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Best Patio Dining Sets

Updated June 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Bristol Outdoor Teak 9-Pc. Dining Set
Bristol Outdoor
Teak 9-Pc. Dining Set
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Beautiful Teak
Bottom Line

A stunning set made of warm teak wood that can accommodate large groups.

Pros

Attractive teak is kiln- and air-dried to enhance outdoor durability. Accented with slender slats and copper-toned seat cushions that are reversible. Teak naturally weathers to a silver-grey patina.

Cons

Somewhat of a learning curve for treating and maintaining the teak.

Best Bang for the Buck
Agio Marlough II Outdoor Aluminum 5-Pc. Dining Set
Agio
Marlough II Outdoor Aluminum 5-Pc. Dining Set
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A quality dining set that is built to last and comes at a great price.

Pros

Clean, modern style with wood-look slats, sleek lines, and plush cushions. Chairs are comfortable with or without cushions. Has the appearance of wood but requires much less maintenance.

Cons

Smaller table is not ideal for larger groups.

Agio Wayland Outdoor Aluminum 8-Pc. Dining Set
Agio
Wayland Outdoor Aluminum 8-Pc. Dining Set
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

If you're looking for a full patio setup, this set is an excellent choice.

Pros

Includes a slatted table, dining chairs, and a bench. Chairs and bench are plush and comfortable. Attractive and sturdy. Two choices of upholstery colors for chair and bench padding.

Cons

Umbrella is sold separately.

Safavieh 7-Piece Outdoor Living Horus Dining Set
Safavieh
7-Piece Outdoor Living Horus Dining Set
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Modern Appeal
Bottom Line

A nicely built set that's aesthetically appealing. We love that it seats 6 yet also has a space-saving design.

Pros

Boasts an attractive, contemporary style with a neutral gray color that pairs nicely with other outdoor furniture. Pieces feel sturdy. Six stools slide under the table to save space when not in use.

Cons

A bit time consuming to assemble, but the task isn't overly difficult. Cushions are on the thin side.

Hanover Traditions 7-Piece Cast Aluminum Outdoor Patio Dining Set
Hanover Traditions
7-Piece Cast Aluminum Outdoor Patio Dining Set
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Elegant Design
Bottom Line

This elegant table and chair set features cast aluminum scrollwork for a sophisticated yet comfortable outdoor dining experience.

Pros

Includes four cozy swivel chairs with deep cushions. Frame has a handsome brushed bronze appearance. Resists rust and the elements. Cushions are UV treated and dry quickly. Easy to assemble.

Cons

Tabletop has a woven texture, which some may not appreciate – although plates and cups do sit flat on it.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best patio dining sets

Does dining al fresco appeal to you? It’s not something only to be experienced at your favorite restaurant with outdoor seating. When you own a patio dining set, you can enjoy countless meals and gatherings in the comfort of your own backyard.

Patio dining sets are designed to let you dine in comfort surrounded by friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a small four-top for intimate gatherings or a large oblong table to accommodate a party, there is a patio dining set for you. If you’re short on space, no worries: there are patio dining sets that feature expandable tables and stackable chairs for those who need them.

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If you are buying a new home, tell your moving company that you have outdoor furniture that also needs to be moved. In some cases, they’ll disassemble it to fit in the truck. In other cases, the truck may be large enough to accommodate it as is.

Key considerations

Number of pieces

The term “patio dining set” may refer to a small, two-seat bistro set, a full-length table with seats for 12 people, and everything in between. Determining the number of pieces you need is of utmost importance, as it can make or break your outdoor dining experience. A set with too few pieces will make guests uncomfortable as they crowd around the table. A set that’s too large may be wasteful, as you could end up with unused pieces that gobble up storage space.

Materials

Perhaps the most difficult task in choosing a patio dining set is selecting a material type. Metal and aluminum are popular, especially those with weatherproof powder coatings that combat rust, water, and UV damage. They have a tendency to heat up in direct sunlight, which is why they’re often sold with cushions. However, as cushions don’t offer full coverage, it’s not unusual for people to throw a beach towel over the seats when the sun shines exceptionally hot.

Solid wood is another popular material choice, as it blends well with outdoor décor as well as flora and fauna. These sets require considerable upkeep. You may need to apply oil to the wood, refinish it, or treat it with pest control products to keep wood-boring insects away.

All about seating

Comfort

Seating comfort should be integral to your choice. Some patio dining sets make chairs more comfortable by way of cushions as well as swivel or tilt mechanisms. You can also find sets with oversized chairs to accommodate larger individuals.

Seat back height

You’ll want to make sure the height of the seat back suits you. Low-back chairs have contemporary curb appeal but can be uncomfortable, as they provide subpar support. High-back chairs are popular, though some people dislike the larger footprint.

