best router table UK

Best Router Table Reviews UK 2023 – Which One is Right for You?

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Our Favourites

Editor’s Choice: Lumberjack RT1500 Bench Top
Best Value: Silverline 460793
Luxury Choice: Bosch Benchtop

A router table is easily one of the most efficient and versatile additions that any DIY enthusiast can make to their workshop. When your router is mounted securely on a reliable table, your hands will be free to do other things. This means more control over the materials that you’re working with and additionally, more extensive routing options. For instance, you’ll be able to route grooves and edge profiles that you would never have been able to achieve with a standard hand-held router. All in all, a router table just makes your woodworking more precise, and your router more efficient. The added convenience and stability in your project means that you can accomplish stylish and professional cuts at almost any time. These are the reasons why looking for the best router table in the UK is very important.

Of course, the critical question for anyone considering a router table investment is, “which model is right for me?” If you’ve been browsing online for some time now, then you might already have noticed the sheer number of choices available today. If you’ve never owned a router table before, then it can be a difficult task to buy one. The good news? We’ve made the top router table reviews for the UK to ensure that you make the ideal choice.

How We Compared Router Tables

To find the right router tables we considered multiple factors including:

  • Router Size
  • Power Output
  • Dust Collection
  • Worktop or Stand Alone
  • Table Surface
  • Base
  • Additional Accessories

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

To find out more about our process please see here.

Best Router Table Reviews – Top 10 Picks

1. Lumberjack RT1500 Bench Top (Editor’s Choice)

lumberjack-rt1500-bench-top

If you need both a router and a router table in one neat package, you could always try the Lumberjack RT1500 Bench top router. This fantastic piece of equipment comes with a router that is powered by a 1500-watt motor.

The Lumberjack RT1500 router table isn’t the most potent option on the market, but it is very good for precise work. There are two side storage compartments to help you keep your tools organised your router cutters while you’re working, and there are also three boards available to keep your materials in place. You’ll also have access to a mitre and adjustable fence which can be used for various woodworking applications.

Weighing in at around 22.3kg, this table is relatively substantial, but it’s still small enough if you want to lend it to a friend or take with you on business appointments if necessary. There’s also a built-in dust port for collection purposes. You can attach the collection tube on the table to your vacuum and ensure that your workspace remains as clean as possible. It’s a smart little table that comes with everything you need to start crafting, including tools like a guide assembly, mitre guide, collets, and an adjustable fence.

 

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • With a great dust port feature
  • Mitre gauge and guide release switch for safety
  • Portable all-in-one equipment
  • With compartments for your tools

Cons:

  • Instructions may be confusing and difficult to follow
  • Boards can be difficult to position
  • Bright colouring may seem “childish” to some

2. Silverline 460793 (Best Value)

silverline-460793

This convenient DIY router table is easy to assemble when you need a solution to take with you on the move. Lightweight and durable, the Silverline router table offers reliable support for a standard hand-held router. With a versatile performance, you can use this table for everything from planning and shaping, to rebating, moulding, and grooving.

The table is made completely out of cast iron, so you can rest assured that it’s going to stand the test of time – no matter how often you use it. Additionally, the twin measurement scales ensure that you can get the most accuracy out of your work.

The non-latching 230-volt switch box and trigger clamp give you the freedom to control your router power according to your unique needs. Additionally, you also get the feather boards for your projects, table extensions, protractor, fence and fittings included in the kit.

One slight downside of this router table is how small it is. You really need to find a high table to place it on if you want to use it properly. Moreover, the cast iron can feel a little thin and flimsy in some places.

 

Pros:

  • Great for beginners
  • Convenient lightweight and durable design
  • Versatile performance
  • Freedom to control router power
  • Fittings, fence, protractor, and table extensions included

Cons:

  • Extremely small
  • Thin iron in places

3. Bosch Benchtop (Luxury Choice)

bosch-benchtop

This attractive and professional benchtop router table is the ultimate addition to any DIY fan’s toolkit. For convenience, the router table fits onto virtually any workbench and comes with two feather boards to get you started. There’s also a port for dust collection. With a 6 feet extension cord, you have plenty of room to work.

Bosch delivers everything you might need from a router table in a reliable package. The 27-inch by 18-inch work surface is brilliant for a variety of materials and jobs. Plus, you get three mounting plate rings as part of the kit, along with mounting hardware for the majority of Bosch routers. Your 6-foot extension cord should give you more than enough room to plug in anywhere.

There are two feather boards included, as well as a clear guard for protection, a starter pin and guard, and your own outfeed fence shims, too. All that, and if you’re worried about performance and longevity, Bosch also gives you a year’s worth of warranty. An aluminium fence and router mounting plate provide excellent quality, too.

One slight downside is that the instructions aren’t particularly easy to follow. Additionally, the panel sometimes comes off the table very easily. However, most customers found these problems to be minor issues compared to the overall performance of their new router.

