Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
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Quick summary8 picks
- Entry PickVintage Small Round Side Table about$46
- C Shaped Side Table with Adjustable Height about$5018" screen.
- VASAGLE Small Round Side End Table about$60
- Narrow Side Table about$60
- Artiss Coffee Table 3-Tier Narrow End… about$80
- Giantex End Table with Charging Station about$89
- Kisfam Side Table with Charging Station about$100
- Most PremiumGiantex Farmhouse End Table with Charging… about$110
Why a repair shop cares about side tables
A side table used to be somewhere to put a cup and a lamp. A lot of the ones selling on Amazon AU now have a charging station built in, with two Australian powerpoints and a couple of USB ports on a cord that plugs into the wall. That turns a piece of furniture into a powerboard with a tabletop on it, and that's the part I can help with.
Three of the five picks here have built-in charging, and two don't. I've judged the charging tables on what the listings say about the outlets, the ports and the cord, and on what you should and shouldn't plug into them. I've judged all five on the furniture side too: load ratings, stability, size and what they're made of.
The five picks run from $50 to $110 on Amazon AU at time of writing. They're sold by Australian storefronts and sellers: Artiss Furnishings, KISFAM-AU, Giantex AU, SONGMICS HOME AU (the seller behind the VASAGLE brand) and a seller called Zhaowang for the C-shaped table. None is sold by Amazon AU itself, which is normal for flat-pack furniture.
Most people buy a side table on looks alone, and that's fine. What's worth a minute before you buy is the charging hardware, because a poorly made outlet strip inside a particleboard table is the kind of thing that turns up in the shop with scorch marks.
Built-in outlets: what they are and what to plug in
The charging station on a side table is a small power strip built into a panel, with its own cord and plug. The Artiss listing is the most specific: two standard AC outlets rated 220 to 240V and 10A, one USB-A port, one USB-C port and a 2 metre cord. The Kisfam lists two AU outlets and two USB ports on a side panel. The Giantex lists two AC outlets, a USB port and a Type-C port with a cable hole.
The important number is the 10A. Both outlets share one cord, so everything plugged into the table together can't draw more than 10A, or 2,400W, which is the limit for a standard Australian socket anyway. A phone charger, a laptop charger and a lamp together use a tiny fraction of that. A heater, a kettle, a hair dryer or an air fryer can use nearly all of it on its own.
So plug chargers and lamps into a side table, and never a heater or anything that heats or cooks. In my experience the faults that come into the shop from built-in strips nearly all start with someone running a heater off one in winter. The contacts inside a small strip heat up under a big load, and over time they loosen, scorch and can melt the plastic around them.
Don't plug the table's cord into another powerboard or a double adaptor, either. Plug it straight into a wall socket. Chaining power strips together is how people end up with more load on one socket than it's built for, and it adds more connections that can work loose.
RCM marks, surge protection and the USB ports
Before you use a built-in charging station, look at the plug and the strip itself for the RCM tick mark, which shows the electrical parts are approved for sale in Australia. None of the three charging listings mentions RCM approval in its text, so check the actual product when it arrives. If there's no mark, I wouldn't use the outlets.
None of the three listings mentions surge protection either, so assume there isn't any. For a phone charger that doesn't matter much. If you want to charge a laptop or run a lamp from the table, plugging the table into a proper surge powerboard on the wall side adds that protection, and that's the one exception to the no-chaining rule, because a single quality surge board feeding a single table is a sensible setup, not a daisy chain.
The USB ports are the other thing to check. None of the listings states the output current or wattage of its USB-A or USB-C ports. Built-in ports in furniture are usually low powered, which means they'll top up a phone slowly overnight but won't fast charge it and won't charge a laptop. If you want fast charging, plug a GaN charger into one of the AC outlets instead. Our page on why no-name chargers fail explains why the charger matters as much as the cable.
