8 Best Camping Tables: Compact, Collapsible & Lightweight

We’ve tested tons of models and found the best camping tables on the market. Don’t make a purchase without checking out the best camping gear and see why we love it.

Best Camping Tables by CampingForFoodies features two portable tables set in front of a river at a campsite. One fabric-topped table sits on an aluminum frame, a drink is in one of the holders and a paper towel roll is set next to that. The second table is a hard-topped table that is holding a coffee cup and coffee pot. Text over the image reads best camping tables.
Best Camping Tables by CampingForFoodies

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

Good Camping Table Purchasing Considerations

Size and weight:

  • It should be small and light enough to be portable, but, large and heavy enough to do the job without collapsing during use.

Material, stability and portability:

  • Hard surfaces are easier to clean but more difficult to pack and transport.
  • Fabric materials are lighter and easier to pack but can be difficult to clean and maintain moisture in wet conditions.
  • The lighter the material, the more chance it has of blowing in windy weather conditions.

Ease of use:

  • The easier it is to setup and takedown, the faster you can start camping.
  • It’s also important to be able to quickly teardown gear when adverse weather moves in requiring protection of campers and their gear.

Price:

  • The best gear tends to come at a higher price.
  • You may not have to pay top dollar for the most expensive lightweight gear unless you’re an “every ounce counts” backpacker.
  • There are great options in all sorts of budget ranges.

Our Top Picks & Why We Love Them

#1 Outry Lightweight Folding Table with Cup Holders

Outry Lightweight Folding Table With Cup HoldersOutry Lightweight Folding Table With Cup HoldersOutry Lightweight Folding Table With Cup Holders

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 29.5 x 22 inches
  • Height Above Ground: 21 inches
  • Storage Dimensions: 30 x 3 inches
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Weight: 2.6 lbs
  • Material: Heavy duty, ripstop 600D nylon fabric (top), aluminum alloy (frame) is durable and resistant to corrosion
  • Price: About $40 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Average, the nylon fabric table top can usually be brushed clean with a dry rag.
  • Heat tolerance: Compatible with hot pans for short periods of time or longer with a pot holder.
  • Sturdiness: Very sturdy for how lightweight it is, may blow over in heavy winds.
  • Best for: Side table around camp, is a great option for low-profile, compact dining table for two.

Set Up

  • The easy setup is awesome and only takes a few seconds. You just take it out of the carry bag, erect the lightweight aluminum frame, snap in the two crossbars and snap in the fabric top.
  • It’s a nice-tight fit when assembled, the top doesn’t sag at all.
  • The compactly rolled-up portable table fits neatly inside its carry bag, which can be easily stored alongside our camp chairs in our storage space.
  • No tools required, both the top and stand are folded for storage.

Use

  • This is my personal favorite portable camping table. The first time I used it, I was shocked at the awesome stability while also being so lightweight.
  • I like using it as a side table because it has plenty of room for snacks, reading material, mobile phones, Bluetooth speakers and has 4 cup holders.
  • I move it around the campsite for different tasks. It’s nice for holding food and cooking utensils when I’m making easy campfire recipes, in fact, you’ll see it in many of my recipe videos.
  • The manufacturer does not list a weight limitation for this compact camp table, but, we have set about 20 pounds on it and it was not a problem, it probably can handle quite a bit more.
  • The anti-slip rubber feet provide good ground contact and reduce the tendency to sink into soft ground.

Cleaning

  • The rolling fabric top is great because it’s lightweight and flexible for storage but it’s more difficult to clean than a rigid hard-topped foldable table. It usually wipes off pretty easily. For more stubborn dirt or food messes, I use a scrub brush with a mild detergent and soapy water for cleaning. It dries like new when set outdoors in a little breeze or in the sunshine.

Outry offers two different sizes of compact tables with this design. The smaller version has 2 drink holders with table top dimensions of 17″ x 22″ and sits 15″ above the ground. This small size is a great choice for car campers who travel with one or two people.


