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 most popular size for home use in New Zealand — and for good reason. It fits in most garages and games rooms, plays well for both casual and serious players, and is available across the full price range.
Playing surface: 224cm x 112cm
Minimum room size: 5.2m x 4.1m
Best for: Most NZ home setups, garages, games rooms
Our 8ft options:
- Viper 8ft MDF — from $1,590
- Boston 8ft Slate — from $5,499
- Vegas 8ft Slate — from $5,599
9ft Pool Table — Tournament Standard
The 9ft table is what you’ll find in pubs, pool halls, and tournaments. It’s longer, the pockets are tighter, and the game is harder. If you’ve played a lot of pub pool and want that same standard at home, 9ft is the one.
Playing surface: 254cm x 127cm
Minimum room size: 5.5m x 4.3m
Best for: Serious players, large rooms, anyone who wants pub/tournament standard
Our 9ft option:
- Boston 9ft Slate — from $5,999
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 8ft Table | 9ft Table |
|---|---|---|
| Playing surface | 224 x 112cm | 254 x 127cm |
| Min. room size | 5.2m x 4.1m | 5.5m x 4.3m |
| Difficulty | Accessible | Challenging |
| Best for | Home, casual–serious | Serious, tournament |
| Price (slate) | From $5,499 | From $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 popular and practical home option.
Go 9ft if: You have a large room (5.5m+ in the long dimension), you play regularly and want to improve, you’ve played pub pool for years and want that exact standard at home.
When in doubt, go 8ft. It’s the right table for 90% of NZ homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 9ft pool table too big for a garage?
Most standard NZ double garages (6m x 6m) can fit a 9ft table with adequate cue clearance. Measure carefully before buying.
Do professionals use 9ft tables?
Yes — most professional tournaments use 9ft tables. If you want to practice at competition standard, 9ft is correct.
Can I get a 9ft MDF table?
We currently stock 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. Free North Island delivery on everything.
