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Best Workbenches

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Fedmax Mobile Garage Workbench
Fedmax
Mobile Garage Workbench
Most Versatile

Highly adaptable work bench is attractive enough to function as a desk, if needed.

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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Highly adaptable work bench is attractive enough to function as a desk, if needed.

Pros

Workbench has 14 different height settings. It is manufactured with a solid steel frame and 1-inch thick acacia hardwood. Both leg levelers and heavy duty locking casters are included so you can have the base that is best suited for your needs.

Cons

If you would like a more stable work base, use the included feet (not the casters).

Best Bang for the Buck
2x4basics Workbench and Shelving Storage System
2x4basics
Workbench and Shelving Storage System
Most Customizable

If you like the idea of a sturdy work bench that you can assemble to fit your needs, this is an affordable option.

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Most Customizable
Bottom Line

If you like the idea of a sturdy work bench that you can assemble to fit your needs, this is an affordable option.

Pros

Features a customizable design that you can build in various configurations with work surfaces and shelves. Easy to assemble, and sturdy when put together. Price falls on the lower end of the scale.

Cons

May not appeal to those who want a basic or straightforward design. Some reports of screws and holes not matching up, requiring drilling.

Keter Folding Compact Workbench
Keter
Folding Compact Workbench
Most Portable

Not as large as some other workbenches, but it has a good level of strength and portability.

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Most Portable
Bottom Line

Not as large as some other workbenches, but it has a good level of strength and portability.

Pros

Inexpensive folding workbench that can be stored easily when not in use and taken to any location it's needed. Will hold up to 1,000 pounds on its sturdy frame that includes steel legs. After unit folds down, you can make use of a convenient carrying handle to transport it.

Cons

Small working surface of just 33.5 inches by 21.5 inches, so it's not designed for large tasks.

HOMCOM Work Table
HOMCOM
Work Table
Simple Yet Solid

If you need an affordable, general work table for your garage, this basic model should do the trick.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

If you need an affordable, general work table for your garage, this basic model should do the trick.

Pros

Manufactured using eco-friendly fir, this large 46 inch by 28 inch table provides a convenient workspace for a wide variety of needs. The weight capacity is 440 pounds, so this table can hold tools as well as projects.

Cons

The tabletop is not predrilled, so it can take some skill and time to assemble.

Cosco Folding Workbench
Cosco
Folding Workbench
Most Durable

A lighter-duty work bench that can quickly fold up for convenient storage when not in use.

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Most Durable
Bottom Line

A lighter-duty work bench that can quickly fold up for convenient storage when not in use.

Pros

Easy to assemble. Has a 52 by 24 inch hardwood top. Durable steel frame can support up to 350 pounds while the locking caster wheels (two of them lock) hold the table in place while you work.

Cons

If you plan on moving this unit around a lot, you'll want to upgrade the casters.

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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
57
Models
considered
30
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best workbenches

Allen Foster
Written by Allen Foster

Updated November 2021

You need a place to do what needs to be done, a place where all of your tools are within easy reach and you can work safely, effectively, and efficiently. For some, that can be a desk that holds your computer and various office supplies. However, for individuals who work with their hands crafting, building, and repairing, the key element in that work space is a workbench.

The right workbench must fit your specific needs. Someone who builds furniture needs a much different workbench than someone who repairs electronics. A workbench must be sized for the task at hand and the individual. A workbench that’s too low or too high can create an unhealthy strain on the neck, shoulders, arms, and back.

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Organization can be the key for getting the most out of your workbench. If tools are scattered about your work space, you won’t have any place to work.

Key considerations

Types of workbenches

When you hear the word “workbench,” chances are a specific image jumps to mind. However, there's more than one type of workbench, and to get the one that’s best for you, you need to know all your options.

Wall-mounted: This type of workbench is ideal if you don’t have much floor space. Many can also fold down when not in use. This workbench offers somewhat limited functionality and won’t support extremely heavy materials or machinery.

Portable: This type of workbench is perfect for the individual who needs to bring the workspace to the work area. Many are lightweight and quickly fold up for transport. A variation is a workbench with lockable wheels that can be rolled around a room or work space at the user's convenience.

Table: For many people, a workbench is a table that is somewhat permanently stationed in a garage, shed, or basement. This type of workbench has a large, level, durable surface and is often manufactured to support a great deal of weight. It offers the most versatile work space.

Storage: If you need a workbench that also offers storage space, you're going to want a model that has cabinets, drawers, and/or shelves. This type of workbench may not offer the same flexibility as a table model, but it allows you to store your tools in a convenient location.

