Playing bubble hockey with friends and family is a perfect way to spend time and engage in indoor recreational activities. While the arcade might be a great socializing place, we, in most cases, know our best company when it comes to having indoor recreational fun. Following this, some of us purchase a bubble hockey table for our game room at home.
However, you might need to buy a bubble hockey table that meets your gaming needs and budget, hence offering value for your money. Here we review the best bubble hockey tables in 2022 that you might want to check out.
With the Shelti breakout bubble hockey table comes a durable design that complements the hockey table to be one of the best to purchase. The table is equipped with nylon bushings and precision-ground tubular-shaped rods, offering a seamless pull action while gaming. Its dome is made of a chip, scratch-resistant, and shatterproof material. The designer of this bubble hockey table included a fast-action rod design, which paves the way for a full rotation, with one of the players having it only require a 180 ̊ turn.
With this model comes an electronic scoring system mounted on the table’s side, improving the gamer’s sightline. Here, the scorers get to enjoy sound effects after making the much-needed score. Unlike some of the best bubble hockey tables in 2021 fitted with a pedestal base, the Shelti breakout bubble hockey table is equipped with four thick legs. When it comes to the table, this bubble hockey table takes up to two hundred and eighty pounds, with its dimensions being fifty-three, thirty-eight, and seventeen inches of width, length, and depth, respectively.
The Super Chexx Home deluxe bubble hockey table comes from the Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE), a well-known company for innovative dome hockey tables. The table’s cabinet is made of aluminum parts, a specification that makes it quite durable and, most of all, lightweight. You might love the bubble hockey table’s live-action sounds thanks to the sounds of legendary Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret. One can turn the live-action sounds on or off as per their preference.
The Super Chexx Home Deluxe bubble hockey table features an innovative feature- the Electronic LED scoring found above the table. Notably, this feature records goals, periods, shots, and running time for quite some thrilling and memorable gaming experiences. You might also like its audience boo feature that makes the game quite engaging and enjoyable for the players. Notably, its dome is made of indestructible Lexan plastic, making it quite durable.
If you are looking for a low-budget option bubble hockey table, then the Stiga 37-inch NHL Stanley Cup Rod hockey table has got you covered. However, despite being a low-budget option, this bubble hockey table offers value for your money thanks to the impressive features it offers. The first thing to notice about the table is its smaller size having it offers a great option for people with limited space at home.
The table comes with gamers’ easy playability, thanks to its fine control rods, puck ejectors, and movable goalies. Its developers also found value in having the bubble hockey table built with behind-the-net Plexi shield protectors that enhance its durability.
The Carrom Super Stick bubble hockey table offers quite some value, being among the best bubble hockey tables in 2021. Notably, it comes with a single set of colored players and a removable and shatterproof plastic dome. Its large and heavy cabinet features the table’s four-leg design. Even though this bubble hockey table lacks a pedestal base, its legs are made of durable material; hence no worries about having the table lose much stability during game time.
This bubble hockey table’s poles are equipped with rubber handles intended to enhance the gamers’ comfort. Gamers might also love its fast-action puck, which easily glides across the surface of the table for seamlessly quick gaming actions. With its dome being removable, one can easily clean this hockey table. Best of all is the table’s electronic scoring system, which comes with flashing lights and sound effects, making scoring quite a thrill and engaging.
Another product from ICE, the Super Chexx ICE Non-CoinDeluxe Home bubble hockey table, makes an ideal bubble hockey table, especially for gamers at home gaming spaces. With this bubble hockey table being of quality, it usually gets sold out, proving to be one of the best bubble hockey tables in 2021. Notably, it comes with a sturdy dome that is durable compared to some of the other bubble hockey tables on this list.
With its hinged dome, gamers can swing it open to provide them with a chance to conduct their hockey table routine cleaning and maintenance. Fitted with live rink sounds, this piece from ICE offers quite some realistic and engaging gameplay. You might love its updated electronics that record every event of the gameplay, including the running time. For better control, this hockey table also has adjustable volume knobs.
