10 Best Drafting Tables (Guide & Reviews)

Architects, engineers, and other professions often rely on drafting tables for creating plans and drawing up blueprints.

Since most projects require a large workspace, drafting tables are the perfect solution. These tables often feature adjustable heights, tilt angles, and sometimes glass surfaces that allow drafting and planning to be easier, faster, and correct. We’ve found the ten best drafting tables to feature in this review and buyer’s guide.

Stay tuned after our reviews to check out our in-depth buyer’s guide, which will help you understand the criteria necessary for a reliable drafting table. Then check out our FAQ section to get answers to any unanswered questions you may still have about drafting tables.

The 10 Best Drafting Table Options

If you’re an engineer or architect looking for the best drafting tables, you’re in the right place. Here are our reviews on the ten best drafting desks.

1. OneSpace Craft Station – Best Tempered Glass Surface

The OneSpace Craft Station features everything you could want in a drafting table. This heavy-duty steel-framed table has a tilt range of 62.5° and a maximum weight capacity of 130 pounds with a flat, tempered safety glass work surface that’s 41.25″ W x 31.5″ to 49.5″ H x 24″ deep.  

Not only does this table give you ample workspace for rolling out your blueprints and still have enough room for writing notes, but it also features two easy-slide drawers underneath for storage. 

Along both sides of this table are removable trays with multiple slots that conveniently store all of your supplies for easy access. And everything stays in its place, no matter the table’s angle. 

Moving your table around is easy and smooth due to four rolling casters – two are lockable when you want to stay in one place. 

Pros

• Adjustable tilt 
• Double removable supply trays
• Tempered safety glass work area
• Two drawers for storage

Cons

• The height of the legs is not adjustable

The steel-framed, blue glass-topped OneSpace Craft Station would be a fantastic addition for home or business offices with a modern aesthetic for a drafting table that gives you plenty of room to work and store your equipment.

2. Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table – Best Vintage Design

SD Studio Designs offers this vintage rustic oak drafting table, made of durable solid hardwood Poplar wood, stained a dark rustic oak color, and distressed for age. 

This table is adjustable from a flat surface to a 90° angle. You can enjoy an antique design with thick, sturdy legs attached to flat feet for balance. Unfortunately, this table is not for moving around, as there are no wheels. 

You can get this model of drafting table in two sizes – 42″ W x 30″ D x 36″ H or 36″ W x 24″ x 36″ H. Both options weigh 25 pounds and feature a 24″ raised pencil edge and a built-in pencil groove. You can also choose between Distressed Black or Rustic Oak wood stains.

Pros

• Turn-of-the-century antique design
• Adjustable from a flat surface up to a 90° angle
• Built-in pencil groove
• Raised pencil ledge
• Sturdy wood construction 

Cons

• No wheels, so you can’t move it around
• No storage
• Can’t handle heavyweights

Choose the Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table by SD Studio Designs for offices, craft rooms, or studios where you need a piece of furniture to blend in with an antique design. 

3. Studio Designs Vision Craft Station – Best Storage

This Vision craft station by Studio Designs will give you ample amounts of storage and convenience, all on a sturdy, heavy-duty powder-coated steel portable frame. 

You get three 5.75″ W x 9.25″ D x 1.75″ H plastic slide-out drawers that can position on the left or the right under the table. The adjustable tempered blue safety glass work surface is 35.5″ W x 24″ D with a 70° tilt. 

The entire width of the table is 40.75″, which includes two removable plastic trays with dedicated slots for supplies on each side of the table (4 trays total). There’s also a raised 23.75″ W 2″ deep pencil ledge. 

The height is 30″ from the 25.75″ W legs with dual caster wheels to the tabletop when it’s in a flat position. Two of the four wheels are lockable so that you can keep them in place.

