sharp and recognizable look. It doesn’t take up too much space, and the height is good for kids to play as well. With foldable reinforced legs and transport wheels, it’s ready to move from room to room.
This Fat Cat model is very sturdy and less likely to move. At 88 pounds, it’s the heaviest model on this list. If you’re looking to storing your portable pool table away after every play, this might not be the most convenient option.
Included with the Stormstrike table are cues, billiard balls, a triangle rack, and table brush. Though cues and balls work like any of their regular counterparts, they are scaled down and may be a bit small for some users’ preference.
This table requires a bit of assembly, though it’s fairly simple and should take no more than half an hour to complete.
The Fat Cat Stormstrike is a great space saver that’ll provide fun for all ages. It’s a great portable option that doesn’t need to be moved much, making it the best portable pool table for home.
The CHH company is a well-known one for specializing in quality gaming tables and products for many years. This CHH pool table is one such product, a great foldable option that can be used by both adults and children comfortably. It can be used for learning on or playing competitively, and can be set up in any sized game room.
Though it’s been designed for younger players, customers have said this table plays and feels like a full-size pool table, making it a very versatile table at a price like this.
The CHH folding pool table is made with a stylish and solid hardwood construction, lightweight folding metal legs, and synthetic green felt with a great texture for smooth rolling. The legs can be levelled to make sure you’re getting an even playing surface every time.
The table is low enough for children to play, but high enough so adults can play comfortably and without much strain.
Included with the CHH pool table are the basic accessories: a full set of pool balls, a triangle rack, a table brush, a pair of cues and two pieces of chalk.
Though this table offers great playability, the missing feature that makes it fall just short of being the best is the bumper rail system. Without it, balls will bounce off the edge slower and banked shots become less accurate.
Given its versatility, quality performance and compact size, the CHH pool table is our best compact pool table on this list.
The HLC Folding Space Saver pool table has been designed to give the feel of an authentic pool table while taking up as little space as possible when stored and hence the name. Described by the manufacturers as “an authentic miniature version of a pool table”, you can be sure you’ll get a real playing experience out of this table whether you’re starting to learn or are a more skilled player looking for a way to practice and save space.
The 55” surface size is great for more professional games, while the height is ideal for players of any height. The board is made with medium density fiberboard for added stability and is topped with a blue felt for smooth shots. When fully folded, this table is an impressive 2.75” high, making easy to fit and store behind or under practically anything.
There is some assembly needed before being able to first use this table.
This pool table comes with the standard accessories: a set of full-sized billiard balls, a triangle rack, table brush, chalk, and 2 pool cues. Users do find that the cues included are a bit flimsy and not very durable.
One issue regarding the pool table itself is in it folding feature: it’s a little inconvenient. The legs need to be unscrewed and unhinged before being able to fold and store away.
The HLC Space Saver pool table is otherwise well liked for both its larger surface area and minimal space occupation when folded, and is the best Large Surface Portable Pool Table on our list.
If you’re looking for a table on a budget or a risk-free product for starters, consider the Costzon Billiard table. With this bestselling product on Amazon, you’ll find a great beginner’s playing experience at a great price.
Designed for kids, this table provides a good learning surface while the size allows players of all ages to practice or enjoy a casual game. It’s constructed with quality materials to endure being used by children. The board is made with thick MDF for stability and resistance to warping, and a green nylon cloth to provide a non-resistant surface and give a classic game look.
The Costzon table is compact and made to take up as little space as possible. It can be folded and at only 33 pounds it makes it easy to carry around. You won’t even need a designated game room to keep this table up in.
This table includes all the following accessories you’ll really need: a set of classic billiard balls, a pair of pool cues, a table surface brush, table chalk, and a black triangle rack.
Everything is fully assembled and ready to play straight out of the box.
Since this table is designed to be used by children, it’s not ideal for anything more than casual gaming.
