Last Updated on July 12, 2021 by Jake
The thing I like the most about foosball is its amazing versatility. It can be a fun, casual game for the whole family to enjoy, yet it may get extremely competitive when you’re playing with friends. Sometimes you might want to take the game outdoors (either because there is no room for it in the house… or foosball just goes well with barbecue and beer!) But can any table be used outdoors?
I would say… no. Leaving an indoor table in the open air for too long is an open invitation for rust and deterioration.
So, today, I’ll review some of the best outdoor foosball tables in the market right now that can stand up to harsh elements. Let’s see!
Table of Contents
Short on Time? Here Is a Quick Summary:
Table could not be displayed.Review of the 6 Best Outdoor Foosball Tables:
In each of the following reviews, I’ll dive into the details of each table to find out about the construction, weight, rod design, and much more.
Garlando G-500 Weatherproof Outdoor Foosball Table – Most Family Friendly
The first table on my list comes from one of the oldest sport and leisure manufacturers: Garlando has been satisfying its customers since the ‘50s.
Their G-500 model features a sturdy, high-quality multi-layer plywood construction that pushes the weight to a hefty 170 lbs. And to make it resistant to weather elements, they coated the whole table with a waterproof plastic laminate.
Do your games often get aggressive? If so, this table won’t disappoint.
Thanks to its 4-inch stainless steel legs, you can rest assured of its support and stability. Garlando equipped the four legs with nylon levelers so that you can play over any surface, no matter how bumpy.
Although Garlando claims that all the foosmen are counterbalanced, most customers reported that this is only true for the goalies and defensive backs, not attackers and midfielders.
And to make this table family-friendly, Garlando chose to use chromium-plated telescopic rods that don’t poke through the other side. But it’s important to know that this design inevitably makes the shots less accurate.
Specs
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Size: 56” x 35”
- Warranty: 1-year
- Rods: chromium-plated, telescopic
Pros
- Easy installation
- Attractive color scheme
- Durable, rust-proof construction
Cons
- A bit expensive
- The handles are a bit small
- The foosmen are permanently welded to the rods
Kettler Carrara Outdoor Foosball Table – Best Design
Want something to fit well alongside your luxury patio furniture? This table from Kettler is your best bet.
Although it’s built from wood, Kettler finished it with vinyl that looks strikingly similar to the famous Italian Carrara marble. And without a doubt, this surface finish is treated to endure the harshest weather.
Just like the Garlando, this table has chromium-plated telescopic rods. But thanks to the longer handles, the control and precision are a bit enhanced. However, the lack of counterbalanced foosmen may leave you to the unfound mercy of gravity.
Speaking of the foosmen, they’re made from plastic that’s supposedly unbreakable. I only wish Garlando hadn’t permanently molded them to the rods; replacing cracked foosmen would be extremely hard.
My least favorite thing about this table is the weight. At 120 lbs, it might not be sturdy enough for intense games. However, if you managed to find your way around that, the extra-slick melamine playing surface would be more than ideal for fast-paced games.
Specs
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Size: 58” x 30”
- Warranty: 3-years
- Rods: chromium-plated, telescopic
Pros
- Hassle-free assembly
- It comes with a waterproof cover
- It comes with 5x cork balls
Cons
- The ball bounces weirdly off the corners
Garlando Folding Weatherproof Outdoor Foosball Table – Easiest Storage
We’re back again with Garlando, but this time with a unique table that suits people with restricted space. After you finish playing, you can easily fold this table by flipping the handles present on both ends. Afterward, you’ll be free to store it upright against your fence.
Contrary to common belief, the foldable design isn’t necessarily flimsy. Garlando built the cabinet and legs from compound plastic materials that were reinforced with fiberglass.
Instead of the regular standalone legs, Garlando joined the legs on each side with a fretwork that adds a lot to the overall stability. All in all, the table weighs about 180 lbs, which guarantees rock-solid performance.
