The Donic Delhi 25 sits in an interesting space.
It promises tournament-grade performance without the Butterfly price tag, pairs German engineering with a Super Compact fold, and ships fully assembled so you can play straight out of the box.
But, does it actually deliver for clubs, schools and serious home players?
I’ve coached on these tables, watched students develop timing and spin on the 25 mm surface, and gathered further insights from Racket Insight readers. In this review, I’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and whether the trade-offs make sense for your space and budget.
If you’re weighing up alternatives like the Butterfly Centrefold or Stiga Expert Roller, this guide will help you decide with confidence.
The 25 mm top gives a consistent, predictable bounce and the one piece Super Compact fold makes daily setup quick and safe.
It arrives fully assembled, feels rock solid, and stores in a very small footprint. There is no playback mode and the warranty is one year, but the build quality holds up well in busy halls.
At approximately $1,995, it is a smart alternative to pricier tables like the Butterfly Centrefold while keeping the same on table performance.
Ace
- Average RRP: approximately $1,995 (USD)
- Surface Thickness: 25 mm
- Top Material: High‑density MDF with a matte, anti‑glare polyurethane finish
- Stand-Alone Halves: No
- Wheels:4 x 125 mm rubber casters (2 locking)
- Weight: ~120 kg (298 lbs)
- Storage Dimensions: 1525 mm (W) x 1600 mm (H) x 470 mm (D)
- Warranty: 1 year from the manufacturer
- Location: Indoor only
- ITTF Competition Approved: Yes
The Donic Delhi 25 is a German‑made, ITTF‑approved competition table that has a 25 mm high‑density MDF top with a matte, anti‑glare polyurethane finish.
The frame is galvanized steel with 50 x 20 mm cross‑members and 50 x 50 mm legs, which sounds technical but simply means the table stays rock‑solid during intense match play and multiball sessions.
Day to day, it’s a one‑piece Super Compact design that folds in a single, synchronized motion. There’s no playback mode here because the halves don’t stand independently, which trades solo practice for more stability that suits busy clubs.
Once folded, the footprint is roughly 1525 mm wide, 1600 mm high and 470 mm deep, so it slots neatly along a wall or between other tables. At around 120 kg (298 lbs) it’s heavy, which is something to plan for when moving. I always use two people to reposition it.
There are four 125 mm rubber casters to help the table roll cleanly across the floor, with two brakes to keep the table anchored during play. The brakes bite well, and the leg adjusters make levelling quick on less‑than‑perfect floors.
The typical RRP sits around $2,000 USD, with a one year manufacturer warranty, which is shorter than Butterfly’s three or five years, but in line with Stiga and JOOLA at this level.
Setup and Assembly
The Delhi 25 is one of the simplest competition tables to get playing. It arrives fully assembled in a reinforced box, so setup is really about opening the box, unlocking the SC folding mechanism, and wheeling it into place. No tools are needed, and most of your time goes into removing the packaging.
With two people, you’ll be ready in around 10 minutes.
Because it weighs about 120 kg, I always plan on two adults for unboxing and the first move. The casters roll smoothly once the table is upright, but getting the boxed unit through tight hallways or up stairs is where most clubs run into trouble. If you can, have the delivery made directly to the room you’ll use it in.
The manual is clear but you won’t need it much. Everything is pre‑installed and the auto‑locks engage in both play and storage positions, so first setup feels safe even if you’re asking volunteers to help. You can manage a one‑person setup with care, but a second pair of hands makes it quicker and avoids any strain on the frame or on you.
Playing Experience & Surface Quality
The 25 mm top gives you the kind of predictable bounce you expect at tournaments.
There’s no notable variation across the surface, and you can feel that immediately if you’re coming from a 16mm or 19mm table. The ball sits up consistently for openers, and blocks don’t skid or die unexpectedly.
The matte polyurethane finish has a fine texture that grips the ball without feeling sticky. That means you can brush confidently for heavy topspin and still keep touch shots short when you need to. Under bright lights there’s very little glare, so reading spin is easier, especially on serve receive.
From a compliance point of view it ticks every box: ITTF approved, regulation rebound and full wheelchair clearance at 400 mm from the edge.
More importantly for everyday play, the surface “feels right” for any players working on spin development and timing.
Build Quality and Durability
The Delhi 25 feels overbuilt in the best possible way. The steel undercarriage is fully welded and cross‑braced, so there’s no rattle or sway when players nudge the table. The 50 x 50 mm legs give it a planted feel, and the height adjusters are a small detail that pays off in older halls where floors aren’t perfectly level.
