Draft tables are often the subject of debate because some people can’t imagine using a flat surface for drawing or drafting. However, drafting tables are renowned for being far more comfortable than the typical drafting stool or drafting chair. If you don’t have a drafting table for your next project and you truly feel like you’re sacrificing quality for comfort, you might consider these options. They may just change the entire way you think about drafting.
These reviews are categorized according to the type of table being reviewed, meaning that each review analyzes and rates a particular type and size of drafting table. Within each category, I’ve included information about the table’s basic characteristics before discussing the table’s relative strengths and weaknesses.
Along with each table review, I’ve included some advice on how to utilize your drafting table as efficiently as possible. With any luck, this information should help you make the most of your next project.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Piece Comet Art | Best Overall |  |
| ZENY Height Adjustable Drafting Draft Desk Drawing Table Desk Tiltable Tabletop w/Stool and Storage Drawer | Budget Pick |  |
| Stand Up Desk Store Height Adjustable Drawing and Drafting Table | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. 2 Piece Comet Art
Pros:
- Top is adjustable and sturdy with a powder-coat finish
- Stool is included and has a foot rest and adjustable height
- One of the least expensive options.
- One of the best ways to create a comfortable and user-friendly working environment.
- The table itself, it is easy to assemble with minimal tools, and it is easy to transport.
- The tabletop will accommodate larger projects and can be used for just about any craft.
- Both table and stool are well-made from sturdy metals, and the seat cushion is comfortable and anti-slip.
Cons:
- It is larger than expected and can take up a considerable amount of space, especially if you are also using the bottom shelf.
- There is a slight wobble to the table, but it isn’t noticeable when using it.
- The table is large enough to accommodate a laptop.
- The frame is not durable and will not hold up well to repeated heavy use.
- The edges of the tabletop are wavy and the welding on the stool is noticeable.
(2 Seats)
If you are looking for an affordable drafting table set, this product is a good option. The tabletop is adjustable, so you can angle it towards your working area.
2. ZENY Height Adjustable Drafting Draft Desk Drawing Table Desk Tiltable Tabletop w/Stool and Storage Drawer
Pros:
- Simple and very stylish
- Made of quality materials
- Very safe to use
- Easy to assemble
- Smooth sliding drawer with a handle
- Sturdy construction
- Sturdy tilt mechanism
- Ergonomic surface
Black.
Our pick for the best drafting table is the ZENY Drafting Draft Desk, which is one of the most affordable options out there. It is available in a black matte finish with a smoked glass tabletop. This drafting table is a great place for your DIY, art, sewing, gaming or computer work.
This design is made of quality materials – it’s made of solid and durable wood combined with industrial quality steel. The build quality is top-notch, meaning it will last longer than other comparable drafting tables. The material of this drafting table is not flimsy and will definitely offer great strength. The modern design, as well as the muted color, will allow you to effortlessly blend it with any other furniture.
3. Glass Futura Craft Station in Silver/Blue
Pros:
- Very sturdy and stable
- Provides a great view of your project
- Casters are heavy-duty
- Good quality, easy to assemble
- One of the cheapest drafting tables for sale
Our top-choice for an affordable drafting table is the Glass Futura Craft Station. It’s a simple, stylish design with a sleek surface that’s easy to see and view your work on without any glare. It’s also a very lightweight, portable table, which makes it easy to transport from the storage closet to any workspace.
Despite its budget price, the Glass Futura Drafting Station is still a very sturdy and stable table. It’s designed with a sturdy construction that feels solid and dependable. The table comes in several different color options, but our favorite is the sleek silver and blue.
The frame is made of steel, which is covered with thick tempered glass. The legs are a bit thin, but they do have casters that make them easy to move around. This is a very affordable table, and has a great minimalist design, so it is perfect for casual users.
4. Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table
Pros:
- Commercial grade durability
- Adjustable, spacious tabletop
- Good quality chair included
- Sturdy build quality
Even artists, engineers, architects, and students in the home depot can achieve great results with the right tools. This is why we feel National Public Seating's drafting table is a must-have in any office or studio.
The desk is made with commercial grade steel and comes with a built-in adjustable mechanism, so it can expand from 42" to 60" in height. This drafting table allows for plenty of space to work on and prevents you from having to shift around objects on your desk. That means more time to focus on other things, like your art.
