Best Folding Camping Tables
It’s one of those irritating occurrences which makes you wonder why you bother with this camping malarkey – you spend an age putting up your tent in the sun and then pour yourself a drink to relax, before promptly spilling half of it when you nudge the table as you sit down. It’s the sort of thing that Victor Meldrew would say “I don’t belieeeeve it” about.
This scenario has happened to us way too many times over the years, and it certainly doesn’t get any easier to accept as the years progress.
Stability is Key
A sturdy table is an essential component of camping life, but unfortunately they don’t receive the focus they should compared to other camping ‘must-haves’ such as tents or awnings.
The best camping tables are the foldable variety which allow you to optimize packing density when space is at a premium in a small campervan or car/tent combo.
We recommend considering the following features when choosing your table
- Look for a table which can fold into a small volume for ease of packing – however, take care that rigidity of the table top when set up is not sacrificed.
- Adjustable legs are extremely useful – preferably all four should be independently extendable to help level the table on undulating ground.
- Cupholders sunk into the table top can help stop your drinks slipping, but these are not usually too useful for wine glasses with a stem. Instead, we generally prefer to make sure the table is simply solid and stable and easy to level – then you don’t need cupholders.
- Assembly should be straightforward – you don’t want to be spending an age on this. Also make sure that they can be quickly and simply packed away at the end of your stay when everyone is tired and wants to get on the road.
It’s worth remembering that there are many styles of folding camping tables, and one product cannot cover all use cases. There’s a fundamental difference between a tiny occasional table which you might place between a couple of chairs to rest your pint on, and a large table to eat at or do your cooking on.
Our following top picks of the best folding camping tables cover a range of sizes and use-cases – you can get a great table for a range of budgets which will give you many years of trusty, reliable service. A friend you can lean on… literally!
Atepa Folding Bamboo Side Table
The Atepa Folding Bamboo Table is a wooden-topped offering in our roundup and an absolute peach of a design.
It’s a fairly small side table, measuring 45-65cm tall and 60 x 80cm on top. What makes it so good is the fact that the legs can fold into the wooden top and then the whole table can effectively be ‘rolled’ into a very small carry bag measuring 12 x 17 x 81cm. It also looks very nice indeed!
The legs are made of aluminium alloy and do have independent height adjustment – perfect for uneven ground. They provide exceptional stability and lock well into the main underside of the table top to allow easy lifting. The feet have non-slip covers for added stability. The Atepa Folding Bamboo Table is durable, anti-UV, waterproof and easy to clean.
We should emphasize the beauty of the Japanese bamboo used for the tabletop. It is sublime and exceptionally smooth but with a lovely grain. You can mentally picture the bamboo shoots swaying in the Japanese breeze!
Bamboo wood is fairly unique in that it has the look of tree wood but is made from grass. As such it does not warp or shrink when the humidity of the surroundings changes.
We were really taken with the Atepa Folding Bamboo Table. Because of the relatively high price, it is probably not for everyone, but if you fancy some quality in your life then we definitely recommend you check it out.
Key specs: Dimensions: 60 x 80 x 45-65 cm / Folded dimensions: 81cm x 17 x 12 cm / Weight: 5.9 kg
Decathlon Quechua Heaxagonal Camping Table
Decathlon is a massive multi-national outdoor equipment company, and its engineers often have some pretty original ideas for new takes on the old classics. The Quechua Hexagonal Camping Table is one such novel design.
This is a great table for socialising for it can seat up to 8 people due to the hexagonal shape, with an independent height adjustment of each of the three legs.
Folded dimensions are perfectly manageable at around 1m x 0.6m x 0.2m, and putting the table up is child’s play. The shape of this table makes it ideal for bell tents or tepee tents.
A clever touch is the central triangular section of the table which can be used either flush with the main surface or raised by around 10cm to act as a platform to put food on in a more easy-to-share location.
We were a little concerned about just having three fairly flimsy-looking legs to support the table but found that it is extremely stable in use.
To keep costs down, the material used for the Quechua table top is MDF, but this doesn’t interfere with the performance for eating, drinking, card games, etc. The surface is very smooth and a pleasure to sit and eat at. We highly recommend the Quechua hexagonal table for camping this year.
Key specs: Dimensions: 123 x 108 x 45-71 (H) cm / Folded dimensions: 100 x 58 x 18 cm / Weight: 9 kg
Nestling Folding Camping Table
OK, we hold our hands up – this Nestling folding camping table is a budget offering and probably not the highest quality piece of furniture you’ll ever buy – however, it covers all the basic features that we consider essential in a camping table.