Coming from the Carrom brand, one of the most reputable in arcade gaming, the Carrom 435.00 signature stick hockey table offers quite a choice for beginners. Gamers using this bubble hockey table can sharpen their skills effectively, thanks to its ease of use complemented by its simple design. The table comes fitted with materials of high quality, making it resistant to deterioration. Its legs are conveyed stunning appearances having them made of heavy milter-fold timber.
When it comes to the playing surface, the table is coated with styrene ensuring the surface is devoid of obstacles such as bumps. This is notably essential in getting rid of any of the characteristics that could hinder the ball movement hence a seamless gaming experience. Its dome is transparent, rendering maximum visibility from any angle of view.
Yet another bubble hockey table from the Carrom brand is the Carrom 435.01 signature stick hockey table. Notably, this table is an advancement of the previously discussed 435.00 variations. With it comes a larger size having it measure fifty-eight inches, thirty-three inches, and fifty-one inches in its length, width, and height, respectively. You might also notice that this hockey table lacks legs like its predecessor.
Its designers made it have a pedestal base, which by far increases its stability. You need not worry about its durability since the table is made of durable materials too. Thanks to its styrene surface that both shooting and passing can happen seamlessly. Users might also love its custom graphic coating on the styrene surface. Its scoring unit uses batteries having each goal accompanied by sounds and lights.
When it comes to the Shelti blue line hockey table, its developers put accuracy and reliability at the forefront, having the table utilize infrared scoring. Notably, its scoreboard features sound effects, which go off when a player gets to score. With its chrome-plated rods, players can enjoy a smooth play action. The rods also allow for a three hundred and sixty degrees turn, with the gamers required to make just half of the angle for a full turn.
On the other hand, its table comes with a retro design but is equipped with modern features, all designed to enhance the playing experience. When it comes to its gearbox, this Shelti variation protects the players by avoiding battling the opposition players. With its large pedestal base comes more stability, so gamers won’t need to worry about the hockey table’s movement during gameplay.
With the Hathaway Breakaway Dome hockey table comes a durable playfield designed to allow users complete control over the puck. This is to happen without distressing about accidentally marring or scratching the surface. Its grips also offer comfort during playtime. This means that gamers won’t experience hand cramps while playing using this hockey table.
Additionally, gamers can enjoy effortless movement across the playing surface thanks to the nylon bushings and chrome-plated rods. This allows its users to completely control everything, ensuring both beginners and pro players enjoy gaming while using this table to the fullest.
The first thing you might notice with the Game Room Guys bubble hockey table is its attractive black cabinet. Not only is it attractive, but also made of high-quality MDF, making it show zero signs of damage, wear, or tear. This table comes with multiple scoring systems having both electronic and manual electronic scoring, hence providing fun and ease of play for gamers of all skill levels.
Gamers might like the fact that this bubble hockey table comes with a pedestal base; hence they have to worry less about the table’s stability during gameplay. With many bubble hockey tables prone to breakdown, especially during rough games, the Game Room Guys bubble hockey table developers don’t take chances with the ease of repair for their hockey table. Notably, while purchasing this bubble table, one gets the extras that might help with the hockey table’s repair so that you don’t have to wait long for repairs.
If you are looking for a bubble hockey table with less or no trouble with assembly, then the Berner Billiards Power Play Dome hockey table might be an optimal choice for you. Notably, the table requires less assembly, having it placed right away. With the dome comes a single-piece PVC black pedestal base, which is attractive and durable.
Gamers might like this table’s manual puck drop that gives users total control of the game, allowing them to decide when to drop the puck.
With the Super Chexx Coin-op, bubble hockey table comes some fast and exciting gaming experiences. You need to worry not about pucks getting stuck with this bubble hockey table, thanks to its automatic puck return system. Its electronic records will help put the game into a sudden death if the gamers are tied after regulations while playing.
With this bubble hockey table comes crowd and announcement sounds that play along during playtime. Notably, this makes users feel engaged in the whole gaming action. You might also love the strong and uneasily destructible dome that ensures protection to the playfield and the players.
