JOOLA NOVA Review: DX or Pro Plus Outdoors? (2026)

Name: JOOLA NOVA Review: Is the DX or Pro Plus Built for Your Patio? (2026)
Item: JOOLA NOVA DX Outdoor
Author: Table Tennis for All

In This Article

JOOLA NOVA Review: The Short Verdict
The NOVA Lineup: Which Versions Are Sold Now?
NOVA DX vs Pro Plus: Versions Compared
Build and Specs in Detail
Outdoor Care: Making a NOVA Last
JOOLA NOVA vs STIGA XTR
Who the JOOLA NOVA Suits
Pros and Cons
Final Verdict on the JOOLA NOVA
Alternatives to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions

JOOLA NOVA Review: The Short Verdict

The JOOLA NOVA is a solid, weatherproof outdoor table, and the right version depends on where it will roll. Every NOVA uses the same type of 6 mm aluminum composite top, so they play alike; the NOVA DX is the value pick for smooth patios and garages, while the NOVA Pro Plus adds a heavier 40 mm frame and 6 in wheels for rougher ground.

This review covers the current versions, their verified specs, how they hold up outdoors, how they compare with the STIGA XTR and who should buy which. For the full field, see our list of the best outdoor ping pong tables.

Quick Facts

Series: JOOLA NOVA outdoor tables (DX, Pro Plus, Hugo Calderano Pro Plus edition)
Top: 6 mm aluminum plastic composite, 9 x 5 ft regulation size
Frame: 30 x 30 mm (DX) or 40 x 40 mm (Pro Plus), rust-resistant powder coat
Wheels: 3 in (DX) or 6 in (Pro Plus)
Setup: About 95% pre-assembled, legs attach with 8 bolts
Use: Outdoor and indoor, with playback mode for solo practice

The NOVA Lineup: Which Versions Are Sold Now?

The NOVA name has covered several tables over the years, which is why searches for nova, nova pro plus and nova dx turn up overlapping listings. Here is where the series stands today:

NOVA Pro Plus: JOOLA's flagship outdoor table and the NOVA it currently sells on its own US store.
Hugo Calderano NOVA Pro Plus: a newer special edition of the Pro Plus with Brazil-inspired graphics (a blue top with a green-yellow gradient on the sides), named after the Brazilian star. JOOLA lists the same 6 mm composite top, 95% pre-assembly and playback mode.
NOVA DX: the lighter, lower-cost version. It is not on JOOLA's own US store at the moment, but it is still sold through Amazon and other retailers.
NOVA Plus: some retailers carry a "Nova Plus" listing, but JOOLA does not publish a spec sheet for it on its US site, so check the retailer's specs carefully before buying.

JOOLA's other current outdoor table, the Rapid Play Outdoor, sits beside the NOVA with the same 6 mm composite top, a 30 x 30 mm frame and double anti-tilt devices. Our JOOLA ping pong tables guide covers the full range, indoor models included.

NOVA DX vs Pro Plus: Versions Compared

Feature	NOVA DX	NOVA Pro Plus
Top	6 mm aluminum plastic composite	6 mm aluminum plastic composite
Undercarriage	30 x 30 mm, powder-coated	40 x 40 mm steel, powder-coated
Wheels	3 in heavy-duty, 4 per half	6 in heavy-duty casters
Net	Weatherproof screw-clamp set	72 in screw-on weatherproof set, adjustable posts
Safety	Independent folding halves on wheeled trolleys	Automatic anti-tilt device and locks
Assembly	About 95% pre-assembled, 8 bolts	95% pre-assembled, about 15 minutes
Price tier	Budget to mid-range	Mid-range to upper

The playing surface is the same type on both, so ball bounce and feel are comparable. You are paying for chassis: frame stiffness, wheel size and safety locks.

Build and Specs in Detail

Top and Weatherproofing

The NOVA top is a 6 mm aluminum plastic composite: thin aluminum skins bonded to a plastic core. Unlike the MDF used on indoor tables, it does not swell when damp, and JOOLA describes it as resistant to warping and chipping. Thin composite tops bounce lower than the 19 to 25 mm wood tops used in clubs, which matters to serious players but rarely to backyard ones.

