The 14 Best Portable Workbenches of 2024 for Every Woodworking Project

Are you a DIY person? Do you have a hard time getting everything, all your tools in place and then forgetting where you kept those small items? Is it difficult to carry a table around every time you wish to saw a chunk of wood? If you answer yes to any one of the questions, then my dear reader, what you need is the portable workbench. Trust me when I tell you, this is one thing you need to have in your garage or campsite even if you do not like working, because who knows when things might come in handy. Workbenches help you do your labor in a more organized way.

Not only do they give you a surface to carry on your project and do your sawing and all, but they also come in handy in other ways. This article talks about some of the portable workbench units in the market today and also discusses what you should look for when you are to buy one for yourself and the many ways they can come in handy. So read it and hopefully, you will have a better understanding of what workbenches are and how they function and which one you should opt for. So without further ado, here is our list of the best Portable workbenches.

1. Keter Folding Compact Workbench Work Table with Clamps

This workbench is strong, and when we say strong we mean mighty strong. It includes two 12 inch clams and guesses what, it is also portable, meaning you can carry it anywhere you be, be it in the kitchen, the yard or the garage. Its sturdy structure makes it versatile for a variety of work and can hold up to 1000lbs. The legs of the bench are pretty solid being made up of steel. They are highly durable. The clamps can hold your tools in place.

Therefore, this is one of the desirable portable workbenches out there which is highly reliable. When not in use, you can fold it and keep it stored in any small space available. Opening and reassembling it is easy and quick as well. This unit was manufactured with care and any close observation will tell you the same. The quality of the construction is admirable. Oh and if you were wondering if you could use it outdoors even during rainy weathers, yes you can. This workbench is made up of materials that are resistant to any weather making it suitable for any environment.

The unit is constructed of polypropylene resin and therefore highly durable. And is that not what we want in a product? So to summarize, it is sturdy, can carry heavy loads, and is also made to withstand any weather, can be stored easily and carried and lasts a lifetime. If these do not make this one of the best workbenches, what does?

2. Keter Folding Compact Adjustable Workbench –Work Station Solution

The legs of this workbench are made up of aluminum. They can also be extended from 30.3 inches to 34.2 inches in height. In order to set up the whole unit, you merely need 30 seconds. That makes it very time efficient. Just like the one mentioned above, this too can be folded and carried around easily make is perfect for transportation. 2 adjustable 12-inch clamps are present to hold your tool in place. As a result, your tools are securely on the surface without the chance of them rolling off the table or anything.

Constructed of polypropylene resin the unit is capable of taking on about 700lbs. You obviously need a strong sturdy structure to hold all your equipment and Keter does not fail to deliver on that aspect. There is also a shelf underneath where you can keep your toolbox if necessary or other stuff. You can also use this unit as a sawhorse for sawing. You can use the clamps, in this case, to hold your piece of wood in place.

So if you were to compare these two products which one would be better? Well, to be honest, both are quite the same just the fact that this holds lesser weight. So if you have to choose among these two, pick the first. But if you have to choose between this and other units from the market, Keter always makes the cut first.

3. DEWALT Express Folding Workbench

DEWALT DWST11556 is a high-quality express folding workbench. It has a vigorous metal exterior, which makes it flexible for a variety of extensive work. Besides, this workbench is capable of withstanding 1000 pounds. Despite such quality, this unit still comes with an affordable price range.

Moreover, it has a highly durable metal leg that can stand sturdy without any substantial support. However, it is easy to open and reassemble, which makes this unit quite time-efficient.

The construction quality of its legs is admirable because it is flexible as fluid. So, if you are running out of time, it will not take more than 60 seconds to set up the bench.

Additionally, it can be used both at home and in professional workshops. This workbench is perfect for transportation because of its lightweight and compact features.

It is an express folding bench. So, it can be folded in a small area of your workshop whenever it is not in use.  It can be carried out from one place to another very quickly.

Also, you can get clamps on the top of the table, which assures that your tools are safe and secure and no chance of rolling down from the bench. These clamps can be adjusted independently.

Regardless, it has a flat work surface of around 33 inches in width and 24 inches in height, which is indeed an excellent dimension for working. This large platform allows you to work comfortably with huge tools. Thus, this workbench gives you incredible facilities at a very reasonable price.

4. Black & Decker WM1000 Workmate Workbench

At times it can be a hassle to clamp your tools to the surface of your board. But this unit provides you flexible clamps that make the process of clamping quite quick. However, even though this bench has remarkable features, one major drawback is that it is capable of withstanding only 550 lbs which almost half as much as the first Keter product review. But then again Black & Decker are notoriously popular for their products and have cemented their position in the business for years. So pretty sure they will not fail to surprise you.

