Best Bed Side Table
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
A bed side table is the small surface beside your bed that holds a lamp, a glass of water and a book. The best choice depends on how much room you have between the bed and the wall, how much you need to store close to hand, and how much weight you plan to set on top. This guide compares four bedside tables and nightstands from their product listings, using the size, weight limit, shelves, drawers and assembly details each listing gives, so you can match a table to your bedroom.
Quick answer
- For a small round table with a lower shelf, look at the VASAGLE round side table, which lists 15.8 inches in diameter and a 198 pound maximum weight.
- For a nightstand with a drawer and an open shelf, the Lerliuo rattan nightstand is the closest fit, with a 100 pound maximum weight in its specs.
- For a slim table that fits a tight gap, the HOOBRO side table is 7.1 inches deep and includes a power strip with a USB port.
- For the most closed storage, the MAX Houser four-drawer tower is the only option here with several fabric drawers.
How to choose a bed side table
Start with the space between the bed and the wall or the window. A bedside table that is wider than the gap will crowd the path you use every night. Among the four options here, the depths run from 7.1 inches on the HOOBRO side table to 17 inches on the MAX Houser tower. A table only 7 inches deep sits close to the bed frame and leaves more walking room, while a deeper tower takes up floor space you may need. Check the depth against the distance from the bed frame to the wall, not against the bed itself.
Next, decide what you need to store. A bed side table with one open shelf can hold books and a charger, and a drawer keeps small items out of sight. A tower of several drawers holds more clothes, glasses and small items, but it takes more height and floor space. The listings in this group offer one shelf, one drawer, three open shelves or four drawers, so the storage you want should drive the choice more than the price or the color.
Finally, think about weight and use. A bedside table holds a lamp and a clock, but many people also set a phone, a small plant or a stack of books on it. The listings state weight limits from 25 kilograms to 198 pounds. The limit is the sellers’ stated maximum, and you should keep the total load below it. Also think about whether the table needs to be a bedside table alone or whether it can serve as a side table in the living room, because two listings name several uses.
Sizing and fit
The table below puts the listing dimensions and capacities side by side. Where a listing does not state a value, the table says “not stated.” Read the notes after the table, because two listings give dimension figures that do not match across the listing.
| Table | Width or diameter | Depth | Height | Storage | Maximum weight | Item weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VASAGLE round side table | 15.8 in diameter | 15.8 in | 19.7 in | Tabletop and one lower shelf | 198 pounds | 9 pounds |
| Lerliuo rattan nightstand | 15.94 in | 11.81 in | 22.87 in per spec | One drawer and one open shelf | 100 pounds | 7 pounds |
| HOOBRO slim side table | 16.5 in | 7.1 in | 25.6 in | Three open shelves | 25 kg | Not stated |
| MAX Houser storage tower | 8 in | 17 in | 32.4 in | Four removable drawers | Not stated | Not stated |
The shallowest table is the HOOBRO slim side table at 7.1 inches deep, which suits a gap between the bed and a wall. The narrowest is the MAX Houser tower at 8 inches wide, but it is 17 inches deep and 32.4 inches tall, so it is a different kind of piece. The tallest is the MAX Houser tower, and the VASAGLE round table is the shortest at 19.7 inches. A bedside table should sit near the height of the mattress, so measure the top of your mattress and the bed frame before you choose a height.
Two listings give figures that do not agree. The Lerliuo listing gives a height of 22.87 inches in its title and bullets, but its specs also list 21.6 inches in the item dimensions and a tabletop thickness that does not match the other figures. The MAX Houser listing gives dimensions of 8 inches by 17 inches in its bullet, while its specs give 17 inches deep and 8 inches wide. Measure the table you choose against your space, and check the product page for the exact figure before you order.
Materials and build
The four tables use different materials, and the difference matters for how sturdy each one feels. The VASAGLE table has an engineered wood frame and a honey brown finish, and the listing describes its legs as thick and its build as stable. The Lerliuo nightstand uses a wood frame with beech legs and a rattan top. Its listing describes the drawer as woven and the legs as solid wood with reinforced screws. The HOOBRO slim table uses a metal frame with an engineered wood top, and its listing describes the metal and particleboard as giving overall strength. The MAX Houser tower has a metal frame, a wood top and fabric drawers, and its bullet describes the top as water-resistant wood.
The MAX Houser fabric drawers are made of a non-woven synthetic fabric that the bullet describes as breathable. The drawers have an easy pull handle and plastic feet that the listing says will not scratch flooring.
Cleaning is simple across the group. The HOOBRO listing says to wipe with a damp cloth, and the MAX Houser listing says to wipe with a dry cloth. The Lerliuo and VASAGLE listings do not give a care instruction, so ask the seller or check the product page if you have a specific finish to protect.