If the USB ports stop working, the small power supply inside the strip that runs them has usually failed. That's not something to open up yourself on a mains-powered strip. Use the AC outlets with a separate charger, or replace the strip.
Spills, cords and where the outlets sit
A side table is where drinks go, and drinks and powerpoints don't mix. The Kisfam listing puts its outlets on the vertical side panel, away from the top, which it says keeps spills from reaching the electricity. That's a sensible design. The Artiss and Giantex listings don't say exactly where their outlets sit, so check the photos and think about where a knocked cup would run.
If a drink does go into an outlet, unplug the table at the wall straight away and don't use the outlets again until they're completely dry. Sugary drinks leave a sticky residue that can keep conducting after the water's gone. If there's any doubt, replace the strip.
The cord is the part people forget. A side table gets pushed against the lounge, dragged across the floor and knocked by vacuums, and the cord gets pinched under legs and bent at the point where it leaves the table. Run it behind the table rather than under a leg, and check it now and then for flat spots, kinks or a loose plug.
A flip-top lid is the other pinch point. The Artiss and Kisfam tables both have one, and both list cable cut-outs to route cords. Use the cut-out rather than closing the lid on a cable, because a lid that shuts on a charging cable every night will eventually crush it.
Load ratings and stability
Side tables are small, so their load ratings matter more than people think. The Artiss lists 30kg on the top and 10kg on each lower shelf. The Kisfam lists a maximum load of 25kg. The C-shaped table lists 45 lbs, about 20kg. The VASAGLE round table and the Giantex farmhouse table don't give a figure, so keep heavy things off them.
Stability is about the base as much as the rating. A small round table with a narrow base tips more easily than a square one, especially if someone leans on the edge to get up from the lounge. The VASAGLE round table has U-shaped steel legs and adjustable feet. The Giantex lists a 7.5cm thick base and anti-slip foot pads. The Artiss lists foot pads that help on uneven floors.
C-shaped tables are the ones to watch. The base slides under the lounge and the top hangs over your lap, so all the weight sits off to one side of the frame. That's fine for a laptop and a coffee, and the listing's 20kg is plenty for that, but don't lean on the overhanging edge or put a heavy lamp on it.
If a table wobbles, check the leg screws first. Flat-pack tables loosen as the board settles, and a quarter turn on each screw a few weeks after assembly usually fixes it.
Floors matter too. A table on thick carpet sinks unevenly and rocks, while one on tiles or polished timber can slide when it's bumped. Adjustable feet, like the VASAGLE's, sort out an uneven floor, and anti-slip or felt pads, like the ones listed on the Giantex and Artiss, stop a table creeping across a hard floor. On carpet, a table with a wider base or four legs set well apart is steadier than a small pedestal.
Size and height
A side table's top should sit roughly level with the arm of the lounge or chair beside it, or a little lower. Too high and you're reaching up for your cup, too low and you're leaning down. Most lounge arms sit somewhere between 55 and 65cm, so measure yours before you buy.
The three charging tables are all narrow rectangles. The Artiss is 60cm long, 30cm wide and 60cm high. The Kisfam is 30 x 60 x 60cm. The Giantex is about 60 x 36 x 62cm going by its listing dimensions. A narrow table suits the gap between a lounge and a wall, or beside a bed, and keeps the outlets within reach.
The VASAGLE round table is about 45cm across and 50cm high, a little lower than most lounge arms, which suits an armchair or a reading corner. The C-shaped table adjusts from 18 to 31 inches, about 46 to 79cm, so it can sit at lounge-arm height or come up over your lap for a laptop.
Materials, finishes and assembly
Every table here uses particleboard or MDF for the top and panels, with a steel or metal frame on most. The Kisfam lists particleboard on a steel frame, the Artiss a metal frame with wood panels, the VASAGLE a particleboard top on steel legs, and the C-shaped table steel tubing with a wood-look MDF top that its listing describes as waterproof and easy to clean.
