A hard and smooth surface offers the fastest game play experience. Some tables use wood surfaces for slower play while some employ harder surfaces for quicker play. The thicker the playing surface, the more sturdy and level it will be.

You will also find some tables have a tempered glass to provide the highest level of play. An MDF surface with a laminate on top is the most commonly used kind in Asia.

The expensive foosball tables are made out of either composite or solid wood. However, not all wood is created equal. The lower or mid priced tables are made of pressed wood, which has a tendency to warp over time as it absorbs moisture, requiring more care as a consequence. Composite is less prone to becoming warped or damaged and hence more durable.

When considering the wood, thickness plays an important role. Thicker side walls help to prevent movement so that the game is not affected.

A standard height of a foosball table is 36 inches. This is an optimum height for both teens and adults. Some tables have legs with an adjustment option to increase or decrease a few inches and also to even out a table on a floor that may be uneven.

Legs can come in wooden or metallic material and provide both aesthetic and support function.

Foosball tables can come with counterweights for players, also called fooser in american foosball,  which allows them to stay horizontal when you position them in that formation. The advantage of placing players in horizontal is that it helps them stay out of the way when you are shooting. An ambidextrous professional player or even an intermediate player values this feature the most.

The players can also be made out of either metal or plastic. Metal players are obviously heavier, which means that you will have more power while you are shooting.

There are three types of rods to consider, telescoping, hollow, and solid steel rods. The professional quality rods are hollow and weigh less for speed but have a higher chance of bending if used improperly. Intermediate level tables will have solid steel rods and is ideal for slower game play.

Not so common are the telescoping rods on high end tables which are made of 2 pieces of metal. An inner piece will slide into the outer piece so that they do not stick out of the ends of the tables. The benefit of this is that you are not going to get poked by a rod that sticks out from the other side.

Many casual Foosball players are not even aware that there are several types of Foosball balls. The kind of ball you use will have a significant impact on the game play and how much fun you can have, so it’s important to pick the best Foosball balls for your game. In any case the factors that make a difference on the performance of the ball and the game are:

• Weight and Size

• Noise

• Material (plastic or cork)

• Texture (smooth or rough)

• Bounce

• Stickiness