In the past, you would not be able to find a workbench that was lightweight enough to be mobile. Any that were lightweight enough to carry around could not handle the workload users expected of them.
Fortunately for modern-day users, the portable workbench has come a long, long way. Manufacturers are coming up with stronger and lighter benches than ever before. These new models can withstand a beating while still being light enough for you to carry around with you from job to job.
With technological innovation comes competition, and with many manufacturers claiming they have the most durable and most lightweight benches, it can be hard to decide which offering to go with. Figuring out which one is the best for your needs can be a daunting task, balancing price with weight with strength of hundreds of models is a time-consuming process.
Luckily enough for you guys, we have done the research for you. We have gone through hundreds of products and condensed the results into our top picks that you will see below.
We have ten recommendations for you, and we have added a buyer’s guide too. The buyer’s guide will show you the criteria we use when we review portable workbenches and also give you the tools to make your own informed decision.
If you do not want to read our in-depth reviews and buyers guide, we understand. In that case, we advise you to pick one of our top-rated portable workbenches from the quick guide below.
Quick Guide
- Kreg KWS1000 Mobile Project Center
- WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table and Sawhorse with Quick Clamps and Holding Pegs – WX051
- Keter Folding Table Work Bench For Woodworking Tools & Accessories with Clamps
- BLACK+DECKER WM425-A Portable Project Center and Vise
- Performance Tool W54025 Portable Multipurpose Workbench and Vise (200 lbs Capacity)
- X-Tra Hand 2-in-1 Portable Workbench/Platform, 500-Lb. Capacity
- BLACK+DECKER WM225-A Portable Project Center and Vise
- WORX WX066 Sidekick Portable Work Table
- Astro 557003 500 Pound Capacity Portable Work Stand
- Keter Folding Compact Adjustable Workbench Sawhorse Work Table with Clamps 700 lb Capacity
Reviews
Kreg KWS1000 Mobile Project Center
Rapid folding
Holes on table to accept bench dogs and clamps
Storage built in, comes with 4 bench dogs and clamp
The first workbench we are going to review is the Kreg KWS1000. This is the most expensive bench on our list, but it is also one of the most well made portable workbenches on the market.
Kreg has named this workbench the Mobile Project Center, and for a good reason. This workbench is an assembly table, a saw station, and a clamping area all in one. It is a jack of all trades. They even include over 40$ worth of additional clamping accessories free of charge.
The variety of uses that the Mobile Project Center covers is the reason it has a slightly higher price tag. Still, in our opinion, it is worth every penny.
Using their unique Clamp Trak with their Automaxx Auto-Adjust technology, you have a wide choice of options when it comes to how you hold materials.
The table can hold up to 350 pounds of weight and comes with trays for storage, drill holder, and a shelf underneath to keep your tools and supplies close during work.
If you need a larger work surface, you can attach as many units as you want together to create a limitless workspace. You can also place 2×4 into the designated spaces in order to add stability when spanning between two units.
Pros
- Variety of working modes for customization
- It takes seconds to fold down and takes little space
- Allows you to use other bench dogs and accessories
- Lots of storage for parts and tools
- Auto-Adjusting Bench Clamp
- 40$ worth of additional clamp accessories.
- Heavy gauge steel legs
- Expandable with a second platform
Cons
- Work surface is a little bit low
Rapid folding
Holes on table to accept bench dogs and clamps
Storage built in, comes with 4 bench dogs and clamp
WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table and Sawhorse with Quick Clamps and Holding Pegs – WX051
Very compact, 5 inch depth when folded
Supports up to 300 lbs
Comes with clamps and dogs
Do you need a lightweight, strong, and compact worktable? This could be the option for you. This table is one of the lightest we reviewed, meaning it scores incredibly high in portability. As a sawhorse, it can hold 1000 lbs, and as a worktable, it can hold 300 lbs.
Worx has built a portable working table that you can use to saw, sand, paint, cut or glue, and they pride themselves on how versatile their product is. The Pegasus boasts four clamp dogs and two speedy quick clamps, which allow you to hold a variety of materials.
