For almost everyone who wants a pool table at home, the first question is “Should I buy a pool table with a slate playing surface or with an MDF playing surface?”. This is because both are certainly good options, but with a slate table you bring a more professional table into your home than with an MDF table.
So what is the difference between a slate playing surface and an MDF playing surface?
A pool table with an MDF playing surface has a playing surface made of wood. As a result, the table is also cheaper to produce, so you can buy very attractive and certainly good recreational pool tables at an appealing price. We sell these very well too, but you should bear in mind that a pool table with an MDF playing surface is delivered 80% pre-assembled. This can make it harder to get the table up to a floor or down to a cellar, because the whole top is already pre-assembled. A pool table with an MDF playing surface will also give the ball slightly less spin and speed, due to the properties of the wooden playing surface.
What are the advantages of a pool table with an MDF playing surface:
- Delivered 80% pre-assembled, so you do not need to order an installation as well
- You can start playing pool in 10 minutes
- Standard accessories are usually supplied with the table
- Ideal for recreational use
- Very attractive in terms of price
- Lighter in weight, so you can still move the table
- Because the playing surface is made in one piece, you can still move the table. You cannot do this with a pool table with a 3-piece slate, for example.
What are the disadvantages of a pool table with an MDF playing surface:
- Because they are delivered pre-assembled, they are sometimes harder to get up to a floor or attic, as you have to get the whole top section through a stairwell or up the stairs
- Sensitive to moisture, so the playing surface can warp if the table stands in a damp room
- The cloth cannot be replaced if it is damaged, because it is glued and stapled to the cabinet
A pool table with a slate playing surface has a playing surface made of stone. If you go for this option, you are choosing the highest-quality tables. Because the playing surface of the pool table is made of slate, your balls always roll smoothly and quickly over the cloth and you can play the most beautiful shots. These tables are delivered with a 1-piece or 3-piece slate. You do need to take the installation of slate tables into account. These tables are usually delivered as a kit and have to be installed professionally. This involves building the frame, placing the slates, stapling or gluing the cloth, stapling the cushions and fitting the frame.
What are the advantages of a pool table with a slate playing surface:
- These are delivered as a kit, so you can install them on almost any floor
- With a slate playing surface, the ball does not lose speed during play
- The playing surface cannot warp because of moisture
- You can replace the cloth if it is damaged or worn
- You can change the colour of the cloth once if you wish
What are the disadvantages of a pool table with a slate playing surface?
- You usually have to have these tables installed by our professional team
- In principle, you can no longer move these once they are installed, because the slate could otherwise shift, so it would no longer lie 100% level.
- More expensive than a table with an MDF playing surface. Slate pool tables start at a price of around € 1000
Conclusion: Both tables are certainly a great addition for turning a room into a space where you can play a nice shot with friends / family. Tables with an MDF playing surface are budget-friendly and easy to install yourself, while with a table with a slate playing surface you bring a professional pool table into your home that you can install on most floors.
Can't wait to get a pool table of your own? Then take a look at our MDF pool tables here and our slate pool tables here.
Still a bit short of space in the attic or the cellar? Then be sure to take a look at our pool / dining table combinations, which let you turn your dining table into a pool table in no time.