Unfortunately, this table doesn’t feature leg levelers. This fact limits its potential to recreational family fun that won’t mind some crookedness. That said, the chrome-plated rods had to be telescopic; regular solid rods would’ve been unduly dangerous.
Although Garlando ships a waterproof cover with most of its foosball tables, this one doesn’t feature this perk. Still, you can find dozens of covers that match its size.
Specs
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Size: 60” x 40”
- Warranty: 1-year
- Rods: chrome-plated, telescopic
Pros
- It comes pre-assembled (you’ll only need to fix the rods)
- Small storage footprint
- Smooth playing surface
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a waterproof cover
Garlando Master PRO Outdoor Foosball Table – A Foldable Alternative
If you liked the foldable build of the previous table, you should also consider this one before making a purchase. As the name implies, the Master PRO is geared toward professional, heavy-duty use.
With 20-mm-thick waterproof plywood construction, this table weighs a whopping 200 lbs. Although this makes it quite hard to fold after you finish playing, it’s still a valuable perk that provides superior stability.
And like most of the other tables, the Master PRO is coated with plastic laminate via waterproof glue. This should guarantee prolonged durability with a hermetic seal.
Specs
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Size: 64” x 35”
- Warranty: 1-year
- Rods: chrome-plated, telescopic
Pros
- The goalies can spin 360 degrees
- Easy assembly
- Ergonomic handles
Cons
- The playing surface is 5 inches narrower than the average
René Pierre Tahiti Outdoor Foosball Table – Most Ecofriendly
Want a table that can live for years on end? This table from René Pierre won’t disappoint.
First things first, the cabinet and the legs are made from Medex, a type of wieldy MDF. Unlike regular wood, the formaldehyde-free adhesive system makes it naturally waterproof without needing an additional vinyl coat.
Best of all, this wood is based on pre-consumer recycled wood fiber, meaning that it doesn’t require cutting new, virgin trees. This fact makes the table ideal for people concerned about their environmental footprint.
In contrast to most of the other outdoor tables, René Pierre used metal foosmen that are fixed to the rods via removable screws – which means you can easily replace them with, say, the latest .
Specs
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Size: 60” x 41”
- Warranty: 1-year
- Rods: telescopic with 3-layer chromium plating
Pros
- The telescopic handles are safe for kids
- Easy assembly
- Hefty construction
Cons
- Expensive
- Absence of leg leveler
Kettler Weatherproof Outdoor Foosball Table – Most Affordable
If you’re looking to save some bucks, you’ll want to consider this table from Kettler. It’s not that “cheap,” but it’s certainly the most affordable in the outdoor category.
Although low prices generally equate with poor quality, this isn’t the case here. Kettler made this table from high-quality laminates and weatherproof resin, guaranteeing excellent performance against the elements.
Kettler decided to opt for a glass surface for the playing area that allows for high-speed ball maneuvers.
The featured rods are of the telescopic type, making his table safe for short kids. The foosmen are made from “unbreakable” plastic molded over the rods without nails to avoid frequent loosening.
Instead of the typical rubber, Kettler used metal spring bumpers. This design widens the range within which your rods can move, but it’s a bit unreliable in terms of durability.
Specs
- Weight: 132 lbs
- Size: 68” x 46”
- Warranty: 1-year
- Rods: telescopic, chromium-plated
Pros
- The playing surface is 6” wider than the average
- The glossy playfield makes the table look more attractive
- It comes with a waterproof cover
Cons
- The handles are a bit thin
The Typical Parts of an Outdoor Foosball Table and How to Buy Them
No matter how authentic your outdoor foosball table is, you’ll need to replace some of its parts at some point. If you’re not familiar with the typical construction of the table, you’ll have a hard time finding high-quality spare parts.
