By Glenda Taylor | Updated Mar 1, 2022 4:57 PM

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The purchase of a folding table may be something you decide on the spur of the moment when you discover you need extra space for guests, garage sales, or crafts. The best folding table offers a temporary―and sometimes permanent―surface for place settings for overflow guests or extra space for your sewing, painting, and other projects.

Some folding tables can handle heavy-duty loads, including power tools, construction materials, or books. The best ones are easy to unfold and set up, are stable when in use, and take up minimal space when stored.

Folding tables offer instant seating and storage—fold out the legs, and voilà—you have room for guests or space to hold food and supplies for parties and banquets. Depending on their size, shape, and the materials they’re made from, some folding tables are better suited to specific tasks than others.

Many folding tables are made from strong but lightweight materials, making them sturdy yet portable. The table’s underframe, including the folding legs, is usually made from metal, often aluminum or powder-coated steel, to reduce rusting and corrosion risk. Tabletop material varies; depending on your plans for the table, one of the following categories will be better-suited than the others.

Folding tables are available in a few basic shapes, each offering different benefits.

The standard leg configuration on round and rectangular folding tables features two leg sets on opposite ends of the table that fold up underneath the table for storage. Each set features two connected legs, and the farther apart the legs are, the more stable the table will be. Square tables can have similar leg configurations, but more often, they have four individual legs, each one folding up along one side of the table.

Most folding tables feature a locking mechanism that will prevent the table from accidentally folding up while in use. This may be a simple metal brace that locks a leg set in its open position or a metal band that slides down over the open table legs to prevent accidental closing.

Depending on the size and the weight of a folding table, it will be more or less portable. Large, heavy folding tables can weigh as much as 50 pounds, and these are often used as group seating in schools, churches, and other community buildings. These large tables are usually stored on-site. Smaller folding tables can weigh as little as 10 pounds and can be easily stored in a garage or shed and transported in the back of a pickup truck.

To qualify as a Top Pick, a folding table should be sturdy (not wobbly), well-balanced, and able to support the weight of the food or other items you put on it. It should also be simple to set up and take down. The following folding tables are better suited to some situations than others, but one or more is sure to fit your home and needs.

The 4-foot-long Flash Furniture table’s granite-white top is made from 1.75-inch-thick, heavy-duty molded plastic that’s easy to wipe clean. When folded to place in a storage space, the table is only 1.75 inches thick and features locking mechanisms that keep it from buckling when in use. The table’s steel legs are powder-coated to resist rust and corrosion, and it comes with protective floor caps to keep from scuffing hardwood or other floorings. The table is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and supports up to 330 pounds of weight.

Next, our pick for a budget folding table. This 6-foot folding table by Colibyou is an affordable choice for both indoor and outdoor use with ample room for garage sale items, baked goods, or up to eight place settings. The rectangular tabletop is made from heavy molded plastic and its legs are made from powder-coated steel.

The table folds in half and its legs tuck securely underneath for storage. It measures 72 inches long by 29.13 inches wide and stands 29.5 inches high. When the table is set up, sliding guards on the legs prevent accidental folding, and a latch on the underside of the tabletop locks the two top pieces together. When folded, the table is just 6 inches thick.

If you want a folding table that complements your interior decor so well it can be a permanent addition, check out the SLEEKFORM folding desk—it’s lightweight, portable, and features a walnut-stained fir tabletop. No assembly is required, so simply take it out of the box and use it.

The table measures 47.2 inches long by 23.6 inches wide and stands 30 inches high, which makes it a good choice for a work desk, an extra work surface, or even a table for a cocktail party. It comes with rustic-looking, black steel fold-down legs that are fitted with non-scuff rubber caps. The wood tabletop is scratch- and water-resistant, and since it supports up to 110 pounds of weight, it’s great for a sewing machine, tools, and other craft project items. It folds to 4.8 inches thick for easy storage.

The CoscoProducts Deluxe Folding Table holds up to 300 pounds, so you may want to consider it for a sturdy surface to hold power tools, construction supplies, and other heavy items. The table measures 73 inches long by 29.6 inches wide by 36 inches high, offering plenty of room for large items. It features an attractive black, high-density plastic surface and powder-coated steel legs that come with sliding lock guards to keep the table sturdy and upright.

When folded in half—legs inside—the table is just 6 inches wide and locks, so it won’t open when you carry it. It weighs just 25.5 pounds, so it’s light enough to carry by the attached comfort handle and lift up to store on high shelves in garages and attics.

When you want a round table that holds two place settings, serves as an extra workspace, or can create extra space for a barbeque, the Flash Furniture round folding table may be just what you’re looking for. Its round, 24-inch size and 29.3-inch height makes it suitable for two place settings, a laptop workstation, or even an accent table for an entryway or other small space.