Seat covering

You’ll find patio dining set seats with various surface materials including PVC mesh, polyresin, plastic, wicker, wood, and synthetic blends. Chairs that don’t have cushions are often covered with PVC mesh or woven polyresin, both of which are easy to clean.

Everything about tables

The table is the focal point of your patio dining set, so of course you want a design that pleases your eye and complements your décor. Functionality also matters.

Shape

The number of seats you need may dictate the shape of the table. Smaller sets with four seats tend to be round or square. Larger sets that accommodate six or more people tend to be oblong or rectangular. You can also find oversized round and square tables that seat six or more people.

Quality

A well-made patio table is wobble-free with a stable base or legs. Proper assembly with appropriate tightening of pieces alleviates wobbling in most sets. Low-quality tables are notorious for being unbalanced due to ill-fitting pieces.

Height

When you purchase a patio dining set, you already know that the chairs and table complement each other in terms of height. In other words, guests will have ample legroom between their seat and the bottom of the table. Note that some patio dining sets are adjustable for table height, but these tend to cost significantly more than standard.

Popular styles of patio dining sets

Traditional patio dining sets resemble those for indoor dining, as they’re comparable in height and size. There are other popular subcategories of patio dining sets as well.

Bistro sets

A bistro set consists of a small table, often referred to as a two-top, and a pair of chairs. Some bistro set tables are so small that they only have room to hold a couple mugs or glasses. Others are large enough to accommodate two place settings. The seats in a bistro set may be simple folding chairs, ornate wrought-iron works of art, or something in between.

Bar-height sets

Bar-height sets have grown in popularity. They can lend a tiki bar feel to your patio without all the tiki bar décor. These designs tend to be tall and heavy.

Chairs in a bar-height set are tall enough that guests needn’t bend down to sit in them. This makes them popular among those who have mobility issues. The chairs also have footrests, which can be used to help you off and on your seat.

Bench sets

A bench-style patio dining set is ideal if you want a flexible seating capacity. Rather than chairs, these sets have long picnic table benches, which means you can fit a few adults and several kids at once. Bench patio sets are often appreciated by families, but they’re somewhat less popular for entertaining due to their informal design.

Patio dining set prices

Patio dining sets range widely in price. They can be as affordable as $150 and as pricey as $3,000 or more. As is the case with indoor furniture, you get what you pay for with patio dining sets, so bear in mind that you’re making a long-term investment.

Inexpensive

Patio dining sets priced between $150 and $650 include basic metal or aluminum sets that sometimes come with cushions. Quality can be hit-or-miss, as some sets in this category are made with ill-fitting components.

Mid-range

Mid-range patio dining sets cost between $650 and $1,800. These sets are well-made and durable enough to last for years. In addition to metal and aluminum, you’ll find some solid wood sets in this range.

Expensive

High-end patio dining sets cost between $1,800 and $3,000, sometimes more. You’ll find incredibly well-made sets in this range, some of which are handcrafted of solid wood. There are also some less-stellar sets in this range that have been manufactured by designer brands.

Tips

  • Consider hybrid seating. Some patio dining sets feature a combination of regular chairs and picnic benches. This variety gives you flexibility when it comes to seating capacity.
  • Invest in weatherproof cushions. A worthwhile upgrade to your patio dining set is weatherproof cushions. Unlike cushions made of cotton or other absorbent materials, these repel water and dry quickly.
  • Shrink wrap your patio dining set in the off-season. If you don’t have the room to store your patio dining set in a garage or shed, you can hire a professional to shrink wrap the set in its place.
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If you want to upgrade your patio furniture set but it’s not in your budget, consider replacing a few seats with matching swivel chairs or rockers instead.

FAQ

Q. Do patio dining sets come with umbrellas?

A. Deluxe patio dining sets often do, but many consumers purchase an umbrella and stand separately. Note that not all patio tables are equipped with an umbrella hole, so if you’re dreaming of a table with an umbrella, keep an eye out for this key feature.

Q. Do patio dining sets come with additional pieces?

A. The only standard pieces in a patio dining set are the table and chairs. With that said, patio dining sets are often part of outdoor living collections, which means there are additional pieces you could buy separately. Some consumers invest in additional seating or coordinating side tables.

Q. What do I need to know before assembling my patio dining set?

A. The first thing you should do is retrieve the instructions and hardware from the package. Provided you have all pieces, including nuts and bolts, you can proceed. While you could assemble your set with regular hand tools, power tools will speed up the process considerably. If you don’t have tools, or if assembly isn’t a job you’re keen on, consider budgeting for a professional hire.