Quick Answer: A pool table costs $300–$1,200 for an MDF table or $1,500–$8,000 for a real slate table, based on 2026 dealer pricing across major brands. Beyond the sticker price, budget 15–30% more for white-glove delivery and installation on slate tables, $300–$800 if you ever need to move it, and $280–$430 every several years to refelt the cloth. For most homes, an 8-foot slate table in the $1,500–$3,000 range plus a few hundred dollars in setup and delivery covers the full real-world cost.
Pool table shopping usually starts with one number — the sticker price — and ends with several more you didn’t budget for: delivery, professional assembly, and eventually refelting. Here’s what a table actually costs from purchase through years of ownership, broken down by size and material so you can budget accurately before you buy.
Pool table cost, by the numbers (2026):
- $300–$800 is the average cost to move a professionally-assembled pool table locally — disassembly, transport, and reassembly with releveling — according to HomeGuide’s 2026 pool table moving cost data. Long-distance moves on heavy slate tables can run up to $4,000.
- $280–$430 is the average cost to refelt a pool table, per HomeGuide and Angi’s 2026 pricing — most 8-foot tables land around $300–$450 for cloth and professional installation.
- 700–900 lbs is the shipping weight of a typical 7-foot three-piece slate table (roughly 450 lbs of slate plus a 250–450 lb frame), which is why slate tables need white-glove delivery while MDF tables can ship in a box.
Pool table cost by material
| Type | Price range | Weight (7–8 ft) | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDF / particleboard | $300–$1,200 | 150–300 lbs | Ships boxed, self-assembly |
| Slate, entry-level | $1,500–$3,000 | 700–900 lbs | White-glove recommended |
| Slate, premium (1"–1.25") | $4,000–$8,000+ | 900–1,300+ lbs | White-glove required |
| Outdoor (aluminum/composite) | $1,700–$2,500+ | ~250–350 lbs | Varies by brand |
MDF tables are lighter and cheaper because the playing surface is engineered wood instead of natural stone — fine for casual family play, but the surface can warp over time in humidity. Slate stays perfectly flat for decades, which is why it costs more both to buy and to ship: a 7-foot slate table’s ~450 lbs of stone plus its 250–450 lb frame usually requires a professional delivery crew rather than a standard freight drop-off. For the full playability tradeoff, see our slate vs. MDF pool table comparison.
Our top budget pick to shop: the Hathaway Fairmont 7 ft — an MDF table that ships boxed and lands around $600, no white-glove delivery needed.
Hathaway Fairmont 7 ft Pool Table
- MDF playfield with drop pockets — no professional installation required.
- Folding legs make it easy to move or store between uses.
- Includes cues, balls, and a rack, so there's no accessory add-on cost at checkout.
Restocking chalk, a bridge stick, or a new cue while you’re at it? Try Amazon Music Unlimited free to set the soundtrack for game night while your order ships.
Pool table cost by size
Size affects both the purchase price and every cost that follows it — bigger tables cost more to move, more to refelt, and need more room clearance.
| Size | Common use | Slate price range | Room size needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 ft (bar size) | Apartments, tight basements | $1,200–$3,500 | ~11'6" x 15'6" |
| 8 ft (home standard) | Most home rec rooms | $1,500–$6,000 | ~13'4" x 17' |
| 9 ft (tournament) | Dedicated game rooms | $2,500–$8,000+ | ~14' x 18' |
8-foot tables are the most popular home size because they balance authentic play with a room size most houses can accommodate. If you’re tight on space, our best pool table for home guide covers 7-foot picks that still play true.
The full ownership cost: what the sticker price doesn’t include
- Delivery and installation: White-glove delivery — disassembly at the store, transport, in-home reassembly, felt stretching, and leveling — typically adds 15–30% on top of the table’s price for slate tables. Boxed MDF and combo tables usually ship free or for a flat fee and are simple enough to set up yourself.
- Moving it later: If you relocate, professional pool table movers charge $300–$800 on average for a local move, per HomeGuide’s 2026 data, rising toward $4,000 for long-distance moves on heavy slate tables. Budget $75–$200 just for the disassembly/reassembly portion of any move.
- Refelting the cloth: Cloth wears out with regular play. Refelting costs $280–$430 on average — figure $300–$450 for a standard 8-foot table with professional installation — and add $60–$180 if you’re replacing the rail bumpers at the same time.
- Accessories: Cues, balls, a triangle rack, chalk, and a table cover typically add another $150–$400 depending on quality — see our best pool cues guide for picks across every budget.
How to budget for a pool table (a quick checklist)
- Tight budget, casual play: MDF table ($300–$1,200) + self-assembly = lowest total cost.
- Standard home slate table: $1,500–$3,000 table + 15–30% delivery/install = realistic all-in budget of $1,750–$4,000.
- Moving into a new home? Add $300–$800 for a local professional move, more if it’s long-distance.
- Table’s a few years old and the felt is fuzzy or slow? Budget $280–$430 to refelt rather than replace the whole table.
The bottom line
The purchase price is only part of a pool table’s real cost. Budget $300–$1,200 for MDF or $1,500–$8,000 for slate up front, then factor in 15–30% for delivery and installation, $300–$800 if you’ll ever need to move it, and $280–$430 every several years to refelt the cloth. Once you know your all-in number, our best pool tables guide has researched picks at every price point.