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Best Sawhorses

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Rockwell JawHorse Sheetmaster Portable Workstation
Rockwell
JawHorse Sheetmaster Portable Workstation
Most Comprehensive

More than just a sawhorse – this complete work station is hands down the best of the best for almost any task you want to tackle.

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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

More than just a sawhorse – this complete work station is hands down the best of the best for almost any task you want to tackle.

Pros

Boasts a superior folding design with built-in clamp capable of handling up to one ton of force. Single horse has a 600 lb. capacity. Measures 39 inches x 39 inches x 34 inches with a 48-inch clamp capacity. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

Cons

An expensive horse, but its quality and features far outpace the competitors. On the heavy side.

Best Bang for the Buck
PortaMate Pair All Steel Folding Sawhorses - 33 inches
PortaMate
Pair All Steel Folding Sawhorses - 33 inches
Rugged Design

A rugged pair that is strong enough to hold up to numerous jobs and easy to store and take along.

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Rugged Design
Bottom Line

A rugged pair that is strong enough to hold up to numerous jobs and easy to store and take along.

Pros

An all-steel sawhorse that comes assembled. Garners praise for how easy they are to maneuver – folding design is simple to operate. Provides 500-pound capacity each, 36-inch length and 3.5-inch work surface.

Cons

Though they have a solid build that most owners rave about, a few found them top-heavy for some tasks. A bit shorter than other models we considered.

2x4basics ProBrackets Sawhorse, Set of 2
2x4basics
ProBrackets Sawhorse, Set of 2
Assembly Required

If you don't mind supplying the wood and building your own sawhorses, this option gives you the opportunity to customize two work surfaces to suit your needs.

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Assembly Required
Bottom Line

If you don't mind supplying the wood and building your own sawhorses, this option gives you the opportunity to customize two work surfaces to suit your needs.

Pros

Doesn't limit you to a specific size, as this kit includes all you need to customize your own sawhorses. Components are sturdy, and can accommodate 2x4 planks capable of handling up to 2,000 pounds. Fairly easy to build. Pack of 2 sets of brackets and hardware.

Cons

Doesn't include 2x4s - lumber must be purchased separately. Requires some building, but it's not difficult to do.

ToughBuilt Sawhorse
ToughBuilt
Sawhorse
Customer Favorite

This is a durable, affordable sawhorse that has an impressive amount of handy features.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This is a durable, affordable sawhorse that has an impressive amount of handy features.

Pros

This single, zinc-plated steel sawhorse is corrosion-resistant and can support up to 1,100 pounds. It has slots on the sides that accommodate a 2x4 and folding arms on the legs in case you need to work vertically.

Cons

If you are not careful, it is possible to get a nasty pinch when unfolding these sawhorses.

Bora Portamate Speedhorse Sawhorse (2-Pack)
Bora Portamate
Speedhorse Sawhorse (2-Pack)
Heavy Duty Use

If you are looking for a heavy-duty sawhorses, this pair can support up to 3,000 pounds.

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Heavy Duty Use
Bottom Line

If you are looking for a heavy-duty sawhorses, this pair can support up to 3,000 pounds.

Pros

These sawhorses are 45 inches long. The collapsable-leg design makes for quick set up, break down, and easy storage while the convenient built-in handle allows for a good grip when carrying.

Cons

At roughly 20 pounds for both, these sawhorses can be a little burdensome to transport.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
November 07, 2021
40
Models
considered
30
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for Best sawhorses

Bob Beacham
Written by Bob Beacham

Updated April 2022

Sawhorses started out as simple wooden trestles to support materials while you worked. However, like many other tools, the sawhorse has evolved. These days, different materials and features give you a vast choice when shopping for sawhorses.

With so many sawhorses on the market, finding the best one for your workshop can be confusing. You’ll need to consider the type, weight capacity, flexibility, and price. We’re here to help.

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Rubber or plastic feet will do a lot to stop sawhorse legs from maring delicate surfaces, but be careful on wood flooring. Too much weight across the sawhorses, and even these feet will make indentations.

What is a sawhorse?

Sawhorses have been around for hundreds of years, used by everyone from shipwrights to housebuilders. There’s no easier or more flexible way to support wood or other materials than by using a pair of sawhorses.

Over the years, sawhorses have changed. Traditional wood sawhorses were usually stacked together when not in use. These days, folding models save space and make carrying the sawhorses around easier.

While many sawhorses are still a fixed height, adjustable models are more common. Some of today’s sawhorses can be extended for width as well.

Sawhorses are usually thought of as a pair, but modern single sawhorses can hold entire 8 x 4 sheets, can support circular saws or other power tools, and include all manner of accessories to broaden their capabilities. These heavy-duty sawhorses are complete workstations.

Features to consider for sawhorses

To find the best sawhorse for your needs, consider these features.

Material

Wood sawhorses and trestles are now rarely available commercially. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the material, but wood sawhorses are comparatively heavy. They also don’t fold, so they’re not easy to store or move around either.

Entry-level plastic sawhorses are inexpensive. More advanced plastic sawhorses are adjustable or come with tool trays. Plastic sawhorses are usually lightweight, depending on the added features. But plastic options are not as hard-wearing as steel models, and they are more susceptible to damage.

Steel sawhorses are the most durable option, though it’s important to check their construction. As with plastic sawhorses, there’s enormous variety.

