Stiga Advantage Pro vs Joola Inside 18 Review: Which One Is The Better Household Ping-Pong Table With Tournament Quality?

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For whoever is lost in the 18mm-thickness table category, this Stiga Advantage Pro Vs Joola Inside 18 Review can help you make a wise purchase.

If you love the idea of a top-quality ping-pong table for professional practices yet are still budget-friendlier than the 25mm thickness tables, Stiga Advantage Pro will satisfy you like no others. 

On the other hand, Inside 18 well earns its runner-up title with its strong frame and undercarriage and a solid performance in all aspects. 

Keep scrolling to learn why I consider Stiga Advantage Pro a better investment than Joola Inside 18

Stiga Advantage Pro Vs Joola Inside 18: Comparison Chart

Name
The Winner (#1)
Stiga Advantage Pro
The Runner-up (#2)
Joola Inside 18
Image
STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Indoor Table Tennis Tables 95% Preassembled Out of the Box with Easy Attach and Remove Net - Multiple Styles Available, Blue
JOOLA Inside - Professional MDF Indoor Table Tennis Table with Quick Clamp Ping Pong Net and Post Set - 10 Minute Easy Assembly - Ping Pong Table with Single Player Playback Mode
Thickness of tabletop
18 mm
18 mm
Dimension
108"L x 60"W x 30"H
108"L x 60"W x 30"H
Weight
86 kg
93 kg
Stable steel legs
1.58 inch
1.5 inch
Steel Apron
1.5 inch
1.2 inch
Net
Clamp-styled
Clamp-styled
Caster wheels
4 inch
3 inch
Leg levelers
2 inch
1.5 inch
Safety latch system
Apron size
1.58"
1.5’’
Playback mode
Indoor/ Outdoor
Indoor
Indoor
Color
Blue
Blue
Easy to assemble
Price
$527.94
$649.95
What I like
The Winner (#1)
Name
Stiga Advantage Pro
Image
STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Indoor Table Tennis Tables 95% Preassembled Out of the Box with Easy Attach and Remove Net - Multiple Styles Available, Blue
Thickness of tabletop
18 mm
Dimension
108"L x 60"W x 30"H
Weight
86 kg
Stable steel legs
1.58 inch
Steel Apron
1.5 inch
Net
Clamp-styled
Caster wheels
4 inch
Leg levelers
2 inch
Safety latch system
Apron size
1.58"
Playback mode
Indoor/ Outdoor
Indoor
Color
Blue
Easy to assemble
Price
$527.94
What I like
More info
The Runner-up (#2)
Name
Joola Inside 18
Image
JOOLA Inside - Professional MDF Indoor Table Tennis Table with Quick Clamp Ping Pong Net and Post Set - 10 Minute Easy Assembly - Ping Pong Table with Single Player Playback Mode
Thickness of tabletop
18 mm
Dimension
108"L x 60"W x 30"H
Weight
93 kg
Stable steel legs
1.5 inch
Steel Apron
1.2 inch
Net
Clamp-styled
Caster wheels
3 inch
Leg levelers
1.5 inch
Safety latch system
Apron size
1.5’’
Playback mode
Indoor/ Outdoor
Indoor
Color
Blue
Easy to assemble
Price
$649.95
What I like
More info

Stiga Advantage Pro Vs Joola Inside 18: Differences

The winner: Stiga Advantage Pro (3-0)

Advantage Pro’s win is persuasive considering its 4in caster wheels and 2in leg levelers. On the other hand, Inside 18 is marvellous with its sturdy frame and undercarriage.

Steel table legs & leg levelers

The winner: Stiga Advantage Pro

Advantage Pro is more adaptive to players of different heights
Advantage Pro is more adaptive to players of different heights

For some unknown reason, Advantage Pro has slightly bigger table legs (1,58’’)  than Inside 18, which doesn’t make much difference to me. If I stop right here, you will not know why I chose Advantage Pro to be the winner.

What makes the table legs design of Advantage Pro unique is its leg levelers, which are 2’’ instead of 1.5’’ like Inside 18’s. That means Advantage Pro is more adaptive to players of different heights than the latter. 