And with that being said, this unit has a heavy gauge steel frame. You can carry it easily just like the other two and fold it easily with just one hand. The foldable feature also ensures that storing the unit is easy. The surface is made up of bamboo and is great to work on. The dimension of the surface is roughly about 670 x 450mm. This unit, with its sturdy construction and portable feature, is both durable and versatile.

You can adjust the clamps together or independently as per your needs. Adjustable swivel pegs are also present to hold irregular objects in place. A safety mechanism is also present making it safe to use in the presence of children. It also has a quick-release handle that makes the unit fold quickly.

5. Black & Decker WM425-A Portable 550-Pound Project Center and Vise

Black & Decker is popular for their products as we stated above, and the reason is simple. You only last that long in the market only if you produce quality products. And Black & Decker does it time and time again. And therefore, it is expected that they make the list again. This unit too holds up to 550 lbs. and that is probably the only drawback you will face. But nonetheless, this is one workmate that will transform into a workbench of your requirement. It is spacious and one of the Perfect portable workbench you will ever come across. Even though it can hold only about 550 lbs. it has a heavyweight design and a steel structure.

Just like the previous one, this too has a one-handed clamp system that can allow you to adjust your jaws independently. Vertical clamps are also present which ensure flexibility and can be used to hold irregularly shaped objects in place as well.

The dimensions of the bench are about 29.2 inches by 8.9 by 29.5. Similar to the one above, this too has 4 swivel pegs. It also has an extra block and can be converted to a vise. The unit is foldable and can be easily carried from one place to another. This means it can be easily stored as well when not in use. This unit too is both durable and versatile. In case you are working with large objects, you can adjust the height of your bench to fit your demand.

6. Black & Decker WM125 Workmate Portable Workbench

Black & Decker made the list twice already, but with all the great products that they have come up with, they make it again. This product, unlike all the ones we have talked about, can hold up to 350 lbs. only. However, it gets the job done and that is what matters right? This is both a workbench and a vise and therefore can be a wonderful addition to your arsenal. It is light in weight and easy to carry around as it weighs about 15 pounds only.

But it is also very durable mostly because of its steel frames. Swivel pegs are present which can be adjusted according to your needs to clamp onto objects of any shape and hold them tightly in place.

Dual clamps are also present to provide further security. These make the unit versatile as they can grab on too many things of various shapes and sizes. The wooden vise jaws present also do not swell and warp in due time and are resistant to such things. They can also be angled according to your needs and preferences which further adds to the versatility of the unit.

The surface of the board is also perfect as it has enough friction to not let your tools roll or slide off. You can also fold the bench flat and therefore keep it in any thin opening or behind any furniture. With all these great features, this is one of the best workbenches you will find today.

7. WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table

By can easily be converted to a sawhorse or a workbench in a matter of seconds. A storage shelf is also present which comes in handy as you can keep your toolbox and other accessories there. If you are looking for a Worx Pegasus multi-function table that is compact and can be folded easily and can be carried around without any trouble because of its lightweight, this is one workmate you ought to take a look at.

But a drawback would be that this work table can only support up to 300 lbs. However, do not throw this away. We did not name it here without any reason. The sawhorse mode can withstand about 1000 lbs. The legs can be locked in place to ensure further stability.

There is 2 quick clamps present and 4 pegs are also installed to provide you with everything necessary to hold your items in place, be they of regular or irregular shape and size. The size of the surface is about 31 by 25 inches and the height of the bench would be about 32 inches.

The total weight would roughly be about 30 pounds. The unit folds to a 5-inch depth and therefore can be stashed away with ease, either behind a piece of large furniture or under your bed. This unit was manufactured by taking customer feedback. As a result, they installed many things that customers wanted, some being support grooves and bracket support for power strips. There are other sites of attachment for your needs.

8. WORX Clamping Sawhorse Pair with Bar Clamps

Worx is another brand famous for its tools and other such products. Constructed of thermoplastic polymer material, this beast can withstand up to 1000 lbs. It is highly durable and also comparatively light in weight, meaning it can easily be transported or carried from one place to another. You can also fold it and therefore it is convenient for storage and can be easily kept in any small place. The folded depth is about 2.5 inches.

There are 2 detachable bar clamps to can be used either vertically or horizontally and can hold on to any sort of object of any shape and size. Since they are detachable you can use them elsewhere as well. Is that not great? The max clamping is about 18 inches wide. A built-in shelf is also available to keep your equipment or boxes. A 2-inch indentation is also available on the surface.

