Coleman Outdoor Compact Table Review

Review of the Coleman Outdoor Compact Table

As of this writing, there are 897 customer comments and 63 answered questions for the Coleman Outdoor Compact Table. I’ve read the customer feedback and then condensed the results into this review. I hope this review helps you when you are shopping for the best outdoor table.

Best Features

Holds up to 100 pounds
Comes with a carry bag with a strap
Easy to assemble
Lightweight
Hot pots and pans won’t damage the aluminum slat top

Item Specifics

The Coleman Outdoor Compact Table is an ultra-compact aluminum folding table ideal for camping and outdoor cookouts. Hot pots and pans will not damage the aluminum slat top. The accordion-style steel frame is sturdy and easy to set up. The height of this outdoor table is 27.5 inches. It weighs 9 pounds and 8 ounces. Its folded Size is 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 27.5″. This outdoor table will hold up to 100 pounds. It offers enough seating room for up to 4 people. Included is a storage bag with carrying strap. The directions are conveniently sewn on to carry bag.

Lightweight

A common praise for this table is that it is lightweight and very easy to carry. Weighing in at only 9 pounds, 8 ounces this table should be no problem transporting. A customer commented, “Lightweight and compact, this table effectively folds up into a sleeve about as small as a tripod bag.”

Plastic Plugs Need Secured Better During Assembly

There was a complaint about the plastic plugs that secure the table top to be loose upon arrival. A customer explained it like this, “I purchased two tables and when I started to put the first one together, I was very concerned to find a plastic plug that secures the table top to the legs was missing from the end of one of the tubes. After searching through the packing, I found it. Then I realized that they were all very loose. I am certain that I would have lost them along the way, which would render the tables unusable so I glued them in place. After inspecting the second table, I found the same problem and glued the plugs in place. I am happy with the tables but very unhappy to find that the purchaser must rework the product if he has any expectation of a long life. Coleman…your China manufacturer can do better and you should insist that they do!”

Sturdy and Strong

The weight holding capacity for this table is 100 pounds. A customer did a weight test and found that this is indeed a very well built table that can hold a lot of weight. He commented,” Since it is much lighter than my old table, I decided to test the strength of it. I pulled the table out of the trailer and set it up on a level surface. (aka: Garage) I placed 4 – 25 pound plates on the table, one at a time to each corner, observing for bow in the legs and stress to the joints after each application. I observed no bow to the legs at any time. The joints held nicely and did not crack under pressure. After the fourth plate was placed, I pushed the table slightly from side to side. The table remained upright and intact, and did not seem to want to collapse. This seems to be due to the fact that when set up properly, the legs are not 100% vertical, but point outward slightly adding stability. This test was extreme, especially since we use it to play cards on, and as a table for food when preparing meals on the trailers external bbq or on the fire. However, now I can definitely guarantee that it will safely hold 100 lbs evenly distributed. I’ll feel safe if I have my water jug on it or even my kids’ extensive rock collection that inevitably happens while camping, and am without fear of it collapsing and causing severe injury to anyone.”

Low for Cooking

Unless you are a shorter person, at just 27 1/2 inches, this table is very low for cooking on. A customer commented, “27” is too low for cooking or working unless you are 5′ tall or shorter. This is a fault in many camping tables, not just this one.”

Bag Is Oversized

The bag that comes with this table is bigger than necessary. Some people liked the fact that it was bigger than needed rather than too snug. When products come with bags that are too small, it can be frustrating and a waste of time trying to put the product back in the bag. Some customers, however, didn’t like the fact that the bag was so big. Here is one of the comments about the bag size, “The bag is just a generic Coleman bag, too large for this table, and no separate pouch for the legs and slats, so the legs don’t stay accordion-folded as you would like.”

Mixed Reviews on Ease of Assembly

Some people felt that this table was very easy to set up. The directions are sewn on the carry bag. One customer said that she set it up in about 2 minutes without reading the directions. However, not everyone felt that the assembly was easy. Here is one of the negative comments about ease of assembly, “It takes some effort to piece the table together – more than should really be necessary. Seems like they could re-design this to be easier to put up. The unfolding process is fairly smooth, but the table legs don’t immediately spread out to their full position without some effort. There are four parts which you need to get out and piece together, which is too many. There should really only be two – the top and the legs. Not sure why they designed it to have the two individual bars that you need to lock onto the base. Takes extra effort and concentration to ensure they are turned the right direction and perfectly in place before it will lock into position. It could be easily fixed with a better design.”

Poor Packaging

There were some complaints about the packaging. Here is one of those complaints, ” I just opened the package and the item looks very used because of all the dings, dents and deep scratches. Bad news is my family and I are leaving for our camping trip tomorrow. I have no time for an exchange. Perhaps Amazon offers deep discounts on items delivered in this type of shape. Very disappointed in the physical shape the items was delivered in!”

Good Price

For what you get, this table is priced well. Here is one of the customer comments pertaining to the price, “This seemed like a good value when I found it on Amazon. I wanted something light and compact but would serve well as a camping table. This one fit the bill. The table is light but very sturdy for camp operations. Easy to set up, thought the first time takes a second to figure out, and easy to take down. The whole thing fits in a carry bag that could probably be a little smaller and encapsulate the legs/table sections a little tighter, but not big deal. Would have been nice if they’d included some restraining straps to keep the pieces together when trying to put in the bag, but I have plenty of velcro straps so I fixed it up easy enough. Overall, I’m happy with it. Works great and was good for the price.”

Coleman Raised Logo Makes Surface Unsmooth

If you would be using this table for artwork or other things where you need a smooth surface, it might be of benefit for you to know before purchasing that the Coleman logo is raised, thereby making the surface uneven in that section. A customer explained, “There’s a giant raised “Coleman” logo embossed into one of the table panels, so it’s no longer a perfectly flat surface.”

Pros

Price
Sturdy. Can hold up to 100 pounds
Lightweight

Cons

Poor packaging
Carry bag too big
Raised logo makes table uneven in that section

Coleman Outdoor Compact Table Conclusion

The Coleman Outdoor Compact Table is a compact aluminum folding table. The aluminum slat top will not be damaged by hot pots and pans. The accordion-style steel frame is sturdy and easy to set up. Weighing in at 9 pounds, 8 ounces, the height of this table is 27.5 inches. Its folded size is 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 27.5″. The holding capacity is 100 pounds. This outdoor table has enough seating room for up to 4 people. Included is a storage bag with carrying strap. The storage bag is bigger than necessary. Some people appreciated that it wasn’t too snug, while others found the extra baggage annoying. The directions are sewn on to carry bag. Ease of assembly is questionable. Some people found that the table was easy to put together while others found it hard. For the price, overall this is a good buy.

Common Questions

Here are some top questions that I found for people considering buying the Coleman Outdoor Compact Table.

Does the Coleman Outdoor Compact Table fold up small enough to pack on a kyack camping trip? It packs up to about the size of a small fold up camping chair. Depending on your kayak, it might work.
Do the legs adjust to different heights? Unfortunately, the legs do not adjust to different heights.
Could this be used to grill on with charcoal or propane? Or will it melt/warp? Yes, this outdoor table is heat-resistant. That said, it may not be sturdy enough to hold a grill. Also, if you notice that the table is too hot to touch, you should remove the grill. Although this table is rated for the heat, some customers thought that a grill may be too hot for this outdoor table. Just remember to be careful when using it.