Space is the enemy of every table tennis club, school gym, and community hall. You need quality tables, but where do you store them when they’re not in use?
Butterfly’s Space Saver 22 attacks this problem with smart engineering. It’s a competition-grade table that folds down to just 20 inches of depth.
However, that happens to come with a couple of downsides that meant it just missed out on our list of the best table tennis tables.
Is solving the storage problem worth the compromises? Let’s dive into this review of the Space Saver 22.
However, the table requires two people to fold and unfold safely due to the connected halves, and we’ve seen that the surface appears more prone to scratching than expected at this price point.
If you’re managing multiple tables in limited storage space, this solves a real problem and justifies its $2,000 price tag. The space-saving engineering is genuinely impressive.
However, if storage isn’t a constraint, you can get similar play quality with more features (or spend significantly less) elsewhere.
Ace
Product Specifications
- Average RRP: $2,000
- Surface Thickness: 22mm
- Top Material: Wood
- Stand-Alone Halves: No
- Wheels: Yes (Four 3" rubber casters, two lockable)
- Weight: 215 lbs (97 kg)
- Colours: Blue or Green
- Storage Dimensions: 63" x 60" x 20" (160cm x 153cm x 51cm)
- Warranty: 5 Years
- Location: Indoor Only
- ITTF Competition Approved: Yes (also Paralympic approved)
The Space Saver 22 is built around a 22mm wood playing surface with Butterfly’s Perfect Grip finish, which is a fine-grained wood veneer. Unlike cheaper MDF tables, the wood construction helps prevent the surface from warping over time.
The table sits on a heavy-duty steel frame with square tubing legs that are reinforced by welded undercarriage braces. At 215 pounds, it’s quite a substantial table but not the heaviest out there.
What sets this model apart is Butterfly’s patented Space Saver folding system, which is very similar to the Centerfold system. Both halves fold inward together in a single motion, creating an exceptionally narrow storage profile of just 20 inches deep.
Four rubber casters (two with locks) make it easy to roll the folded table into tight storage spaces. The wheelchair-friendly design places legs 400mm from the table ends, meeting both ITTF and Paralympic standards for competitive play.
Setup and Assembly
Out of the box, the Space Saver 22 arrives fully assembled, which is a major relief for anyone who has built a table before. The only steps required are removing the packaging and attaching the wheel brackets if they’re shipped separately.
However, unfolding and folding the table requires two people. As one of our club users explains, “It’s quite difficult to do with just one person. You need two people to pull back both sides, lift to fold, and gently lower when setting up.”
The mechanism is smooth once you understand it. Step on the lever, unlock the catches, and lower both sides together. However, due to the table’s 215-pound weight, attempting this solo risks injury and potential damage to the table or its locking mechanism.
The folding system is straightforward but deliberate. Both halves must be pulled back simultaneously, then lifted together to engage the fold. When unfolding for play, you step on the release lever while controlling both sides as they lower. It’s not complicated, but it does require coordination between two people.
Coach’s Tip: If your club often packs tables away, train staff or members on proper folding technique. It keeps the table safe and prevents unnecessary surface scratches.
Playing Experience & Surface Quality
The 22 mm wood surface provides a true, consistent bounce that lives up to Butterfly’s reputation. Our experience is that ball response remains highly consistent, with no dead spots or uneven patches detected during robot testing and competitive matches.
The 22 mm thickness sits between recreational tables (typically 12-19 mm) and tournament-grade 25 mm tops. In practice, most players won’t notice a significant difference from thicker tables. The bounce is slightly softer with marginally less “pop” compared to the Centrefold 25, but it’s still far superior to budget tables and perfectly adequate for club-level competition.
The surface ensures good friction for spin-heavy play, and multiple players I’ve spoken to report that bounce and trajectory remain stable even after years of club use. The matte finish minimizes glare under bright lights, making it comfortable to play under gym/hall lighting.
One concern reported by club users is that the surface appears more susceptible to scratching than expected for a table at this price point. We noted that the table has a lot of scratches for a table that is hardly used. However, it’s difficult to determine whether this comes from actual gameplay, careless handling during folding, or accidentally hitting the surface with a racket.
Regardless, proper care of your table during setup and storage is essential to maintain the table’s appearance.
For most competitive players, the difference from a 25 mm top is subtle. The Space Saver 22 still delivers a professional-level feel and would comfortably serve for club matches or training sessions, though professional players would prefer the firmer response of a 25 mm table.
Build Quality and Durability
Like all Butterfly professional models, the Space Saver 22 is engineered to last. The steel frame and welded undercarriage braces give it outstanding rigidity, while the adjustable feet ensure a perfectly level playing surface even on uneven floors.
