Searching for the best portable workbench? Then your search is over. I have compiled a list of top work bench reviews that are worth taking a look at this year.
In a rush?
Here’s a breakdown on three you may be interested in…
Top Choice
Keter folding work station – In our opinion, this is best of the bunch. This was based on price, value for money and the feedback gathered from real users.
Best Value
Workmate WM1000 – One of the latest models from the world renowned Workmate series. This ended up number 2 on our list because of the price tag, other than that a real solid bench.
Best Budget
Workmate WM125 – Looking for something on a budget? Then this is your choice. A lot smaller surface area compared to the top models but does a decent job.
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Comparison
These are our top picks for portable work tables. We made sure to choose a range from cheap, to high end to suit all budgets. Compare using the table below and read the review on each model to help you choose.
| Bench | Price | Weight | Max load | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1. Keter Adjustable Folding Work Station | $$$$ | 30 lbs | 1000 lbs | 2 years |
 2. Black & Decker WM1000 Workmate | $$$$$ | 39 lbs | 550 lbs | 2 years |
 3. Black & Decker WM425 Workmate | $$$$$ | 37 lbs | 550 lbs | 2 years |
 4. Black & Decker WM125 Workmate | $ | 14 lbs | 350 lbs | 2 years |
 5. Black & Decker WM225 Workmate | $$$ | 28 lbs | 450 lbs | 2 years |
 6. Performance Tool W54025 | $$ | 18 lbs | 200 lbs | 1 year |
6 Best Workbench Reviews
1. The Keter folding workstation
- Extendable legs from 30.3″ to 34.2″
- Quick opening system
- Sturdy carrying handle
- Includes two adjustable holding clamps
- Strong resin construction
- Adjustable version has a weight limit of 700lbs
- Non-adjustable version has a weight limit of 1000lbs
- 2 year warranty
The Good: Very portable and easy to hold, simple and quick set up, second shelving is very handy to place tools on, very sturdy for putting power tools on to.
The Bad: No place to store the clamps included, users have noted that the legs do not clamp firm when folded which creates a rattle, users also mentioned that the adjustable version does not offer a vast range of height increments.
Our pick of the bunch has to be both of the Keter work tables. The main characteristic of these models is that they fold into a very compact case which you can store in tight places anywhere around the house.
Setting up and folding the item only takes a few seconds. The legs of the table stick out and can be easily fit back in once the work is done. There is also room for keeping the necessary tools at hand on the tray underneath.
As far as price goes, these are mid-ranged models between $65-$90. The Keter adjustable folding compact workstation costs a little more than its counterpart the Keter folding compact workbench.
The price difference is due to the adjustable version has extendable legs which give the bench more height when required. This allows for an extra 6 inches, in 2-inch increments.
In both cases, the item is sturdy, and it can hold weights of up to 1000 lbs. The legs, instead of going straight down, push out sideways giving the table more stability even in the case of the model with expandable legs.
Also, the model with adjustable legs comes with two toggle clamps and four corner clamps, while the non-adjustable model only comes with two one-handed clamps.
Despite the workbench folding quickly into a compact suitcase shape, there was no compromise done in matters of material: Polypropylene Resin and Aluminum. It is a great mix of resistance and an intelligent built which classifies it under lightweight.
When folded, the table can weigh a little more than a heavy suitcase. When open, it can hold blocks of wood.
Also, if too much pressure is applied when working, the adjustable legs may wobble a bit. In some cases, the legs even broke off. However, these were isolated and not recurrent situations.
Some reviewers seemed to complain about the benches – especially the adjustable legs model – not having a place to keep the clamps included in the package. However, the reviews are overall good for the product, and they say that it does its job as specified.
The clamps come in handy and make the workbench more versatile in use. Many items can be fastened and worked on in comfort due to the clamps both of these models come with.
Its portability and its folding features remain the best features of the Keter models. This is the model recommended for people who need a surface to work on when space is a luxury and for those who need to take their skills on the road.
2. Black & Decker WM1000 Workmate Review
- Max load of 550lb
- Robust steel frame
- 670 x 450mm solid bamboo plate
- Quick-clamping mechanism
- One hand quick folding
- Easy to carry
- Weighs about 40lbs
- 2-year warranty
The Good: New workmate model, easy transportation and versatile storage options, set up is straight forward – comes half assembled, very robust design, speed crank is handy.