Who each option suits
- Tight gap next to the bed: the HOOBRO slim side table is the shallowest option here.
- A nightstand with a drawer: the Lerliuo rattan nightstand gives one drawer and one open shelf in a natural finish.
- A round table with a lower shelf: the VASAGLE table gives a round top and a shelf for a mug or a book.
- Many small items: the MAX Houser tower gives four drawers and a wood top for a lamp.
- Charging close to the bed: the HOOBRO table includes a power strip with a standard outlet and a USB port.
Roundup: four bed side tables and nightstands
VASAGLE Round Side Table with Lower Shelf
This is a round end table with a 15.8-inch diameter, a height of 19.7 inches and a 0.8-inch tabletop thickness. It has two tiers: a tabletop and a lower shelf that the bullets say can hold a stack of books or other mementos. The listing gives a maximum weight recommendation of 198 pounds and an item weight of 9 pounds. The frame is engineered wood, and the table has straight legs. The specs list the color as honey brown with a white top and a rustic walnut handle, and the finish as walnut, so the top and frame may be different colors. The listing describes the table as suitable for a bedside, a drink table or a plant stand, and says it is for indoor use in a bedroom or living room. The bullets say the table takes about 10 minutes to assemble with a screwdriver and labeled parts, and the specs list a limited warranty. This is a good choice if you want a round top and a shelf, and the listing gives the widest weight limit of the four tables.
Lerliuo Rattan Nightstand with Drawer and Open Shelf
This is a rectangular nightstand with a rattan drawer front, an open shelf and beech legs. The bullets describe a woven mesh drawer and an open shelf for storage, and the listing calls the design a bedside table, which suits a bedroom. The item weight is 7 pounds and the maximum weight recommendation is 100 pounds. The listing gives a width of 15.94 inches, a depth of 11.81 inches and a height of 22.87 inches, which is a taller table than the VASAGLE round. The specs list a natural color and a lacquered finish, with a light brown top and base. The bullets describe the legs as handmade solid wood and say the screws and boards are labeled with letters. The screws are packed in separate small bags, and the listing says the assembly guide is illustrated. The listing also says the table is suitable for a living room, a bedroom or an office. The specs list one drawer, which is the single drawer on this nightstand. This is the best pick if you want a drawer and a shelf, and the rattan top gives a natural look for a boho or farmhouse bedroom.
HOOBRO Small Narrow Side Table with Charging Station
This is the slimmest table in the group, at 7.1 inches deep, 16.5 inches wide and 25.6 inches high. It has three open shelves: two wooden shelves for items you use often, and a lower L-shaped mesh rack with side rails for magazines and books. The specs list a rustic brown top with a black base and a metal frame, and the top is engineered wood. The listing gives a maximum weight recommendation of 25 kg, which is about 55 pounds, and the bullets describe the metal and particleboard as giving strength for storage and display. The table has a power strip with one outlet and one USB port, plus a Type C port according to the bullet. The bullets say it can be used as a sofa side table, a bedside table, a coffee table or a display table. The listing says the table is easy to assemble with a detailed guide and installation tools, and the care instruction is to wipe with a damp cloth. The item weight is not stated in the specs. This is the best choice for a tight gap next to a bed, and the charging port is useful if you keep a phone on the table.
MAX Houser 4-Drawer Narrow Storage Tower
This is a vertical storage tower with four removable fabric drawers and a wood top. The specs list a width of 8 inches, a depth of 17 inches and a height of 32.4 inches, and the bullets give each drawer a size of 6.5 inches long, 16 inches wide and 6.875 inches high. The listing describes the frame as steel, with a wood top that provides a hard surface for a lamp, a book or decor. The bullets say the drawers have easy pull handles and that the plastic feet can be adjusted. The specs list the room types as bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, nursery, bathroom and home office, so it is not limited to the bedroom. The listing says the tower comes with all hardware and detailed instructions, and it is easy to assemble and take apart. The specs list the color as grey. This is the best choice if you want several drawers for small items in a bedroom, although it is tall and narrow, so it suits a corner or a gap better than a spot right against a bed frame. The listing does not give a maximum weight for the top.
Review: Lerliuo Rattan Nightstand with Drawer and Open Shelf
The Lerliuo rattan nightstand is the closest fit to a classic bedside table in this group. It combines a drawer and an open shelf in one piece, and its rattan drawer front gives a natural look that suits a boho, farmhouse or relaxed bedroom. The listing describes it as a bedside table for the bedroom, and it also suggests the living room and the office as places it can sit. Because it has one drawer, it can hold small items like glasses, chargers or a notepad out of sight, and the open shelf holds a book or a small box.
