Updated: September 18, 2018Playing ping pong is one of your best options if you want a quick indoor workout. The game itself is quite easy to set up: with just a pair of paddles and a ball you’re set to go- provided you have a ping pong table and some space to move around it. If you’re still looking for your right match: there are plenty of choices when it comes to ping pong tables, ranging from luxurious to lower-end options. The best brands that offer ping pong tables under $500 include STIGA, JOOLA, and GamePoint.Before you commit to any table, you should be aware of some important criteria for choosing the right ping pong table.Read through our quick buying guide and reviews below to find the best ping pong table for your needs at under $500.Our Best ChoiceSTIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis Table Check Latest Price Top Table Tennis Tables under $500ImageProduct NameBest ForPrice STIGA Vapor OutdoorBest under $500 Check Latest Price JOOLA Rally TL-300Best Indoor Table Check Latest Price STIGA AdvantageBest Competition-Ready Check Latest Price GamePoint Tables IndoorBest Affordable Check Latest Price JOOLA Midsize CompactBest for Small Spaces Check Latest Price Quick NavigationOur Best ChoiceSTIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis TableTop Table Tennis Tables under $500How to Choose the Perfect under $500 OptionThe Top 5 Best Ping Pong Tables Under $500 Reviews1. STIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis Table2. JOOLA Rally TL-300 Professional Grade Table Tennis Table Set3. STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Indoor Table Tennis Table4. GamePoint Tables Indoor Ping Pong Table5. JOOLA Midsize Compact Table Tennis TableFinal VerdictSTIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis TableHow to Choose the Perfect under $500 OptionThe best way to zero in on a good ping pong table is to know what you’re looking for.For our reviews, we’ve chosen to rate each table according to their features and durability, ease of setup and storage, playback mode, affordability, and warranty. Assessing each available ping pong table through the lens of these criteria will help you choose the best one for your home or space.Features and DurabilityFeatures and DurabilityPing pong tables come in a wide variety of designs and materials. The most expensive and durable models are completely waterproof and made of materials compliant with the standards of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).It is necessary that the ping pong table has sturdy legs, in addition to multiple coatings as protective layers from scratches and chipping, which means that the table should be scratch and fade-resistant.It should also be treated with resin to seal the wood and retain true bounce. Moreover, its joints should be rust-free and sturdy to withstand constant movement and weight pressure. If it comes with wheels and locks, however, these wheels and locks should also be of high quality.Easy of SetupEasy of SetupTable tennis is the best alternative to outdoor sports like tennis and basketball. It allows you to engage in fun exercise using minimal space. But we can’t always leave it set up in a room. So, the ping pong table should be easy and quick to assemble both the first time and every time you want to use it.Ideally, you should be able to completely assemble a ping pong table within 10 to 30 minutes. Moreover, you should be able to set it up even if you are alone. If it is difficult to assemble, then it isn’t a good buy. Compact StorageCompact StorageOf course, if it is easy to set up, it should also be compact, easy to store, and require minimum storage space. Always check for the table’s storage dimensions before buying it. It should also have wheels with locks for stability and easy portability. Playback ModePlayback ModeThe best way to play ping pong is to play the game with someone else. But, sometimes, you have to play solo if no one else is available. That’s why you should be able to set it up for playback mode, meaning that you can tip one side of the table up for rebounding. If it doesn’t allow you to fold one side up, then you might want to look for one that does.AffordabilityAffordabilityIt isn’t difficult to find a mix of affordability and quality. Be aware, though, that you’ll end up having a ping pong table that is less durable if you settle for one’s too far on the cheap side.For $500 and below, there are plenty of models available from brands that are known for great quality. Be on the lookout for trusted companies and avoid those who haven’t proven themselves in the market yet.WarrantyWarrantyGreat brands always offer a warranty on their tables. The warranty might be limited or full warranty. Either way, the warranty is your specific assurance that the product you get is true to its product description and is free of any defect. If a ping pong table doesn’t offer a warranty, you have to question why the company doesn’t stand by their product.The Top 5 Best Ping Pong Tables Under $500 ReviewsHere are the 5 best ping pong tables under $500. We’ve used the above mentioned criteria to rate them.Read through each to zero in on the right ping pong table for you.STIGA VaporBEST UNDER $500 Check Latest Price 1. STIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis TableIf you want a nice ping pong table for your porch, garage, or even indoor play room, the STIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis Table is definitely your best choice.It is designed to be weatherproof and has a powder-coated aluminum top with 1.25” (30mm) tubular steel support, welded brackets, and adjustable leg levelers. That means you can play outdoors with this table and leave the table there without worrying about the sun or weather damaging it.It features two independent table halves with folded supports that automatically open when you deploy the table. You can use each half independently for other purposes, such as eating surfaces, playing cards, etc. Each half is mounted on caster beams with 3” (76.2mm)-diameter locking wheels for easy movement and stability.The STIGA Vapor measures 60" (152.4cm) wide x 108" (274.3cm) long x 30" (76.2cm) high in its play position and comes with a 72-inch (183-cm) net with the post that you can clamp easily to the table. When stowed, it measures 60" (152.4cm) wide x 23” (58.4cm) deep x 64” (162.6cm) high with a shipping weight of 178.6 pounds or 81 kilograms.You can set this table up within 10 minutes as it comes 95% preassembled. You can also easily stack it away in any