JOOLA’s Inside series has dominated the recreational table tennis market for over a decade, consistently ranking as one of the most widely used tables in homes and clubs worldwide. The secret to their enduring popularity lies in a simple formula – professional-grade features at remarkably competitive prices.
The range consists of the JOOLA Inside 13, 15, 18, and 25, with the numbers reflecting surface thickness in millimeters (generally, thicker surfaces provide better playing characteristics). Our comprehensive review is based on extensive testing of the JOOLA Inside 18 but applies equally across the range, as all models share the same core design and construction quality.
Let’s explore whether a JOOLA Inside table would be right for you, examining everything from build quality to playing experience.
With options in 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, and 25mm surface thickness, the 18mm version hits the sweet spot of performance and price at around $449.
While not quite tournament-grade, the table delivers consistent bounce, solid construction, and thoughtful features like independent folding halves and locking wheels.
For most home users seeking their first serious table tennis table, the JOOLA Inside represents an excellent balance of quality and affordability.
Ace
- Average RRP: $350 - $675 USD
- Surface Thickness: 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, or 25mm
- Top Material: MDF with Matte Painted Finish
- Stand-Alone Halves: Yes
- Wheels: Yes
- Weight: 130lbs - 239lbs
- Storage Dimensions: 62" x 19" x 67"
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Location: Indoor Only
- ITTF Competition Approved: No
JOOLA’s Inside tables feature a practical two-piece design. Each half stands independently, which makes moving and setting up the table simpler. This split design is particularly helpful when moving through standard doorways or working in smaller spaces.
Each half comes with 4 wheels and locking casters. The wheel locks are foot-operated and help keep the table stable during play. While you don’t always need to use the locks, they’re useful for preventing unwanted movement, especially on smooth floors.
For uneven surfaces, each leg has height adjusters. These let you fine-tune the table level – helpful for most homes where floors aren’t perfectly flat. A level playing surface makes a big difference in how the ball bounces and plays.
Storage is straightforward with this design. You can fold each half and store them upright, either against a wall or next to each other. This takes up less space than many one-piece tables. Just be sure to face the playing surfaces toward each other during storage to avoid scratches.
Setup and Assembly
Being a table tennis table, initially setting up the table can be a bit tricky as both halves arrive in the same (very heavy) box. You’ll need 2 people to transport the box, or ensure you have delivery booked with people who can get the table where you need.
A word of caution during assembly: when flipping the completed halves upright, always lift and place them down carefully rather than trying to roll them on the legs. The legs are only screwed into MDF and can break if stressed at an angle.
Once your table is in the right place, setting up a JOOLA Inside table is simply a breeze. The only thing you need to do is install the four legs to the underside of each table top. You’ll need a wrench to install 2 braces on both sides of each of the 4 legs.
Each JOOLA Inside table comes with a JOOLA clamp-style net, clearly aimed at a more casual market. Clamp-style nets are incredibly easy to put up/down but aren’t as sturdy as other styles. JOOLA’s included net is of decent enough quality and is perfect for at-home play where the exact tension/height aren’t as critical.
The only major downside with the net is the lack of a ‘guide’ on top of the net post, meaning the string can easily ‘pop’ off the post if you pull it too hard when tightening.
Playing Experience & Surface Quality
The JOOLA Inside delivers a solid playing experience that is more than good enough for recreational and club players.
The deep blue playing surface is stunning and features a professional matte finish that reduces glare while maintaining good ball visibility. The white boundary lines are thick and clearly visible from any playing position.
In our bounce testing across different areas of the table, we found consistently even bounces with no noticeable dead spots. The sides of the table are cleanly finished with protective banding that has held up well during our testing period.
You can buy the JOOLA Inside in four table thickness options:
- 13mm – Basic recreational thickness
- 15mm – Entry-level thickness, suitable for casual play
- 18mm – Sweet spot for value/performance
- 25mm – Tournament-grade thickness
While the 15mm version is a good table, it’s on the thinner side of our recommended thickness, so I strongly recommend the 18mm version for most buyers. The thicker surface provides noticeably better bounce characteristics and stability without a huge price premium.
The 25mm top, while excellent, comes with a steep price increase that’s hard to justify unless you’re playing at a professional level.
Build Quality and Durability
The JOOLA Inside’s frame construction strikes a good balance between stability and weight. The powder-coated metal undercarriage provides solid support while preventing rust, though the metal used for the leg braces is notably thinner than we’d prefer.
During our 5-month testing period with regular use every other day, the table demonstrated impressive durability across several key areas:
- The leg system remains stable during play with minimal wobble
- Edge banding has held up well against impacts and regular wear
- The wheel system rolls smoothly and locks securely
- Surface material maintains its finish without showing wear patterns
- Corner protectors stay firmly attached
One notable durability concern emerged during testing: the metal braces that lock the legs in place are somewhat delicate. If you attempt to fold the table while these braces are still in the locked position, they can bend relatively easily. While this damage is fixable, it’s important to always unlock the braces before folding to avoid this issue.
