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.
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Last updated: September 28, 2024
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Shuffleboard is an entertaining way to develop your skills in precision and strategic thinking. In some way it reminds of bowling, curling, even golf, but it’s a completely different experience that you can bring to your own home and share with your friends. With the best shuffleboard table, you are guaranteed to be maximally entertained every time you take the pucks in your hands.
To determine the best shuffleboard tables currently available on the market, we’ve considered some crucial factors. The material with which they’re made is a vital factor to keep in mind as it determines the table’s durability. The sizes available and dimensions also need to be considered as nobody wants to end up with a shuffleboard table that’s either too big or too small for their needs. We also thought about the accessories included since they determine the versatility of every table.
With that said, it’s time we told you about how we’ve structured this guide. Of course, this article is a result of in-depth research which lasted tens of hours, so you can rest assured that we have considered everything necessary. Our comparison table helps to compare the tables succinctly, using their specifications and best features. Additionally, there is a product review section, a buying guide section, and a FAQ section, all aimed towards helping you to make the best decision.
"Available in three size options, this table has everything necessary for a fantastic game, including a slick playfield coated in a glossy polyurethane finish."
"The most affordable here, this table has it all to start playing: smooth surface, built-in traditional bead score sliders; eight pucks and sand for sliding."
The Barrington Billboards Urban Collection 9ft. Shuffleboard Table is a top-quality table that is just the best addition to any basement or game room.
With its premium birch wood veneer finish and traditional wood bead scorer, this shuffleboard table combines its impressive build and game piece in one.
Coated with UV, the shuffleboard table allows players to play games freely and consistently at a high speed on its smooth table without the fear of the surface of the table being scratched or damaged.
Players can be assured that the playing field will remain even at all times with the table’s adjustable bracket located beneath the mainframe of the table.
The 9ft shuffleboard table is built with an artificial concrete block leg that provides sturdy support for the table meaning that players can enjoy their games without any fear of the table being unbalanced and pucks being knocked off their scored spots and into the alley.
Aesthetically, the table is sleek and stylish and can fit into any interior décor style perfectly. It has the look, feels, and performance of the spectacular piece of furniture that it is.
What stands out?
Sturdy construction
Scratch resistant UV coating
The shuffleboard comes with everything that you need to start playing immediately you open the box.
Easy to assemble
What cons did we manage to find?
Wax for the table can make the pucks go way too fast or fly off the table.
Considering their usually modest prices, it’s not difficult to figure out that Playcraft shuffleboard tables are usually engineered for the average man. If you’re looking to invest a decent sum of money on a table without compromising on quality, then the Playcraft Woodbridge shuffleboard table is the best option. In addition, the fact that it is available in 9, 12, 14, and 16 feet means it can be perfect for a wide range of users. This model is our best pick for its incredible balance between reasonable price and high performance.
Woodbridge models are renowned for their incredible durability, and this one is also not exempted. With its sturdy plywood framing structure, it’s bound to give you many fun-filled years. The frame of the table is supported by the reinforced double-paneled pedestal legs. Apart from the metal leg levelers, they also feature a storage cabinet, in which you can keep all the accessories. The playing surface is produced using a 1.75-inch hardwood vertical stave edge glued butcher block, which makes it easy to play on. Also, the playfield isn’t laminated but is multi-coated with polyurethane to achieve a smooth satin finish.
Furthermore, the table comes with carpeted gutters and walls, and its rails have sturdy hardwood corners, making this a very quality shuffleboard table. While the 9-foot and 12-foot tables come with the customary 1-2-3 scoring system, the 14-foot and 16-foot variants come with a 1-2-3-4 scoring system. Besides a set of speed wax and pucks included in the table, it also comes with a one-year warranty, which makes it somewhat trustworthy. Its complex assembly is the only downside of this table, and that’s down to the fact that it doesn’t come with enough instructions.
While it has a quite simple design, the Fairview Shuffleboard Table packs an extensive range of features, making it an excellent option for people looking for a high-quality, pro-grade table. Its cabinet’s interior compartments have multicore construction spread out in five, polyurethane-coated layers, which optimizes durability. The material won’t warp, except you expose it to direct sunlight. Besides, it comes with a free shuffleboard salt which helps maintains the surface’s smoothness.
