How to Choose a Pool Table: The Complete Guide
Buying a pool table means investing in years of games with family and friends, and bringing a real piece of furniture into your home, or even your garden. The big trend right now is the hybrid indoor-outdoor pool table, equally at home in the living room or out on the patio, which, given the British weather, means you can still get a frame in whenever the sun makes an appearance. But between formats, materials, budgets and indoor-versus-outdoor use, it's easy to feel lost.
A quick word on names: in Britain, pool, snooker and billiards are three different games. This guide is about pool tables, by far the most popular choice for the home, with a look at the alternatives so you can buy with confidence.
That's why we've put together a simple, step-by-step guide bringing together all the criteria that really matter: type of game, the right size for your room, the quality of the bed and cushions, indoor or outdoor, convertible dining options, budget and upkeep.
→ The goal: to help you choose a pool table you won't regret, and compare the Cornilleau pool tables with complete peace of mind.
Contents
- The 6 questions to ask before buying a pool table
- Which type of pool table should you choose?
- What size of pool table for your room?
- Indoor or outdoor pool table?
- Home or commercial use?
- What makes a good pool table: the quality criteria
- The convertible pool table: play AND dine on one table
- Budget: how much does a good pool table cost?
- The Cornilleau pool tables: side by side
- Essential pool table accessories and upkeep
- 5 steps to choose well
- FAQ: your pool table questions
The 6 questions to ask before buying a pool table
Before getting into the detail, these six questions will tell you in ten seconds the kind of pool table you need:
Family with children, keen players, friends round for the evening?
The single biggest factor for which materials you need.
Living room, garage, conservatory, patio, by the pool…
Careful, the clearance around the table matters as much as the table itself.
A pool table that converts into a dining table replaces a piece of furniture rather than adding one.
It drives the range, the finish, the materials and the durability.
Find your ideal billiard table
Answer 4 questions to discover the collection that best suits your needs, your space, your style and your budget.
Which type of pool table should you choose?
Not every table plays the same way. The “type” really refers to the discipline, which sets the table size, the balls and the rules, and above all whether it has pockets (the holes you sink the balls into) or not. If you want a refresher on the games themselves, see our guide to the rules of pool and its variations.
American pool tables (8-ball)
This is the most sociable, widely loved format for the home. The table has 6 pockets, the balls are numbered and the best-known game is 8-ball. Easy to pick up and great for children and seasoned players alike: the all-rounder of the pool world. Cornilleau pool tables are American pool tables, supplied for this format with 15 Aramith balls (Ø 57.2 mm) plus a cue ball.
📐 Dimensions: the 9 ft (254 × 127 cm playing surface) is the competition size, while the more compact 7 ft (around 6 ft 7 in long) remains the favourite at home.
Carom tables (French billiards)
No pockets: you score by caroming the cue ball off the other two. This is the traditional, demanding, technical game that purists love. It's far more common on the Continent than in Britain. It takes longer to learn and needs a dedicated space.
📐 Dimensions: the reference sizes are the half-match (about 2.80 m) and the match (284 × 142 cm playing surface).
Snooker tables
A national treasure in Britain and the format behind those famous televised tournaments. A very large table (up to 12 ft), 21 object balls plus the cue ball, and narrow pockets. Magnificent, but it needs a big, dedicated room and suits committed players. Worth knowing: English billiards is played on this very same table.
📐 Dimensions: 12 ft, 3.57 × 1.78 m playing surface.
English pool tables (blackball)
For a lot of British players, this is pool: the classic pub and games-room game. It's similar to American pool but with smaller balls (Ø 50.8 mm / 2 in), tighter pockets and plain red-and-yellow balls. A more tactical, position-led game on a typically smaller table, which is exactly why it's the staple of UK pubs and clubs.
📐 Dimensions: the standard competition size is 7 ft (about 2.10 m long, 180 × 90 cm playing surface), with more compact 6 ft tables also common in homes.
Worth remembering: for sociable family use at home, American pool offers the best balance of fun, accessibility and footprint, which is exactly the approach Cornilleau takes.
| Type of table | Pockets | Balls | Who is it for? | Footprint |
| American Pool | Yes (6) | 15 object balls + 1 cue ball, Ø 57.2 mm | Families, leisure players, all skill levels | Medium |
| English Pool | Yes (6) | 15 object balls + 1 cue ball, Ø 50.8 mm | Tactical-game enthusiasts, the UK pub classic | Medium |
| Snooker | Yes (6) | 21 object balls + 1 cue ball, Ø 52.5 mm | Experienced players, large game rooms | Very large |
| French Billiards (Carom) | No | 3 balls, Ø 61.5 mm | Purists and technical players | Medium to large |
What size of pool table for your room?
