It may be giving bachelor pad or dad shed, but having a pool table at home can be fun for all the family. For households with teenage kids especially, it's a chance to engage in a game that doesn't involve any screens and instead exercises focus, hand-eye coordination and strategy in real time.
According to Google Trends, the 'must-have' home furnishing in January 2023 was a dining pool table. These hybrid designs allow folks to sink a few shots after dinner without the need for an additional table. They were so popular, we did a whole roundup on them.
With Christmas and family gatherings sparkling on the horizon, our attention has refocused on a spin-off of such tables: the folding kind.
While one wouldn't necessarily wish to tuck into turkey and all the trimmings on one, they are perfect for keeping crowds of friends and family entertained beyond festive dance-offs, rounds of Monopoly and Christmas beer pong. Some designs offer just the table, while others have storage for accessories like snooker and pool balls, chalk and pool cues, so you have everything you need to get the next game racked up.
Many are built with storage in mind too, folding vertically so that they can easily slide between cupboards or behind doors, taking up the bare minimum of space. So while you may not have space for a pool table in the traditional sense, a folding design is a far more persuasive purchase.
If you're considering a folding pool or snooker table, we've rounded up the best options to buy below.
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Pongori Folding American Pool Table BT 500 US - Grey
- Dimensions: 79 x 140 x 75cm
- Weight: 33kg
It's easy to sharpen up your pool skills when you've got a table of your own at home. Pongori's design offers play for American pool and once constructed, takes just three minutes to unfold and be ready for action.
Unlike many pool tables, the felt covering is coloured grey, allowing it to blend with interiors more and while it isn't removable, a brush is included for cleaning while a cover is also there to protect it from dust and spills. The folding leg mechanism is easy to use and the frame includes storage to display the 15 spotted and striped balls nicely.
The whole table is set on lockable castor wheels so you can roll it into the best position with plenty of clearance space to use your 122cm-long cues, which are also included. In all, a well-designed pool table for kids and adults to use alike.
Sold with a two-year warranty.
Buy now £269.99, Decathlon
ALPIKA 4FT 4 in 1 Muliti Sports Game Table
- Dimensions: 115 x 68 x 15cm
- Weight: 23kg
You'll wear out your doorbell with eager friends and family coming round for games night with this multi-functional sports table at home. Alpika's 4ft design allows you to invite pals over for foosball, pool, slide hockey, and table tennis tournaments, guaranteeing hours of indoor fun. Made from engineered wood, the size and design make it one for kids aged three and up to play with, although adults can also join in and show them how it's done.
The table is made with strong chrome-plated steel rods for stability and easy grip handles to make it easier and more comfortable for young ones to hold. Folding upright once the games are over, there's even an accessories box to store all the bits and pieces in, keeping clutter at bay. While the table comes with a host of accessories, you may wish to invest in new table tennis paddles to enhance your game.
Buy now £136.59, Amazon
Riley 6ft Folding Snooker and Pool Table
Measures: 184 x 95 x 79cm
Weight: 52kg
Why play one game when you can get a table that allows you to play four? Riley's nifty design allows you to play pool and snooker while an extra mat puts table tennis on the schedule. Once you've tired of those, exercise your throwing arm by flipping the vertical folding leg system up to reveal a soft-tip dart board on the back. If that wasn't enough, this table comes with all the accessories needed to play the games: think a set of 1.3/4-inch snooker balls, 1.3/4-inch spots and stripes pool balls, triangles and two (48-inch/122cm) cues.
Buy now £389.00, Amazon
Gamesson Crucible Snooker Table 6ft
- Dimensions: 184 x 82 x 93cm
- Weight: 35.7kg
This adult-sized pool table spans six feet, giving teens and adults the feel of a traditional design. Made with a robust steel frame with folding legs to facilitate storage, Gamesson's table comes complete with snooker balls, two cues measuring 122cm and a triangle. The best part is that construction is minimal, so you can start thrashing your first opponent in next to no time.
Buy now £420.00, Argos
Tekscore 5 Foot Folding Leg Multi Games Table
- Dimensions: 161 x 83 x 76cm
- Weight: 43kg
Get more from your games night with this dual-play table, which turns into a air hockey table when you're done playing pool. Made from sturdy MDF, the table rotates to allow for play for each game and folds upright for compact storage and the smallest footprint. Blue cloth ensures that the balls roll smoothly while rubber pockets and net drop pockets make potting the 8-ball even more of a joy. Best to position this table by a mains socket if you wish to play air hockey so that the 1500 jets can do their job properly.
Accessories are also included for free: think two 36-inch cues, a set of 1 7/8" spots n' stripes balls, chalk, a triangle and a rail brush for pool, and
two air hockey pushers and two pucks. Assembly required.
Buy now £349.00, Liberty Games
HLC 5FT Folding Kids Pool Snooker Billiards Table
- Dimensions: 140 x 74.3 x 80.3cm
- Weight: 17kg
For pool purists who want to teach kids the game, this pool table keeps things simple. Set on fold-down legs, the MDF design is light enough to move into free space and can be stored under beds or in cupboards when not in use. The table comes with the requisite accessories for play, from brushes and racks to balls and cues. You'll even get some chalk to use on cue tip - talk about the complete package.
Buy now £162.99, Amazon
Hy-Pro 6ft Folding Snooker and Pool Table
- Dimensions: 184 x 92 x 78.5cm
- Weight: 39kg
Bring the snooker hall to your games room with this folding table, which you can also use to play pool. The green felt surface is covered with the usual markings so you can hone the finer points of your game and a set of balls and cues come with the table so you can start playing immediately. Assembly is required but it's straightforward and leaves you with a sturdy table that friends and family will be lining up to play with.
If you prefer a smaller design, a 5ft version is currently on sale for £106, down from £160.
Buy now £179.00, Argos
Hy-Pro 4ft 6in Folding Snooker and Pool Table
- Dimensions: 139.2 x 74 x 80cm
- Weight: 16.5kg
One of the cheapest entrants on our list, you can instantly see where the extra money for more expensive options goes. Still, if you're looking for a starter folding pool table to teach kids the basics of the game, this is a lower-cost buy that won't break the bank. The legs fold up into the base of the table, making storage easy - sling a throw over it to protect it from dust and make it less of an eyesore.
The budget buy may scrimp on some elements of the design, but not when it comes to accessories: this table comes with 38mm 1.5-inch snooker balls and 6 extra yellow balls for pool games, 2 x 36-inch and 1 piece wooden cues, two triangles, chalk, scoreboard and cloth brush.
Sold with a one-year manufacturer's guarantee.
Buy now £100.00, Argos
Verdict
For elegant looks and a high-quality frame that's easy to unfold as well as store, the Pongori Folding American Pool Table is our pick of the pool tables. It looks good from every angle.
If, however, you're after multifunctionality, Alpika's four-in-one design puts plenty of action on the table.