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Transformer Table Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

For a dining table that can accommodate romantic dinners for two or large gatherings for plenty, the Transformer Table may be an option to consider. Our Transformer Table review looks at the pros, cons, and everything in between for this expandable dining table.

Expandable, Adjustable Dining

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Transformer Table

The Transformer table is an expandable dining table that quickly can go from seating for one to up to 12 in just a few minutes. It is made of 100% solid wood and is quite heavy and well-built. There is also an expandable bench which is designed to pair with the table (sold separately).Check Price

Pros

  • Expanding size allows for seating from 1 up to 12
  • 100% hardwood with stained finish
  • Fits a variety of design styles

Cons

  • Panels must be stored separately when not on the table
  • Very heavy; over 100 lbs. for just the table

Scoring

The Ultimate Expandable Table
  • Design - 96%
    96%
  • Performance - 96%
    96%
  • Quality - 98%
    98%
  • Usability - 97%
    97%
  • Value - 95%
    95%
96%

Summary

The Transformer Table is an expanding dining table that can adjust within a matter of minutes. It is made of 100% hardwood construction and comes in four different finishes. There is a lot to unbox, taking around 15 minutes. However, there is basically zero assembly. It comes fully assembly so all you need to do is unbox and slot in the expandable panels. It’s heavy, but the build quality is fantastic. Looks and feels like the type of table you could have for 20 years.

Table of Contents

If you’d prefer to watch rather than read we’ve got our complete Transformer Table review below:

YouTube video

🧬 Design

The design of the Transformer table takes a simple, modern form, and allows it to become a flexible adaptable piece of furniture that can easily change with your needs.

Transformer table - large enough to seat up to 12 people

There are two pieces that work together in this case:

  1. Transformer Table
  2. Transformer Bench

Both pieces have similar design elements and are designed with the same basic parts and both are made to be adjustable and expandable.

The Configurations

The Transformer Table can expand to seat up to 12 people or minimize for compact storage, shrinking small enough to fit 1-2 people or to use the table as a small console table.

Transformer Table setup for 12 people
Transformer Table setup for 12 people

Here are the six different configurations you can make out of the Transformer Table:

Table for 2

(table only)

Transformer table - seating for 1

Table for 4

(table + 1 panel)

Transformer table - seating for 4

Table for 6

(table + 2 panels)

Transformer table - seating for 6

Table for 8

(table + 3 panels)

Transformer table - seating for 8

Table for 10

(table + 4 panels)

Transformer table - seating for 10

Table for 12

(table + 5 panels)

Transformer table - seating for 12

Expanding Panels

Wondering how the table expands? Each progressively larger table size is made possible through the use of expanding panels.

A single panel for the Transformer Table
A single panel for the Transformer Table

Each table comes with 5 panels.

These rectangular panels are made of 100% solid hardwood and simply slide in to create a larger tabletop surface.

Expanding panels on the Transformer table
Expanding panels on the Transformer table

This same design and use of expanding panels is used on both the table and the bench. The matching design makes it easy to understand and use these two pieces.

The Colors

This table is available in four different colors. A little variation in finish helps the table to fit into a number of different styles and décor types.

American Mahogany

Transformer table - wood

Siberian Birch

Transformer table - gray

Canadian Dark Oak

Transformer table - black

Australian Acacia

Transformer table - natural

For this review, we tested the Canadian Dark Oak. Although the name suggests that it’s a dark stain, I think it’s important to note that this finish is painted.

Canadian Dark Oak Transformer Table we tested (8 person config)
Canadian Dark Oak Transformer Table we tested (8 person config)

This is different compared to the Australian Acacia or the American Mahogany, which both are designed to highlight the wood grain.

How to Care for the Finish

As with any painted surface, there is a possibility of chipping paint over time. However, they do include a small nail polish style vial of touch-up paint, which I thought was a really nice extra.

Touch up paint for the Transformer Table
Touch up paint for the Transformer Table

With a table like this, you are almost certainly going to chip a bit of paint at some point with all of the sliding and moving of pieces and parts.

