If you’re looking for a good quality ping pong table then models by Butterfly, Stiga and Joola probably cropping up in your search. These are some of the best brands in the table tennis business and they’re all great ones to look at if you’re looking for quality and value for money.
In this article, I’ll compare Butterfly, Stiga and Joola tables so you can decide which is the best brand to go with.
The Quick Answer
Stiga are the best brand compared to Butterfly and Joola in terms of value for money as they offer thicker tops at lower prices. Butterfly and Joola are best for very high-end tables and when considering the most expensive table in the range, they are a better overall quality compared to Stiga.
With all three brands, you’ll get a good quality table which is built to last. It’s best to look at each model individually rather than the brands as a whole in order to make sure you choose the best option.
What to Look For in a Ping Pong Table
Since all the tables from Butterfly, Joola and Stiga are good quality, you should look more at the features and the price when making your choice. In the next section, I’ll help you identify the best models in your budget, but you need to consider what specifications your looking for in a table.
Here are my main recommendations:
- Look for the thickest top in your budget. The general rule is that thicker tops result in a better playing experience. Check out my guide to table top thickness for more info.
- The bigger the wheels are the better. Whilst 2″ wheels will help you get the table from A to B, bigger wheels are more durable and less likely to get damaged.
- Consider the frame size and material. Thicker frames not only look more premium but also mean the table is more robust. The only downside is that it will add some extra weight.
- Look at what accessories the table comes with. Paddles and balls are useful, but you’ll always get better quality ones if you purchase them separately, but make sure the table comes with a decent net.
- More premium tables usually have extra features such as built-in storage, ball dispensers and adjustable legs for uneven ground which can be very handy.
The Ranges
It’s hard to compare table tennis brands as a whole as they have such large ranges. In order to give you some more useful information, in the next section I’ll compare all the main ping pong table models from each brand so you can get an idea of which models are best suited to you and then you can look at them more closely once you’ve narrowed down your search.
The section is split into the following categories:
- Mid-Size Tables
- Indoor Tables
- Outdoor Tables
Each category includes a table to show all the main models at the time of writing in each brands range so you can get an idea of which tables are comparable within your budget.
Mid-Size Tables
If you want a space-saving mid-size table then Joola and Stiga are the best options to look for. Joola’s cheapest table, the Midsize Sport has some good specifications so is the best option for most people and spending much more isn’t likely to pay off.
Butterfly’s offering in this category is comparatively expensive and although slightly larger, has a thinner top which results in a less consistent bounce compared to the 16 mm tops found on Joola’s and Stiga’s mid-sized tables.
| Ping Pong Table | Size | Top Thickness | Average Price |
| JOOLA Midsize Sport | 72” x 36” x 30” | 16 mm | $170 |
| Stiga Space Saver | 71 x 40.5 x 30” | 16 mm | $250 |
| JOOLA Midsize | 72” x 36” x 30” | 16 mm | $260 |
| Butterfly Junior | 81 x 45 x 30” | 12 mm | $500 |
Indoor Tables Under $500
Stiga offer the best value for money when looking at full-size tables under $500 compared to Joola. Unfortunately, Butterfly don’t offer any full-size tables under $500 at the time of writing. The best options here in my opinion are the Stiga Volt and Stiga Advantage. The 16 mm top on these tables offers a great playing experience despite the low price point.
| Ping Pong Table | Top Thickness | Wheel Size | Average Price |
| Stiga Advance/ Force/ Impact/ Legacy/ ST2100 | 13 mm | 2” | $350 |
| Stiga Volt/ Goldstar | 16 mm | None | $400 |
| Stiga Advantage Lite | 13 mm | 2” | $400 |
| Stiga Advantage | 16 mm | 3” | $470 |
| JOOLA Inside 13 | 13 mm | 3” | $480 |
| Stiga ST3100 | 19 mm | 3” | $500 |
| Stiga ST3600 | 16 mm | 3” | $500 |
Indoor Tables Between $500-$800
The top pick in this price bracket has to be the Stiga ST4100 with its tournament-grade 25 mm top which offers a professional level playing experience despite it’s low price. When looking at Joola and Butterfly, the top thickness is pretty poor compared to Stiga’s offerings.
| Ping Pong Table | Top Thickness | Wheel Size | Average Price |
| Stiga STS185 | 19 mm | 3” | $550 |
| Stiga Advantage Pro | 19 mm | 4” | $600 |
| JOOLA Tour 1500/ Rapid Play 150/ Inside 15 | 15 mm | 3” | $630 |
| Stiga ST4100 | 25 mm | 5” | $700 |
| JOOLA Noctis | 19 mm | 3” | $750 |
| JOOLA Inside 18/ Rapid Play 180/ Tour 1800 | 18 mm | 3” | $790 |
| Stiga STS385 | 19 mm | 5” | $800 |
| Butterfly Compact 16 | 16 mm | None | $800 |
| Butterfly Active 19 | 19 mm | 2” | $800 |
Indoor Tables Between $800-$1000
Tables in this price bracket don’t offer much more than the cheaper Stiga ST4100 discussed above. However, you do start to see thicker tops from Joola and Butterfly here so it may be worth stepping up to this price point if you’re looking for a table from either of these two brands.