Particleboard is fine for a side table, but it doesn't like water at the edges. Wipe spills quickly, use coasters and don't stand a wet pot plant straight on the top. A metal frame helps, because it keeps the board off a wet floor and holds the table square even if a panel softens.
The listings all describe simple assembly. The Kisfam says about 30 minutes with tools included, and the VASAGLE says five to ten minutes. With the charging tables, fit the panel with the power strip carefully and make sure the cord isn't trapped between panels when you tighten them, because a cord crushed inside the frame is a hidden fault waiting to happen.
Drive the last turn of every screw by hand rather than with a drill. Particleboard strips easily, and a stripped hole is the most common reason a flat-pack table starts to wobble within a few months.
How I picked these
I searched Amazon AU for side table, side table with charging station and end table, and kept new listings from Australian storefronts and sellers whose title, features and dimensions agree. I left out a VASAGLE round table whose title says rustic walnut while its features describe a charcoal grey finish, and a VASAGLE 3-tier table whose title dimensions don't match its listed dimensions.
I also left out a tall Giantex nightstand with a charging station, which is really a 140cm bookshelf rather than a side table. Bedside tables are a separate buy, and the charging advice here applies to them too. A few close contenders are in the extras below the picks.
Ranks come from Amazon AU's own categories, checked on 4 November 2026. Amazon files these tables in three different places, End Tables, Bedside Tables and Coffee Tables, so the numbers aren't directly comparable across picks. If you're furnishing the whole lounge, our coffee table guide covers the bigger table, and a smart plug is a tidy way to put a lamp on a timer. Prices move week to week, so check the listing on the day you buy.
The 5 picks, $50 to $110
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (4 November 2026) and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU category sales ranks, checked the same day.
Artiss 3-Tier Narrow End Table with Charging Station and Flip Top
ASIN B0H4FMWLW5 • $79.95 • Sold by Artiss Furnishings on Amazon AU
The Artiss 3-tier is the side table I'd buy if you want charging beside the lounge or bed. It's $80 and sold by Artiss Furnishings, an Australian retailer. Its listing is the most specific of the three charging tables here: two standard AC outlets rated 220 to 240V and 10A, one USB-A port, one USB-C port and a 2 metre power cord. It has a hinged flip-top with a hidden compartment and a U-shaped cut-out for routing charging cables, plus two open shelves below. The part number is FUR-U-COF-10-WD. Artiss Furnishings is an Australian retailer, so returns and warranty claims stay local. It's the only one of the five picks whose listing gives the outlet rating and the cord length.
It's 60cm long, 30cm wide and 60cm high, which puts the top at about the height of most lounge arms, and the narrow depth fits between a lounge and a wall. The listing gives load ratings of 30kg on the top and 10kg on each 41 x 24cm lower shelf, which is generous for a table this size. It has a metal frame with wood panels in a light wood and black finish, and foot pads for uneven floors. The listing weight is about 7.2kg, so it's easy to move. Amazon AU files it under Coffee Tables, where it ranks #39 at time of writing. The 2 metre cord is long enough to reach a wall socket behind most lounges without an extension lead.
The listing warranty is 1 year. The listing doesn't mention RCM approval, surge protection or the USB output, so check the strip for the RCM mark when it arrives and expect slow USB charging. Plug chargers and lamps into it, never a heater. Use the cable cut-out rather than closing the lid on a cord. For a charging side table, it's my pick. Run the cord behind the table rather than under a leg, and check it every few months for flat spots. Wipe spills off the top quickly, because the particleboard swells if water gets in at the edges. Tighten the frame screws a few weeks after assembly.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't state RCM approval, surge protection or the USB output, so check the strip and expect slow USB charging. The flip-top lid can pinch a cable if you don't use the cut-out. Amazon files it under Coffee Tables, so its rank isn't comparable with the End Tables picks.
Best for: Lounges and bedsides where you want two outlets and USB charging within reach.