The table is also totally flat, which means you don’t need to stress about keeping the climatic adjusters in tune since the surface has no concavity. Nonetheless, there’re chrome leg levelers, which help if your floor is not ideally flat. Adding to the durable surface and excellent build quality, this model is also unique as it is equipped with a large accessory cabinet, which is perfect for storing the included eight pucks, your cleaning towel, and the shuffleboard salt.
At 12 feet long and 30 inches tall, this model provides a real shuffleboard experience even though it doesn’t consume much space. Its assembly is also straightforward, although it is a bit hard to maneuver and is made up of heavy-weight parts. Although it’s also costly as the other premium-quality shuffleboard tables, what you pay for is what you get, and that’s entirely fair.
Playcraft is a company that has been manufacturing high-quality gaming products since the 19th century, and it’s awe-inspiring that they’re still managing to stay atop the game even today. For the shuffleboard professionals, nothing beats the feeling that comes with playing on a full-sized 22-foot table. Since this table is engineered for professionals, it comes with an electronic scoring system, threaded climatic adjusters, and a Canadian Maple butcher-block surface. The electronic scoring system it comes with removes the difficulty of having to keep scores and allows you to focus on the game.
Apart from being beautiful, Playcraft have also covered the basics – which implies that they don’t only keep the aesthetics in mind when making their designs. This product comes with eight pucks, shuffleboard wax, playing instructions, and individually-adjustable legs. Besides, it’s quite easy to assemble, which is also a plus. The scoreboard is also impressive when it comes to easy viewing, as it can be wall-mounted or raised, in the events that it’s obstructing the opposition’s view. For maximum noise reduction, the sidewall and gutters are also carpeted.
However, this table is entirely on the expensive side, which is nothing surprising considering the value it delivers. While its steep price tag might be considered one of its downsides, its lack of warranty is its primary downside. Of course, its durable construction is not in doubt, but the manufacturers should have included a warranty against wood warping or chipping.
Playfield material: butcher block coated in a sleek, polymer surface
Playfield thickness: 3 inches
Height: 30 inches
Sizes available: 12; 14; 16; 18; 20; 22 feet
More features: backed by a lifetime warranty; includes weights (pucks), Triple Crown Yellow Ice wax and Maintenance Kit, rules and ‘how to play’ instruction set
Coated in a smooth, polymer surface and constructed using high-quality plywood, the Venture Saratoga Shuffleboard Table is what should be regarded as a masterpiece. Its fantastic design means it effortlessly provides silky-smooth play that is highly accurate. It just doesn’t get better from this point. This model also comes with climate adjusters to make sure that the hardwood playing surface can be tuned easily for optimal play, thereby ensuring long-lasting performance.
Apart from having a solid wood construction that features a 20-inch wide and three-inch thick, well-protected playfield, this table is also supported by three or four sets of a solid wood pedestal with threaded and padded levelers legs, which allows it to deliver sufficient support for the player’s bodies and rest effortlessly on any surface. Moving on, it comes with eight pucks, shuffleboard wax, a maintenance kit, and a manual, which allows for a seamless adaptation and lets you start playing immediately.
With the clear synthetic lacquer playing surface, rest assured that there are no chances of twisting, bowing, or warping with this model. Besides, it is backed by a lifetime warranty, which is quite generous and is a testament to the durability of the product. However, this model is one of the most expensive shuffleboard tables on this list and on the market in general, and not many players will be able to afford this. While its performance justifies its hefty price, we still think it is very overpriced.
A cheap shuffleboard table doesn’t always mean a low-quality one, and no product demonstrates that better than this option from HATHAWAY. Despite being reasonably priced, it still comes with a plethora of great features that make it a stunning option. The polyurethane-coated butcher-block surface is both very chip-resistant and slick, allowing for a very smooth game. Also, there are four independently-adjustable legs on the table, which can be used to keep it level on all types of surfaces.
Furthermore, the independent leg levers offer a flat, steady surface, which allows for a smooth and accurate play. There are climate adjusters integrated into this table, which makes sure that the sturdy playfield can be effortlessly tuned for optimal play, ensuring long-lasting performance. Every pedestal leg also doubles as a storage cabinet, which offers a lot of convenience. This table is just generally excellent, and provided you don’t put it under direct sunshine, your pucks are sure to glide gorgeously on it for many years.
What’s more, the product is also backed by a 180-day warranty, which offers peace of mind to buyers. Like some other high-quality tables, the only real drawback this one also has is its complex assembly. However, that isn’t something too big to deal with considering how reasonably priced this product is.
