How Much Does a Pinball Machine Cost? Real Prices for New, Used and Limited Editions

A pinball machine costs anywhere from about $1,800 for a serviced 1990s title to more than $13,000 for a new limited edition, and the price you see on a listing is not the price of owning one. This guide gives the real numbers: what each type of machine sells for on our own floor right now, what the manufacturers charge for new production, and the four costs that come after the machine itself.

Prices on our floor today

These figures are read from the live catalogue at the time of writing, so they change as machines sell. They are the prices you pay, before the flat $200 freight.

What new machines cost from the factory

Stern sells each title in three versions. At the time of writing the manufacturer list prices sit roughly at $7,000 to $7,500 for a Pro, $9,700 to $10,000 for a Premium, and $13,000 to $13,500 for a Limited Edition, before freight and tax. Jersey Jack machines start higher, around $10,000 to $12,000 for a standard edition, because every model ships with a large LCD backbox and a wider cabinet. Small manufacturers such as Spooky Pinball and American Pinball sit between the two, generally $8,000 to $11,000.

The three editions of a Stern game share the same rules and the same playfield layout. The Premium adds mechanical toys, more lighting and better cabinet trim; the LE adds numbered plates, exclusive art and a signed backglass on top of the Premium features. If you are buying to play rather than to collect, the Pro is the same game.

What used machines cost, and why

Used prices are driven by three things: how many were made, whether the title is still in demand, and the condition of the playfield. A 1990s Williams or Bally title in serviced condition typically sells for $3,000 to $8,000; the handful of titles at the top of the collector rankings, such as Medieval Madness and Twilight Zone, sell for well above that because far fewer are available than people who want them. Games from the 1970s and early 1980s are often the cheapest way into ownership at $1,500 to $3,500, but they need more hands-on care.

On our floor, “used” means inspected and sold as described, with wear listed; “refurbished” means shop-serviced with new rubbers, balls, cleaned playfield and tested switches and lamps. The condition is stated on every listing and it is part of the price.

The four costs after the machine

When planning ongoing ownership costs, review the pinball maintenance checklist and ask which service items your chosen machine needs.

1. Freight. A full-size machine weighs 250 to 300 lb and ships crated on a pallet. Our rate is a flat $200 to any US address, curbside with a scheduled appointment. Elsewhere, expect $300 to $600 for palletised freight, and more for inside delivery.
2. Sales tax. Charged on the machine and the freight where the law requires it; the checkout shows it before you pay.
3. Setup. Attaching the legs, lifting the backbox and levelling takes two people and an hour. No cost if you do it yourself; a technician charges around $100 to $200 for setup on its own.
4. Running costs. A modern machine draws roughly 150 to 250 watts while playing, so a few dollars a month in electricity. Budget $50 to $100 a year for balls, rubbers and cleaning supplies, and expect a flipper rebuild ($100 to $250 with a technician) every few years on a machine that gets played a lot.

Is a pinball machine worth the money?

Consider the budget alongside the game you want, the space available and ongoing care. The pinball buying overview connects these decisions without replacing the exact terms for a particular purchase.

Unlike most home entertainment, well-chosen machines hold their value. Popular titles from the 1990s cost more now than they did new, and current Stern titles typically resell within 10 to 25 percent of purchase price after a few years, provided they are kept clean and working. A machine you play every week is one of the few purchases in this price range you can sell later for most of what you paid.

How to spend less without buying badly

• Buy a Pro rather than a Premium if you want the game and not the toys.
• Look at titles from the same era as the famous ones: a Williams game from 1993 that is not on anyone’s top-ten list plays nearly as well and costs half as much.
• Choose refurbished over untouched used: the extra cost is usually less than the first repair bill.
• Measure before you order. A machine that does not fit through the door costs you freight both ways. Our dimensions and weight guide has the numbers.

Every machine we sell shows its price, condition, freight and warranty on the listing, and you can put any two side by side on the compare page before deciding.

Quick answers

How much does a new pinball machine cost? Roughly $7,000 to $13,500 at manufacturer list price for a current Stern title depending on edition; Jersey Jack machines start around $10,000.

How much does a used pinball machine cost? Most serviced 1990s machines sell for $3,000 to $8,000; on our floor used and refurbished machines currently run from $1,800 to $10,320.

How much does it cost to ship a pinball machine? $200 flat to any US address from us; $300 to $600 is typical for palletised freight elsewhere.

Do pinball machines hold their value? Popular titles do. Many 1990s machines sell for more now than they cost new, and modern machines typically resell within 10 to 25 percent of purchase price.

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