Try once we might to follow our regular routines in the middle of the pandemic, there are several days we just can't muster the enthusiasm to complete all of the things we would, like seated to some proper meal while dining. And that is ok! There is no shame in taking shortcuts, or enjoying some R&R while vegging in front from the TV from time to time. Luckily, the best TV trays available on the market come in more styles than ever before, so you might locate one that really elevates your dinner and a movie experience – even if you're rocking sweatpants.
As we work to reduce our stress over COVID-19 if you take plenty of time to wind down and practicing acceptance – something Nevada-based PhD Alice Boyes says has real value in uncertain times – we're implementing those principles at dinnertime, too, with a few of the greatest TV trays available.
What are the best TV trays in 2022?
- Best TV tray set : Winsome Wood TV Tray Set
- Best folding TV tray : Three Posts Gough Butler TV Tray
- Best overall TV tray : Universal Expert Remus Folding Tray Table
- Best TV tray for seniors : Able Life Able Tray
- Best swivel TV tray : Signature Life Independence Tray Table
- Best under couch TV tray : Williston Forge Gylla Snack Tray Table
- Best metal TV tray : Gold Flamingo Sammy Tray Table
- Best adjustable TV tray : Zipcode Design Bushong Expanding Tray Table
- Best wooden TV tray : Latitude Run Vincente Folding Butler Table
- Best rolling TV tray : VASAGLE TV Tray
- Best kids' TV tray : Dar Chevron Folding TV Tray Table (Group of 2)
- Best TV tray with cup holder : The Twillery Co. Multifunction Lazy Laptop Tray
- Best plastic TV tray : Ebern Designs Hughes Tray Table
- Best TV tray on Amazon : Table-Mate II Folding TV Tray Table
- Best sofa TV tray : Winston Porter Poteau Sofa Arm Tray
What can you use TV trays?
TV trays have been in existence for a good while, becoming popular long ago within the '50s (the same decade that Swanson's frozen TV dinners were introduced). Though they fell from fashion for a time, the nation's collective shelter in position orders have given these portable tables new life once we allow ourselves the simple pleasure of getting our meals having a side of Netflix (Or Hulu. Or Amazon Prime).
That said, today's TV trays can be used for a lot more than simultaneous eating and viewing, making them great investments for the present and beyond. Many feature bases that conveniently slide beneath any chair, couch, or bed to provide a stable surface for eating, reading, writing, or carrying out work on your laptop or tablet – from practically any room in your house! These nifty contraptions also sometimes come with extra features, like built-in cup holders, storage shelves and compartments, and even wheels for simple transportation.
The best TV trays can easily be bought at nearly any home items retailer, with Wayfair, Walmart, and Amazon being some of the top contenders as far as selection is concerned.
What should I consider when searching for a TV tray?
TV trays came a long way because the times of yore, with manufacturers improving upon the original design with added extras, such as the aforementioned cup holders and rolling wheels, together with adjustable heights and widths, and slim, under-couch designs. So which is best? That depends upon who you ask.
For some, a conventional fold-down model, such as this Three Posts pick ($89.99, Wayfair), will do the trick, while some will prefer a more sophisticated-looking tray which will blend right into your décor – we're a fan of this rich Williston Forge design ($149.99, Wayfair), which boasts a certain panache, portable furniture or otherwise.
There are also TV trays created for the elderly or people with limited mobility in mind. According to the CDC, approximately 36 million seniors fall every year, and incidents associated with falls within the elderly make up the most of injury-related appointments with emergency rooms in the US. That said, it may be good for have assistance with regards to getting around, and believe it or not, a TV tray table can help! Some specialty TV trays have a swivel function, that allows the tabletop to rotate 360 degrees, leaving ample space for standing up. And speaking of standing, these helpful devices likewise incorporate safety handles to provide support and stability for those who have trouble getting up from their seats by themselves – we like this model by Able Life ($155.58, Walmart), which has a handle that can support as much as 250 pounds.