Weighing just a hundred and fifty-two pounds with a length, width, and height of forty-one, thirty-six, and fifty-two inches respectively, this ESPN dome hockey table remains to be one of the best bubble hockey tables on the market. Notably, the table comes preassembled; hence one won’t need to toil over its assembly hassle. The table is also equipped with an electronic scoring system with LED lights, and arcade sounds effects for an engaging gaming experience.
With its heavy-duty pedestal, gamers can enjoy playing without worries about the bubble hockey table’s stability. On the other hand, its dome is made of a scratch and chip-resistant thick polycarbonate material, which offers value for your money, thanks to its durability.
The Ice Boxx deluxe bubble hockey table is a modern-styled hockey table game for your home contemporary rec room. Notably, this bubble hockey table offers more than its modern style to quality and durable products. With the Ice Boxx deluxe comes its infrared system, which includes a race to nine. Its deep MDF marble cabinet structure, on the other hand, consists of black rod nylon bushings, puck returns on all ends, and a playfield supported by two center beams and on all sides.
Gamers might love the Ice Boxx Deluxe’s two-piece rotational mold plastic base that comes with adjustable rubber-covered levelers. Its high-performance rod assembly consists of a gearing system with a two-by-one turning ratio alongside a clutch with an aluminum track.
If you are looking for a bubble hockey table with an American-made custom logo to showcase your favorite team, the Holland Bar Stool bubble hockey table. Brought to you by Performance Games, this bubble hockey table is all about quality. Notably, this bubble hockey table has a high-performance rod assembly that comes with octagonal sure-grip handles, making the gaming experience one of a kind.
With the Holland Bar Stool bubble hockey table comes a clutch system that prevents the players’ damage when battling the opposition. Not only does this bubble hockey table come with a pedestal base, but it includes adjustable levelers. A scoring system is a great asset to every bubble hockey table; hence the Holland Bar Stool table comes with a side-mounted electronic scoring unit. Notably, the scoring unit provides a variety of game modes keeping track of the goals scored in every match.
Bubble Air Hockey is a game that is similar to ice hockey but not played on ice. It is a combination of hockey with the back and forth vigorous football action. A large dome surrounds the bubble hockey table to prevent the puck from flying from the table. The bubble hockey table has some features that were found on a traditional football and hockey table. The electric scoring system, which is among the table’s features, gives the arcade feels that players love.
The table is exciting and fun and can entertain for hours, whether for business or home use. It can also keep children busy as there are small designs that are meant for them. The table will require some space at home for each player to stand by when playing; before investing in it, choose a size that will fit into your space.
Bubble hockey has been in existence for ages though it is not as popular as air hockey. In the present day, more and more manufacturers have been making it. It is equipped with modern features that are made to enhance the player’s shooting and playing experience.
As early as 1932, some dome early prototypes existed, but the bubble hockey game that is played presently was invented in 1982. Its original creators are a company known as Innovative Concepts in Entertainment. The company formed a company called Chexx, which was the first to design and produce the tables in the early 1980s.
The first table was modeled after a game that featured the American Olympic Hockey team versus the Russian Olympic Hockey team in 1980. Due to the popularity of the match, the table sold out quickly in the first year of manufacture, and the game was very popular in arcades throughout America.
Many manufacturers came into the business of producing these tables after realizing how popular the table has become. To date, the table is still produced though they are not as popular as the traditional hockey tables. Their demand is still high, though, from people who love air hockey.
The rules of playing bubble hockey are fundamental; the game aims to prevent opponents from scoring into your goal and leads the puck into the opponent’s goal. In dome hockey, a goal counts only when the puck falls into the chute. In the case that it bounces out of the goal, the game is considered live. Players will then flip a coin to determine which side of the table the game will begin from. Then, the puck will be dropped into the table center. Each round lasts for ninety seconds. The tables are made with an electric scoring system that helps players count down from ninety and keep an eye on the time.
During the game, the players are not allowed to shift, tilt, or lift the table as this will encourage the puck to go into a goal. Each player has control of three men plus a goalie. Each player is also permitted to spin their men for one second only per round. This is different from traditional air hockey, although both games involve puck use and scoring of goals. It can be quite tricky for beginners to initially control their players but can get used to it with time.
The table is made of a stand, either made of a pedestal stand or four legs, a table surface, twelve control rods linked with twelve players, a dome that encloses the top, and an electronic score counter.