#2 VINGLI 6 FT 3-Piece Portable Picnic Table Bench Set

6 FT Portable Picnic Table Bench Set6 FT Portable Picnic Table Bench Set6 FT Portable Picnic Table Bench Set

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 72 x 30 inches, (benches 72″x11″)
  • Height Above Ground: 29 inches, (benches 18″)
  • Table Weight Capacity: 1000 lbs (as per the manufacturer but we’ve never personally tested it beyond about 275 pounds), (benches 400 lbs/each)
  • Storage Dimensions: 36 x 30 x 3 inches, (benches 36” x 11” x 4”)
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Weight: Table 28 pounds, each bench 19 pounds
  • Material: Plastic tops, Alloy Steel frame, durable and resistant to weather, rust, and fading
  • Price: About $170 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Great, smooth plastic can be easily wet- or dry-wiped.
  • Heat tolerance: The plastic table and bench tops must be protected from hot pots and pans.
  • Sturdiness: Excellent, especially on pavement.
  • Best for: Various activities for families like eating meals, playing a card game etc.

Set Up

  • This folding camp table and benches can be easily transported because they’re designed to fold for convenient storage.
  • The legs can be folded inwards, allowing the sturdy table and benches to be halved and neatly placed for easy storage.
  • When folded, a carry handle is exposed, making it easy to move the set around during your camping trips.

Use

  • The benches are the perfect height to be used with the large table that can seat up to 8 people (6 adults comfortably) for meals and games.
  • The great thing about the detached benches is having the ability to configure the set any way you want. The best option to feed a really large group is to use the large surface area as a buffet table and let each camper grab their own meal to eat on a sturdy plate in their own camp chair on their lap.
  • This is a great camp prep table, but, if you’re cooking on it with a camp stove, you’ll want to place it on pieces of 2×4 wood or some other heat resistant material to keep the hot stove elevated above the plastic tabletop to prevent warping.
  • This is on the larger end of the spectrum of foldable camping table and benches you’ll find on the market. Because of their large size, this set can be a little tricky to use at camping sites with uneven ground. You’ll want to find a flat surface that is large enough to accommodate the set.

Cleaning

  • Simple soap and water is a great way to clean this set.

#3 Lifetime Children’s Table

Lifetime Children's TableLifetime Children’s TableLifetime Children's Table

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 24.1 x 24.1 inches
  • Height Above Ground: 21.1 inches
  • Storage Dimensions: 24.1 x 24.1 x 3 inches
  • Shape: Square
  • Weight: 9 lbs
  • Material: ‎High Density Polyethylene Plastic top, ‎Alloy Steel legs
  • Price: About $60 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Great, smooth plastic can be easily wet- or dry-wiped.
  • Heat tolerance: The plastic table and bench tops must be protected from hot pots and pans.
  • Sturdiness: Excellent, especially because of the lower profile.
  • Best for: Kids meals, coffee table, card games etc.

Set Up

  • This is probably the most easy set-up you’ll find. Just fold out each of the 4 legs and you’re done!

Use

  • This is the perfect camping table for small kiddos but that’s not all!
  • My husband decided this was the right table to purchase to hold his drone when it’s not flying in the air. I stole it from him because I love using it to hold food items and utensils when I’m cooking.
  • It’s just the right height when I’m squatting down to cook with my Dutch oven on the ground. You’ll often see this perfectly-sized square table in my videos when I’m cooking my Dutch oven camping recipes. It will be filled with all of my chopped/prepped ingredients so I can just “dump and cook” once I get going.
  • This small table is also nice when just the two of us are eating and we don’t have our larger kitchen table set up for meals

Cleaning

  • Simple soap and water does a great job cleaning this set.

#4 Lifetime Height Adjustable Camping Table

Lifetime Height Adjustable Craft, Camping & Utility Table, 4 FootLifetime Height Adjustable Craft, Camping & Utility Table, 4 FootLifetime Height Adjustable Craft, Camping & Utility Table, 4 Foot

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 48 x 24 inches
  • Height Above Ground: Adjustable legs allow for 4 different heights starting at 22-inches, 24-inches , 29-inches and going up to 36-inches
  • Storage Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 3 inches
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Weight: 19 lbs
  • Material: Powder-coated steel and high-density polyethylene plastic
  • Price: About $45 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Average. It’s easy to unfold the table and fold out the legs but the adjustable height feature is a little cumbersome.
  • Cleaning ease: Great, smooth plastic can be easily wet- or dry-wiped.
  • Heat tolerance: The plastic top must be protected from hot pots and pans.
  • Sturdiness: Excellent, especially on pavement.
  • Best for: The unique design accommodates various camping needs, the lower level is perfect for kids sitting in chairs, the mid-level provides easy access for adults sitting in chairs and the highest level is perfect for standing while doing food prep.