The 25 mm MDF top has the density you want for rebound and has shown no signs of warping in regular club use, whilst the matte coating takes the inevitable scuffs from balls and brushes without affecting play.
The white lines have remained crisp despite years of heavy usages, which sounds cosmetic, but it helps with drills and depth targets. The PVC edge banding does its job against the occasional bump from barriers or bats where we haven’t seen peeling or separation.
One of our community members has a club that runs nearly ten of these tables in daily rotation, and after years of heavy use the surfaces still play true. The folding mechanisms show their age though, where they’ve had a hinge break and several locks need extra care when folding. That’s after constant club use, which is harder than most home or school environments will ever see.
The core build is solid, just expect the moving parts to need attention eventually if you’re running intensive sessions year after year.
Storage and Portability
The “Super Compact” fold is the star here. Both halves move together in one smooth motion and settle into a single, stable unit. Once folded, the footprint is roughly 1525 mm wide, 1600 mm high and 470 mm deep, so it slots neatly against a wall or between other tables without eating up your room.
However, that’s still wider than any table with two separate halves, or systems like Butterfly’s Space Saver or Centrefold designs.
There is no playback mode, which means you lose solo practice, but you gain a safer, tighter fold that suits busy spaces.
On the move, the 125 mm rubber casters make life easy. They roll cleanly on hardwood and synthetic floors, and the two brakes hold the table where you leave it.
Two people are ideal for folding and unfolding. We’ve had hinges damaged when someone tried to do it solo, though a careful person can manage it alone if needed. Short repositioning on flat ground is straightforward, but always set the brakes before folding or opening to keep everything controlled.
The locking system is reassuring. Latches engage in both play and storage positions, so volunteers can help without worrying about the table shifting.
Value for Money
At approximately $2,000 USD, the Delhi 25 sits in a sweet spot between mid-tier home tables and top‑tier tournament models. You get the same 25 mm bounce and pro feel as the Butterfly Centrefold 25, but you keep more than a thousand dollars in your pocket. Butterfly’s longer five‑year warranty is a genuine perk, yet in practice the Donic’s build has held up well for club use when you look after it.
The good news is parts like legs, wheels and net posts are easy to source through Donic dealers, so you’re not locked into proprietary spares should the table need them.
Expect a lifespan of ten years or more in typical club conditions. In my experience, the surface and frame shrug off daily multiball and league nights as long as you keep the locks and leg adjusters checked.
If you want tournament‑grade performance without paying Butterfly money, this table delivers. You pay for play quality and a solid frame, not marketing extras, and that’s exactly what most clubs and serious home users need.
Alternatives to Donic Delhi
Butterfly Centrefold 25
ITTF-certified, nearly identical in play quality. Costs more but includes a better warranty and a more prestigious name.
JOOLA Tour 2500
More affordable. 25 mm surface with playback. Not ITTF-approved and lacks the professional build quality of the Delhi.
Stiga Elite Roller
Slightly thinner 22 mm top for anyone thinking they don’t need a top-of-the-line model. Far more affordable.
Final Verdict
If you want a table that feels like match night every time you train, the Delhi 25 delivers.
It’s built for clubs, schools and serious home setups where reliability matters. The bounce is tournament grade, the frame is genuinely tough, and the compact fold makes daily setup easy and safe.
The one year warranty isn’t class leading, but with basic care you’ll definitely get ten years or more of solid service in club conditions.
In short, this is a smart way to get Centrefold level performance without paying Butterfly prices. Plan on two people for moves, keep the locks and leg adjusters checked, and you’ll have a table that just works day after day.
Who Should Buy This?
Buy this table if:
- You run a club, school, or serious home setup and want a tournament-grade table
- You value a sturdy one-piece design that stores compactly and safely
- You have two people available for setup and moves
- Consistent play quality matters more than solo playback
- You need wheelchair accessibility (clear undercarriage and inset legs)
- You want German build quality without paying Butterfly prices
Skip this table if:
- Solo playback is essential for your regular practice routine
- You’re on a tight budget and need a lighter recreational table
- You often move tables alone or up stairs (a two-halves design will be easier)
- You’re storing it outdoors or in damp spaces (indoor only)
- A long warranty is non-negotiable (Butterfly offers five years vs. one year here)
This review was supported by contributions from Racket Insight community member R. Kulkarni. We thank them for making sure this is the most accurate and in-depth review of the Donic Delhi 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
