When hardcore ping pong enthusiasts review “mid-size” tables, they generally hate them. They complain that because the table isn’t 9 feet long, their muscle memory is thrown off, and their extreme topspin loop shots overshoot the edge.
That critique misses the point of the GoSports Mid-Size entirely.
This table isn’t meant for training to beat the Chinese National Team. It’s meant for drinking beers in a small apartment and having a blast with your friends without dedicating a permanent room to a giant piece of furniture. It accomplishes this goal flawlessly.
Space-Savers vs Full Size
See how the GoSports Mid-Size fits into the budget category against full-size basement giants in our budget breakdown.
Read the Tables Under $500 GuideThe Briefcase Design
The greatest strength of the GoSports Mid-Size is its brilliant portability. Instead of arriving in dozens of heavy pieces, it arrives exactly like a giant aluminum briefcase.
You simply unlatch it, unfold the two halves, and extend the aluminum legs. The entire setup process takes about 60 seconds. When you are done playing, you remove the net, fold the legs back in, fold the table in half, and grasp the built-in carrying handle.
At a mere 35 pounds, incredibly easy for one person to slide under a couch, against a closet wall, or into the back of a car to take to a tailgate.
Pros and Cons
✓ The Good
- • Zero assembly required; pops up in 60 seconds
- • 6x3 footprint fits in almost any room
- • Ultra-lightweight (35 lbs) with a carrying handle
- • Includes a complete starter kit: 2 paddles, 4 balls, and net
✗ The Bad
- • The small size will mess with the muscle memory of advanced players
- • The included paddles are very cheap, basic wood
Gameplay and Materials
Despite the smaller footprint, the overall proportions of length, width, and height are modeled to mimic a regulation table, so the gameplay still feels fast and furious.
The playing surface is built from a 1/2-inch engineered wood/MDF hybrid. While it won’t produce the super-fast bounce of a 1-inch ITTF table, the bounce is shockingly consistent and satisfying given the sub-$200 price point and hyper-portable design. The frame is entirely constructed from heavy-duty aluminum to keep the weight down while preventing rust or weather damage if you set it up on a patio for an afternoon (though it should not be permanently stored outside).
If you are a casual player in a small living space, this is unequivocally the smartest purchase you can make.
Looking for a full-size table experience that won’t break the bank? Read our review of the JOOLA Inside to see where the basement standard begins.