10 Best Camping Tables of 2023

Best Camping Tables of 2023

We love camping in secluded places, but most remote sites don’t have picnic tables. A camping table provides a comfortable and convenient place to cook, eat, and play games. More importantly, a table makes a great central point for friends and family to gather and enjoy each other’s company.

A portable table is infinitely useful, but when you start the search for the perfect one, you’ll quickly find that there are a ton of options. We know shopping for camp furniture can be overwhelming, so we found and tested all the best camping tables on the market to make it easy to find one that’s just right for you.

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

• Best table overall for size, stability & value: REI Camp Prep
• Best budget table: Lifetime 4 ft. Folding Table
• Most portable large table: ALPS Mountaineering Dining
• Best full-featured cook station: GCI Master Cook Station
• Compact cook station with storage: Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen
• Lightweight table with adjustable legs: Portal Wide-N-Compact
• Best side table: GCI Compact Camp 20
• Budget side table: Trekology Talu
• Strong, lightweight & compact table: Helinox Table One Hard Top

What’s Most Important to You in a Camping Table?

PRICE– Camping table prices vary widely depending on their size, build quality, and brand. We’ve found that many budget-friendly tables perform just as well as high-end tables, and we recommend options that’re a great value at a variety of price points.

• Best value camp tables: REI Camp Prep, ALPS Mountaineering Dining, and Portal Wide-N-Compact
• Best budget camp tables: Lifetime Folding Table, GCI Compact Camp 20, and Trekology Talu
• Best high-end camp tables: GCI Master Cook Station, Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen, and Helinox Table One Hard Top

WEIGHT, PACKABILITY & SIZE – Weight and folded size aren’t as big a concern for car camping as they are for backpacking, but it’s still good to consider portability when you’re choosing a table. If you’ll be carrying your table any significant distance to reach your destination, you’ll be much happier with one that’s lightweight and packable. If you’ll be camping in car-accessible sites, you may want a table that’s larger and more heavy-duty.

• Best lightweight & compact camp tables: GCI Compact Camp 20, Portal Wide-N-Compact, Trekology Talu, and Helinox Table One Hard Top
• Best large & heavy-duty camp tables: REI Camp Prep, Lifetime Folding Table, ALPS Mountaineering Dining, GCI Master Cook Station, and Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen

HEIGHT – Any table is helpful to keep your stuff up out of the dirt and sand, but a table that’s 30 inches or higher will be much more ergonomic to stand at if you’ll be doing any serious food prep. Shorter tables are typically better if you’ll be sitting around them with chairs; the average dining table height is 28-30 inches. Tables 19 inches high or less will feel more like a coffee table.

• Best camptables with adjustable height: REI Camp Prep, Lifetime Folding Table,Portal Wide-N-Compact, and GCI Compact Camp 20
• Best tall fixed-height camp tables: ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table, GCI Master Cook Station, and Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top
• Best short fixed-height camp tables: Trekology Talu and Helinox Table One Hard Top

DURABILITY/WEIGHT CAPACITY – Generally, the sturdier the table, the heavier and bulkier it will be. Heavy-duty tables can be worth the tradeoff in portability if you care more about long-term durability and stability than having a lightweight, compact package.

• Light-duty camp tables with weight capacities under 50 lbs.:ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table, GCI Master Cook Station, and Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen
• Medium-strength camp tables with weight capacities between 50-100 lbs.: Portal Wide-N-Compact, GCI Compact Camp 20, and Trekology Talu
• Strongest camp tables with weight capacities over 100 lbs.:REI Camp Prep, Lifetime Folding Table, and Helinox One Table Hard Top

Best Camping Tables of 2023

REI Camp Prep Table

BEST CAMPING TABLE OVERALL FOR SIZE, STABILITY & VALUE

MSRP: $149

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 49 x 24 x 22-31 in.

WEIGHT: 19 lbs. 11 oz.

PROS: Great value, large surface area, high weight capacity (100 lbs.), individual leg adjustments for uneven terrain

CONS: Heavy/bulky

BOTTOM LINE: There’s a lot to love about the REI Camp Prep Table: it’s sturdy, stable, and has a slatted aluminum tabletop that’s heat resistant and a breeze to clean. What really sets it apart, though, are the individual leg adjustments that make it easy to level no matter how uneven the ground is. The legs are controlled with lever locks (similar to those on a trekking pole), which are easier and more adjustable than push-button locks. The Camp Prep Table is a bit on the heavy and bulky side, but it folds in half and slips into a convenient carry bag with a handle. If you aren’t venturing far from your vehicle, the Camp Prep table is an excellent value for the money and one of the most versatile camping tables on the market.