For an expensive and elegant appearance, this shuffleboard table from Barrington is crafted with furniture-quality woods and other durable materials. And the UV-coated playfield allows for fast, smooth puck action, which also means players don’t have to play with the fear of damaging or scratching the surface. Indeed, this model from Barrington is the real deal, considering the heap of admirable features it comes with. And the fact that it also measures 12 feet in length means it’s perfect for tournament play.
Furthermore, the table comes with pedestal-style legs that offer adequate support for the table’s whole weight and is capable of supporting the weight of users leaning on it as well. What’s more, it has a reliable pedestal leg construction that has hidden storage cabinets, which means you can easily crank up your completion without being scared of knocking the pucks off or upsetting the shuffleboard table. Appearance-wise, this product has a very luxurious look – its construction utilizes sturdy pieces of attached wood and a quite rich finish.
In order to keep the surface smooth always and allow pucks to travel faster with less resistance, you will also get one bottle of board powder along with this product. Besides, its abacus-style scoring system is also great and gives the table a very unique look. However, some players still wish it came with an electronic scoring system like the other models in its price category. The price, by the way, is rather high, but its high-quality construction is definitely worth it.
Measuring nine feet in length and being incredibly fun to play on, this model from the Lancaster Gaming Company is the one you should be looking at if you’re a family man. This model is engineered in a way that makes assembly superbly easy and quick as it requires no extra tools to assemble. The table comes with high-quality graphite pedestal legs and body, which improve play and will enhance the aesthetics of any room. Simply put, this model comes with a magnificent design that is sure to turn heads and increase the beauty of your space.
Furthermore, the model comes with a scratch-resistant polyurethane-coated playing surface, which allows your pucks to fly quickly and smoothly. Also, it has inbuilt traditional-style solid wood bead scorers, which although is quite outdated, is still quite handy. Perhaps, not as effective as the more modern electronic scoring system, but it still works and lets you keep track of points and celebrate your victories when you win.
Since the table comes with eight pucks and shuffleboard sand already, you and your family can start playing immediately and need no extra accessories. Generally, this table is quite impressive when you take its relatively cheap price into consideration. Of course, it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles usually found on more expensive models, but it has everything you need for a superb game experience.
What makes it stand out?
Has a magnificent design
Easy to install
Comes with eight pucks and sand
Relatively cheap price
Scratch-resistant playing surface
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Has an outdated scoring system
Things to Consider
Since you now know some things about seven of the best shuffleboard tables in the market and the different features that make them the best, let’s now look at the different tips buyers need to keep in mind when shopping for the right shuffleboard table for their needs.
How to play shuffleboard?
Playing shuffleboard is basically about getting your pucks farthest down the playing surface without them falling off. With a two-person play, play in turns, and the person with the highest score in the end wins. In order to decide who goes first and selects their weight of puck or color, simply flip a coin. Each player takes four pucks and plays alternatively.
Of course, you wish for your puck to slide down the opposite end, so the ultimate goal is to make sure your puck is the farthest down the shuffleboard without falling off. We assure you that it is totally acceptable and a great tactic to knock the puck of your opponent off the shuffleboard.
In every round, you either score one, two, or three points, and you also can get one additional point in case a hanger occurs. A hanger is when your puck hangs over the board’s edge but has not fallen off. Keep in mind that side edge hangers do not score additional points.
Add these points to your final score when you’ve concluded the round and now go to the board’s other side to begin the second round. The first person to reach 15 points becomes the winner, so don’t allow your opponent to reach those figures before you do.
Features to consider while choosing a shuffleboard table
Shuffleboard tables usually come in a variety of sizes with different construction types, so trying to look for a high-quality model that fits your particular needs can be a difficult task at times. In order to make things easier for you, we have compiled a couple of factors you need to consider when shopping.
Table materials
Nobody wants to buy a table that will start falling apart after just a few months, which makes it very important to consider the kind of wood with which the table is made. A lot of manufacturers utilize maple and other hardwoods that are capable of holding up better to very intense plays. Less expensive options may utilize a softer wood that may rapidly show dings, scuff marks, and scratches.
