The best camping tables 2020: from picnic tables to convenient foldaways

Although on the surface they might appear to be a rather mundane purchase at first, investing in the best camping table for the type of outdoor holidays you regularly take can elevate your al fresco dining experience. 

Even if you're into wild camping rather than car camping, there are still highly portable and lightweight camping tables around to rest your food and drinks on. After all, it's much harder for the ants to get at your dinner when it's elevated off the grass.

A camping tabIe can literally make all the difference when you're eating dinner under starry skies or breakfast on sun-drenched mornings, giving you extra space to lay out food and drinks for you and your camping squad.

Clear off the food and drinks later on and you can use the table to set up a card game or to position a camping lantern to read by later in the evening.

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The best camping tables, just like camping mats, serve multiple purposes and can be used as food prep areas in addition to dining tables, proving themselves to be a versatile bit of camping furniture. Durable, all-weather camp tables that fold neatly away score extra brownie points, as do those designed with built-in storage.

These might be handy nooks and drawers within which you can store your outdoor cooking utensils, cutlery and dishes when not in use. You could even arrange your camping kettle and cups on top of the table for a make-shift drinks station during the day.

Best camping tables: our expert pick

• The best camping tables offer stability, first and foremost, so pay attention to the type of legs on the table you're interested in buying. Ideally you want adjustable legs to make it far more steady on uneven ground. Also look for wipe-clean tops and a neat folding design for easy packing away.
• Our current top pick is the simple yet highly functional Outwell Pemberton Picnic Table and Benches Set. It has everything needed for a group of four to dine outside when camping, with a waterproof finish to shrug off the rain (and wine spills).

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Whether you’re looking for an outdoors table to seat a few or to seat many, we have some fantastic options below. So pull up your chair and a take a look at our best camping tables buyer’s guide to find the one for you.

The best camping tables to buy now

You’ll notice that most of the products in our best camping tables buyer's guide  don’t come with camping chairs, meaning you’ll need to buy some separately. Luckily, we have a great buyer's guide on the best camping chairs too!

The beauty of the Outwell Pemberton Picnic Set is that it comprises both a table and two benches. Not only that, but the benches attach to the table when dismantling, meaning you can haul both together in one compact, handled case. 

The Pemberton Picnic Set promises longevity, too, with its steel frame and waterproof plastic surface built to survive many a tent-based adventure. 

This gorgeous bamboo-topped camping table will add a splash of glamour to the dreariest of campsites. It's not all good looks and no substance, though – it's easy to clean and has a folding design that enables it to be stowed away easily and quickly. 

The adjustable legs and frame create maximum stability, even on rough terrain, and the entire table is made of superb materials that will withstand regular use outdoors.

Wipe it down after your meal and you'll have an amazing surface upon which to play cards, read, or set up your camping lantern to chat by. 

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Sitting around playing cards or board games in the open air is one of the most enjoyable things about camping. But you’ll need a table that’s not going to keel over in the breeze. With angled legs and hardy supports at each end, the Zempire Gullwing Table is one of the steadiest camping tables you can get. 

A detachable hammock underneath is handy for keeping your games off the damp grass, while the table’s easy-clean, laminated MDF surface makes it easy to wipe away wine and juice spillage. 

When it’s time to call it a day, the table’s three-fold design enables you to stash it away out of sight, until you’re ready for a rematch. 

If you prefer to travel on foot, you’re obviously not going to be able to lug around a big camping table. So that’s where OEX’s X-Lite comes in handy. With its featherweight aluminium-and-canvas construction, this cute little table is perfect for hiking expeditions. 

Easy foldability and two mesh drinks holders mean you can stop just about anywhere for a rest and a brew, and there’s also a couple of side pockets for temporarily stashing flasks, compasses or any other rambling paraphernalia.

It goes without saying that you’re not going to get many people around it, but if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful two-person set-up, this one’s hard to beat.

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If your camping squad is growing, investing in the longest table in our best camping tables guide will help you accommodate the throng. It's also made by camping royalty Vango, so you already know this is a winner.

Built from sturdy but lightweight aluminium, and featuring an easy-clean, granite-effect surface, Vango’s 160cm offering will seat eight people – yet folds down to a fraction of the size to help it fit in the back of your car. 

Adjustable feet provide extra stability on uneven ground, and you can even alter the height to make it more like a coffee table when not eating.

It may look a bit like one of those contraptions that magicians use to saw their smiling assistants in half, but this is actually Eurohike’s ingenious solution for keeping luggage dry and hidden from would-be thieves. 

The Basecamp Storage Table features two concealed off-ground storage compartments that are accessed via a zipped entrance, plus two extra side compartments for stashing away any additional bags and accessories. 

The table is a dream to manoeuvre, too, with telescopic legs that adjust to suit your required height, and a modest weight that makes it easy to carry from one place to another.  

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Worried that your car won’t be big enough to carry all your camping supplies? Here’s a solution: a one-piece, four-seater camping table that folds down neatly into a briefcase (of sorts). 

Kampa’s unit is super-simple to put up and to fold down. Its hybrid aluminium and steel frame is lightweight yet rigid, while the robust ABS table top will withstand everything from camping gear being thrown down upon it to impromptu rain spells. 

Saying that, you won’t have to suffer the latter if you put up a weatherproof parasol – and a handy hole in the table’s surface enables you to do exactly that.

If the weather suddenly takes a turn for the better, there’s a chance you could become inundated with more arrivals. 

Save your new guests from having to eat dinner on their laps with this quality table from Quest. Constructed from slatted aluminium, it easily extends from 94cm to 130cm – big enough to seat six people comfortably. 

Once you’ve finished your meal, you can fold this camping table down to a compact size, with its lighter weight making it a breeze to carry back into your tent or the boot of your car. 

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If you’re looking for a trusty camping table that will last for many camping trips to come, you can’t really go wrong with this one from Regatta. 

While it doesn’t come with any chairs, it features adjustable legs so you can ensure  the table is at the right height for your existing camping furniture. It also folds into itself for easy transportation from the car to your pitch. 

The ideal table for families of four or a group of friends, this sturdy picnic table and benches folds down into one compact carry case for easy transportation. 

If you’re looking for that extra touch of comfort, the benches feature removable padded seat covers, which are machine washable – great after coming back from a particularly muddy trip.

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