On the table, there are six players on a bubble hockey team; each team has one goalie, four short stick men, and one long stick man who is called a right-winger and sits on the offensive side.
• Pucks. It serves the same purpose as the ball in the game
An electronic scoring unit is mounted on the top of the bubble table; this is a feature of the modern bubble table, not the manual ones. It is made to keep track of scores and also acts as a timer.
Ice hockey is an exciting sport, but unfortunately, not everyone is privileged to live near ice to access the sport being played live or take part in playing. As Bubble air hockey is a great alternative, not all is lost, it gives the ice hockey enthusiast an almost similar experience where they can quench their urges.
This arcade game is fun and exciting to play and allows friends to replicate what occurs in an ice hockey rink. While many commercial places offer this experience at a fee, some people choose to invest in a bubble hockey table.
Many bubble hockey table brands exist in the market, but not all are the best. It can be somehow overwhelming, especially for first-timers to settle for a particular table as they may not be aware of what to look at when buying. Unlike the traditional air hockey table, the bubble tables are designed in unique ways.
Their retro look makes them the focal point of any space and has many features that the traditional ones never had. To get the best bubble hockey table, a lot has to be considered; this article will take you through some things that should guide anyone interested in getting the best bubble hockey table.
Buyers should be very attentive when looking at the dimensions of a bubble hockey table; this is because the table will need plenty of space at home to accommodate it and extra space for moving around while playing. Before beginning the process of shopping, the space available in the house should be measured. An additional two or three-foot are added on each side to ensure that the players will have room for playing. The bubble hockey tables are available in various sizes and ranges, and thus, a buyer would be able to identify one that suits their space. There are even designs purely for kids.
The modern bubble hockey table has various scoring systems, unlike the traditional table. They are the manual and electronic systems:
Electronic scoring machines are advanced and make it easy for the player to track their scores. It betters the player’s experience and takes it to another level though this comes at a cost. Bubble hockey models with this system are expensive.
With a manual scoring system, a player has to keep track of their score in the game. These models are quite affordable but may prove challenging to keep up with scores, especially if they are caught in the game.
The quality of the playing surface is among the most important aspect of the table. The best bubble hockey table should have a smooth surface, which will allow the puck to glide across it with ease. Such tables are made out of quality materials and are costly, but they give a smooth playing experience. The dome-style tables do not have perforated playing surfaces and a blower system like the traditional tables, which were meant for pushing air through the holes of the playing characters. The lack of a blower system makes the table affordable and easy to maintain.
The tables with an electronic scoring system also come with a timer, which is essential in counting and telling each player the time they have to take a shot. The table also may contain special sound effects activated once a player makes a goal, unlike the manual scoring system.
When shopping for a table, you will have to choose between a table with legs and a pedestal-style base. The pedestal-style tables are durable and can remain securely in place, unlike the low-priced tables with legs that can sway and rock during intense games. The pedestal table is recommended if looking for the best bubble hockey table that is stable and durable.
Durability is one of the key factors when buying any gaming table. This is because the table will take a lot of beating when in use, so a table designed well and made of tough materials is perfect to handle and persevere heavy-duty use. Models that are made with particleboard that is low quality are affordable but not long-lasting.
The Dome makes the table unique; a low-quality dome is prone to marks and scratches. When looking to buy a table, look for one whose Dome is made from scratch and chip resistant. Tables from top brands are equipped with a shatterproof dome.
Top-of-the-line bubble hockey tables also come with some extras like in-built cup holders, MP3 player handles for easy storage and transport, in-built speakers, storage spaces, and Bluetooth compatibility. This enhances the playing experience, though with a higher price tag.
Here are some tips to use when choosing the best bubble hockey table.
1. The rink is the area that usually gets used the most during playing, so when choosing a table, look for tables whose rinks and walls are made of thick nylon or solid aluminum. These materials are more durable. Tables with laminated aluminum sidewalls or rinks should be avoided.
2. A bubble hockey table should be stable; this will be achieved only if a table is supported by a sturdy base and legs that are durable. Consider choosing tables whose legs are made of steel or wood for perfect stability. Also, before buying, push the table to be sure that it is solid.
