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Best Folding Camping Tables in 2024

(Camp Addict does NOT accept payment from any company to review or endorse their products.)

Camping is the best! It also pretty much ALWAYS involves food, doesn't it? When food is involved, a table top is a necessary.

As you well know, counter space/tables don't come with a tent. RVs are notorious for having very little counter space.

Also, people like to barbecue outside and need something to set the food, etc on. Some camping sites have no tables.

Often, a portable camping table is a necessity. 

Family around camp table

It's so simple yet so brilliant to have at the same time. However, as with all things in life, not all things are made the same.

Some small folding tables will serve your purpose better than others. Understandably, it's not easy to sift through the 'why's' that a portable table will serve, either.

But hey, you've come to the right place to figure it out.

Already know all about this subject? Just looking for the reviews? Click the button below to jump down to the product reviews.

Portable Camping Table Guide

There are a few different types of portable camp tables on the market.

We all have different ways we camp and we all have different needs when it comes to tables used for camping.

Camp table under travel trailer awning

Typically, camp tables serve one of three purposes:

  • Cooking stations/ outdoor prep tables
  • Dining tables
  • Accessory tables

Cooking Stations/ Outdoor Prep Tables

These camp tables are multi-functional in design.

They need to be sturdy enough to have cooking utensils and potentially heavy food items and bowls on them without collapsing.

Camp cooking without table

Maybe a camp table would be better than the ground?

Some of them are made to have the grill fit on top of the station.

They are not made to eat on, so don't consider trying to use one as a dining table. It won't end well for you.

Look for portable cooking tables that feature lots of different 'compartments' for things you need. Some have wine glass holders, lantern hangers, utensil hooks, and more.

A hanging drying rack under the table is a handy feature for letting dishes dry. Similarly, having a paper towel holder is also extremely handy, especially in windy areas.

Dining Camp Tables

Your dining camp table is the table you and your friends/family will eat on. Well, duh... but some people opt not to have a dining table and that's just fine.

That's ok, but the reality is that it's easier to have a dedicated place to eat. Especially if you have a lot of mouths to feed.

Additionally, it can also serve as a general purpose camp table to set things such as condiments, paper towels and more.

Couple eating meal in front of tent

Sometimes you'd rather eat on the ground. If you are young and flexible!

The camping equivalent of a home dining table tends to be a little shorter than the standard height of about 30" high. Even so, they should have good room underneath for legs.

Otherwise, you're going to hate trying to use your table for this purpose.

Your portable picnic table should also be sturdy. People will bump it, and it needs to be able to support the weight of your food, drink, and elbows resting on it.

Before you buy, decide how many people will typically be seated at the table and buy accordingly.

Remember, RVs don't have endless storage space, so you still want a portable table that will pack away in a relatively small area.

Camping chair and table by water

Consider the weight of the portable picnic table as well. Why? You must consider the weight of everything you carry in your RV so you don't go over your cargo carrying capacity.

Doing so is very dangerous as well as illegal.

Again, we can't stress enough how aware you should be of the dining table design you choose.

If you buy a table to eat on that is too low for your legs to go under, then that dining camp table is useless to you.

Also, consider the RV camping chairs you are going to use for your portable picnic table. They may be too high for what you want to use them for. Keep these things in mind while shopping.

Accessory Camping Tables

Accessory camp tables can be used for many things.

They can be used for playing games, a place to set your drinks or appetizers, or using them to place cooking supplies on.

These small folding tables come in an assortment of sizes and heights. Here again, it depends on what you want to use one for as far as what size and style to get.

Dishes on outdoor mat on top of rock

Use the ground instead of a camp table? Not always the best option.

One of the biggest considerations to keep in mind for an accessory camping table is stability. It's not a table you want to go flying away when there's a big wind gust, that's for sure!

Regardless, these tables will tend to be relatively light. To avoid flight, legs that tilt outward can be helpful as can a low profile. Consequently, this is one time more weight can be a good thing.

Depending on how they are built, some of these small folding tables could be weighed down at the bottom, but most don't come with a 'part' to do this with.

We are talking about using something like a rock or a sandbag. This goes for any folding camp table that you get.

Portable Camping Table Purchase Considerations

Easy Set Up

The last thing you want to have to do while trying to enjoy your camping trip is to set up another frustrating device for your stay.

Therefore, it's pretty important to look for easy setup in your table, no matter what kind you are needing.

It's certainly fairly easy to look at a small folding table and be able to tell if it's going to take forever to open, or it's going to be quick.

Otherwise, search online reviews for others' experiences with the particular table in question.

