Folding tables can be a great addition to cramped dorm rooms, small apartments, and patios. They’re a functional and affordable way to save on space given their foldable nature.
What more, you literally have hundreds of options to choose from. To help you pick the best folding table for your space and needs, read our informative buying guide to know what features to consider.
The 10 Best Folding Tables You Should Buy in 2023
[amazon box=”B008E50KL2,B005G0XFEM,B003DYZQKY,B00797NW6G,B003YJPC2A,B01AH1YUVG,B01HJ234C2,B0074HYWFG,B01N6GA9ZL,B00DOZTM3O” /]10. Flash Furniture 32” Round Folding Table
Due to its round shape and tall legs, the Flash Furniture 32” folding table is perfect for those who have a catering business or for those often host garden parties. This is the perfect table to accommodate standing guests so they can have something to put their drinks or appetizers on. It can seat up to three adults without barriers that will hinder socializing. It can also handle up to 165 pounds of static weight which is more than enough for social functions.
This is a good investment for event catering businesses at it designed with commercial use in mind. However, homeowners looking for a bar height folding table for occasional use might find its price a bit too expensive.
Some people who bought this table found it useful for different purposes. The table works well as a study table as well as a dining table. They also liked how easily it can be folded up and kept hidden when not in use. One complaint they had though is that the tabletop seems to scratch easily. But it’s tolerable since scratches can easily be covered up with a tablecloth.
- Perfect as bar tables for parties
- Ideal for catering services
- Can hold heavy weight
- Sturdy construction
- May be too expensive for some
- Scratches easily
9. Coleman 2000020279 Compact Folding Table
This Coleman compact folding table is another great table for outdoor use such as camping trips or cookouts. Made entirely of aluminum and steel, the table can easily be folded in and carried in a bag for you outdoorsy people who don’t want heavy lug equipment on hiking and camping trips. On its own, the table weighs a little bit less than nine pounds.
Due to its round shape, it can seat around four to six people comfortably. It has the perfect shape for eating, serving food or playing games while you and your family relax after a tiring day outdoors. Just a warning, this table’s height is a little bit low and would be perfect to use with foldable chairs.
People who bought the product find it very useful during family vacations as dining tables. They were quite surprised by how much weight it can handle observing how the legs stay straight even with over a hundred pounds of weight put onto it.
- Multipurpose table for outdoor use
- Can handle heavy weight
- Lightweight and portable
- None
8. Lifetime 80160 Commercial Height Adjustable Folding Utility Table
If you’re looking for an all-around folding table, this Lifetime folding table is one of the best choices for you. Its main selling point is its adjustable height which can be configured to various lengths for the use of children (24 inches), for regular use (29 inches) and as a countertop (36 inches).
This table would make for a great art table at home or in schools for children aged three up to nine. You don’t have to worry about how messy your kids can be as this furniture’s countertop is both stain resistant and easy to clean.
Adjusted to taller heights, this Lifetime product can be a great addition to your crafts room as well. We highly recommend this table as a sewing station because of its heavy weight capacity and spacious tabletop surface area.
- Multipurpose
- Adjustable to three different heights
- Spacious countertop
- None
7. Office Star Resin Multipurpose Rectangle Table
Planning a big barbecue party this summer? Then you must be looking for a convenient folding table that can easily fit all the food and drinks you’re planning to serve. Well, look no further than the Office Star Resin Multipurpose Rectangle Table.
This heavy-duty table would surely tick off all your criteria for a folding table. It can seat around four to six people, but you can also definitely use it as a buffet table as it can carry the weight of up to 300 pounds. What more, you can use it for both indoor and outdoor parties as it is waterproof, stain proof and impact-resistant.
Another great thing about this product is that it’s very easy to set up and to carry from one place to another as it folds up in the middle and has a handy carry handle on the side.
- Can carry up to 300 pounds
- Waterproof, stain proof and scratch-resistant
- Multipurpose
- Easy to use and store
- None
6. Lifetime 4428 Height Adjustable Folding Utility Table
This Lifetime table is perfect for small families with young children as it can serve a variety of purposes. Due to its adjustable height, it can be lowered for the use of your children as a drawing or play table and higher to two other heights for regular dining purposes or as a makeshift craft table. Another great thing about it is that its tabletop material makes it very easy to clean up.