Size: 60 x 30 x 60cm (listed) • Outlets: 2 AC, 220-240V/10A • USB: 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C • Cord: 2m • Load: 30kg top, 10kg per shelf (listed) • Weight: About 7.2kg (listing) • Warranty: 1 year (listed) • Seller: Artiss Furnishings (AU) • Rank: #39 in Coffee Tables (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Kisfam Side Table with Charging Station, 2 AU Outlets and USB, Brown
ASIN B0BZRRY7QD • $99.99 • Sold by KISFAM-AU on Amazon AU
The Kisfam is the charging table with the most thought put into where the outlets go. It's $100 and sold by KISFAM-AU. The listing describes two AU outlets and two USB ports on the vertical side panel, away from the tabletop, which it says keeps spills from reaching the electricity. It has a flip-top lid over a concealed drawer, two open shelves, a steel frame with particleboard panels, rounded corners and a maximum load of 25kg. It ranks #38 in Amazon AU's End Tables category at time of writing. KISFAM-AU is the brand's Australian storefront, so returns and warranty claims go through it. Its outlets on the side panel are the main reason it's in this guide.
It measures 30 x 60 x 60cm according to its title, so it's the same narrow footprint and lounge-arm height as the Artiss, and the listing pitches it as a sofa table, a charging bedside table or a narrow nightstand. Side-mounted outlets are the right idea for a table that holds drinks, because a knocked cup runs across the top and off the edge rather than straight into a socket. The listing says it goes together in about 30 minutes with all parts and tools included. The listing weight is about 8kg, and the colour is brown. Four devices can charge at once, according to the listing, which covers two phones, a laptop and a lamp.
The listing doesn't give a model number, a warranty, the outlet rating, the USB output, the cord length or any mention of RCM approval, so check the strip and the box carefully when it arrives. Treat it as 10A total across both outlets, like any Australian power strip. Keep heaters off it. For spill-safe charging, it's the one to get. Plug it straight into a wall socket rather than another powerboard. Run the cord behind the table and away from the vacuum's path. Keep the flip-top lid clear of cables when you close it, and check the frame screws after the first month.
Honest caveats: The listing gives no model number, warranty, outlet rating, USB output, cord length or RCM mention, so check the hardware when it arrives. It's the second most expensive pick. The flip-top lid needs cables routed so they don't get pinched when it closes.
Best for: Households where drinks and chargers share the same table, thanks to its side-mounted outlets.
Size: 30 x 60 x 60cm (listed) • Outlets: 2 AU, on side panel • USB: 2 ports • Storage: Flip-top drawer plus 2 open shelves • Load: 25kg max (listed) • Frame: Steel with particleboard • Weight: About 8kg (listing) • Seller: KISFAM-AU • Rank: #38 in End Tables (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Giantex Farmhouse End Table with Charging Station and 2 Drawers, White and Brown
ASIN B0GQSMNKSF • $109.95 • Sold by Giantex AU on Amazon AU
The Giantex farmhouse table is the one with the most storage and the most charging ports. It's $110 and sold by Giantex AU, the brand's Australian storefront. The listing describes two AC outlets, a USB port and a Type-C port with a cable management hole, plus a wooden-textured top, an open shelf, two pull-out drawers and a hidden back shelf. It has a 7.5cm thick base, metal corner protectors and anti-slip foot pads. The model code is KW24170AU-XIAU. It ranks #46 in Amazon AU's Bedside Tables category at time of writing. Giantex AU is the brand's own Australian storefront, so returns and warranty claims stay local. It's the only charging pick with drawers, and its model code carries an AU suffix.
At about 60 x 36 x 62cm going by the listing dimensions, it's a little deeper than the other two charging tables, and the drawers make it the best pick for hiding remotes, chargers and cables. The listing pitches it as a nightstand or a side table, and it works as either. The farmhouse look, with a white body and a brown top, suits a lounge or a bedroom with a lighter style. The listing weight is about 17.5kg, the heaviest of the five picks, which helps it sit still when you open a drawer. The cable hole lets you run a lamp or charger lead out of the back without leaving the drawer open.