Let’s see what makes a foosball table:
1. Foosball Table Legs and Levelers
Despite being often overlooked, I think the table legs are one of the most important parts to consider in a foosball table. If you picked them too thin, stability wouldn’t be ideal, especially that you’re taking the table outdoors.
Besides the sturdy construction, the legs must be equipped with levelers. These come as small conical parts that have a threaded end. By rotating them, these levelers can raise or lower each leg separately. This way, you’ll be able to play normally over crooked or bumpy ground.
2. Rod Bearings
The are the small rubber parts that line the rod openings in the side panels. In other words, they’re the sleeves that allow the rods to move and swivel without rubbing the actual table.
If you started noticing that some rods are getting heavier than usual, inspect the bearings before anything else. If you visualized cracks or crevices, you’d need to replace those bearings right away.
What happens if you don’t? Well, defective bearings won’t protect the table as well as they should. This might cut down on your table’s lifespan, even if it’s still fairly new.
3. Rod Bumpers
The are the small parts that prevent the foosmen from striking the side panels.
Ideally, those bumpers should be made of rubber. However, some low-end tables feature metal springs. Although they allow the foosmen to come closer to the walls, they’re not the best in durability.
4. Rod Silicone
Technically speaking, can’t be considered as a foosball part. However, it’s super important in maintenance.
Spraying the rods with silicone will keep them clean and lubricated. Not only will this improve your playing experience, but it’ll also lengthen the overall lifespan of the table parts.
5. Foosball Rods
Without a doubt, the construction of the rods would be the main factor determining your foosball experience.
Owing to the less metal content, hollow rods can provide a fast-paced game with featherlight swiveling.
On the contrary, solid rods enable the players to make precise shots with explosive force. That’s why professionals and tournament players always prefer them.
What About Telescopic Rods?
Solid and hollow rods are made of a single piece of metal that goes back and forth. On the other hand, Telescopic rods are made of two parts: a core and a sleeve.
With the sleeve fitted above the core, telescopic rods will retract onto themselves instead of poking through the other side of the table. This way, they can be way safer than the original version.
If you’re getting the outdoor foosball table for your young kids, telescopic rods would be a no-brainer (i.e., it prevents them from getting hit by the protruding rods, especially when the game gets competitive).
Professionals, however, don’t appreciate their undue friction and complicated maintenance, so a table with solid rods would be a better choice for them.
Should the Rods Be Chromium-Plated?
Chrome, aka chromium, is used to plate all sorts of metals, from automotive parts to small screws. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, chrome is mandatory for any outdoor foosball table. Without it, you’ll start noticing significant rusting at the ends of each rod.
Thankfully, it’s not only about rustproofing: Chromium plating ramps up the hardness of your rods, which improves their ability to withstand heavy mechanical contact without showing physical wear.
This would be especially helpful if you ever decide to upgrade your foosmen. Since the process requires lots of hammering, the rods can get indented without chrome plating.
6. Handles
The handle material will directly impact your performance.
Wooden handles are the best in terms of gripping traction and moisture control. Their natural texture allows for hours of playing with little to no discomfort.
On the contrary, handles covered with polished vinyl or polyurethane look nicer with a wider color variety. But as the game intensifies, your sweaty hands might start slipping off these slick handles.
Then again, wood isn’t that ideal for harsh outdoor conditions. Under frequent rain, most wooden handles might become too rough.
7. Foosball Men (aka Foosmen)
Ask any “fooser,” and he’ll tell you that the foosmen are the first parts that break in any outdoor foosball table. If they bear major cracking or chipping, some of your shots will go astray. In that case, you can buy a few parts to merely replace the broken foosmen.
However, if you have traditional foosmen with realistic human designs, you may want to change the whole set to enhance the performance.
Manufacturers that design their foosmen as actual humans usually don’t pay attention to the shape of the foot. As a result, you can’t fine-tune the direction and the speed of the ball to trick your opponent.