One downside though is that it’s a bit heavy to carry when folded up. The tables weighs just below 20 pounds which might make it hard to carry out to long distances.
- Three adjustable heights
- Easy to clean
- multipurpose
- A bit heavy when folded up
5. ZIMMER Personal Folding Table
If you’re looking for a compact, no fuss table that’s convenient to have around the house, we recommend that you check out the Zimmer Persona Folding Table. As the name implies, this Zimmer product is ideal for individual use.
It can be a great companion on picnics and other outings and is also useful for indoor use as a simple laptop table or as a young child’s play and toy station. This versatility is possible because it can be adjusted to four different heights (21″, 24″, 26″ and 28″).
However, be warned that this table can’t carry much weight despite its sturdy legs. At max, it can only accommodate around 40 pounds of countertop weight. There’s an upside to this though as it also means that the table can remain lightweight and easy to carry at only 10 pounds.
- Four adjustable heights
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Perfect for individual outdoor and indoor use
- Can only accommodate 40 pounds of weight
4. Trekology Portable Camping Side Table
This next one’s for you adventurous campers out there. The Trekology Portable Camping Side Table is specifically designed with the needs of camping enthusiasts in mind.
This aluminum top table is lightweight and portable which makes it easy to store and transport as you transfer from campsite to campsite. It comes in three variations of weight ranging from as light as just two pounds to five pounds.
But despite this, this table can handle heavy weight and the elements as it is made with sturdy hinges and a weatherproof top. It also has a very nice wood finish that perfectly fits the vibe of the outdoors well.
- Specifically designed for outdoor use
- Has a beautiful wood finish
- Lightweight
- Weatherproof
- None
3. Lifetime 80251 Adjustable Folding Table
The Lifetime 80251 Adjustable Folding Table is a great choice for people who are looking for a simple folding table for individual use. Its design makes it easy to fold in and out without much physical exertion. It’s adjustable height also gives it more versatility.
You can use it for a variety of purposes whether it’s for house chores, hobbies, work or eating. It’s also made it survive outdoor use for camping or picnics as its tabletop is UV protected and stain resistant. What more, it retails for the very affordable price.
- Adjustable height
- Versatile and multipurpose
- Affordable price
- UV protected and stain resistant
Con
- None
2. OUTRY Lightweight Folding Table
The number two spot goes to the Outry Lightweight Folding Table. This all-around folding table combines all the good features we saw in the other tables on this list and more.
Designed for outdoor use, this table retains its light weight without sacrificing structural integrity as it is made of heavy-duty nylon fabric and an aluminum alloy frame. It sets up and folds up very easily, perfect for the on the go camper or beach goer.
Another great feature of this product is its four in-built cup holders which is convenient for avoiding spills on uneven terrain.
- Perfect for outdoor use
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- In-built cup holders
- None
1. Cosco Deluxe Fold-in-Half Blow Molded Folding Table
Cosco Deluxe Folding Table is the best selling and a great choice for outdoor dining with your family. This folding table is a bi-folding and lightweight furniture that would surely complete any garden party or family outing. Weighing just 25.5 pounds and having a secure lock, it can be easily and safely transported from one place to another wherever you want to take it. What more, it’s also equipped with a handle for easy carrying.
It’s recommended seating is for four people, but it can actually accommodate up to six. And if you want chairs to match this folding table, Cosco also sells portable folding chairs that match perfectly with the table’s black color and sleek design. You can also choose from two other colors (white and grey) if black isn’t your thing.
Another great thing about this table is that it’s well-reviewed by people who have used it. They say that the table is a great deal given its quality and price point as compared to the higher price tags of other brands for similar models. They also found its heavy duty weight capacity impressive and reassuring. However, they complain of a bump in the middle of the table that makes it difficult for it click perfectly when folded out.