Pros

• Tons of storage with four removable trays and three pull-out drawers
• Tempered blue safety glass
• Adjustable from flat to 70° tilt
• Raised pencil ledge
• Four caster wheels

Cons

• Height is not adjustable
• Not enough of a ledge to hold a book while tilted
• Plastic trays will not hold heavyweights

If you’re looking for a steel-framed draft table with a tempered glass tilt top and ample storage, the Vision Craft Station by Studio Designs could be the perfect pick for you.

4. Lucky Crown Wood Desk Table – Best Desktop Draft Table

If you’re looking for a smaller drafting table that you can easily place on top of your desk, coffee table, or kitchen counter so you can draft plans while prepping dinner, we present the Lucky Crown wood desk table. 

This option has three adjustable positions that you can change by moving the bar into the appropriate groove from 54° or 42° down to completely flat for easy storage and transporting. 

This table isn’t just great for drafting plans; it’s also perfect to use as an easel for sketching or painting for children, teens, or adults. 

The wood surface is 12.5″ tall and 16.93″ long with a 12.60″ W x 11.51″ L base. And at only 1.1 pounds, you can use this desktop draft table anywhere. 

Pros

• Lightweight and compact design
• Three adjustable heights
• Built-in pencil ledge
• Great for all ages
• Versatile for multiple uses

Cons

• Workspace isn’t large enough for big projects
• Won’t support much weight
• No way to keep items attached to the surface

If you’re interested in a compact, lightweight draft table that you can use on any tabletop by anyone over the age of seven, consider the Lucky Crown Wood Desk Table as your solution.

5. Studio Designs Drafting Table – Best Two-Piece Design

Another fantastic option by Studio Designs is this two-piece drafting table, which comes with a table and stool. This table is heavy gauge steel framed with six legs for ultimate stability. 

This table has dimensions of 50″ W x 29.5″ H x 23.75″ D with a tilt-top table that’s 36″ W x 23.75″ D and a max height of 44.25″ when at full 40° tilt with a total weight of 56.2 pounds.

In addition to a large, solid flat workspace with a metal raised pencil ledge, there’s also a three-drawer (12.75″ W x 12.5″ D x 4″ H) side table with a 15.5″ L x 14″ D flat surface. 

Plus, you also get a 20.5″ tall stool, including the padded cushion. There’s even a 15.5″ W x 14.25″ D bottom shelf for storing larger items. 

Pros

• Comes with two surfaces and a stool
• Three drawers for storage and a long storage shelf on the bottom 
• Larger work surface area
• Adjustable metal raised pencil ledge

Cons

• Takes up a lot of room
• Isn’t transportable
• Nothing to keep projects in place 

If you’re looking for a drafting table that gives you maximum storage and workspace with a matching stool in a steel frame, consider the Studio Designs Drafting Table.

6. Yaheetech Adjustable Drafting Table – Best Adjustable Height

For adults who need enough workspace for drafting while keeping their kids close by and busy, consider the Yaheetech adjustable drafting table/art table. 

This option is premium steel with P2 Certified MDF tabletop that’s 23.6″ W x 47.5″ L x 27.5″ to 36.5″ adjustable height. The top tilts from flat to 60°. There’s also a pull outside table that’s 23.6″ L x 15″ W. 

You benefit from a max weight capacity of 220.5 pounds and a side storage panel with cubbies for all your art supplies. These holders are detachable and have honeycomb pen holes with a movable hoop and a movable pencil ledge that’s adjustable.

Below the table are two fabric drawers for storage and a 29″ L storage shelf at the bottom. You also get a faux leather foam padded stool that can hold up to 265 pounds and adjust from 18″ to 22″ heights. 

Pros

• Dual workspaces and plenty of storage
• Table adjusts from flat to 60° tilt
• Height adjusts from 27.5” to 36.5”
• The included stool is adjustable in height
• Ideal for adults and kids

Cons

• Assembly can be difficult and time-consuming
• Takes up a lot of room
• Fabric drawers aren’t durable

If you’re looking for a drafting table that gives you enough room for your children to work alongside you or hold all of your equipment, consider the Yaheetech Adjustable Drafting Table. 

