10 Best Folding Picnic Table Reviews for 2022

What to decorate your backyard space with a picnic table? Our roundup of the 10 best picnic tables might be able to help you!

Picnic tables can serve you in various ways. Aside from providing you with seating space for lunch or just chatting, a picnic table can greatly complement the outside furnishings of your property. With that, shopping for a picnic table involves more factors than you may think.

But don’t worry – after you’ve gone through our buyer’s guide, you will at least have a better understanding of what to consider when shopping for a picnic table! Moreover, our Top 10 Ranking may help you finally find your dream picnic table!

10 Best Picnic Tables Reviewed

For today’s guide, we’ve picked 10 picnic tables to review. Our focus was mostly on foldable picnic tables, but we’ve included tables in other styles for variety as well.

In our reviews, you’ll find a detailed description of what makes each picnic table. We’ve paid special attention to the downsides of our picks– we’ve heavily researched buyer feedback and also followed our intuition to pinpoint drawbacks. With our insight, you will better understand what you are really dealing with.

1. Jack Post FC-30 Picnic Table Frame

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Alloy steel.
  • Weight: 29 pounds.
best picnic table

If you are up to some DIYing, then consider this outdoor picnic table from Jack Post. This picnic table comes with no benchtops or tabletop – it only includes the steel base. So by picking the right material for the benches and the tabletop, you will be able to adapt this picnic table to your backyard space just perfectly.

Now, having to install the wood will require additional effort. You will have to purchase some boards, cut them to shape, mount them, and coat them to protect from outdoor elements. This is a lot of effort, but in the end, you’ll get a customized and unique picnic table!

We also like the overall construction in the Jack Post picnic table – made of alloy steel, this picnic table is nice and tough. The 1-inch steel frame is heavy enough not to be carried away by wind and will easily withstand abuse. It probably won’t resist rust well though, so you may need to take some measures to protect it.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Allows you to make the perfect picnic table for your backyard space.
  • Extremely tough build.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • You’ll have to purchase a tabletop yourself.

2. Jack & June Circular Redwood Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Redwood.
  • Dimensions: 47 x 47 x 20 inches.
best picnic table

This round picnic table from Jack & June will serve nicely as a kids’ picnic table. Sized at 47 x 47 x 20 inches, it’s really small and certainly isn’t for adult use. Just have a look at product images, and you’ll get an idea of how this table is proportioned.

On the other hand, the small size makes this table very space-efficient too. It won’t take up much space in your backyard, and it should be pretty easy to store or transport.

When it comes to materials, the Jack & June picnic table is made from redwood. The redwood in this table is tough and hard, so it should be able to easily withstand impact, spills, and heat if protected properly. Given how mischievous children can be, the durability of this table is certainly nice!

You’ll have to pay for the added durability of redwood quite a lot though – this is a rather expensive kids’ picnic table. Its excellent build quality is certainly worth it, but it still is a rather costly piece of outdoor furniture.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Very compact.
  • Great for kids.
  • Rather durably built.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • Expensive.

3. Giantex 3-Piece Foldable Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Iron, Chinese fir wood
  • Bench dimensions: 70 x 9 x 18 inches (L x W x H).
  • Table dimensions: 70 x 18 x 30 inches (L x W x H).
folding picnic table

The Giantex 3-piece picnic table offers ample seating space along with a surprising amount of storage efficiency for its size.

The legs of the table and the included benches are foldable. Once you fold the picnic table when it’s not in use, you are essentially left with three wood boards that occupy very little storage.

What also contributes to the space efficiency of this portable picnic table is the separate benches. You are free to place them wherever you want in storage. Additionally, the separate benches allow you to arrange your seating space comfortably.

We also like the assembly-free build of this picnic table. All pieces come ready for use, so the only thing for you left to do is unfold the table & benches.

In terms of materials, the Giantex picnic table is a little weaker than the Jack Post picnic table. Although it’s made from iron and is rather tough, it won’t withstand as much abuse as the steel of the Jack Post table.

