The ping pong table is one of the most important factors of the sport. The right table can provide either the smoothest, most consistent gameplay, or it can be a thorn in the player’s side. Inconsistent bounce, poor quality materials, or a wobbly table can be detrimental to a match.
There is, however, a part of the table that might be overlooked by some players. The net of the table tennis table. It might not seem like such a big deal, but a poor quality net can severely impact the flow of a table tennis match. A net that sags on one end will prevent players from properly gauging the power of their shot or may confuse them in the heat of the moment.
There are a lot of different types of nets on the market, so to help you choose the right one, we’ve compiled and reviewed the best ones. Whether you’re looking for a brand new net or a replacement net, you will find the right choice here. Also, these can all be easily found and purchased on Amazon.
In a hurry? Here’s the test winner after 9 hours of research:
The Best Ping Pong Nets and Posts in 2021 – Overview
Here are the top 5 picks (keep scrolling for more details and picks 6-9).
Best Overall
1. JOOLA Premium Avanti Table Tennis Net and Post Set
- PLAY LIKE A CHAMP: The JOOLA Avanti Ping Pong Net and Post Set is tournament level and competition ready, allowing you to practice like our JOOLA Champions!
We begin by looking at a net by the ever-famous JOOLA brand. They are a leading table tennis brand and are known for their high-quality, tournament-grade products. They’re even featured in Olympic events, making them a very reputable brand.
As for their Avanti net, it is certainly made for professional play. It is a screw-on, clamp-style net, the kind that is seen in tournaments and other high-level environments meant for serious play such as clubs and schools. If you’re looking for something that will give you a professional experience, in terms of a net, then this is a serious contender.
The screw-on clamps ensure that the net will always remain in the same spot on the table, no matter how hard it gets hit by a ball or by other disturbances. The Avanti net also meets all of the requirements set by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and is considered fit for official play.
The net itself is reinforced by a cotton blend, making an extremely durable net. The posts of the net feature tension adjustment along with protective rubber padding so your table tennis table won’t be scuffed or damaged in any way. Along with the premium quality, this net is lightweight and easy to assemble and store, making it perfect to take on the go.
Pros:
- Great for professional play
- High-quality, durable net
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- Expensive
2. JOOLA Retractable Portable Table Tennis Net
- PLAY TABLE TENNIS ANYWHERE: Portable on-the-go ping pong spring clamp net system with adjustable lengths for playing table tennis on any surface!
This net, once more made by JOOLA, is more intended for utility and easy setup rather than professional play. It is a retractable net, meaning it is able to be easily deployed and used on most surfaces like dining tables or other similar tabletops. This type of net effectively lets you take the sport of table tennis anywhere you’d like.
Even if you’re playing on a surface that is longer than a normal ping pong table, this retractable net should get the job done. It is longer than normal ping pong nets, extending up to almost 6 feet long. Additionally, it has easily attachable clamps underneath the posts that are up to 1.5 inches thick that can latch onto most table surfaces.
These clamps are also padded to ensure stability and grip on whatever surface you are using. When not in use, the net easily retracts into a compact form, ready to be used again at any time. The net can easily fit into a backpack or similarly sized container for easy transport. Wherever you go, you’ll be ready to start a match.
Pros:
- Let’s you play ping pong almost anywhere
- Portable and durable
- Made with excellent JOOLA quality
Cons:
- Not intended for professional-level play
Lowest Price
3. Hipiwe Retractable Table Tennis Net
- Play Table Tennis Anywhere on Almost Any Table
This is another retractable table tennis net set, this time made by the Hipiwe brand. Like the previous net made by JOOLA, this is a high-quality product that is made so you can take the sport of ping pong to any playing surface. Between the Hipiwe net and the JOOLA net, there aren’t really that many differences.
They’re both solid products that provide the same service. That being said, there are a few nuances to the Hipiwe version. The biggest difference between the two nets is that the Hipiwe version sports regulation net height. Though it is very unlikely that you would ever see a retractable net in a competitive setting, you can use it in a pinch if you’re trying to simulate a competitive setting.
Also, unlike the JOOLA net, the Hipiwe net boasts a weatherproof and waterproof net. This allows you to take your ping pong matches pretty much anywhere, you could even have an intense match during a thunderstorm! Though, you’d probably ruin your paddles in the process.
