The 7 Best Patio Dining Sets of 2021

Best Overall: Hampton Bay West Park 6-Piece Aluminum Rectangle Outdoor Dining Set with CushionGuard

Buy on Home Depot

Outdoor dining sets are engineered to be rugged, but that doesn't mean they have to sacrifice on style. Case in point: Hampton Bay's West Park 6-Piece Outdoor Dining Set which comes complete with a sofa, loveseat, ottoman, and dining table—all for $1,110.

Each piece is outfitted with a rust-free aluminum frame that can stand up to all types of weather, and don't you worry about the pretty cream cushions—they're covered in fade-resistant polyester slipcovers which can be removed and washed as necessary. Of course, the cushions offer more than just good looks—they're nearly 8 inches thick, offering the utmost comfort as well. To finish things off, the six-seater table features a modern polywood top that matches the arms of of the sofa, ottomans, and chairs.

To say reviewers are pleased would be an understatement. Many note that the set is simple to assemble, super comfortable, and looks far more expensive than it is. If you're looking for a set that'll garner compliments from every guest, this is it.

Best Budget: IKEA ASKHOLMEN Table and 4 chairs

Buy on Ikea

Patio dining sets are often no small purchase. If you're looking for something that can seat four or more people, most options will start in the $500 range. If that's just out of the question, that doesn't mean you're left empty handed, though—check out the Askholmen Four-Piece Table and Chair Set from IKEA.

The $130 set is constructed from durable, sustainably sourced acacia and you can choose from two wood finishes and an assortment of cushion colors. The 45 x 34.75 x 30-inch table can fit four adults comfortably and if you want to stow the set in a garage or shed once you're done, every piece folds up flat.

Best Wicker: Wade Logan Castelli 9 Piece Dining Set with Cushions

Very Good

Buy on Wayfair Buy on Jossandmain.com

Though wicker is a longtime staple in outdoor furniture, natural wicker (usually woven from rattan, reed, willow or bamboo) is not particularly weather resistant and can become mildewed, faded and worn fairly quickly. So, if you like the wicker look, try a dining set made of resin or all-weather wicker, a man-made material that’s highly weather resistant and durable. Just like natural wicker, this material can be woven in many different styles, from traditional to modern, giving the style and comfort of wicker furniture without the upkeep.

The Wade Logan Castelli 9-Piece Sunbrella Dining Set pairs hand-woven, commercial grade resin wicker with cushions covered in  Sunbrella performance fabric, a UV- and fade-resistant material ideal for outdoor use. With eight chairs and a sizable 29 x 43 x 83-inch table, it offers ample space for friends and family. Plus, with 12 cushion colors to choose from, you can really cusstomize the set to your liking.

Best with Benches: Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Petronella 3 Piece Teak Dining Set: backyard furniture

Excellent

Buy on Wayfair

There’s a reason families love sitting at picnic tables in the park: those long, narrow benches are a flexible-seating secret because they can accommodate quite a few people for a cozy, casual meal. A bench can easily seat four of five squirming children, but won’t seem empty with just two sitting upon it, and can take up way less space than four or five adult-size chairs (that are probably too big for the kids anyway). Benches are also a good space-saving option since they aren’t typically as deep as chairs and don’t have backs to worry about.

This bench dining set, from Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse, is an elevated take on the picnic table with wooden seats and a metal, x-frame trestle base that looks right at home in industrial, modern, and rustic spaces.

Best Bistro Set: Hashtag Home Auden Outdoor 3 Piece Bistro Set

Buy on Wayfair Buy on Jossandmain.com

If your outdoor space is limited or you're working with a balcony, as opposed to an actual backyard, Hashtag Home's Auden 3-Piece Bistro Set will definitely come in handy. The table is large enough to accommodate a few dishes if you're looking to dine al fresco, but at the same time, its small 24.x 29.25-inch frame can fit most anywhere.

If you're looking for a low-maintenance set, this one is just that. All three pieces feature slats which allow rain to run through them, rather than pool, so you won't have to deal with mold or mildew. The chairs also stack, so they're easy to store in a garage or shed when not in use. The Hashtag Home set is available in four fun colors: green, matte yellow, matte blue, and teal.

Best for Entertaining: Amazonia Arizona 9-Piece Patio Rectangular Extendable Dining Table Set

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

If you like to entertain larger groups or often have other families over for dinner, a nine-piece dining set is a great option. Amazonia's Arizona set includes eight chairs and a table that's available in round, oval, square, and rectangle configurations.

This table is made from eucalyptus, a wood that’s gained popularity as a less-expensive alternative to teak with many of the same qualities: it’s a fast-growing tree (meaning it can be sustainably produced) that’s quite hard and naturally higher in oil, making it very weather-resistant. The style is classic and casual in a rich brown stain that’s just as home beachside as it is on a suburban porch.