Last Updated on March 3, 2020 by Jake
Bubble Hockey is one of those games that is so fun and addicting that it will sneak up on you if you aren’t careful. My first experience with Bubble Hockey was at a friend’s house and I was hooked from the first game I played.
For those who aren’t aware, Bubble Hockey is an arcade style game where players manually control hockey figures and try to score more goals than their opponent. The game gets its name from the giant plastic dome that encloses the playing surface. Hint – it looks like a bubble.
Bubble hockey has a few cousins too. It’s very similar to rod hockey, table hockey, and is also known as dome hockey. And while it might make intuitive sense that it would be similar to air hockey, there are actually quite a few differences.
More on that later though! The main piece of equipment you’ll need for bubble hockey is the table itself. Most of them are quite expensive so it’s important to do your research before buying. To make things easy, we’ve created a list of our best bubble hockey table picks below!
Table of Contents
Top Picks – Quick Look:
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Carrom 425.01 Signature Stick Hockey Table with Pedestal (Red) | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Carrom 415 Super Stick Hockey Table | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Carrom 435.00 Signature Stick Hockey Table with Legs (Blue) | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Bubble Hockey Table Reviews:
CarromSignature Stick Hockey – Pedestal Base
Best Bubble Hockey Table Overall
- Red stick hockey table with sleek, stable pedestal base
- Custom-coated styrene surface supports faster passing and shooting
- Shatter-resistant plastic dome; heavy-gauge cabinet materials
- Battery-operated scoring unit celebrates goals with lights and sound
When it comes to the best bubble hockey table, you want something that’s going to last many years. That’s exactly what you get with the CarromSignature Stick Hockey Table. It’s got a pedestal base and weighs about 165 pounds, so it’s build very solidly.
All of the inner workings of the machine are well made too. If you’ve played bubble hockey before you know that games can get intense, and it’s easy to start slinging your players all over the board. The CarromSignature is built to handle even the most intense movements. Additionally, the dome is shatter resistant plastic, so the odds of you damaging this machine are extremely low.
Features wise it’s hard to ask for more out of a bubble hockey table. A battery operated scoreboard is inside the dome so it’s easy to see where you stand. There are optional sound effects for goals scored, and there are cup holders on the corners of the table too!
It measures 45.25″ L x 51″ W x 33.75″ inches, and a little more space will me needed on the length side for players to stand and operate the game.
Things We Like:
- Heavy duty – cabinets, shatter resistant dome, and interior are built for heavy use.
- Solid, sturdy base.
- Battery operated scoreboard with sound effects for goals.
- Surface slides well for efficient puck movement.
- Comes in red and blue colors.
- Corner drink holders.
Things We Don’t:
- Some customers have complained about the scoreboard not working on arrival. If this happens, let the seller know so they can help you fix it.
Hathaway Breakaway Dome Hockey Table
- COMFORTABLE GAMEPLAY - E-Z grip handles provide stress-free gameplay deep into overtime. Classic, LED electronic scoring provides fair and accurate competition.
- EASY-OPEN DOME TOP - A shatter-resistant, polycarbonate dome top keeps the action in play. It's also easy to open, thanks to a convenient swing top that makes it easy to clean and maintain.
- DURABLE PLAYFIELD - The bubble hockey table playfield is made from quality, engineered wood and is finished with a high-gloss, poly-sealed, scratch-resistant playing surface.
- DIMENSIONS: 41-in l x 36-in w x 52-in h
- 180-DAY WARRANTY - Your product comes with a 180-day manufacturer warranty. Your item will arrive damage free with all necessary parts and accessories.
When it comes to table games, Hathaway is a reputable manufacturer who makes all sorts of different tables for the game room. They also happen to make a great bubble hockey table too.
Similar to the Shelti, the Hathaway Breakaway Dome Hockey Table features a side mounted scoreboard to keep visual distractions to a minimum during gameplay. The dome has an easy lift feature that makes it incredibly simple to lift the shatter proof dome and keep your bubble hockey table clean.
When it comes to the playing field – a high quality, poly sealed, scratch resistant finish was used. This keeps the surface blemish free and gives it years of durability. The last feature we love about the Hathaway table is the design of their handle grips. They are super comfortable and slip resistant for those who get sweaty hands!
Things We Like:
- Easy lift feature for the dome.
- Side mounted scoreboard.
- Big, comfortable rod grips.
- Surface is scratch resistant and engineered to last.
- Comes with a 180 day manufacturer’s warranty.
Things We Don’t:
- No sound effects when goals are scored.
Carrom Super Stick Hockey Table
- Includes two pucks and one set of solid colored players
- Sets of hand painted players can be purchased seperately
- Sturdy, shatter-resistant plastic dome over the top
- 1 set of solid colored stick hockey players are included
- Measures 58 x 47 x 45.25 inches (W x H x D); weighs 140 pounds
The last item on our best bubble hockey table list is the Carrom Super Stick. It’s the cheapest bubble hockey table in this post, and is a great option if you’re trying to save a few bucks.
