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A camping chair with a side table gives your drink, book and breakfast somewhere to sit without adding a separate piece of furniture. The trade-off is a wider chair in use and, often, a less compact package in the boot. Check how the table works with your own habits before choosing one.
Table of Contents
Start with the side you will use
Many integrated tables sit on a fixed side. Think about which hand you use for a drink, where the chair will go beside your tent and whether the table will obstruct a doorway. Two chairs placed together can need much more space when both tables are open.
Measure the complete width, including the table, rather than relying on the seat width. For a small porch, mark that footprint on the floor at home and leave space to pass without stepping over the chair legs. Check whether the table folds away while someone remains seated, following the instructions for the mechanism.
Check the surface and its limits
A cup recess should suit the mugs and bottles you actually pack. Wide insulated mugs, handles and narrow bottles behave differently in the same opening. A flat area is useful for a sandwich or paperback, but a small side table is unlikely to replace a proper dining table for a plate, drink and cutlery together.
The chair’s occupant weight limit is not the side table’s load rating. Do not lean on the table to stand up, sit on it or use it to support cooking equipment. Where no table load is stated, ask the manufacturer rather than assuming the chair’s headline capacity applies.
Compare two frame styles
The Coleman Deck Chair with Table combines an aluminium frame with a fold-down table and cup holder. It is an example of the upright deck-chair approach, which is useful to compare with softer sling-style seating.
The GCI Freestyle Rocker with Side Table adds a rocking mechanism intended for flat surfaces. You can check the standard side-table model on Amazon UK. The standard and XL versions are different products; verify the selected one before comparing capacity and packed size.
For specific examples of the two formats, our Coleman Deck Chair versus Quad Chair guide compares the table, storage and packed shape.
Integrated table or separate folding table?
An integrated table stays with its chair and saves searching for another bag. A separate table can serve two people, move into the shade independently and stay standing when you pack a chair away. It may also be easier to position for someone who needs a clear approach to the seat.
For a single camper with limited loose kit, the attached option is convenient. For a family sharing snacks, a small central table often earns its space more readily. Try the complete arrangement, including getting in and out, before deciding that fewer separate items necessarily means less bulk.
At pack-up, empty the cup holder and fold the table in the correct sequence. A forgotten mug or trapped strap can prevent the chair closing properly and damage the mechanism.
If a separate surface looks more useful, compare the footprint in our camping tables for two guide. Our cup holder sizing guide explains the mug measurements to take before shopping.
Continue with our camping chair buying guide.
Reviewed 10 September 2026. This guide is based on published specifications and guidance.