Most air hockey tables come with a set of air hockey paddles and pucks so you can start playing instantly. The problem is that some of these paddles may not necessarily be top quality. While they offer decent game play, they could hold you back to a significant extent if they’re lacking in factors like weight and smoothness.

So to take your game play up a notch, you should definitely invest in a great set of mallets that’ll help you deliver stronger and more accurate shots. Take a look at our review of the four best air hockey paddles and pushers that you could get for your next game.

1.) Dynamo Air Hockey Goalie Mallet Set

Our top pick is the air hockey goalie mallet set from Dynamo. It’s slightly pricier than the other sets on our list, but it’s not overpriced either. Plus, it’s totally worth the investment considering the superior performance and durability. These mallets will likely last you for years even if they’re used on commercial tables.

What We Like

These air hockey pushers from Dynamo offer exceptional performance. Each air hockey paddle is molded as a single solid unit, so it’s heavier than the usual plastic varieties that typically come with your air hockey set. It weighs approximately 120 grams, which is about three times the weight of the average air hockey paddle.

Even as you hold them and lift them, you can feel the difference in weight and sturdiness of these goalies. What this results in is a massive difference in performance. The extra weight makes these mallets easier to control and adds more strength to your shots. So you can be prepared to witness high-intensity air hockey matches with these goalies.

The solid molding also enhances the durability of the mallets. They’re much less likely to break on impact and intensive use. So they’re a great set even for use in a commercial setting, where you have plenty of people using it regularly.

Plus, these mallets do not have a felt bottom, unlike a lot of the sets you get with your air hockey table. This adds to their durability because they don’t collect dirt or roll up like felt-bottomed air hockey pushers. In spite of the absence of felt bottoms, they’re so well-made that they can glide just as smoothly and with more power and strength.

Main Drawbacks

As mentioned earlier, these goalies are slightly pricier than any of the other options on our list. That said, they aren’t overpriced either considering the kind of performance they can deliver. Another minor drawback is that the color coating could chip or peel off with use, although this wouldn’t affect performance.

Pros

• Heavy, solid feel for excellent performance
• No felt bottom that would roll up or collect dirt
• High durability, suitable for commercial use

Cons

• Slightly pricey
• Color coating may be prone to chipping and peeling

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2.) Super Z Outlet Air Hockey Replacement Pucks and Slider Pusher Goalies

If you want value for money, you can go for the air hockey goalies from Super Z as they come with replacement pucks. Plus, you’ll only be spending about half the price of our top pick for this set.

So they are an excellent set for beginners to get a hang of the game and develop their shooting skills. There’s also the fact that these paddles measure 3.75 inches in diameter, which is large enough for beginners and kids to handle with ease.

What We Like

This set of air hockey pushers from Super Z offers great value for money, especially since it includes four pucks. So you won’t need to spend more money on extra pucks. This makes them perfect for those who are looking for a complete economy set or are still learning the game.    

The pushers are lighter than our top pick, so they definitely feel lighter in the hand as well. The good thing about this is that you can go for swifter shots and maneuvers that will leave your opponents in awe.

They each have a felt bottom to prevent the plastic from leaving scratches on your table surface. This felt bottom also helps the paddles to glide smoothly across the table for swifter, smoother shots.

Main Drawbacks

The weight is definitely one of the major drawbacks with this set. Since they’re a bit lightweight, they feel flimsier in the hand and are more difficult to control. Plus, you might have a harder time controlling them compared to the first option.

While the felt bottom has some perks, it tends to peel off and roll up easily, just like other felt-bottomed mallets. It also collects dirt quite easily, which can be quite annoying. Not to mention that it would prevent the paddle from gliding smoothly on the table surface. In addition, the plastic is a bit flimsy and can fall apart after some use.