Pros:
- Weatherproof and waterproof net
- 6-foot net length
- Cheap
Cons:
- Not for professional players
4. STIGA Premium VM Net Set
- ITTF Approved
Next up we have another quality net and post set by another trusted brand, STIGA. Similar to JOOLA, they are known for producing quality products of all types for table tennis players and are known to supply clubs and national teams. This is another instance where you can be sure that you’re getting a well-made product that is worth its price tag.
This net is another excellent product that you’ll find within the STIGA lineup. It is a clamp and screw on type of net, so it is commonly used in high levels of play on standard tables. The net is also ITTF approved, as you’d expect from this type of net and the brand it comes from.
The brackets of this net are made of sturdy material and are painted a very nice blue. The net mesh is also painted blue. It will surely add a little bit of pop to your ping pong table without being too distracting. Along with all of the features above, it comes standard with everything else you’d expect to see from a net that is tournament-grade. Namely, it has tension and height adjusters.
Pros:
- Another excellent product from a trusted brand
- Very cool blue mesh with sturdy blue posts
- Perfect for competitive play
Cons:
- One of the more expensive net and post sets on this list
5. JOOLA Snapper
- JOOLA - AN OLYMPIC TABLE TENNIS BRAND TRUSTED FOR 60+ YEARS: Launched in the 1950s, JOOLA has been the proud sponsor of the biggest tournaments in the world, Including the Olympics, World...
The Snapper is another type of net produced by JOOLA. This time it is a clip-on style net, meaning it is extremely easy to set-up and use. All that is required is to unwrap the net and attach a clipper to each side of the ping pong table. The only thing that would be more simple to set up would be the retractable net sets.
Along with being very easy to set up, the JOOLA Snapper is very well constructed. The posts themselves are made with heavy-duty steel. This net and post set will stand up to the fiercest of competition, allowing you to go all-out on your opponents without worrying about the net.
Like was said previously, this is the next most convenient way to use a ping pong net, aside from the retractable nets. You won’t have to fumble around with screws and clamps and worry about the hassle of a long setup. In fact, this net even comes with a convenient zip-up storage case to drive home that it is portable and easy to set up.
This net and post set is also ITTF approved so it can be used in a tournament setting. It also comes with the usual features such as tension correctors and height adjusters.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Durable, heavy-duty steel posts
- Portable, comes with a zip-up storage case
Cons:
- Expensive for a net and post set
6. Butterfly Europa Professional Net and Post Set
If you’ve got the budget for a very high-end net that any pro would have the pleasure of having on their professional table, then look no further than the Butterfly Europa. Butterfly is a Japanese company that prides itself on creativity, durability, and excellent technical knowledge about the sport of ping pong.
This company is world-renowned for its table tennis products and even has a training center in Tokyo where world-class players, coaches, and scientists meet. When buying from Butterfly, you know you’re going to get a top-of-the-line product. This is the most expensive net on our list and for good reason. This was the same type of net that was used during the 2001-2011 U.S. Open and U.S. National Championships
The large brackets on this net are made of very durable steel. Along with that, the clamps on this net’s posts have felt on them so that they will never damage or scuff the table. It also has features that are common with clamp and screw net and post sets. Namely, there is a metal pull chain to adjust the net tension and it has pins below the posts to fix the height of the net.
Pros:
- Excellent construction, very durable
- Felt-tipped clamps prevent table damage
- Very high-quality
Cons:
- The most expensive net on this list
7. JOOLA Outdoor Weatherproof Net and Post Set
- PLAY LIKE A CHAMP: The JOOLA Outdoor Ping Pong Net and Post Set is tournament-level and competition-ready, allowing you to practice like our JOOLA Champions!
Yet another product by JOOLA makes it into this list. It should not be a surprise at this point, as this brand makes excellent products. Among their lineup of ping pong net sets are the outdoor weatherproof version. This net is not unlike most of the nets we’ve already seen from JOOLA. It sports a 66-inch long net with a clamp and screw-type post set.
There is, of course, an adjustable tension chain and screws beneath the posts to change the height of the net. What really makes this net stand out from the rest of the ones by JOOLA is the weatherproof net. It is made with a high-quality nylon mesh, meaning you will never have to worry about any type of damage from the elements hurting your net. This net would work perfectly with any outdoor table tennis table but works just as well with any other table.