As for the wood, it’s soft Chinese fir wood. It looks good and makes this picnic table light, but it won’t take temperatures, water, and impact too well. This picnic table is rather delicate, so you should be careful with it. 

The Giantex picnic table also probably shouldn’t be kept outdoors. But thanks to its portability, this table will be very easy to move around, so putting it away and taking it out of storage shouldn’t be a big challenge.

Note that the benches in this set are flimsy too – they flex a little under weight, so you may want to reinforce them with something. Giantex advertises bench weight capacity of 500 pounds, but we think that this number should be taken with a grain of salt.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Attractive iron build.
  • Ample seating space.
  • Foldable legs for space-efficiency.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • The benches are flimsier than we’d like.
  • The soft Chinese fir wood won’t take much abuse.

4. Pilot Rock Steel Picnic Table Frame

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Galvanized steel.
  • Dimensions: About 4 x 8 feet (W x L) by 28 inches (H).
  • Weight: around 60 pounds.
lifetime picnic table

This steel picnic table frame from Pilot Rock is very similar to the Jack Post table reviewed at the very beginning. The design and dimensions are pretty close, but there’s one crucial difference – the Pilot Rock frame is made from a different kind of steel.

The galvanized steel used in the Pilot Rock picnic table frame is corrosion-resistant. Although this isn’t the same level of corrosion protection as in stainless steel, it’s still way better than the alloy steel in the Jack Post picnic table frame.

The Pilot Rock table is also much heavier than the Jack Post. At 60 pounds, it’s one of the heaviest picnic tables on this list, and this is without a tabletop and benchtops! On one hand, wind certainly won’t be a challenge for this table – on the other, it’s going to be difficult to carry.

All in all, if you want a tough picnic table frame that will withstand heavy use, the Pilot Rock table frame should be an excellent choice. And like the Jack Post picnic table frame, it allows you to design the perfect picnic table for your outdoor space.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Corrosion-resistant galvanized steel.
  • Tough build.
  • Lets you adapt the table to your needs and style preferences.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • No tabletop or benchtops included.

5. Best Choice Products 3-Piece Folding Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Iron, fir wood.
  • Bench dimensions: 69.5 x 9.2 x 18.25 inches (L x W x H).
  • Table dimensions: 69.5 x 18.25 x 30 inches (L x W x H).
outdoor picnic table

This 3-piece portable folding table from Best Choice Products is nearly identical to the Giantex 3-piece table reviewed a little earlier. The two picnic tables are similar and work for the same needs & purposes. The only notable difference to talk about is the size (though it’s very close in the two tables).

The Best Choice Products folding picnic table has 0.2 inches deeper and 0.25 inches taller benches. These numbers are so small that you can ignore them, but if you do want a larger bench, then perhaps the Best Choice Products picnic table is a better pick for you than the Giantex table.

The table is 0.25 inches wider as well, although because it’s 0.5 inches shorter, it doesn’t offer that much more space than the Giantex table.

All in all, we think that the dimension differences are very minor, and unless every inch is important to you, you should instead focus on current price and availability. 

In terms of material and build quality, the Best Choice Products table doesn’t offer anything new. This table features an iron frame along with soft fir wood tabletop and benchtops, so it again won’t take heavy use very well. It looks very attractive though!

The benches are once again flimsy, so if you want to get anywhere near the advertised weight capacity of 500 pounds, you will need to reinforce them.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Folding design.
  • Plenty of seating space
  • Good-looking and nicely made.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • The softwood won’t withstand heavy use.

6. Outsunny Wooden Folding Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Powder-coated steel, fir wood.
  • Bench dimensions: 85.8 x 9.1 x 17 inches (L x W x H).
  • Table dimensions: 85.8 x 18.1 x 29.5 inches (L x W x H).
  • Weight: 64 pounds.
portable picnic table

If you overall liked the Giantex/Best Choice Products picnic tables but want something larger, then this picnic table from Outsunny is a great alternative!

Sized at 85.8 inches long, the Outsunny picnic table offers way more seating space. It should be able to take one more occupant per bench than Giantex/Best Choice Products tables. 

