Air hockey tables are a really popular arcade game that you can also buy for home use, which is great fun for children and adults. The range of air hockey tables available is vast, with price tags ranging from $60 to in excess of $2000.
The smaller tabletop version of the air hockey game will usually cost less than $100, but if you want a more generously-sized table that is longer lasting, then you should expect to pay between $200 and $300 for a good quality model.
For more impressive air hockey tables with various features such as lighting and sound effects, then $1000 would be a more reasonable budget, though you can spend far more than this if you want a really authentic style air hockey table.
When shopping for an air hockey table, there are a lot of things to consider to ensure the table is going to be suitable for your home and your family, and these considerations are also going to impact the cost.
The key things that are going to increase the cost of an air hockey table are the size of it and the materials it is made from, but the power source and additional features can also add on a significant amount.
Size
The size of an air hockey table is going to affect the price, with a larger table typically costing more than a smaller one. You can find air hockey tables in a wide variety of sizes.
A regulation size table is 84 inches long and 48 inches wide, which is the equivalent of 7 feet by 4 feet, but if you can’t accommodate a table this large at home, you can get a compact table or even a tabletop version that can be set out on a dining table when you want to play.
Folding tables are also available if storage is an issue, though these tend to be lower quality compared with solid tables. Compact air hockey tables will typically measure somewhere between 12 inches wide and 20 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 40 inches long. Arcade size air hockey tables are even bigger than regulation full-size tables, and these can measure as much as 8 feet long. Most air hockey tables will be intended for two players to use at once, while some of the larger models can allow for four players to play together.
Material
The material which is used to construct an air hockey table is going to be key in deciding the price of it. A table made from stronger materials is going to be of a higher quality and be more long-lasting, so you can expect to pay more for this kind of table compared to one made from lower-quality materials. The most impressive air hockey tables tend to be made from solid wood, steel, or other cast metals.
Some may also have wood veneer panels. You can expect to pay a premium for air hockey tables made from these materials because they are a higher quality, and they cost more to produce.
A large hockey table made from durable materials can cost in excess of $1500, while a plastic table of the same size may be just a few hundred dollars.
Power Source
The power source of the air hockey table will make a difference to how powerful it is, as well as the price. Battery-operated air hockey tables may be cheaper, but they can cost more in the long run as you need to continually replace batteries. These types of air hockey tables also tend to be lower quality, cheaper models.
If you are going to be playing on your air hockey table frequently, then a corded option that will plug into the mains power will be more convenient and will also make for a more powerful table that is more like playing on an air hockey table at an arcade.
Features
Different types of air hockey tables will come with different features, and of course, the more features a table has, the more it is likely to cost. When looking for an air hockey table to purchase, consider which types of features are most important to you and which are just gimmicks that aren’t really going to make much of a difference to your games.
Some of the features air hockey tables can have include an automated scoreboard, sound effects, and LED lights that flash when a person scores. Some types of air hockey tables have a convertible surface which allows you to flip it over and use it as a different type of games table, such as ping pong.
Style
The style of the air hockey table may or may not be important to you, but it certainly can affect cost. A table that is very flashy and has the look of an arcade hall games table is likely going to cost more, but it will make a huge impact in your home and look really authentic when you have parties or invite guests over to play.
Smaller and less expensive air hockey tables tend to look more basic, but this is a good way to keep costs down if you are shopping on a budget and aren’t too bothered about style.
Air-Flow
The air-flow is going to make the biggest overall difference to your game playing because if the air-flow motor is too small, then your play is going to be quite slow, whereas a stronger motor will give you an experience that is more like arcade air hockey games.
A good motor will also result in a consistent airflow that means the puck travels smoothly and is equal across both sides of the table to ensure fair play. For a high-performance table, you should be looking at fan motors which are at least 100-volts. The airflow power is also going to affect the cost, with higher-powered motors usually adding a higher price tag onto the air hockey table.