Pros

• Great value for money
• Comes with replacement pucks
• Lightweight paddles allow faster shots
• Felt-lined bottom prevents scratching and allows easier gliding

Cons

• Too lightweight for stronger shots
• Felt bottom is prone to peeling and rolling up
• Falls apart easily
• Feels light and flimsy in the hand

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3.) Brybelly Air Hockey Paddles

Next up is a set of 3.75-inch paddles from Brybelly. These cost about the same as the second option, though they don’t come with replacement pucks. They also feel lighter in the hand because they’re not a single plastic mold and have a hollow inside. That said, they’re still one of the most affordable options on our list and they offer decent game play and durability.

What We Like

In terms of performance, these Brybelly air hockey paddles are comparable to the Super Z paddles. They are made of high-quality plastic, but are more lightweight than our top pick because of a hollow inside. So they feel somewhat weightless as you hold them, but they do offer speedier shots because of how light they are.

Each air hockey pusher is fitted with a green felt-lined bottom to offer smoother game play. This felt material definitely adds some speed and smoothness to your shots. It also prevents the plastic from leaving scratches on your table surface, adding to your table’s longevity.

Main Drawbacks

As much as the felt bottom adds to performance, it does have some drawbacks as well. It tends to collect dirt over time, which will slow down the speed and prevent your paddle from gliding smoothly on the table surface. So you’ll need to clean them regularly if you want to maintain the same level of performance.

They also tend to peel off over time and could roll up as you use them. This isn’t just annoying but also leaves your table surface open to scratches if it suddenly rolls up in the middle of your game. At approximately 45 grams, these mallets feel very light and flimsy when you hold them. They’re also uncomfortable to grip, so you may have some trouble controlling them and delivering powerful shots.

Pros

• Great value for money
• Lightweight paddles allow faster shots
• Felt-lined bottom prevents scratching and allows easier gliding

Cons

• Too lightweight for stronger shots
• Felt bottom is prone to peeling and rolling up
• Uncomfortable to grip
• Feels light and flimsy in the hand

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4.) CSPRING Plastic Air Hockey Pushers and Replacement Pucks

The best value set is the CSPRING set, which comes with four pieces of air hockey pushers and eight pieces of replacement pucks. So you’ll be getting two regular sets for the price of one when you go for this option. While it does have some drawbacks in terms of weight and performance, it offers the best benefit in terms of cost. They’re perfect for beginners and kids who are just learning the game.

What We Like

The fact that you’re getting such a good deal for your purchase is this set’s top advantage. You’ll be getting two pairs of air hockey mallets – two red and two navy blue pushers. So even in case one pair breaks down, you have an immediate replacement. Plus, they only cost a couple of dollars more than the other affordable options on this list.

These mallets are lightweight, so they allow you to move freely and deliver speedier shots. Each of them has a felt-lined bottom, which makes it glide freely and smoothly across the surface. It also protects your table surface from getting scratched or dented.

Main Drawbacks

One of the biggest drawbacks about this set is that the plastic is flimsy. So it tends to break apart quite easily. The extra pair of paddles makes up for this, as you can instantly replace a broken pair. Another problem with this plastic is that it feels too light in the hand, which affects game play and gripping comfort. You may have a hard time delivering powerful shots with this kind of weight.

Like with the other felt-bottomed paddles, the felt lining collects dirt over time. So it’ll significantly slow down your game play unless you clean the paddles regularly. Plus, the lining peels off easily after a few games.

Pros

• Best value set
• Four air hockey mallets per set
• Eight replacement pucks included
• Two different mallet colors – red and navy blue
• Lightweight paddles allow faster shots
• Felt-lined bottom prevents scratching and allows easier gliding

Cons

• Too lightweight for stronger shots
• Felt bottom is prone to peeling and rolling up
• Feels light and flimsy in the hand
• Flimsy plastic; breaks apart easily

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Bottom Line

As you can see, you have several options to choose from if you’re in the market for air hockey paddles. Each of these options has their unique perks that could appeal to different people. They also have a few drawbacks, which may not be too big of a deal for you depending on your preferences. So consider all factors such as needs, preferences, and budget and choose the right set accordingly.

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