which arcade machine should I buy UK
Which arcade machine
is right for you?
“There are hundreds of machines out there. I don’t know where to start.” — we hear this every single week. This guide is the answer. Read it once, know exactly what to buy.
Take the 2-minute quiz
Answer 4 quick questions and we’ll tell you exactly which machine fits your life.
Every type of machine, honestly explained
No jargon. No sales pitch. Just what each machine is, who it’s for, and what it costs.
Multi-Game Arcade Cabinet
The most popular choice for home buyers. An upright cabinet with a screen, joystick and buttons loaded with hundreds or thousands of classic games — Pac-Man, Street Fighter, Donkey Kong and more. Plug in, play immediately.
- Fits through a standard UK door (65–75cm wide)
- Standard 240v UK plug — no electrician needed
- 1 or 2 player configurations available
- Custom skin themes (Star Wars, Marvel, sports etc.)
- Floor space: approx. 70cm × 100cm
Pinball Machine
Pinball is in a category of its own. It’s physical, skill-based, and genuinely different every time. A quality pinball machine is also a statement piece — they look incredible and never get old. Brands like Stern are the gold standard.
- 55cm wide × 145cm deep footprint
- Standard 240v UK plug
- Themed machines: Star Wars, Walking Dead, James Bond, X-Men
- Pro, Premium and Limited Edition tiers
- Investment piece — holds value well
Cocktail Table Cabinet
A cocktail table has the screen embedded face-up in the table surface. You sit either side and play facing each other — ideal for 2-player classics. It also works as an actual table, which makes it perfect for smaller spaces where a full upright cabinet won’t fit.
- Looks like furniture — blends into any room
- Face-to-face 2-player layout
- Typically 70cm × 90cm footprint
- Great for pubs and bars too
- 1,000+ game versions available
Pool & Billiard Table
Pool tables are the most used game room purchase — they get played every time someone visits, they need no power (mostly), and they never go out of style. Ranging from compact folding tables to serious slate-bed coin-ops.
- 7-foot table needs minimum 4.5m × 3.5m room
- Coin-operated options available for venues
- Home edition vs commercial grade
- Bumper pool, shuffleboard variants available
- Brands: Valley, Brunswick, Berner Billiards
Air Hockey Table
Air hockey is one of the easiest wins in a games room — almost anyone can play immediately, rounds are short and exciting, and it creates genuine competitive energy. Great for kids and adults alike.
- Requires a power outlet for the air blower
- Commercial and home editions available
- Brands: Kalkomat Pixel and others
- Typical footprint: 100cm × 200cm
- Built for heavy use — years of play
Claw Machine
Claw machines are pure entertainment — endlessly engaging, completely approachable, and an instant conversation starter. Fill them with your own prizes. Brilliant for homes with children, parties, and venues that want foot traffic magnets.
- Fill with your own soft toys or prizes
- Adjustable claw strength settings
- Standard 240v UK plug
- Relatively compact footprint
- Also available: punching machines, redemption units
The honest budget guide
What different price points actually get you — no inflation, no upselling.
Countertop units, small claw machines, accessories
At this price you’re looking at compact countertop arcade units, small claw machines, dartboard cabinets, poker chip sets and other accessories. Good for gifting or supplementing an existing games room. Not where you’ll find a full-size cabinet.
Cocktail cabinets, entry pool tables, themed cabinets
This is where proper machines start. Cocktail table arcade cabinets, entry-level pool tables, themed arcade cabinets with custom art. You’ll get a full-size, room-filling machine with a 1-year warranty and genuine longevity.
Full-size multi-game cabs, serious pool tables, virtual pinball
The sweet spot for most serious buyers. Full-size, high-quality arcade cabinets, slate-bed pool tables, virtual pinball machines with HD screens. These are machines you’ll own for 10+ years without regret.
Real pinball machines, premium commercial machines
This is pinball territory — Stern machines, premium editions, serious collector pieces. These are investment-level purchases that hold value, look extraordinary and provide a genuinely different experience to anything at a lower price point.
Do you have enough space?
The most common post-purchase regret is space. Measure first. Buy second.
| Machine type | Footprint | Room space needed | Door width | Size rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop arcade unit | 30cm × 30cm | Any surface space | Any door | Small |
| Cocktail table cabinet | 70cm × 90cm | 2m × 2m minimum | 74cm+ recommended | Small–Med |
| Upright arcade cabinet (1P) | 65cm × 90cm | 2.5m × 2m minimum | 68cm+ standard | Medium |
| Upright arcade cabinet (2P) | 75cm × 100cm | 3m × 2m minimum | 76cm+ wide door | Medium |
| Pinball machine | 55cm × 145cm | 3m × 2.5m minimum | 58cm+ (usually fine) | Medium |
| Air hockey table | 100cm × 200cm | 3.5m × 3m minimum | Delivery on pallets | Large |
| Pool table (7 foot) | 195cm × 100cm | 4.5m × 3.5m minimum | Delivered in parts | Very Large |
The pre-buy checklist
Run through these 8 questions before any purchase. They’ve saved hundreds of buyers from expensive mistakes.
-
1Measured your room AND your door? Get the exact width of any doorway the machine needs to pass through — hallways too. Machines get stuck in corridors, not just doorways.
-
2Is there a nearby 240v socket? Most machines need to be close to a wall socket. Extension leads work fine, but you don’t want a trip hazard across the room. Plan the cable run.
-
3Is the floor strong enough? Pinball machines weigh 100–150kg. Pool tables more. Most UK domestic floors handle this fine, but if you’re upstairs in a flat or an older property, it’s worth considering.
-
4Who else lives there? Arcade machines make noise. If you share walls or have family members who’ll object to the sounds of Street Fighter at 10pm, factor this in. Some machines have volume controls; all can be turned off.
-
5Are you buying for now or forever? A multi-game cabinet that plays 2,000 games gives variety. A single-theme pinball machine gives depth. Both are right for different people. Know which you are.
-
6Have you checked the product dimensions on the listing? Every product page lists exact dimensions. If the listing doesn’t have them, WhatsApp us and we’ll get them immediately — don’t guess.
-
7Is delivery access clear? Think about the full route from the street to the final position. Narrow hallways, 90° corners, stairs, and low ceilings all affect delivery. Contact us before ordering if you have any doubts.
-
8Still unsure? WhatsApp us first. Seriously. We’ve helped hundreds of people pick the right machine for their specific space, budget and household. It takes 5 minutes and is completely free. Message us here →
Quick comparison
All the key factors across every machine type, at a glance.
| Factor | Arcade Cabinet | Pinball Machine | Pool Table | Air Hockey | Claw Machine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price (UK) | ~£800 | ~£2,500 | ~£350 | ~£800 | ~£700 |
| Needs electricity | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fits std UK door | ✓ | ✓ | Partly | Partly | ✓ |
| Good for kids | ✓ | Some | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiplayer | ✓ (2P) | Takes turns | ✓ | ✓ | Takes turns |
| Holds value | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate |
| Skill required | Low | High | Medium | Low | Low |
| Noise level | Medium | High | Low | High | Low–Med |
| Wow factor | High | Extreme | High | Medium | High |
| 1-year warranty (T2T) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Buying guide FAQs
for you. For free.
Tell us your budget, space and who’ll be playing. We’ll come back with a specific machine recommendation — no obligation, no sales pressure. Just honest advice from someone who knows every machine in the store.