You can convert from the platforms compact mode into full sawhorse mode in seconds, and you know your table is always secure thanks to the built-in leg locking system.
This is another work table that you can double up with, simply combine two Pegasus’s together with the joiner supplied to give you a more significant work space.
Even with all these features, the Pegasus still manages to weigh only 28 lbs, making it the perfect companion for a wide array of jobs.
Pros
- The convertible worktable can be changed from workbench to sawhorse in just seconds.
- Lightweight and fold-able for storage and transport.
- Supports 300lbs in bench mode and 1000 lbs in sawhorse mode.
- It comes with four clamp dogs and two quick clamps to secure a wide range of material.
- Sturdier than it looks, thanks to durable aluminum and reinforced polymers.
- Comes fully assembled ( Always Nice)
- Slightly low working height
Cons
- Does not lock when folded up
- Work surface isn’t perfectly level
- No handle to carry the unit
Very compact, 5 inch depth when folded
Supports up to 300 lbs
Comes with clamps and dogs
Keter Folding Table Work Bench For Woodworking Tools & Accessories with Clamps
Aluminum legs and heavy duty resin top
Rapid opening system
Keter is a worldwide leader in the plastic DIY section. They manufacture product lines in over 90 countries. Their promise is to improve their customer’s daily lives with innovation.
The Keter Folding Work Bench is a workbench designed a little differently. With its accordion-like design, it can be folded out to surprising large size.
It holds up to 1000 lbs and its made or rust-proof durable plastic. It has easy to carry handles folds up in seconds once you know what you are doing and folds down to a tiny size.
The Keter Folding Work Bench sits on reinforced steel legs, which provide the support you need to carry out your tasks. The one-handed clamp system they use is also particularly handy, especially for solo workers.
Thanks to its resin built components, this table weighs only 29 lbs, which is impressive considering it folds out to provide a lot of space.
Pros
- Looks absolutely awesome
- Takes only 3-4 seconds to setup
- Strong reinforcement
- Good weight limit
- Lightweight for its ability
- Best fold-up system we have seen
- The shelf is in a great place
- Versatile Clamping System
Cons
- Complicated release mechanism
- Easy to dent aluminum legs
Aluminum legs and heavy duty resin top
Rapid opening system
BLACK+DECKER WM425 Portable Project Center and Vise
Easy to use clamping system with one hand
Quickly fold up, comes with 4 swivel pegs
Black and Decker are another industry leader when it comes to the manufacture of tools and equipment. One of their two answers to the portable workbench problem is the Black+Decker WM425 Portable Project Centre.
This excellent workbench comes with dual-height adjustment legs, and these legs can fold under to lower the height of the unit. The frame is made of high-grade heavy gauge steel, which allows the bench to support a massive 550 lbs of weight.
The easy to transport design allows you to fold the bench up to a small size. Their one-handed clamping system is the best we have seen on a workbench, and it lets you clamp together or independently with ease one-handed.
The clamp jaws adjust vertically, giving an extended range and versatility for clamping strangely shaped objects.
It is the heaviest we have reviewed so far, weighing in at 41 lbs, it is still easy to manage.
Black and Decker have even sweetened the deal just that little bit more by throwing in a two-year warranty.
There is a reason this has won an Amazon Choice award and has lots of fantastic reviews. Perhaps the best all-rounder on the list, this workbench really impresses.
Pros
- Great weight limit
- Expandable working surface
- 2 Year warranty
- Best one-handed clamp system we have seen
- Most sturdy on the list
Cons
- Assembly instructions are awful
Easy to use clamping system with one hand
Quickly fold up, comes with 4 swivel pegs
Performance Tool W54025 Portable Multipurpose Workbench and Vise
Warp resistant jaws
Folds to compact size
This is an excellent, well-made budget option for those who do not need an all singing all dancing workbench.
The Performance Tool Portable Workbench is an excellent choice for DIY users, and it can hold a decent 200 lbs, folds up for compact storage, has a one-handed clamp system, and has an angle adjuster.
What this workbench lacks in features, it makes up in build quality and price. The price to value ratio here is brilliant.
If you need a simple workbench for DIY use or light commercial use, this is the best you can get on a budget.
