First, do not be so caught up with the hype. Commercials are enticing, yes, because they are commercials. If you are a beginner, you would be better off with one which you are willing to send to hell with wear-me-out practice sessions. Buy one that is cheaper, and when you have finally decided that you are someone made to play table tennis, go for the more pricey tables. Moreover, if you are a beginner and you buy a table that is enough to cover your expenses for two months, you probably would not be able to appreciate it the way it should be appreciated.

Second, answer this question: permanently-put or grab-and-go? Determine if you would be playing outdoors and tagging your table along with you wherever you go, or if you would be practicing your table tennis skills only at home. If you are of the former category, take a pick from table tennis tables that are easy to assemble and disassemble. There are models that are specifically made to be carried around, and they even come with bag.

Third, take note of the thickness. This is more of a professional issue, but it will be good if you know about it. Most professional players would say that the 25 mm top is the best. That is true, but thicker tops have thicker prices as well. As mentioned, tops would not mean so much if you are a beginner, so it is recommended that you go for the thinner and less expensive ones. You can deliver good moves and see good bounces in a 19 mm thick top, but if you could find a thicker table that would not cost you so much, go for it.