While there is no more classic picnic scene than throwing a lush picnic blanket down on the grass with your favourite wicker picnic basket, there is a lot to be said for the convenience of a portable folding picnic table.
You might just need a lightweight picnic table to keep your picnic food off the ground, an especially good idea for summer picnics on the beach where sand and uneven surfaces are involved. Or, a portable picnic table and chairs to keep both you and your food off the ground – a welcome comfort for winter and fall picnics where the ground can be a cold, damp prospect or kids picnics where spills are inevitable.
If you prefer a low picnic table, check out our guide to the best foldable boho picnic tables here.
No matter your picnic occasion or style, we have rounded up some of the best portable and fold away picnic tables for small romantic picnics for two, up to large folding picnic tables with benches and umbrellas suitable for families and groups of eight.
Quick Guide to the Best Folding Picnic Tables
See full reviews below
What to Look for in a Portable Picnic Table
Size & Weight
Think about what your picnic arrangements will be when choosing the size and height of your picnic table.
- How many people does it need to service.
- Is it just for laying out food or is it for eating at.
- Do you only need a low table for placing food and resting drinks.
- Do you need a high table to place chairs around.
- Does it need to fit in your car or camper, or even on a motorbike or in a kayak (we have a table for that).
The same goes for the weight of the table – how heavy is the table, especially if it is a table and chairs set, and how much weight can the table (and chairs) hold. Is it going to be too heavy to carry, or does it not have the required load-bearing?
While most foldable picnic tables are designed to be durable and lightweight with portability in mind, the size and weight of the picnic set will factor in the stability and suitability of your picnic style.
Stability
A key factor in choosing a good picnic table. Some lightweight tables are just that and can be terribly unstable. Look for things like:
- Locking mechanisms on legs to ensure they can’t collapse or waiver.
- Strong leg design or crossbars for additional stability.
- Adjustable leg heights for uneven ground.
- Rubber stoppers on legs to prevent slipping.
Portability
A foldable table isn’t always a very portable table. There are some very large foldable picnic tables with benches (we have included some in our list), that while very handy for garden picnics and home gatherings, may be too large and cumbersome to be portable beyond the home. Make sure you are clear on what you need from a portable or folding picnic table before committing to something so large it can’t be transported or a table that is too heavy for you to manage.
It may even be the case that you require a larger picnic table for group and family gatherings and a secondary smaller portable picnic table set such as a suitcase folding table or roll up picnic table for smaller, more portable picnics.
Look for features such as:
- How flat or small it folds down.
- Comfortable carry handles or strong storage bags or cases with carry straps for easy portability.
- Locking mechanisms or secure storage bag to ensure it stays together when being transported.
Material
Durability is key when choosing the material of your picnic table, but so is weight and, of course, the aesthetic. Aluminium folding picnic tables are probably the most popular due to the fact they are so lightweight and durable. However, there are plenty of lightweight powder-coated steel frame picnic tables with durable plastic or bamboo tops, as well as treated wooden tables that look beautiful without losing any of the portability.
When looking at the material, long-lasting and lightweight are possible in a portable picnic table.
Additional Features
Do you need a picnic table only, or do you need a picnic table and chairs set? If so, do you want chairs fixed to the table or independent of the table? Does your picnic table need an umbrella hole, or do you need a table with additional storage underneath, such as a removable net hammock arrangement?
Best Portable Picnic Table Reviews
A classic portable picnic table set design, this set folds down into a small suitcase with a carrying handle– 70 cm x 60 cm when folded and weighs only 6.8 kg/15 lbs. This is one of those great sets you could leave in the back of the car and whip it out for impromptu picnics, sunset drinks on the beach or even for a tailgate occasion while watching a game. It’s no fuss and really portable.
Key Features
- Lightweight and compact when folded.
- Has 4 stools that store inside the folded table.
- Height adjustable to 3 heights to suit different chair heights or situations.
- The aluminium top is stain resistant.
- Snap lock hinges ensure sturdy legs.
- Rubber caps on legs to prevent sliding or scratching.
- An umbrella hole on the tabletop with a removable round plastic plug.
- The table will hold 50 kg/ 22 lbs and chairs up to 90 kg/198 lbs.
We love this picnic table set for so many reasons. It has a beautiful picnic aesthetic for either a woodsy alfresco date or a beach picnic. It also folds down into 3 very compact units, each in a carry bag. The chairs are comfortable and still attractive, and the table comes in 2 sizes to suit your needs. You can also buy the table only, which is a big win for those who don’t require a complete set. (table only option below).
Key Features
- Lightweight yet strong bearing chairs. Can hold 104kg/230 lbs.
- Thick, durable canvas chair covers remove easily for washing.
- Table assembles quickly
- Made from solid beech wood, the set is lightweight to carry yet very sturdy.
- Has a beautiful design.
- Can separate the set and buy the table only.
Available in two sizes, you can purchase the picnic table only from this set. The sturdy beech table folds down into a bag for easy storage and carrying, simply roll the tabletop and collapse the frame. Choose from small or large sizes to suit your needs.
A really practical folding picnic table that collapses, chairs and all into a lightweight suitcase-style for easy carrying.
