Tornado vs Carromco vs Garlando vs Roberto Sport – Foosball Brands Compared
How the foosball table brands you'll find in Australia compare on play style, build quality and price, and which one suits your home.
Once you’ve decided to buy a proper foosball table, the next question is usually which brand. In Australia, the names you’ll see most are Tornado, Carromco, Garlando and Roberto Sport. They make very different tables for different players, so here’s how they compare.
Foosball brands at a glance
| Brand | Origin | Known for | Play style | Typical price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | USA | Heavy, durable tournament tables | Controlled, precise | Mid-range to premium | Serious players, clubs, bars |
| Carromco | Germany | Good-value home tables | Casual, all-round | Budget to mid-range | Families, regular home play |
| Garlando | Italy | Stylish European tables, home to pro | Fast, smooth | Mid-range to premium | Families and competitive players |
| Roberto Sport | Italy | Professional tables with excellent ball control | Fast, precise | Mid-range to premium | Competitive players, clubs |
Prices vary by model and retailer, so check current prices before you buy.
Tornado
Tornado is the best-known foosball brand in the United States, and its tables have been the standard in American tournaments for decades. Tornado is also one of the official tables of the International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF), which means it’s used at the highest level of international competition.
The flagship Tornado Tournament T-3000 is heavy, stable and built to last. It uses hollow steel rods for fast rod movement and counterbalanced players, so the foosmen stay horizontal when you let go. Tornado tables play with a slower, more controlled feel than most European tables, which rewards precise passing and set shots.
Choose Tornado if: you want a table that will survive years of hard play in a rumpus room, club or bar, or you’re interested in competitive foosball.
Keep in mind: Tornado tables are heavy and large, and top models sit at the premium end of the market.
Carromco
Carromco is a German table games company that has been making foosball tables, dartboards and other games since 1989. In Australia, you’ll find Carromco tables at toy, hobby and games retailers, usually in the home and recreational range. Models are often labelled with an “XT” suffix, and the range includes compact 4ft tables and foldable designs.
Carromco tables sit between department-store tables and tournament brands. They’re more solid than the cheapest tables, with better rods and players, but they aren’t made to tournament specifications.
Choose Carromco if: you want a reliable family table that’s a clear step up from a Kmart or Big W table without paying tournament prices.
Keep in mind: serious players will eventually want a heavier table with a more precise feel.
Garlando
Garlando is an Italian brand with a long history in European foosball and another ITSF official table. Its range runs from home models like the Garlando G1000 through to the Garlando World Champion used in international competition.
Garlando tables are known for sleek styling and fast, smooth play. Many home models include family-friendly touches like rounded edges and optional telescopic rods, which don’t stick out the far side of the table. That makes Garlando a popular choice for households that want a quality table that looks good in the living area.
Choose Garlando if: you want one table that suits both the kids and competitive adults, and you care about how it looks in your home.
Keep in mind: the European play style is faster than Tornado’s, which takes some adjustment if you learned on an American table.
Roberto Sport
Roberto Sport is another Italian manufacturer and one of the ITSF official tables. Its tables are popular in European tournaments and are known for excellent ball control and a professional feel. The Roberto Sport Revolution is a common choice for players who want a competition-standard table at home.
Choose Roberto Sport if: you’re a keen player who wants a professional-grade European table.
Keep in mind: Roberto Sport tables can be harder to find in Australian stores than Tornado or Garlando, so you may need to order through a specialist retailer.
Other brands worth knowing
- Bonzini is a classic French brand and another ITSF official table, known for its distinctive rod feel and traditional style.
- Leonhart is the fifth ITSF official table.
- Fireball tables are recognised by the ITSF as suitable for national competition and are known for fast play and sturdy construction.
How to choose between them
- Who will play most? For young kids and casual family games, Carromco or an entry-level Garlando is plenty. For teens, adults and competitive players, look at Tornado, Garlando’s pro range or Roberto Sport.
- American or European style? Tornado plays slower and more controlled. Garlando and Roberto Sport play faster. If you plan to join a local club, find out which tables they use.
- Space and weight. Tournament tables are about 140–150 cm long and can weigh over 100 kg. Measure your room, allow about a metre on each long side, and check that the table will fit through your doors.
- Parts and support. Established brands like Tornado and Garlando make it easier to find replacement rods, players and balls later. See our accessories guide for the parts that wear out first.
The verdict
- Best for serious play and durability: Tornado
- Best value for families: Carromco
- Best all-rounder for home and competition: Garlando
- Best for European-style competitive players: Roberto Sport
For specific models and where to buy them in Australia, see our list of 8 great foosball tables you can buy in Australia and our foosball tables guide.