| Ping Pong Table | Top Thickness | Wheel Size | Average Price |
| Butterfly Playback 19 | 19 mm | 5” | $825 |
| Butterfly Easifold 16 | 16 mm | 3” | $850 |
| JOOLA Rapid Play 250/ Tour 2500/ Inside 25 | 25 mm | 4” | $875 |
| Butterfly Compact 19 | 19 mm | None | $880 |
| Butterfly Personal 19 | 19 mm | 5” | $900 |
| Butterfly Timo Boll Joylite | 16 mm | None | $900 |
| Stiga Onyx | 25 mm | 3” | $900 |
| Butterfly Easifold 19 | 19 mm | 3” | $950 |
| Butterfly Active 19 Deluxe | 19 mm | 2” | $1000 |
| Stiga STS520 | 25 mm | 5” | $1000 |
Indoor Tables Between $1250-$1750
This is where things start getting much more premium. Tables in this price bracket have a much sturdier frame and larger wheels making them easier to transport. Again, Stiga have some excellent options here such as the Expert Roller with its 25 mm top and 4″ wheels and the Optimum 30 with it’s super thick 30 mm top.
Disappointingly, at the time of writing Joola does not offer any 25 mm top tables in this price bracket, and Butterfly’s only options are the fairly expensive National League 25 and Club 25.
| Ping Pong Table | Top Thickness | Wheel Size | Average Price |
| Butterfly Easifold DX 22 | 22 mm | 3” | $1280 |
| Stiga Expert Roller | 25 mm | 4” | $1300 |
| Butterfly Timo Boll Repulse | 16 mm | 4” | $1325 |
| JOOLA 2000-S | 22 mm | None | $1350 |
| Stiga Optimum 30 | 30 mm | 4” | $1400 |
| JOOLA Duomat | 22 mm | 5” | $1500 |
| Butterfly Premium 19 | 19 mm | 4” | $1550 |
| Butterfly Easyplay 22 | 22 mm | 5” | $1550 |
| JOOLA Falcon Indoor | 22 mm | 6” | $1600 |
| Butterfly National League 25/ Club 25 | 25 mm | 4” | $1600 |
| Butterfly Space Saver 22 | 22 mm | 3” | $1650 |
| Butterfly Match 22 | 22 mm | 4” | $1650 |
| JOOLA Rollomat | 22 mm | 4” | $1700 |
Indoor Tables Over $1750
If you’re looking for a very premium table then Butterfly is usually the best option to go for with a few different styles to suit different tastes. If you’re looking for a table in this price bracket then make sure it has a 25 mm top as otherwise you’ll be overpaying in my opinion.
| Ping Pong Table | Top Thickness | Wheel Size | Average Price |
| Stiga Premium Compact | 25 mm | 5” | $1800 |
| JOOLA Madeira Indoor | 22 mm | 6” | $1800 |
| Butterfly Nippon 22 | 22 mm | 5” | $1875 |
| Butterfly Europa 25 | 25 mm | 5” | $1980 |
| JOOLA 3000SC Pro | 25 mm | 5” | $2100 |
| Butterfly Octet | 25 mm | 4” | $2100 |
| Butterfly Centrefold 25 | 25 mm | 5″ | $2500 |
Outdoor Tables
If you’re looking for a more affordable outdoor table then Stiga and Joola are the brands to look at. If you are looking for a thicker top for a better playing experience then the Joola Outdoor TR is an excellent choice. Butterfly offer quite a few outdoor tables but they only cater for more hefty budgets.
| Ping Pong Table | Top Thickness | Wheels | Average Price |
| Stiga Vapor/ XTR | 6 mm | Yes | $600 |
| JOOLA Outdoor | 6 mm | Yes | $600 |
| JOOLA Rapid Play Outdoor | 6 mm | Yes | $660 |
| Stiga XTR Pro | 6 mm | Yes | $700 |
| JOOLA Nova Pro Plus | 6 mm | Yes | $870 |
| JOOLA Outdoor TR | 22 mm | Yes | $940 |
| Butterfly Compact Outdoor | 12 mm | Yes | $1060 |
| Butterfly Easifold Outdoor | 12 mm | Yes | $1100 |
| Butterfly Playback Outdoor | 5 mm | Yes | $1150 |
| Butterfly Park Outdoor | 6 mm | No | $1725 |
| Butterfly Timo Boll Crossline Outdoor | 5 mm | Yes | $1875 |
| JOOLA Externa | 22 mm | No | $3000 |
| JOOLA City | 22 mm | No | $4000 |