This is the most common mistake: choosing a table that's too big for the room. What counts is not just the table, but the clearance all around it so you can play comfortably.
The golden rule: a cue's length
You need to be able to draw the cue back behind each cushion without hitting a wall or a piece of furniture. The simple rule: allow a cue's length (about 1.4 m / 4 ft 8 in) of clearance on every side. With a short cue (90–120 cm) you can trim those margins a little, which helps in the corners.
Recommended minimum space for a pool table
⚠️ Remember that the dimensions usually quoted (in feet or cm) refer to the playing surface, not the overall size of the table, and certainly not the space you need to play properly. That's why we recommend keeping to a 2:1 length-to-width ratio, which guarantees identical playing angles whatever the size of the table.
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| Size | Table dims (approx.) | Clearance (1.4 m cue) | Minimum room recommended |
| 7 ft | 200 × 110 cm | 1,40 m / side | Min. 4.8 × 3.9 m (≈ 15'9" × 12'10") |
| 8 ft | 230 × 130 cm | 1,40 m / side | Min. 5.1 × 4.1 m (≈ 16'9" × 13'5") |
| 9 ft | 254 × 140 cm | 1,40 m / side | Min. 5.3 × 4.2 m (≈ 17'5" × 13'9") |
Indicative figures, based on a standard 1.4 m cue. For exact dimensions of each model, see the product pages for the Cornilleau pool tables.
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Space-saving tip: a convertible pool-and-dining table effectively removes the problem, because it sits where a table you already own would go.
Indoor or outdoor pool table?
C'est le critère essentiel qui va orienter le choix des matériaux.
- Billard intérieur uniquement : vous avez le choix le plus large, y compris les tables à ardoise traditionnelle.
- Billard extérieur (terrasse, jardin, bord de piscine) : la table doit résister aux UV, à l'humidité, aux écarts de température, aux taches, aux moisissures et à la corrosion. Tous les billards ne sont pas conçus pour cela. Attention, un billard d'intérieur placé dehors se dégrade très vite !
- Billards indoor & outdoor : c'est l’option idéale si vous avez le moindre doute ou que vous souhaitez utiliser votre billard en extérieur quand le soleil pointe le bout de son nez. Les billards Cornilleau sont pensés pour vivre dehors comme dedans, avec un plateau en ardoise minérale insensible à l'humidité et un tapis traité anti-UV, avec une qualité de jeu extrêmement proche d’un billard intérieur.
Le sujet des billards extérieur mérite à lui seul un dossier complet : tests de résistance, matériaux, comparatif. Pour aller plus loin, consultez notre guide dédié 👉 Choisir le meilleur billard extérieur.
Home or commercial use?
Beyond the model itself, your setting shapes the choice. Most buyers are families using the table at home, where it's a social hub: a piece of furniture the whole household gathers around, that converts into a dining table for guests, and that needs to sit happily within your décor.
The same weatherproof, hard-wearing build also suits commercial settings, pubs, hotels, holiday lets, offices and clubs, where a table faces heavier daily use and has to look the part. The 5-year guarantee, 20-year spare-parts availability and genuine indoor/outdoor durability are what make a Cornilleau table a sound long-term choice for both. For a commercial project, our UK-based customer service team can help you pick the right model.
Un billard pour la maison et la famille
Chez vous, le billard est avant tout un point de rencontre : un meuble convivial autour duquel les générations se retrouvent, qui se transforme en table à manger pour recevoir, et qui doit s'intégrer harmonieusement à votre décoration. Les priorités sont le design, la polyvalence (convertible, intérieur/extérieur) et une durabilité familiale capable d'encaisser le quotidien, les enfants et les saisons. C'est tout l'esprit de la gamme Play-Style, pensée comme un véritable mobilier de jeu à vivre et à transmettre.
Un billard pour les professionnels (hôtels, CHR, entreprises)
En usage professionnel (hôtellerie, restauration, espaces de travail, coworking, clubs de sport, résidences haut de gamme), le billard doit supporter un usage intensif et répété, résister aux chocs comme aux intempéries, et valoriser l'image du lieu. À cela s'ajoutent des besoins spécifiques aux projets d'aménagement : service client dédié, assemblage et installation sur place, fichiers 3D pour intégrer les produits aux plans, et conditions tarifaires réservées aux professionnels. La robustesse indoor et outdoor, ainsi que la réparabilité 20 ans deviennent des critères incontournables.