The benches and table sit a little lower than in the competing folding tables too, but we think that the difference won’t be meaningful for most buyers.

The frame material is also different in the Outsunny picnic table. Made from powder-coated steel, this picnic table will be more durable than the other folding tables and will resist rust.

The long benches are also reinforced with an additional leg in the center. However, we think that you should still consider reinforcing the benches. The softwood fir bends between the legs, so for added safety, reinforcement is a good idea.

Other than these differences, the Outsunny folding picnic table offers the same amount of convenience and seating comfort as the previous folding picnic tables. You can again position the benches in any way you want, and when folded, this set is very space-efficient and easy to store.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Tough, rust-resistant frame.
  • Offers plenty of seating space.
  • Folding and space-saving.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • The seats would definitely benefit from reinforcement.
  • The softwood fir wood won’t withstand heavy use.

7. RELAX4LIFE Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Iron, fir wood.
  • Bench dimensions: 70 x 18 x 29.5 inches (L x W x H).
  • Table dimensions: 70 x 9 x 18 inches (L x W x H).
outdoor picnic table

This folding picnic table from RELAX4LIFE is similar to Giantex and Best Choice Products tables. Pretty much the only thing that’s different in the RELAX4LIFE picnic table is size – it’s sized exactly like the Giantex table, except for the 0.5 inches lower tabletop.

Other than that, the RELAX4LIFE picnic table is a solid alternative to previous folding tables. You are getting the same level of space efficiency thanks to the folding legs, the tough (but not rust-resistant) iron frame, and the attractive (but relatively weak) fir wood benchtops and tabletop.

By the way, when choosing between RELAX4LIFE, Giantex, and Best Choice Products picnic tables, you should probably mainly pay attention to their price and availability. If their benefits & features are exactly what you want, any of them should be able to work for your needs since they are nearly identical.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Large and roomy.
  • Folding and space-efficient design.
  • Lightweight.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • Like previous folding tables, won’t withstand heavy use.

8. Best Choice Products Folding Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Steel, resin.
  • Table dimensions: 72 x 29 x 29 inches (L x W x H).
  • Bench dimensions: 72 x 11 x 17 inches (L x W x H).
  • Weight: 63.40 pounds.
kids picnic table

This cool folding picnic table from Best Choice Products is an excellent choice if you value function over form. Although this picnic table is similar to previous folding tables, it boasts a distinctive, more durable build.

The tabletop and benchtops here are made from a resin-based material that is easy to clean, waterproof, and has good resistance to impacts and stains. Although we don’t really like the look of the resin, it certainly is more practical than the soft fir wood in the previous folding tables.

The frame here is made of steel as well. It will need treatment to prevent corrosion, but when it comes to impact and stress, you aren’t going to find anything better for the money than steel.

The benches are pretty tough in this set too. They are reinforced in the center and don’t bend with multiple occupants. The benches certainly aren’t indestructible, but they seem tougher than in previous folding picnic tables.

We also like how the Best Choice Products picnic table set folds. Previous folding tables only had folding legs – here, not only the legs are foldable, but the benches and the table have a collapsible two-piece design. When folded, all pieces also allow for easy carrying thanks to the handles on the sides.

All in all, this is arguably the most practical picnic table on our list. This portable picnic table is not the best-looking, but for the money, it offers the best space-efficiency, convenience, and durability.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Excellent resistance to outdoor elements.
  • Tough and durable.
  • Offers ample seating room yet is very space-efficient.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • This is probably the least visually appealing picnic table on this top.

9. Leisure Season Convertible Picnic Table & Garden Bench

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: Cypress & cedar wood.
  • Dimensions: 55 x 58 x 30 inches (L x W x H) as a picnic table.
  • Weight: 46 pounds.
outdoor picnic table

This convertible picnic table offers a different kind of space efficiency. With its two-in-one bench & picnic table design, it’s an excellent option if you want both a picnic table and a bench but don’t quite have the space for them. Well, this picnic table solves that issue by doing two things!

