STIGA Mini Ping Pong Tables: Space Saver vs Black Edition

Ever considered purchasing a mini ping pong table? They are great for people who lack the space for a full-size model or want to ease into the game with a slower style of play. 

Today I’ll be comparing two STIGA mini ping pong tables. STIGA is a top-quality brand that bought us quality full-size tables such as the STIGA Advantage and STIGA XTR. Therefore they are a trustworthy brand to consider when buying small tables. I, for one, think they are one of the best table tennis companies around!

STIGA Space Saver vs Black Edition: Head-to-Head Comparison

STIGA Space Saver Overview

Features

• Color: Blue, woodgrain
• Material: Engineered wood, alloy steel
• Dimensions: 70″ L x 40.5″ W, 30″ H
• Table Thickness: 5/8″ (16mm)
• Weight: 73lbs
• Warranty: 1 year

The STIGA Space Saver is a quality small table if you lack the space for a full-size model. Measuring 70″ L x 40.5″ W x 30″ H, it is not the smallest of tables. Therefore you can play a little faster on it than some of the other mini tables that are available.

That being said, its dimensions are not its greatest selling point, rather, its thickness is. The thickness of a table tennis table determines the quality of its bounce. The thicker it is, the higher the bounce quality. The STIGA Space Saver has a 5/8″ (16mm) surface. This is significantly thicker than most small tables which means it is far more enjoyable to play on. In fact, 16mm is the thickness we see from entry-level full-size tables so it’s great to see STIGA implement it on a small table.

In terms of strength and portability, the table also performs well. The legs measure 1.25″ wide and are made of steel, with the overall table weighing just 73lbs. As this is a two-piece table, you can easily separate each 36.5lb half and move it as needed.

The halves are also very compact. The legs fold flush against the underside of the table and there are no wheels to stick out. Think of a small version of the Butterfly Compact 19 minus the wheels. This means you can easily store the table in narrow spaces such as in a closet or under the bed.

Read Next: A Complete Guide to Buying Mini Ping Pong Tables in 2022

STIGA Mini Table Black Edition Overview

Features

• Color: Black
• Material: Fiberboard
• Dimensions: 50″ L x 28″ W x 30″ H
• Table Thickness: 12mm
• Weight: 37lb
• Warranty: 1 year

While STIGA once used to have a plethora of small table tennis tables, the STIGA Mini Table Black Edition is the only other similar-sized model they have to rival the Space Saver currently. It measures 50″ L X 28″ W x 30″ H, so it’s pretty small.

The STIGA Mini Table Tennis Table Black Edition’s small size also translates to its table top thickness. It measures 12mm in depth which, while very thin relative to full-size models, is actually pretty average compared with other mini tables. Unfortunately, STIGA doesn’t include a lot of details about this particular table, so I wasn’t able to obtain as much info as I would have liked.

On their website, they don’t even specify the weight, which is a pretty important detail to leave out. However, I discovered that it weighs around 37lb, thanks to a private seller.

Performance Comparison — Winner: STIGA Space Saver

 

 
The clear winner in the performance department is the Space Saver. This is because it beats the STIGA Mini Table on both important metrics: table top thickness and dimensions. With a 16mm table top thickness compared to a 12mm thickness, it has a comparatively superior bounce. What’s more, it’s over 25% larger. This means you can have games that much better emulate full-size table tennis.
 

Portability/Storage Comparison — Winner: STIGA Mini Table Black Edition

The STIGA Mini Table Black Edition claws a point back in its favor regarding portability and storage. The reason for this is that it weighs around half as much as the Space Saver (37lb vs 73lb), and it also folds as you would expect.

While I couldn’t verify 100% that it is a two-piece model, I am almost certain that it is. Clamshell designs are pretty rare among top table tennis brands, and it doesn’t show that it is not a two-piece model.

Similarly, while STIGA does not specify the Black Edition’s folded dimensions, we don’t need them to compare. Assuming it’s a two-piece table, it’s comparatively smaller when folded, given its reduced width, height, and thickness on the Space Saver when erected.

Design Comparison — Winner: STIGA Mini Table Black Edition

This category is a little more subjective, but in my opinion, the Black Edition is the better-looking table. I really like the all-black design, and I can see a lot of people feeling the same way. It is also far easier to fit in with your home decor as it won’t feel as out of place as a blue and white table. However, the Space Saver does have a woodgrain option, which again, I imagine would make it easier to fit in with your indoor furnishing.

Conclusion – The Best Stiga Mini Ping Pong Tables

 
Both the STIGA Space Saver and the STIGA Mini Table Black Edition are fun STIGA mini ping pong tables and are perfect to get your fix of table tennis from the comfort of your own home. While the Black Edition model narrowly secured two out of three in our head-to-head categories, overall, we prefer the STIGA Space Saver.

The reason for this is because playing quality trumps all, and the Space Saver performs far better here. You’ll only potentially get better STIGA mini table tennis with the STIGA Midi table tennis table (larger play area, smaller table top). The issue is that the Midi table tennis table is not very widely available, hence its omission from this list.

So if you’re seeking the best table in terms of playing quality, the Space Saver is our favorite STIGA mini ping pong table. However, if, on the other hand, you are shorter of space and want something a little slicker, the STIGA Mini Table Black Edition is likely the better option.

Warren Davies