Stiga Baja vs XTR: Stiga XTR Is Worth Every Penny

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This Stiga Baja vs XTR Review will help you find out which table is the better deal.

Stiga XTR is one of the few affordable recreational-purpose tables that features a satisfying entry-level-welcomed tabletop. You also won’t have to struggle to assemble this table.

Stiga Baja is ambitious with its 10mm tabletop and 5-inch caster wheels. However, its general design, along with its price, can not outperform Stiga XTR.

This article will explain why Stiga XTR is better than Stiga Baja. 

Stiga Baja vs XTR: Comparison Chart

Name
The Winner (#1)
Stiga XTR
The Runner-up (#2)
Stiga Baja
Image
STIGA XTR Professional Table Tennis Tables – All Weather Aluminum Waterproof Indoor / Outdoor Design with Net & Post - 10 Minute Easy Assembly Ping-Pong Table with Compact Storage
STIGA Baja Outdoor Table Tennis Table
Thickness of tabletop
10 mm
6 mm, aluminum and plastic composite material
Dimension
63 x 57 x 4 inches
108 x 60 x 30 inches
Weight
90 kg
75 kg
Leg levelers
2”
2”
Undercarriage
30mm x 30mm
30mm x 30mm
Stable steel legs
2”
1.2’’
Easy to assemble
Yes, 95% pre-assembled
Net
All-weather, clamp-style net
All-weather, clamp-style net
Caster wheels
5’’
3”
Playback mode
All-weather
Color
Blue
Blue
Safety latch system
What I like
Price
$499.99
Price not available
The Winner (#1)
Name
Stiga XTR
Image
STIGA XTR Professional Table Tennis Tables – All Weather Aluminum Waterproof Indoor / Outdoor Design with Net & Post - 10 Minute Easy Assembly Ping-Pong Table with Compact Storage
Thickness of tabletop
10 mm
Dimension
63 x 57 x 4 inches
Weight
90 kg
Leg levelers
2”
Undercarriage
30mm x 30mm
Stable steel legs
2”
Easy to assemble
Net
All-weather, clamp-style net
Caster wheels
5’’
Playback mode
All-weather
Color
Blue
Safety latch system
What I like
Price
$499.99
More info
The Runner-up (#2)
Name
Stiga Baja
Image
STIGA Baja Outdoor Table Tennis Table
Thickness of tabletop
6 mm, aluminum and plastic composite material
Dimension
108 x 60 x 30 inches
Weight
75 kg
Leg levelers
2”
Undercarriage
30mm x 30mm
Stable steel legs
1.2’’
Easy to assemble
Yes, 95% pre-assembled
Net
All-weather, clamp-style net
Caster wheels
3”
Playback mode
All-weather
Color
Blue
Safety latch system
What I like
Price
Price not available
More info

Stiga Baja vs XTR: Differences

The winner: Stiga XTR (3-1)

Stiga XTR has a persuasive winning as it is easy to assemble and weighs lighter than its opponent; plus, its tabletop is beginner-friendly.

Thickness of tabletop

The winner: Stiga XTR

Stiga XTR’s 6mm tabletop
Stiga XTR’s 6mm tabletop

In case you don’t know, outdoor tables usually feature 4 to 9mm tabletops. Stiga Baja’s tabletop is 10mm and makes its way into the mid/high-end rank of outdoor tables. 

Although the 10mm thickness promises high quality, its manufacturing fails to fulfill that ambition. I noticed that the tabletop thickness is not even at all spots, resulting in lumpy bounciness. 

On the other hand, Stiga XTR’s 6mm tabletop was able to offer what its producers advertised. Its playability is equivalent to indoor tables’ 15mm, meaning it’s more for entry-level players than intermediate and professional players.

After all, I’d instead go with a recreational table that has a reasonable price tag than a product that chews more than it can bite.

Weight

The winner: Stiga XTR

Stiga XTR is 75kg, relatively heavy but still considerably lighter than Stiga Baja. It’s easy to understand why so because the thicker tabletop is, the heavier a ping-pong table will be. 

While the heavier weight of Stiga Baja is unavoidable if you count in all other factors (thickness of tabletop, larger steel legs, larger caster wheels, etc.), its disadvantage is evident, too. 

Regarding transportation, heavyweight means there are more chances your table gets damaged before arriving at your home. I was lucky enough to receive mine in good condition, but online reports have shown that such a situation is not uncommon. I understand this is a third company’s fault, but that’s enough to put some off.

 It already required three adults to handle Stiga XTR’s more-than-75kg package, so with Stiga Baja, you will want to ask for help from more people. 