The listing doesn't state the outlet rating, the USB output, the cord length, a warranty or any RCM approval, so check the strip when it arrives. The drawers run on slides, so don't overload them. Plug chargers and a lamp into it, never a heater or a kettle. For a side table with drawers and charging, it's a good choice. Keep the cord behind the table, away from the drawer runners. Wipe the textured top with a damp cloth rather than a wet one. Check the metal corner protectors and the drawer handles are tight after a few months of use.
Honest caveats: It's the most expensive pick. The listing doesn't state the outlet rating, USB output, cord length, warranty or RCM approval. Amazon files it under Bedside Tables, so its rank isn't directly comparable with the End Tables picks. No load rating is given for the top or drawers.
Best for: Lounges and bedrooms that want drawers to hide clutter as well as built-in charging.
Size: About 60 x 36 x 62cm (listing) • Outlets: 2 AC • USB: 1 USB, 1 Type-C • Storage: 2 drawers, open shelf, hidden back shelf • Base: 7.5cm thick, anti-slip pads • Weight: About 17.5kg (listing) • Model: KW24170AU-XIAU • Seller: Giantex AU • Rank: #46 in Bedside Tables (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
VASAGLE Small Round Side Table with Fabric Basket, Cream White ULET223K67
ASIN B0CR6M1HBW • $59.99 • Sold by SONGMICS HOME AU on Amazon AU
The VASAGLE round table is the pick for an armchair, a reading corner or anywhere a rectangle looks too heavy. It's $60 and sold by SONGMICS HOME AU, the Australian storefront for the VASAGLE brand. It ranks #23 in Amazon AU's End Tables category at time of writing, and #9,462 site-wide. The listing describes a 45cm round particleboard top fixed to one-piece U-shaped steel legs, adjustable feet that stop it wobbling and protect the floor, and a removable double-layered polyester fabric basket underneath. The model code is ULET223K67, and the colour is cream white. SONGMICS HOME AU handles orders and returns, and VASAGLE is one of the bigger flat-pack brands sold in Australia. Of the two picks without charging, it's the one with storage.
It's about 45cm across and 50cm high according to the listing, a little lower than most lounge arms, so it sits nicely beside an armchair or a bed. The basket is 40cm across and 18cm deep, which holds a throw, magazines or a few remotes and chargers out of sight. There's no charging built in, which I see as a plus for a table you'll put drinks on, because there's nothing electrical to spill on. The listing says it goes together in five to ten minutes. The listing weight is about 3.5kg, the lightest of the five picks, so it's easy to move around the room. VASAGLE is a big brand with an Australian storefront, which makes returns straightforward.
The listing doesn't state a load rating or a warranty, so keep heavy things like big lamps or pot plants off it. A light round table on a narrow base tips more easily than a square one, so don't lean on the edge. Wipe spills off the particleboard top quickly. For a small, simple side table, it's my pick. Use a coaster, because the round top has no lip to stop a spill running onto the basket. The basket can come out for washing, so check the care label. Tighten the leg screws after a few weeks and level the adjustable feet.
Honest caveats: There's no load rating on the listing, and a light round table tips more easily than a square one. The warranty isn't stated. It has no charging, so you'll need a separate charger and a wall socket nearby. At 50cm high, it sits below most lounge arms.
Best for: Armchairs, reading corners and bedsides that want a small round table with hidden storage.