Pros
- Budget-Friendly
- Performs well for a budget option
Cons
- Low weight limit
- No additional features
Warp resistant jaws
Folds to compact size
X-Tra Hand 2-in-1 Portable Workbench
Handy utility tray
Protractor and ruler built in
XTRA Hand have decided to kill two birds with one stone with this workbench. This 2 in one beauty is both a work table and a working platform.
Featuring an extra-large framed workbench platform that doubles up as a hop-up for accessing those hard to reach areas, this workbench can hold a whopping 500 lbs.
The working platform has a v-groove for cutting pipes and drill through clearance. It even comes with a protractor and ruler for layout work, and underneath is a utility tray which you can use to hold your tools.
In platform mode, the unit uses a high-impact decking system made of polypropylene on top of aluminum welded to non-skid feet. There is a convenient power-strip on the unit too.
This is the most expensive unit on our review list, but I’m sure you can see why this is a great option for those who need both a workbench and a work platform. The build quality in this unit more than makes up for the price tag.
Pros
- Lots of room for your tools
- Built-in power strip for your power tools
- Lots of features for the price
- Large work surface
Cons
- No clamps
Handy utility tray
Protractor and ruler built in
BLACK+DECKER WM225-A Portable Project Center and Vise
Supports up to 450 pounds
Comes with 4 vise attachments
The cheaper younger brother to the WM425, this is equally feature-rich. With the same heavy gauge steel frame and dual height adjustment system, you always get amazing the fantastic build quality you expect from a Black and Decker product.
You get four adjustable swivel pegs that allow you to grip different shaped objects, and the adjustable rear jaws give you an extended range and added flexibility. This workbench supports up to 450 lbs too.
Surprisingly, this model actually weighs a little bit more than the more expensive WM425. If you are happy to have a slightly heavier workbench, this could be a better option than the WM425.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Stronger than it looks
- Accommodating of strangely shaped objects.
Cons
- Lacking in additional features
Supports up to 450 pounds
Comes with 4 vise attachments
WORX WX066 Sidekick Portable Work Table
Tabletop doubles as carry case
Compact folding design
A great workbench that does well in every category. It unfolds exceptionally quickly and with ease, does well at holding large objects of all shapes, and stays remarkably steady during all manner of tasks.
It can hold 300 lbs and a large working surface. This surface even comes with measurements printed onto the surface to aid you with your cutting.
It has an integrated tool rack and an independently adjustable swivel clamp system. To top it all of this bench only weighs 14 pounds due to its carbon steel frame.
WORX’s Sidekick comes with removable legs and a movable work table. It also features a unique dovetail design that allows you to connect multiple work surfaces with ease.
There are also a lot of WORX work supported products, which are essentially interchangeable accessories that you can use on your WORX workbenches.
The sidekick comes with four clamp dogs included, and these can be be used with the table or without.
Pros
- Weighs 14 lbs
- Carbon steel frame does not corrode
- Folds away extremely small
Cons
- Less sturdy then competitors.
Tabletop doubles as carry case
Compact folding design
Astro Portable Work Stand
Supports up to 500 lbs
Many uses in carpentry, auto, general handyman
Astro has taken a different path with their workbench. Instead of creating a feature-rich high tech offering, they have gone for a product that has perfected simplicity and functionality.
Their lightweight workbench is made of steel tubing and a special impact-resistant foam padded top. Looks are extremely deceiving here. The Astro does not look like it can hold 500 lbs, but it does, and comfortably.
By aiming to tackle the workbench problem with a simple solution, Astro has managed to create a bench that can hold nearly the highest weight-limit on the list, while still being one of the cheapest we have reviewed here.
This workbench has such a wide variety of uses, from body shops to DIY, if you need a sturdy, stable table that stows away to nothing the 557003 is your bench!
The galvanized steel tubing allows the workbench to stay sturdy for longer and prevents rusting. Astro also offers lots of different attachments for their work stands, this allows a high level of customization.
A bench designed for areas where space is an issue this Astro 557003 ticks a lot of boxes.