Overall the Costzon Billiard folding table is a great pick for beginning players. It comes at a decent quality for the price, ensuring you’ll gave fun learning to play, earning its spot as the budget pick on our list.
Another affordable option for a portable pool table, this folding table from HomCom is a slightly larger folding model that has been built for the more authentic look and feel of a classic pool table. It’s a great pick for passionate players who don’t have the space for a full-size table.
Since it’s designed to feel like playing on an authentic table, the materials used have been chosen for better performance when in use. The board is a solid MDF surface with a traditionally colored green polyester fleece for smoother, more accurate shots. Bumper cushions line the surface edge to allow the pool balls to quickly bounce back with as little resistance as possible. The 55” surface is not too small for traditional table players to get accustomed to, but it’s still small enough to fit in almost any space.
The HomCom pool table includes a pair of cues, a set of balls, chalk, a brush and a triangle rack, though some find the cues and balls to be a bit small for a table with this much surface area.
The cues included have also been noted for warping easily or being warped when opened, so it’s recommended to buy a replacement pair.
This table is a good option for those who want a table that feels and plays like the real deal, but don’t have the money or space for a full-size table. It’s the Best MDF Portable Pool Table on our list for its traditional materials in a quality, cost-effective package.
What do we love it for?
Made to look and feel like an authentic pool table
Foldable and space saving
Quality construction
Adequate 55-inch surface area
What were we disappointed with?
Cues are poor quality
Things to Consider
Pool tables are a great, fun addition to your home. Having the entire family hitched on a game they can all play makes for long hours of fun. The portable versions are a great idea for smaller homes that don’t have to play like pros. If you have kids with a developing passion for this game, then a small, portable table that can move about the house is an ideal, budget friendly way to go.
Small pool table – space saving dream
Having a small pool table in your house comes with multiple benefits. Smaller variations of larger pool tables can be moved around much easier.
By either folding or detaching the legs of the pool table, you can carry the pool table inside and out of your home. A small pool table will also be much more welcome in small homes where you lack space and the pool table makes up for it with its miniaturized features.
Foldable pool table maintenance tips
If you want your portable pool table to make memories into the following years, you’ll have to take care of it so it gets that far.
Keeping your table dust-free and clean at all times is a start. When your table is not in use, cover it so layers of dust don’t accumulate over the felt and table. Most tables come with a brush you lightly clean the felt with. If not, then you can and should purchase one to clean up the table after every use.
Though this is called a table, don’t place any food items or drinks on the table. Metal coins, keys, and electronics are also not welcome over the table since they can permanently damage the felt. After one year’s worth of use, have the table checked by a professional to see if it’s still level and efficient for use.
Price tag
The size of the table, construction quality, workmanship, ease of use, and playability all determine a table’s price. But thanks to the decrease in size, the price tag is always going to be less for a portable model or a mini pool table than that of a larger sized one. You can budget your purchase in between $100 to $800. Anything below or above this is either something not worth the money or too much.
Features to consider while buying the best portable pool table
The quality of any pool table will vary on the specified features. Each pool table will differ from the other which can change your priorities for your own pool table. To understand what it is you want in your pool table, here are a few key features you should pay attention to when searching for the right one.
Sizes variety
The size of your pool table should complement the size of your room. If you have a smaller room, then you should naturally have a smaller pool table. In any room you decide to place your pool tale, there should be a decent amount of walking space on all four sides of the table.
That being said, portable pool tables can come in small to medium sizes. The starting size of a small poll table is 40” in length. The smaller the pool table is, the easier it’ll be to transport. The bigger the pool table, the more lively and realistic the game.
With portable pool tables, expertise isn’t required to make the fun last. Beginners and experts both can enjoy playing over the pool table without an immense difference in ability.
Everything on these pool tables will be petit. Smaller balls, smaller cues, and a smaller playing surface. This doesn’t stop beginners from learning, but it can limit those who have played on the standard pool table.
Materials and weight
Portable pool tables are always made with lower quality materials than larger sized pool tables. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on them though.
