Portable massage tables are the most popular kind of table for massage therapists. This is because they are lighter, take up less storage space, can be brought to clients' homes, and are cheaper than other types of tables. In use, they function just like stationary massage tables.
Popular brands include Earthlite, Custom Craftworks, and Oakworks massage tables. I own an Earthlite massage table and am very happy with it. It is durable, comfortable, and of good quality. In terms of weight, it could be a bit lighter, but with the weight comes comfort (more and/or denser padding). It's a trade off and massage therapists who bring their tables to and from clients' homes will have to decide how much weight they are willing to lug around.
Don't just go for the cheapest table you can find, either; I found out the hard way that you get what you pay for. I bought a table from Costco which I had to return because it was heavy, not to mention shoddy in comparison to the table I have now. This, plus it wasn't even that much cheaper.
If you don't have a lot of money to spend, consider getting a quality table used. Many times you can get good deals on used tables by looking on the bulletin boards at massage schools. A lot of people who go through massage school learn that massage really isn't for them. Meanwhile they have invested thousands of dollars in their massage education and are left with a massage table they will never use. Their mistake can be your gain as you acquire a slightly used, quality massage table at a considerable discount off the price of buying new.
If you are looking to save weight, consider getting a narrower table. Normal tables widths range from 27"-31", so look for a table on the low end of the scale. A narrower table will still accommodate most bodies. What it loses in width and stability should be negligible, especially compared to the weight you save. The main concern with going too narrow would be that clients may not have much room to rest their arms on the table when supine; when prone they can of course let their arms hang off the side of the table.
The final concern for people who will really be transporting their tables is to get a carrying case. This is a must for protecting your table and making it easier to carry. Your carrying case should have pockets for massage accessories such as massage table sheets/covers, massage oil, and your bolster.
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