Free air hockey games turn a phone or tablet into the arcade table, with one paddle at each end of the screen. Most here let two people play on the same device, and six of the ten listings mention offline play, which makes them handy for journeys. Expect ads: all ten show a Contains ads label.
Can you remember the whirr of an air hockey table and the clack of the puck against the rail? You won't get the whirr on a phone, but you will get the frantic back-and-forth, and a tablet laid flat between two people comes surprisingly close.
This list is drawn from each game's Google Play page, where I checked the developer, installs, the ads and in-app purchases labels and any offline wording. All ten are rated Everyone, and the order doesn't mean anything.
The installs column tells a story. Glow Hockey and Air Hockey Challenge are giants, while most of the rest are small games with 10K+ installs. Smaller isn't worse here, and it's worth knowing that several of the little ones are clearer about offline play than the big two.
Air hockey apps side by side
| Game | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glow Hockey | Ariya Studio Company Limited | 100M+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Air Hockey Challenge | mobirix | 50M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Offline versus mode supported (2 players versus mode on 1 device)' |
| Air Hockey Glow HD Ultimate 2D | Arclite Systems | 500K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | Describes an 'air hockey offline 2 player game' |
| Air Hockey - Classic | Ignace | 100K+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Air Hockey Blast | Go Real Games, LLC | 50K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'No Internet Required to Play!' |
| Air Hockey Game | Poder Studio | 10K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Play air hockey with multiplayer offline on your device!' |
| Air Hockey: Classic Arcade | People Lovin Games | 10K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Play Offline Anytime' and 'no Wi-Fi needed' |
| Air Hockey: Arcade Machine | MartinGames Ltd | 10K+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Air Hockey: Hockey Air Zone | TwinPixel Games | 10K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Air Hockey Home : 2 PlayerGame | Nepwag | 10K+ | Contains ads, no in-app purchases | 'Offline mode supported' |
The ten tables, one by one
Glow Hockey
The best-known name here, with neon glow graphics and computer opponents. Its listing describes a two-player mode on the same device, and it shows ads but no in-app purchases label.
Air Hockey Challenge
Mobirix's version adds stages with obstacles and four difficulty levels, from easy to very hard. Its listing spells out an offline versus mode for two players on one device.
Air Hockey Glow HD Ultimate 2D
A glowing neon table from Arclite Systems built around one-on-one matches with a friend. Its listing describes offline two-player play.
Air Hockey - Classic
A plain take on the arcade classic from Ignace: get the puck into the other goal before your opponent scores. It shows ads but no in-app purchases label.
Air Hockey Blast
A 3D version from Go Real Games with lots of tables, paddles and pucks to choose from. Its listing says no internet is required.
Air Hockey Game
A simple game from Poder Studio where you control the puck by drag speed against computer opponents. The listing mentions offline multiplayer on one device.
Air Hockey: Classic Arcade
People Lovin Games' arcade table, with one-on-one matches against the computer or a friend in two-player mode. Its listing is the most emphatic here about offline play.
Air Hockey: Arcade Machine
MartinGames' version has two modes, against a friend or against the machine on four difficulty levels. It shows ads but no in-app purchases label.
Air Hockey: Hockey Air Zone
TwinPixel's take sets you against a bot across ten levels, each with its own power-ups and traps, so no two matches feel the same.
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Air Hockey Home : 2 PlayerGame
An arcade-style game from Nepwag where you take on friends or the computer. Its listing says offline mode is supported, and it shows no in-app purchases label.
Playing two people on one screen
Air hockey's a two-player game at heart, and the best phone versions know it. Lay a tablet flat on a table, sit at opposite ends and each player defends the goal nearest to them. Phones work too, but a bigger screen's kinder, since each player gets more room to swing.
- Put the device on a flat, steady surface.
- Choose two-player or versus mode from the menu.
- Agree first-to-how-many before you start.
- Use one finger each; two hands on the same paddle gets messy.
- Swap ends after each game, as some tables feel different from each side.
What sets one virtual table apart from another
- Offline play: six listings mention it, useful on trains and planes.
- Opponents: most let you play the computer when no one's around.
- Difficulty: Air Hockey Challenge and Air Hockey: Arcade Machine list several levels.
- In-app purchases: four show no in-app purchases label, including Glow Hockey.
- Style: neon glow, plain classic or 3D tables, so pick what you enjoy looking at.
Air hockey for siblings and couples
Because it's quick and evenly matched, air hockey is one of the best ways to settle a sibling squabble or fill ten minutes before dinner. If you're after more head-to-head games for two, try 2 player Switch games for couples and siblings or, on PlayStation, 2 player games for the PS4.
No screen? Grab a deck of cards
When the battery's flat, a deck of cards gives you the same one-on-one rivalry. My guide to 2 player games with a deck of cards has quick ones that work on a café table or a train seat.
Frequently asked questions
Can two people play air hockey on one phone?
Yes. Glow Hockey, Air Hockey Challenge, Air Hockey Glow HD Ultimate 2D, Air Hockey: Arcade Machine and several others describe playing a friend on the same device.
Which air hockey games work offline?
Air Hockey Challenge, Air Hockey Glow HD Ultimate 2D, Air Hockey Blast, Air Hockey Game, Air Hockey: Classic Arcade and Air Hockey Home : 2 PlayerGame all mention offline play on their listings.
Do air hockey games have ads?
All ten show a Contains ads label on Google Play.
Which air hockey games have no in-app purchases?
Glow Hockey, Air Hockey - Classic, Air Hockey: Arcade Machine and Air Hockey Home : 2 PlayerGame show no in-app purchases label.
Are air hockey games suitable for children?
All ten are rated Everyone on Google Play, and the simple rules make them easy for younger players to pick up.
Is a phone or a tablet better for air hockey?
A tablet gives two players more room, but a phone's fine when you're playing the computer on your own.