Another picnic set that is so compact you could leave it in the car. A durable design made with solid ABS plastic and moulded polypropylene basket weave seats; it is lightweight yet very hardwearing. It also comes with an umbrella hole.
Designed for four people, it has a maximum weight capacity of 113 kg/ 250 lbs per seat and 10 kgs/20 lbs for the table. However, due to its lightweight portable design, it may feel a little unstable pushing the maximum weight limit of 4 adults. I think this design is best suited for 4 children, 2 larger adults or 4 smaller adults. This is the payoff for such a lightweight portable picnic set.
Key Features
- Super lightweight and compact design.
- Set up and folds down easily and quickly.
- Very durable construction.
- Has an umbrella hole
- Comes in black, blue, green and red.
Trekology Portable Lightweight Picnic Side Table
You don’t get much more lightweight and portable than this aluminium folding picnic table. Designed with trekking in mind, this is a perfect picnic table for a hiking picnic and is compact enough to fit on a motorbike or even a kayak or canoe. This table is designed for the adventure picnicker but works equally well for an alfresco lunch in the park or on the beach.
Made from waterproof, easy to clean aerospace-grade aluminium alloy, it is super lightweight yet very sturdy and durable. Rubber feet ensure stability on a variety of terrains. It can hold weights of up to 13 kgs/30lbs. This really is a take-anywhere picnic table.
Key Features
- Super lightweight and portable.
- Folds down small for any type of travel.
- Durable construction and design.
- Comes in 3 different sizes and heights.
- Available in metallic blue or brown.
Boho Folding Wooden Picnic Table
A best selling picnic table on Etsy, this folding picnic table is completely handmade for a unique boho picnic look. Super sturdy and portable, this wooden picnic table folds down into an easy to carry suitcase folding table.
Key Features
- Simple design with a unique boho look
- Completely handmade
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Possability of personalising your table.
- Sturdy, durable design.
KingCamp Bamboo Heavy Duty Foldable Picnic Table
A durable but lightweight aluminium frame with a wood finish design that gives a nice picnic aesthetic. Finished with an environmentally friendly and hardwearing bamboo tabletop, this table is very long-lasting.
Height adjustable to any height you like so you can adjust each leg height for uneven surfaces. It comes in different sizes from 2 people right up to an extra-large 6 person table. Folds neatly into a storage bag when not in use.
Key Features
- Attractive hardwearing bamboo wood finish tabletop.
- Lightweight and compact for portability.
- Adjustable table legs to any height to suit any chair size.
- Adjust individual leg heights for uneven ground.
- Comes in various sizes for 2 person up to an extra large 6 person table.
FiveJoy Aluminum Adjustable Height Folding Picnic Table
Another no-fuss suitcase style folding picnic table that folds in half for easy storage and carrying. It has height adjustable legs for three height settings and a triangle lock design for ensured stability.
A simple yet practical design that seats up to 4 people. Great for winter picnics where you want to get everything off the cold ground and want a table you can sit around.
Key Features
- Height adjustable legs to 3 heights.
- Stain-resistant and easy to clean top.
- Convenient soft handle for easy carrying.
- Triangle locking mechanisim on the legs for stability.
- Portable lightweight design.
Lifetime 4 Person Portable Folding Picnic Table and Bench Set
This picnic table and bench set is incredibly sturdy and durable and has the versatility of independent benches. You could always use a bench as an additional table; just take a bench or just the table, depending on your needs.
With room for four people, it fits nicely into the back of the car for a very comfortable and stable picnic table. It folds flat, and the benches attach to the underside of the table for easy transportation and storage. The benches can comfortably hold the weight of 4 adults without feeling unstable. The only downside of this table is at 14 kgs/ 31 lbs, it is a little on the heavy side, but this weight guarantees stability for four adults.
Key Features
- Superior strength and durability
- Benches attach to table for easy transport and storage.
- Benches are independent from the table for more versatility
- Stain Resistant and Easy to Clean
- Seats 4 comfortably
Office Star Resin 3-Piece Folding Picnic Table
If you have a large picnic group this is the perfect table. Fit up to 6 adults or eight children at this folding table and bench set. All components fold in half with a carry handle for easy storage and transportation. Extremely sturdy and durable, this table has loads of uses other than just picnics.
Like the previous set, independent benches give the set much more versatility. Due to its size, it will be heavier than smaller, lightweight picnic tables but each piece folds down independently to make it more manageable.
Key Features
- Heavy-duty blow-mold light grey resin top and seat for durability and easy cleanup
- Superior strength and durability
- Folds down for easy transport and storage.
- Benches are independant from the table for more versatility
- Seats 6 adults or 8 children
Lifetime Folding Picnic Table for 8 People
Not as portable as the other picnic tables but perfect for a backyard picnic where you have a large group. This table will seat up to 8 adults comfortably while still being lightweight and folds completely flat for storage. Durable and practical design, it also has an umbrella hole and cap.
Key Features
- Perfect for larger groups – Seats 8 people comfortably. Bench Weight Capacity: 408 kg/900 lb.
- Steel Frame with all weather finish so can withstand staying in the elements.
- Easy to clean and stain resistant high-density polyethylene tabletop
- Folds flat for storage
- Includes umbrella hole and cap
- Not as portable as other picnic sets but perfect for home use.
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