Which is better for a family of four?

The Portal Outdoor. It seats four and is 36 in high, so people can sit around it. The Moonlander is a small table for one or two.

Is the Nemo Moonlander worth the extra $107?

Only if you want the dual-height design, the higher 99 lb capacity and the padded case. If you just need a table for group meals, the Portal does that for $52.99.

Which one is sturdier?

The Moonlander holds more weight, 99.21 lb against 60 lb, and reviewers call its legs very sturdy. The Portal's roll-up top is lighter and less solid.

Can I backpack with either table?

Not really. The Moonlander weighs 4 lb 13 oz and reviewers say it is too heavy for backpacking. The Portal is lighter but bulky at 30 in wide.

The Moonlander. It folds to 14.5 x 9.5 x 1.5 in and comes with a padded case. The Portal's roll-up top folds flat but has no listed case.

Does either table work as a side table next to a chair?

The Moonlander does, at its 16 in side-table height. The Portal is fixed at 36 in, which is dining height, not side-table height.

Portal Outdoor Lightweight Aluminum vs Nemo Moonlander

Buy the Portal Outdoor if you want a full-size four-person camp table for about a third of the price. Buy the Nemo Moonlander if you want a small, sturdy dual-height table that packs into a padded case and can sit low for picnics or raised as a side table. As of November 4, 2026, the Portal is $52.99 at Amazon and the Moonlander is $159.95 at REI. The Moonlander costs about $107 more, and it is a different kind of table, not an upgrade of the Portal.

Today the Portal Outdoor Lightweight Aluminum costs $106.96 less at its best price.

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