Updated Sep. 11, 2024
Our shopping editors found some of the best coffee tables available now. They even tested coffee tables in their own living rooms to report on the full buying and styling experience.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
A well-designed coffee table can make or break a living room, and figuring out your personal design style is hard enough; add in shopping for furniture online, and the process can be overwhelming. We called our expert shopping editors to make a list of stylish, affordable and functional coffee tables that you can shop at right now. They ordered, assembled and tested coffee tables for months to narrow down the final picks on this list.
Our editors also provided helpful tips for shopping and answered questions like, How long should my coffee table be? Short answer: It should be about two-thirds the length of your sectional sofa. They also accounted for differences in style, budget and needs when cultivating the list below.
Here are the 8 best coffee tables, tested and reviewed, according to shopping editors.
Pros:
Cons:
We love everything about this sleek and sustainable coffee table from Umbra. It has a timeless feel, with smooth lines and a glass top that keeps the room from feeling cluttered or closed off.
Senior Shopping Editor Caroline Lubinsky loves the Madera Coffee Table. “Once it was assembled, it looked great and was super sturdy,” she says. “I think it’s a steal for the durability, design and materials used.”
The Madera Coffee Table came unassembled and was more difficult to put together than Caroline expected due to the provided directions. She phoned two family members who helped her put it together.
“I like that the wood used is from renewable sources (Umbra says 80% renewable Ashwood Veneer with Eucalyptus wood),” Caroline says. Additionally, the glass top is scratch-resistant and thick.
“You probably shouldn’t sit on your coffee table, but this one has a 200-pound weight capacity, so you can feel confident sticking a bevy of plants or a stack of coffee table books without making this table wobble,” she explains.
Caroline added this heavy silver bowl from Sabavi Home as the pièce de résistance.
Pros:
Cons:
“I’m shocked by the quality of this mid-century modern table,” says Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski. “The drawers glide nicely. The tabletop is thick and sturdy, and there’s plenty of storage space. I would not have guessed this is an Amazon table.”
The Ensley Coffee Table arrived at Katie’s doorstep in one large, heavy box, and assembling the table wasn’t difficult. It took Katie about an hour and a half to assemble the piece independently. “I liked how everything was neatly packed in individual bags (rather than the giant bag of mixed screws you get with some flat-pack furniture),” Katie says. “Be sure to read the instructions carefully and pay attention to detail. A lot could be easily messed up if you go too fast.”
“The pieces to this table are heavy and sturdy,” Katie adds. “I’ve been using it for over a month now and have noticed no issues or signs of wear. I carefully use a coaster when setting down a glass, though.”
The surface of this retro-looking table is large enough to hold a bouquet of flowers, magazines and/or a coffee table book. It also has convenient storage areas for stashing coasters, books, magazines, candles and more.
Pros:
Cons:
This marble-top table from Grandin Road is the perfect mix of textures and materials with a wooden lower shelf and metal frame. “It was super easy to assemble,” says Caroline. “This was an instance where the product was even more attractive in person than online.”
The Teagan Coffee Table is a sturdy piece that would fit multiple decor styles, especially if it is a contrasting element in the room. “I’ve paired mine with a navy velvet sectional, a medium-toned mid-century inspired entertainment credenza and a leather recliner,” Caroline says.
The genuine marble is ½ inches thick with smooth, polished edges. Its 34-inch diameter allows for plenty of room for drinks, remotes, snacks when entertaining, plants and other accruements. It also delivers extra space and function with the second shelf. This coffee table is an all-around winner in both function and design. Best of all, there aren’t any sharp corners when playing with kids or pets. “There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it,” Caroline adds. “I love it. It looks great in my room.”
Pros:
Cons:
Burrow’s Index Coffee Table is easy to assemble and will fit seamlessly into any living room. With a European, mid-century-inspired design, it can be dressed up or down, depending on the room and event. “It seriously takes minutes to assemble,” says Shopping Editor Mary Henn. “Just unbox the four parts and attach them—no tools needed!”
“This coffee table is great for a basement space where you need extra surface area for game-time or movie-night snacks,” Mary says. “I love the sharp lines of this piece and that the ends of the boards stick out past the posts. As an avid reader, I think a coffee table that holds plenty of books and looks good doing it is a must—and the Index Coffee Table achieves both.”
The Index table looks hand-made, but it’s made of durable engineered wood, making it more affordable. Choose from a light oak or rich walnut finish, depending on your room’s color scheme.
Pros:
Cons:
If coastal farmhouse is your vibe, then the Isakson Coffee Table is perfect for your living room or den. It has a rustic butcher block-style surface with distressed details. The metal base has flared legs and X-shaped cutouts on each side. There’s also a bottom shelf for extra storage space for games, books, throw blankets and more. Plus, it’s easy to assemble!