In the end, working with Stiga XTR is more comfortable.

Easy to assemble

The winner: Stiga XTR

Stiga XTR is 95% pre-assembled and its instruction is super easy to follow
Stiga XTR is 95% pre-assembled and its instruction is super easy to follow

Stiga XTR is my pick because 1. It’s 95% pre-assembled and 2. Its instruction is super easy to follow. 

So although it took me around half an hour with the assistance of two others to get it ready (don’t be fooled by the producers’ advertisement – unless you’re skilled at this task), I don’t have any complaints about the assembly.

On the contrary, Stiga Baja is one of the few tables I really had trouble assembling. Why so?.

It wouldn’t have been such tiring work had the instruction been more helpful. Stiga could immensely improve this detail by illustrating it with actual photos of the objects instead of vague drawings.

On top of all, let’s not forget that Stiga Baja weighs up to 90kg. The weight would be a problem that slows your work significantly.

Wheels

The winner: Stiga Baja

5-inch caster wheels of Stiga Baja are more assuring than 3-inch ones of Stiga XTR
5-inch caster wheels of Stiga Baja are more assuring than 3-inch ones of Stiga XTR

I give it to Stiga Baja simply because 5-inch caster wheels are more assuring than 3-inch ones of Stiga XTR. Stiga XTR is 75kg and I often see indoor tables of that weight feature 3-inch wheels, but the size is very inadequate for an outdoor table. 

5-inch wheels definitely outperform 3-inch ones but unfortunately, the 90kg weight that pairs with them notably limits their performance. I examined Joola Nova Pro Plus some while ago, and its weight-wheel ratio is what I call the standards for outdoor tables. Stiga Baja? Not really.

So despite my decision to make Baja the winner in this debate, I don’t have high words for what its wheels can offer. 

Stiga Baja vs XTR: Similarities

Net

If you’ve ever suffered the poor tension adjustment of the clamp-style net, you will understand why I’m not so pleased with both Stiga XTR and Stiga Baja’s net design. 

The biggest plus about clamp-style net is that the set-up is hassle-free, but even that advantage can’t make up for its flaws. 

Playback Mode

How to practice your skills even if there’s no company with you? Just fold a table half up, fixate it by the safety latch system, then start your solo practice. 

All-weather proof

Being waterproof and all-soft-of-harsh-condition-resistant doesn’t mean your table can survive all year round outside. It’s unlikely that the quality remains the same after the product has been under challenging conditions.

So unless you’re ready to buy a brand new one soon, be gentle on your table. Add protection using plastic covers, or place it in shaded spots rather than exposing it directly to the sun. Moreover, if you don’t usually use it, consider storing it indoors.

Quick Rundown of Stiga XTR

Sale
STIGA XTR Professional Table Tennis Tables – All Weather Aluminum Waterproof Indoor / Outdoor Design with Net & Post - 10 Minute Easy Assembly Ping-Pong Table with Compact Storage
  • PERFECT ADDITION TO ANY OUTDOOR PATIO SET - Durable outdoor table tennis table perfect for the patio or garage
  • BUILT TO LAST - Specifically designed and manufactured to withstand the elements.
  • ALL-WEATHER PERFORMANCE - Aluminum composite top offers great playability with all-weather performance
  • QUICKPLAY DESIGN - 10-minute QuickPlay design comes 95% preassembled out of the box for quick and easy setup
  • SIMPLE STORAGE - Effortlessly folds into an ultra-compact storage position in seconds with self-opening legs
Pros
  • Lighter weight than Stiga Baja
  • Playback mode is excellent for beginners
  • Its assembly is simple with 95% pre-assembled table parts
  • Tabletop caters to entry-level players
Cons
  • 3-inch caster wheels are safe to use on even ground only
  • Clamp-style net has poor tension adjustment

Quick Rundown of Stiga Baja

STIGA Baja Outdoor Table Tennis Table
  • Outdoor Table with Exceptional Durability and Playability
  • Perfect For a Deck, Garage, or Covered Porch
  • Quickplay Chassis for Quick and Easy Assembly
  • Aluminum Composite Top Won’t Warp or Rust
  • 2” Self-Opening Steel Legs with Leg Levelers
Pros
  • Sturdy frame and undercarriage
  • The weatherproof tabletop is durable
  • Wheels are 5 inches, much more favorable than Stiga XTR’s 3-inch ones
Cons
  • Tabletop is uneven
  • Assembly is complicated
  • Clamp-style net is not stable

Product Videos

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5/5 - (1 vote)