Let’s start with the legs – these are the best legs in the business! OK, I’m not talking about Miss World here, but you can see why the Victorians used to have to cover their table legs to avoid the menfolk getting too amorous! The legs on the Nestling are independently adjustable for height which means you can level the table on any surface. Extremely useful indeed!
The legs are extended out from the frame and each is fixed in place by a system of interconnecting struts. The height of each individual leg is then adjusted using a telescopic extension system and the leg is secured at the correct height using a natty yellow locking lever. The whole process is very easy to do at any time and means that an extremely stable base can be created on any ground to provide the highest weight tolerance we have seen – it can support up to 65kg and can be sat on by a child or small adult!
The table top itself consists of a series of connected aluminium slats which unfold and then clip directly to the base leaving very small gaps in between the slats – this means the top works well for supporting plates and glasses, but you could not use it to write on very easily. However, we don’t expect many people do much writing when camping!
Underneath the tabletop a useful net can be suspended (included in the bag) which adds a second layer of storage for say laptops or magazines. This certainly improves the functionality and flexibility of the Nestling versus some of the other similar-sized tables.
Assembly and disassembly are the simplest we have encountered, and the separate parts fit very easily into the bag (a real bugbear of ours is tents etc which cannot fit back in the storage bag without Houdini-like exertions).
Overall, the Nestling is our pick for the best table in terms of value for money. For the stability, levelling flexibility and ‘packability’ on offer here, we think it’s a bargain!
Key specs: Dimensions: 90 x 53 x H 45-65 cm / Folded dimensions: 90cm x 17 x 11 cm / Weight: 4.2 kg
Zempire Kitpac Round Table
Continuing the bamboo theme, but this time with a circular shape, the Zempire Kitpac Round Table is an excellent choice for camping trips.
It uses a folding bamboo table top which is 90cm in diameter when set up. Underneath are four legs which are height-adjustable to three different settings – 40cm, 58cm and 70cm. This is excellent flexibility. There is also individual height adjustment possible using the endcap screw for uneven ground.
Where the Zempire really shines though is the folded size. By a nifty design, and because the top surface is fabricated from four separate sections of bamboo, the table is easily folded into a 94 x 26 x 12cm bag.
Setting up is very quick and can be done in less than a minute. Simply unfold the four sections of the table with the table top facing down. Lift each leg up and lock it in place using two stabilising brackets per leg. Then finally there are two strengthening rods which are clamped in line with the table folds in storage. These need to be pulled out and clamped in position at 90° to the table folds. They give support to the table and stop it from refolding when in use.
The table surface is very solid and there are no annoying gaps where the folds are located. Zempire have even included a nifty bottle opener underneath the table so you can easily crack another cold one!
Overall, we really like the Zempire Round Table. It seats at least four adults with ease, packs down small and is height adjustable. It also looks great and would suit any camping setup.
Key specs: Dimensions: 90 x 90 x H 40/58/70 cm / Folded dimensions: 94 x 26 x 12 cm / Weight: 7.7kg
Vida-XL Storage Camping Table
The Vida-XL Storage Camping Table is an unassuming box of tricks when folded up – a bit like a hitman’s briefcase. Only 10.5cm in thickness, and incorporating a nice, rugged carrying handle, the Vida-XL can slide nicely into the back of your campervan or car boot before being called into action at the campsite.
This table is absolutely perfect for setting up inside your awning or close to your cooking area, because within that briefcase-like exterior, there exists a couple of sizeable fabric cupboards having individual zippable front-loading bays. These cupboards are capacious, and perfect for storing food, drink or even bedding if so required.
The table top surface
When opened up, the tabletop surface is very smooth which enables wine glasses to be placed on top without any fear of spillage. In fact, this is the smoothest table top we’ve reviewed and it would be possible to pen a letter on it (do people still do that?).
There are two pairs of legs which open outwards away from each other in a U shape, and the height of these legs can be switched between two settings. One thing we did notice is that there is a spring-loaded pin which requires pushing in to change the height of the legs, and this can easily catch the skin on your thumb as you press it. Probably the only negative about this table, and only a minor problem at that.
Summing up
This is one of our favourite camping tables and we believe with the amount of space and flexibility it gives, coupled with the flat packing shape that it is definitely one of our best buys. If you can catch it in a sale then even better! Something to note, the table is easy and quick to pack away but take extra care to make sure all the canvas and netting are not tucked under the legs. The legs need to be as flat to the underside of the table as possible as it will make closing the table in half tricky and can cause damage as seen in our photo above.
We use this table every trip.
