Camping is a great pastime that many people enjoy. There are plenty of things to do while you’re camping. You can roast marshmallows, go on hikes, or even just enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors! However, one thing that’s necessary for any outdoor adventure is an outdoor table. Best camping tables come in all shapes and sizes but there are some specific features you should keep in mind when choosing which one to buy for your next camping trip.
All different tables have varying features to fulfill different purposes, which is why it becomes all the more important for you to pick out the perfect camping table, according to your personal preferences and requirements. Before picking out the best camping table for yourself, there are a few features that you should keep in mind. The most important ones are the size and seating capacity of the table, the materials with which it is built, weight and portability and the price and some secondary factors such as weight capacity, external accessories, etc.
Since there is a lot to consider before making the final purchase, we decided to come up with our top 10 picks for the best camping tables to help you out. These picks are ranked, rated and reviewed for you to have the information you need. Before we go to our list, we have a few factors that you should consider before buying a camping table.
Contents
- 1 Things to consider before buying the best camping tables:
- 2 Top 10 Camping Tables
- 2.1 #1 Coleman Outdoor Compact Table
- 2.2 #2 Lifetime Adjustable Craft Camping Table
- 2.3 #3 Camp field Adjustable Camping Table
- 2.4 #4 ALPS Mountaineering Camping Table
- 2.5 #5 Trekology Portable Camping Side Table
- 2.6 #6 REDCAMP Small Folding Table
- 2.7 #7 Helinox Portable Outdoor Camping table
- 2.8 #8 Camp Chef Sherpa Camp Table and Organizer
- 2.9 #9 KingCamp Steel Camping Table
- 2.10 #10 GCI Outdoor Compact Camp and Folding Table
- 3 Buying Guide to select the right Camping Table for you:
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- 5 Conclusion
Things to consider before buying the best camping tables:
- Purpose:
The purpose for which you want to buy the camping table determines a lot of secondary factors you should keep in mind as well. If you want a foldable table for dining or for indoor parties, you can go with a simple, basic featured model.
If you are a regular traveler or an avid camper, you might need all different provisions and features packed into one single product. It also depends on whether you want a compact table that is easy for travelling or storage or one that folds well enough to fit into your car or RV.
- Material:
The material of a camping tabletop is also really important and each different table and material has its own individual advantages and disadvantages. The most popular material used for such tables is aluminum. It is the most attractive one as it generally comes in the form of slats that are able to fold down into a small size and it is a lightweight material too.
It is also suitable for resisting a lot of impacts and has a high level of high resistance. Another material that is used for tabletops is heavy-duty plastic, which has great durability and is easy to fold, carry and store, without demanding much effort on maintenance or care. The major downside of a plastic tabletop is the lack of heat and impact resistance.
- Mobility and Portability:
If you are a person who is really fond of traveling and is constantly on the move, then easily foldable, compact tables are the right fit for you as they are easy to handle and store and easy to carry in your vehicle. The distance you travel and your mode of transportation surely cause an impact on the kind of table you should go for.
These are some of the few main features one should keep in mind before buying a camping table. Based on these, we have curated our list of top 10 picks.
Top 10 Camping Tables
Product Images | Product Name | Price |
#1 Coleman Outdoor Compact Table
The Coleman brands aim at bringing people together and have fun by providing them with a wide range of products ranging from lighting stoves to tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear that add up to your outdoor adventure experience and make it perfect.
The Coleman Compact Camping Table is the perfect outdoor camping and cooking companion. It comes with an Accordion style steel frame build with an aluminum slat top, which is suitable even for using hot pots and pans. Its structure is sturdy and easy to set up.
The table weight is 9 lbs and its total weight holding capacity can go up to 100 lbs. This table comes with a storage and carry bag that makes it convenient and portable. The directions are also sewn on to the carry bag for ease of usage.
Pros
- Suitable for outdoor events, not just camping
- Easy to assemble and use
- Compact and portable comes with a carry bag with a strap
- Durable and comes with a one year warranty from the manufacturer
Cons
- Disassembling the table can be a little difficult
- The plastic end caps on the legs and knees of the table can get loose over time
#2 Lifetime Adjustable Craft Camping Table
The Lifetime foldable Craft Table is multipurpose and is suitable for all your hobbies; be it using it at home or in a natural outdoor setting. The table is designed in a way to suit all your needs, therefore it comes with three adjustable height settings, which can be adjusted according to your usage and a stain-resistant surface that makes it easy to clean and maintain. It also has a rust-resistant, powder-coated steel frame and can be folded in half easily for convenient carrying and storage.