Size: About 45cm diameter x 50cm high (listed) • Top: Particleboard • Legs: One-piece U-shaped steel, adjustable feet • Storage: Fabric basket, 40cm x 18cm • Weight: About 3.5kg (listing) • Model: ULET223K67 • Seller: SONGMICS HOME AU • Rank: #23 in End Tables (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
C-Shaped Height Adjustable Side Table with Swivel Top, Walnut
ASIN B0FCR4H2T6 • $49.90 • Sold by Zhaowang on Amazon AU
The C-shaped table is the least expensive pick at $50, and it's the best seller of the five on Amazon AU, at #6 in End Tables and #4,301 site-wide at time of writing. It's sold by a marketplace seller called Zhaowang, and the brand on the listing is Homelyze. The listing describes a C-shaped frame of square steel tubing, a wood-look MDF top that it says is waterproof and easy to clean, a height that adjusts from 18 to 31 inches (about 46 to 79cm), a 360-degree swivel and a maximum load of 45 lbs, about 20kg. The model code is MC368. The brand on the listing, Homelyze, doesn't appear in the title, which is common with marketplace furniture.
The C shape is the point. The base slides under a lounge, a chair or a bed, and the top comes over your lap, so you can use a laptop, eat or hold a drink without leaning forward. At its full height it works as a small standing laptop table. The swivel lets you turn the top towards you or away. The listing says it suits tight spots and goes together in minutes. The listing weight is about 3.7kg, so it's easy to move between rooms. It's also the only one of the five picks you could use as a proper laptop table, and the colour is listed as walnut.
The listing doesn't state a warranty, and it's sold by a marketplace seller, so returns go through Zhaowang. With the weight hanging off one side of the frame, don't lean on the top or put a heavy lamp on it. Laptops on a table like this run cooler than on your knees, because the vents stay clear. For a laptop beside the lounge, it's the one. Check the height adjustment knob or pin is fully locked before you put a laptop on it. Slide the base right under the lounge so the lounge holds it steady. Wipe the top dry after a spill, even though the listing calls it waterproof, because the edges are still MDF.
Honest caveats: It's sold by a marketplace seller and the warranty isn't stated. The overhanging top makes it easy to tip if you lean on it. The 20kg rating is for spread loads, not someone pushing down on the edge. There's no storage and no charging.
Best for: Using a laptop or eating from the lounge without a full desk.
Height: 18 to 31in (about 46 to 79cm), adjustable • Top: Wood-look MDF, swivels 360 degrees • Frame: Square steel tubing, C-shaped • Load: 45 lbs, about 20kg (listed) • Weight: About 3.7kg (listing) • Model: MC368 • Seller: Zhaowang (Homelyze brand) • Rank: #6 in End Tables (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
What we see fail in the workshop: built-in charging stations
Built-in charging stations in furniture are a small power strip with a tabletop on top, and they fail the same ways power strips do. Most of the faults I see come from three things: a strip overloaded with a heater or kettle, USB ports that charge slowly or stop, and cords damaged by legs, lids and vacuums. All three are easy to prevent once you know what to look for.
Overloaded outlets
Both outlets on a side table's charging station share one cord and one 10A rating. Plug a 2,000W heater into one and a phone charger into the other and the strip is running close to its limit for hours. The contacts inside a small strip heat up under that load, loosen over time and can scorch or melt the plastic around them. If an outlet is discoloured, smells hot, or a plug feels loose in it, stop using it and replace the strip. Keep heaters, kettles and anything that heats on a wall socket of their own.
USB ports that stop charging
The USB ports on a charging station run from a small power supply built into the strip. Those supplies are usually low powered, so a phone charges slowly and a tablet might barely keep up while it's in use. When the ports stop working altogether, the supply inside has usually failed, often after a power spike or a lot of heat. It isn't worth opening a mains strip to fix, and it isn't safe for most people to try. Use the AC outlets with a separate, approved charger, which will also charge faster.