There's also a sturdy base with casters that allow you to effortlessly move the table from one room to another if need be. The included adjustable chair by Stalwart is very comfortable, according to reviews. However, if you use a tall stool with this drafting table, there may be space issues near the top of the table. Regardless, this is still a high-quality table that's capable of lasting a lifetime.
5. Stand Up Desk Store Height Adjustable Drawing and Drafting Table
Pros:
- Good value
- Solid, stable frame
- Easily adjustable height
- Sturdy construction
- Birch top is thick and durable
- Wide table top
- Fan is a nice touch
- Thick desk top reduces leg strain
- Also has levelers for uneven surfaces
- Drawer holds pens, sharpies, and other supplies
Cons:
- Leg levelers don’t seem to hold as firmly as they should
- The fan motor is a bit loud, but it is quiet enough that it doesn’t bother me
- A little pricey
- Not as portable as some would like
- A little flimsy, but otherwise well-made
6. Studio Designs Graphix II Workstation
Pros:
- * Sturdy and lightweight frame structure
As a visual artist, you need a drafting table that you can rely on, especially when you're working to meet a deadline. This is when we recommend you get your hands on the Graphix II Workstation from Studio Designs.
This drafting table is designed for comfort and convenience. It includes a wide top, a thin yet reinforced table top pad, and a tilt-out plastic tray that protects your accessories. The design includes a storage bin up top for your art supplies which gives you easy access to what you need. There's also an adjustable shelf to hold supplies and a waste basket.
In terms of build, it has a sturdy and lightweight frame structure. It's also easy to install. What's more, the material rolls and cuts constantly without much hassle. Another factor we took into account are the accessories. The Graphix II Workstation comes with a pair of tubular castors, RISER II double-ended heavy-duty brace and leveling feet.
7. Studio Designs Futura Tower
Pros:
- Available in different sizes
- Easy to combine with other Studio Designs desks
- Available with extended frame for larger desks
- Durable powder coat finish
- Solid design with minimal flex
Cons:
- Assembly is required
- Low-quality laminate found on cheaper models
In our search for the best drafting tables we discovered the amazing Studio Designs Futura Tower table. This drafting table is customizable to the needs of the user. The frame is available in two different sizes, and you also have the option to choose the design and color scheme. There’s a variety of color options available for the legs and frame, and the tabletop can be ordered in a huge variety of colors.
The Studio Designs table has an open frame design that provides plenty of legroom and offers a more comfortable workspace. Adjustable levelers are available for uneven surfaces. The 29lbs frame holds up to 200lbs of desk weight.
For the most part, the Studio Designs tables hold up very well with frequent use. However, cheaper models with laminate construction tend to chip and scratch easily, so it’s important to go with a more expensive model if you can afford it.
8. Studio Designs Pro Craft Station in White
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Work surface is large
- Durable steel frame
- Easy assembly
- Folds compactly for easy storage
- Accommodates multiple artists
Cons:
- Some buyers find crossbars of equal height on front and back legs a bit inconvenient, but they are mostly subjective.
With this drafting table by Studio Designs, you have the ability to craft larger works of art and plan out intricate projects. The work surface is large and made of high-quality MDF board that provides ample room for projects at any size. The cross bars are easy to use and may be adjusted to whatever height is comfortable for you. The legs have a sturdy steel construction with welded steel joints for maximum stability. The table folds up compactly for easy storage and transportation.
This table is perfect for artists and creative types. It is a space-efficient design that lets you work and plan out projects on a single workspace. It features an easy-to-clean surface, as well as a T-mold edge that will keep your plans from falling off the table, even when working with wet media. The surface is coated with a layer of matte finish and is available in either light or dark storage options. The MDF provides the right amount of stability and resistance to damage.
9. Studio Designs 10053 Vision Craft Station in Silver / Blue Glass
Pros:
- Chalk-board top with a felt liner
- Tempered glass top
- Work surface can be folded down for easy storage
- Includes six different drawing board accessories
- Casters for easy mobility
- Great for beginner artists
- Angled and back legs allow for a more ergonomic drawing experience
- 27.37 inches tall, 48 inches wide, and 19 inches deep
- Lightweight and easy to assemble
- Has a good weight capacity of 250 lbs.