Le point commun : une même base de qualité
Bonne nouvelle : que l'usage soit personnel ou professionnel, les billards Cornilleau reposent sur les mêmes fondations : fabrication française, matériaux résistants aux chocs et aux intempéries, usage intérieur comme extérieur, garantie 5 ans et pièces détachées disponibles 20 ans. Vous ne choisissez pas un produit « moins durable » pour la maison : vous choisissez surtout le niveau d'accompagnement et les services adaptés à votre projet.
| Critère | Usage personnel | Usage professionnel (CHR, entreprises) |
| Priorité n°1 | Design, convivialité, art de vivre | Résistance à un usage intensif, image du lieu |
| Intensité d'usage | Régulier | Soutenu |
| Convertible table à manger | Oui | Oui |
| Services dédiés | Livraison, SAV | Service pro, montage et installation, fichiers 3D, tarifs pro |
| Socle commun | Made in France, in & outdoor, garantie 5 ans, réparable 20 ans | Made in France, in & outdoor, garantie 5 ans, réparable 20 ans |
| En savoir plus | Page Familles | Page Professionnels |
What makes a good pool table: the quality criteria
At the same price, two tables can play very differently. Here's what makes the real quality of a pool table.
The bed: slate or MDF/laminate?
The bed determines the flatness, and so the accuracy of the roll.
- Slate is the historic benchmark for indoor tables: dead flat and dense. Cornilleau now fits a 19 mm mineral slate bed across its outdoor pool tables, bringing the playing feel very close to an indoor slate table, a real plus for UK players who rightly value a proper slate bed.
- Cheaper tables often use an MDF or laminate bed. Earlier Cornilleau models used a high-density laminate: excellent flatness while staying impervious to damp, lighter, and compatible with indoor/outdoor and convertible use.
The cushions
These are what give the bounce. Look for reactive rubber cushions mounted on a rigid, stable frame (at Cornilleau: rubber on a galvanised-steel structure). And for durability, choose removable, replaceable cushions, a sign of longevity.
The cloth
The cloth affects the speed and consistency of play. Outdoors, insist on a UV-treated cloth that resists stains, mould and tears so it won't fade or get damaged at the first stray shot. Every Cornilleau table comes with a cloth made specifically for outdoor use.
The frame, legs and levelling
A quality table is stable and perfectly level. Check the sturdiness of the frame and the presence of adjustable feet: on an uneven floor (or a patio) they're essential for a true roll.
Finish and design
A pool table is on show for hours a day, even when no one is playing. Fine materials (solid wood, treated steels), colours and lines: design is part of the decision, especially for a table in a living space.
Guarantee and spare parts
A maker's confidence shows in the length of the guarantee and the availability of spare parts over time. Cornilleau pool tables are guaranteed for 5 years, with spare parts available for at least 20 years, for a table that lasts well beyond the guarantee, backed by UK-based customer service.
The convertible pool table: play AND dine on one table
Short of space for a dedicated piece of furniture? The convertible pool table is the answer. With a dining top placed over the table, your pool table becomes a dining table or a large worktop in seconds, then turns back into a pool table for the next frame.
It's the ideal option for:
- living and dining rooms where the table also needs to earn its keep day to day;
- patios and gardens, where it becomes a sociable table for entertaining;
- anyone who wants one piece of furniture, two uses.
Every Cornilleau pool table can take an optional dining top.
👉 See the convertible pool tables
👉 See the dining tops to turn a pool table into a dining table
Budget: how much does a good pool table cost?
Price depends on materials, finish, durability and versatility (indoor/outdoor, convertible). Here are some positioning benchmarks:
| Tier | Quality | Use | Price (indicative, UK) |
| Entry-level | Light materials, limited durability, little or no outdoor capability. | Occasional indoor use. Not suited to commercial use. | £200–£800 |
| Mid-range | Good playing surface, quality cushions and neat finishes. | Regular family use. Limited suitability for commercial use. | £800–£2,500 |
| Premium | Durable materials, designed for indoor & outdoor use, convertible, long warranty and spare parts availability. | Intensive, long-lasting and design-focused use. Ideal for commercial environments. | £2,500–£7,000+ |
Cornilleau pool tables sit in the durable premium segment: built to last for years indoors and out, convertible, made in France and guaranteed for 5 years, from around £2,995. An investment made for the long term rather than a purchase to replace.
