Buying guide —
Electronic pinball machine for home: choose for your budget and space
An electronic pinball machine uses a computer to run the game: it counts points, starts modes and talks to the player. In 2026, that covers every pinball machine sold new. The real question isn't electronic or not. It's a real ball or a simulated ball. Five families share the home market, from around €700 used to over €14,000 new. Here's how to choose for your budget, space and style of play. Euro prices in this guide are surveyed on the French market.
What electronic pinball means in 2026
Pinball went electronic in the late 1970s, when microprocessors replaced relays and score reels. Since then, two worlds have lived side by side. Mechanical pinball keeps a real steel ball on a real playfield, with a computer running the game. A simulator, also called digital pinball or a pincab, puts the playfield on a flat screen and calculates the ball's path. Both are electronic. Both are pinball. Read the full story in our complete pinball guide.
The 5 home pinball families and their prices
| Family | Observed price | What you buy | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact consumer machine | from $1,699.99 at AtGames (US price) | a compact simulator with the maker's catalogue | the curious player who wants to try |
| Used pincab | €700–€8,000, median €3,000 | a screen and PC with some miles on them, to check carefully | the hands-on player on a tight budget |
| Premium simulator | €9,990 incl. VAT for the Bump Pro | 4K OLED panel, RTX 5070, hand assembly in France, warranty | the player who wants variety without compromise |
| New mechanical pinball | €8,090–€14,590 incl. VAT at Stern | one table, a real ball, the raw feel | the fan of a specific title |
| Used mechanical pinball | €1,000–€8,000 depending on era | a table with history, and maintenance | the hands-on collector |
Sources: AtGames for the compact machine (surveyed on 13 October 2026, US retail price excluding shipping and taxes); our survey of 17 used pincab listings from 12 October 2026; Avranches Automatic, official Stern distributor in France, for new mechanical machines; and Pinballs Store for used mechanical pinball. Find the family-by-family breakdown in our guide to pinball prices in 2026.
Two takeaways. First, the ranges overlap. With €8,000, you can buy a new Stern Pro, a rare used mechanical machine or a high-end used pincab. Price doesn't decide. How you play does. Second, a compact machine and a premium simulator are not in the same league, even though both simulate a ball. The screen, power and finish make the difference. You see it from the first game.
Choose for your space
A standard mechanical pinball machine is about 1.45 m long, 0.74 m wide and 1.93 m high including the backbox, weighing 115–135 kg. Leave a metre in front to play, a little more for spectators. Check stairs and doors before delivery. The backbox and legs can usually be removed to get it through.
Noise matters as much as floor space. Mechanical pinball is a noisy machine: coils, bumpers and a rolling ball. A simulator's volume adjusts like a speaker. That makes all the difference in a flat or living room. Read about fitting digital pinball into your living room.
Choose for the player
- Children and families: a simulator. Several tables, worlds they know, adjustable volume and nothing to break under impatient hands.
- The occasional player: a simulator too. Variety keeps you coming back, while a single table can sometimes become furniture.
- The fan of one table: mechanical pinball. If you dream of a specific title and enjoy opening the cabinet, nothing replaces a real ball.
- The collector: a used mechanical machine, chosen for its title and era, with a maintenance budget.
Our view: don't pick a side. A simulator doesn't replace pinball. It expands it. Plenty of players end up owning both.
Choose for your budget
The searches that bring people to us often set a ceiling: “€1,500 max”, “€4,000 max”. Here's what each level buys in 2026.
| Budget | What you can buy | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €1,500 | an entry-level used pincab (6 of 17 listings under €2,000 in our survey) | test it in person, insist on the invoice, follow our checklist |
| Around €4,000 | a recent used pincab or used mechanical pinball from the 1970s–1990s | compare the screen and graphics card, or maintenance costs |
| Around €10,000 | a premium simulator like the Bump Pro at €9,990 incl. VAT, or a new Stern at €8,090–€10,590 incl. VAT | choose between one perfect table and 140 available tables |
Before buying used, read our used pincab checklist: 12 things to check and the guarantees that protect you. To compare new simulators, see the best digital pinball in 2026.
The Bump Pro is our answer at the top level: 4K OLED panel, RTX 5070, hand-assembled in France. There are 140 official tables available, chosen and bought individually, at €2–€10 per table, with €100 of tables on us to start your catalogue. For a bar, hotel or business, long-term rental is for professionals only, at €299 excl. VAT per month.
FAQ
What is an electronic pinball machine?
A pinball machine whose game is run by a computer that counts points, starts modes and animates the display. Since the late 1970s, all new pinball machines have been electronic, whether they use a real ball or a simulated ball on a screen.
What's the difference between electronic and mechanical pinball?
Today, mechanical pinball is electronic too: a computer runs the game, but the ball and playfield are real. The actual difference is between a mechanical machine with a steel ball and a simulator with an on-screen playfield.
How much does an electronic pinball machine for home cost?
From around €700 for a used pincab to €14,590 incl. VAT for a new limited-edition Stern on the French market. A compact machine starts at $1,699.99 in the US, a premium simulator like the Bump Pro costs €9,990 incl. VAT, and a new Stern starts at €8,090 incl. VAT.
Which electronic pinball should an adult beginner choose?
A simulator. It offers several tables, adjustable volume and no mechanical maintenance. Best of all, try before you buy, on a machine that's ready to play.
Is electronic pinball noisy?
Mechanical pinball is: coils, bumpers and the ball make noise, with no volume control. A simulator adjusts like a speaker, making it easier to live with in a flat.
How much space does electronic pinball need?
Allow about 1.45 m in length, 0.74 m in width and nearly 2 m in height for a standard mechanical machine, plus a metre in front to play. Check doors and stairs: the machine weighs 115–135 kg.
Can you rent an electronic pinball machine?
The Bump Pro is available on long-term rental for professionals only, at €299 excl. VAT per month. Private customers can only buy it.
In short
All new pinball machines are electronic. Choose a real or simulated ball first. Then let space, the player and budget decide. Under €2,000: buy used, with care. Around €10,000: one perfect table or 140 available tables. Whatever you choose, play before you buy.
The best way to choose a pinball machine is to play it. Try a Bump