Buying guide —
Pinball machine price in 2026: how much does a new, used or digital pinball machine cost
Updated October 5, 2026
A pinball machine costs in 2026 anywhere from about €1,000 for a working used mechanical machine from the 1970s to €14,590 for a new limited-edition Stern. A new Stern starts at €8,090 incl. VAT in France. On the simulator side, expect from €1,200 in parts for a homemade pincab up to around €10,000 for a premium model like the Bump Pro, priced at €9,990 incl. VAT. Here is every price, family by family, with the source and date of each figure.
Pinball machine price in 2026, in one table
| Family | Price observed in 2026 | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| New mechanical, Stern Pro | €8,090 incl. VAT | the complete game, all modes |
| New mechanical, Stern Premium | €10,590 incl. VAT | extra mechanisms, finishes and lighting |
| New mechanical, Stern LE | €14,590 incl. VAT | numbered limited series |
| Used mechanical, 1970s and 1980s | €1,000 to €4,000 | a working machine |
| Used mechanical, 1990s | €1,500 to €3,500 for most models | the golden age of dot-matrix displays |
| Recent used mechanical | €4,000 to €8,000 | a recent title, already broken in |
| Homemade pincab, 43 inches | €1,200 to €4,000 in parts | a custom-built machine, assembly time not included |
| Commercial pincab, entry and mid-range | €2,000 to €7,000 | a ready-to-play machine, finishes vary |
| Premium simulator, Bump Pro | €9,990 incl. VAT | 4K OLED screen, RTX 5070, hand-assembled in France |
Sources: Avranches Automatic, official Stern distributor in France, for new machines (checked October 5, 2026), Pinballs Store for used machines (Dutch market, 2026), Monte ton Cab for DIY builds, BUMP market benchmarks for commercial pincabs. The most sought-after titles, like Medieval Madness or Monster Bash, go well beyond these ranges.
New mechanical pinball machine: what Stern and others charge
Stern, the world's leading manufacturer, sells each title in three fixed-price versions. The Pro contains the complete game. The Premium adds mechanisms on the playfield, extra finishes and lighting. The LE is a numbered limited series. In France, through official distributor Avranches Automatic, that comes to €8,090, €10,590 and €14,590 incl. VAT. Depending on the retailer, the same Pro can be listed around €8,400.
Worth watching: in September 2026, Stern raised its US prices for the first time in nearly four years. Its Fallout pinball machine launches at $7,299, $10,699 and $13,999, up from $6,999, $9,699 and $12,999 for Pokémon and Transformers earlier in the year (Kineticist). As of early October 2026, French prices had not yet moved.
Other manufacturers aim higher. Jersey Jack Pinball launched Sonic the Hedgehog in 2026 at $9,999 for the Arcade Edition, $12,000 for the Special Edition and $15,000 for the Collector's Edition, before shipping, duties and VAT (The Crafty Catsman). The full manufacturer landscape is in our complete pinball guide.
A new mechanical pinball machine is heavy in every sense: about 1.45 m long, 0.74 m wide and 1.93 m tall including the backbox, for 115 to 135 kg. Plan for delivery, stairs, and a meter of clearance in front of the machine for comfortable play.
Used mechanical pinball machine: what sets the price
The used market covers the whole spectrum, from a 1970s machine needing restoration to a recent model barely broken in. Four criteria set the price.
- The era: electromechanical, 1980s, 1990s dot-matrix display, recent models.
- The title: a handful of cult machines are worth far more than other models from the same year.
- The condition: worn or intact playfield, faded or original backglass, original or rebuilt electronics.
- The overhaul: a machine serviced by a professional costs more upfront, and much less in its first year.
Two figures worth remembering. A new pinball machine under three years old generally loses around 20% of its value on resale, aside from a few highly sought-after titles. And on an older machine, the purchase price is only part of the cost: a full overhaul can add more, and a simple pair of flipper kits already costs around €150.
Looking for a used pincab? Prices and a checklist are in our guide to used virtual pinball. To buy from a professional, ExtraBall, BUMP's partner distributor, sells both new and used machines.
