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Almost any home DIY project is made easier by having a clean, flat surface to work on. If this surface sits at the perfect height, supports all the necessary tools and supplies, and goes where you need it to go, you’re more than likely to use it whenever you get the chance. This is why, for avid do-it-yourselfers, a workbench is more of a necessity than an option.
Of course, many folks choose to build their own workbench—for fun, and so that they can customize the bench to their exact specifications. It’s a whole lot easier, though, and not necessarily more expensive, to pick up a pre-built, commercially sold workbench—many of which boast features that make for a practically custom experience.
Ahead, get our top tips on what to look for in a reliable workbench, and see our top-favorite picks among the best workbench options available today:
- BEST OVERALL: Keter Folding Table Work Bench
- BEST FOR STORAGE: Seville Classics Rolling Workbench
- MOST PORTABLE: Worx Pegasus Table and Sawhorse
- BEST FEATURES: Seville Classics Lighted Workbench
Key Shopping Considerations
Surface Area and Height
Surface area and height are necessary considerations when determining which workbench to buy. Workbenches with a smaller surface area (4 square feet) are not great for cutting long pieces of wood because they don’t support the wood enough to create a balanced surface that is easy to work on. For these purposes a larger surface area (8 to 12 square feet) would be better. However, smaller benches can be great when painting, or working on fine detail projects. The smaller size provides the necessary surface area for the project, but also has added mobility and accessibility.
Depending on the workbench, height can often be adjusted to level out the table or to provide a higher or lower surface to suit the height of the DIYer. Height becomes especially important when considering the position that you will be in while working. To avoid a sore back, purchase a workbench that has the right height setting to match your individual comfort level.
Weight Restrictions
The average DIY project won’t call for a 3000 pound weight tolerance, but a workbench that can only hold up to 150 pounds may severely limit project choices. Knowing the weight restrictions before buying can help avoid a collapsed workbench in the middle of a project. Mobile workbenches require a light-weight build that can be easily carried, and due to this requirement they tend to have lower weight restrictions. However, even mobile benches can reach weight limits of up to 1,000 pounds.
Identify the most common material or project that will be used with the bench and include any outliers that seem like a decent probability. From this list find the maximum weight required and base workbench choices off of these specifications.
Storage
A workbench is commonly the focus of a workshop. It is where larger power tools, like a chop saw, are set up for careful cuts, and it can be a place where all the nuts, bolt, and the tools to work with them are kept. A workbench with storage will not be mobile, beyond a set of wheels on each leg in some cases, but it makes up for it by providing a place for all the tools to be hung or stored in an organized and easy-to-find way. Whether it is designated compartments and drawers, or a pegboard backing where tools can be hung, added storage in any workshop is a benefit. The option to choose a workbench with storage comes down to whether storage is more important than portability.
Portability
Where is the workbench going to go? Is it only going to be used inside of an established workshop, or will it be used inside and outside the home as required? Portability is a factor that affects size, storage, and weight restrictions. A workbench can be mobile, meaning that it folds up into half its size and can be carried with relative ease. Workbenches can also be fixed or wall-mounted. These workbenches have feet that support half of their frame while the back of the bench is fastened to a supporting wall. For the DIYer looking to cut lumber in the backyard or paint the upstairs bedroom, the wall-mounted workbench isn’t a great fit because it lacks portability.
Determine whether the workbench will be a permanent fixture or if it will be as portable as the rest of the tools, or whether it may fall somewhere in between. Heavy-duty steel frames that are not capable of folding away will hold more weight, normally have more surface area, and more storage than the average mobile workbench, and some even come with wheels that can be locked or released for added mobility.
Additional Features
Workbenches come with an incredible variety of additional features. Some fixed benches come with the option of built-in lighting, making them perfect for the workshop. Other benches offer woodworking clamps and padding inside storage compartments. Many additional features can make a project easier, but not all are essential.
Our Top Picks
1. BEST OVERALL: Keter Folding Table Work Bench
At a price that will have most DIYers reaching for their wallet, this versatile workbench has a total surface area of approximately 6 square feet and stands at 29.7 inches tall when set up. The only thing missing from the Keter Folding Table Work Bench is built-in storage capacity, but given that it is a mobile workbench that can be folded up and carried, storage isn’t expected. The workbench boasts a maximum weight capacity of 1,000 pounds and a unique opening and folding system that allows for setup in less than a minute. If that isn’t enough, the workbench also comes with two 12-inch wood clamps.
2. BEST FOR STORAGE: Seville Classics Rolling Workbench
The gorgeous look of the Seville Classics Rolling Workbench will brighten up any workshop. The stainless steel cabinet with a solid hardwood top stands at 37.5 inches tall. The eleven lined drawers and the two-door cabinet are fully lockable, making sure that little ones are protected from potentially dangerous tools. With 100 square feet of surface area and four adjustable wheels, this workbench can be used in any corner of the workshop with ease. It features a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds and enough storage that nearly any workspace will look neat and clean after all the tools have been put away.
3. MOST PORTABLE: WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table and Sawhorse
If numerous storage options and a large surface area are requirements on the next project, take a pass on this option. However, if portability is the main factor, there is none better than the WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table and Sawhorse. With a surface area of only 5 square feet, a height of 32 inches, and a weight of only 30 pounds, it can be easily folded up and tucked in the back of a car or truck to go to the work site. The Worx includes clamps and holding pegs. An interesting added feature of this product is that the surface of the workbench can be removed from the legs to serve as a sawhorse. The sawhorse by itself can support up to 1,000 pounds, while the workbench can hold up to 300 pounds and can connect to other Worx workbench support products to expand the available surface area.
4. BEST FEATURES: Seville Classics Lighted Workbench
The perfect table to bring an updated look and better lighting into a dark workshop, the Seville Classics Lighted Workbench features two stainless steel drawers and a heavy-duty steel frame. It can hold a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds and the workbench can easily be adjusted with the leveling feet at the bottom of each leg. The 4 square foot pegboard is fastened to the back of the workbench, providing ample space for tools to be hung, and holds a fluorescent light at the top which illuminates the 37.5 inch high, 8 square foot beechwood surface area.