Frame and Wheels

The DX runs on a 30 x 30 mm undercarriage, the Pro Plus on 40 x 40 mm steel, and a retailer listing adds that the Pro Plus has a 2 in metal apron. Both are powder-coated against rust. The bigger difference is the wheels: JOOLA calls the Pro Plus's 6 in casters double the standard size, and they handle paver joints, door thresholds and lawn edges far better than the DX's 3 in wheels.

Net, Playback and Storage

Both include a weatherproof net that screws onto the table edge. Each half folds on its own, so you can raise one side for playback practice, a useful feature covered in our ping pong practice guide. A retailer lists the Pro Plus storage footprint as 60 x 30 x 68 in. JOOLA does not publish either table's weight; one independent review lists the Pro Plus at 166 lb.

Looking for the best offer for JOOLA NOVA?

Check Price on Amazon

Outdoor Care: Making a NOVA Last

Cover it. A fitted cover blocks UV, rain, pollen and bird droppings. The Pro Plus listing above includes one; DX owners can choose from our best ping pong table covers.
Fold it in bad weather. Folded halves take up less space and catch less wind, and the anti-tilt locks keep them upright.
Wipe, do not scrub. Use a soft cloth with mild soapy water, then dry the top. Avoid abrasive pads that dull the playing surface.
Check bolts each season. Re-tighten leg bolts and net clamps, which loosen with temperature swings.
Level it. Use the adjustable feet on sloped patios so the halves meet evenly.
Store it in deep winter. In snowy regions, a garage or covered porch is the safest home for the coldest months.

JOOLA NOVA vs STIGA XTR

STIGA's XTR series is the NOVA's closest rival, and the matchups are tidy: the NOVA DX lines up against the standard XTR, and the Pro Plus against the XTR Pro. All four use a 6 mm aluminum composite top.

Matchup	JOOLA	STIGA
Entry outdoor	NOVA DX: 30 mm frame, 3 in wheels, weight not published	XTR: 1.5 in steel apron, 3 in ball-bearing wheels, 132 lb
Heavy-duty outdoor	NOVA Pro Plus: 40 mm frame, 6 in casters, anti-tilt locks	XTR Pro: 50 x 20 mm apron, 1.5 in legs, 6 in casters, 143 lb
Assembly	About 15 minutes, 8 bolts	About 10 (XTR) or 20 minutes (XTR Pro)

STIGA publishes weights and self-opening legs on the XTR; JOOLA counters with the heavier 40 mm Pro Plus frame and automatic anti-tilt locks. On paper the pairs are close enough that the current price should decide. Our planned STIGA XTR outdoor review goes deeper on STIGA's side.

Product	Best For	Top	Size	Wheels	Link
JOOLA NOVA DX Outdoor	Families who want a weatherproof JOOLA table on a smooth patio or in a garage	6 mm aluminum plastic composite	9 x 5 ft regulation	3 in heavy-duty, 4-wheel trolley per half	Check Price
JOOLA NOVA Pro Plus Outdoor (with Cover)	Backyards with pavers, slopes or lawn edges	6 mm aluminum plastic composite	9 x 5 ft regulation	6 in heavy-duty casters	Check Price
STIGA XTR Outdoor	Decks and garages where the table is moved often	6 mm aluminum composite	9 x 5 ft regulation	3 in locking ball-bearing	Check Price
STIGA XTR Pro Outdoor	Buyers comparing a heavy-duty STIGA against the NOVA Pro Plus	6 mm aluminum composite	9 x 5 ft regulation	6 in casters	Check Price

Who the JOOLA NOVA Suits

If you…	Choose	Why
Play on a smooth patio or in a garage	NOVA DX	Same top, lower price tier
Roll the table over pavers or grass	NOVA Pro Plus	6 in casters, heavier frame
Have young kids around	NOVA Pro Plus	Automatic anti-tilt locks
Want a fan edition	Hugo Calderano Pro Plus	Pro Plus with special graphics
Want club-level bounce	An indoor table	Thick MDF tops bounce higher

