The STIGA Elite Roller sits in an interesting sweet spot in the table tennis world – it’s the table you’ll find in serious clubs across Europe and Asia, but it won’t drain your bank account like full tournament-grade equipment. At $900 USD, it promises professional features like a 22mm playing surface and robust German engineering, but costs hundreds less than competition-certified tables.
But here’s the question many players wrestle with: Is this “middle ground” table truly worth the investment?
After six months of intensive testing in a busy club environment, we’ve put the Elite Roller through its paces to help you decide. We’ve served, smashed, and even accidentally abused this table to understand whether its premium construction and playing characteristics justify that significant price tag.
In this hands-on review, we’ll examine everything from its bounce consistency to its storage design, helping you determine if the Elite Roller deserves its reputation as the go-to choice for serious clubs and dedicated players.
With features like individual folding halves, reliable safety mechanisms, and smooth-rolling casters, it’s clearly designed for intensive use. Though the wheel-side height adjustment can be challenging, the table’s overall build quality and proven durability in club settings make it a solid investment.
Ace
- Average RRP: $ 1,600 USD
- Surface Thickness: 22
- Top Material: Wood
- Stand-Alone Halves: Yes
- Wheels: Yes
- Weight: 222lbs
- Storage Dimensions: 60'' x 23'' x 67''
- Warranty: 2 Year
- Location: Indoor Only
- ITTF Competition Approved: No
The STIGA Elite Roller Advance is an indoor table tennis table manufactured in Germany. The table features a 22mm playing surface constructed from compressed wood chips. The surface comes in a tournament-style blue finish with multiple coating layers for.
The table meets international tournament size requirements at 274cm × 152.5cm × 76cm (108″ × 60″ × 30″). When folded for storage, it measures 152.5cm × 60cm × 172cm (60″ × 24″ × 68″).
The frame construction includes a 60mm powder-coated light grey frame profile, complemented by a square-profile tube base (measuring 30×30mm and 40×40mm). Each table half is equipped with four 125mm rubber-treaded wheels.
The legs feature height adjustment capabilities with a 3cm range to accommodate uneven surfaces. The total weight comes in at 101kg (222 lbs), providing excellent stability during play while remaining manageable for transportation.
The table comes with a 2-year STIGA guarantee and complies with European standard EN 14468-1. Note that the package normally does not include a net, net stand, balls, or bats these must be purchased separately.
Important: This table is designed exclusively for indoor use and should not be exposed to moisture, humidity above 60%, direct sunlight, or extreme temperatures.
Setup and Assembly
Setting up the STIGA Elite Roller is straightforward and quick. The assembly process takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and all major components come pre-assembled.
A notable feature is the interlocking design between the two table halves, which ensures perfect alignment during play. The table includes a dual-lock safety mechanism that automatically secures the table in both playing and storage positions.
The only setup challenge was adjusting the height on the wheel side of the table, which can be difficult compared to the non-wheel side. However, this is a minor inconvenience in an otherwise smooth assembly process.
Playing Experience & Surface Quality
The playing surface features a matte blue finish that matches the quality found in STIGA Expert competition tables. When properly maintained, the surface has retained its quality even with daily use by multiple players.
The white lines blend seamlessly with the blue surface, so you won’t notice any difference in bounce when the ball hits them. The edges are solid and well-built, and even after months of heavy use, the surface maintains its consistent bounce from center to edge. We’ve had no dead spots or wear issues to report.
The frame and legs keep the table stable during play. The wheel locks are easy to engage with your foot, and once locked, the table stays firmly in place even during intense rallies. No wobbling or shifting to worry about.
Build Quality and Durability
After six months of nearly daily use by multiple players at a club setting, the STIGA Elite Roller demonstrates impressive durability. The playing surface maintains its appearance and quality with proper cleaning, showing resilience against regular intensive use. While some surface scratches have occurred due to user error, these incidents haven’t affected the table’s performance.