7. Studio Designs Ponderosa Wood Drawing Table – Best Wood

This Ponderosa Wood drawing table by Studio Designs is 42″ W x 24″ D with an adjustable height from 30″ to 41.5″ and sixteen angle adjustments from flat to 30°. The clear glass workspace is 37.75″ wide by 19.75″ tall with a 24″ raised pencil ledge.

The frame and legs are solid wood with one 31″ W x 10.5″ D drawer with five compartments for easy organization. This desk has a total weight of 41 pounds. 

This drawing table is not portable and does not have any additional shelving at the bottom, so you have limited storage. The height from the drawer to the floor is 28.5″.

Pros

• Adjustable height
• 16 tilt adjustments
• Clear glass workspace
• Pull out drawer has five compartments for easy storage
• Solid wood construction for stability 

Cons

• Drawer sticks instead of sliding out smooth
• It isn’t solid wood, so it’s not entirely sturdy
• Limited storage

For a simple wood drafting table with clear glass, adjustable workspace, try the Ponderosa Wood drawing table by Studio Designs.

8. Safco Split-Level Drafting Table – Best Split Level

This split-level drafting table by Safco works as an office desk, drafting table, or a place to sketch or paint with an adjustable base height from 29.5″ to 37.5″ and an adjustable wood grain melamine split tabletop that lifts to 50°.

The frame is heavy-duty steel and features an additional shelf at the top for extra storage. But there are no drawers. You can use this table while standing or sitting.

Pros

• Split level tabletop
• Use while sitting or standing
• Top adjusts from flat to 50°
• Height is adjustable
• Heavy-duty steel frame

Cons

• Not real wood construction
• No drawers for extra storage
• Narrow top shelf

Consider this split-level drafting table by Safco for a versatile workspace with adjustable heights to use while standing or sitting.

9. Studio Designs Futura Tower – Best Futuristic

For a futuristic theme, consider this Futura Tower by Studio Designs. This table is silver powder-coated steel with tempered blue glass workspace that’s 32.5″ W x 20.5″ D. 

Four removable trays allow for easy storage of all your art supplies, including two cup holders and an extra-large 10″ D x24″ W supply drawer. 

A 24″ adjustable pencil ledge allows your pencils to stay in place at any angle, with six angle adjustments from zero to 40° tilt.

There’s also a 24″ W x 9″ D tempered glass tower shelf, a combination magnetic and cork board with four magnets. 

Pros

• Four removable trays for storage
• Adjustable pencil ledge
• Tempered glass tower shelf
• Combination corkboard/magnetic board
• Adjustable tilt table

Cons

• It doesn’t have feet for moving around
• The large deck will take up a lot of space
• It might not fit all design themes

Make your office look like something out of the future with this steel and blue tempered glass drafting table by Studio Designs. 

10. Zeny Drafting Table Desk – Best Basic Compact

This adjustable drafting desk by Zeny features a black metal frame with two 12″ x18″ drawers and a 34″ x 23.62″ table surface. The entire desk is 55″ x 23.62″ with an adjustable height from 28″ to 35.8″ and a tilt range from 0 to 45°. 

The tabletop is P2 MDF with a hollow metal shelf along the side for storing pens, paints, supplies, papers, and a second 23.6″ L x 15″ W x 0.7″ thickness auxiliary work surface for extra space. You can fold the top down into a regular desk when you don’t need the expanded room. 

ABS foot pads prevent damage and scratches to your floors, but there are no wheels to allow this desk to move around. You also get a 20.1″ tall x 11.8″ diameter metal stool.

Pros

• Two work surfaces for maximum room
• Included stool 
• Works as a drafting table or regular desk
• Adjustable tilt tabletop
• Two drawers for storage

Cons

• No padding on the stool
• Narrow room for the auxiliary shelf
• MDF materials

For a slim drafting table with two workspaces, a storage rack, two drawers, and an adjustable height plus a stool, try out the Zeny drafting table desk.

What Is a Drafting Table?