It still comes with all of the features you’d expect in a bubble hockey table. Shatter resistant plastic, easy to use rods, and a top mounted scoreboard all come with the table so you can begin playing right away.
The downside is that a few of the components, particularly the players, are cheaply made and will likely need replacement before too long.
Things We Like:
- Shatter proof plastic dome.
- LED scoreboard.
- Relatively lightweight at under 140 pounds.
- Under $1,000 price.
- Carrom customer service is really good.
Things We Don’t:
- The players that come with the table are cheaply made. Hand painted players can be purchased at additional cost.
- Poor sound effect quality.
Shelti Breakout Bubble Hockey Table
The Shelti Breakout Bubble Hockey Table gets our vote for the best bubble hockey table. Instead of a pedestal, it’s a table style with four legs. That’s a great alternative to the Carrom model we just reviewed if you want to be able to store things under your table. It’s also the best bubble hockey table for use with stools.
The rods used in the Shelti are chrome plated and incredibly smooth. Gameplay feels super natural, and you can notice how little friction there is when you move your players around. There’s a 2:1 turning ratio on the rods. This means that you only have to rotate the rod 180 degrees to make the attached player do a 360 degree rotation. It’s a perfect ratio for lively action and being able to react quickly to gameplay.
One nice little touch is that the infrared scoreboard is located on the side of the playing area. Some bubble hockey tables have it in the center of the bubble which can be a visual distraction. And as with most of the best bubble hockey tables, there are sound effects that add to the excitement when a goal is scored.
Things We Like:
- Table style with 4 legs – great for using stools.
- Side mounted infrared scoreboard.
- Chrome plated rods with 2:1 player to rod turning ratio.
- Surface slides well for efficient puck movement.
Things We Don’t:
- A few (not many) customers have needed to replace player bearings after a couple of years of use.
Blue Line Hockey Slapshot 52 in. Dome Hockey Table
Shelti makes a second model of bubble hockey table that’s more akin to the original manufacturer of the game, Chexx. It’s got a pedestal base and is 52″ long, making it one of the best bubble hockey table options on the market today.
You’ve probably noticed that we like scoreboards that are side mounted. The Blue Line checks that box, and features sound effects when goals are scored. Chrome plated rods that are pre lubricated give a really nice smoothness to the game.
Just like the other Shelti bubble hockey table on this list, the players spin at a 2:1 ratio from the rod movement. So if you move your rod 180 degrees, your player will spin 360 degrees. This is a great feature for encouraging fast paced games.
Things We Like:
- Heavy duty pedestal style table.
- Side mounted infrared scoreboard.
- Chrome plated rods with 2:1 player to rod turning ratio.
- Surface slides well for efficient puck movement.
Things We Don’t:
- A little more expensive than other tables on this list.
- The quality of the sound effects may leave you wanting more.
Best Bubble Hockey Table Buying Tips
A bubble hockey table is quite the investment. Typically, a table will run you at least $1,000. Any time you are spending that kind of dough, it’s important to do your homework before purchasing. Here are a few things to look out for when looking for the best bubble hockey table:
Pedestal vs Table Style
Some machines have a pedestal base, which is typically pretty heavy but also will be the most sturdy. This is the style you’d find in an authentic arcade, and is probably truer to the roots of bubble hockey.
Table style, on the other hand, has 4 legs like any traditional table. You will sacrifice a little bit in sturdiness, but your table will most likely weigh less. 20 pounds in weight can make a big difference when you’re moving the table down to your basement! Table style machines are also more conducive to using stools to sit while you play, because they can conveniently fit under the table when not in use.
Scoreboard Location
This might sound nit picky, but it’s actually quite important to some people. Bubble hockey scoreboards are either mounted on top of the dome, or on the side of it.
Top mounted scoreboards are easy to see – sometimes too easy. Depending on where the puck is and the design of the dome, a top mounted scoreboard can actually get in the way of you seeing the puck.
Side mounted scoreboards on the other hand are more out of the way. You’ll never have the scoreboard block your sightline to the puck, but it’s also harder to check the score in game. This is something to think about what your preferences are before you buy!
Rod Durability
The rods are what you use to control your players. Rod construction is often also an indicator of how well the rest of the bubble hockey table is made too.
Pay attention to product reviews that specifically mention the rods. You want rods that are smooth, easy to turn, and have comfortable handles. All of those things will contribute majorly to how good the gaming experience of the table is.
Wrap Up
I hope this post has been helpful for you in your search for the best bubble hockey table! If there’s a model you feel like we left out, please let us know in the comments section below.
Need more ideas for your game room? Check out our mega post of game room ideas next!
Last update on 2022-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API