Whether you're looking for wood or metal, foldable or rolling, we're sure to have the perfect option for yourself on our list. So grab some comfort food, get cozy in your favorite power lift recliner or sleeper sofa, and pull up that queue for many therapeutic binge-watching!
15 Best TV Trays 2022
Winsome Wood TV Tray Set
Best TV tray set
37% off!
Buy from Amazon, $117 (originally $188.99)
Why we love to it:
- Includes 4 tables
- Walnut finish
- Conveniently folds up if not in use
This five-piece tray set, which retails for well over $100 at other retailers, is a staple among “best-of” lists across the internet, and for good reason: It has a rich, attractive walnut finish, durable water protection, and 4 snack tables that are big enough for any meal you can make. When you are finished, you can slide them all in to the included are a symbol of storage.
One happy customer wrote that, while her husband isn't most handy, “he quickly had the stand put together perfectly,” and appreciates this set is “sturdy, large, and never cheap-looking.”
Three Posts Gough Butler TV Tray
Best folding TV tray
On Sale!
Buy from Wayfair, $93.99
Why we love to it:
- Includes a removable serving tray
- Easily folds flat for storage
- Antique walnut finish
As probably the most attractive designs on our list, no one would blame you for leaving Three Posts' wooden tray up at all times, but it's also got foldable legs that simply flatten it out should you have to store it away. We love the gorgeous antique walnut finish, as well as the proven fact that it offers a removable serving tray (with handles!) for added convenience.
Reviewers gave this table high praise because of its aesthetics, calling it “beautifully finished,” “high quality,” and “classic.” Additionally they say it's “sturdy,” and also the “perfect size if you don't have a lot of space.”
Universal Expert Remus Folding Tray Table
Best overall TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, $99.99
Why we like it:
- Lovely modern design
- Includes a removable serving tray
- Foldable design
If you're looking for a TV tray that doubles as an attractive side table, this lovely design by Universal Expert is our pick. We love its clean, modern aesthetic that will add style to your rooms, because of its neutral wood and white color scheme. Without having the area to display it at all times, it does conveniently collapse for easy storage, and the detachable serving tray may be used using the base like a table, or separately for luxurious meals in bed.
Reviewers on Wayfair called this table “practical and pretty,” “stylish and functional,” and “easy to clean,” with one commenter mentioning how much she appreciates that it comes fully assembled.
Able Life Able Tray
Best TV tray for elderly people
Buy from Walmart, $155.58
Why we like it:
- Includes a safety handle having a 250-pound weight capacity
- Bamboo tray table swivels and rotates 360 degrees
- Fully adjustable tray table, base, and support handle
This ingenious TV tray table is definitely an absolute game-changer with regards to providing stability for elderly people or individuals with limited mobility. Its star feature is its safety handle, which can accommodate up to 250 pounds of pressure, while offering balance and support to anyone who might find it hard to stand up after being seated. Other things we like about it are the bamboo tabletop, which could rotate and swivel 360 degrees, and the fact that the bottom, safety handle, and tray table are all fully adjustable. Bonus: This device comes with a built-in cup holder and storage compartment, and, according to the manufacturer, it's easy to assemble, with no additional tools required.
Several reviewers called this TV tray “perfect” for their family members with Parkinson's, and lots of wrote it's super easy to set-up. On top of that, a lot of customers with limited mobility mentioned what “independent” they think since purchasing this chair.
Signature Life Independence Tray Table
Best swivel TV tray
Buy from Walmart, $250
Why we love to it:
- Includes a support handle having a weight capacity of 250 pounds
- 360-degree swivel bamboo tray
- Has an organizer compartment for small items
If you struggle with mobility issues, you cannot fail with this particular brilliantly-designed tray table by Signature Life, which has a bamboo tray top with 360-degree swivel, allowing you to push it out of the way when you really need to face. It's adjustable to fit under couches, chairs, and lift recliners, and supports as much as 250 pounds. Other convenient features incorporate a drink holder and storage trays for such things as glasses, remotes, as well as your phone.
