We spent 30 hours researching what makes a good patio dining set, including interviewing five landscape designers and a pair of furniture designers, as well as scouring hundreds of reviews for sets less than $800—which seems like a reasonable amount to spend for renters and first-time homeowners. After assembling and using several sets, we recommend five (made from aluminum, wood, steel, resin wicker, and plastic) that we think are a great value and will look good in a variety of backyards and patios

Most people buy patio furniture based on the way it looks. And that is an important factor, but to get a set you’ll be happy with, we think it’s important to take into account a few other major considerations. How much space do you have for a set? An apartment deck calls for something entirely different from a capacious concrete patio. What type of set will harmonize with both the exterior and interior of your home? And how much maintenance are you willing to do on your table to keep it looking good? We go into greater detail on these and other topics in our buyer’s guide, which will help walk you through what to consider when picking outdoor furniture—even if our picks aren’t to your taste. Whether you want to splurge on a high-end teak set or invest in lounge chairs and sofas, we’ll give you guidelines for how to choose the best patio furniture for your outdoor space, with a focus on durability and design.

For this guide, our team interviewed both landscape and furniture designers, including: Aaron and Claribelle Van Holland of furniture brand M.F.E.O.; AHBE principal architect Calvin Abe; Washington DC–area landscape designer Andy Balderson; and Los Angeles landscape designers Russ Cletta, Maggie Lobl, and Naomi Sanders. We gathered more insight into what people want in an outdoor patio set by speaking with three retail experts in Pasadena, California: Veronica Hoodless, sales associate at the high-end Fishbecks outdoor-furniture store; Jesse Mezger, manager at the upscale Patioworld; and Jesse Bawsel, manager at Armstrong Garden Centers. We also looked at hundreds of tables online and dozens in stores to find good options for less than $800.

Gregory Han is a writer at Design Milk and the managing editor at AHBE Landscape Architects. He has been writing about home products and solutions since 2006 for design-focused outlets like Apartment Therapy, Lonny, Metropolis, and Design Sponge, carrying with him several years of experience as an industrial designer. Kalee Thompson, who wrote the original version of this guide, is a Wirecutter senior editor. She’s well-versed in outdoor entertaining, has owned multiple outdoor furniture sets, and seen first-hand how different materials weather over time.