The size debate is one of the most common questions we get at The Ultimate Mancave. Should you go 8ft or 9ft? The honest answer depends on three things: your room, your budget, and how seriously you play. Here’s the full breakdown.
8ft Pool Table — The Home Standard
The 8ft pool table is the size most of our range comes in — and for good reason. It fits in many garages and games rooms, plays well for both casual and serious players, and is available across the full price range, in MDF and slate.
Outside size: 230cm x 145cm (Viper 8ft), 261cm x 149cm (Boston 8ft and Vegas 8ft)
Room size: 5.7m x 4.5m recommended for our 8ft tables
Best for: Most NZ home setups, garages, games rooms
Our 8ft options:
- Viper 8ft MDF — $1,599
- Millstone 8ft MDF — $1,699
- Boston 8ft Slate — $5,499
- Vegas 8ft Slate — $5,599
9ft Pool Table — Tournament Standard
The 9ft table is what you’ll find in pool halls and tournaments. It’s longer, the shots are longer, and the game is harder. If you’ve played a lot of pool-hall pool and want that same standard at home, 9ft is the one.
Outside size: 290cm x 164cm (Boston 9ft)
Room size: 6.2m x 4.6m recommended
Best for: Serious players, large rooms, anyone who wants tournament standard
Our 9ft option:
- Boston 9ft Slate — $5,999
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 8ft Table (Boston 8ft) | 9ft Table (Boston 9ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Outside size | 261 x 149cm | 290 x 164cm |
| Room size | 5.7m x 4.5m | 6.2m x 4.6m |
| Weight (assembled) | 555kg | 590kg |
| Difficulty | Accessible | Challenging |
| Best for | Home, casual–serious | Serious, tournament |
| Price (slate) | $5,499 | $5,999 |
Our Recommendation
Go 8ft if: You have a standard NZ garage or games room, you play casually to seriously, you want the most practical home option, or you want an MDF table.
Go 9ft if: You have a large room (6.2m+ in the long dimension), you play regularly and want to improve, you’ve played pool-hall pool for years and want that exact standard at home.
When in doubt, go 8ft. It’s the right table for most NZ homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 9ft pool table too big for a garage?
It can be. The Boston 9ft needs a room of about 6.2m x 4.6m for full cue clearance, so a 6m x 6m double garage is tight in the long direction. Measure carefully before buying.
Do professionals use 9ft tables?
Yes — most professional tournaments use 9ft tables. If you want to practise at competition standard, 9ft is correct.
Can I get a 9ft MDF table?
We sell the Boston 9ft in slate only. The 9ft size is more commonly found in slate, which gives the flat, consistent surface required for long-distance shots.
Ready to choose? Browse all pool tables NZ or jump straight to our slate pool tables. Freight to your nearest depot is charged per table and shown at checkout: see our delivery page for rates.