The .75-inch thick granite-white tabletop is made from heavy-duty molded plastic that is waterproof and impact- and stain-resistant. This portable commercial table holds 180 pounds, so it’s ready for heavy-duty action, too. It stands on powder-coated steel legs that have non-scratch caps to lessen the chance of floor damage, and the table folds for easy storage. This round table is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, but it should be stored inside.

The Table-Mate folding table and cup holder isn’t just for dining; you can use the table to hold your laptop or DIY project and then store the table under a sofa or chair to free up space. The tabletop measures 21 inches long by 15 inches wide and can be adjusted to six height settings ranging from 21.75 to 29.25 inches, which makes it a good choice for both kids and adults.

The top tilts to three different positions so you can slant a keyboard or magazine into a comfortable position. A pull-out cup holder is located on the side of the tabletop. When folded, the Table-Mate is only a couple of inches thick, so you can slide it out of sight until it’s needed again.

If you want a sturdy, portable table that is attractive enough to become a permanent part of your home, consider this Meco folding table. It measures 32 inches by 32 inches and stands 29.5 inches high. The legs are easy to unfold and lock into place so it’s quickly ready for card playing, jigsaw puzzles, crafts, or other activities. When you are ready to store this table, it’s easy to unlock the legs and fold them into the table.

The folded table measures 3.375 inches thick, so you can easily stow it when not in use. This solid wood table has a top that is almost 1 inch thick and has a scalloped edge that is attractive for keeping out for day-to-day use. It’s solid enough to use for dining or as a workstation.

Get the picnic started with the Office Star 3-Piece Folding Bench and Table Set. With a frame made from powder-coated steel and waterproof seats and tabletop, this picnic set is suitable for outdoor and indoor use. Each bench measures 72.5 inches long by 12 inches wide and is 17.5 inches high. It folds in half with legs stored inside for portability.

The matching sturdy folding table is 72 inches long by 30 inches wide by 29.5 inches high and is suitable for seating four persons (up to 200 pounds per seat). The tabletop will hold up to 350 pounds of evenly distributed food or other items, and it also folds in half for storage.

You won’t need to scrounge around to find seating with the XL Series Folding Card Table that comes with four folding chairs. This square table can be used as an overflow table for guests at a holiday dinner and is a perfect size (38 inches square and 29.5 inches high) for playing cards and board games or for assembling jigsaw puzzles.

Both the table and the chairs feature powder-coated 18-gauge steel frames and legs for durability, and the table comes with triple-cross bracing to prevent accidental closure. The table also features a stain-resistant vinyl covering, and the chair seats and backs are padded and covered with fabric for comfort. The table folds flat for easy storing.

You won’t need to buy separate tables for adults and children if you have the Lifetime Adjustable Folding Table. The tabletop’s height adjusts to four positions: 22 inches, 24 inches, 29 inches, or 36 inches, making it suitable for both small and tall family members. The frame and adjustable legs feature rust-resistant, powder-coated steel for durability, and the tabletop is made from waterproof and stain-resistant high-density polyethylene.

The Lifetime adjustable table is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. Its top measures 48 inches long by 24 inches wide, and it will hold up to 200 pounds of evenly distributed weight. This option is also capable of seating up to 4 people and weighs just 19 pounds.

With so many folding tables available today, it can be hard to select the one that will be most beneficial for your intended use. One of the best options overall is the Flash Furniture table with its plastic and powder-coated steel construction that resists rust and corrosion and its foldable legs with included locking mechanisms. Alternatively, for a budget folding table, the COLIBYOU table folds together and wont take up storage space, has a latch built-in to hold the table together when being stored, and includes sliding guards on the legs.

We researched the most sought-after folding tables in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their materials, adjustability, weight capacity, portability, durability, and other special features included by select brands.

When searching for a folding table, one of the most important things to consider is durability which is why all of the above options have molded plastic, powder-coated steel legs, wood, and high-density polyethylene, allowing them to support 110 to 350 pounds of weight. For added convenience, most folding tables listed above either have foldable legs or are completely foldable. Or, some picks even have multiple height options.

For those that want to take their folding table remote, our above list prioritizes lightweight constructions, carrying handles, or waterproof constructions. Finally, some of the above picks also come with benches or folding chairs for added convenience.

Folding tables come in handy for many situations, but if this is the first time you’ve shopped for one, you may have some questions.

The simplest way is usually to rest the table on its side, release the locking mechanism that’s holding the legs open, and then fold up the legs.

That all depends on the size and quality of the table. Some smaller lightweight tables may be rated to hold as little as 30 pounds, while a heavy-duty folding conference table may be able to safely hold up to 300 pounds or more.

The top of a standard folding table is about 30 inches from the floor, meaning it is able to accommodate most regular or folding chairs. While a child’s folding table is approximately 20 inches from the floor.

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