Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Iszy Billiards Heavy-Duty | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Felson Billiard Vinyl | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| Hathaway 8ft Cover | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| GSE Leatherette Cover | Best for Outdoors | 4.5/5 |
| Mizerak Fitted Cover | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
I own a Brunswick eight-foot table in a finished basement that doubles as kids playroom. The wrong cover stained the felt twice in the first year, once with a dye that bled and once because a vinyl cover trapped moisture and grew mildew on the cloth. After replacing both the felt and the cover, these five are the ones I have settled on for myself and recommend to friends.
What Matters Most
A good billiard cover is heavier than people expect. Lightweight nylon billows up and lets dust through. Look for vinyl backed with felt, or heavy canvas, both around 12 ounces per square yard or more. The cover has to fully overlap the rails to protect them from sun and dust too. Stitching matters, the seam at the corners is where cheap covers fail. Avoid bright dyes that can transfer onto your felt if the cover gets wet.
Hathaway Premium 8-Foot Pool Table Cover
Heavy vinyl with a felt backing that will not scratch the cushions or felt. Sized correctly for a regulation 8-foot table with rail overhang. The black exterior matches most home billiard rooms. Stitching is reinforced at the corners. I have one of these on my own table and it has held up for three years of weekly use.
Iszy Billiards Heavy Duty Pool Table Cover
A leatherette vinyl cover with a soft inner lining. Available in 7, 8, and 9 foot sizes. The leather grain texture looks more upscale than a plain vinyl finish, which matters if your table is in a living room rather than a basement. Slightly heavier than the Hathaway and the corner seams are double stitched.
Empire USA Custom Fit Naugahyde Cover
The premium pick. Naugahyde leatherette with a fitted seam at the corners that looks tailored rather than draped. Costs significantly more than the Hathaway but it shows. Made in the United States, with custom sizing available if your table is non-standard. This is the cover I would buy for a high-end table in a public-facing room.
Felson Billiard Supplies Heavy Vinyl Cover
The budget pick that does not feel like a budget pick. Heavy vinyl, fleece backed, simple drape style. No fancy corner stitching but the material is thick enough to actually protect the felt. Comes in black and gunmetal gray. For a basement or game room table this is plenty of cover for the dollar.
Mizerak Pool Table Cover
A name many billiard players recognize from cue and accessory products. Their pool table cover is mid-priced, vinyl over felt backing, and well sized for 7 and 8 foot home tables. The drape is a bit short on 8 foot regulation tables, so check measurements before you buy. Solid product overall.
My Setup
I keep the Hathaway on my Brunswick table whenever I am not playing. After every session the cover goes on within five minutes of the last ball dropping. I fold the cover neatly into thirds when I do play, which keeps the inner fleece side from picking up basement dust and transferring it back to the felt. Once a year I wipe down the vinyl exterior with a damp cloth.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is using a tarp or a bedsheet as a temporary cover. Tarps can leach dye onto cloth when humid and sheets let dust through. Spend the money on a real cover. Second mistake is leaving the cover crumpled on a chair between sessions, which lets the inside collect dust that ends up on your felt. Fold or hang the cover.
Final Recommendation
The Hathaway Premium is the cover I would buy for almost any home table. The price is fair, the protection is real, and the build quality holds up. If your table is in a living area where appearance matters, step up to the Empire USA Naugahyde for the tailored look. Either way, get a cover and use it after every session.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my pool table need a cover at all?+
Dust settles on felt every day and grinds into the nap as soon as a ball rolls over it. Direct sunlight fades the cloth. A cover blocks both and adds a buffer against accidental spills from kids or pets.
What size cover do I need for my table?+
Measure the playing surface and add rail width. A 7-foot bar table needs roughly a 39 by 78 inch cover, an 8-foot regulation table needs about 44 by 88, and a 9-foot pro table needs 50 by 100. Manufacturer sizing usually includes rail overhang.