Buying guide
Pool tables for UK homes: a spec-based buying guide
Buy the pool table that fits your room, fits through the route in and suits how seriously your household plays. Start with the game, then the type of table, then the size.
Step 1: decide which game you play
English pool is the pub game in the UK. Tables are smaller, commonly 6ft or 7ft, with 2-inch reds and yellows and tighter pockets. American pool uses larger tables, commonly 7ft to 9ft, with larger balls in solids and stripes.
The balls and pockets are matched to the table, so choose the game first. Our English vs American pool guide compares them in detail.
Step 2: choose the type of table
| Type | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding slate table | A dedicated games room and regular play | Weight, delivery route and floor loading |
| Freestanding MDF table | Family play, smaller budgets, upstairs rooms | Damp rooms; bed flatness over time |
| Coin-op (bar box) | A pub-style look and durable build | A coin mechanism you may not need; weight |
| Pool dining table | Rooms that must double as a dining room | Heavy tops to lift; seating height |
| Outdoor pool table | Covered patios and garden rooms | Still needs a cover and dry storage |
| Folding or compact table | Occasional play and small spaces | Smaller playing area; less solid play |
Step 3: check the size against your room
Work out what fits using the playing area plus a full cue length on every side. Our room size guide has a chart, and the room checker does the sums for you.
Don’t go by the nominal size in the product name. Compare the stated playing area instead.
Step 4: compare the specification
| Specification | What to look for |
|---|---|
| External dimensions | Length, width and height of the cabinet, for access and room layout. |
| Playing area | The surface inside the cushions, for cue clearance. |
| Bed | Slate (one or three pieces) or MDF, plus its thickness. |
| Weight | The assembled weight, for floor loading and delivery. |
| Cushions | Rubber type and how the cushions are fixed to the frame. |
| Pockets | Drop pockets or a ball-return system, and the pocket opening size. |
| Cloth | Fibre, colour options and whether re-covering is offered. |
| Levelling | Adjustable feet or levellers on each leg. |
| Accessories | Which cues, balls, triangle, brush and cover come with it. |
| Warranty | How long it lasts, what it covers (especially bed warping) and who honours it. |
Step 5: plan the delivery
Ask exactly what the delivery service includes. It might be kerbside, room-of-choice, or full installation and levelling. Never assume kerbside delivery includes installation.
Measure every pinch point on the route in: gates, doorways, stairs and tight turns. The delivery route checker tests each one against the packed size. For slate tables, use the retailer’s delivery and installation team.
Step 6: budget for everything
- Delivery, assembly and levelling
- Cues (including a short cue for tight walls), chalk and a triangle
- A fitted table cover and a table brush
- A table light hung over the playing surface
- A cue rack and scoreboard
- Any floor preparation, and a structural engineer’s visit for an upstairs slate table
Our accessories checklist covers each item.
Buying second-hand
A used slate table can be good value. Budget for professional dismantling, transport, re-covering and re-levelling, though.
Ask how many pieces the slate is in. Check the cushions for dead spots and look for chips at the slate joins.
Your rights when buying online
For most online purchases, UK consumers can normally cancel within 14 days of delivery. Bespoke or personalised items, such as a custom cloth colour, may be exempt. You may also have to pay for return delivery.
Check the retailer’s terms before you order.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the room wall to wall instead of from radiators, sills and furniture.
- Using the cabinet size, or the “7ft” label, instead of the playing area.
- Forgetting the delivery route until the table is on the drive.
- Assuming kerbside delivery includes carrying the table in and installing it.
- Putting an MDF table in a damp, unheated garage.
Questions
What size pool table is best for a UK home?
Most UK homes suit a 6ft or 7ft English pool table. Go for the largest table whose playing area, plus a cue length on every side, fits your clear room dimensions.
Is a slate pool table worth it?
Usually yes, for a permanent room and regular play, because slate stays flat for many years. For casual family play, an upstairs room or a tight budget, a good MDF table can make more sense.
Can I assemble a slate pool table myself?
We don’t recommend it. Slate tables are extremely heavy and must be levelled precisely. Use the retailer’s delivery and installation team or a table fitter.
How this guide is written: from published specifications and standards. We do not claim hands-on testing or give product scores. Editorial standards · Affiliate disclosure.