Features

Material

The material used to make a workbench can have a huge impact on its functionality.

Plastic: Plastic is affordable and lightweight, making it ideal for portability. The best models are coated to be scratch and stain resistant, too. Plastic isn’t as strong as wood or metal, so this workbench is best saved for light-duty tasks. Many are also smaller in size than a typical wood or metal workbench.

Wood: Wooden workbenches can be either flimsy or remarkably durable. The higher-end models feature a thick, long-wearing work surface that can endure heavy loads and impacts. These workbenches are best used for medium to heavy-duty tasks.

Metal: Metal workbenches come with the same caution as wooden models: a cheap, portable metal workbench can be dangerously flimsy. However, if you purchase a high-quality steel model, you may be paying more, but the workbench will hold up in even extreme conditions and last for many years.

Extras

Feet: It’s very important for a workbench to be level. Since a floor (especially a sloped floor in a garage) may not be level, you might need a model that features leveling feet so you can fine-tune your workbench after installation.

Pegboard: Besides cabinets, drawers, and shelves, some workbenches have a pegboard that can be used to hang the tools you use often within easy reach. If this sounds desirable, look for a workbench that has a pegboard.

Light: For certain types of work, you want a nearby light source. Some workbenches have a high shelf with a built-in light.

Other: Some workbenches come with convenient features like a built-in organizer, power strip, built-in vice, or other woodworking tools. If you’re looking for something besides a place to work and an area to store your tools, consider a workbench that includes the extras you desire.

Workbench prices

Inexpensive: If you just need a small, portable workbench or a unit that you can mount on a wall, many of these models are available for under $150.

Mid-range: The average homeowner will likely be happy with a workbench that falls in the $200 to $600 range. These models are fairly basic, offering little more than a solid and durable place to work.

Expensive: If you need cabinets or a place to hang your tools or something that offers storage as well as a work space, it may put you in the $1,000 range. Professionals who need a large, heavy-duty, multipurpose workbench with storage can spend $3,000 or more, but this is usually beyond the needs of the typical homeowner.

Tips

On its own, a workbench isn't any more dangerous than a table. However, what you do on a workbench can be extremely dangerous. The following are a few general safety tips to keep in mind when working on a workbench.

  • Make the work area safe. Have adequate lighting. If you can't easily see what you’re doing, it increases your chances for a mistake or injury. Also, make sure the area has proper ventilation. The air in your workspace must be safe to breathe. Both fumes and dust create hazardous respiratory conditions.
  • Stay safe. Depending on the tools you’re using, wear proper protective gear. This can range from safety glasses and a dust mask to gloves and an apron. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing or jewelry or anything that could get caught in equipment. Fasten long hair out of the way. Also avoid distractions. That means no conversations or texting when operating dangerous equipment. Focus fully on the task at hand. And keep your work area clean. A cluttered workspace is a dangerous workspace.
  • Be aware of power cords. No power cord should run near or through your workspace, especially if you’re sawing or cutting materials.
  • Unplug equipment. Whenever you’re doing any maintenance, including bit or blade changes on power equipment, the first step must always be unplugging that equipment.
  • Know your tools. Understand fully how all of your equipment and tools work. Follow all safety precautions listed in the owner's manuals. And keep your tools sharp. A dull tool is more dangerous to operate than a sharp one.
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If you find your wooden-top workbench needs some extra strength from time to time, you can clamp (or permanently attach) a sheet of metal to a section to provide a more durable work area.

FAQ

Q. How tall should my workbench be?
A.
The ideal height for a workbench varies from individual to individual and is based on the type of work that needs to be done. Between 33 and 36 inches is generally a good range to consider. If you do a lot of work with hand tools, having a slightly lower bench may help with leverage. However, you must be careful because a bench that’s too low will force you to lean forward while working, which can put unnecessary strain on your lower back. The best solution is to look for an adjustable workbench. Even an inch higher or lower can make a big difference.
 

Q. How wide should my workbench be?
A.
That depends completely on what you need to accomplish and how much room you have. For some individuals, 24 inches may be plenty. However, if you’re going to be working with larger pieces of material that need to be supported, you might want to consider a much larger workbench.
 

Q. What’s the purpose of an overhang on a workbench?
A.
If your workbench has an overhang, it gives you the option of increasing its versatility. For instance, the overhang allows you to clamp something you’re working on to the table to keep it stationary for glueing, drilling, or sanding.
 

Q. How thick should my workbench top be?
A.
More important than thickness is the durability of the surface. A 3-inch top that easily dents, splinters, or cracks isn't going to be as good as a 1.5-inch top that holds up under heavy-duty use.

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