Professional Pool Table Product Reviews

Tier 2 (pre 2000 – post 2022)

Being in the business for over 180 years gets your name out there! When it comes to high end antique pool tables, Brunswick is the one you want. Although there were several other manufacturers that made similar quality products, Brunswick managed to take over a market like no other company in history. They lead the way in Antique tables and have also dominated the commercial table market with the Gold Crown table. Like the antique tables, the Gold Crown has had a lot of competition. Some are as good or better quality wise, however the Brunswick name and its long standing in the market have helped to make sure none of them got a solid hold on the commercial market. Even the Brunswick Medalist was a solid commercial piece.

As for home tables, excluding antiques, pre year 2000 Brunswicks are a solid 2nd tier table. Decent woods, Usually quality cushion rubber, first quality slate, thick gauge metal braces, quality hardware and a very durable finish are all solid features. They are a 2nd tier table based on out of a box construction, the rubber that was sometimes not good, the pain they can be to properly square the body, lack of a center beam, cross beams that serve no real purpose and do not even contact the slate and retail pricing that is extremely inflated compared to identical quality / style tables on the market.

That said, an antique Brunswick, Commercial Brunswick or any home table made before Y2K is a decent choice for a used table. Before buying or selling a used antique Brunswick make sure to consult a real pool table professional. There are several companies that can provide you with accurate market values of these tables based on condition. Make sure to find certified pool table appraisers, not just pool table repair people, to give you values. These tables range from worth only $200 to the moon. As for their commercial tables, try to be $500 or less on a Medalist pre move / install. Gold Crowns will range from $400 for a GC2, $500–$800 for a GC3 and $800–$1000 for a GC4. The GC5 has not really hit the used market yet but should not even command GC4 money when they do.

In terms of the pre Y2K Brunswick tables, something like a Brunswick Bristol, Bristol 2, Sherwood style table, (modern style, plastic pockets) have little to no real value at all used as the value is less than that of a professional move. It is very very important with these tables to never move them in 1 piece nor ever buy one that has been. Also do not ever pay more than $200 for a used Bristol 2 or similar table and be very cautious of the rubber as it is not of high quality and not a standard profile. To have a professional re-rubber a table you are purchasing puts the cost of the table well over its installed value. As for other Brunswick tables they range from $300 to $1200. Something like a Tahoe (tapered legs, tapered body, laminate) goes in the $300–400 range, where something like an Orleans may command closer to $1000 to $1500 depending on condition, etc.

Now we are very careful to make a distinction between pre Y2K Brunswick Tables and the tables Brunswick produced from 2000 to 2022. The Brunswick tables of that era were all imported, very low quality, right out to lunch retail pricing and if it was not for the name would not even have a share of the market. New, one can do much better in terms of quality and price without looking too far. I won’t even jump into what is wrong with these tables as there is nothing right about them. Again, feature for feature they get crushed by several competitors. Used, these carry little to no value at all. If the style of one does catch your eye in a limited used market do not look at paying more than $300 for a Contender series or $500–600 for anything else.

In 2022, Brunswick was acquired by Escalade Sports. Similarly, to Escalades turnaround of American Heritage, Brunswick is again building a better table. Are they as well built as todays American made tables? No. But their styles, co ordinating game room pieces, ready availability and pricing make them a solid brand for your consideration. As someone who has been in the industry a long time, and playing pool longer, its nice to see a brand like Brunswick back in the mix.

In August of 2023 we became Authorized Brunswick Pool Table Dealers. We sell and ship Brunswick Tables across the US including professional installation. You can see our lineup of Brunswick Pool Tables HERE.