If the table will live indoors in a dry room, an MDF table such as the JOOLA Inside gives a better bounce for the money. Our best ping pong tables roundup covers both worlds.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Weatherproof 6 mm composite top across the series
Arrives about 95% assembled
Full 9 x 5 ft regulation size with playback mode
Pro Plus adds 6 in casters and automatic anti-tilt locks

Cons

Thin composite top bounces lower than indoor MDF
JOOLA does not publish table weights
DX's 3 in wheels struggle off smooth surfaces
Warranty term is not stated on the product page

Final Verdict on the JOOLA NOVA

The NOVA series delivers what most backyard players need: a regulation table that shrugs off weather, sets up fast and folds away. Buy the NOVA DX if your surface is smooth and budget matters, and step up to the NOVA Pro Plus if you will roll it across uneven ground or want the anti-tilt locks. Either way, budget for a cover.

Reviewed

JOOLA NOVA DX Outdoor

Best for: Families who want a weatherproof JOOLA table on a smooth patio or in a garage

The NOVA DX is the entry point to JOOLA's outdoor series: a 6 mm aluminum composite top that resists warping and chipping, on a 30 x 30 mm powder-coated undercarriage with 3 in wheels. It plays like the Pro Plus but is less planted and harder to roll over rough ground.

Top	6 mm aluminum plastic composite
Size	9 x 5 ft regulation
Frame	30 x 30 mm rust-resistant, powder-coated
Wheels	3 in heavy-duty, 4-wheel trolley per half
Net	Weatherproof screw-clamp net set
Playback	Yes
Leveling	Adjustable leveling feet
Assembly	About 95% pre-assembled, 8 bolts
Approval	USATT approved (listing)

Pros

Same 6 mm weatherproof top type as the Pro Plus
Each half folds and rolls on its own trolley
Quick setup: legs attach with eight bolts
Lower price tier than the Pro Plus

Cons

Lighter 30 mm frame than the Pro Plus
3 in wheels dig into grass and gravel
No cover in the box
Not currently listed on JOOLA's own US store

Check Price on Amazon

Alternatives to Consider

If the NOVA is not quite right, the STIGA XTR is lighter at a published 132 lb, and the XTR Pro matches the Pro Plus's 6 in casters. JOOLA's own Rapid Play Outdoor is another composite-top option with double anti-tilt devices. Compare all of them in our best outdoor ping pong tables guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the JOOLA NOVA Stay Outside All Year?

Yes, it is designed for outdoor use: the 6 mm aluminum composite top resists warping and chipping, and the undercarriage is powder-coated against rust. A fitted cover still extends its life, and in snowy climates folding it into a garage or covered patio over winter is the safest choice.

What Is the Difference Between the JOOLA NOVA DX and Pro Plus?

Both use the same type of 6 mm aluminum composite top. The Pro Plus has a heavier 40 x 40 mm steel undercarriage, 6 in casters and automatic anti-tilt locks, while the DX uses a 30 x 30 mm frame and 3 in wheels.

How Long Does the JOOLA NOVA Take to Assemble?

JOOLA ships NOVA tables about 95% pre-assembled. You attach the legs with eight bolts, and JOOLA quotes roughly 15 minutes for the Pro Plus. Allow extra time for unboxing and for a second person to help lift each half.

Can You Use a JOOLA NOVA Indoors?

Yes. Outdoor tables work indoors too, which makes the NOVA a good fit for garages and basements that get damp. The trade-off is that a 6 mm composite top bounces lower than a thick indoor MDF top.

What Warranty Does the JOOLA NOVA Have?

JOOLA's warranty page says periods vary by product, and retail listings and independent reviews cite one year for NOVA tables. Register the table and keep your receipt, and confirm the term with JOOLA if it matters to your purchase.

Is the JOOLA NOVA Regulation Size?

Yes. NOVA tables have a full 9 x 5 ft playing surface, the standard size used in club and tournament play. Only the top thickness and bounce differ from indoor competition tables.