One reviewer purchased this chair on her mother, who only has use of one arm, and said it's “perfect for her,” and that from “eating to assisting her with getting out of bed from the chair, it meets all of her special needs.”
Williston Forge Gylla Snack Tray Table
Best under couch TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, $149.99
Why we like it:
- Features lockable casters at the base for simple movement
- Tabletop can be adjusted to 12 different positions
- Includes shelves for added storage
Unlike your run-of-the-mill collapsible models, this all-in-one tray should look like a bit of stagnant furniture which will blend right into your living area. Its sleek black metal base easily slips beneath most standard couches, and there is an attractive wooden top that may be positioned 12 various ways, in the event you like an angled surface for reading or drawing. On top of that, it comes with handy shelves for additional storage, and lockable casters for effortless transportation between rooms!
One satisfied customer said, “The tilting tray is great for my laptop,” and appreciates that “it stays in position as shown.” She's also a fan from the extra storage!
Gold Flamingo Sammy Tray Table
Best metal TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, $117.99
Why we love to it:
- Lightweight chrome frame
- Includes a removable serving tray
- Chic design
Sleek, modern lines set this Gold Flamingo find apart from the remaining pack. It's a lightweight chrome metal base and a removable white wood top, having a silhouette that's the perfect height for enjoying your evening meal with a side of streaming. It will fold up, but it is so pretty, you may would like to ensure that it stays on display all the time!
“Beautiful” is a recurring word used in reviews for this table, and one customer said, “It makes for an excellent additional table for entertaining!” Shoppers also appreciated the removable tray, which its lightweight design makes it portable.
Zipcode Design Bushong Expanding Tray Table
Best adjustable TV tray
15% off!
Buy from Wayfair, $86.99
Why we like it:
- Expands as much as 24 inches wide
- Base slides under couch
- Durable wood and metal construction
This handy contraption can be as slim or as wide as you desire (as much as 24 inches across), thanks to an expandable design that permits you to adjust your tray to support an extra-large meal, a coloring book, or perhaps your computer. You may also slide its base underneath the couch to reduce space and keep your room clutter-free.
Satisfied shoppers say this TV tray is “easy to place together” and that it's “strong and stable.” Many also commented on how much they love the fact that it extends for more area.
VASAGLE TV Tray
Best rolling TV tray
Buy from Amazon, starting at $42.99
Why we love to it:
- Available in 5 finishes
- Includes wheels for easy transportation
- Designed to slip beneath beds and sofas to save room
This refined piece won't seem like an elegant end table when clipped underneath the bottom of your couch, it comes down designed with four wheels that allow you to take it with you as you move about the house. Take it towards the kitchen, set up the food, and wheel it right over to the couch! Additionally, it is available in five different wood finishes to choose from, so that you can select one that best complement's your home's color scheme.
Fans of the TV tray love how it “rolls easily from place to place on casters,” which, no matter how unhandy you may be, it can be “put together within minutes.” One even named it “durable” and “sturdy” despite additionally, it being “lightweight.”
Dar Chevron Folding TV Tray Table (Set of 2)
Best kids' TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, $61.99
Why we like it:
- Water and stain-resistant surface
- Fun chevron pattern
- Foldable design
Little ones will adore the enjoyment chevron pattern that adorns these indoor/outdoor tray tables, that can come inside a set of two. They have an easy-to-clean, water- and stain-resistant surface for just about any accidental messes, non-marring feet to prevent floor scratching, and conveniently fold away when they're not being used.
Happy shoppers love these tables are “perfect for picnics and both indoor and outdoor use,” giving them a call “sturdy and stylish” and “versatile and pretty!” Reviews also say that they're “easy to spread out, close, and tuck away.”