Pros
- Space-saving
- Galvanized rustproof steel tube frame
- Strong and sturdy with 500 lbs weight limit
- Lightweight
- Cheap
Cons
- Lacking in features
Supports up to 500 lbs
Many uses in carpentry, auto, general handyman
Keter Folding Compact Adjustable Workbench
Rapid setup, only 30 seconds
Comes with 2 clamps
This compact and sturdy work table is exceptionally versatile. With its rugged looks and aesthetically pleasing design, you can see Keter care about making their workbenches look good.
The best thing, though, is that they are also very good at designed them to work well too. This table can hold a staggering 700 lbs and comes with a pair of highly adjustable 12-inch clamps. The extremely hard-wearing plastic tabletop is supported by reinforced aluminum legs.
The whole thing folds down to a very convenient size in under 25 seconds, where it is easy to carry thanks to comfortable handles.
No longer will you have to waste precious minutes of your day carrying your tools back and forward from your work area, this table comes with storage options for a wide manner of tools.
Pros
- Extremely portable
- Simple set up
- One of the highest weight limits in its class
Cons
- Nowhere to store the clamps
- Lack of height increments
Rapid setup, only 30 seconds
Comes with 2 clamps
Buyers Guide
These are the different factors we looked at when decided which benches we would recommend to you. Hopefully, our reviews have already got you to think about what designs and accessories you would like on your portable work bench.
We have created a buyers guide and filled it with great information on different portable workbench design factors you should be evaluating.
After reading this buyers’ guide, we hope you will give the information to make an informed decision as to which bench is best for you.
Strength
Perhaps the most crucial factor in a portable workbench is its strength. Can it survive under strain, day in day out?
The biggest problem for the manufacturers of portable workbenches is trying to keep the strength of the bench up while keeping the weight down.
It is easy to create a strong workbench, making one that you can carry from job to job without problems is a lot harder.
The choice of material used in the production of the workbench is crucial here, and portable workbenches usually come with either steel or aluminum frames supporting a durable plastic working surface.
Steel frames are generally the most durable and sturdy. They will wobble less under heavy workloads, and they are, however, heavier. Aluminum is much lighter but will not hold such a heavyweight without complaining.
Portability
The second factor is a close tie for the most important factor when it comes to buying a portable workbench. As the name suggests, your workbench needs to be as compact as possible.
Portability is a broad term, heavy and lightweight workbenches alike can be designed with portability in mind.
Usually, the more weight you need your workbench to withstand, the heavier it is, and that results in less portability.
Asides from the weight, there are lots of other design features that can make a workbench more portable, from wheels to unique folding mechanisms. Some benches only need a handle for carrying around.
Height
The height of your table is often overlooked when deciding on a workbench. It should, however, be one of your most important aspects. A table that is too high or too low is going to cause a wide variety of problems.
Too high, and you may struggle to do your work safely on the tabletop. This is a huge no-no. For instance, you may want to use your table saw on the workbench, so you need to make sure its not going to be too high.
Too low, and you may begin to develop back problems from leaning down to your work too often.
You have two options here, either decide on a bench that is the right height from the beginning or pick a workbench with a changeable height system.
Weight
The weight of a unit is usually controlled by its materials. However, benches can be made with the same materials and be designed differently. If you can get a steel framed unit that is 5 kg lighter then another, that might be a great way to lower the weight of your workbench,
Weight isn’t always a bad thing though, look at our number one option, the Kreg. This unit is the heaviest on the list, yet we have no doubts about making it our number one bench. This is because, despite the weight, this thing oozes premium build quality.
Maximum Weight
How big of an issue the maximum weight limit your workbench can hold will depend on your usage for it.
Some models can only support 350 lbs whereas some can support a massive 1100 pounds. You need to evaluate how much weight you are going to be placing onto the workbench, and this will allow you to purchase one that allows for that.
Be careful when buying, however, as some manufacturers put the max weight on their advertising. You may find that this weight limit is only for the bench in sawhorse mode, though. It may not be able to hold that weight in the tabletop position.
Clamping Mechanism
Some workbenches come with an advanced and complicated clamping system, and this may be perfect for your needs if you require lots of options. Lots of models ditch the clamps to lower the unit price of the workbench.