Cons:
- Varnish finish stains easily
- Product dimensions could be slightly larger
- Can get slightly wobbly when fully extended
This mid-priced drafting table is one of the best of its kind. Cheap yet functional, it’s a great option for students just starting out at art schools who need a reliable desk. It’s not the sturdiest table on the market, but it serves its purpose well and comes very highly recommended by other users as well.
10. Coaster Melo 3-Drawer Champagne and Smoke Drafting Desk
Pros:
- Made from high-quality materials
- Meets ANSI/BIFMA quality standards
- Includes 3 drawers for maximum storage
- Features a top drawer with locking capacities
- Great for small spaces
Cons:
- Expensive option
- Made from particle board, which could be damaging if wet
- Drawers can be stiff
- Drawers have locks, but only one key is provided
Frame, White Top.
This is another top performing drafting table coming from Coaster which is an excellent brand in comparison to other small companies. It is made for small spaces yet it is still capable of handling plenty of your work files. It is a thin desk yet it is sturdy enough to handle a good amount of weight.
As this is a standard desk, it only comes with three drawers (rather than more). These are sturdy and quite useful, but the downside may be that they are not quite as big as drawers you get with other products. Still, there is enough room to store plenty of stuff you need to take care of.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best drafting table?
You are unlikely to require much explanation about drafting tables. They are widely used by architects and designers to draft out plans of buildings and/or machines before any physical building takes place.
When drafting tables have been created with sterility as their primary objective, then they are commonly known as ‗—reaction tables‘, as they are likely to be used in laboratories and other fields that require utmost safety and cleanliness.
These are created in such a way that they should withstand abuse, chemicals, and a variety of other factors that could compromise the quality of the drafting.
In most cases, they are made from glass or steel, and occasionally from other materials such as Plexiglas, Perspex etc.
How do I choose a drafting table?
Choosing a drafting table is a very straightforward process. The most important aspect when choosing a drafting table is whether or not it can fit your workspace. Drafting tables are usually available in two different table styles:
A stand-on-top drafting table has legs which are small enough to stand by. The short design allows this table to take up very little floor space which is ideal in smaller workspaces.
A traditional drafting table is designed to be placed on a larger top such as a desk. This table is a preferable choice if working in a small workspace with limited floor space.
What do you use a drafting table for?
Some use it to draw and paint. Others use the more industrial version to make blueprints and diagrams. In others, like a garage or a carpenter's workshop, it keeps the work-in-progress up off the floor and easier to view.
Drafting tables have been used for generations to develop, design, and create various kinds of things. However, the good old-fashioned drafting table is not being used as much as it used to be.
These days people go for the L-shaped drafting tables instead because of its space-saving ability. Other people choose a sit-stand drafting table to be able to always keep up with their work and be more productive throughout the day.
Can you use a drafting table as a desk?
While this may seem like a silly question, it’s entirely true.
Many people are finding that they need to keep tables on hand for practicality, without much room to spare. Rather than getting a new full rectangle or square-shaped table, they may choose to consider a drafting table. Drafting tables are often able to fold up underneath another table or desk, so you don’t have to worry about the space that it takes up.
But the question is… can a drafting table be used as a regular desk? Most of them are small, but generally, yes. The problem that many people have when combining a drafting table with a job is that the work surface is often much smaller than a typical desk. Aside from that, they don’t include drawers, so that will be another thing that you’ll have to consider.
Conclusion
When it comes to drafting tables, you have two basic choices of an upright table or a slanted (or drafting) table. Both styles have their advantages and disadvantages. Our advice is to decide what role you want your desk to play. If you want to use it strictly for making technical drawings (as the name implies) and plan to be in a stationary position for long periods of time, then a drafting table is the perfect option for you. If you want something more dynamic that you can use for spreading out materials, reading documents, and more, then you may want to consider an adjustable standing desk. Regardless, if you’re looking to buy a drafting table, these are the top picks.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Piece Comet Art | Best Overall | |
| ZENY Height Adjustable Drafting Draft Desk Drawing Table Desk Tiltable Tabletop w/Stool and Storage Drawer | Budget Pick | |
| Stand Up Desk Store Height Adjustable Drawing and Drafting Table | Upgrade Pick | |