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Why I love this deal
Since I review products for a living as a Commerce Editor, I tend to be pretty picky when it comes to buying new things for my home. I spend a lot of leisure time in my upstairs gaming room, which doubles as my husband’s office with a desk, a TV mounted on the wall, and an L-shaped couch. But we don’t have a coffee table in the room, since it’s a small space, adding one could get in the way of his desk chair. So while it’s comfortable to lounge on the sofa and play a game, there wasn’t a good spot to put my drink down, leaving me the awkward option of placing it on the floor.
I thought side tables or TV trays might solve our problem. But I am a fan of nice design, so I didn’t want to opt for the typical tray table, as they aren’t attractive to me (you know the one I mean). However, I did want a budget-friendly option, and I knew it could be challenging to find something both attractive and inexpensive. That’s when I found the Amhancible C-Shaped Side Table Set on Amazon, which is currently on sale for $40. I really liked its shape and that it could hug the side of a couch, so I decided to take a chance on them, and I’m so glad I did.
Amhancible C-Shaped Side Table Set, $40 (was $57) at Amazon
Why a $40 table set transformed my gaming room
While I do spend some evenings downstairs in my favorite reading nook, my husband and I spend the majority of our time together in our gaming room, either watching YouTube or playing two-player games together. But having nowhere to put our drinks, the TV remote, or our phones was annoying, which is why I decided to invest in the Amhancible C-Shaped Table Set after researching my options.
I chose this set over other side table sets because it had a clean, modern look I liked, and it’s earned more than 1,500 five-star reviews on Amazon. Doing some market research, I learned that solid wood tray table sets typically cost $60 and up, with some sets going as high as $100 to $200 from retailers like Wayfair and Lowe’s. The Amazon option was a perfect fit for both my budget and my aesthetic preferences.
Unlike a regular side table, the C-shaped legs were built to hug the edge of a couch. I placed one on each side of ours, meaning no matter where we sat, a table was close by. These tables are ideal for a small room, and they added the space we desperately needed. Now we can easily have a snack and place our plate and cup on the tables while we watch a movie or play a game together.
The gaming room has a low-pile carpet, and these tables have felt very steady standing on it. I haven’t tried them on a hardwood floor, but they do have small rubber feet, so I imagine they would do just fine on that surface as well.
Courtesy of Colette Bennett
These tables have a powder-coated metal frame and engineered wood tabletops, so one important tip is to use coasters so you don’t damage them. If moisture gets into engineered wood, it can cause buckling and peeling, so don’t get it wet. While solid wood is a nice choice for tables like this, it’s also heavier, and I wanted a lightweight option, which is why I went with engineered wood instead.
These tables do require assembly, but it only took me about 15 minutes to put both together, and the tools you need are included. Each one can hold up to 22 pounds, so you can even use these as a laptop table (and I do that sometimes in the game room when I’m working while my husband is gaming).
Details to know
- Colors: These tables are available in four colors, including Rustic Brown, gray, dark gray, and black.
- Material: Powder-coated steel base and engineered wood top.
- Measurements: Each table is 15.35 inches deep, 11.41 inches wide, and 23.23 inches high.
Shop more deals
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- Elbourn Folding Side Table for Couch, $40 (was $50) at Amazon
Our game room is one of my favorite spots in our home, and now it’s both comfortable and functional thanks to the Amhancible C-Shaped Side Table Set. They’re easy to move and convenient to use, and thanks to a 30% off sale at Amazon, they’re just $40 for the pair. I highly recommend you try them out if you’re looking for a small tray table set that’s budget-friendly.