After much internet research, I went with this sand and water play table over several others, and I have been very happy with my choice. However, I do not have anything to compare to as this is our first (and hopefully last) sand/ water purchase. My daughter is 21 months.Pros -1) it is off the ground, which keeps it (and the child) a bit cleaner. Also safer with little ones, as they can't fall into it and drown. The pattern of roads through the water side also ensure they can't get their heads underwater.2) The lid fits on well, and is secure even in storms.3) the water side has a plug and is easy to drain. We've had no leaks, and we didn't even screw the legs on, just popped them in.4) the umbrella is great, the height can be adjusted and it keeps her mostly in the shade all day.5) the little enclosed toys are a perfect size for the sand and the water.6) a perfect size for smaller children such as mine, though I suspect older children would find it a bit too small. Several children can be around it, we have had 4 year old visitors who loved it, and we have managed up to 4 children easily.Cons1) the sand and water WILL mix, and you will spend a lot of time emptying the water side and refilling it with clean water.2) need to store the umbrella - not a big deal but my daughter likes to wave the detachable pole around like a sword if I leave it under the table.3) there is a tendency to tip the sand onto the floor, I guess if you are 2 and you have a shovelful of sand, you want to experiment with gravity, but it is messy!4) pretty low table for an adultThings that might help1) matchbox cars fit the roads perfectly. Little kids soft tonka toys (those cute soft plastic ones with the faces) do not. This was a bit upsetting to my daughter as she wanted to make the cars go on the roads, and it took us a day or two to sort it out.2) the sand side takes about half a 50lb bag of playsand. You could fill it higher, but then you will lose more over the edge. We just top it up as needed. You can buy a bag at Home Dept for 6 dollars.3) normal beach toys are a little too big for the table, eg buckets. We use the digging toys (shovel, rake, castle mold) from the "Green Toys Sand Set" What I was wondering before the purchase of my Step 2 sand and water table is "How much sand will I need?" I found a 25lb box of Sandtastik to be the perfect start. That's going to give me about two or three fills of the table, I don't fill it all the way up because it will just wind up on the ground that way. The sand that I've put in there has lasted over a month so far. The water siide fills with two gallons.What I knew before the package even arrived is that Step2 is a quality brand. It's sturdy and durable and we've always had good luck with their products. They really hold up to a lot of play and rough and tumble kids! With that expectation I have been completely satisfied with this purchase. It's sturdy and you can tell just by looking at the quality it will last many years. All the kids in the neighborhood play with it ages 2-13! It's a lot of fun and a great sensory activity for kids of all ages (even for moms!)I read problems people had with leaking and something about the plug being in or near the leg. That must have been an older model because there is no such problem with our table. No leaks! I also like the elastic cord that holds the cover on so nothing yucky gets in the table when it's not in use. The umbrella is nice but a little awkward in it's design the way it positions. You could secure it 100% but then not be able to take it off easily to put the cover on. So to be able to take it on and off, it slides sometimes or the kids pull it out. You don't want to leave it in the table unattended because it could literally blow away with a good wind. We don't use it often, our table isn't in a very sunny spot. Unfortunately younger kids see that as an opportunity to pour sand down the umbrella hole. Kids will be kids! I don't know exactly how they could improve on the design there but it's the only flaw I can see with the product. I'm going to fashion some sort of plug to solve the problem for us.Last but not least the assembly was a piece of cake. One person with an electric screwdriver/drill can get the job done. Yes you can use a manual screwdriver but it will take you forever and there are no pilot holes.Good sand/water pit. Great idea to have a lid to keep out unwanted visitors. Nice little toys included also. The umbrella has to be taken off though in order to put the lid on. I’m seen a similar design where the umbrella is slotted into the side of the sandpit so the lid can be place on without have to take down the umbrella. Very pricey though for the item. Have seen the exact same product cheaper in shops even excluding the delivery charge (shops closed due to COVID-19).Little fella loves this, because he is very young we opted to use it with water as opposed to sand (eyes etc) seems very successfulOnly time will tell how durable it is but for now it looks like he'll get years of use from itVery good quality grandson loves it. It is bigger than I thoughtgreat fun with my grandsonA very sturdy sand and water table with a well fitting lid. My grandson loves it and the addition of an umbrella will be great on sunny days.