Pros:
- Nylon mesh in the net makes it weatherproof
- High-quality product, like other JOOLA items
Cons:
- Not ITTF approved
8. Yiliaw Collapsable Tennis Net and Post Set
- 【YOU AND WE ARE BOTH PROFESSIONAL】Tournament-level Ping Pong Net, capable for daily training or professional competition games.
This is another table tennis net that uses the clip style. It is an excellent alternative to the JOOLA Snapper and other clip-style ping pong nets that we have on this list. Not only is it cheaper but it has a lot of things that ensure that you’re still getting a quality product, despite the reduced price.
For starters, the net itself is made out of high-quality material. Specifically, it is made of a premium cotton blend to ensure durability and limit sag. The posts are made out of sturdy steel as well, excellent for ensuring durability and preventing damage. The clips are also lined with rubber to prevent damage to the table. It also has spring-activated clips, ensuring that they will stay firmly locked onto the table.
As with all clip-style table tennis nets, this one is very easy to set up and stow away. The instructions are simple and precise, it only takes a few easy steps to get this net ready for play. This makes it a great choice for recreational players, much like the rest of the clip-style nets on this list. This net actually comes with a heigh measuring tool, rather than a screw, as the height must be adjusted as the net is set up. Also, it comes with a tension adjusting chain, like most other table tennis nets.
Pros:
- Durable cotton blend net
- Sturdy steel posts
- Rubber-lined clips to prevent table damage
Cons:
- Should only be used on indoor tables
9. STIGA Premium Clipper
- STIGA – Since 1944, STIGA has been the innovative leader in table tennis equipment. STIGA combines superior craftsmanship with exceptional performance in every product. The highest quality equipment...
Rounding out our list, we have a product by the STIGA brand. They are another of the most well-known ping pong brands and their products are all excellent quality like their competitors. This net is a clip-style net that is meant to be used in tournament-level competitions. It fits regulation tables and the measurements of the net are up to ITTF standards.
The net is also made with a special cotton blend to ensure quality and durability. Its posts are also made with heavy-duty steel. Exclusive to this STIGA product is a precise measuring tool to make sure your net reaches the regulation 6-inch height when it is assembled.
Like all the other clip-style nets, this is an excellent product for those looking for convenience and ease of assembly in their table tennis nets. This net is especially great for those looking for a portable, tournament-quality net and post set.
Pros:
- Portable tournament-grade net and post set
- Special cotton blend net and steel posts
- Measuring tool to ensure net is regulation 6-inch heigh
Cons:
- Instructions for setup are a bit vague
Our Winner:
When it comes to the best table tennis nets, you need to be asking yourself two questions: what level am I competing at and how much am I willing to pay?
If you’re a high-level player that has a high budget, then the obvious choice for you is the Butterfly Europa. This is a truly excellent net of the highest quality that a champion would love to see on their table. Everything about that net screams excellence and anyone looking to compete at a high level should have one of these nets for their table if they don’t already. The price is certainly steep, especially for something as simple as a net. But, with a brand like Butterfly, you’ll absolutely be getting your money’s worth.
But what about recreational players or beginners? What about those that need a ping pong net on a budget? For you, we highly recommend the JOOLA retractable net and post set. With a brand name like JOOLA backing this net, you’re certain to receive a good product. If the price does not entice you, then the convenience of this product surely will.
It is extremely easy to set up, easier than the clip-style nets that have been talked about throughout this list, and it allows you to play ping pong almost anywhere as long as the surface is big enough and the clamps can fit on it. In practice, you don’t even need to purchase an expensive table tennis table if you don’t mind playing on a dining table or other similar surface.
Ping Pong Net FAQ
1. “What are the specifications for a net & post set to be approved by the ITTF?”
For a net to be approved by the ITTF, a net must meet the standard size of 6 inches in height, 6 feet in length, and the posts must be 6 inches outside the table. It is important to remember here that the net must be 6 inches throughout the whole length of the net, hence the need for tension adjusters.
2. “Can all of these nets be used on any surface?”
In theory, as long as the clamps can fit around the surface, yes. However, even with the rubber or felt lining on the clips, clamps, or posts, you might not want to place it on an expensive dining table. You should really use the retractable nets if you plan to play on a surface that’s not a ping pong table.
