Britta Kallevang
Ellie Miller
It’s not often that we have the chance to be outdoors in the modern world, so sharing meals and conversations on the patio is an easy and enjoyable way to get some fresh air. To make this happen, the perfect patio table and chairs are a must. You don’t want to make your guests sit in the dirt, after all. Here are some amazing patio furniture options that we recommend.
Buying Guide for the Best Patio Tables and Chairs
Why buy patio tables and chairs?
If you have a patio, backyard path, balcony, or deck, why not get a nice table and some chairs? They’re great if you like being outside or need an excuse to leave the computer and enjoy a cup of coffee outdoors every once in a while. A nice furniture set could add some style and color to your backyard, too. Families with pools often have patio furniture for lying in the sun to dry off, taking naps, reading books, and enjoying cookouts, parties, family meals, nighttime cocktails, and so on. In sum, patio tables and chairs serve as the foundation around which family and friends can spend time together outside.
What should you look for in patio tables and chairs?
- Outdoor Space: What kind of space and how much of it do you have to work with? If you have an extensive patio, an outdoor pool, and a vast lawn, you’ll want to look for patio furniture that can accommodate multiple people. You might want to look into a dining set and extra chairs for lounging. Conversely, if your space is limited, you might want to check out a bistro set: a small, round table with two chairs. And whatever space you have, select a table shape (round, rectangular, square) and size that suits your outdoor situation. You don’t want to overwhelm your space or underestimate the size that you want and can afford to use. Finally, make sure that guests can easily maneuver around the table and settle into a seat without tripping.
- Material: This is an important bullet point to spend some time on. How to select indoor furniture while keeping material in mind is complicated enough. Outdoor furniture has to be able to withstand the elements. With some simple research, you’ll find that patio tables and chairs are commonly built with wood, plastic, synthetic resin materials, glass, aluminum, and steel. Consider the climate where you live. If you live in a hot, arid region, keep in mind that the sun has a tremendous impact on wood, causing it to splinter. Then again, if you live in a region that gets a lot of rain year-round, wood patio furniture is likely to turn green due to algae and mildew growth. Plastics crack in the cold, and salty sea air corrodes metal. Get the picture? For patio furniture with fabric, keep your eye out for weatherproof materials like polyester or vinyl.
- Style: Unless you’re a purely practical individual with more interest in utility than aesthetics, style matters when it comes to patio furniture. In some ways, the looks of your furniture are as important as those of your backyard landscaping. In truth, you want them to complement each other if possible. Of course, it makes some sense to start with the type of furniture that you have in mind, which is based, in part, on the space that you have to work with. Let’s say that you have the space and the desire for an outdoor dining set. Do you have curved landscaping or flower gardens? A circular table might be a nice complement. Then there’s color, furniture design, and fabric type to consider.
How much should you expect to spend on a patio table and chairs set?
The price range for outdoor furniture is wide—really wide. It depends on the cost of materials used, size, brands, features, and quality. For the patio tables and chairs that we reviewed here, costs fall anywhere between $100 and $800. But if you explore a bit, you’ll encounter patio sets priced at several thousand dollars and as low as $50. There’s definitely something for every budget!
Our Picks for the Best Patio Tables and Chairs
Flash Furniture Patio Table and Chairs Set with Umbrella
This patio set has a round, tempered glass tabletop, four sturdy folding chairs, and an umbrella.
Pros: This six-piece patio set from Flash Furniture is ideal for warmer days by the pool, in the garden, or at the cabin. It’s compact, lightweight, and transportable. The centerpiece is a lovely, 5-millimeter-thick, tempered glass round tabletop with a ripple design. It’s supported by a powder-coated steel frame base. Four folding chairs come with the patio set and are upholstered in a mesh Textilene material, a high-strength polyester with PVC compound. Textilene is often used in outdoor furniture for its UV resistance, easiness to clean, and comfort. And for the grand finale—a 6.6-foot-long, 4.11-foot-wide, 100% polyester umbrella with a steel pole! It fits easily into the center of the table and has a tilt feature that you activate by pressing the plastic ring on the pole. Oops, one more highlight! The six-piece patio set and umbrella come in several colors: black, brown, navy, red, cherry, and beige.
Cons: The umbrella likely won’t be wide enough to fully provide shade for four guests. (Tabletop umbrellas rarely do.) You also won’t want to leave the umbrella out when you’re not using it so that it stays nice. Additional drawbacks could be largely based upon how the set doesn’t live up to what you’re looking for. (For example, it doesn’t seat six people, only four. It’s not made of wood, but steel.)
Bottom Line: This Flash Furniture round patio table and chairs is a decent buy. It offers you what you need for a meal for four on a sunny day. It’s a simple design, which leaves less room for malfunctions. And enjoy the color options!
Flamaker Patio Coffee Table and Chair Set
Have a private conversation with a cup of coffee in your favorite nook of the garden on this table!