Set Up

  • This adjustable folding table is set up just like other non-adjustable models. It’s quick and simple.
  • But, if you want to use it at one of the taller heights, it’s a little more challenging. You need to simultaneously pull the bottom cross-bar on the legs while holding the two pins (locking mechanisms) on the sides of the legs. This becomes a two-person job or one-person job if you use your foot to push out the cross-bar.

Use

  • The compact size and carry handle makes for easy transport during travel and around the campsite for different outdoor activities.
  • This adjustable folding utility table is designed to hold relatively heavy loads that are evenly distributed. The manufacturer testing included up to 200 lbs.

Cleaning

  • There’s a reason solid-surface styles are in our top picks. Being able to easily clean camping gear is an important factor, especially when using for food preparation. Simple soap and water easily cleans this set.

#5 Coleman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen

Coleman Pack-Away Portable KitchenColeman Pack-Away Portable KitchenColeman Pack-Away Portable Kitchen

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 31.5 x 21.3 inches (for food prep), 27.8 x 20.5 inches (side table structure for holding camp stove or cooler)
  • Height Above Ground: 30 inches (prep table), 27 inches (stove table)
  • Storage Dimensions: 32 x 4 x 11 inches
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Weight: 14 lbs
  • Material: Aluminum (frame), fiberboard (top), mesh (shelf)
  • About Price: $95 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Great, smooth aluminum can be easily wet- or dry-wiped.
  • Heat tolerance: Excellent.
  • Sturdiness: Supports up to 300 pounds.
  • Best for: This is the best folding compact design multi-use piece of gear for car camping. It truly is an entire kitchen. The solid surface work area is great for food prep, the stove area can hold most Coleman stoves and coolers, the mesh shelf can’t hold a lot of weight but it’s a nice flat-ish surface and a great place for holding things like paper plates/napkins, there’s a hook to hold a lantern and more hooks to hold cooking utensils.

Set Up

  • This aluminum table camp kitchen set folds into a compact carry case with a handle so it’s easy to transport. The entire set easily folds up into a single package that doesn’t take up much space.
  • Some cook stations can hold any type of stove, this one is designed to hold a stove without feet. The open aluminum slats allow airflow around camping equipment that gets hot, this is different than a flat-topped design.
  • You can easily set a typical camp stove on this design, but, you can’t use it (safely) if your stove has legs. In that case, you would need to carry some sort of top to place on the open structure before placing your stove on it. The last thing you want to do is “balance” the feet of your stove on the narrow aluminum slats.

Use

  • You can never find shelves in the great outdoors, that’s why this kitchen set is so awesome. It has flat surfaces and hooks to hold all the small items you need while cooking.
  • The stable base is perfect for multiple uses, the outdoor folding table is great for prepping food for cooking then for holding a small wash bucket after the meal to use as a kitchen sink.
  • Whether you are left- or right-handed, the stove support can be set up on either side of the main table.

Cleaning

  • The aluminum material makes this piece very easy to clean and lightweight. It’s a great value for a multi-purpose piece.

If you’re interested in a cooking table that can handle any style of grill or stove, the Camp Chef Sherpa Table & Organizer is a great option.


#6 ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table

ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse TableALPS Mountaineering Eclipse TableALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 27 x 27 inches
  • Height Above Ground: 26 inches
  • Storage Dimensions: 36 x 8 inches
  • Shape: Square
  • Weight: 7 lbs
  • Material: Polyester fabric
  • About Price: $80 – Check current price.
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Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Average, the polyester fabric tops can usually be brushed clean with a dry rag.
  • Heat tolerance: Compatible with hot pans for short periods of time or longer with a pot holder.
  • Sturdiness: Very sturdy for a fully collapsible type of design.
  • Best for: Playing cards and games.

Set Up

  • It’s really easy to transport the Eclipse because the carry bag has a shoulder strap.
  • Just pull it out of the bag, open it to erect it and set it on the ground.
  • There are buckles on the corners that make set-up easy, they also allow you to adjust the tautness of the top (although it will never be totally flat.)

Use

  • Game and card players love the functionality of the dual levels.
  • The top level is perfect for playing games, the lower level has 4 drink holders and enough room for other small items (like a bowl of pretzels or other snacks), one side has several pockets that are great for holding phones, score pads and pencils.

Cleaning

  • This fabric usually wipes off pretty easily. I use a scrub brush with a mild detergent and soapy water for cleaning more stubborn dirt, food or spills. It will dry quickly on warm days with a light breeze.

