If you have a certain affinity for football and value games, sports and excitement in equal measure, a foosball table is an ideal way to combine all factors. You no longer have to go to a restaurant to have lots of fun with the play equipment. You can play foosball with two or four people in your own four walls and have fun and exciting competitions with friends. If you are a little more ambitious, you can bring the device to the training camp, because real table football championships are now taking place.
In our large comparison, you will get to know different foosball table models and will surely find your personal favourite. In the guide that follows, we will tell you everything worth knowing and useful about the topic of foosball. We answer all important questions and you get an overview of the different models and their functionality. We also provide you with essential purchase criteria that you should take into account when making your purchase decision.
A foosball table is a piece of gaming equipment that is based on a real miniature football game in terms of shape and appearance. The game pieces are lined up on movable handlebars that extend across the entire playing field. Conventional foosball tables have eight guide rods, four of which are assigned to one player or one team. The classic division of players is: 1 goalkeeper, 2 defenders, 5 midfielders and 3 forwards. This means that eleven figures are available for each player or team.
As in a real football match, the goal in table football is to get the ball into the opponent's goal and score as many goals as possible. Apart from the mini foosball tables, all products are built according to a uniform principle. This is definitely advantageous for you, since you don't have to deal with the basic functions of your table football in more detail. Nevertheless, there are various differences in individual areas that can affect your individual usage behaviour:
Table football is only played with the hands of the respective participants. They use the handles of the poles, which are outside the field, to move the players on the field. You can rotate the figures around their own axis, pull them towards you or push them away from you. The respective position allows you to block your opponent as well as to prevent a shot on goal. If you are in attack yourself, carry out the movements to get the ball into the opposing half and ideally into the goal there. You can play with either two or four players, with teams always facing each other.
You usually bring the balls into the field via the ball slot, which is located on both sides of the foosball table. If you score a goal, remove the game ball from the corresponding device, which is basically on the front of the game device. Some models have an automatic ball return, so you don't have to do anything after a hit. Each goal can be set using the goal counter, so that you always have an up-to-date overview of the score.
Table football comes in different sizes and weights. They are designed for different age groups and levels of performance of the players, so that the individual usage options are taken into account by the manufacturer during production. Basically, foosball tables can be divided into three categories:
If you already have a lot of experience with table football, play tournaments regularly and possibly even play in a club or league, then you are one of the ambitious professionals in the segment. In this case, a professional foosball table is a good choice, because you can expect high quality and excellent workmanship. The devices are not only an ideal partner for big games, but also allow you intensive preparation and extensive training opportunities. The foosball tables for professionals are characterised above all by their particular stability and robustness. In addition, the weight is significantly higher compared to their hobby counterparts. However, the play equipment is in the upper price segment, whereby the investment for professional foosball fans ultimately proves to be worthwhile.
Now you have already learned important details about the properties, materials and functions of a foosball table. Nevertheless, we would like to introduce you to some important purchase criteria for your orientation, so that you can find the right piece of gaming equipment for your next foosball match:
Most manufacturers offer you a foosball table made of robust and solid materials. The body is usually made of MDF wood or plastic. With both variants, you can expect high quality and solid workmanship and you can assume that it is a good investment with a long service life. You don't have to pay much attention to the nature of the playing field, which is made of either plastic or shatterproof glass. Here, too, you can expect durable and safe products. The playing surface is excellent for playing on both surfaces and allows you to have a trouble-free match.
Foosball tables can vary greatly in terms of height, length and width. It doesn't matter whether you finally put your table football in the living room or children's room, in a hobby room or in a restaurant. If the dimensions do not correspond to your individual needs and space, you cannot use the model properly. Basically, you should consider the following dimensions when making your purchase decision:
The height in particular is an important criterion, as adults can quickly get back problems with lower measurements. Table football that does not have the recommended guidelines for taller players can be easily played by children and young people. If, on the other hand, you opt for a mini foosball table, the dimensions are generally below the ideal values described above.
Imagine you are four in an exciting match and suddenly the table football moves. In this way, you may run the risk of losing the ball and your opponents immediately launch a dangerous attack. In many cases, this is due to the fact that table football is too light, because the lightweights among the foosball tables do not offer you the stability you need for the game.
So if you often want to complete such exciting competitions, make sure that your gaming device has sufficient weight. We recommend that you choose a foosball table with a minimum weight of 70 to 75 kilograms. Mini foosball tables are the exception here, as the recommended weight does not play a significant role here.
Non-slip feet also ensure good stability, optimising the stability of your foosball table. This ensures wobble-free and undisturbed gaming. In addition, the slip resistance also protects your floor, because damage can quickly occur without the rubber covering, especially on parquet or laminate.
For the handles, which are mostly made of plastic, the key criteria are size and grip. For comfortable operation and good shooting technique, the handles should fit comfortably in the hand. Otherwise, your hands will hurt after a short time and you will not enjoy continuing the game. Therefore, make sure that the circumference corresponds to the proportions of your hands.
The grip is just as elementary in the game, because it transfers the mobility and power to the bars. We, therefore, recommend that you test both the scope and the grip of the handles sufficiently before making a final purchase decision.
When it comes to balls, you usually have the choice between products made of wood, cork or plastic. Which material is suitable for you depends on your individual requirements and playing skills.
If you value a particularly fast game, wooden kicker balls are a good choice. The products are extremely durable and rarely bounce off the field. Thanks to the smooth surface, you can hit super-hard power shots that cause major problems for your opponents. However, you have to reckon with an increased volume during the game.
Technically experienced players prefer a hard plastic ball. The surface is very rough, giving you excellent ball control. Furthermore, the plastic kicker ball allows you numerous technical finesse with which you confuse the opposing team. Similar to the wooden balls, this format is also very loud and can be disruptive to those around you.
If you prefer to play the foosball table on your own four walls, you should opt for a cork foosball ball. With such balls, the volume can be reduced by up to 80 per cent and you can continue action-packed games even late at night without getting into trouble with the neighbours. However, power football is not possible here, as you cannot achieve the speed of a ball made of wood or plastic with a cork kicker ball due to its lower weight.
Most foosball tables are delivered to you with two or three game balls. We recommend that you also buy a ball set made of different materials so that you can find your personal favourite.
Similar to a workbench or a desk, the right height is also an essential criterion for a foosball table. If you have to adopt a bad posture on the playground equipment for a long time, this often results in tension and back pain.
If your foosball table can be adjusted in height, you can set it up at the desired level. In this way, you avoid health problems and can play on the device easily and comfortably. The height is generally adjusted using screw devices on the legs.
Also, make sure your foosball table comes with some features for your convenience. Practical drink holders, which are usually attached to the front of the device, are useful here. There you can use your glass or bottle and have a refreshment during an exciting game. If you use the kicker frequently outdoors, we recommend a version with a glass cover. The material protects the pitch from moisture or excessive sunlight while preventing the ingress of dirt and other contaminants.
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