And for an indoor/household ping-pong table, being compatible with all family members is undoubtedly a critical point. I’m having a Advantage Pro in my living room right now. Apart from guests and friends, the table also welcomes my kids as keen players. That the 2 in-leg levelers make it possible for both adults and my kids to play sports inside is fantastic.

Steel aprons

The winner: Stiga Advantage Pro 

Advantage Pro chose to make its aprons 1.58in, different from the common 1.5in aprons for 18mm thickness tables
Advantage Pro chose to make its aprons 1.58in, different from the common 1.5in aprons for 18mm thickness tables

It is a mystery to me why Advantage Pro chose to make its aprons 1.58in, different from the common 1.5in aprons of 18mm thickness tables. Nonetheless, I appreciate this feature.

Steel tube aprons may appear trivial, but as someone who has laid hands on quite a few tables so far, I suggest you not underestimate this feature. My family had stuck with a $200 table for a while before Advantage Pro came around. That table’s aprons were purely decorative, and not long after purchasing, the surface became warped up horribly, and its playability became intolerable. 

So what appeared to be a good deal at first ended up being a waste of money, and I told myself to be wiser next time. Thankfully, Advantage Pro did me justice. 

That’s why I’m telling you to pay close attention to steel aprons as they are what make your purchase a sustainable one. 

Weight

The winner: Tie

Inside 18 is 7kg heavier than Advantage Pro, which could be both advantageous and disadvantageous. 

Judging from Advantage Pro’s thicker surface, the reason for Inside 18’s heavier weight could be the materials used to make its undercarriage, or its frame is heavier. 

Could it be that Inside 18’s materials are sturdier than Advantage Pro? If the answer is yes, you can also expect a more robust frame and foldability (Although I hardly spot any differences). 

Besides, the sturdier materials might suggest better preservation; then again, material is also a factor that decides the preservation, and we don’t know for sure what materials were chosen to make both tables. 

On the other hand, the downside of heavyweight will prevail during transportation.

Regarding assembly, it won’t be problematic thanks to the design-wise 95% pre-assembled parts of both Advantage Pro and Inside 18. 

However, moving them, especially Inside 18, maybe tricky if not for their caster wheels – which leads us to the next point.

Locking caster wheels

The winner: Stiga Advantage Pro 

Advantage Pro is 7kg lighter than Inside 18, and has larger wheels with 4in
Advantage Pro is 7kg lighter than Inside 18, and has larger wheels with 4in

May I repeat myself, Advantage Pro is 7kg lighter than inside 18, and theoretically, Inside 18 should be the one with larger wheels. Yet it seems like Advantage Pro is ahead in this game with its 4in wheels. 

To be fair, I don’t have any problem with moving Inside 18 around. But honestly, it’s definitely more satisfying gliding Advantage Pro on its fabulous 4in caster wheels.

On a side note, both Joola and Stiga did a fantastic job of ensuring safety during playing and storage by adding a locking system on each caster wheel of Advantage Pro and Inside 18.

Stiga Advantage Pro Vs Joola Inside 18: Similarities

Thickness

Both offer MDF-quality consistency and evenness like Stiga and Joola claim their products, hence the bounciness is marvelous. 

This fantastic playability is thanks to the high-quality wood chosen for tabletop making, hence the multi-layered roller coat (Stiga)/silkscreen(Joola) on top. 

Keep in mind, 18mm tables can lack certain sturdiness that is signature to the 25mm tables. However, I see the Stiga Advantage Pro as the balance point between the purely-leisure 15mm and the professional-level 25mm. 

If you’re not ready to pay a sum for 25mm tables, landing with a 18mm one is certainly a safe choice.

Net and post set and self-opening legs

Both Joola and Stiga are loyal to the clamp-style net, it seems. The most significant benefit of this design is that you go through zero hassle setting them up, unlike fixed or screw-on models. 