Robot-Shaped Foosmen
Tornado, one of the foosball market leaders, was the first to develop robot-shaped foosmen with superior precision and control. Instead of being rectangular, their toes are designed with pointed edges to hit the ball with higher speed and less lift.
Additionally, the foot surface is covered with cross-hatchings that allow you to pin the ball onto the playfield. This is crucial for performing advanced shots like the snake and the bank.
Should You Get Counterbalanced Foosmen?
Before the latest advancements in foosball, the foosmen were fabricated without attention to the weight distribution. Most of the time, the foot was made way heftier than the head.
This made the gameplays a nightmare! Playing one-on-one games was extremely challenging as the foosmen stood upright at all times, thereby blocking your shots and passes.
That’s where the counterbalancing came in handy. As the name implies, counterbalanced foosmen are equipped with larger heads that weigh the same as the feet. This way, your foosmen will be resistant to gravity: They can maintain a horizontal position to leave the field clear if need be.
What About “Unbreakable Plastic”?
Recently, many manufacturers have been trying to oversell their tables by saying that the foosmen are made from “unbreakable plastic.”
This is just an overstated marketing title that denotes an ABS build. Owing to its sturdy nature, this type of plastic is used in heavy-duty items like LEGO, keyboard buttons, wall sockets, etc. In foosball, ABS foosmen guarantees excellent durability and high hitting power.
8. The Playing Surface
The playing surface is one of the most versatile parts of an outdoor foosball table. Brands use all sorts of materials to fabricate it, but it boils down to either wood or glass.
Thanks to its natural heftiness, wood adds some weight to support the table over the ground. It’s usually coated with a plastic laminate to make it waterproof and smooth enough for the ball to slide. However, wood will always have a bit of texture, allowing you to pin the ball easily.
Glass, on the other hand, excels in smoothness. A glass table is often favored by people who like the thrill of fast games. But its glossy surface might feel a bit distracting to some people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the outdoor foosball table weight matter?
Yes. The heavier the table, the more stable it’ll be. This gets especially crucial if you tend to be aggressively competitive.
As a rule of thumb, try to find a table that weighs more than 125 lbs. A lighter build can easily move by forceful rod flicking.
Some models can be as heavy as 200 lbs. They’ll certainly be more stable, but relocating them to a new area in your home can be quite challenging.
Can you play on a non-level ground?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here; not all outdoor foosball tables can be placed over a non-level ground. For this to happen, you must get a model that has leg levelers. Like I said earlier, these levelers come with threaded heads to raise or lower each leg separately.
Without these add-ons, the ball will slide with the inclination direction, giving either of the players an unfair advantage.
Can you play on the grass?
With leg levelers installed? Yes. However, it’s better to place the legs on wood planks before adjusting the height. Otherwise, the legs can sink into the soil whenever you apply downward pressure on the handles.
Which balls are best for outdoor foosball?
Many types of foosball suit different skills and playing styles.
are the gold standard for almost all American professionals. Their rough surface allows you to pin the ball down before attempting trick shots. And since they’re primarily intended for tournaments, their weight/size ratio opens the possibility for explosive yet accurate shots. Their heftiness allows for an acceptable playing experience on windy days.
are also used in professional tournaments, but they’re more common in Europe. Owing to the rough texture of cork, these balls suit foosers who like to depend on skills rather than speed. You can easily pass them between your foosmen and pin them down before scoring.
But because they’re a bit lighter than the textured alternatives, they may give you a hard time on windy days. Also, exposure to moisture might ruin their shape to some extent.
and are valued for their low cost, and that’s just about it! Their awful traction and puny builds don’t live up to the needs of skilled players.
The Verdict
After my elaborate research, I can say that the is one of the best outdoor foosball tables currently on the market for outdoor use. It offers the best value overall — it’s affordable and it features a high-quality build that can stand up to harsh weather.
Remember, if you’re planning to use the table over a non-level surface, make sure the legs have built-in levelers.
Have fun!
Last update on 2022-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API