The undercarriage is built solidly. In our experience, the welded frame and cross braces show no signs of wear or wobbling. The large rubber wheels roll smoothly and lock securely in place during play. While all the technical specs are impressive on paper (60mm frame, squared steel tubing, etc.), what matters is that this table feels rock-solid whether you’re playing casual games or intense matches.
The table’s locking mechanisms and safety features continue to function perfectly after months of regular folding and unfolding. The height adjustment system and wheel locks maintain their effectiveness, though the wheel-side height adjustment remains a bit tricky.
Storage and Portability
The STIGA Elite Roller’s storage design is practical and functional. Each table half folds independently, allowing for single-person setup and storage. The folded dimensions (152.5cm × 60cm × 172cm) make efficient use of limited space.
For safety, the table includes a straightforward locking system with a red bar running the width of the table. When folded, this bar secures the table halves firmly in place. The unfold process requires lifting the red bar and pulling the table down slowly.
The table moves on four rubber-treaded wheels per half, with a simple foot-operated locking mechanism. When locked, the table remains stable during play. When unlocked, it rolls easily for transport. Multiple tables can be positioned side by side when folded, which is particularly useful in club settings.
Value for Money
The STIGA Elite Roller sits in the mid-range price segment at around $900 USD, which is a significant investment for most players. Our test unit in Finland came to 799€ including freight, and in our case, the seller threw in a STIGA Master net (though the table typically ships without one).
The price feels fair when you consider what you’re getting: a professional-grade 22mm playing surface, rock-solid construction that holds up to daily club use, and the convenience of easy setup and storage. While you’ll need to budget extra for a quality net set, balls, and other accessories, the table itself represents good value given its performance and durability.
For serious players and clubs looking for a reliable workhorse table that will last for years, the Elite Roller makes sense. But if you’re a casual player who doesn’t need tournament-level features, you might want to look at some more budget-friendly options.
Alternatives to the Stiga Elite Roller
JOOLA Inside 18
Features a thinner 18mm playing surface compared to the Elite Roller’s 22mm top. While both tables offer split folding designs, the JOOLA’s lighter construction and thinner surface result in slightly different playing characteristics. The price difference largely reflects these.
Butterfly Personal 19
With a 19mm surface, this table also sits below the Elite Roller’s 22mm thickness. The single-piece design contrasts with STIGA’s split system, offering better stability during play but less storage flexibility. The bounce characteristics aren’t quite as pronounced as the Elite Roller due to the thinner surface.
STIGA Expert Roller
The Elite Roller’s professional sibling, featuring a thicker 25mm playing surface and enhanced frame construction. Shares the same wheel system and safety features but includes upgraded materials throughout. The price difference mainly reflects the competition-grade components and enhanced durability.
Check our tool to compare all table tennis tables and find the right one for you.
Final Verdict
The STIGA Elite Roller successfully bridges the gap between recreational and professional table tennis tables. With its 22mm playing surface, consistent bounce characteristics, and robust construction, it delivers performance that will satisfy both serious club players and demanding recreational users.
The table’s standout features include its reliable safety mechanisms, smooth-rolling caster system, and excellent storage design. While the wheel-side height adjustment can be troublesome, the overall build quality and durability make it a sound long-term investment, particularly given its proven performance in high-traffic club environments.
At $900 USD, the Elite Roller represents a sizeable investment, but its durability and professional-grade playing characteristics justify the price.
Who Should Buy This?
✓ Club facilities seeking a durable, daily-use table
✓ Serious players who want competition-grade bounce without tournament-level prices
✓ Users who need a reliable split design for easy storage
✓ Players upgrading from recreational tables who want professional features
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
✗ Casual players who don’t need 22mm thickness
✗ Those seeking a budget-friendly first table
✗ Users requiring outdoor capabilities
✗ Players needing tournament-certified equipment
This review was supported by contributions from Racket Insight community member S. Saarikoski. We thank them for making sure this is the most accurate and in-depth review of the STIGA Elite Roller 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