After five years of moderate club use, every locking mechanism and wheel is still stable and easy to move around. There have been no issues beyond minor surface scratches.
The edges are protected by sturdy banding, and the locking catches feel secure during both storage and play. Despite being a heavy table, it moves surprisingly smoothly thanks to its four 3-inch rubber casters and well-balanced frame.
The adjustable feet are a practical touch that makes a real difference. Each leg has a screw-adjust foot that allows you to level the table precisely, even on floors with slight irregularities.
Beyond surface scratches, the mechanical components hold up well. Hardly surprising from a Butterfly table.
Storage and Portability
Storage is where the Space Saver truly earns its name. When folded, the table occupies just around 20 inches of floor depth making it significantly slimmer than most rollaway tables in its class.
Both halves fold inward together in a single motion, allowing the table to roll away as one compact unit.
The four rubber casters (two with locks) make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Lock the wheels once positioned and the table stays put during storage.
It’s easy to see why this compact storage design is suitable for clubs who might have to pack away 10 or 20 tables into a smaller storage room. The Space Saver fits in narrow storage corridors where other rollaway tables simply won’t.
For anyone managing multiple tables, this space efficiency adds up quickly.
The tradeoff is that the table cannot be used for solo playback. For most players, that’s a (very) small price to pay for the convenience of ultra-compact storage.
Perhaps more importantly, it’s important to note that the table does need 2 people to move it at all times because you need to lift up both sides at the same time. That makes it a bit of a pain if you’re trying to set up the table (or just move it) alone.
Value for Money
At around $2,000 USD (or £1,300 GBP), the Space Saver 22 isn’t cheap.
The question is whether that compact storage justifies the premium over other quality tables. If you have plenty of storage space, you could buy a Stiga Advantage or JOOLA Inside for significantly less and get perfectly good bounce. However, if storage is genuinely tight, the Space Saver’s 20-inch folded depth is exceptionally useful.
For clubs and schools managing multiple tables, this is often the most practical choice. For home players, it’s overkill unless space is genuinely limited or you’re serious about the sport.
At this price point, you’re buying a table that won’t need replacing. The 5-year warranty and Butterfly’s build quality mean this table should last a decade or more with proper care.
Alternatives to the Space Saver 22
Our favourite table to play on, the premium choice with a 25mm top for firmer bounce.
Stiga Premium Compact
Direct competitor with similar compact folding design and ITTF approval. Slightly less expensive with comparable bounce quality.
Budget-friendly option if storage isn’t your main concern. Standard rollaway design with 18mm (or 25mm) top delivers excellent bounce for recreational play.
Final Verdict
The Butterfly Space Saver 22 is a specialized table that solves one problem exceptionally well: delivering professional-grade play in limited storage space.
The 22mm surface provides consistent, true bounce that meets ITTF standards. The build quality is excellent, with steel construction and attention to detail you’d expect from Butterfly.
The limitations are simply that it requires two people to fold and unfold safely, and we think the surface scratches more easily than expected at this price point.
If you genuinely need that tiny storage profile for a one-piece table (e.g if you’re managing multiple tables in tight quarters) then this table justifies its cost. However, I would suggest considering tables that split into two halves as these won’t have a much bigger storage footprint.
For everyone else, cheaper alternatives make more sense. The premium you pay is specifically for space-saving design. If that’s not your primary concern, spend less or get better features elsewhere.
Who Should Buy This
✅ Clubs and sports centres needing multiple high-quality tables in limited storage space
✅ Anyone looking for a one-piece table that folds down to the smallest possible footprint.
✅ Schools and community halls that need competition-level tables but lack dedicated storage rooms
✅ Anyone needing additional clearance around the legs for wheelchair players.
Who Should Skip This
🚫 Anyone with adequate storage space (you’re paying for a feature you don’t need)
🚫 Players who need playback mode for solo practice
🚫 Home players unless you’re seriously committed to the sport and genuinely space-constrained
This review was supported by contributions from Racket Insight community member A. Adame. We thank him for making sure this is the most accurate and in-depth review of the Space Saver 22 available anywhere.
David's been playing Table Tennis since he was 12, earning his first coaching license in 2012. He's played in national team & individual competitions, although he prefers the more relaxed nature of a local league match! After earning his umpiring qualification in England, David moved to Australia and started Racket Insight to share information about the sport he loves.
Blade: Stiga WRB Offensive Classic | Forehand: Calibra LT | Backhand: Xiom Musa
Playstyle: The All-Rounder