The ALPS Mountaineering camping table we selected for best dining table couldn't be much easier to set up.

The outdoor kitchen tables will likely take slightly more time to set up, but if you have to read directions to do so, you're probably going to regret your purchase.

Read the reviews for guidance or test it at the store before purchasing. (We already know that the GCI Outdoor Slim Fold takes hardly any time at all to set up.)

Washing dishes at campsite
Hardiness

Well, what's the point in spending your money on a product that will only crash and burn after a few uses? This is never a good purchase choice.

If you are smart, you already know that you get what you pay for and if you get a cheap camp table, it's not going to last very long.

Aluminum is one of your best bets for materials for your portable camping table. It basically won't rust and hot pots and pans won't damage it.

The material is softer than steel, by nature, therefore it is somewhat susceptible to dents.

However, it's also a light material, meeting the requirements of needing a light camping table and for it not to rust since you will be using it outdoors.

Many manufacturers make their tops out of aluminum.

However, they make the moving components, and possibly the legs out of steel, which can rust, so it is advisable to bring your table(s) inside if it's going to rain.

Wood is also ok, though heavier and less durable for a portable folding table. It will require more maintenance.

For side tables, look for the lightest table leg materials available. DAC aluminum and carbon fiber are very light and strong.

With tables made like this, the table top is made of fabric and barely contributes to the weight.

Lots of tops of this kind are made out of Polyester. Look for 600D polyester for the best quality portable folding table.

Weight And Size

No matter whether you car camp or you have a long Class A rig, you should be concerned with the size and weight of the tables that you bring.

Why?

Well, all vehicles have a weight limit to adhere to. Additionally, your vehicle is only so big. Therefore, the more compact and light your tables are, the easier time you will have storing them. 

They are also easier to move around if they are light and compact. 

Hand holding smores

We love s'mores. Best to keep the dirt off of them by using some sort of camping table.

There are plenty of well sized/lighter folding camping tables out there. Simply make sure what you get suits your size storage and camping needs.

And don't try to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Summary

So, now you know that there are a ton of different scenarios when a portable table may be a necessity.

It depends on your lifestyle and your cooking style as to whether or not you need one. (or two...)

Camping can be as simple or as 'messy/comfortable' as you want it to be. Marshall has never had an outdoor table and he is fine with that. 

Kelly has a small table (the Beckworth) for sitting outside and having a place for her computer and/or drink.

If you need a table, we have reviews below. We categorized them to make it as easy for you to decide what you need as possible.

Read on if you are in the market.

  • Is the RV lifestyle new to you? Check out our camper accessories list and see what else you should consider getting to make your camping adventures more enjoyable.

Camping Table Reviews

So, we sifted through the good and the bad of the folding camping tables to make it easier for you to get one without getting analysis paralysis.

Here you go... the best portable tables in the categories that we think are the most commonly needed.

Of course, we can't cover EVERY single scenario out there, but here are some popular needs.

Best Camping Table with Adjustable Legs

Beckworth Smartflip Table

Beckworth folding camping table

Pros

  • One-piece design
  • Simple and quick to setup
  • Adjustable height legs
  • Bamboo table top and aluminum legs
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Table experiences slight shaking at full leg extension

(FULL DISCLOSURE- Beckworth provided Camp Addict with a Beckworth Smartflip folding table for review. After using it for a few months, we decided it was a better option for the top pick in this category. Read on to find out why.)

The Beckworth Smartflip bamboo folding camping table is a great option for all types of camping.

It's sturdy and it's easy to setup. The adjustable leg height makes it excellent for boondocking.

Standard Size

Large Size

Continue Reading Beckworth Smartflip Bamboo Folding Table Review

Best Camping Table for Dining

ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table

Alps Mountaineering Regular Dining Table

Pros

  • Very sturdy
  • Comes in 3 sizes
  • May be used around the house as well
  • Built from aluminum so  it won't rust

Cons

  • Bungee cords (hold table slats) may not hold up after a time

The X-frame design of the legs on this folding portable table are what make it so fast and easy to set up.

It's also nice and clear underneath for the sitter's legs to go under without hitting anything. 

Choose Size

Continue Reading Alps Mountaineering Dining Table Review

Best Outdoor Kitchen Table

GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station

GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station

Pros

  • Offers multiple shelves and places for your cooking accessories
  • Super easy to set up and break down
  • Has places to put smaller items like utensils, trash bag, and paper towels

Cons

  • Not very deep front to back

The GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station is the best outdoor prep table available for cooking while camping.