Pros
- Suitable for different purposes
- Powder-coated steel and high-density polyethylene plastic structure
- Adjustable Height
- Convenient carry handle and easy storage
- Stain-resistant top
Cons
- The surface has a slight texture
- Not suitable for heavy items
- Can be tricky to assemble and disassemble
#3 Camp field Adjustable Camping Table
The Camp Field camping table is perfect for both indoor and outdoor events, parties, picnics, and camping trips. It is a 4 person table with an aluminum alloy structure. It comes in three adjustable height settings, depending on your purpose and also comes with an included zippered canvas carton that offers large storage for your stuff and can also protect them from bugs and insects. It is easily adjustable, detachable lightweight and durable, with a total weight capacity of holding up to 66 lbs.
Pros
- Easy to install and fold up after use
- Has a weight capacity of 66lbs
- Comes with storage canvas and Velcro
- Detachable, adjustable
- Durable material construct
- Comes with lifetimes warranty and 100% money-back guarantee in case of a manufacturing defect or dissatisfaction with the product
Cons
- The table is made of pressboard, hence not suitable for use in water
- Cannot be used on unstable or uneven grounds
- Legs are flimsy.
#4 ALPS Mountaineering Camping Table
The ALPS Camping Table is here to complete your camping or tailgating experience. This table is the right fit for you to set your food after a long hike or even for use throughout the day when you are out for an adventure or for any event.
It comes with a powder-coated aluminum frame which makes it lightweight, yet sturdy to give you a solid, long-lasting utility, all day long. Its unique frame and the tabletop folding system makes it fold easily and fit well into a storage carry bag for portability and transport. The camping table is a great match for events such as tailgating, camping, BBQs.
Pros
- Sturdy aluminum frame for multi-purpose usage
- It is heat resistant and does not melt while using stoves or grills
- Fast and easy setup and disassembling
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Quality will be degraded if exposed to continuous rains/moisture as the metal may rust after a while.
#5 Trekology Portable Camping Side Table
The Trekology Company designs ultra-light and portable outdoor adventure gears, done especially for cost-conscious campers and backpackers. Their portable side table is an all-purpose product that merges the advantages of mobility and practicality.
It has a hardtop, waterproof, solid frame construction that makes it versatile for all kinds of uses and adventures. It is made with aerospace-grade aluminum alloy that makes it sturdy and durable. It is low seated so that one can use it both with and without a chair. It also comes with a carry bag that can fit easily into your car, RV, canoe without taking too much space.
Pros
- Waterproof and durable aluminum tabletop
- Aluminum base frame for easy folding and disassembling
- Reinforced hinged design
- Easy to set up
- Available in three different sizes
Cons
- Table cording can get fragile after some time, needs to be assembled and disassembled with care
- Table legs are flimsy.
#6 REDCAMP Small Folding Table
Redcamp is known as a professional outdoor equipment brand that focuses on outdoor gear for outdoor life to enjoy life close to nature and adventure. The Redcamp Outdoor Small Folding Table makes your experience convenient as it is easy to carry and store in limited space.
The table can be folded into a small size and comes with four separate legs and three different adjustable heights to suit your requirements better. It is multifunctional, with premium material and sturdy frame build. The table can be folded into a suitcase with a soft handle and security latch to make it more portable and safe.
Pros
- Premium material build and sturdy structure
- Three different adjustable height settings
- Easy to carry and store
- Multipurpose, suitable for all events.
Cons
- The newly bought table might have stiffer legs and cause problems while folding and unfolding, the table might need lubrication in the initial stages of use
- Can be too low for some users
- Legs can get flimsy and unstable after prolonged use.
#7 Helinox Portable Outdoor Camping table
The Helinox Table One is a lightweight, collapsible outdoor camping table that weighs just 1.5 lbs and is super easy to carry around. It rolls into a burrito sized package, with complete handles when it is time to hit the road. The easy to carry portable table comes with a proprietary aluminum alloy frame for maximum strength to weight ratio and it has the support capacity of up to 110 lbs.
It has a removable soft top and a zippered carrying case that is made from ultra-durable, UV resistant mesh and rips stop polyester that can resist harsh weather like sun and rain. It is an ideal fit for camping, tailgating and outdoor living rooms and also for picnics, parties, BBQs or hanging out at the beach. The Helinox Table One is backed by a five-year warranty by the manufacturer.
Pros
- Portable and versatile, easily set up for every event
- Lightweight frame
- Easily collapsible and convenient storage
- Portable
- Weather-resistant
Cons
- Tabletop is relatively smaller
- A table cannot be used well with regular-sized chairs
#8 Camp Chef Sherpa Camp Table and Organizer
The Sherpa Camp Table lets you carry your entire kitchen with you when you are outdoors or are camping. You can pull out the aluminum tabletop to use it as an outdoor dining table or use it for extra prep space. The four removable storage bags are to keep your utensils, equipment, and ingredients handy.