Lifetime 4 ft. Folding Table

AFFORDABLE CAMP TABLE THAT’S STRONG & EASY TO CLEAN

MSRP: $100 (often on sale for much less)

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 48 x 24 x 24-36 in.

WEIGHT: 19 lbs. 3.2 oz.

PROS: Affordable, large surface area, easy to clean, high weight capacity (200 lbs.), adjustable height

CONS: Heavy/bulky, not heat resistant, a bit tough to adjust solo

BOTTOM LINE: If the words, “strong” and “affordable” describe your dream camp table, theLifetime 4 ft. Folding Table might be your best bet. It lists for about half the price of some of the other heavy-duty options on the market, and it’s one of the biggest and strongest tables on our list. If you plan to do a lot of “dirty work” like cleaning fish or game, the Lifetime Table is the way to go. The high-density polyurethane tabletop can be sanitized with a quick scrub and rinse, and it stands up better than most to being left out in the elements. When utilitarianism trumps sleek looks and low weight, the Lifetime Table is a clear winner for practicality and price.

ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table

MOST PORTABLE LARGE TABLE

MSRP: $120

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 43 x 28 x 28 in.

WEIGHT: 12 lbs.

PROS: Excellent value, large surface area, lightweight/compact for its size

CONS: Legs aren’t adjustable, lower weight capacity (50 lbs.)

BOTTOM LINE: TheALPS Mountaineering Dining Table is the perfect height to sit at with chairs, and it’s spacious enough to comfortably seat four to six adults. The tabletop may be big, but this table is still pretty lightweight and folds up into a compact bag for hassle-free transport. The Dining Table isn’t built to handle heavy loads (no cases of water), so it’s best for activities like eating or a round of cards. With sleek style, great portability, and full-size dimensions, the Dining Table is bound to get a lot of use whether you’re camping, having a backyard BBQ, or needing a sleek and collapsible extra table for around the house.

GCI Master Cook Station

BEST FULL-FEATURED COOK STATION

MSRP: $160 (often on sale for less)

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 56 x 22 x 32 in.

WEIGHT: 22 lb. 11.2 oz.

PROS: Shelves keep kitchen organized, ergonomic height for standing, large surface area, lantern/speaker hanger, sink for washing dishes

CONS: Heavy/bulky, expensive, lower weight capacity than some (40 lbs.), not as versatile as some

BOTTOM LINE: If cooking is a main event on your camping trips, you’ll love the GCI Master Cook Station. It’s chock-full of handy features that help keep your kitchen well organized and operational. There’s enough counter space to use a two-burner stove and do food prep simultaneously, plus plenty of shelves so you can work your culinary magic without competing with the clutter for workspace. The Master Cook Station has all the details worked out for a smoother camping experience: a paper towel holder, cupholders, and overhead hanger for a lantern or speaker. There’s even a softshell sink with a drain to streamline the dishwashing process. When it comes to the camp kitchen, the functionality of the Master Cook Station can’t be beat.

Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen

COMPACT COOK STATION WITH STORAGE

MSRP: $150

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 56 x 19 x 31.5 in.

WEIGHT: 13 lbs. 8 oz.

PROS: Shelves & removable storage compartment keep kitchen organized, large surface areas, ergonomic height for standing, large surface area, reasonably lightweight

CONS: Expensive, bulky, not as versatile as some, not as sturdy as some

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re the camp cook, you know how essential it is to have some counter space to work with. That’s one of the reasons we like the Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen. In addition to having a large surface for your two-burner stove, it also has a prep area for a cutting board and a side table to hold utensils and a drink while you cook. The shelves help keep your kitchen organized and the detachable, hanging storage compartment keeps your stuff out of sight from the critters. We recommend the Roll Top Deluxe to camp cooks who prefer lower weight and simplicity over lots of bells and whistles like those on the GCI Master Cook Station.

Portal Wide-N-Compact

LIGHTWEIGHT TABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE LEGS

MSRP: $100

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 35.4 x 20.9 x 17.5-27.5 in. (medium)

WEIGHT: 9 lbs.