This helps to further stabilize your work by holding t piece of wood or other objects steadily in place. You can fold the bench flat and easily stash it away behind furniture or under one. So when it is not in use, it is quite space-saving. So is this the best workbench you will find? Not necessarily, but this is one unique workbench or sawhorse as you might call it that gets the job done. Also, the detachable clamps are really handy.

9. Performance Tool W54025  Portable Workbench Multipurpose and Vise

This is unlike the other workbenches that we have talked about. This is capable of holding only about 200 lbs. of the load for safe working. Just like all the other workbenches we have talked about, you can fold this too for easy storage. But here is something different about this workbench. You have a grid printed on the surface of the bench. Along with the grid, you also have a ruler and protractor to help your work further.

So any more questions as to why it made the list even with the low load capacity? This unit also features a one-handed clamp system. This gives you the ability to adjust the jaws independently according to your needs.

The jaws do not warp with time which is an added bonus. They can be angled according to your preferences and thus are suitable to hold any object even if it has irregular size. In the case of a vise, you can mount one on it but since the wood is not oak, that might not be a good idea. The two blackboards on the surface can be moved apart in half from one another.

The distance can be about less than 10 inches in its maximum position. So will this bench put the others out of the market? Definitely not, but it will surely run out of stock in no time. This bench is handy and if you are a DIY man you should get one. One of the best workbenches out there.

10. Kreg KWS1000 Mobile Project Center

This workbench provides you with multiple work modes. As a result, you get maximum versatility. You can fold it in a matter of seconds and this makes the unit easy to store. Holes are present on the surface of the table. They come in handy as they accept beach dogs and can provide sites of attachments for other accessories. Four beach dogs are present in the unit.

Trays are also built-in which can accommodate other hardware and equipment. The clamps can adjust themselves when required and this ensures the further security of your tools or items. The size of the surface of the board is about 27.5 inches by 31.5 inches and you can have 360° access. You can also lock the table in place which further ensures stability.

The clams have worked both vertically and horizontally and therefore do a very good job of holding objects of any shape and size in place. The legs are constructed of steel and therefore provide a solid foundation. The unit can also be expanded if it is paired with another Best Mobile Workbench-Project Center. These Mobile Project Centers are for multipurpose. You can use it as a workbench, a sawhorse, for clamping, etc. With such great features, it is undoubtedly one of the best workbenches you will find in the market.

11. X-Tra Hand 2-in-1 Portable Workbench

Having the perfect support while working is one of the most important things. Whether it is a small household chore or a huge construction work, it is very vital to have the best support material on hand to be at your service. Workbench is one of the most important materials in any setup and this X-Tra Hand portable workbench is perfect for anyone who looking for everything in one.

One can use it both at home or work as it is so perfectly fitted into both contexts. This workbench is a two in one platform that can essentially turn into two different shapes perfect for either heavy-duty work or for any household chores.

It has a wooden surface with a tray that can be used for anything from drills to pens. The platforms can turn into a 500lb capacity workbench to a 39.8 x 18.8 inches in size! It is also equipped with V-groove for any pipe cutting, protractor, and a ruler for layout use during work. It is portable and collapsible that has aluminum legs that make it so sturdy.

It also features polypropylene decking legs that are extendable. The legs on the workbench are also very exuded. It also has built-in power strip places to make plugging in electronics easier. The built-in handles also give them great mobility since it makes it easier to carry.

12. Vika 2-in-1 Workbench And Scaffold

This unit has 2 modes, making it a 2 in 1 unit- a workbench mode and a scaffold mode. The measurements in the two modes are quite different. For the workbench mode, the unit can have a height of 31.8 inches and is about 47.6 inches in width, with a depth of about 18.7 inches. The scaffold mode, on the other hand, is about 21.7 inches tall, but the width and depth are the same measurements.

The deck is polypropylene. It is easy to clean and the surface is also full of friction which does not allow skidding. As a result, your tools will not roll-off. The frame of the workbench is of powder-coated steel making it quite sturdy and the adjustable legs are of aluminum.

The unit also has 3 port power surge strips that can be connected directly. This unit is fairly strong making it perfect for most of your hard labor work. Be it painting or decorating or even building something, this unit is suitable for most tasks that you will have to do. It is rigid giving it the perfect stability for you to work on. The unit is also portable to make it further versatile and making it easy for you to work in any place.

Often you might have to work along with someone. In such cases, the scaffold is big enough to allow two persons to work simultaneously. Chances are the scaffold that will give make you have second thoughts of using a ladder ever again.

