Butterfly Table Tennis Tables
Are they the best tables?

There are many different types of Butterfly table tennis tables available. Some are aimed at the recreational player whilst others are aimed at the more serious player ... and prices vary accordingly.

However, it's important to remember that high performance in any sport can't be achieved without good equipment.

So whether you're a recreational player or a more serious player, you'll need good quality table tennis equipment which is safe, and consistently of a high standard.

If you use an inferior table tennis table which causes abnormal, irregular or unpredictable bounces, even a recreational player will struggle to get any enjoyment out of playing this great sport.

However, as Butterfly have been making table tennis equipment since 1950, you can be sure that they're a reputable brand.

But before you buy your table tennis table, one very important question to answer is ...

There are many different table tennis tables available for you to buy, but you need to be aware that not all of them are approved by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for competitive play.

So if you plan to use your table for competitive play, make sure that you buy a table which appears on the ITTF's authorised list.

So let's now take a look at some of the Butterfly table tennis tables which are on the ITTF's authorised list.

There are three authorised Butterfly tables which have a playing surface available in either green or blue. (These are the only two colours which will be authorised by the ITTF).

This table is a one piece, heavy duty, fold and wheel away space saver design which means that one person can easily manoeuvre it around.

It has a 25mm (1") scratch-proof playing surface surrounded by a hard PVC band and strong 50mm (2") steel rim.

It also has large strong wheels with safety brakes and a distinctive red steel frame with adjustable feet.

Additionally, the Butterfly Centrefold 25 has been designed to accommodate players who use wheelchairs. The distance between the end of the table to the first leg and bar (40cm/16in) is in accordance with Paralympic requirements.

The Butterfly Centrefold 25 is a great table for anyone who needs a good quality match standard table but also needs a table which is easy to manoeuvre and store away.

The Butterfly Centrefold 25 was used at the 1997 World Championships, the 2005 U.S. Open and the ITTF Pro Tour Finals, so it certainly has a good pedigree.

I'd recommend this table for anyone who's serious about their game and wants to use a top quality table tennis table.

The Europa 25 is my personal favourite of all the Butterfly table tennis tables.

It's very similar to the Butterfly Centrefold 25 but doesn't have the one piece, heavy duty, fold and wheel away undercarriage.

Instead, this table splits into two pieces and each half has two wheels cleverly incorporated into the centre edge of the table to help you manoeuvre it around.

This table has eight wooden legs which are attached to the underside of the table top. They open and close using a spring loaded safety mechanism.

This type of table usually needs at least two people to erect and dismantle it, but it's easier to store and it takes up less space than the Centrefold 25.

The Butterfly Europa 25 has been used at World and European Championships and it certainly has my vote.

I'd recommend this table for anyone who's serious about playing table tennis and wants the best Butterfly table tennis table available.

The Butterfly Octet 25 is a top quality, heavy duty match table, designed to be easily erected and dismantled.

It also has a 25mm (1") playing surface and a strong metal frame like the previous two tables.

Each half of the table has four wheels to help you move it around and there are height adjusters on each leg so that you can make sure that the playing surface remains completely level.

I'd recommend this table for anyone who needs a top quality table that's easy to manoeuvre.

Other Butterfly table tennis tables which appear on the ITTF authorised list, but are only authorised in blue, are the ...

• Starker BS-2

• Starker BS-2-W (Wheelchair users)

• Starker BS-2D

• Starker BS-2WD (wheelchair)

• Butterfly International

Alternatively, butterfly also manufacture non ITTF approved table tennis tables for recreational play.

These include ...

Tables suitable for home use ...

Butterfly Compact Wheelaway

Butterfly Home Rollaway

Smaller tables suitable for kids ...

Butterfly Flexi 19

Butterfly Junior

Butterfly Family

Outdoor tables ...

Butterfly Ultimate Outdoor

Butterfly Park Outdoor

Novelty tables ...

Butterfly Mini

Don't miss my article about Butterfly table tennis equipment ...
and my interview with Sebastian Rangs of Butterfly Europa.