OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Hi, new here. I find myself facing a dilemma: I can get either of the following 2 tables for my home as my teen son starts training soon and I want us to play on the best surface we can afford. Given that the price is similar, which one is better as an overall table (build quality, fun factor, durability, ease of maintenance etc)?

1. Donic Waldner Classic 25
2. Joola World Cup 25s

Thanks very much.


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Different manufacturers' tables have different surfaces and can play quite differently. This impacts spin off the table more than bounce, the latter of which is primarily a factor of table thickness (25mm and up is considered tournament grade). That said, if there's any chance your son will one day play in your area's table tennis clubs, my advice would be to get a table from the same manufacturer that supplies the club(s) so there's less difference to contend with between home and club playing surfaces.

Here in the SF Bay Area where we have no shortage of TT clubs, players seem to prefer Butterfly tables of any type and go to lengths to avoid tables by other manufacturers when a club has both Butterfly and non-Butterfly tables. The Butterfly Octet 25 is a very well-made table that I've used and recommend. The Butterfly Centerfold 25 is also a club stalwart though, imho, its frame isn't as sturdy as the Octet 25. Again, look to your local TT clubs that sometimes sell surplus tables with plenty of playing life left.

Choice of the Table for training children at home is a minor importance/
It is impossible to gain playing skill unless you take multiball lessons a lot.
Hard multiball work is the key.


Be happy

There are not so many different table manufacturers, but Joola is one of the few companies that produces their tables themselves (Cornilleau and Butterfly also create their own tables).

Most tables, especially of all the German brands like Donic, Tibhar, Andro, Gewo, etc. are produced by Sponeta (https://www.sponeta.de).
Back in the 80s, almost all tables in Germany were made by Joola, but after reunification, Sponeta, which was an East German State owned company for leisure goods, was privatized and saw their chance and ran with it. So they became the standard for table production in Germany, like ESN is for rubbers.

The Sponeta tables are all fine tables. Tbh. I haven't played on a new Joola table, you still sometimes find Joola tables from the 80s in old venues in Germany, but I have never come across a newer Joola table, so I can't really comment on them. That doesn't have to have any significance, though, I'd guess that those are fine tables, too.



My club just bought some new Butterfly tables (replacing 80s Joola tables), and I'm not much of a fan. The surface is very shiny, and every time you contact the surface with a finger or the hand, it leaves a visible stain (they play fine, though). We also have Butterly tables that are approx. 10 years old, and they are way better in this regard, they are more matte. The Donic/Sponeta tables are also fine.