This farmhouse table is available in oak, brown, gray and black wood finishes. All colorways have black metal legs. It measures over 47 inches long, so it’s best suited for larger rooms. Best of all, it’s Wayfair Verified, so it passed a 20+ point checklist where experts inspected the item, tested its functionality and cross-referenced it with customer reviews.
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re looking for an ultra-affordable coffee table for a dorm or apartment, the LACK is just $30. How is it so affordable, you ask? LACK tables are made with paper, which makes them light and easy to move. The paper construction also helps keep the price down.
The top of this coffee table is made from particleboard, fiberboard and plastic, while the filling material is paper. The shelf and legs are made of particleboard, fiberboard and foil. Its ultra-lightweight construction can still hold 44 pounds, which should be plenty for a few books, a candle and a decor piece. Cleaning is as simple as wiping it with a damp cloth.
Reviewers rave about the price and look of this IKEA coffee table. While we think it’s the perfect budget pick for a temporary space, some have even owned and used it for years despite its low-cost construction.
Pros:
Cons:
This multifunctional coffee table on Amazon is perfect for people who live in small apartments or have small living areas where their few furniture pieces need to perform multiple functions. The Bidiso table converts into a dining table and a desk. It has plenty of storage space for laptops, notebooks, computer accessories and more.
The assembly is quick, and the lifting function closes smoothly to avoid collision with tiny hands and paws. The metal-air support mechanism lifts easily and quietly, too. The brand offers replacement parts and partial refunds if the table arrives scratched or damaged.
Pros:
Cons:
If you pay attention to home decor trends, you’ve probably seen a lot of fluted tables recently. A fluted coffee table adds texture and depth to any room. This affordable coffee table from Better Homes & Gardens is a modern, stylish centerpiece for your living space.
At under $200, this table is a great find if you don’t want to sacrifice being on trend for an affordable price tag. The light, natural pine finish is airy and pairs well with cream furniture and soft hues. Guests will be shocked when they ask about your stylish coffee table and find out you got it at a bargain price.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when shopping for a new coffee table is size. Be sure to look at the measurements of a coffee table when shopping to understand how it will work in your existing space and with your existing furniture. You want to have enough room to move around the table comfortably, and you don’t want a table so large that it overwhelms a small room.
You’ll also want to consider functionality. What you need from your coffee table (storage, multipurpose function, round edges, etc.) will determine your options, too. If you frequently host gatherings, you’ll want to ensure the height and placement of your coffee table are convenient for guests to reach refreshments and other items.
Material is another thing to consider. Depending on your budget, decor style and lifestyle, you may opt for engineered wood over real wood, marble over wood, or round edges over sharp corners. Wood, whether solid or engineered, tends to be durable and timeless. Glass, on the other hand, is easy to clean and doesn’t overwhelm a small room. Marble offers a more high-end look in a more formal space.
Finally, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a coffee table to achieve your desired look. Consider staying at or below your budget while shopping for a new coffee table. Coffee tables tend to get less traffic than kitchen tables, so opting for more cost-efficient materials may be the way to go, as you won’t have to worry as much about wear and tear.
Our shopping editors continuously stay up to date on the latest design trends. They also shopped, assembled and tested coffee tables for this list. While they’ve independently tested half of the options on this list, they hope to test more coffee tables soon to bring you new options to shop confidently.
Mary Henn, the author of this piece, has written extensively about home decor and trends, furniture, mattresses and more. Over the years, she’s consulted with numerous interior designers, furniture makers and other professionals on home furnishings.
After hours of shopping for coffee tables and reading online reviews, we got our hands on some of the best coffee tables for at-home testing. Our team of shopping experts had coffee tables shipped directly to their homes, where they assembled and used them for months on end. Our editors noted if a coffee table was difficult to assemble or looked different in person than online. Overall, we found that the best coffee tables should be relatively easy to assemble (or not require assembly at all), durable and affordable to you.
It’s recommended that your coffee table be 1-2 inches shorter than the height of your sofa’s seating; that way, things on the surface are easy to reach. Additionally, most designers recommend finding a coffee table that’s about two-thirds the length of your sofa because a table larger than that will overpower other furniture in your room.
If you want to prevent your wooden coffee table from scratching, you can apply protective coatings or sealants to create an additional barrier against moisture damage and scratches. You can also use wood fillers and touch-up kits if scratching has already occurred.
The key is to keep it simple. Adding a plant, candle or small stack of coffee table books is a great starting point. Keeping it functional is also wise. Leave room for refreshments or even add a well-made toy that looks great and your child can play with.
Originally Published: August 14, 2024
