Brunswick vs Olhausen vs Diamond: Which Pool Table Brand Is Best?

1. Brunswick: The Heritage Brand

Brunswick has been building pool tables since 1845. That is not a typo. The company predates the Civil War. This history means two things: unmatched name recognition and a massive used market with tables spanning every decade and price point.

Modern Brunswick tables are manufactured overseas, which has been a point of debate among purists. However, the quality control on their mid-range and premium lines remains strong. The Gold Crown series, used in professional tournaments for decades, is arguably the most recognized pool table in the world.

Brunswick's lineup covers everything from entry-level tables around $2,000 new to the Gold Crown V at $6,000 to $9,000. Their Centennial and Montebello lines serve the luxury furniture market with prices exceeding $10,000.

The used Brunswick market is enormous. You can find a solid 8-foot Brunswick from the 1990s or 2000s for $800 to $1,500. With new felt and cushions, these tables play identically to current production models. That is the real value proposition of buying Brunswick used.

2. Olhausen: Made in America

Olhausen builds every table in Portland, Oregon. That fact alone sets them apart in a market where most competitors have moved manufacturing overseas. The company offers a lifetime warranty on every table, which is not just marketing. They actually honor it.

Olhausen tables are known for customization. You choose the wood species, stain color, felt color, pocket style, and leg design. Their Accu-Fast cushion system is a proprietary rubber compound that delivers consistent bounce without the maintenance issues of older cushion formulas.

New Olhausen tables range from $3,500 for their entry-level models to $8,000 or more for premium hardwood designs. Their sweet spot is the $4,000 to $6,000 range, where you get solid maple or oak construction with upgraded cushions and hardware.

Used Olhausen tables hold value exceptionally well. A 10-year-old Olhausen in good condition typically sells for 50% to 60% of its original retail price. That is better retention than most furniture and nearly all competing pool table brands.

3. Diamond: The Player's Table

Diamond Billiard Products builds tables designed for one purpose: competitive play. They are the official table of major professional tournaments including Mosconi Cup, US Open, and World Pool Masters. If you watch professional pool on television, you are watching Diamond tables.

Diamond tables prioritize function over furniture aesthetics. The design is angular, modern, and utilitarian. The Smart Table system includes built-in ball returns and a patented pocket design that reduces ball jams. The slate and cushion specifications are tuned for tournament-speed Simonis cloth.

New Diamond tables start around $4,500 for the Smart Table model and reach $7,500 for the Diamond Professional. The Pro-Am model, popular in upscale pool halls, runs $5,500 to $6,500 depending on options.

The used Diamond market is smaller than Brunswick or Olhausen because fewer are in circulation. Serious players rarely sell their Diamond tables. When used Diamonds do appear, they sell fast and hold 60% to 75% of their original value, the highest retention rate of any brand.

4. Build Quality Comparison

Slate

All three brands use genuine Italian or Brazilian slate on their mid-range and premium lines. Brunswick and Olhausen use 1-inch three-piece slate on standard models and offer 1-inch one-piece on select bar-size tables. Diamond uses 1-inch three-piece slate exclusively, with tighter tolerances on flatness specification.

Frame Construction

Olhausen wins on raw materials. Solid hardwood frames with cross-beam support are standard across their entire lineup. Brunswick uses a combination of hardwood and engineered wood depending on the price point. Their entry-level lines use more engineered components. Diamond frames are heavy-duty steel and wood hybrid construction, built for rigidity rather than aesthetics.

Cushion Rubber

Diamond's cushion system is the gold standard for competitive play. Their K-66 profile rubber is matched to Simonis cloth specifications. Olhausen's Accu-Fast system performs nearly as well and maintains consistency longer than standard rubber. Brunswick uses quality K-66 rubber on mid-range and above, with a noticeable step down on their entry-level tables.

Finish and Woodwork

Olhausen dominates this category. Hand-rubbed finishes, dovetail joints, and attention to wood grain matching are hallmarks of the brand. Brunswick's premium lines match this quality, but their mid-range tables show more visible manufacturing shortcuts. Diamond does not compete on woodwork aesthetics by design.

5. Price Ranges: New vs Used

The best value play in the used market is a Brunswick from the early 2000s. These tables were built during a period when Brunswick still manufactured domestically, using solid hardwood frames and premium components. You get a $5,000 table for $1,200 to $1,800. Add professional moving and installation plus new felt, and your all-in cost stays under $2,500 for a table that plays like new.

6. Resale Value

If you ever plan to sell the table, resale value matters. Here is how each brand holds up over time.

Diamond retains the most value because supply is limited and demand from competitive players is constant. Olhausen's lifetime warranty transfers to new owners, which adds real value to used sales. Brunswick's wider range means their entry-level tables depreciate faster, but their premium lines hold value comparable to Olhausen.

Condition matters more than brand when selling. A well-maintained Brunswick with fresh felt outsells a neglected Diamond every time. Keep your table covered, brush it regularly, and address cushion wear early. These habits preserve both playability and resale value.

7. Who Should Buy Which Brand

Buy Brunswick if: you want the widest selection on the used market, you are working with a budget under $2,000, or you want a classic furniture-style table that blends with traditional home decor. Brunswick's used market depth means you can find exactly the right table at the right price with patience.

Buy Olhausen if: you value American manufacturing, you want extensive customization options, or you plan to keep the table for 15+ years and want the backing of a lifetime warranty. Olhausen is the best middle ground between furniture quality and play quality.

Buy Diamond if: you are a competitive player who prioritizes playability above aesthetics, you practice regularly and want tournament conditions at home, or you want maximum resale value. Diamond is not trying to be furniture. It is an instrument for serious players.

No matter which brand you choose, professional installation makes the difference between a table that plays right and one that frustrates you. We install, move, and service all three brands. Browse our current used inventory for Brunswick, Olhausen, and Diamond tables available now.