- Lightweight and portable
- Simple but pleasing design
- Good deal for quality and price
- Bump in middle makes it cumbersome to fold out
Factors to consider when buying a folding table
Narrow your possible choices by keeping the following things in mind. To sum it all up, you’ll need to consider what shape of a table would best suit your needs, the material of the table itself and the extra features it has to offer (if there are any). Another important thing to consider is the brand and the dealer of the table.
- Table Shape and Dimensions: You already probably have a preferred shape for the folding table you’re looking for. But to give you a few more options, here are the most common table shapes you can find and which purposes they would be perfect for.
- Rectangular folding table: This shape is what most people would imagine a table to look like. This kind of table is also the easiest and most convenient to transport or store. Rectangular tables can perfectly function as a small dining table for apartments or as makeshift study tables for your dorm room. They are also great to use for outdoor parties and barbecues.
- Round folding table: Due to their lack of corners making interaction easier, roundtables are best used for gaming and banquet purposes. Similar to rectangular tables, you can use round tables as dining tables at home. However, they are not as comfortable or convenient to store as their rectangular counterpart.
- Square folding table: Square tables are just like rectangular ones except the former aren’t as wide. They are also a bit more challenging to transport especially the larger models.
- Half-round table: These tables usually come in twos as bringing them together makes a full roundtable. Still, they can be used as single half-round tables to save up on space. They can be positioned against a wall to maximize your floor space.
- Table Material: Picking a folding table made out of durable material is essential if you want something that’ll last you a long time. Here are the most common materials that folding tables are made of.
- Plastic: Tables made of plastic are an excellent choice because they tend to be more lightweight and affordable than other materials. They are ideal if you plan on transporting them often as they are very portable which is great if you’re running a catering business or plan on using them for trade shows.
- While people often consider plastic as an inferior material, there are certain types of plastics that prove this notion untrue. For example, there are impact resistant and stain resistant plastic tables that’ll surely last you for years and are also backed by years of warranty. Durable plastic tables usually last for around 10 years.
- Laminate: This type of folding table is structurally stronger and last longer than plastic types. However, they also tend to be more expensive and heavy. What more laminate tables look more professional and sleek than plastic tables. Laminate wood folding tables are an excellent choice for general use.
- Wood: Wood folding tables are the best type when it comes to overall quality and aesthetics. However, these tables are also the most expensive of all materials (although you can definitely still find affordable options). They also tend to last longer usually have a lifespan of more than two decades.
Lastly, here are some features you’ll find useful in a folding table.
- Bi-folding: This means that a table will fold in half in the middle of the tabletop itself to make storage and transportation more comfortable and more convenient. Unfortunately, this means that the table would lose a bit of structural integrity and would not be able to carry heavy weight.
- Adjustable Height: This feature adds versatility to a simple folding table. While a majority of tables are around 29 inches or 30 inches in height, adjustable tables can be lowered to as low as 21 inches. This feature would be great to have if you’re planning to use the table to accommodate both children and adults.
- Edge Band: Edge bands are a protective layer usually found at the edges of table tops to prevent chipping over time and to cushion your guests are blunt edges. They are usually made out of plastic, metal or rubber.
- Frame Gauge: A table frame’s gauge will largely determine its strength and how much weight it can handle. As a general rule, we recommend that you look for a table with no smaller than an 18 gauge frame for standard length tables. If this information isn’t available, you can check out the table’s weight capacity
- Price: When it comes to furniture like folding tables cheap doesn’t always mean it’s a good deal. Most of the time, you’ll be sacrificing quality when you go for the most affordable table you can find. We advise that you set a realistic budget before heading out to the stores or browsing online. While folding tables can go for as low cost, we recommend that you are a lot more to ensure you’re getting a quality table.
- Warranty: Finally, it’s a great idea to buy a table that comes with at least a one-year warranty with it. The longer the warranty, the better as they are telling of a product’s quality.
Conclusion
There we have it. The top 10 best folding tables reviewed and ranked. We hope this buying guide and product countdown has been helpful in your search for a folding table that would tick all the boxes in your criteria.