You also have a kitchen sink with you, thanks to the waterproof lining in the storage bags. While on the move, you can compress the legs and fit the storage bags in their respective compartments and carry the table with its side handles easily.
Pros
- Versatile aluminum tabletop for dining or extra space
- Blue organizer bag has a waterproof lining used as a cooler or sink
- Padded carry handles for easy carrying
- 4 different storage bags for kitchen equipment, utensils, food, and ingredients
Cons
- Can be a little difficult or complicated to set up
- Takes up too much space during the storage model.
#9 KingCamp Steel Camping Table
The KingCamp folding camping table can be used indoors for dining or even outdoors for picnics, camping, and patio parties and more! It has a solid steel frame that gives it a total weight capacity up to 176 lbs. The aluminum tabletop comes with a heat resistant slat top which provides you with stable dining or working space.
This tabletop is made up of alloyed aluminum and anode oxidation treatment which makes it rust and corrosion resistant and makes it easy to clean up. It features a split-type design for the board and bracket and the desktop can be rolled up and the steel frame can be folded with the safety lock.
Pros
- Spacious tabletop
- Easy and safe to install and lock up
- Firm and durable
- Lightweight yet sturdy aluminum frame
- Comes with manufacturer’s warranty; free replacement and refund promised for any issue with quality.
Cons
- It can be too lightweight and unstable on rocky surfaces or windy areas
- Lack of overall stability of the table
#10 GCI Outdoor Compact Camp and Folding Table
The GCI Compact Outdoor Table is a 25-inch one-piece design and what makes it different is that it can fold to half the size of other camp tables. In full size, it can accommodate 4 people. It has a lightweight, aluminum frame that has a weight holding capacity of up to 60 lbs.
It is made up of a patent-pending Squeeze Telescoping Technology for easy storage and easy folding up. It is ideal for camping, tailgating, road trips, picnics, sporting events, parties, and other outdoor activities.
Pros
- Portable, compact and durable design
- Lightweight frame and tabletop
- Folds up to half the size of other camping tables
- Easy to setup
- Can support up to 60 lbs.
Cons
- The adjusting buttons in the telescope legs can get jammed or get tight
- Surface is not weather or corrosion or heat resistant
Buying Guide to select the right Camping Table for you:
The role of a camping table is not only for dining or to be used as a workspace, but it also plays a part in bringing your friends and family together in a fun, outdoor setting. An unstable legged table or a flimsy structure could ruin your entire experience. A good camping table, with a stable structure and a good desktop, is a must, especially one that suits your needs and requirements.
Before buying a camping table, one should keep the following factors in mind:
- Size
The table that you look forward to buying must suit or accommodate the number of people in your family or your group. Medium-sized tables usually can seat up to 4 adults, but it can also depend on the table’s height and width. For example, if there are two people in your family, it does not really make sense of buying a table for six!
- Structure
Most camping tables are collapsible for easy storage and purpose. However, folding tables can be confusing to figure out. Does it have collapsible legs, or does it fold sideways? When packed up, how much space does it take? These factors play a key role in determining the right camping table for your needs.
It also includes whether it has a heat resistant tabletop or not, how much time it takes for setting the table up or if the table can withstand harsh weather or strong winds.
- Strength and durability
One of the biggest concerns of a camping table is how much weight it can hold. Generally, with a folding table that is small and compact and easy to carry, you can lose the strength and total weight capacity. Tables that have more solid table tops are usually stronger but take up more storage space.
- Materials
Tabletops and cooking stations can be made up of different materials like steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass or even plastic. Depending on your usage or purpose, you should choose the right material. If you need a table as a cooking station or to set up stoves or grills, it is better to go with an alloy based, heat resistant tabletop.
These materials also make the table stronger and last longer. If you use the table for leisure purposes, you can go for wood, fiberglass, MDF or even plastic, whatever works for you!
- Cost
The amount of money you spend on a table also makes a lot of difference. Depending on the purpose and frequency of your use, you should invest in a table accordingly. If you want to use the table for your house or simply as a dining space, you can for a simple foldable table with the basic features and sturdiness, which will cost relatively less.
If your main purpose is to buy a table to use it as a cooking or grilling station or if you are constantly on the move and need all features assembled into one product, you should choose the right fit accordingly. Tables that are multipurpose and are suited for rough, outdoor usage are usually more costly and require more care and maintenance due to prolonged usage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Conclusion
Camping tables are just yet another great addition to your trip. Having a camping table will ensure that you at least have your meals like you have them at home, making you comfortable. Happy camping :)