The size is the first thing to check. The listing gives a width of 15.94 inches, a depth of 11.81 inches and a height of 22.87 inches. That depth is close to the depth of the VASAGLE round table and leaves a reasonable walking path next to most bed frames. The height puts the top of the table near the top of many mattresses, although you should measure your own bed before you buy. The listing also gives an item weight of 7 pounds, which is light enough to move for cleaning but may be less steady than a heavier table if you lean on it.
The weight limit is 100 pounds, which is lower than the stated limits on the other tables in this group. That is enough for a lamp, a clock, a phone and a few books, but it is not a surface for heavy items or for resting your weight on. Keep the top light and check the product page before you put anything heavy on it. The VASAGLE table has a 198 pound limit, and the HOOBRO table has a limit of 25 kilograms, so if the top is going to carry a heavier load, one of those two is the safer choice.
The materials are a wood frame with beech legs and a rattan top. The listing says the drawer is made of woven mesh, and the legs are solid wood with reinforced screws. The specs list the finish as lacquered and the color as natural with a light brown top and base. The listing describes the wood as giving the table a stable structure, and the bullets say the handmade solid wood legs keep the natural grain. Because the listing lists beech and rattan as the top material, expect some variation in color and grain, which the listing notes as natural variation.
Assembly is one of the strongest points of this listing. The bullets say the parts are labeled with letters, the screws are packed in separate small bags to prevent loss, and the step-by-step instructions are illustrated. The specs list an assembly guide and an installation tool in the included components, so you do not need to source your own tools. The listing does not give an assembly time.
One spec field is inconsistent. The specs give a tabletop thickness of 18.93 inches, which does not match the overall height or the top of a nightstand. The item dimensions field gives 21.6 inches tall while the bullet gives 22.87 inches. The other figures are consistent, so the most likely reading is that the overall height is 22.87 inches and the other figures are errors in the listing. Confirm the height on the product page before you buy.
Close alternatives from the same group: If you want a round top with a lower shelf and a higher weight limit, the VASAGLE round side table lists 198 pounds and a shelf for a stack of books. If you need a slim table for a gap, the HOOBRO slim side table is 7.1 inches deep, and its three open shelves and charging port suit a phone or a lamp.
FAQ
What is the best size for a bed side table?
There is no single best size, because it depends on the gap between the bed and the wall. The HOOBRO slim table is 7.1 inches deep and suits a narrow gap. The Lerliuo nightstand is 11.81 inches deep and is a medium-depth option. The VASAGLE round table is 15.8 inches in diameter, so measure the space before you pick a round top.
How much weight can a bedside table hold?
The listings give different figures. The VASAGLE round table lists a maximum weight recommendation of 198 pounds, the Lerliuo nightstand lists 100 pounds, and the HOOBRO slim table lists 25 kilograms. The MAX Houser tower does not state a maximum weight in its listing. Use the stated figure as the seller’s limit, and keep the top light for everyday items like a lamp and a clock.
Does a bedside table need a drawer?
It depends on what you store. A drawer keeps small items like glasses, chargers and medicine out of sight. The Lerliuo nightstand has one drawer and the MAX Houser tower has four fabric drawers. The VASAGLE and HOOBRO tables have open shelves only, which suits books, plants and decor.
Can a bedside table charge my phone?
The HOOBRO slim side table includes a power strip with one outlet and one USB port, and the bullet also mentions a Type C port. The other three tables in this group do not list a charging feature. If you want to charge a phone beside the bed, the HOOBRO table is the one to check first.
How long does assembly take?
The listings give different information. The VASAGLE table states about 10 minutes. The Lerliuo listing says its parts are labeled and its guide is illustrated, but it gives no time. The HOOBRO listing describes a detailed guide and installation tools, and the MAX Houser listing says it includes all hardware and is easy to assemble and take apart. None of the four listings gives a time for every table, so check the product page for the one you choose.
What is the difference between a bedside table and a nightstand?
The two names describe the same kind of piece in most listings. A nightstand usually has a drawer or shelves and sits beside a bed, while a bedside table is a broader term for any small table next to the bed. The Lerliuo listing uses both words, and the VASAGLE listing uses the word end table. For the purpose of choosing a piece, look at the size, the storage and the weight limit in the listing, not the name.
Bottom line
Choose the bed side table that fits the gap between your bed and the wall and holds the items you use every night. If the gap is narrow, pick the HOOBRO slim table. If you want a drawer and a shelf, pick the Lerliuo nightstand, and check the height on the product page first. If you want a round top and the highest weight limit, pick the VASAGLE table. If you need many small items stored in drawers, pick the MAX Houser tower and place it in a corner or gap where its height works.
For related storage ideas, see Best Under Bed Storage with Wheels: Six Bins Compared by Clearance, Wheels and Access and Best 2 Drawer Bedside Table With Shelf.