Damaged cords
A side table's cord lives a hard life. It gets pinched under legs, crushed by flip-top lids, bent sharply where it leaves the panel and run over by vacuums. Damaged insulation can expose the wires inside and overheat, which is a real fire risk. Run the cord behind the table, not under a leg, use the cable cut-outs, and check the cord every few months for flat spots, kinks or a loose plug. A damaged cord means the strip needs replacing, not taping up. Unplug it at the wall until then.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- Want charging beside the lounge with the clearest specs? → The Artiss 3-tier at $80, with two 10A outlets, USB-A, USB-C and a 2 metre cord.
- Worried about drinks near the outlets? → The Kisfam at $100, with its outlets on the side panel, away from the top.
- Want drawers as well as charging? → The Giantex farmhouse table at $110, with two drawers, an open shelf and four ports.
- Want a small round table for an armchair? → The VASAGLE round table at $60, with a fabric basket underneath.
- Want to use a laptop from the lounge? → The C-shaped adjustable table at $50, which slides under the lounge and adjusts from about 46 to 79cm.
- Charging station outlet scorched, loose or not working? → Unplug the table at the wall and stop using it. If a charger or device plugged into it has stopped working, bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to use a side table with built-in power outlets?
It's fine for chargers and lamps, as long as the strip is RCM approved and you plug it straight into a wall socket. Look for the RCM tick mark on the plug or the strip when it arrives, because none of the listings in this guide mentions it. Both outlets share one cord and a 10A limit, so never plug a heater, kettle, hair dryer or anything that heats into it. Don't plug the table into another powerboard or double adaptor, and keep drinks away from the outlets.
Can I plug a heater into a side table charging station?
No. A heater can draw 2,000W or more, which is close to the 10A, 2,400W limit of the whole strip, and it runs for hours at a time. That heats the contacts inside the small strip, and over time they loosen and can scorch or melt the plastic. Heaters, kettles, air fryers and anything else that heats or cooks should go into a wall socket on their own, not into furniture outlets, power strips or double adaptors. Use the side table for phone and laptop chargers and a lamp.
Will the USB ports on a side table fast charge my phone?
Probably not. None of the three charging listings in this guide states the output of its USB-A or USB-C ports, and built-in ports in furniture are usually low powered. They'll top up a phone overnight, but they won't fast charge it, and they won't charge most laptops. If you want fast charging, plug a good USB-C charger, like a GaN charger, into one of the table's AC outlets and use the cable that came with your phone. That's also the easy fix if the built-in USB ports ever stop working.
What height should a side table be?
A common rule of thumb is a top roughly level with the arm of the lounge or chair beside it, or a little lower. Most lounge arms sit between about 55 and 65cm, so measure yours. The three charging tables in this guide are 60 to 62cm high, which suits most lounges. The VASAGLE round table is about 50cm, which suits an armchair or a lower bed. The C-shaped table adjusts from about 46 to 79cm, so it can sit at arm height or come up over your lap for a laptop.
Are C-shaped side tables stable?
They're stable enough for what they're designed for, which is a laptop, a plate or a drink over your lap. The base slides under the lounge and the top hangs out to one side, so the weight sits off-centre. The C-shaped table in this guide lists a 20kg maximum load, but that's for weight spread on the top, not someone leaning on the edge or pushing down to get up. Keep heavy lamps and pot plants off it, and make sure the base is fully under the lounge so the lounge holds it steady.
How do I stop a flat-pack side table from wobbling?
Start with the leg screws. Flat-pack tables loosen a little as the particleboard settles, so a quarter turn on each screw a few weeks after assembly usually fixes it. Use a hand screwdriver for the final turn rather than a drill, which can strip the hole. If the table has adjustable feet, like the VASAGLE round table, level it on the floor. Foot pads help on tiles and timber. If a screw spins without tightening, the hole has stripped, and a slightly thicker screw or a glued dowel will fix it.
Related buying guides
Charging station scorched or a charger stopped working?
Most built-in charging faults come from outlets overloaded with heaters, low-powered USB supplies that give up, and cords crushed by legs and lids. If a charger, phone or laptop plugged into one has stopped working, bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll test it and tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
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