Quick answer: A good table tennis set for home play includes two bats, at least three 40 mm balls and a carry bag, and some add a net. Choose a wooden set for indoor play and better feel, a weatherproof plastic set for the garden or garage, and a mini set with a suction-cup net for kitchen tables and desks.
A ping pong set is the quickest way to get a household, a classroom or an office playing table tennis. You do not need club-level kit to have a proper rally, but the set you pick still makes a difference: the wrong bats for an outdoor table get ruined by the first shower, and the wrong net will not grip your table.
The team at Central Sports sells table tennis sets in our shops in Cardiff, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Hereford, and these are the questions we ask customers before recommending one.
What comes in a table tennis set?
Most table tennis sets follow the same basic recipe, with a few differences that matter:
- Two bats so two people can play straight away. Bats are either wooden blades with rubber and sponge, or moulded plastic built for outdoor use.
- Balls, usually three. Full-size sets use standard 40 mm balls; mini sets use a smaller ball.
- A carry bag or case to keep everything together, which is more useful than it sounds once the balls start disappearing under sofas.
- A net in some sets, typically on mini or travel sets. Most full-size bat and ball sets do not include one, so check before you buy if you need a net.
Indoor ping pong sets: wooden bats for better feel
If you are playing indoors on a proper table, a set with wooden bats gives the most natural feel. The Donic-Schildkrot Ping Pong Set is a good example: two 5-ply wooden bats with 1.0 mm sponge under the rubber, concave handles, three yellow 40 mm Poly 40+ balls and a zipped carry bag. The thin sponge keeps the ball under control rather than adding lots of speed, which is exactly what beginners and children need while they learn to keep a rally going.
Wooden bats do not like being left out in the rain. Keep them indoors, away from radiators, and they will last for years of family games. If a player starts to outgrow the set bats, our guide on how to choose a table tennis bat explains what to look for in an upgrade.
Outdoor table tennis sets for the garden and garage
Garages, sheds, patios and park tables are hard on equipment. Damp air and the odd rain shower will make the rubber on a wooden bat peel and the blade warp. For these spaces, a weatherproof set is the better buy.
The Donic-Schildkrot Alltec Hobby Paddle & Balls Set uses two synthetic bats with a hard core and a soft, non-slip outer surface. Donic describe them as weatherproof and washable, and the set comes with three seamless white 40 mm balls in a zipped carry bag. Because the bats can be wiped clean, they also suit schools, youth clubs and leisure centres where lots of hands share the same kit. If you need extra bats for a bigger group, the same Alltec Hobby Table Tennis Paddle is available on its own.
Outdoor play also eats balls. They roll into hedges and get trodden on, so a bulk box is worth having to hand. Our table tennis balls explained guide covers the difference between training and match balls if you want to know what you are buying.
Mini table tennis sets for kitchen tables and desks
No table tennis table? A mini table tennis set turns a kitchen table, office desk or coffee table into a small court. The Donic-Schildkrot FSC Mini Table Tennis Set includes two mini rackets (14 x 9 cm, made from FSC-certified wood with a rubber coating), a 57 cm wide, 7.5 cm high net that attaches with plastic suction cups, and a 35 mm mini ball.
It is not a substitute for the full game, but it is a cheap and genuinely fun way to keep children busy, practise hand-eye coordination and settle office arguments. The suction cups need a smooth surface, so it will not work on rough wood or textured tables.
Table tennis set vs buying bats and balls separately
A set is the best value way to start, but there are times when buying separately makes more sense:
| Situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| New to table tennis, playing at home | Wooden indoor ping pong set |
| Garage, garden or outdoor concrete table | Weatherproof plastic set |
| No table, small space | Mini set with suction-cup net |
| Table has no net | Set plus a clip-on or retractable net |
| Regular player wanting more spin and speed | Individual bat with better rubbers |
| School, club or large family | Extra bats plus a bulk box of training balls |
Once someone is playing every week, a dedicated bat such as the Legends 700 FSC Table Tennis Paddle is a sensible next step. Donic describe it as having a 5-ply wooden blade and dual-sided rubber designed for a balance of control, speed and spin, so it offers more than a set bat while still being forgiving.
Do you need a net with your ping pong set?
Most full-size sets are bats and balls only. If your table already has a net, you are ready to play. If it does not, or if you want to play on a dining table, you will need one that fits. A clip-on net is the quick option for most home tables, while a retractable net stretches across tables of different widths and packs away small. Check the maximum table thickness listed for any net before you buy, because a clamp that is too small simply will not grip.
Browse the full range of table tennis nets to find one that suits your table.
Getting started once the set arrives
A few simple habits make a new set last longer and the games more enjoyable:
- Learn the basics of serving and scoring first. Our guide to table tennis rules for beginners covers everything you need for a fair game at home.
- Store bats flat in their bag, out of direct sunlight and away from heat.
- Wipe outdoor bats after use and let them dry before packing them away.
- Keep spare balls in the bag. A cracked or dented ball bounces unpredictably and should be replaced.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Donic-Schildkrot Alltec Hobby Paddle & Balls Set - Blue/Green (£17.50): weatherproof, washable bats for gardens, garages and schools.
- Donic-Schildkrot Ping Pong Set - Green/Yellow (£3.00): wooden control bats, three balls and a bag for indoor family play.
- Donic-Schildkröt FSC Mini Table Tennis Set - Black/Red (£2.50): mini bats and a suction-cup net for any smooth table.
- Legends 700 FSC Table Tennis Paddle (£18.15): a step-up bat once a set player wants more speed and spin.
- Donic-Schildkrot 1-T One Poly 40+ Training Ball Box - 120 Pcs (£9.99): a bulk box of 40+ training balls so you never run out.
Table tennis set FAQ
What is the best table tennis set for beginners?
For indoor play, a set with wooden bats and soft, thin sponge is best because it prioritises control. For outdoor or shared use, a weatherproof plastic set is the better choice as it will not be damaged by damp.
Can you leave a ping pong set outside?
Wooden bats should always be brought indoors. Plastic outdoor bats such as the Alltec Hobby range are designed to cope with rain and can be washed, but storing them out of the sun will still help them last longer.
Do table tennis sets come with a net?
Some do, mainly mini and travel sets. Most full-size bat and ball sets do not, so add a clip-on or retractable net if your table does not have one.
What size ball comes in a table tennis set?
Full-size sets use standard 40 mm balls, the size used in the modern game. Mini sets use a smaller ball, such as the 35 mm ball in the Donic FSC mini set, to suit the smaller rackets and net.
Whether it is for the garage, the garden or the kitchen table, a good set gets everyone playing in minutes. Shop the full table tennis range online, or pop into one of our shops and the team at Central Sports will help you pick the right set.