storage space by simply folding the table in half. It has self-opening legs for easy storage, and the dimensions of its storage position are 23” L x 60” W x 64” H.You can also set this table up for playback mode if you want to practice on your own. It features safety latches on its underside to hold it when it’s in a folded position or playback position.As for price, it is very affordable at less than $450. Moreover, it comes with a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty.JOOLA Rally TL-300Best Indoor Table Check Latest Price 2. JOOLA Rally TL-300 Professional Grade Table Tennis Table SetIf you want a good indoor only ping pong table within your budget, this one is definitely a nice option. The JOOLA Rally TL-300 is an extremely durable table with its tournament-quality frame. It’s a competition-grade 9 x 5-foot regulation-sized table, making it perfect for home, office, and community center use.The JOOLA Rally TL-300 is known for its durability. It has a 5/8" thick table top made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). This fiberboard has a multi-layered painted surface that provides consistent bounce.This table is supported by steel legs equipped with leg height adjusters that allow for level playing surface. Its detailed polyurethane paint process enhances resistance to ball marks and scratches. It also comes with corner ball holders and an abacus scorer for convenient play and ball storage.The good thing about this table is its ease of setup. It comes 95% preassembled and its assembling time is around 15 minutes. It comes with legs and eight bolts. The clamps are designed for easy attachment for the net.You can fold it into halves for easy storage. When folded, it rests on a 4-wheeled trolley system for easy of transport, and you can conveniently stack it away for safekeeping.You can also set this table up for playback mode. It is equipped with anti-tilting locks, allowing you to unfold one side for safe and sturdy playback. This ping pong table is definitely very affordable at less than $450 and it comes with a 30-day warranty.STIGA AdvantageBest Competition-Ready Check Latest Price 3. STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Indoor Table Tennis TableThe STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Table Tennis Table is one of your best choices when looking for a ping pong table under $500.As an indoor ping pong table, it is competition-ready with multiple roller coat finishes and silk-screen striping for added durability. It has a 5/8" thick table top and comes with an easily removable 72" net (182.9cm) with clamp-style post set. It is also equipped with a safety latch system, locking wheels, self-opening legs, and adjustable leg levelers.The STIGA Advantage is 95% preassembled, so you won’t have to do too much work to set it up. You will only need about 10 minutes to completely assemble it. Moreover, you can effortlessly roll and store this table away after folding it in half.It comes with 3" lockable casters for convenient movement, stable play, and storage. It also has a safety latch, steel legs that readily open, adjustable leg levers, and independent halves. Lastly, the dimensions of its storage position are 28” L x 60” W x 64” H, which is usually small enough for storing in even tight spaces.You can also easily set it for playback mode and practice ping pong alone. Its playback mode dimensions are 66” L x 60” W x 64” H. The STIGA Advantage is affordable at less than $400. It doesn’t come with a full-warranty. Most customers’ reviews, however, indicate that they are satisfied with this table and didn’t notice any defects.GamePoint Tables IndoorBest Affordable Check Latest Price 4. GamePoint Tables Indoor Ping Pong TableGamePoint Tables Indoor Ping Pong Table is one of the most affordable ping pong tables on our list.It is a tournament-style table with dimensions of 9ft x 5ft with 72” clamp style. Its durability is definitely high with its 5/8" composite table top that provides consistent bounce.It has steel legs with locking caster wheels that allow for easy movement and greater stability.This ping pong table is easy to assemble and comes 90% preassembled.It takes approximately 10 minutes to assemble this table. Moreover, it is foldable and easy to store.You can use the two-piece folding top of this table if you want to engage in easy playback mode.With regards to its price, it is at the lower end of the price spectrum, costing less than $300. It doesn’t come with a warranty though.JOOLA Midsize CompactBest for Small Spaces Check Latest Price 5. JOOLA Midsize Compact Table Tennis TableThe JOOLA Midsize Compact Table Tennis Table is ideal for use in apartments and small spaces.The other good benefit of this table is that you can also it for multiple purposes, as each half can be transformed into a separate multi-use table.The Midsize it is definitely durable!Its full dimensions are 72L x 36W x 30H inches and is very lightweight at 62 pounds. It is compliant with the international standards for ping pong tables and is perfect for tight places or practicing with kids.The JOOLA Midsize set includes a custom-sized net and post set with classic screw clamp design. It is easy to set up and can be folded for storage with dimensions of 36 x 36 inches.It also comes 100% preassembled so you will not need to do any further assembling upon receiving it. The Joola Midsize is not designed for playback mode.It is, however, very affordable at less than $185. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any warranty. Final VerdictSTIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis TableBest Ping Pong Table under $500 for Your Money Check Latest Price Based on our criteria, our recommendation for the best ping pong table under $500 is the STIGA Vapor Outdoor Table Tennis Table.Although many of these products share its qualities in terms of ease of setup and storage, playback mode, affordability, and warranty, the STIGA Vapor is the only one that has a weatherproof design.Its powder-coated aluminum top makes it the most durable and the most versatile model you can find for the price.It also exhibits awesome stability as it is supported by steel legs with welded brackets and adjustable leg levelers. It is just as easy to set up and store as the others and provides great playback.While it is a bit more expensive than some of the other ping pong tables under $500, it is still quite affordable! It also comes with a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty, so there’s no reason not to trust the quality.