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With all the hubbub around video games—mobile, free-to-play, high-end console games, and more—an under-the-radar movement has elevated old-school board games back into the mainstream and onto gaming tables. More and more of us are playing tabletop games with our friends and family, remembering the fun of tactile strategy and competition. If you play board games often, having a dedicated surface can make your sessions easier, letting you focus on having a good time. There’s nothing worse than trying to play a board game on an uneven surface, or a table that’s too small, or one with cracks that your cards always seem to fall through. The best gaming tables ensure you never have an awkward setup.
The best gaming tables are designed specifically with tabletop games in mind. They often feature special compartments, covers, or built-in boards to make it easy to play a wide range of games. They can also serve as a fun, but versatile statement piece in your living room or den. The ideal table for board games is simple and sturdy, so they often work well as a coffee table or even a dining room table, depending on the size. (That said, you should probably avoid eating and drinking on the same surface as your game).
- Best overall: Arcade 1up Infinity Table
- Best for puzzles: Jumbl Puzzle Board Rack
- Best upgrade: Wyrmwood Prophecy
- Best budget: Stakmore Folding Card Table
- Best outdoor: Flash Furniture Table
The best gaming tables: Here are our recommendations
Best overall: Arcade 1up Infinity Table
Arcade 1up Infinity Table
Pros
- Touchscreen display
- Tons of digital games
- Online store offers new game downloads
Cons
- Expensive
Specs:
- Shape: Rectangle
- Size: 24-inch and 32-inch
- Material: Touchscreen
- Built-in storage: None
This isn’t like a typical gaming table. The top surface is a high-end, 32-inch touchscreen that can display an entire library of popular games. Because the table supports multitouch, several players can gather around this digital gaming center and play popular games like Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Ticket to Ride, and a ton more without having to bust out a box and keep track of a ton of tiny pieces. The online store can download games directly to the table for up to six people so you’ll never get bored of your collection. The company also offers a cheaper 24-inch model with the same functionality, but if you’re going to play with four or even six people, you’ll appreciate the extra screen real estate. Of course, you can always turn the display off and use the table as a standard gaming surface. The rugged, impact-resistant surface can stand up to the kind of abuse that comes with ultra-competitive game nights.
Best for puzzles: Jumbl Puzzle Board Rack
Jigsaw Wizard
Pros
- Sturdy wood construction
- Raised edges on two sides
- Drawers for piece storage
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Specs:
- Shape: Rectangle
- Size: 27″ x 35″
- Material: Wood
- Built-in storage: 5 shallow drawers
This table is designed for puzzles, with six shallow trays that are perfect for storing jigsaw pieces. But it’s actually much more versatile than that. The Jumbl is 13 inches tall, which is around the height of a coffee table. That means you can use it on the floor in a coffee table position, in front of a couch, but you can also place it on top of any other surface, like a dining room table or a kitchen island. That makes it perfect for a mess-free game night: You can place your drinks or food on the permanent surface, and keep your games elevated and out of harm’s way on top of the Jumbl.
Best upgrade: Wyrmwood Prophecy
Incredibly Luxurious
Incredibly Luxurious
Pros
- Beautiful craftsmanship
- Lots of optional additions
- Clever crank system to raise and lower surface
Cons
- Expensive
- Long wait list
Specs:
- Shape: Rounded rectangle
- Size: 52″ x 88″
- Material: Solid wood
- Built-in storage: Optional
Look, this table isn’t going to be for everyone. In fact, it’s going to be for hardly anyone: It starts in the thousands of dollars, is available in exotic materials like Bolivian rosewood and Macassar ebony, and the options—including a custom-made elevation mechanism—will run you thousands of dollars more. But hoo boy, what a table this is. Hand-crafted in the United States, with a recessed gaming surface and a magnetic rail system for modular accessories, this is the ultimate in gaming luxury.
Best budget: Stakmore Folding Card Table
Classic Design
Pros
- Holds up to 150- pounds
- Folds very flat for storage
- Easy to move around
- Solid wood surface
Cons
- Limited space for complex games
Specs:
- Shape: Square
- Size: 32″ x 32″
- Material: Wood
- Built-in storage: None
The card table is a classic American design for gaming (or eating, or anything else): a lightweight tabletop with four legs that fold flat against the surface. This model folds into an extremely portable 3.375 inches in height, but is constructed of solid, sturdy wood, and won’t feel flimsy at all. It’s a perfect option for those who want space to game, but don’t want to have a gaming table on display all the time.
Best outdoor: Flash Furniture Table
Great for Groups
Pros
- Rubber feet to prevent scuffing
- Sturdy metal construction holds ample weight
- Powder coating protects surfaces
- Lots of color options
Cons
- No storage
Specs:
- Shape: Rectangle
- Size: 31″ x 63″
- Material: Powder coated metal
- Built-in storage: None
Most outdoor tables aren’t ideal for gaming; they might be constructed of wicker or other uneven surfaces, might have slats that can catch cards, and might warp in the fury of the outdoors. This Flash Furniture model, though, is huge, at 31.5 by 63 inches, and comes in sturdy metal painted with a variety of cheerful colors. It’s a great table for gaming because it provides a large, multi-use flat surface—it’ll be great for picnics as well as a rousing game of cards.
Things to consider when shopping for the best gaming tables
Different gaming tables have different features, and it can be helpful to know what kind of gamer you are before shopping. Are you really into puzzles, or card games like poker, or sprawling board games like Settlers of Catan? Each of those setups can be optimized for a specific type of table. Felt is an ideal surface for card games, because it makes sliding cards to each player easy and smooth. Circular tables are perfect for varying numbers of players, just as easily hosting three or five people as a four-sided table can host four.
Some tables can change their heights—you might want a gaming table a little bit higher than a dining table—and others can fold up their legs for easy storage. There are even some in the works like the Arcade 1Up Infinity Game Table that have gone fully digital. They’re designed with downloadable versions of classic games—though they’re not super common just yet. What kind of table you should look for depends on how you like to game, but rest assured, there’s an option for everyone.
A final word about the best gaming tables
The best gaming tables provide a sturdy, stable surface for everything from marathon D&D sessions to quick-and-dirty games of checkers. While you can spend tons of cash to get something custom built, you don’t have to if that’s not in your budget. We like the Arcade 1up Infinity table because it works as a normal table, but it also has a huge arsenal of digital games built-in. Whatever you pick, just make sure it can stand up to the rage someone feels when they get the Queen of Spades for the third game in a row.