When it comes to seating space, the Leisure Season table has a pair of integrated benches that seat up to 4 people. In its bench form, this thing can comfortably accommodate 2 adults.

The Leisure Season picnic table is rather compact by itself as well – sized at 55 x 58 x 30 inches, it’s much smaller than the previous monsters we’ve had a look at.

In terms of construction, this outdoor picnic table is pretty nice. It’s gorgeously crafted from a combo of cypress and cedar woods. Now, these woods aren’t the toughest out there, but they look wonderful and should deliver adequate strength for such a compact picnic table.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Space-efficient bench-table design.
  • Gorgeous cypress & cedar construction.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • Like other softwood tables, won’t withstand abuse.

10. Lifetime Folding Picnic Table

QUICK SUMMARY

  • Materials: HDPE, powder-coated steel.
  • Dimensions: 72 x 29 x 30 (D x H x W).
best picnic table

Finally on our reviews, we have the tough Lifetime picnic table. This picnic table is on the pricier side, but it’s an excellent option if you want durability and practicality.

Made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene), the benches and tabletop are resistant to impact, temperature, stains, UVs, and are very easy to clean. The powder-coated steel is also extremely tough and should withstand corrosion.

What we also love about the Lifetime picnic table is that it can fold flat, allowing for excellent space efficiency. 

Now, due to its foldable design, this table is a little wobbly (because the frame isn’t made in one piece). However, if you value storage efficiency more than sturdiness, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.

Unlike our previous picks, the Lifetime folding table also has an umbrella hole in the center, so you won’t have to modify the table in any way to accommodate a patio umbrella.

WHAT WE LIKED

  • Exceptionally durable.
  • Offers plenty of seating room.
  • Folds flat for space efficiency.
  • Umbrella hole in the center.

WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE

  • A little wobbly.
  • Pricey.

What To Look For When Shopping For The Best Picnic Table

Now that we know what each of our picks has to offer, let’s try to understand which picnic table you should choose. To this end, we’ll now glance over the key features to look for in a picnic table.

  • Materials– 

    Since picnic tables are intended to be used outdoors, they should be made from quality, durable materials.

    Picnic tables can be made from a wide range of materials, starting from softwoods and ending with metal. Needless to say, materials determine the longevity, looks, and price of a picnic table. Below, let’s overview common picnic table materials along with their benefits and disadvantages.

  • Softwoods- 

    If you want a very inexpensive picnic table, then you will probably have to stick to softwoods.

    Softwoods are the least resilient of all picnic table materials, so they aren’t ideal for heavy use. They don’t take impact and scratches very well, and they must be regularly varnished if you want them to serve you long.

    Note that softwood also doesn’t resist high temperatures, so you should keep them away from hot dishes, mugs, and spills.

    With that said, softwood picnic tables are pretty light, so they are very easy to carry. Lightness also makes them more susceptible to strong winds though, which is also important to keep in mind.

    All in all, softwood picnic tables are great if your budget is limited and if you are going to keep them away from hot snacks and beverages.

  • Hardwoods- 

    Among woods, hardwoods are going to provide you with the longest picnic table service life. Although hardwoods aren’t as tough as metals or other materials, they are far, far more durable than softwoods.

    Compared to softwoods, hardwoods have the following benefits:

    • They don’t get scratched or dented as easily.

    • Varnishing may be done less regularly, though it’s still necessary.

    • They are more resistant to heat, but you should still keep scorching-hot items away from them.

    On the other hand, note that hardwood picnic tables are much heavier than softwood ones. So carrying a hardwood table can be quite an ordeal.

    When it comes to price, hardwoods are more expensive than softwoods, but not as pricey as other materials. So if you want something pocket-friendly but not too weak, then a hardwood picnic table is a pretty nice choice.

  • HDPE- 

    HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a durable material that will work for the needs of most people. It’s much easier to maintain and clean than wood, and it also withstands heat, moisture, and impact without issues.

    HDPE picnic tables also usually aren’t as heavy as hardwood tables, but they are still wind-resistant.