13. HideAHorse Folding Sawhorse – USA Made

The legs of this unit are of dual angles. This makes the legs very rigid and stable. As a result, the unit is sturdy and firm enough to hold up to 1200 lbs. However, the weight of the unit itself is very, and I mean very, light.

The workbench weighs about 7.5 pounds only and you easily carry 2 of it in just one hand. This unit also comes with a comfortable handle for you to carry it around from one place to another if need be. It is also compact if you fold it and therefore as we all know by now, it is easy to carry and store. The dimensions of the folded structure would be roughly about 3.75 by 5 by 36 inches.

There are no sharp edges nor any metal pinch hazards. Therefore children can safely play or run around it although we would advise you not to let them. The legs of the unit are finished off with wood. This means they are gentle on tiled or furnished floors and does not skid easily on earth. The unit is very durable and will not damage the blades of your saw. It is also eco-friendly and therefore poses no threat to the environment.

14. GypTool Adjustable Height Workbench

This GypTool Drywall bench is built for heavy-duty. It is sturdy and just the way a workbench should be. Constructed of tempered and welded Al, this unit is lightweight but strong enough to work on. The surface is large and has traction on its surface to prevent objects from sliding or rolling off. About 500 lbs. can be supported by this unit. You can easily adjust the height as per your needs.

To ensure stability, there are 2-inch increments in the legs and you can easily lock pins to set the required height. You can also remove the legs if necessary. As a result, the 18 inches by 30-inch bench may become a workstation with just one set of legs. You can secure the legs in place and foot pads are also present which prevents the legs from sliding.

They also make sure the legs do not damage your finished floors. You can easily fold the unit for storage and be carrying. You can also easily assemble and disassemble it. The silver color also adds a fine touch to it, making it one of the best workbenches out there.

How Do You Find the Best Portable Workbench?

The First Step To Go With

When buying any product there are many things you should look out for. Likewise, while buying a workbench there are many features you should keep in mind. Here are a few which we could list from the top of our minds-

What Materials Do You Need?

When buying any product, its material is something that needs to be considered very well. We would suggest you get something of very good material, one that would not be affected by any weather condition. That way you can use it in any environment because chances are that you will have to. Also, make sure that the material the product has will not peel off in time and can resist cracking. Since you might have to use it in the rain or in the moist atmosphere, make sure it is resistant to rusting as well, preferably of stainless steel or other such matter.

Given that you will have to use your workbench for heavy work and it will have to bear heavy loads, and also chances are you might often throw down a hammer or two, so make sure the material does not dent easily or at all. And if you live in a sunny area, get a material that will not fade even if is kept under the sun for a long time.

While purchasing the best portable workbench you can get, make sure the legs are made up of steel or aluminum or any other strong metal or metal alloy. If the legs are not sturdy, you risk injuries and breakage of the unit. So this is very important.

Another important aspect is the surface of the table. Since you will keep most of your belongings there, the surface must be properly considered. Now if you have a smooth surface, your tools and items may either slide or roll-off. No one wants that.

Therefore while buying a unit make sure to go for one with a non-skidding surface. One that has a surface with a good enough friction will ensure that your tools stay in place and do not slide or roll-off. The material also determines how much load the unit will be able to withstand. Some are capable of supporting about 300 lbs. whereas others can hold up to 1000 lbs. Choose according to your needs. Regardless of all these, make sure the weight of the unit is fairly light since you might have to carry it from one place to another in order to work.

You Need To Think About the Design

The design of any product is similarly as important as the material it is constructed of. Now when we talk about design a lot of things come to mind and so we will talk about them one by one. Let us start off with the structure. Some workbenches can be easily assembled and disassembled and then others cannot be separated or folded or anything.

Now if you do have open space and plan on keeping your unit there all the time, you can opt for one that does not fold or cannot be disassembled. But if not, we would suggest that you go for one that can be folded. Some take some struggle to fold whereas others can be folded in a matter of seconds.

So go for the ones that are easy to adjust. After folding, you have to carry it around to the storage site. Therefore make sure there is a carrying option, a handle, or any opening you can slide your hand or fingers in to get a better grip. If not, transportation might be a hassle. Getting a portable unit makes it versatile and easy to use.

Speaking of structure, one more bonus you can look out for is an extra shelf underneath the top surface of the table. Not all units have that. At times you might have a lot of tools to carry around or you might even have boxes and other such equipment that you usually carry around but do not need at the said time. You can use the spare shelf to keep those items there as you work, lest they should take up space from your working space. Another thing you should look out for is the legs.

Some units allow you to lock the legs. As a result, you get a more stable table. Now let us move on to the surface. The surface usually has clamps. Often you might have to work on objects that are of irregular shapes. So go for a unit with clamps that can be adjusted and can work on both a horizontal and vertical angle.