Portable tables are lighter and easier to transport, which is a huge bonus point. However, there can be a significant difference in the quality of materials used. Hardwood, of course offers the best durability, since slate is often not an option in portable varieties. Of our portable models recommended here, the Bello Games New York Deluxe Portable pool table and the CHH Folding Pool Table both use sturdy hardwood construction for better durability.
The legs of these portable models are commonly made either from wood or metal and can either be removed or folded when moving the table. If they legs are detachable, then there will be some assembly required. If they are foldable, then there’s no need for any assembly. For the best performance though, always check whether or not the legs come with levelers.
Felt quality
The felt is your actual playing board. When you play over your board, it is essential to have a clean felt so the balls can roll neatly and evenly over the table. For residential use, look for felt covers that are made out of a wool blend. These are less expensive and they work quite well when properly maintained.
Assembly
The best part about portable tables is that they require minimal to no assembly at all. This is the peak benefit of your table. Larger tables are cumbersome in this case, where you have to piece them together bit by bit.
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of portable tables: those with foldable legs, and those with detachable legs. Foldable legs make it much easier to transport the whole table as one piece. Detachable legs, on the other hand, make the unit lighter to carry as the legs are no longer present on the table. The legs themselves won’t be too heavy either. Most models on our list here come with foldable legs. The HLC Space Saver pool table, however, needs its legs to be unscrewed and unhinged before storing.
Drop pockets
On portable pool table models, you’re more likely to come across nets and plastic cups as drop pockets. Rest assured, they serve their purpose justly, but just aren’t the sturdiest of options. Nets can rip if there is too much weight and strain over them while plastic cups fill up quite easily. This can prevent further balls from entering the drop pocket.
There are more reliable options such as leather pouches and metal railings, but these are found on more expensive models.
Accessory set
The accessories always make for a spicier deal. On a standard basis, you should be offered 15 numbered balls, a cue ball, cue sticks, a brush for clean-up, the racking triangle, and some chalk cubes for the felt.
Fancier features include cue holders, chrome plated details and designing, a marker for set positions on the rails. These accessories aren’t required to play the game though.
Warranty
Testing out your table to see if it is up to par is an essential part of buying. Sometimes, you won’t get the right table the first time.
This is why, it’s better to make purchases that include a warranty. Some purchases can even offer a free consultation and coverage over faulty parts.
Yes, they are ideal for children. Since they are smaller and easier to move around, kids can develop early skills over pool tables with these portable models. The dimensions are also more suited to players smaller in stature, so they won’t have a hard time using the accessories.
You don’t have to do this every time. If you need to level out the table or are unsure, you can place the table on a level floor to figure out if it’s straightened out or not.
You can place your portable table anywhere. If you do wish to place your portable table outside, then metal tables are best since they are more resilient to wear and tear.
Wrapping It Up
The Bello Games New York deluxe pool table is our best choice for a few reasons: it’s made with premium quality materials and offers great playability comparable to larger or more traditional tables. It is lightweight and won’t take up unnecessary space, all making it a great alternative when a full-size table just isn’t an option.
If you want a small and portable option that’ll just stay within the home, consider the Fat Cat Stormstrike pool table. It’s durable, looks good, and is a bit heavier so as to remain more stable while you play. The size is a perfect one for everyone to play, providing good fun for the whole family.
Finally, the bestselling Costzon table has to be the best portable pool table on a budget. With a decently durable construction for its price range, it’s a good option for starting players and those who want to try out something new. And it’s practically risk-free because of the price.
Having a small pool table in your house comes with multiple benefits. Smaller variations of larger pool tables can be moved around much easier.
Portable pool tables are always made with lower quality materials than larger sized pool tables. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on them though.
The accessories always make for a spicier deal. On a standard basis, you should be offered 15 numbered balls, a cue ball, cue sticks, a brush for clean-up, the racking triangle, and some chalk cubes for the felt.