But if you think clamp-styled offers ultimate convenience, think again. There were complaints from customers in the past about the tension instability of clamp-styled net – the complaints are minor, but once you decide to go for it, you ought to accept both the good and the bad.

Convenience continues to be the priority for Advantage Pro and Inside 18 as they both possess self-opening legs. Some glides in and out, and your tables are perfectly ready to serve or nest in half for storage. 

Play-back mode

Both Advantage Pro and Inside 18 have solo-player mode, meaning you can fold half in a fixed position to practice alone. This mode is enabled by the safety latch system, so don’t worry about flinching or gliding as there will be none. 

We all know that the bouncing of play-back mode is not the same as when playing with another competent player, but again, if you want your table to be a household one, don’t skip the play-back mode that would work wonders for your children. 

Quick Rundown of Stiga Advantage Pro

STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Indoor Table Tennis Tables 95% Preassembled Out of the Box with Easy Attach and Remove Net - Multiple Styles Available, Blue
  • TOURNAMENT-QUALITY INDOOR TABLE TENNIS TABLE DESIGNED FOR PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL PLAY – Features a 10-minute QuickPlay design that comes 95% preassembled out of the box for quick and easy setup.
  • EASY AND CONVENIENT TRANSPORTABILITY – Effortlessly roll and transport table halves using 4” premium lockable casters for convenient storage and setup.
  • PRO FEATURES PROVIDE EXCELLENT PLAYABILITY – Excellent playability with ¾”-thick table top with multiple roller coat finish and silk-screen striping.
  • ATTACH AND REMOVE THE TOURNAMENT-GRADE NET WITH EASE – Easily attach and remove the tournament-grade 72’ clamp-style net and post set that includes tension and height adjustments.
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED – Since 1927, Escalade Sports has taken pride in manufacturing quality products. With fully-staffed customer service team, we are committed to providing courteous care and 00% guarantee you will be satisfied with your purchase.
Pros
  • The 2in leg levelers are ideal for households with kids
  • 4in locking caster wheels allows seamless movability
  • The lightweight
Cons
  • Can cost more than the regular recreational tables

Quick Rundown of Joola Inside 18

STIGA Advantage Competition-Ready Indoor Table Tennis Tables 95% Preassembled Out of the Box with Easy Attach and Remove Net - Multiple Styles Available, Blue
  • TOURNAMENT-QUALITY INDOOR TABLE TENNIS TABLE DESIGNED FOR PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL PLAY – Features a 10-minute QuickPlay design that comes 95% preassembled out of the box for quick and easy setup.
  • EASY AND CONVENIENT TRANSPORTABILITY – Effortlessly roll and transport table halves using 4” premium lockable casters for convenient storage and setup.
  • PRO FEATURES PROVIDE EXCELLENT PLAYABILITY – Excellent playability with ¾”-thick table top with multiple roller coat finish and silk-screen striping.
  • ATTACH AND REMOVE THE TOURNAMENT-GRADE NET WITH EASE – Easily attach and remove the tournament-grade 72’ clamp-style net and post set that includes tension and height adjustments.
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED – Since 1927, Escalade Sports has taken pride in manufacturing quality products. With fully-staffed customer service team, we are committed to providing courteous care and 00% guarantee you will be satisfied with your purchase.
Pros
  • Strong frame and undercarriage that allow robust motions
  • Playability can satisfy even experts who want a table for practising
  • Playback mode is read
Cons
  • It can cost more than the regular recreational tables
  • Wheels are only 3in

Product Videos

Related Articles to Stiga Advantage Pro

  1. Stiga Advantage Pro Review: Stiga’s Indoor Tennis Table For Both Entry-Level And Intermediate Players
  2. Stiga Advantage Lite vs Pro: Compare The Differences And Similarities
  3. Stiga Advantage vs Advantage Pro Review: Which One Is the Better STIGA For Your Household?

Related Articles to Joola Inside 18

  1. Joola Signature vs Joola Inside Review: Inside 25 Is The Best Of All
  2. Joola Inside 15 vs 18: Which One Is The Better Version Of Joola Inside?

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5/5 - (2 votes)