Give Your Projects the Space They Deserve With These Expert-Recommended Workbenches

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If you use your garage as a home workshop, you need a workbench. Sure, you could technically use your kitchen countertop, dining room table, or the floor, but a dedicated garage workbench is far superior when it comes to stability and durability—not to mention that these things are designed to take a beating. These heavy-duty garage benches have a thick top surface, they’re sturdy enough to support heavy loads, and they typically provide storage for keeping tools and accessories organized. Many offer accessories and features for specialized tasks like woodworking vises and power outlets, as well as wheels for easily moving around your space.

The Best Workbenches

• Best Overall: Seville Classics Heavy-Duty Workcenter

• Best Budget: Black+Decker Portable Work Bench and Vise

• Best Portable: Worx Pegasus 2-in-1 Folding Work Table

• Best Value: 2x4Basics 90165ONLMI Custom L-Shaped Workbench

• Best for Storage: Seville Classics UltraHD Heavy Duty Rolling Cabinet Workbench

What to Consider

Size

Start with the amount of garage space you can devote to a workbench. A workbench’s primary function is to support the item and tools you’re working with. If you plan to use it relatively often, it’s best to choose the largest model that comfortably fits. I suggest using painters tape to outline the dimensions on the floor and wall to help visualize its size.

Storage

Most garage workbenches feature storage, such as drawers, cabinets, or pegboards. That said, if you already have your tool storage and organization squared away, a basic workbench with minimal storage can save on both upfront cost as well as garage space.

Accessories and Features

Consider the types of projects you need a workbench for to look for a model with applicable features. For example, a garage workbench with built-in lighting is great for more delicate tasks that require maximum precision, and you have a lot of power tools or battery chargers, a workbench integrated outlets is useful. If you’re attaching clamps or mounting a vise to your workbench, make sure the surface has an overhang. You may also come across the term “dog bench,” which refers to benches that accommodate clamps for large-scale projects that won’t fit in a standard bench vice.

Weight Capacity

Your workbench must be strong enough to support your project, so check the weight capacity before purchasing. Underestimating is a common mistake, as it’s easy to accumulate weight without realizing it. In my experience, a higher weight capacity also translates to better overall durability.

Portability

Consider whether you want a permanent, fixed workbench, or one you can move around. Models with locking rolling casters are easy to pull out from the wall for large projects and move back when you’re finished. For even more portability, look for a lightweight folding garage workbench. These aren’t as large as fixed or rolling benches, but they fold up for easy one-handed carrying to your truck or into the backyard.

How We Selected

I’ve used a variety of workbenches in different types of garages, from home setups to motor pools in large operations, and kept this experience in mind when assembling these options. After compiling a list of workbenches I felt to be most useful for garage use, I performed extensive online research of similar review sites to ensure I didn’t miss out on any unfamiliar options. I then narrowed this list down by category and use case, aiming to provide the most useful options for a range of homeowner needs and projects, and landed on the seven options shown here.

Heavy-Duty Workcenter

With a built-in steel pegboard wall and heavy-duty frame, this Seville Classics workbench is durable and helps keep you organized. An overhead LED light ensures a clear view of your workspace, plus there’s an integrated power strip with two USB ports for convenient power tool work and phone charging.

The pegboard comes with 23 hooks for easy access to small, frequently used tools, and there are two drawers and an upper shelf for additional storage. Also, the 1.5-inch benchtop provides enough overhang for clamping and tool mounting and has a 500-pound weight capacity.

Bottom line: It’s pricey, but with a solid build and extra features, this is best garage workbench we recommend for most people.

Portable Work Bench and Vise

Despite its budget-friendly price, this small workbench provides impressive functionality. The tabletop does double-duty as a flat work surface and a clamping system. It uses two rotating handles to operate the jaws to secure workpieces or equipment. There’s also four swiveling pegs that clamp circular or irregular objects.

Although it’s smaller than most garage workbenches, this model is can support 450 pounds and features adjustable legs for customizing its height to your specific task. When you’re finished, it also folds down flat for convenient storage.

Pegasus 2-in-1 Folding Work Table

This compact Worx model is ideal for those who don’t have the need or space for a permanent garage workbench. Still, you get a decent amount of surface area when unfolded–31 by 25 inches–and the heavy-duty ABS construction and steel supports can handle up to 300 pounds.

Two integrated clamps secure your workpiece in place, and four clamps really come in handy for awkwardly-shaped or circular items. This foldable design not only makes the bench convenient to store when not in use, but also fully functional as a sawhorse, capable of supporting 1,000 pounds.

90165ONLMI Custom L-Shaped Workbench

You need to supply your own lumber, but by including the five corner brackets and necessary screws, this workbench delivers a lot of surface and storage space for a relatively low price. Its L shape is also customizable, so you can decide the dimensions best suited to your space.

Two full-length shelves also provide a huge amount of space for storing gear, tools, and equipment. Assembly isn’t as intimidating as you might think, and once you source your lumber, only straight 90-degree cuts are required. This kit also includes 52 wood screws for securing 2-by-4s to the leg brackets.

UltraHD Heavy Duty Rolling Cabinet Workbench

If you’re short on storage space and desperately need it, this garage workbench is worth a look. It has 11 drawers and a large, two-door cabinet, plus the drawers are at three different heights for versatile organization.

I’m a big fan of the locking cabinet for protecting valuable tools. The 77-inch beechwood top is long enough for staging large workpieces, and supports up to 500 pounds. Also, thanks to its locking casters and a heavy-duty handle, the workbench is easy to maneuver and reposition in your garage. Rubber corner pads reduce the chances of accidental damage to your walls or vehicles.

7-Drawers Rolling Red Wood Work Bench

If you’re interested in a heavy-duty workbench that’s still mobile enough to move around, look no further than this rolling Craftsman model. There are four casters—two of which have convenient toe-locks—for quick and smooth maneuvering. Also, the sturdy handle is comfortable to grip when doing so.

All seven soft-close drawers support100 pounds each, and interior liners help prevent tools from rolling around and getting mixed up. The bench itself has a hefty 1,500-pound load capacity, and an integrated six-outlet power strip keeps power tools and chargers handy.

Scandi Plus 1825 Work Bench

This handsome beechwood workbench features two vises on the front and end, as well as two rows of bench dog holes. As such, it’s perfect for projects like cabinetry or furniture making. These wood vises won’t mar or dent your wood workpieces, either, and are long enough to provide a significant clamping power across 29 inches of wood.

The four unbreakable bench dogs fit into both the benchtop as well as the trestle below, and their 3/4-inch diameter is beefy enough to stand up to large workpieces. Three drawers and a cabinet—all beechwood as well—keep your hand and power tools close by.

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