The Bad: Price, People over 6’5″ may find themselves hunching over, does not have the vertical & horizontal clamping like the WM425, the crank belt has been known to slip off occasionally.
The Black & Decker WM1000 Workmate is the most expensive option on our list which can be picked up between $130-$150.
When doing our research, we found that users were pleased with the make of this item and did not complain about the material, built, design or finish. It all seems to meet and even exceed expectations in this respect.
It is both sturdy and compact, and it can carry a maximum load of 550 pounds on its heavy gauge steel frame. The work surface is made of bamboo, and you can turn it into a clamping mechanism when the project requires it.
This is a highly versatile product which allows for a wide range of projects to be carried out with great ease. It has a strong structure and a solid build. It deserves the heavy duty feature as it allows ample projects to be done.
The Black & Decker WM1000 Workmate has a split top which can help you fix anything and adjust to any shape you need to work on. The clamping mechanism is very permissive, the workbench coming with bench dogs.
We have discovered this to be the sturdiest of Black & Decker Workmate workbenches. It is immovable, and you can perform a lot of tasks on it. It will not budge. It weighs almost 39 pounds, which is to be expected from an item with a solid steel frame, but it can still be carried around. It even has a quick-folding feature which even allows you to fold it with one hand.
Tall people have complained that they need to hunch over the table, but this is a problem most workbenches have, especially since most items have similar heights. Others complained about the orange knobs not fitting in right, making the assembly difficult.
Overall this is a good product, better built than others in its segment. The manufacturer stands behind this product and gives it a 2 years warranty.
3. Black & Decker WM425 Workmate Review
- Max load of 550lb
- Heavyweight steel design
- One-handed clamp system
- Quick-clamping mechanism
- Vertical clamping
- Includes four swivel pegs, extra block, and vise-to-workbench converter insert
- Easy to carry
- Weighs about 40lbs
- 2-year warranty
The Good: Strong, solid design, vertical clamping vise is ideal for wider pieces of wood, large working space, easy to store, and transport.
The bad: Price, users noted the assembly instructions are not clear – took them a little longer to assemble.
The Black & Decker WM425 Workmate model is on the higher end, in terms of price, which can be found between $110-$125.
With the package, you get a wise-to-workbench converter insert, four swivel pegs, and an extra block. This model builds on the previous item and has a bit more to offer for the extra money. However, let’s see if going the extra mile is worth it.
Whenever the issue of quality comes up, most reviewers complain that the moving of production from the US or Canada to China equaled a decrease in quality. We conclude that, although the product still does its job, it also has a cheaper construction feel.
The manufacturer also boasts with a 550 pounds maximum weight load. The interesting thing we noticed here is the light metal frame which can cause the workbench to tip over if you are not holding it with one foot. However, this works both ways at it allows you to work on heavier objects while still being able to carry it around.
Speaking about portability, this workbench folds easily enough, although it may depend on how well you put it together. If you misalign anything in the back, you will have to wiggle it into shape to fold or unfold it.
The good thing about the Black & Decker WM425 is that you can use the top as a vice or as a workstation, as the jaws are wide enough to allow it. Although reviewers have complained, the model is still sturdy enough to do its job.
Its multiple gripping options make the product extremely versatile and easy to use. Its uses can go from simple hobbies to bigger DIY projects for the household.
The great thing about the Black & Decker WM425 is its maximum weight load coupled with the possibility to use the 90-degree angle grip on larger items such as doors. This means that you can paint a door using this little workbench you can carry around.
It is the perfect mix between a space saving item and fantastic features that let you work on bigger projects. This takes the model out of the hobby and novice categories and justifies the price.
4. Black & Decker WM125 Workmate Review
- Max load of 350 lb
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Easy to carry
- Compact & lightweight
- Durable steel frame
- Weighs about 17.8 lbs
- 2 year warranty
The Good: Excellent value, very light, quick assembly – comes 90% assembled, perfect for the home/ casual DIY’er.
The Bad: Small working surface, not recommended for larger jobs / more frequent jobs.
The Black & Decker WM125 Workmate would be our runner-up choice as it makes excellent all round value. It is a different type of workbench, compared to the Keter, as it has adjustable jaws to grip whatever item you are working on. The best thing about this bench is that it allows you to work on things vertically as well.
The WM 125 Workmate is the cheapest choice of our selected workbenches and can be picked up between $30-$45, which is great for those who do not intend to use it as much as a DIY professional.
