Stiga STS 385 Table Tennis Table Review

Do you want to host a friendly Table Tennis competition but struggling to find the right table? It is a common search that often became a headache for many since the market is dominated by more and more ‘pro’ level player equipment.

Looking for beginner-friendly is as tricky as a needle in a haystack, if not more. Every professional was once a beginner. With time and innovation, the gap has been bridged, but the beginner still needs extra attention, especially when it comes to providing the right equipment to start from the fundamentals.

The issue with most beginner TT tables in the market is that one has to trade quality and enduring strength since these are the trademarks of ‘professionals.’ The end-user ends up getting a light & hence fragile table.

Add the lack of features to this, and one can understand why beginners spend so much time searching. Well, your search terminates here.

The new Stiga tournament series (STS) is the indoor specific beginner’s table which not just offers excellent quality but is also durable, a reflection of modern-day innovations, and is easy to store.

This competition-ready table has exceptional playability and durability.

Table Characteristics –

Brand	STIGA
Colour	Blue
Material	Alloy Steel
Weight	230 pounds/103.5 kg
Dimension	108 x 60 x 30 inches (LxWxH)
Model No.	T8523
Sport Type	Table Tennis

Features of Stiga STS 385 –

1. Heavy Duty Table –

The table weighs around 230 pounds which makes it heavy. This adds strength to the overall structure. I found it robust and more durable.

This is reflected in the assembly time since it took me almost 1 to 2 hours to set up the table, which can be reduced depending upon the number of helping hands you can get.

The undercarriage on this table is sturdy compared to other cheaper tables I have used in the past, meaning the table is not prone to move when fully open and has fewer chances to collapse.

2. Consistent Bounce –

STIGA STS is a classic H-frame style with welded steel crossbeams that connects the 2” thick steel legs. I witnessed the extra support it provides to the table and boosts the stability.

This further enhances the fundamentals of ping pong like Spin, Speed, and most visibly, the bounce. Apart from that, the manufacturers have made sure that the leg levelers stabilize the levels, which eventually made the bounces of my shots as consistent as possible.

3. Corner Protection –

One of the most prominent causes of any TT table damage is started when the corners get damaged. I have felt this with my first table, and that is why protecting the corners became the number one priority to add more years to the table’s life.

This table comes with rock-solid construction and some fantastic features like the molded plastic corner protectors to reduce the damage caused to the corners while playing.

This complements this table’s overall robust characteristic, which is unique, especially in the domain of ‘beginner-friendly tables’ I looked for in the market.

4. Integrated Ball Holder –

The best part about STS is that it has a fully integrated ball holder on both ends of the table. I literally forgot about the old day’s problems of spending extra time looking for a new ball.

Now I could store around 80 balls inside the table. Having this kind of storage at each end of the table is a huge convenience for every player.

I found I could turn it easily into a playback position to practice or set new benchmarks for your skills. The self-opening and closing legs make it easier to fold the table halves up and down.

Pros/Cons of Stiga Sts 385 –

PROS	CONS
1. Steel Legs	1. For indoor use only
2. Leg Levelers with locks	Not easy to fix
3. Powder Coated Steel Apron	Quite heavy
4. Ball storage
5. Premium clipper net and post set
6. Corner protectors
7. Mag wheels with locks

Pros of Stiga STS 385 –

1. Steel legs and Leg Levelers with locks:

The 2” square-shaped legs and leg Levelers allows the table to adjust easily on different kind of floors. These legs are made up of heavy-gauge steel, which balances the table’s weight while playing.

The 5” mag allows the table to move smoothly or roll over almost any surface for maximum transportability and convenience.

There are two extra wheels available on the table for extra safety and stability. The highlight here is that the wheels come with the locking feature, which reduces the repeated changing of settings.

2. Powder-coated steel apron & Clipper net and post set:

The table’s surface is like the face of the body, and in this table, It has a ¾” thick top for long-lasting durability and playability.

The tabletop is sanded and UV-filled before multiple coats of specialty paint and finished with a clear topcoat and silk-screen striping for a perfectly smooth finish that will last.

The 2” Powder-coated steel apron supports the top surface or consistent bounce across the tabletop. The white apron is powder coated for a durable finish that will last.

It also includes a 72” premium quality clipper net and post set with a spring clip mounting system and net tension adjustment.

3. Ball storage and self-opening legs

STIGA STS has patented, integrated full-length ball storage into both the ends of the table. It is indeed a great feature you can only get from STIGA. This table has 3D molded corner protectors for additional safety to prevent any scratches, especially when you have small children.

Unlike the Butterfly Octet 25, which lacks this feature of providing additional space for racket and balls. I found the self-opening and self-closing leg very convenient, and when the table is folded, the safety latch system keeps the table locked in place.

Cons of Stiga STS 385 –

The downsides of this table are that it is made specifically for indoor recreational and playing purposes. Another factor is for a few of my friends; it seemed pretty heavy and nothing they expected from an indoor usage table.

This sometimes makes it difficult to manage. And the last point is about the assembling time it takes. Frankly, it requires some time and patience to fix this table, and it needs at least two people to assemble it.

But if you want a hassle-free game and an easy-to-fix table, you should consider other tables like JOOLA Midsize Compact.

FAQs

Is this table suitable for professional players?

It is not a perfect choice for professional players. That’s because this table does not give you desired results with the fundamental parameters like spin, bounce, and speed.

It does have consistent bounce, and its durability will not let the spin hamper much, but the result was not ideal for any of my professional friends. It is most suitable for indoor usage, and the quality is not up to the level of the tournament-level table.

How many balls can be stored on this table?

One of the stands out features of this table is that the integrated ball storage is built right into the white powder-coated apron of the table. So the prolonged problem of not remembering to bring the ball prior has seen the exit door.

The storage capacity is excellent. In terms of numbers, it can store almost 40 balls for a total of roughly 80 balls. I have placed the balls in the start and literally forgot to recheck them.

Does it come pre-assembled?

Assemble time is undoubtedly one of the crucial points that one should consider before buying any table. For any indoor table, you can be practicing alone, and in that case, I certainly would never want to spend the first 2 hours in assembly.

In STIGA STS, fixing the table takes at least 1 to 2 hours, which can become a deciding factor for some, but this is usually the time with any heavy table. Plus, I reduced the time by getting some additional help.

Conclusion

The STIGA STS 385 TT Table is an excellent choice for recreational purposes, most commonly at home. The Highlight is the durability that makes it stand apart from its competitions.

It is an ideal choice for beginners and can also be stretched for intermediate players. For professional players, though, it is not the absolute best choice.