If you opt for a set of TV trays, try to use them evenly. Using only some of them regularly will lead to them wearing out and needing replacement long before the other trays in the set. (BestReviews)

If you’ve ever tried to watch TV and eat while balancing your food on your lap or bending down over the coffee table, you understand how useful a TV tray is. But TV trays aren’t just for eating. They can also be used to keep your remotes handy or as a temporary desk to shake up your work-from-home situation.

The best TV tray is the Able Life Comfortably Independent Swivel TV and Laptop Table. It's sturdy and has a handle for helping you get up from your couch or chair.

TV trays come in two forms:

Many TV trays, especially freestanding ones, come in sets. Four is the most common, but you can also find sets of two or six. The best freestanding sets include a stand so you can keep your trays organized and stored while using up the least amount of space.

Interestingly, most sets don’t cost much more than a similar individual tray. Even if you don’t need more than one tray, it can be a wise decision to buy a set anyway so you have spares.

The best TV trays include a cupholder to limit the chances of your drink being knocked over. Some cupholders extend out from the edge of the tray and these tend to be a little flimsy. They can also make situating the tray a little more complicated. The best cupholders use indentations on the surface with some also having raised lips to make the holder deeper.

TV trays can often be too high or low for your furniture. As such, the best trays have adjustable heights. Some adjustable heights use pegs that limit your options while others use a crank to make height finely tunable.

Some trays also have adjustable tilts. This isn’t great for eating but it can make reading or using a laptop more comfortable. The tilt is also adjustable using either pegs or cranks.

For some people, TV trays with wheels are a must. This lets you scoot your tray around with less effort. The best wheels have locks to prevent unwanted movement.

They can cost as little as $50 or as much as $200-plus. Basic individual trays rarely exceed $75 while advanced ones typically start around $150. Most sets cost $100-$150.

A. Yes. Basic wooden TV trays make excellent canvases for the artistically minded. Just don't make the surface uneven with your art supplies.

A. That depends on the tray and the kind of table you want. Attachable trays are strongly recommended if you want something permanent as they're designed to be steady and handle higher weights. Freestanding trays can make for decent side and corner tables if they aren't in any walkways. But, as a general rule, they're too unsteady to be used as coffee tables or something similar.

A. If you receive your tray and find that it's incompatible with your furniture, you have two choices. The recommended option is to return it and try to find one that is compatible. Or, if you're handy, you can try to put something together to make it compatible.

If it is compatible but you lack the experience, tools or ability to install it, search online for a handyperson or ask a friend.

Able Life Comfortably Independent Swivel TV And Laptop Table: available at Amazon

Our take: This feature-packed tray is the perfect addition to your TV setup.

What we like: It attaches to most furniture and has a handle with a 250-pound weight limit that's perfect for those who struggle to get up. It swivels to be used as a side or front table and has both a small tray and a cupholder.

What we dislike: The handle can get in the way and can't be removed if it isn't needed. A few consumers found their furniture slightly lopsided after installation.

Table Mate Folding TV Tray Table: available at Amazon

Our take: This simple tray is a great option for one-person households.

What we like: The tray has six heights and three angles to choose from so it can be situated to match most furniture. The edge is raised so nothing can roll off and it has a retractable cup holder. It comes in two sizes and four colors.

What we dislike: The back of the tray has more support than the front. Some customers reported it being unstable.

Winsome Alex Five-Piece Snack Table Set: available at Amazon, Home Depot, Kohl's and Macy's

Our take: This is the perfect set for families and those who like to host get-togethers.

What we like: It includes four trays and a stand. The tray tops are 19 by 14.6 inches and they can be set up next to each other to make seamlessly larger tables. The stand helps keep the tables stored and organized. It comes in four colors.

What we dislike: The stand requires some assembly and a few purchasers reported not receiving the necessary pieces to complete it.

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Jordan C. Woika is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.