If you are considering having a ping pong table in your home but aren’t sure whether you want to buy the whole table, then a table tennis conversion top might be the best choice for you and your family.

Table tennis (commonly known as “ping pong) is a game that truly appeals to all ages. It can become more advanced for adults and experienced players, but the game itself is simple enough that even kids can play. As long as they are tall enough to stand by the table and have some basic coordination, they’ll be able to knock the ball back and forth.

So you know you want your family to be able to take advantage of this fun and simple game, but you’re not sure how to go about it. Should you buy a table tennis table? Or should you buy a table tennis conversion top?

Well, if you already have a pool table in your home, a conversion top is probably the way to go. A separate table just for ping pong takes up quite a bit of space, so unless you have extra space and anticipate wanting to use both games at the same time, there is no need to buy a whole separate table just for the ping pong.

Here’s how the conversion tops work. They’re designed to fit specific size pool tables. Make sure you either get an adjustable conversion top, or one that is measured to fit your specific pool table size (such as 7 feet or 8 feet, etc.).

The table tennis conversion top fits over top of the pool table, and is designed to not harm the pool table in any way. It covers and protects the pool surface, while providing a new table on top for you to play ping pong. Then when you are done, simply remove it, fold it in half, and store it away (or just lean it against a nearby wall).

The result is flexibility in your home by adding one more game without adding the full investment (of either money or space) required by an all new table tennis table. Conversion tops are a simple way to increase your family’s entertainment by adding a game that will last a long, long time.

If you are considering buying a table tennis conversion top, which will allow you to easily convert your pool table into a ping pong table, it’s good to know what to look for before you make a purchase.

First of all, consider the price range you want to be in. A conversion top for table tennis can range anywhere from $150 to $500 dollars, or maybe even higher. What you pay really depends on how much you want. The more you spend, the higher quality of top you are going to get. The highest priced tops aren’t always necessary, but you may find that the lower priced tops don’t give you what you are looking for either. For the purposes of most buyers, somewhere in the middle is more than sufficient.

When shopping for a table tennis conversion top, make sure the top you get will fit your pool table you have at home. This may seem like common sense, but not all pool tables are the same size, so you need to make sure you’re buying a product that you can actually use! Measure your pool table if you don’t know its dimensions before you go. Most pool tables are 7 or 8 feet in length, but some may be larger, so make sure you know what you need before you make a purchase.

Another thing to look for is how the conversion top is stored. You probably want one that can fold in half so that it is easy to store. If it doesn’t, you’re not much better off than if you just had a whole second table for the game.

Weather proofing is also an option. Most of these tops are designed for indoor play, but some will be able to be used for outdoor use. These are more on the higher end price-wise, though, so there’s not much sense in paying for that unless you anticipate actually using it outdoors.

Finally, you’ll want to decide the brand you want. Some of the biggest names in table tennis conversion tops are Stiga, Kilpatrick, Prince Sports, and DMI.

And as a parting thought, if you are concerned with the condition of your pool table, make sure you get a conversion top specifically designed to not to damage to the table underneath.