The Cornilleau pool tables: side by side
Three ranges, one shared DNA: Made in France, 5-year guarantee, convertible into a dining table, a 19 mm mineral slate bed (previously a high-density laminate), indoor and outdoor use. The Cornilleau ranges differ mainly in style and level of finish.
| Classic | Hyphen | Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | Timeless and accessible | Iconic, customisable design | Cabinetmaking & solid wood, nature-inspired |
| Finish | Clean and understated | Contemporary, customisable (pocket and cloth colours) | Premium, the most refined finish |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Convertible into a dining table | Yes (optional top) | Yes (optional top) | Yes (optional top) |
| Convertible into a table tennis table | Yes (optional kit) | Yes (optional kit) | Yes (optional kit) |
| Indicative price | From £2,995 | From £3,995 | From £4,995 |
| Ideal for | A timeless, durable billiard table | Creating a bold, personalised space | A premium design statement |
| Discover | CLASSIC RANGE | HYPHEN RANGE | ORIGIN RANGE |
Classic: a stylish, durable and accessible pool table
The Classic range offers a timeless, indoor & outdoor pool table with clean, understated looks. It's the most accessible way into the Cornilleau world without giving up on durability. A great fit, too, for venues wanting a distinctive yet affordable table.
Hyphen Collection: a customisable and sociable billiard table
The Hyphen collection features a designer billiard table for both indoor and outdoor use, created to adapt effortlessly to every living space. Customisable with a choice of finishes, it can also be converted into a garden dining table thanks to its optional tabletop. It is the ideal choice for anyone looking for a stylish, versatile and sociable billiard table that fits just as naturally into a contemporary interior as it does on a terrace. It is also an excellent solution for hospitality and commercial venues looking to create a distinctive, durable and easy-to-integrate entertainment space.
Origin: a premium, design-led pool table
The Origin range pays tribute to Cornilleau's original craft, cabinetmaking, with pure lines and the use of solid wood. It's the choice for those who want a table as beautiful to look at as it is to play on. Ideal, too, for venues looking to make a statement with an exceptional centrepiece.
Essential pool table accessories and upkeep
To get the most from your table, plan for the essentials:
- The cues plus a wall-mounted cue rack to store them in style, especially in a venue (hotel, café, co-working space, holiday let…);
- A set of American pool balls or English pool balls: quality balls (such as Aramith) roll more consistently and last longer;
- The triangle, chalk and rest (bridge) for those awkward shots;
- A protective cover, particularly useful outdoors between games;
- A dining top if you go for the dual-purpose use.
On upkeep: brush the cloth regularly in the direction of play, cover the table when it's not in use, and clean the balls to keep them rolling true. Outdoors, a UV-treated cloth and corrosion-resistant materials cut maintenance right down. For the full routine, see our guide on how to care for your pool table.
5 steps to choose well
- Define the use: family, sociable or technical? Tip: American pool covers most needs at home.
- Measure your room: table + “cue-length” clearance all the way around.
- Indoor or outdoor use? This is what decides the materials (see our indoor & outdoor pool tables).
- Check the quality: bed, cushions, cloth, frame, guarantee and spare parts.
- Choose style and budget: compare the Cornilleau ranges (Classic, Hyphen, Origin).
FAQ: your pool table questions
It depends as much on the room as on the table. Allow about 1.4 m of clearance on every side (the length of a cue). For exact dimensions by model, see the product pages for the pool tables.
Yes, but only if it's built for the outdoors: UV-, corrosion- and damp-resistant materials. A standard indoor table won't survive. Explore the full indoor & outdoor range.
Slate is the benchmark for a true, accurate roll; cheaper tables tend to use an MDF or laminate bed. Cornilleau's outdoor pool tables now use a 19 mm mineral slate bed.
English pool (red-and-yellow balls, smaller 2-inch balls, tighter pockets) is the classic British pub game and plays on more compact tables. American pool (larger 2¼-inch numbered balls, wider pockets) is more sociable and forgiving, and it's the format Cornilleau tables are set up for. For mixed family use, American pool is the easier, more relaxed choice; for pub-style tactical play, English pool is the tradition.
Yes, provided the bed and cushions are good. The dining top sits over the playing surface: it doesn't affect the feel, it simply adds a dining-table function.
To set a fair budget, picture how you'll use the table over the long term, especially in a commercial setting. For a table built to last (materials, guarantee, spare parts, hybrid indoor/outdoor use), budget roughly £2,500 to £7,000+. Cornilleau pool tables start around £2,995 (Classic) and go up to £4,995 (Origin).
At a minimum: cues, a good set of balls, the triangle and chalk. A protective cover is ideal for leaving your table outdoors in all weathers and seasons. And, depending on how you use it, a dining top can save you a separate piece of furniture on the patio.