Clamps are great for enabling safer working by securing material to your workbench. If you are using power tools and need the clamp to be of high quality, you need to factor this into your purchase.
Good quality clamps are necessary for speeding up tasks in a safe manner. Just make sure that before you use any workbench with power tools, that you have inspected the clam system for any defects.
Durability
Durability and strength are slightly different, and the strength is the sturdiness relates to the sturdiness and how much of a beating the bench can take.
The durability is the life of the product. How long will all of the features it includes keep working? Durability affects things like catches and clamps, which can be a big problem if they break down the line.
Ease Of Assembly
You are not going to need to be some kind of mechanic or engineer to assemble a portable work bench. However, some are still easier than others to assemble.
Accessories
We don’t expect to see benches with iPhone apps or portable fridges built-in. Still, some of these benches come with some sweet additional accessories, which is always nice.
Bench Top
The size and versatility of the actual workbench top is an essential factor to consider, and you need to be able to do your job as effectively as possible. Some of the options on our list even provide up to 8 square feet of space to work on.
FAQ
Q. What is a Portable Workbench
A. During the late 20th century, suburbs began to pop up everywhere. Mobile artisans were becoming more common, and the need to have a work station that was not bolted to the ground arose. DIY was also on the rise, with homeowners wanting to do their own work, they also needed less heavy duty workbenches. The portable workbench was only a natural answer to these problems, giving craftsmen a workstation on the go and DIY users an affordable alternative to a full workshop.
Q. Which Portable Workbench is Right For You?
This answer is very hard for us to answer, we suggest going through our buyers’ guide. With all of the models and features on the market, the answer to this question is going to depend very much on you. If, after reading the buyers’ guide, you still do not know which portable workbench to go with, then we suggest you do the following.
Write down everything you need your portable workbench to do. So this means figuring out how much weight you need it to hold, where it needs to be used, how many clamps you need, how small it needs to fold up to etc.
When you have compiled that list, you can go through our reviews or look at products online with that list as your own personal checklist. Choose two or three different models that will meet your individual needs. With those three on your shortlist, you can probably choose the cheapest one, as all three will be good options for you.
Another good option could be to buy one with more features and spec then you need right this second, this means you can futureproof yourself against having to buy a more expensive model later down the line.
Our number one pick for you guys was the Kreg KWS1000 Folding Workbench. It is very configurable and folds down extremely easily. The built-in storage system is really good, and the build quality of the whole bench is really superb.
The trade-off being its slightly heavy weight. The WORX Pegasus WX051 is gunning for that top spot and only just narrowly misses out. It weighs a fair bit less than the Kreg KWS1000, nearly 25% less in fact.
It is equally as configurable and comes supplied with clamps and easy to use dog kits. The main drawback? Its plastic tabletop surface just isn’t up to the same standard as the Kreg KWS1000.
The Keter Folding Workbench is a firm contender for best value workbench on our list. For its price, it is fantastic to see that it can hold 1000 lbs while still folding to a tiny size for storage and transport.
The Black+Decker WM125 has a bombproof steel frame, which is probably the sturdiest bench on the list. Unfortunately, it is let down by its size, and it just doesn’t have the workspace we expect to see in our portable workbenches. But if size isn’t an issue, then perhaps the WM125 would be your best bet.
Again, we cant answer this for you; we can only provide you the knowledge to make the best-informed decision based on your needs!
Conclusion
We hope we have helped you with your research on the best portable workbenches. Buying a workbench can really be a minefield if you don’t have a clear idea of what needs you need meeting by your workbench.
Hopefully, after this article, you have a higher level of knowledge of what to look for when you decide to replace or buy a portable workbench for the first time.
No matter what portable workbench you choose from our ten recommended rest assured that all of our reviewed options are great pieces of kit. Your work rate will improve, and you will be more efficient on the job with any of them.
We do the research so you guys can save time and money when you buy your products. Our reviews are made to help you out when faced with the task of purchasing new tools or equipment.
If you guys need any help choosing a portable folding workbench, drop a comment below or get in touch, we are here to help!
Last update on 2024-09-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API