“The main things I require when woodworking are a fairly thick wood tabletop that won’t “bounce” when hammering on chisels or deflect when planing or sawing. A sturdy base and good-quality vises and bench dogs are also musts.” “Important things to consider when researching woodworking benches are your budget, the type of projects you expect to do, your workshop space, and whether or not you need a table that can be stored or transported easily.” Our top pick is the Rockler Beechwood Workbench, which is a sturdy table that includes two vises and plenty of bench dogs. If you’re ready to take on your next project, here are our favorite woodworking benches. Whether you’ve just taken up woodworking recently or you’ve been enjoying the hobby for years, a good woodworking bench is a must. And this beechwood beauty from Rockler is ready and able to take its place as the star of your woodworking workshop. The solid beech table has wide feet for extra stability, so you won’t be annoyed by rocking or wobble while you work. You can choose from two sizes of table: a medium workbench that’s 60 5/8 inches long or a large workbench that’s 72 1/2 inches long. Both tables are 19 5/8 inches wide and 33 1/2 inches tall. The wooden tabletop is 1 1/8-inch thick. The table includes two under-mounted vise assemblies with metal support bars for extra stability. The jaws of the vises are wood, as are the handles, and you can open the vises to a maximum of 6 inches. There are two rows of 3/4-inch dog holes spaced 5 inches apart, and the table includes four steel-cored bench dogs to help you secure your work in place. Additional dog holes on the bench legs can be used to provide extra support for longer pieces that are secured in the vise. The large, rimmed storage shelf provides a spot to stash your tools—note that the shelf is plywood, not beech, however. The medium workbench weighs 112 pounds and the large workbench weighs 124 pounds. Price at time of publish: $700 for medium workbench, $750 for large workbench This folding workbench has a steel frame for durability, and the manufacturer claims it can support up to 550 pounds. The top is a strong bamboo laminate, and when slid apart, can be angled at a 90-degree angle for clamping items as wide as 8 5/16-inches. When fully upright, the bench is 30 inches high, but you can fold the legs under when working on large materials. And when your project is complete, you can fold the entire workbench down for easy storage. Price at time of publish: $120 The table has a trough along the back edge for hand tools. The included vise has a maximum opening capacity of 7.87 inches. You also get four wooden bench pegs and four metal bench dogs to help secure items in place while you work. This workbench has a weight capacity of 330 pounds and weighs 64 pounds itself, making it fairly lightweight for this type of table. The entire table is constructed from varnished acacia wood. Price at time of publish: $168 The workbench uses the WORX integrated clamping system, and you can attach other products (like a second matching tabletop, if you want more room) to it as well. There are also built-in channels for two integrated quick-clamps as well as slots for four included bench dogs, and the tabletop has a 300-pound capacity. It can also double as a sawhorse, and when set up that way, the maximum load is 1,000 pounds. This versatile workbench has a maximum clamping width of 18 1/4 inches. Price at time of publish: $119 The workbench includes a wood-block vise with a 7-inch capacity. Four wooden bench pegs and four metal bench dogs, all with 1/2-inch diameters rather than the standard 3/4-inch diameter, are also included. This allows you to secure your project firmly in a variety of ways while you work. While this may not be the heaviest-duty workbench out there, for the price it’s a fine bench that will serve most amateur woodworkers very well. Price at time of publish: $296 The workbench is 72 inches wide, 41.25 inches tall, and 24 inches deep. That’s a lot of room for setting up various power tools, tool boxes, and projects in progress. There’s a metal backsplash that keeps your tools from rolling off the back of the bench, as well. Although the height of the table is not adjustable, it does have leveling feet so you can adjust each leg individually should your floor be uneven. The weight capacity of the bench is 1,450 pounds, which is more than adequate for the average DIYer or woodworker. It does require assembly, but the task is fairly straightforward and counts as your first DIY task with your new workbench. Price at time of publish: $269 This workbench doesn’t have pre-drilled holes for bench pegs or other clamping devices, but you can fit your own clamps or vise over the bench edges if needed. If you work with heavy or large pieces of wood, or you use your workbench for other types of projects, you’ll appreciate this table’s sturdiness and strength. Price at time of publish: $530 You can arrange the two included vises for either left- or right-handed orientation, and the bench comes with four steel dogs. The maximum vise capacity is 4 7/8 inches. A shelf at the bottom provides plenty of storage, too. It measures 61 inches long by 25 inches wide, which gives you a generously sized work area, and at 97 pounds, it’s solid enough that it won’t wobble. This is a very sturdy bench that will serve you well whether you are new to woodworking or have years of experience under your belt. Price at time of publish: $610 You get two vises with the table, each with a maximum jaw opening of 4 inches. The table has two rows of dog holes for both vise positions and comes with four bench dogs and a movable stop block. The steel legs have cross-braces for extra stability, and the drawers have ball-bearing slides for smooth performance. The weight of the table is 110 pounds. Price at time of publish: $1,321 You get a wood-block vise that can accommodate 7 inches, as well as four wooden bench dowels and four metal bench dogs. Considering the reasonable price, this is an excellent choice for anyone looking to set up a home workshop, but not wanting to spend too much money on a high-end woodworking table. Price at time of publish: $200 The table comes with two full-featured vises with double guide rods for extra stability. The vises open to a maximum of 4 3/4 inches. The table has 3/4-inch dog holes positioned for both vises and includes four steel-reinforced plastic bench dogs. The table weighs 48 pounds, so you can easily move it if desired. Price at time of publish: $519
Height
Some benches measure 34 inches high, which is the standard height for tables. But if you’re planning to spend hours hunched over, you’ll want to take ergonomics into consideration. One suggestion is the “rule of thumb” guideline: With your arms relaxed at your sides, have someone measure the distance between the floor and your first thumb knuckle. This is the ideal workbench height. If you do a lot of work sitting down, consider getting an adjustable stool and even a footrest to help you find the right position. Remember that it’s easier to lift a lower bench onto risers, rather than deal with one that’s too tall.
Features
A good woodworking bench is equipped with at least one sturdy vises—although many include two vises—as well as numerous dog holes positioned to be used along with the vises. Some woodworking benches also have built-in storage, typically in the form of a shelf near the base of the table, although some also have drawers. It can be very handy to have a spot to stash your woodworking tools, so when looking for the right bench, consider the projects you’ll be taking on and which features you might need the most.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard. For this roundup, she considered dozens of woodworking benches, evaluating each for size, quality, sturdiness, features, and overall value. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative, and received further input and advice from Kelly Bacon, a licensed general contractor and member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