3. Choose a bubble hockey table with levelers; these are important as they can allow you to level the surface when unbalances for consistent playing.
4. Motors power the bubble hockey table; they should be of high output UL certified motors that can offer smooth and consistent airflow and still run smoothly. So, when choosing a table, ensure its motors are in perfect condition.
5. When choosing a table, look for one with official style rink markings on its surface, as they offer realistic gameplay.
6. Choose a table with an electric score unit that can be plugged in rather than one that uses batteries. This will save money on replacing batteries all the time.
7. The electronic scoring system makes gaming at home, similar to playing in an arcade. When choosing a table, pick one that uses infrared sensors in its goal area as it can sense when the puck is dropping into the goal.
8. Choose goals made with rails because they are durable, unlike ones made with plastic, and can break anytime.
9. Choose an air hockey table that is easy to assemble, as all of them require some assembling.
If you are a bubble hockey lover and don’t have cash for an already built table, you can build your own bubble hockey Table. Here are some steps in which you should follow to build your own bubble hockey table.
• You can use an old desk/buy a table
• How to make a puck
-Cut two circles measuring 5cm each, glow them, and overlap them with wood or liquid glow.
• Use gas traps- door or wood to make it.
• Reflect on the table or board that you have, and establish if it is fit. Repair the table if it doesn’t have flat corners.
• Use different woods for each corner for better reflection of the puck. Measure the corner wood in sizes Length:128*6 (2X) and Weight: 79*6 (2X)
• Please place them in their positions, and then firm them with pins.
• First, you will draw the goal on each side using gouache.
• Paint the rest of the hockey ground using a color spray of your preferred choice
• Materials used are wooden, and plexiglass and surfaces are made of glass and wood. In collation, the parts are put together to create a bubble hockey table.
To build your own bubble hockey table requires patience and assembling of all materials, which will be critical to the results you will get. There are a lot of methods; this is just one of them.
The cost of bubble hockey tables is always dependent on the brand and features of the subject bubble hockey table. However, most of the bubble hockey tables will cost you over a thousand dollars. The better the specs, the higher the price.
Playing bubble hockey is quite easy. All players need to prevent the other players from scoring and getting the puck inside their opponent’s goal. However, you must first understand the rules that govern the bubble hockey game. Seek a manual that states all the rules in a bubble hockey game to get well conversant with the game.
Like most arcade games, bubble hockey is fun to play, especially with your loved ones. However, the game can be challenging at first for beginners; having one requires training. Notably, as long as a player is willing to play the game while observing the rules, there is nothing less fun in the game of its engaging nature and the winning player’s scores.
While there existed early prototypes of games resembling hockey table games by the 1930s, the real bubble hockey game was invented in 1982. Notably, the game was started by one of the reputable companies that deliver the bubble hockey tables- Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE).
One of the most common places to play the bubble hockey game is an outdoor recreational place in your area. Such places are great spots to interact with new players and make new friends. However, one can invest in a bubble hockey table and place it in their home rec room. Here, you can enjoy playing the game at your convenience with your family and friends. Notably, you might need to seek some insight before deciding on what bubble table to purchase for your home entertainment.
When purchasing a dome table, you won’t be looking at the price alone. Consider checking on the specific features of the bubble hockey table. Choose a bubble hockey table that offers great stability, especially those with a pedestal base, a strong and damage-proof dome, great rods, and other additional features such as the electronic scoring system.
Not all. While some bubble hockey tables come with an electric scoring system, some might only need a rechargeable battery instead of plugging it into the mains.
Players may get damaged during rough play times. While changing the players is quite tedious, it doesn’t mean that it is unachievable. Notably, the process of replacing the players might cost you some cash.
The most popular bubble hockey table in the market is Sheltie, Carrom, and ESPN, among others. This article gives an insight into how these tables work and features to get the best bubble hockey table. There are also some tips on how to build your own bubble hockey table if buying is expensive for you. We have also identified that modern tables that use an electronic system are better and easy to use than manual ones. So, to make the experience more enjoyable, an interested buyer should go for it.