The Twillery Co. Multifunction Lazy Laptop Tray
Best TV tray with cup holder
Buy from Wayfair, $41.99
Why we love to it:
- Available in 5 colors
- Made with sustainably-sourced materials
- Ergonomic design
Dinner for one? Skip the airs and get ready with this simple-yet-functional pick through the Twillery Co. Fitting over your lap, it's space for your plate or bowl, your beverage – we particularly love the built-in cup holder – your remote, and much more. It's ergonomically-designed to keep you comfortable, and its scratch- and water-resistant desktop features a handy slot for storing phones, tablets, and writing utensils. Because it comes in five colors, it's certain to participate in any room's aesthetic, and because it's created using sustainably-sourced materials, this is an eco-friendly piece you are able to feel good about using.
Reviewers state that this “small yet spacious” tray is great for working from home or remote schooling, as it's the perfect size for holding a “large laptop” (and more!). The cup holder is a popular feature, and one customer claims it's “very sturdy and simply folds for easy storage.“
Ebern Designs Hughes Tray Table
Best plastic TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, $23.99
Why we like it:
- Clean, minimalist design
- Adjustable legs
- Foldable for easy storage
This inexpensive tray table may look simple, but that is what we should like about it. Its clean, minimalist design will blend right in with any room, though you can easily fold it up and pack it away when it is not being used. Perhaps best of all, though, is the fact that its legs can be adjusted for your preferred height, and that its U-shaped base slips right beneath your chair, sofa, or bed to avoid wasting space.
Wayfair shoppers “love how compact it gets,” combined with the proven fact that it's “very simple to put together,” “very light in weight,” and “easily transferable.”
Table-Mate II Folding TV Tray Table
Best TV tray on Amazon
Buy from Amazon, $49.95
Why we love to it:
- Over 14,000 5-star ratings on Amazon
- Available in 4 colors
- Fully adjustable
With over 14,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, this classic Table-Mate TV tray is a bestseller – and for good reason! Just over six pounds, it's lightweight enough to visit from room to room, or even fold it flat for easy transportation when you are traveling. We love the fact that it comes with six height options and three tabletop angles, making it truly customizable to suit your comfort preferences. Additionally, it features a “slide and glide” built-in cup holder, and also the raised edge helps prevent any spills from getting to the floor. And don't be fooled by its thin design – it can hold up to 40 pounds, making it far sturdier of computer looks!
Several reviewers said they purchased this table for their computers, having transitioned to remote work, though many also employ it for meals. The major consensus is that it's “solid and very stable,” but additionally “lightweight and easy to maneuver from room to room.”
Winston Porter Poteau Sofa Arm Tray
Best sofa TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, $51.99
Why we love to it:
- Flexible design fits within the arms of most sofas and chairs
- Espresso finish
- Includes storage for remotes along with other small items
If you're using a smaller space, but nonetheless want the expediency of a TV tray, this clever sofa arm tray is going to be just the ticket. Draping within the side of your couch or chair, it has plenty of space for the drink, phone, remotes, and more. We like that it comes with drink holders, and the fact that its flexible design allows it to suit over the arm of most any sofa.
One satisfied customer said, “It looks more costly of computer was,” and lots of reviewers refer to it as “high quality” and “perfect for small spaces,” especially “when there is no room for an end table!” Another fan assured that it “doesn't slip at all.”
Latitude Run Vincente Folding Butler Table
Best wooden TV tray
Buy from Wayfair, starting at $73.99
Why we love to it:
- Available in 5 colors
- Includes a removable serving tray
- Convenient fold-up design
For a good old-fashioned take on the television tray trend, check out this wooden piece by Latitude Run. Weighing in at just six pounds, it's lightweight enough to carry from area to area. We love the additional calming modify the pictured sea foam hue affords, though it's also available in blue, coral, black, and white.
Some from the words reviewers used to explain this table are “modern,” “pretty,” and “classy,” and many love it comes fully assembled. Additionally they say it folds easily (a plus for all those with arthritis), and that it's “well-made and sturdy.”
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