Key specs: Dimensions: 120 x 47 x 55-70 (H) cm / Folded dimensions: 60 x 47 x 10.5 cm / Weight: 8 kg
Trekology Folding Camping Table
Trekology have released a fantastic folding table which uses aviation-grade aluminium as the tabletop material. The colour of the metal top needs to be seen to be believed – a gorgeous electric blue sheen which attracts a lot of attention.
When folded up, the tabletop consists of a series of five linked slats which unwrap to form a fairly shiny, weatherproof surface. The metal legs are easily accessible from their neat storage bag and can be quickly unfolded and snapped into shape before attaching to the metal top.
In Use
This table looks great and will carry up to 23kg in weight – not quite enough to sit on, but pretty impressive nonetheless. The Trekology has rapidly become one of our go-to tables at Camping Secrets Towers, just because it is so well put together!
Everything clicks nicely into place and packs away very easily. The only negative point to our mind is that the legs are non-adjustable in height and so you must choose a size that will suit your particular requirements – luckily the Trekology comes in several different sizes ranging from a little side table (39 x 34.5 x 32 cm) to the Large size which we have reviewed (68 x 45 x 40.5 cm).
All in all, we love the Trekology- it does everything expected of it exceedingly well! And that blue colour is to die for – yum!
Key specs: Dimensions: 68 x 45 x 40.5 cm / Folded dimensions: 70cm x 15 x 7 cm / Weight: 1.7 kg
Outwell Kamloop Large Folding Bamboo Table
We have recently discovered some delicious bamboo tables which are reasonably expensive (>£100) but perform in a very stylish and practical manner. We think it’s worth including them in this round-up.
Our first ‘luxury’ choice is the Outwell Kamloops which is a gorgeous camping table which uses premium, sustainable bamboo wood as the folding top section. This is a big table and can seat four with ease, and potentially up to six people.
The table top is arranged in 2 folding sections of approximately 40 x 120cm each, making a total surface area of 80 x 120 cm) – the two sections are hinged together so they can be folded and packed neatly in a a carry bag together with four folding legs. Interestingly the legs are permanently attached to the underside of the table top which makes assembly and packing away a doddle.
Assembly of the Outwell Kamloops
Setting the Outwell Kamloops up is easy – simply unfold the table top so that it is upside down, with the underside facing upwards.
The outermost sections of the table each hold two aluminium legs as well as a locking strut which is rotated between the sections and secures the table top in the unfolded position. This is a very simple principle but I have not seen it incorporated before in such an elegant way.
The legs each rotate outwards and upwards using three-way hinged cantilevers which lock in position. The height of the large Kamloops table is 70cm and this is non-adjustable. However, the ends of each leg incorporate a rubber endcap which can be screwed in or out to allow levelling on uneven ground. These endcaps are fairly small and so we would recommend putting something like a tray under each endcap on wet, muddy ground.
But it’s the bamboo which is the star of the show here. It provides a highly stable surface with a real quality feel. I much prefer using a table with natural materials like bamboo – it feels much more tactile and rustic than metals or plastic.
Overall, the Outwell Kamloops is a great table and worthy of its fairly lofty price tag. It definitely feels a cut above the aluminum equivalents, so if you’re after a bit of campsite style and practicality then we don’t hesitate to recommend it.
Key specs: Dimensions: 80 x 120 x H 70 cm / Folded dimensions: 40 x 120 x 8 cm / Weight: 13 kg
Outry Folding Camping table
Outry sells a highly useful set of lightweight and compact tables which can be squeezed into a largeish rucksack or transported easily in a car or campervan.
The tables are unusual in that they use a fabric top section which is held extremely taut by a set of metal poles within the fabric which are propped out into a rigid frame. Although the poles cause some gentle undulations in the tabletop surface, we had no problems getting supporting typical items like plates and glasses on flattish ground (the garden!). The advantage of the fabric is that the table can be folded down into a very small pack which weighs only the same as a bag of sugar!
Different sizes
The table comes in two different sizes – the first incorporates two cupholders (6.75cm diameter) and is only 39cm tall when assembled. This makes it perfect to position between a couple of chairs to rest your drinks on – i.e. more of an ‘occasional table’. The larger version has four cupholders and is more suited to eating on due to its 53cm height.
One disadvantage of both tables is that the height cannot be adjusted at all, and the legs do not have any independent adjustment for levelling – on the beach this doesn’t cause any problems because the legs can be adjusted in the sand – on bumpy ground at the campsite though, this could be more of an issue. However, at only £23 for the 2-cupholder version, we think this can be overlooked, and the legs themselves are surprisingly sturdy.
Setting up
Assembly and packing were straightforward, although it needs a bit of strength to get the two extra poles into the tabletop structure to achieve rigidity. Overall, we see this as a reliable mechanism and would expect decent product longevity.