The workbench is almost 30 inches high and it is very versatile in allowing you to fasten anything with the jaws and the swivel peg grips. Even oddly shaped items are easily locked in.
The jaws are made of wood, they resist warping and swelling, and they can be angled according to your needs to fix whatever it is you are working on. These you have to attach yourself, also meaning that you can replace them, provided that you can drill the holes for the pegs.
The Black & Decker WM 125 Workmate can hold up to 350 pounds of weight. Reviewers claim that the model is a bit flimsy, although it’s labeled as being heavy duty, able to resist in time, and though the legs have non-skid feet to prevent the sliding, overloading it might not be a good idea.
This tool is a portable workbench which folds flat like a chair for easy storage. The simple build also makes it easy to carry around from project to project, weighing only 14.2 pounds. These are probably the best features of the workbench.
Although the manufacturer labeled it as heavy duty workbench, reviewers have contradicted this claim and only recommend it for light to medium duty type of work.
This may not be the pick of a handyman working on a whole house project, however, it is still pretty good for people with specific needs, hobbies, and small projects. Yet it is recommended as being suitable for novices even by experienced reviewers.
5. Black & Decker WM225 Workmate Review
- Max load of 450 lb
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Easy to carry
- Compact & lightweight
- Durable steel frame
- Includes four vise attachments
- Weighs about 28 lbs
- 2-year warranty
The Good: Easy to use, solid design, very hand vise and bench dogs, perfect for the home/ casual DIY’er.
The Bad: Small working surface, many users of the older models state the quality is as good, not recommended for larger jobs / more frequent jobs.
The Black & Decker WM225 Workmate is another mid-price bench that is meant to be step up from the WM125 model. It can be found online for around $70-$85. It is convenient to use, of good quality, solid built, and light weight. This is a product good for both DIY beginners as well as for professionals.
This is a workbench which transforms into a vise, a sawhorse, and a tool stand. It has a heavy gauge steel frame which allows it to hold a weight of up to 450 lbs. Even so, while the model can hold heavy objects, we do not recommend more than light hammering such as driving nails.
Its adjustable jaws let you clamp even odd shaped items, making it good for woodwork and other such projects. In fact, only the front jaw is movable and can be swung back and forth, while the rear jaw can only adjust its position so that you can fix something against it.
The Black & Decker WM225 workbench includes 4 swivel pegs in the original package. It folds for easy storage and it weighs 28 pounds, making it easy to carry around from room to room, from one project to another.
These same components can also alter and break if the workbench is tipped over, which tends to happen when folded.
One great feature we have discovered is the ease of setting up. It takes only 30 seconds to take it off the wall and to start working. Same thing goes for when you want to store it back up.
We believe that this product has a good price-quality ratio as you can spring for a more expensive version with more or less the same specifications or you could go for a cheaper built which might not seem that sturdy.
One of the coolest features of the workstation is the adjustable back jaw. This workbench is a great work partner for when you need another set of hands to hang tight to something while you perform the more important tasks.
Assembly is an issue on which opinions are divided. For some, it only took 20 minutes, while for others it even took 3 hours. In these cases, there can even be a matter of misplaced parts or poor packaging from the factory and not including all components.
The manufacturer offers a 2 years warranty on this item.
6. Performance Tool W54025 Portable Workbench Review
- Max load of 200 lb
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Easy to carry
- Compact & lightweight
- One-handed clamp system
- Jaws can be angled
- Weighs about 18 lbs
- 1-year warranty
The Good: Excellent value, easy to assemble, sturdy, great bench for light work, perfect for the home/ casual DIY’er.
The Bad: Small working surface, printed measurements fade pretty quickly, instructions not great, not recommended for larger jobs / more frequent jobs.
An alternative to the WM125 is the Performance Tool W54025 Multipurpose Workbench. This is a reliable bench; it is foldable, and it is sold at the accessible price of between $40-50.
The table top is made of wood and the two boards can spread as far as 10 inches if we count the spacers that fit into the peg holes on top of the boards. For bigger projects, we recommend buying a bigger plywood work surface.
Another good thing about the Performance Tool W54025 is the fact that the tabletop is printed with a grid, a ruler and a protractor for easier use. While few people would use this model professionally, it is handy and good enough for light duty and little use around the house.