    If you are eco-conscious, then you will also like the fact that HDPE is very often made from recycled milk jugs and other similar products. HDPE picnic tables are themselves recyclable too, so you’ll be doing nature a favor by opting for a picnic table made from this material.

  • Aluminium- 
    Like HDPE, for most people, aluminum is going to be the optimal material. It’s very tough but doesn’t cost as much as stronger metals like steel. Compared to HDPE, it also perhaps feels more premium, which may matter to some buyers.Perhaps the biggest advantage of aluminum compared to other metals is that it’s rust-resistant. So moisture and rain won’t do much damage to it with proper treatment.Temperature is also no challenge for aluminum picnic tables, so you can safely put hot dishes and food on them. It’s also very easy to clean aluminum thanks to its smooth surface.With all that said, aluminum is rather lightweight, so it can be carried away by strong winds. So if you want an aluminum picnic table, make sure that you have space for storage inside.
  • Power-coated steel-
    Powder-coated steel is more resilient than aluminum, so it will take more impact without damage.  Steel is also heavier than aluminum, so no wind should be able to juggle your picnic table around. The powder coating allows the steel to resist rust too.

    For most people, powder-coated steel will probably be overkill. Aluminum is tough enough for most people, so we’d say that unless you want maximum durability no matter the money, stick to aluminum.

    An alternative material may be galvanized steel. This metal is also very tough, but it’s a little less resilient than powder-coated steel. Galvanized steel is cheaper though, so if your budget is tight, then you probably won’t miss out on much if you opt for galvanized steel instead of powder-coated steel.

  • Style- 
    Picnic tables come in various shapes and styles – rectangular, square, and round picnic tables are the most common ones out there.

    Which style to choose mostly comes down to personal preference. You should visually like your picnic table, and it should also fit your backyard space perfectly.

    Aside from aesthetics, the picnic table style somewhat affects convenience too. For example, round tables would be more suitable for tabletop games, while rectangular tables would probably be better for meals (since each occupant gets more tabletop space).

  • Seating style- 
    Decide on the seating style of your picnic table as well. Picnic tables can have integrated or separate seating.

    Separate seating would be ideal if storage space is a huge concern for you. When the picnic table isn’t in use, you could just tuck the benches under the table or place them on top to reduce its footprint. Besides, separate seating makes transportation in an RV or pickup easier.

    Space aside, separate seating can also be more comfortable because you can adjust the position of the bench.

    If space isn’t limited, then integrated seating could also work well. But we think that for most people’s needs, separate seating is ideal.

  • Whats included- 
    Don’t forget to check what’s included with the picnic table too.

    Most picnic tables come with a table and a pair of benches. Some picnic sets may not include benches though, so you should always check what you are getting.

    Besides, picnic tables may only include the frame but not the tabletop. Such tables allow you better  variety in terms of material choice, so if you want something unique, getting a frame and making the rest yourself is a great way to go.

    But if you do want a picnic table ready to go out of the box, make sure that you don’t buy an incomplete table by mistake!

  • Size- 
    Size is crucial to consider, especially with folding picnic tables. Since the main benefit of foldable tables is their space efficiency, you should pay careful attention to dimensions to make sure that you aren’t wasting that space-saving potential.

    Aside from space limitations, size is also important seating-wise. Your picnic table should be sized sufficiently to be able to accommodate your entire party. So no matter what kind of picnic table you are getting and for what purpose, make sure to measure how much space you have.

    If you’ll be placing the table in your backyard, then determine how much area you are willing to dedicate to it. If you are going to take the table camping, then check how much space you have in your RV or your pickup. Regardless of what your plans are, make sure that you get the right size.

Final Words

The best picnic table is the one that works for your needs. So before investing any money, make sure that you understand what you truly want!

If you are going to place your picnic table outdoors, check out how much space you have and how much of it you are willing to dedicate. If you want to take a table camping, then get a space-efficient, folding picnic table. For heavy use cases, avoid softwood tables.

In short, determine what would be the perfect picnic table for you and choose accordingly!

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