Capacities

Weight ratings are given for all types of sawhorses, but unfortunately, there’s no standard, so it isn’t possible to make accurate comparisons. However, minimums are usually several hundred pounds, so few users will push sawhorses to their limits. Maximum weight capacities for a pair of sawhorses can exceed 2,000 pounds.

It’s more important, in our opinion, to look at how capable the sawhorse is of supporting the materials you regularly work with. If you plan to use your sawhorses as scaffold supports, then they'll need to be able to hold a lot more weight than if you intend to use them for pallet wood and other light lumber projects. Are the legs wide enough apart to provide a stable platform? Do the components look sturdy enough to take frequent use?

You’ll also want to look at the width of the top rails. If you mostly work with boards, it won’t be an issue. But if you regularly cut large sheet material, it needs to be well supported so it doesn’t wobble as you saw.

Flexibility

The most inexpensive sawhorses offer basic support, and that’s all many people need. The most common step up from basic models is sawhorses that are height-adjustable. It’s nice to be able to adjust working height to accommodate different thicknesses of material or support the workpiece at different levels depending on the work being done.

A few sawhorses also offer top rails that can be extended width-wise, making them capable of offering greater support for materials like 8 x 4 plywood sheets. These sawhorses are also compact when not in use. However, it’s a good idea to check whether there’s enough variation to be of practical value.

Folding sawhorses are popular because they’re easier to store and carry. If you have limited space available, this feature might be important to you.

Some sawhorses have independently adjustable legs, which is very useful if you have to work on uneven ground.

Accessories

Manufacturers often use terms like “sawhorse workstation” or “multi-function worktable” to underline the versatility of certain sawhorses. Some of these models still look like sawhorses but have vise jaws and foot-operated clamps. Others have drop-down sides that form a table that can support power tools.

If you're a keen DIY-er, a multi-purpose sawhorse might suit you well, though buying a pair might be overkill. In commercial environments, a sawhorse that is just a sawhorse is often the more practical option. There’s less likelihood of small parts being snapped off or lost.

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Expert Tip
Most manufacturers give weight ratings but don’t indicate how they’re measured. If you don’t think a particular sawhorse set looks as sturdy as claimed, choose another.
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Prices for sawhorses

Inexpensive

The cheapest sawhorses are made using sawhorse jaws or brackets. These are available from as little as $10 to around $30 a pair, which gives you one sawhorse. There’s the cost of the lumber to add, but that’s not much.

Mid-range

Next up are lightweight folding sawhorses – either plastic or steel – designed for homeowners rather than full-time professionals. These cost $40 to $50 a pair. Sturdier pro models – invariably steel – can be found for around $80 a pair.

There is a tremendous choice among adjustable or folding sawhorses made from hard plastic. You’ll find good basic models from well-known brands at anywhere from $50 to $80 per pair. You’ll find several sawhorse/table combinations in this range, too.

Expensive

Bolt-on leg sets give you the option of creating sawhorses at the length you want. But at around $90 a pair, which only gives you one sawhorse, they are not a cheap option.

At the top end of the market are high-quality professional sawhorses that are adjustable for length as well as height, running from around $120 to $150 per pair. The most expensive products under the sawhorse umbrella are called workstations, and they can be as much as $200. Considering their capacities and versatility, this price still represents a good investment.

Tips

  • Wherever possible, set your sawhorses on a firm, level surface. If the legs fold, make sure they’re properly extended and locked in place. People tend to lean quite hard on the material being worked, so you need to ensure the legs won’t collapse.

  • Steel sawhorses often come with a non-slip upper work surface. Usually, they are also drilled so you can fix a “sacrificial” piece of cheap lumber to the top. Doing this reduces the risk of accidentally cutting into the steel top rail, which could damage the sawhorse but will more likely ruin your saw blade. When the sacrificial strip gets too cut and chipped to be useful, swap it for a new one.

  • Sawhorses are great for supporting long lumber and large sheet material, but they can also be a convenient and stable platform for cutting, drilling, or sanding smaller workpieces. All you need is a clamp or two to secure the job firmly. With a little ingenuity, you can work horizontally or vertically.

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Some sawhorses take up a lot of space when not in use. Those that stack or fold are easier to store. Handles make sawhorses easier to carry from one place to another.

FAQ

Q. What’s the best height for sawhorses?

A. That’s not an easy question to answer because there are so many variables. If you’re cutting an 8 x 4 sheet on basic sawhorses, you’ll want a different height than if you’re mounting a circular saw on a sawhorse worktable. Your own height also makes a difference. Most basic sawhorses are around 30 to 34 inches high, which is comfortable for the majority of people.

Some sawhorse bracket kits allow you to choose whatever height you like, though these are not adjustable. Adjustable sawhorses can overcome problems with uncomfortable cutting levels for those who are taller or shorter than average, but be sure to check how flexible they are before buying.

Q. Can I build my own sawhorses?

A. You can. An easy method is to buy sawhorse brackets or sawhorse leg sets, which you simply bolt to appropriate pieces of lumber. If you are considering either of these, be sure to check quality and price. Some brackets and leg sets are less robust than they should be, and some won’t save you any money.

Q. Is a log sawhorse different from a normal sawhorse?

A. Yes. Although the underlying support structure is the familiar trestle style, the difference is at the top. On standard sawhorses, the top is flat to support lumber or sheet materials. On log sawhorses, the vertical rails extend upward, creating a cradle for the log to sit in while it’s being cut. Some log sawhorses also include a chainsaw support.

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