Why? Because it's well-built, it's easy to set-up and break down, offers multiple shelves and the height is practical for cooking.

Continue Reading GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station Review

Best Accessory Camp Table

Coleman Outdoor Compact Table

Coleman Compact Outdoor Table

Pros

  • Legs are sturdy
  • Less apt to tip since legs fan out a bit
  • Light and foldable
  • Easy assembly

Cons

  • None that we can find

The Coleman Outdoor Compact table is a super handy powerhouse for a small folding table.

It gets stellar consumer reviews and is backed by the Coleman name brand. This is a great general purpose camping table.

Continue Reading Coleman Outdoor Compact Table Review

Best Small Camping Table

Helinox Table One

Helinox Table One camp table

Pros

  • Super light
  • Low profile good for camping chairs
  • DAC aluminum legs
  • 600D polyester table material

Cons

  • Price

The Helinox Table One is one of the best quality, lightest weight small outdoor tables on the market. It is ideal to use with a low profile camping chair.

They offer both an original mesh top version and a hard top version.

Table One Mesh Top

Table One Hard Top

Continue Reading Helinox Table One Review

Best Small Camping Table on a Budget

Trekology Aluminum Camping Table

Trekology small portable table

Pros

  • Durable aluminum top
  • Small and compact
  • Can be used for drinks or small cooking devices
  • Low enough to be accessible from camping chairs
  • Light

Cons

  • None that we can find

The Trekology portable aluminum camping table is great for use beside low profile camping chairs or anywhere else a low portable folding table might be needed.

It features a lifetime warranty, a hard aluminum top, and a quick and easy setup.

Continue Reading Trekology Aluminum Camping Table Review

Conclusion

Camping tables aren't always necessary, but they sure can make your outdoor experience much more luxurious.

At the very least, it's nice to keep your stuff out of the dirt, keeping things cleaner for when you have to pack up.

The key is to know your needs before you buy.

You can't always anticipate what your needs are, so it might be a good idea to try going on a few outings first to see if you really need a small folding table, and for what purpose you will need it for.

We don't care what you use it for really, we just want you to get out there and enjoy yourself!

Camp on, ya Addicts!

Kelly Headshot
Kelly Beasley

He-llllo. I'm the co-founder of Camp Addict, which my biz partner and I launched in 2017. I frigging love the RVing lifestyle but in December of 2020, I converted to part-time RV life. Heck, I lived in my travel trailer for over 5.5 years, STRICTLY boondocking for pretty much all of it. Boondocking is a GREAT way to live, but it's not easy. Anyway, I'm passionate about animals, can't stand campgrounds, I hardly ever cook, and I love a good dance party. Currently, I can be found plotting and scheming whether or not to start collecting farm animals (or plotting my next RV trip!) at my beautiful new 'ranch' named 'Hotel Kellyfornia', in Southern Arizona.


Marshall Headshot
Marshall Wendler

Camp Addict co-founder Marshall Wendler brings his technical expertise to help explain RV products in an easy to understand fashion. Full-time RVing from April 2014 - December 2020 (now RVing about 50% of the time), Marshall loves sharing his knowledge of the RV lifestyle. Marshall spends the majority of his RVing life boondocking. He is the part of Camp Addict that knows 'all the things'. He's good at sharing his technical knowledge so you can benefit. 

  • I had the Coleman. Over time (2 years) it became very difficult to open and close the legs. The slides used were great when new. But I did like the thickness of the top.

    • Hi Scilene,

      Great question! Each RVer will have their own wants and needs when it comes to product weights. We often promote getting very light materials as TOO many full-time RVers overload their RVs. However, many weekenders that don’t put that much into their camper may not have so much need to be as light as possible.

      There are many good accessory tables out there. We definitely like the ease of use of this one and the ALPS table. They are VERY similar. However, the ALPS table costs $20 more than the Coleman.

      We are making an (possibly incorrect) assumption that our readers would rather pay $45 than $65 for a very similar accessory table. If you want to, we see nothing wrong with that table. They are very similar. If you like it, we say go for it!

    • Hi Tyler,

      That’s a tall table for sure! Curious- do you use that table while sitting in a chair, hanging out, or while standing, as in serving a potluck and putting things on it such as a grill? Our ranked tables are meant for use while sitting in a chair, as in around a fire.

    • Tyler, thank you for mentioning this one. I was disappointed with the heights of all the tables on this review. We host a men’s outreach and my brother in law and I do a lot of cooking on camp stoves. Our backs are killing us from using all these short tables out there.
      Who man’s a grill while sitting? Seriously?
      Wes

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