A drafting table is an essential piece of equipment for engineers and architects that manage frequent mechanical drawing or drafting.

These tables often have an adjustable pitch top and rigid leg support. The exact size, materials, and adjustments vary by design. 

In addition to working for drafting, you can also use these tables for hobbies, writing, crafts, painting, drawing, and reviewing large documents that require a lot of room to spread out. 

Considerations for Choosing the Best Drafting Table

When shopping for a drafting table, you must consider some factors to ensure you get the right design for your needs. Let’s look at some of these crucial criteria.

Workspace Size

You’ll need to consider the size of the projects you’ll be doing when trying to pick the proper drafting table. To decide on the appropriate workspace dimensions, consider the size of the materials you frequently work with and choose a tabletop size that’s one size bigger.

The different size options range from 24″ x36″, 30″ x 42″, 37.5″ x 48″, 37.5″ x 60″, or 37.5″ x 72″. There are also other size options, but these are the most standard sizes for drafting tabletops. 

Amount of Room

Many drafting tables take up a lot of space. It’s essential to consider the area where you’ll be setting up your table so you can buy one that fits the space appropriately. 

In areas where you have limited space, consider a fold-a-way, tabletop, or portable drafting table. But if you’re managing large projects and need a table with maximum stability and you have the extra room, you’d do better with a Four-Post or Pedestal table. 

Style

Drafting tables come in various styles, designs, and materials. After considering the previous two factors, use them in combination with your preferred tastes to get the perfect table. 

For the most stability, storage, and space, you’d do best with a four-post table. These drafting tables do not have wheels and cannot transport easily. Sizes range from 30″ x 42″ up to 43″ x 84″ and can be metal, wood, or a combination of both materials. 

Pedestal tables have a tilt ranger from flat (0°) up to a 90° angle and often offer the option to adjust from an office to a drafting height. There’s usually a lever, switch, dial, or foot pedal that adjusts the height and tilt. The downside is these permanent tables are more expensive and take up more space. 

Fold-a-way drafting tables are easy to transport and store, which allows them to be more versatile. However, because they are more compact, they aren’t as sturdy, and they have a smaller workspace and less weight capacity. 

Materials

Drafting tables can come in various materials. Wood and metal are the two materials that give the most durability, strength, and stability to your frame.

Melamine, laminate, or composite woods are cheaper and are often used in portable drafting tables. But these materials are more susceptible to damage and are not as stable. 

Accessories

Many professionals searching for the best drafting tables want to find a solution that offers more than just a decently sized workspace. 

You may also want to find options that include additional features like a tempered glass top that allows for light to shine through for drafting, drawers or shelves for extra storage, and racks or trays for storing crucial supplies like pencils, rulers, and other gear. 

Best Drafting Table FAQ

We’ll complete this guide and review of the ten best drafting tables by answering some frequently asked questions many customers have about this topic that we may not have already covered.

Do architects still use drafting tables?

Although many architects are using digital software such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology, drafting tables are still a valuable and popular tool for engineers and architects. 

Can I use a drafting table as a desk?

Many drafting tables can double as regular desks for writing, computers, books, drawing, painting, and other desks’ standard uses. The biggest thing that will affect whether a drafting table can double as a desk is if the top can lay flat. 

What are most drafting tables covered with?

A lot of drafting tables feature tempered glass, which allows you to use a light underneath to highlight your work. This type of glass is safer and less likely to break under heavyweight. 

What angle is a drafting table?

The ideal angle you would want for a drafting table should be between 30° and 45°, although you can find some that have tilt angles as high as 90°. You’ll want a drafting table that can also lay flat (0°) if you want to use your table as a regular desk. 

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our reviews of the ten best drafting tables. Which option would be best for you will depend on your needs. Remember to consider the criteria we’ve listed in our buyer’s guide, as well as the answers to the FAQ when shopping for draft tables, so you pick the perfect choice. While technology has made it easier to draft plans, nothing beats the work you’d create using a drafting table.