The table is designed strictly for indoor use – there’s no weather resistance built in, and exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures could damage the MDF playing surface. When properly cared for indoors though, the build quality suggests this table should provide many years of reliable service.
For a table in this price range, the overall construction quality exceeds expectations. While there are more robustly built tables available, they typically cost significantly more and are aimed at commercial or competitive use rather than home recreation
Storage and Portability
The JOOLA Inside’s folding mechanism is straightforward and reliable. Each half folds independently with a simple lift-and-lock system that engages automatically when vertical. The locking mechanism features a small metal catch that, while functional, could be more robust.
At 189 pounds total weight for the JOOLA Inside 18 (split between two halves), these tables are notably lighter than many competitors. Once each half is upright, the four 3-inch wheels make maneuvering the table easy enough. You have two options for moving the table:
- Fold each half upright and wheel them separately
- Keep the table flat and simply lift one end to roll on two wheels (great for minor position adjustments)
The wheel locks engage smoothly with a foot pedal and have always held firmly during our testing.
For single-player practice, you can set up just one half in the “playback position” – though you’ll want to ensure the wheel locks are engaged before hitting against it.
Storage dimensions are impressively compact at just 62″ x 19″ x 67″ when both halves are folded. The stand-alone halves design means you can store them side by side, place them in separate locations, or nest them together to minimize footprint
One crucial storage tip: Always position the playing surfaces facing each other when stored. This prevents the exposed metal undercarriage of one half from potentially scratching the playing surface of the other.
Value for Money
At $350-$675 depending on the thickness option, the JOOLA Inside series offers exceptional value compared to similar tables on the market. While you can find cheaper tables around $250, these typically have thinner surfaces and flimsier construction. Comparable quality tables from brands like STIGA and Butterfly often cost $100-200 more.
The included JOOLA net set, while basic, is perfectly serviceable for recreational play. You may want to upgrade to a higher-end net set ($30-50) if you’re buying this table for use at a club or for tournaments, but it’s not essential.
For recreational and club players, the JOOLA Inside (particularly the 18mm version) hits a sweet spot of quality and affordability that’s hard to beat. While serious competitors may want to invest in a tournament-grade 25mm table, the Inside series delivers everything most players need at a very reasonable price point.
Alternatives to the JOOLA Inside
STIGA Advantage 19 ($599)
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Nearly identical design and specifications to the JOOLA Inside, with a 19mm surface thickness. The main differences are cosmetic, though STIGA’s warranty support tends to be more responsive in North America. Consider this if the JOOLA is out of stock or you prefer STIGA’s customer service.
Butterfly Personal 19 ($800)
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A step up in build quality with a 19mm surface and more robust frame construction. The single-piece design is less convenient for storage but provides better stability. Worth considering if budget allows and you want a more tournament-like playing experience.
JOOLA Rally TL ($490)
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Very similar design to the Inside table but with ball holders and an abacus scorekeeper. A good alternative if the Inside model isn’t available in your country.
Check our tool to compare all table tennis tables and find the right one for you.
Final Verdict
The JOOLA Inside series delivers exceptional value, offering a well-built recreational table that punches above its price point. It strikes an impressive balance between quality and affordability.
The table excels in several key areas:
- Quick and straightforward assembly
- Practical split design for easy storage
- Consistent playing surface
- Solid build quality for home use
- Excellent value for money
The 18mm version represents the sweet spot in the lineup, offering noticeably better bounce characteristics than the 15mm or 13mm models without the steep price premium of the 25mm version. While not quite tournament-grade, it’s more than capable for recreational and club-level play.
Who Should Buy This Table
✓ Recreational players wanting a reliable table for regular home use
✓ Families looking for a durable table that can handle frequent play
✓ Club players seeking a good value practice table
✓ Those with space constraints who need a compact storage solution
✓ Budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on quality
Who Should Look Elsewhere
✗ Advanced players looking for tournament-grade specifications
✗ Those needing an outdoor or all-weather table
✗ Players wanting a one-piece design
✗ Clubs hosting official tournaments (consider the 25mm version instead)
✗ Anyone looking for an incredibly robust table that can handle rough usage
As an investment, the JOOLA Inside offers excellent returns for recreational players. Its durability and quality construction suggest many years of reliable service when properly maintained indoors. While there are more robust options available, they typically cost significantly more and exceed what most home users actually need.
For most players, especially anyone seeking their first serious table tennis table, the JOOLA Inside table represents a smart purchase that will serve you well for years to come.
This review was supported by contributions from Racket Insight community member D. Weaver. We thank them for making sure this is the most accurate and in-depth review of the JOOLA Inside table 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