Swivel Pegs & Jaws

Also, make sure that the unit has swivel pegs and jaws. If you do get one with jaws, make sure they do not swell or warp in time. If you plan on using the unit as a sawhorse as well, go for one with indentations on the board. That way you will have a better grip on the object you are working on. Some units even provide you with a grid on the table.

This helps you with measurements and makes it easy for you to saw or draw lines and stuff. Therefore it would be wise to go for one with a gridded surface. What do you think would be more suitable for you, a workbench with a small table surface or a large table surface? Some are designed with a large surface but the board can be split down the middle. So go for one which you will dub as the best workbench and which satisfies your needs.

What Are The Benefits of Getting a Best Portable Workbench?

Alright, so should you buy a workbench? If you are a DIY person this is a must for you. So what benefits does it bring you? Well, to be honest, numerous.

Portability

Think of carrying all your tools and then lying them around on the floor and then picking them up and then not even remembering where you kept them. This is where a workbench comes in handy. You have a place to keep all the necessary equipment close by and work on your project.

Making it a Saw Horse

Your workbench can also be converted to a sawhorse or a vice if you want to. That way you can use it for multiple purposes. Do you have to have someone else hold on to a piece of log or other objects as you work on it? If yes, well what do you do when you do not have someone to help you out? A workbench has clamps for that problem. The clamps can also be adjusted to fit your needs and are capable of holding irregular objects securely in place as well.

Super Easy to Store

They can also be carried around with ease and folded to store them. That way you can easily transport your workbench to the garage or a campsite if duty calls. If you have difficulties with measurements, then you can go for a unit with a gridded surface. That will help you with your calculations and measurements. What more can you ask for from a workbench? It not only does the job but also helps you in terms of storage and measuring. But we are confident that if you put your mind to it you can come up with numerous other benefits as well because there certainly are more. These are the ones that we could list from right off the bat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do all the workbenches come attached with leveling feet?

Answer: Most of medium-duty workbenches are attached with metal leveling feet of 20mm but in case of heavy-duty workbenches the leveling feet are not adjusted. Many companies are providing leveling feet with additional preorder adjustments.

Question: Can workbenches bear the weight of the power machine on top of it?

Answer:  Every workbench has a weight limit given along with the user manual. If the weight of the machine is more than that, then no. if the weight is less, then yes. But the vibration of the machine also should be considered. It’s better to place a solid wood worktop of 45mm underneath the machine.

Question: What are the accessories I can expect along with the product?

Answer: Generally the product doesn’t come with any accessories from the companies. But with offers, the provided accessories provided might include non-slip rubbers for feet, a clamping system, a place to store the nail and screws, and scales to work with.

Question: Can I change the workplace top with another workplace top?

Answer: It depends on how the top is adjusted with the bottom part. If simple nuts and screws are used then it will be easy but if the attachment is permanent then it will be a hard job to do. The portable workbenches sometimes have a divider between the workplace top; in that case, the mechanism is much tougher than it looks.

Question: Are assembling of the workbenches a hard job?

Answer: The process is quite simple so that it can be done by any individual. Companies are doing most of the job of assembling. The rest of the job is very easy that you can do it using screwdrivers, measure tapes, and hammers.

Question– Can a workbench break if you put on more load than what is on the label?

Answer– Yes if overloaded, chances are it will crack if not dismantle and shatter from the legs.

Question– What sort of clamps should one go for?

Answer– There are a variety of clamps. But it will be better to go for the ones which are adjustable and which can work both horizontally and vertically. As a result, since you can use it from any angle, you can use them to clamp on any object of any size.

Question– Can you build or attach a tray or shelf if the unit does not come with one?

Answer- That would not be a wise idea. If your unit does have sites of attachments, and if you can use them to form a tray or shelf, go for it. But the chances of them having such sites of attachment are very rare.

Question-What would be the width and height of a unit when folded?

Answer- The width would be about a few inches. As for the height, that totally depends on the unit. If the unit can be reduced to a smaller height the size would be quite small. If not, then it would probably have the default height of the unit.

Question– What is a vise?

Answer- A vise is a metal tool that has jaws that help you to securely hold an object in place as you work on it.

Wrapping up

With many workbenches in the market, it can be pretty difficult to choose the best Portable workhorse. But hopefully, this article gives you a better insight into the product and know you also know your dos and don’ts and what to look for in the best workbench. So go to the store. Keep those things in mind and carefully look at every product you come across. Make sure you get one that lasts a lifetime. Best of luck!