Do I need a router table or can I just use a handheld router?

For small chamfers and edge profiles a handheld router is fine, but reviewers across r/woodworking and r/BeginnerWoodWorking repeatedly point out that tasks like raised panels, cope-and-stick joinery, narrow stock edge work, and repeatable profiles are dramatically safer and more accurate on a table. If you anticipate doing those operations more than occasionally, a table is the consensus recommendation.