Digital pinball machine: from homemade pincab to premium simulator
A digital pinball machine, also called a pincab or simulator, displays the playfield on a screen laid flat under glass, with real buttons, a plunger and often haptic feedback. Its price depends on five items: the screen, the graphics card, the cabinet, the sound and the software integration. For the full definition, see what is a pincab.
| Level | 2026 range | Screen | Power | Typical warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade | €1,200 to €4,000 in parts | TV or LCD monitor | depends on budget | none, part by part |
| Entry-level | €2,000 to €4,000 | LCD | entry-level GPU | short or variable |
| Mid-range | €4,000 to €7,000 | LCD or QLED | mid-range GPU | 1 to 2 years |
| High-end | €7,000 and above | 4K OLED | recent GPU such as RTX 5070 | 2 years, dedicated support |
What pushes a pincab above €8,000: a 4K OLED screen, whose contrast and deep blacks change how you read the playfield, a graphics card on the level of an RTX 5070 to run tables in high definition, a hand-assembled cabinet that takes the hours of play, and real work on the sound. On the Bump Pro, three amplifiers drive four exciters, two bass shakers, the front speakers and a subwoofer.
DIY remains the cheapest way in, if you enjoy tinkering and your time doesn't count toward the budget. To compare two commercial machines on something other than price, the best digital pinball guide breaks down the criteria that matter.
What the purchase price doesn't tell you
Comparing a mechanical pinball machine and a simulator on purchase price alone is like comparing a single table to a whole catalogue. Four factors change the math.
- Tables: a mechanical machine is one table. On the Bump Pro, 140 official tables available, chosen and bought individually, between €2 and €10 per table, with €100 of tables on us to start your catalogue.
- Maintenance: a mechanical machine needs overhauls and wear parts. A simulator has no playfield to wear out.
- Space: 115 to 135 kg and nearly 2 m tall for a standard Stern.
- Resale: around a 20% discount for a recent mechanical machine, cult titles aside.
And if you don't want to choose? That's our stance: the simulator doesn't replace the pinball machine, it expands it. BUMP also builds its own mechanical pinball machine, the Bump #001. To weigh both options point by point, see mechanical pinball vs virtual pinball.
Ten thousand euros is a lot, and it's the number one criticism we read under the Bump Pro video. We answer it head-on in digital pinball: too expensive, not a real pinball machine?.
Buy or rent?
For an individual, it's a purchase: we do not offer rental to individuals. For rental professionals only, bars, hotels or businesses, the Bump Pro is available as a long-term rental reserved for professionals, at €299 excl. VAT/month.
FAQ
How much does a new pinball machine cost?
A new Stern costs in France €8,090 incl. VAT in the Pro version, €10,590 in Premium and €14,590 in limited edition, according to official distributor Avranches Automatic in October 2026. A new simulator costs from €2,000 to over €10,000 depending on the range.
What is the price of a used pinball machine?
From €1,000 to €4,000 for a working 1970s or 1980s mechanical machine, €1,500 to €3,500 for most 1990s models, and €4,000 to €8,000 for a recent model. Cult titles exceed these ranges.
Why does a pinball machine cost so much?
A mechanical pinball machine is built in small batches, with a playfield, mechanisms and often a license fee to pay. A premium simulator combines a 4K OLED screen, a recent graphics card and hand assembly.
How much does a digital pinball machine cost?
From €1,200 in parts for a homemade pincab to around €10,000 for a premium model. The Bump Pro costs €9,990 incl. VAT.
Are tables included in the price of a digital pinball machine?
Not on the Bump Pro: 140 official tables available, chosen and bought individually between €2 and €10 per table, and €100 of tables on us to start your catalogue.
Is it better to buy a new or used pinball machine?
New brings a warranty, after-sales support and an up-to-date machine. Used lowers the entry price, but requires checking the condition, the maintenance history and, for a simulator, the screen and graphics card.
Are pinball machine prices going to rise?
Stern raised its US prices in September 2026, for the first time in nearly four years: $300 more on the Pro, $1,000 more on the Premium and the LE. As of early October 2026, French prices had not yet moved.
Can you rent a pinball machine?
The Bump Pro is offered as a long-term rental for rental professionals only, at €299 excl. VAT/month. For individuals, only purchase is possible.
In summary
New mechanical: from €8,090 incl. VAT for a Stern Pro. Used mechanical: from €1,000 to €8,000 depending on era and title. Simulator: from €1,200 in parts for a DIY build to €9,990 incl. VAT for the Bump Pro. The right price is the one for the machine you'll still be playing in five years.
The best way to know what a pinball machine is worth is to play it. Try a Bump