Pros: Two wide and deep-cushioned chairs and a small, tempered glass coffee table in between—what more could you want on a nice day with a friend or loved one? The Flamaker three-piece patio table and chairs provide the subtle setting that you need for an intimate conversation or a solitary afternoon spent reading outside. The steel, powder-coated table frame and base are rustproof and sturdy. The tempered glass tabletop is protected from sliding and slipping by the placement of four suckers between the glass and the table frame. Flamaker uses handwoven PE (synthetic polyethylene) rattan for the two wicker chairs for UV protection to prevent fading. Each chair has a weight capacity of up to 250 pounds and is undergirded with a cross-shaped supportive structure. The sponge seat cushions feature removable polyester covers that are easy to clean. Oh, and they come in five different colors! Choose from black, blue, cream, red, and gray.
Cons: It’s unfortunate that the chairs don’t also have backrest cushioning. The table really is small at 1.5 feet wide, which probably isn’t enough space for a two-person dining set and a glass of wine. The Flamaker really is a “coffee and conversation” table and chair set. Also, the chairs are made of completely synthetic rattan.
Bottom Line: If you like what you see here, the Flamaker three-piece patio set should belong on your list of things to purchase. Just keep in mind that this set is small, possibly the right setting for an intimate conversation or a respite from a busy household. It’s not a great option for a pool party or a large family.
Grand Patio Premium Steel Foldable Patio Table and Chairs Set
Check out this functional and fashionable table and chair set for the garden, balcony, or patio!
Pros: Depending on how you place this three-piece patio table and chairs set by Grand Patio, it could be a sweet, cute, rustic, or distinctive embellishment for your garden, veranda, or balcony. The table and fold-up steel table and chairs are powder-coated for outdoor protection. Stylish and functional, the chairs have wide, thick bars on both the seat panel and back and are sufficiently durable, with a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds. Plastic material covers the feet of the chairs to prevent them from scratching the floor. And no assembly is required. The set is also easy to maintain. Just clean it with a wet cloth, and then fold and store the table and chairs when they’re not in use. At 23.6 inches in diameter and 28 inches tall, the table is compact. It’s also only 48 pounds in weight. You can even take this set to places like the beach!
Cons: We find it difficult to pick out defects in this three-piece patio table and chairs set by Grand Patio. Users also seem to enjoy the set for its looks and durability. Some drawbacks might be its small size, lack of cushioning, and transient quality.
Bottom Line: Not only is this three-piece patio set cute, but it also comes in lots of fun colors! If you like the looks, features, and design, then why not try it out? The Grand Patio set is affordable and promising in terms of function and aesthetics. Just remember that it’s not meant to stay outside all year long.
Walker Edison 6-Piece Acacia Outdoor Dining Set
This beautiful hardwood patio dining set offers ample space for family and friends. It makes the ideal setting for a lively outdoor dinner.
$968.40 
$1309.00 Save 26%
Pros: Walker Edison designed this lovely wooden patio table and chair set. It’s a great arrangement to put outside by the pool or on the grass if you have a level area. Each piece is made of acacia wood, a hardwood that’s native to Australia. Acacia is often used in furniture, specifically outdoor furniture because it’s durable and naturally resistant to the elements. The set includes four chairs with plush, polyester cushions, one three-seater bench, and an extendable table with a butterfly leaf. This already roomy table and chairs set can be transformed into a table for eight, simply by pulling out the two-foot leaf. The table features a pre-drilled, centered cutout, so you can add an umbrella on sunny days. For maintenance, it’s recommended that you apply teak oil as needed, maybe every month or so. The patio table and chairs set come ready to assemble with the necessary hardware and instructions. Also, you get to choose between gray, brown, and dark brown stained wood.
PHI VILLA Patio Set with Firepit
Enjoy some company on the patio on a chilly day with this fun fire pit furniture set. Too warm for a fire? That's OK, too. Cover the pit with the included lid and bask in the sun.
Cons: Since the fire pit takes precedence, it makes for a very small table. So there’s a compromise: an awesome fire pit, some chairs, and a table that can’t be used as a dining table. The price tag on the PHI VILLA is considerable but reasonable for the style and features offered.
Bottom Line: What a great patio table and chair set! Cozy up to the fire with three of your favorite people under a nighttime sky with a little chill in the air. OK, you can create your own scenario, but you must admit, the PHI VILLA is a pretty eye-catching version of the basic table and four-chair design.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to look forward to in a nice patio table and chair set. It’s an invitation to get outside, away from our screens and habitual indoor activities, and into the fresh air. Also, having a comfortable place to sit and eat with others is fun, especially if the weather is nice. A number of the sets that we’ve included here are great for big gatherings, while others are more suited for intimate conversations. Still others strike a nice balance between small and large. Hopefully, you feel less overwhelmed at the prospect of buying a patio table and chair set and less unsettled by the many things to consider: style and material, and how a set might or might not fit or complement your garden or lawn. Just get a good idea of what you want in an outdoor furniture set, and then start the fun part—shopping!