Playfield materials
The material with which the playfield is made is also an important consideration to make when trying to determine the right model for your needs. When making this decision, keep in mind that a quality playfield is beyond just sparkling and smooth playing fields. It is imperative to choose a table that uses solid wood in its playfield like the Barrington 12 ft. Webster Shuffleboard Table, since these products are often damaged by high effects and dropped pucks.
Surface thickness
One simple way of determining the shuffleboard’s quality is to consider its thickness. The best products on the market are those that are utilized for intense competitions and that measure about 20 inches in width and three inches in thickness. Keep in mind that anything below three inches in thickness won’t be taken seriously. While this doesn’t necessarily imply that it’s not suitable for your needs, it just means it’s not of the highest quality as it’s not adequately protected.
Climatic adjusters
For very serious players, climatic adjustment is an extremely vital factor to consider when buying a shuffleboard table. Climatic adjusters are essential to ensure that playfield curvatures are kept to the minimal. Depending on the temperature, air pressure, and humidity, wood usually bends, so a climatic adjuster is capable of reversing your shuffleboard’s change to become convex or concave. Note that this isn’t something that is included in a shuffleboard always, so you might have to specifically look for it. You could consider a model like the Playcraft Telluride Pro-Style Shuffleboard Table for this.
Sizes available
These tables usually come in varieties of sizes, usually ranging from 9 to 22 feet long. It is vital to take into account where you’ll be putting the table so that you will be able to measure the size of the space and make sure that you’ll have three feet at least on every side of the shuffleboard table. Once you have that information, you can determine the size of a table you are actually capable of accommodating.
For instance, you would need a room that is 15 feet long at least in one direction if you wanted a nine-foot table.
Extra features
You also need to consider the extra accessories included in each model. Storage cabinets like those in the HATHAWAY Challenger Shuffleboard Table allow you to save your cleaning towel and other accessories effortlessly, so you need to look at that. Also, you have to consider chromed legs as they are capable of offering adequate support for your body. The warranty is another important consideration as it gives buyers an idea about the level of confidence the manufacturers have in their products.
How to take care of your shuffleboard table
If you want to keep your playing surface slippery and smooth, you have to clean your shuffleboard table weekly. How you clean the playing surface will actually depend on the finish of your table:
You can use a damp rag to wipe down polymer finishes – it doesn’t require a cleaning agent.
You will need to utilize a 1:4 mixture of water and vinegar if you have a plain wood finish.
Utilize a microfiber/lint-free cloth and wipe the table down gently. Promptly dry it off – leaving too much water is capable of damaging the surface.
You can utilize premium-quality furniture wax to keep your lacquer finish surface as smooth and slick as possible. You only need to do this twice every month – just utilize a microfiber cloth like you were normally cleaning surface.
Ultimately, you can use speed wax to wipe the table down or dust it with speed powder to make it a bit quicker. Keep in mind that this is extremely important and it has to be carried out around twice or thrice every month based on how frequent you play on the table.
The primary purpose of shuffleboard powder is to reduce friction on the table. Sprinkling and spreading the powder or wax on tables enables the pucks to easily glide down with slight pushes in the blink of an eye.
Climatic adjusters are essential to keep the playing surface ideally flat even if your floor is not. If it’s the case, look for a model like the Fairview Game Rooms 12′ Shuffleboard Table.
Wrapping It Up
With its premium birch wood veneer finish and traditional wood bead scorer, Barrington Urban Collection Shuffleboard table combines its impressive build and game piece in one.
When a table’s only drawback is its difficult assembly, it speaks volume about its pure quality. If you’re familiar with game room products, then Playcraft shouldn’t be a new name to you as the company is one of the best in the game. With an incredible product like the Playcraft Woodbridge that seamlessly combines durability, smooth playing surface, and most especially, reasonable cost, it’s easy to see that the company isn’t relinquishing their top spot anytime soon.
A similarly-priced model in the name of the Fairview Game Rooms 12′ Shuffleboard Table takes our second spot, and that’s in no small part to its incredible durability. Apart from it, however, the table also comes with climatic adjusters which helps fine-tune for optimal play. Generally, this is a great model with numerous upsides but few downsides.
Professionals wouldn’t forgive us if we didn’t include something for them. With that in mind, we have included the Playcraft Telluride Pro-Style Shuffleboard Table, which probably sports the most beautiful design on this list. Besides featuring an electronic scoring system which helps take the stress out of keeping scores, the sidewall and gutters of this model are also carpeted, which aids maximum noise reduction.