Most Popular Outdoor Picnic Tables
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One of the best parts of warm weather is dining al fresco, and the best way to do that is on a picnic table. Once relegated to public parks and campgrounds, picnic tables are now a part of the fabric of our backyards and can make really affordable outdoor seating options.
While wood is the choice of the most familiar kinds of picnic tables, there are a couple of other options, including plasticized wood composite material, aluminum, and plastic.
- Wood picnic tables, if made with treated wood and properly cared for, can last quite a long time. They are usually made from acacia wood or redwood and are just as hardy as the trees from which they are made.
- Plastic formed picnic tables are extremely durable and lightweight, and very affordable, making them a terrific choice for most backyards.
- Aluminum tables can last a long time and are very sturdy but should be kept out of direct sun because they can get very hot, and they aren’t the best choice for growing families due to the heat retention.
- Plasticized wood composites are made by mixing wood material directly with a heated thermoplastic resin. It’s popular with a lot of outdoor structures like decks, tables, fencing and landscape timbers. They don’t corrode and are very resistant to rot but are expensive and often only sold through commercial outfitters.
We are going to concentrate on the two most popular materials for backyard picnic tables - wood and plastic (or plastic coated) tables.
Best Wood Picnic Tables
Acacia wood is hewn from the quick-growing acacia tree that grows 20-30 feet in only five years, which makes it a more sustainable source of wood. It’s an incredibly durable hardwood with a beautiful grain pattern. And though old-growth redwood trees are federally protected in perpetuity, redwood lumber comes from smaller, younger trees grown on private tree farms and is readily available. It’s reasonably priced and sustainable, and extremely hardy. It has a beautiful red finish and is surprisingly fire resistant.
Giantex Picnic Table Bench Set ($389.99; amazon.com)
This table is meant to hold the people - and lots of them. This gorgeous wood and metal structure assembles easily and looks like a million bucks. The pre-drilled hole for an umbrella comes with a plug, leaving you more table space when you’re not using an umbrella.
Walker Edison Dominica Contemporary Acacia Wood Dining Table ($547.98; amazon.com)
The elegant simplicity of this acacia wood picnic table will be the envy of all your friends — and with seating for six, you can invite more of them over for dinner. It comes in a three-piece through seven-piece dining set and three colors.
Costway 3-Piece Rectangle Wood Picnic Table ($461.26; homedepot.com)
Made from acacia wood with a steel base, this picnic table is a real stunner. It’s waterproof and extremely durable, so it will stand up to the elements and your family. It’s easy to get in and out of the benches because unlike a traditional picnic table, they are separate from the main table. It even includes a pre-drilled hole for your umbrella (not included) to add some shade to your picnic lunch.
Outdoor 1905 Super Deck Finished 8 ft. Redwood Picnic Table ($3,429; homedepot.com)
This classic design from Best Redwood reminds us of childhoods by the pool, eating grilled hamburgers with our friends. The traditional design and build of this solid redwood table makes for a beautiful table that’s sturdy and long-lasting. It’s pricey but will outlast most other picnic tables due to the longevity of redwood. Despite the solid build, it’s fairly lightweight and easy to assemble. It’s also available in a smaller 4 foot length.
Boyel Living 8-Seat Wood Patio Picnic Dining Seat Bench Set ($692.96; homedepot.com)
This table seats plenty of family and friends — up to 8 — due to its unique circular design pattern. Made from durable fir wood and coated with a water-based paint to make it last, the rounded seats and table make assembly a little more complicated than other picnic tables, but the ample seating and quality construction make it worth the effort.
Best Plastic Picnic Tables
Global Industrial 6 Foot Plastic Picnic Table ($532.44; amazon.com)
It’s not fancy or fussy, but this six-foot-long picnic table seats up to eight people and will last just about forever. Easy to clean and maintain, it’s sturdy enough to hold up to 1000 pounds, yet it’s lightweight, clocking in at 80 pounds fully assembled, making it easy enough for one person to move it around.
Giantex Picnic Table Bench Set ($219.99; amazon.com)
A step up in looks from the average plastic picnic table, this impact-resistant, eco-friendly plastic is molded to look like wood, with a similar texture. Because it’s plastic, it’s all-weather resistant and perfect for a low-maintenance lifestyle. Reviewers say it comfortably seats four adults but could seat up to a family of six. Best of all, it comes in four colors - black, gray, green, or white.
Lifetime 6 ft. Picnic Table ($234.41; homedepot.com)
Strong and lightweight, this picnic table is perfect for those times you need extra seating, but don’t want to commit to a larger, more difficult to move structure. This Lifetime picnic table folds flat for easy, out-of-season storage, and at just under $200, it’s a real bargain for the quality of the table.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.