Size & Dimensions

The size of the Transformer table is actively changing and that’s a big part of the appeal to this table.

At its smallest, the table is:

  • Width: 38″
  • Depth: 18″
  • Height: 30″
  • Weight: 143 lbs.
  • Seating capacity: 2

At its largest, the table is:

  • Width: 118″
  • Depth: 18″
  • Height: 30″
  • Weight: 224 lbs.
  • Seating capacity: 12
Size and dimensions of the Transformer table

Seating Capacity

This table is designed to work in tandem with the Transformer Bench. In most cases, the bench is sold separately from the table, but there are occasions when it is offered with the table during select promotions.

The table can accommodate up to 12 people total, which would be up to 6 people on each bench (if you bought 2 benches).

You could also buy just the table only and provide separate seating if you want more of a mix-and-match look.

👍 Assembly

When the Transformer Table initially arrives, it comes in a series of large boxes, delivered on a palette via freight delivery.

Also keep in mind that this is just the table, shown below. Whether you order just the table or the table + bench, you’ll want to make sure you have sufficient space to receive the packages.

What’s in the box?

  • Box #1 includes the table.
  • Box #2 includes the expanding panels.
Transformer table boxes

So now that we’ve covered the boxes upon arrival, let’s go ahead and get into the unboxing.

As mentioned above, box #1 includes the table. I was a little worried about a lengthy assembly process, but that really wasn’t the case here.

Transformer Table leg / corner
Transformer Table leg / corner

Right out of the box, the table comes with metal hardware already installed, which allows the table to basically arrive fully assembled.

There is also a rubberized finish on the bottom of the legs that prevents the table from scratching your floor as you move it around.

Adjustable rails on the Transformer Table

When you pull the table apart, you will see the metal sliding hardware which provides support for the panels.

Below the sliding hardware are the central leg and the two end legs. All configurations will include these parts and it comes already installed.

How to Enlarge the Table

To add extra panels to the table, simply slide the table apart to the desired width, drop the metal panel down onto the adjusting bars, and slide the table back together to lock it into place.

Inserting the expaning panel on the Transformer table

There are two ways that the expanding panels can be locked into place.

The first method is using metal pins designed into the panels. These pins slide into hollow holes in the base of the table and help to secure the panels.

Metal pins on the Transformer table

The second method is using locks on the underside of the table. These gold locks are located under the table between the metal hardware.

The simple latch locks like a trunk and holds the table together once you’ve finalized the appropriate size.

Locks under the table - Transformer table

One quick note, even after everything is locked in place, there will still be a small gap between where the panels meet. See what the gap looks like below:

Gap between the panels
Gap between the panels

Just a small aesthetic detail, but worth mentioning for the sake of this review.

🔰 How does it compare?

This particular table is pretty unlike anything else we’ve seen on the market so far.

Transformer Table (10 person configuration)
Transformer Table (10 person configuration)

We’ve seen a lot of dining table and tables with leaves that allow for additional seating.

But the range of size that the Transformer table can expand is truly unusual.

Expanding size of the Transformer Table

🥇 Should You Buy the Transformer Table?

Overall, the Transformer Table is a flexible and adjustable dining table with a sleek look and is super easy to use.

I would recommend the Transformer if you’re looking for the following in a dining table: 

  • Adjustability: I know I’ve mentioned it above, but again… this table can expand from seating 1 to up to 12 people. Expanding dining tables are not a new concept, but a table being able to expand to this degree is pretty rare.
  • Easy setup: It is easy to add or subtract panels to the table as needed. It takes only a few minutes. The locking mechanisms are easy to use and make it simple to change the table as your needs change.
  • 100% hardwood: Another really attractive feature of this table is the 100% hardwood construction. This does make the table quite heavy, but the heavier weight also offers higher build quality.

For more information on the Transformer Table, check it out here.

ChangeLog

  • June 21, 2021 – Initial version of the page published.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.