Key specs (2 cupholders): Dimensions: 56 x 43 x 39 cm / Folded dimensions: 60cm x 7 cm / Weight: 1.2 kg
Key specs (4 cupholders): Dimensions: 75 x 56 x 53 cm / Folded dimensions: 76cm x 8 cm / Weight: 1.2 kg
Snow Peak Folding Bamboo Table
This Bamboo Folding Table is a wooden-topped offering in our roundup and an absolute peach of a design from a classic outdoor company called Snow Peak who are based in the Fukushima region of Japan.
It’s a fairly small side table, measuring only 40cm tall and 45 (L) x 35 (W) cm on top. What makes it so good is the fact that the wooden top can separate and fold in half. The legs then collapse and are secured away to form a very neat little package which can be easily hidden away in any spare nook or cranny you may have available.
The legs are made of aluminium but are sadly not adjustable in height – you get the 40cm and nothing else. They provide exceptional stability though and lock well into the main underside of the table top to allow easy lifting.
We should definitely emphasize the beauty of the Japanese bamboo used for the table top. It is sublime and exceptionally smooth but with a lovely grain. You can mentally picture the bamboo shoots swaying in the Japanese breeze!
Bamboo wood is fairly unique in that it has the look of tree wood but is actually made from a grass. As such it does not warp or shrink when the humidity of the surroundings change.
We were really taken with this Snow Peak table. Because of the relatively high price it is probably not for everyone, but if you fancy some quality in your life then we definitely recommend you check it out.
Key specs: Dimensions: 45 x 33.5 x 40 cm / Folded dimensions: 43cm x 33.5 x 7 cm / Weight: 1.8 kg
NGT Mini Drinks Table
What do you think about fishing or angling? You either get it or you don’t I guess. I’m in the latter camp, and can’t really see the point of sitting at the side of a lake, in beautiful countryside, sipping at your chilled beer, occasionally pulling the line and…. hold on a minute! I can see exactly why anglers angle – it’s a way of relaxing in the arms of Mother Nature, and for that reason, Anglers and Campers are of a similar mindset….
This brings us to this little NGT table with independent extendable legs – originally designed for Anglers to place their bait on, but nabbed by us at Camping Secrets to place our camping drinks on! Only £22 at Amazon, we think this is a quality little table and excellent value.
Made of decent aluminium, the table top is non-foldable but of a size that this isn’t a problem. The top has a lip all around the circumference (the only table we’ve seen having this feature) which means that knocked drinks will not fall to the floor – nice. The little legs can be extended between 17.5cm and 23.5cm which means you can get a flat surface even on a serious hillside – very useful. Plus the green colour blends in nicely with said hillside!
Overall, we loved this little table and definitely recommend it. Some owners have complained that it’s too low to the ground, but as long as you buy it knowing what it will be used for (i.e. a drinks table in between some chairs) then to us, this is not a major reason for docking points. We score this a 9/10 and for the money, it’s an absolute steal. Sadly it’s not available via Amazon Prime and so delivery can take up to six days.
Key specs: Dimensions: 38 x 32 x H 17.5 – 23.5 cm / Weight: 0.9 kg
Zempire Spike Drinks Table
Often in the world of camping, it’s the simplest ideas which are best. Nothing could be simpler than this bamboo spike table from Zempire and yet it elegantly solves a perennial problem of camping. How to conveniently secure wine glasses near to your camping chair without spilling the wine.
The table top is bamboo and of very nice quality. It is comprised of two folding sections which open up and are secured into a 40 x 40cm square shape using two support poles.
Under the table, a metal spike is stored neatly away in two sections. Simply use one of the sections for a 38.5cm table height or connect the two together for 74cm. The spike can then be whacked into the ground using a mallet. If you don’t have one available then a rock or log can be used instead. If the ground is softish then you may be able to push it in by hand.
The table top then connects securely onto the top of the spike and hey presto, you’ve got your own personal drinks table! Where the Zempire excels over other drinks tables is that there are four indents carved into the bamboo top. These support up to 4 wine glasses very nicely indeed. There is also a handy bottle opener on the underside of the table.
Overall, we really like the Zempire drinks table. Yes, it may cost more than your many other larger tables, but it does a particular job extremely well indeed. For around £50, we think it’s a worthwhile addition to your camping furniture – especially if you like a drop of wine!
Key specs: Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 38.5/74 (H) cm / Folded dimensions: 41 x 21 x 6 cm / Weight: 2.1kg
So now you’ve got your table sorted out, why don’t don’t you read our reviews of the Best Folding Camping Chairs on the market. A table isn’t much without some decent chairs to go with it….