#7 ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table

ALPS Mountaineering Dining TableALPS Mountaineering Dining TableALPS Mountaineering Dining Table

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 28 x 43 inches
  • Height Above Ground: 28 inches
  • Storage Dimensions: 5 x 7 x 43 inches
  • Shape: Rectangle
  • Weight: 12 lbs
  • Material: Aluminum
  • About Price: $175 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Great, smooth aluminum can be easily wet- or dry-wiped.
  • Heat tolerance: Excellent.
  • Sturdiness: Excellent, especially on pavement.
  • Best for: Eating meals, playing games, storage of gear you want to keep off the ground.

Set Up

  • Tabletop and frame fold quickly and slide easily into a convenient shoulder carry bag for compact storage or transport.
  • The base of the frame is one piece that just opens up, then you set two side poles into the base, snapping them it to provide support.
  • The last thing you do is unroll the aluminum top (it’s like a zig-zag accordion fold) and snap each end into place.

Use

There are three things that really make this portable table stand out:

  1. It is made of aluminum so it can handle hot pans without issues.
  2. It performs like a hard-surface table but folds up like a fabric table.
  3. The “Sturdy ‘X’ Frame Design” means the structural integrity does not depend on side supports. So, there are no restrictions under the table (no hitting your knees on brackets) while sitting near the legs.

Cleaning

  • The aluminum material makes this model very easy to clean and lightweight.

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, it does come in a similar square version that measures 31 x 31 x 28 inches.

For a larger option, there is the XL size that measures 28 x 55 x 28 inches.


#8 Helinox Table One Hard Top

Helinox Table One Hard Top Lightweight, Collapsible, PortableHelinox Table One Hard Top Lightweight, Collapsible, PortableHelinox Table One Hard Top Lightweight, Collapsible, Portable

 

Specifications

  • Tabletop Dimensions: 22.5 x 30 inches
  • Height Above Ground: 19.5 inches
  • Storage Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 23.5 inches
  • Shape: Rectangle
  • Weight: 3.5 lbs
  • Table Weight Capacity 110 lbs
  • Material: Aluminum alloy (frame) and fabric (top)
  • Price: About $170 – Check current price.

Pros/Cons

  • Set-up ease: Quick and easy.
  • Cleaning ease: Average, the fabric table top can usually be brushed clean with a dry rag.
  • Heat tolerance: Compatible with hot pans for short periods of time or longer with a pot holder or with the Helinox Silicone Mat for Table One Hard Top.
  • Sturdiness: Very sturdy for how lightweight it is, may blow over in heavy winds.
  • Best for: Side table around camp, is a great option for low-profile, compact dining table for one or two.

Set Up

  • Helinox is a brand for campers who don’t want to carry much weight, it’s a top choice among backpackers because it’s very lightweight, sturdy and simple to set up.
  • I understand why they call it a “hard top” but the name is a bit misleading in that the top is actually fabric with rigid internal supports that create stiff panels.
  • To set it up, take it out of its zippered carrying case, a single internal bungee cord assembles the main poles, then you snap the side poles into place and snap in the top.

Use

  • You’ll love how stable and lightweight this model is but it doesn’t have cup holders so you’ll need to have those on your chairs if you want to enjoy a drink at the table.
  • It’s great for one or two people for eating and playing games.
  • The aluminum alloy frame is extremely strong which makes this small portable table unique in it’s weight capacity of a whopping 110 pounds!

Cleaning

The fabric wipes off pretty easily but if you have more stubborn dirt you need a mild detergent and soapy water for cleaning. It dries quickly on a warm or breezy day.

Helinox offers it in a smaller size that measures 16 x 23.5″ x 15.5″ inches.


Need A Chair Too?

If you use a good camping checklist, you’ll be packing something to sit on too. See our top picks for the best heavy duty camping chairs for your trip.


FREE Printable Trip Planner

Make your next trip stress-free with a little pre-planning. Get your copy of our FREE printable camping trip planner template!

Camping Trip Planner Template Free Printable by CampingForFoodies is a whimsical illustration of a cute old orange car towing a blue and white vintage camper trailer down a road in a landscape of green trees, light green grass and brown mountains with fluffy clouds in a blue sky; thumbnail images of multiple pages of a camping trip planner under the text that reads camping free trip planner.

If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.

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