The Performance tool is designed to hold 200 pounds safely. This is not much compared to the heavy load promised by other products, but it is enough for some hobby or small projects. At this weight, this sounds like pretty honest advertising.
The item folds and is easily stored away. It only weighs 18 pounds, making it very easy to carry around and to set up.
When in use, the bench is 30.25 inches tall, 24 inches wide and 25 inches deep. It does not take up a lot of space, making it the best option for anyone with space problems. Not only does it fold and store away easily, but you do not need too much space to work on it either.
Also, after a while, the vise does not operate as easily and you might have to nudge it to open or to close.
As far as build goes, this is a minimum requirement, minimum investment piece. It does its job with basics like stamped metal and plastic parts. It is good for the money you pay for it and nothing more. This is a simple case of what you see is what you get.
The W54025 comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of 1 year.
How to buy a portable workbench
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when choosing a workbench. You need to consider:
- what you need it for
- how much you are planning to use it
- where you are going to work on it
- how and where you can store it
- whether or not you need to carry it around
- how much you want to invest
Once you got some of these things down, the best idea would be to order them according to priorities and go for the product that meets most of your requirements. You might not necessarily find the one that meets them all, but you can sure find one that meets most of them.
When it comes to price, some models have an excellent price-quality ratio. Take the Keter models for example. They are our top picks because they fall in the moderate price for good features category. These are performing products which can be purchased for fair prices.
On the other hand, the Black & Decker models cover some extremes in matters of price and product specification: they have a cheap model and a top of the range model.
Such differences may confuse first-time buyers, but looking closer at the product features can help you tell the difference. The cheap product may be worth the money since it is not a significant investment and it still does what it is supposed to do. The expensive model does come with a lot of extra features like the steel frame and the added weight load.
Quality is an issue with Black & Decker products since many people are upset about the company having moved production to China. Even so, the products of this manufacturer still hold their own on the market and first-time users are pleased with them. The main problem seems to be with those who have had original products, the ones made in the 70s, and who are always comparing.
Just to put their minds at ease, the new Black & Decker products are still top quality products and have made our list of best rated.
Weight load is something you need to decide on and plan in accordance to the type of projects you will be doing. The Keter models promise to hold up to 1000 pounds, whereas Black & Decker makes a safer bet at 350-550 pounds. The Performance Multipurpose Workbench makes an honest promise at 200 pounds.
All of the products we have presented are foldable and portable. Some may have more intricate mechanisms, like the Keter models which fold into the shape of a suitcase you can store almost anywhere. The Black & Decker and Performance models fold like a chair and into a less compact shape. They are all portable, although the suitcase shape of the Keter, with three handles on the sides for easy grip, is our best pick.
Portability also depends on how heavy the product is. However, this can be a downside as well because a product which is easy to carry will have a not so sturdy frame. The Black & Decker WM1000 Workmate is our heaviest product at 38 pounds, and the WM 125 model the easiest one at 14 pounds. Once again, the same brand offers the two extremes.
Each of these products has a different grip and clamping mechanism. You choose the one which fits best your style of work. If you just need an extra pair of hands to keep whatever you are working on steady, if you often work on oddly shaped items or is you need a uniform work surface to pin items down, there is one specific model to choose for each one.
Conclusion
It is no longer wise to choose a product you want to work on intensively based on one factor alone. This factor may be the brand you trust in, a price you expect to reflect a product’s specifications or the quality of the product as resulting from its build.
The best way to pick a workbench is to choose a mix of specs you decide on, starting from your needs. Keter has put some great products on the market, yet Black & Decker, with their famous Workmate, are still a name to be reckoned with and their jawed grips are a great feature. The Performance is a segment in itself, offering the basic product for a decent price.
You can look at this purchase as an investment, or you can see it as a trial. The good news is that you have a lot to choose from in all areas. You have a wide price range – $ 30 – $ 150, a wide weight load range – 200 pounds to 1000 pounds, different folding mechanisms and different clamping systems at your disposal.
The important thing is to know what you are looking for and you will find the perfect match for you.
Resources
- http://www.keter.com/en/folding-work-table-ex
- http://www.wilmarcorp.com/item.aspx?iid=7042
- http://www.blackanddecker.com/en-us/products/power-tools/project-solutions/workbenches/workmate-portable-project-center/bdwm1000
- http://www.blackanddecker.com/en-us/products/power-tools/project-solutions/workbenches/workmate-p425-portable-project-center-and-vise/wm425
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