Best Outdoor Side Tables Under $75
A good outdoor side table is one of those things you don't think about until you're balancing a drink on your knee while sitting next to a fire pit. Once you have a surface within arm's reach, you wonder how you got along without it.
You don't need to spend much to get something that holds up and looks decent. There are solid options under $75 in every style, from simple folding tables you can stow in a shed to decorative fixed tables that stay outside all season.
Here are seven options worth looking at, covering different materials and setups depending on how you actually use your patio.
Best Resin Side Table with Built-In Cooler
The Keter Allibert Pacific Side Table is one of those dual-purpose pieces that actually earns its spot on a patio. It looks like a standard round side table, but the lid lifts to reveal a 17-gallon cooler underneath. Put it next to your lounge chair during a backyard cookout and you're set for hours without getting up.
The resin construction holds up through rain, sun, and temperature swings without rusting or fading. At around 65 dollars, it's doing double the work of any regular side table. It fits especially well on a pool deck or beside a fire pit where you want cold drinks close by without a separate cooler taking up space.
Keter Allibert Pacific Side Table with Built-In Cooler
$65
8,400+ reviews
A weather-resistant resin side table with a 17-gallon built-in cooler that keeps drinks cold for hours right beside your chair.
Shop on Amazon →Best Lightweight Aluminum Side Table
If you rearrange your patio furniture often or like to pull a table from one end of the deck to the other, aluminum is the material to look for. The Flash Furniture Lila Commercial Grade Aluminum Round Side Table weighs almost nothing but holds up fine to regular outdoor use. Powder-coated aluminum won't rust or pit through a full outdoor season.
The round top gives you enough surface area for a couple of drinks and a book. At around 55 dollars, it's a clean option that fits next to most outdoor sofas or lounge chairs without looking out of place. It comes in a few neutral finishes that work with most patio furniture colors.
Flash Furniture Lila Commercial Grade Aluminum Outdoor Round Side Table
$55
3,200+ reviews
A rust-proof powder-coated aluminum round table light enough to reposition anywhere on your deck without effort.
Shop on Amazon →Best Decorative Mosaic Tile Top Table
If your patio has some personality, a plain black plastic table can feel like an afterthought. The Sunnydaze Mosaic Tile-Top Outdoor Side Table brings some color in without costing much. The glazed ceramic tile surface handles water and UV without fading or looking dull after a full summer season.
It's not foldable and not the most minimal option, but it looks genuinely good next to a pair of Adirondack chairs or alongside a low outdoor sofa. The steel frame is powder-coated and holds up through most seasons without treatment. It ships around 65 dollars and arrives mostly assembled.
Sunnydaze Decor Mosaic Tile-Top Outdoor Patio Side Table
$65
2,800+ reviews
A colorful glazed mosaic tile surface on a powder-coated steel frame that adds real character to any patio corner.
Shop on Amazon →Best C-Table for Patio Sofas and Sectionals
A C-shaped side table slides underneath the arm of a sofa or sectional, which means you get a surface right next to you without needing extra floor space around the furniture. The Tangkula C-Shaped Outdoor Side Table is a practical pick for covered patios and tight setups where every square foot counts.
The frame is powder-coated steel and the top is either a wood-look or metal finish depending on what you pick. It holds drinks, plates, and a phone without wobbling. Prices run around 50 dollars. On a 10x10 covered porch where you can't afford to lose walkway space, this is the move.
Tangkula C-Shaped Outdoor Patio Side Table
$50
4,100+ reviews
A slide-under C-shaped table that fits flush beside any outdoor sofa without claiming extra floor space.
Shop on Amazon →Best Nesting Outdoor Side Tables
Nesting tables are underrated for patios. You get two separate surfaces when you need them and they stack into one footprint when you don't. The Outsunny 2-Piece Nesting Outdoor Patio Side Tables are made from PE wicker over a steel frame, and the two sizes work well spread out on either side of a conversation set for 4 to 6 people.
Pull the smaller one out when you have extra guests, push it back when you don't. At around 70 dollars for the pair, you're getting more versatility than any single table in this price range. The wicker finish holds up through rain and humidity better than you'd expect at this price.
Outsunny 2-Piece Nesting Outdoor Patio Side Tables
$70
1,900+ reviews
A matched pair of PE wicker nesting tables that give you flexible surface space and stack down to one footprint when not in use.
Shop on Amazon →Best Round Table with a Lower Storage Shelf
If you want a little storage built in, a side table with a lower shelf is worth the extra few dollars. The Giantex Outdoor Round Side Table with Shelf has a slatted or glass top with an open lower level that's useful for stashing sunscreen, a book, or a set of outdoor coasters.
The steel frame is powder-coated and meant for outdoor use. It's not going to win a design award, but it's practical and sits at the right height next to a standard patio chair or fire pit chair. Around 58 dollars. Good for anyone who wants a dedicated spot for small items that would otherwise end up on the ground.
Giantex Outdoor Round Side Table with Lower Shelf
$58
3,700+ reviews
A two-level round table with a powder-coated steel frame and open lower shelf that doubles as outdoor storage.
Shop on Amazon →Best Folding Side Table for Balconies and Covered Patios
Sometimes you just need something small that folds flat and goes away when you're done. The SONGMICS Foldable Bamboo Side Table is lightweight, portable, and at around 40 dollars, the most affordable real option on this list. It folds down thin enough to lean against a wall in a closet or shed without taking up space.
It's not built for year-round outdoor exposure, so bring it in during rain or winter. For a balcony, a covered porch, or any outdoor space where you're not leaving furniture out overnight every night, it handles the job well. The bamboo top is more attractive than plastic at the same price point.
SONGMICS Foldable Bamboo Side Table
$40
6,200+ reviews
A lightweight folding bamboo table that stores flat against a wall and works as a quick surface for balconies and covered patios.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Choosing an Outdoor Side Table
- Match height to your chair arm. Most outdoor side tables run 18 to 24 inches tall. Check the arm height of your lounge chair or sofa first so the table surface lands at a comfortable level instead of too high or too low.
- Resin and aluminum handle the most weather. Both are essentially maintenance-free outdoors. Wood and bamboo need to come in during heavy rain or winter unless they're specifically rated for full outdoor exposure.
- Folding tables need an actual storage plan. If you're buying a folding table to save space, make sure you have a real place to put it when it's folded. A table leaning against the fence all summer saves nothing.
- Think about how often you'll move it. Aluminum tables typically weigh 5 to 10 pounds and are easy to reposition. Tile-top and cast-look tables can run 20 to 30 pounds and are meant to stay in one place.
- Nesting tables solve the extra-guests problem. A nesting pair gives you twice the surface area when you need it and half the footprint the rest of the time. Worth considering if you entertain occasionally but not constantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material is best for outdoor side tables?
Aluminum and resin are the most low-maintenance options. They don't rust, handle UV well, and hold up through rain without warping. Tile-top tables with powder-coated steel frames are also durable but heavier and harder to move around.
How tall should an outdoor side table be?
Most outdoor side tables are 18 to 24 inches tall. The right height puts the surface even with or just below your chair arm. Measure your chair's arm height before ordering if you're particular about it.
Can outdoor side tables stay outside year-round?
Resin and aluminum tables can stay outside in most climates without damage. Wood, bamboo, and anything with a fabric or upholstered element should be stored or covered during heavy rain and winter months.
Are plastic outdoor side tables actually durable?
Modern resin and HDPE plastic tables are genuinely built for outdoor use. They hold up to UV exposure, don't rust, and need zero maintenance. They don't look as refined as aluminum or teak up close, but under $75 they're hard to argue with.