PROS: Great value, adjustable height, lightweight/compact, mesh organizer under table

CONS: Less spacious than some, a little on the short side for standing, less durable

BOTTOM LINE: If you like the idea of having a table in camp, but you want to keep the bulk and cost to a minimum, the Portal Wide-N-Compact Table is an excellent option. We like having the ability to adjust the height for standing or sitting, and this is one of the few tables that has independently-adjustable legs so you can level it on uneven terrain. The Portal’s medium size works well as a low side table between chairs for coffee or a game of dice. It’s also good for cooking if you don’t mind waiting to set up your stove until you’re done with food prep. We choose the Portal for trips where portability is important and we want a single table that can adapt to serve multiple purposes.

GCI Compact Camp 20

BEST SIDE TABLE

MSRP: $47

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 20 x 18 x 24 in.

WEIGHT: 4 lbs. 13 oz.

PROS: Affordable, lightweight, compact, strong for its size (60 lbs.), adjustable height

CONS: Small surface area

BOTTOM LINE: If your trip goals are about relaxation rather than doing a lot of gourmet cooking, a small side table like the GCI Compact Camp 20 Folding Table might be more your style. A side table next to a comfy chair brings a touch of luxury to camp and saves you the hassle of lugging a big, clunky table. The Camp 20 will hold your drink, book, phone, and snacks at arm’s reach so you can have your creature comforts while you kick back and enjoy the view. We’ve found this table especially handy in sandy locations, where it’s important to keep electronics safely off the ground. It also makes a great small dining table for two, or a bedside table in a large camping tent. The Camp 20 is perfect for those who need an affordable and sturdy small table with adjustable height to suit a range of needs.

Trekology Talu Side Table

BUDGET SIDE TABLE

MSRP: $46

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 27 x 18 x 16 in.(large)

WEIGHT: 4 lbs.

PROS: Affordable, lightweight, compact

CONS: Very low, small surface area, not as durable as some

BOTTOM LINE: If all you need is a small table and portability is important, you can’t beat the price of the Trekology Talu Side Table. While it’s the lowest and one of the smallest tables on our list, we find ourselves reaching for it often since it’s so convenient to grab and move around camp for various activities. The Talu is a bit small to support the average car camping stove, but it’s a great size to stick between a few chairs for a round of cocktails, playing a game, or morning coffee. On multiday trips, we like to bring it along in addition to a larger table for cooking if space allows. We’re impressed with the stability and quality of the Talu for the price, and we love that it packs down small enough to take just about anywhere.

Helinox Table One Hard Top

STRONG, LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT CAMPING TABLE

MSRP: $150

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 24 x 16 x 15.4 in.

WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 1.6 oz.

PROS: Very lightweight/compact, strong for its size (110 lbs.), durable

CONS: Expensive, too low and unstable for stoves, small surface area, fabric tabletop is harder to clean

BOTTOM LINE: TheHelinox Table One Hard Top takes the cake for being the lightest and most compact, yet it’s still incredibly strong. It’s weighs weighs about the same amount as a liter of water and packs down small enough to fit in a large backpack or bag, so you can take it just about anywhere for a meal or cocktails surrounded by nature. The DAC aluminum alloy poles (the same materials used for backpacking tents) snap together quickly and give the One Table impressive strength for its stature. While the Table One’s price is a bit steep for a small table, the quality is worth the cost if you’re looking for something compact that will last for many years. We love that we can take the Table One practically anywhere, and we highly recommend it to anyone who’s willing to pay a bit more for top quality and maximum portability.

Honorable Mentions

The following tables didn’t make our final list, but they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of these tables might be perfect for you:

• Eureka Camp Table – there’s a lot to love about this table as far as size, packability, and weight, but we found it to be a bit more difficult to pack up than some others
• Mountain Summit Gear Heavy-Duty Roll-Top Table – lightweight for how large it is, but in the end, we prefer the similar ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table for the price
• REI Camp Roll Table – stronger, but more expensive than the similar Coleman Aluminum Folding Table
• Coleman Pack-Away – a compact table with two small benches
• Camp Chef Sherpa Table – nice organization features, but large packed size and not as versatile as some
• Coleman Aluminum Folding Table – budget-friendly, medium-size table with low weight limit and low durability

Need More Gear Advice?

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Shoes
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Packs
• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Why Trust Us?

We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:

• Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.
• We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.
• We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
• We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.
• We constantly update our guides when new products launch.
• We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.
• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.

More Information

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Thanks for reading and happy trails!

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