 

Pros:

  • Attaches to any workbench
  • 2 feather boards
  • Aluminium fence with MDF face plate
  • 3 mounting plate rings included
  • 1-year warranty

Cons:

  • Loose panel fitting on the table
  • Not the best inHomestructions

4. Kreg Full-Size (Best Portable)

Kreg Full-Size

If you think you could benefit from using a full-sized router table that comes in a compact package, this Kreg Full-Size portable model could be just what you need. It comes with everything you need and can easily be transported from one workplace to the next, hassle-free.

The Kreg router table features a full-sized router insert plate that has three Level-Loc reducing rings. The insert plate has a unique design with bottom-up insertion for better levelling accuracy. The design also features an aluminium fence and independent sliding faces.

The surface is made with an Easy-Slide Micro-Dot Skin that is impact resistant and establishes a smooth user experience allowing your materials to slide with minimal friction. The surface rests on top of a sturdy steel base with rubber feet that dampen vibrations across the entire table while also reducing the overall noise produced.

Regretfully, there is a small chance this product could arrive missing some of the accessory parts. The fence may also be tricky to lock in place at times and we think this router table could benefit from the addition of rulers on the surface.

 

Pros:

  • Smooth Easy Slide surface
  • Vibration and noise-reducing rubber feet
  • Full size yet portable design
  • Full-sized router plate with 3 Level-Loc rings
  • Improved levelling accuracy

Cons:

  • The fence locking mechanism may be a bit tricky
  • May lack built-in rulers on the surface
  • Could possibly arrive with missing parts

5. Bigger Savings Pro (Best Floor Standing)

bigger-savings-pro

If you’re looking for versatility and reliability among router table reviews UK customers made, you should check out the Pro Router Table Bench by Bigger Savings. This sensational router table stands on the floor in your workshop, so you don’t have to worry about making sure that it fits on another worktop or desk. The table is compatible with any half-inch or quarter-inch sized router, and it’s designed with a 35mm thick laminated MDF to give you absolute stability.

One of the best things about this product is how customisable it is. The mounting plate is made with tough plastic, but you can easily drill it to mount your router. What’s more, the base plate is held in the right place by magnets, so you can remove and replace the router on your table whenever you see fit. With secure clamps set on the table, you won’t have to worry about making mistakes on highly precise work either.

The guide on the Pro Router table comes with two adjustable faces to choose from, which you can move to match the diameter of your preferred cutter. Additionally, there’s a dust port at the rear of the fence which you can attach to your vacuum for dust extraction.

 

Pros:

  • Solid floor-based router table for steady working
  • Stable insert solution ideal for all handheld routers
  • 4 boards included
  • Provision for dust port

Cons:

  • Has an additional shipping surcharge for certain parts of the UK
  • Doesn’t always stay stable on certain surfaces – check your floor
  • Drilling the holes for the router needs to be done very carefully

6. Charnwood W012 (Best Benchtop)

charnwood-w012-bench-top

Since every woodworker isn’t necessarily the same size or height, it can sometimes be challenging to find a floor-standing router table that’s the perfect height for your size. Neck or back issues from crouching over can become an issue in the long-run. If this is the case, then it might be a good idea to choose a benchtop router instead. The Charnwood W012 is highly effective universal as it can be used with any quarter-inch router.

With a reliable dust port collection solution included, this Charnwood router table converts your standard handheld router into something far more accurate and safer to use. The table is equipped to help with everything from standard edge moulding to tenoning and trenching. Additionally, the worktop is made of MDF while the side frames are solid steel so you can rest assured that you’re getting a robust and reliable machine.

Three clamps come with the Charnwood router table as standard, so you can hold your work material against the table securely. Your hands are then freed up to manage a more controlled and accurate cut. Additionally, there’s a Perspex guard to ensure that you don’t have to worry about a piece of wood or some dust flying towards your face when you work. Of course, we still recommend that you always wear goggles in your workshop.

 

Pros:

  • Gives universal performance with all quarter-inch routers
  • Strong and resilient design
  • With dust port included
  • Transparent cutter guide to protect from debris

Cons:

  • Relatively small table overall
  • May need to add side extensions to support longer lengths of wood
  • Only 1 adjustable feather board

7. Allied UK ToolTronix Electric (Heavy-Duty Option)

We recommend the ToolTronix Electric router table by Allied UK if you are in need of a large bench-style option. This product is great for consistent use and jobs of all types, even heavy-duty ones.

The Allied UK ToolTronix router bench comes equipped with three feather boards to help your workpiece stay firmly pressed against the fence and table for a smooth controlled movement every time. A convenient dust port is situated on the back of the fence as well so you can connect a vacuum to maintain a clean work surface at all times.

The design consists of a sturdy steel base with handy side extension boards to create a longer workspace when needed. The base also features heavy-duty steel clamps so you can firmly attach the router to the underside of a more substantial table. In addition to the clamps, Allied UK recommends screwing this router table into a heavy-duty work table.

Possible drawbacks to the ToolTronix router table include it not always being able to fit larger routers and the measurement on top potentially peeling. Lastly, this router table may have a trickier height adjustment that takes some getting used to.

 

Pros:

  • Electric design style
  • Heavy-duty steel clamps on the base
  • Side extension boards
  • Built-in dust port
  • Facilitates smooth controlled movements

Cons:

  • It may not fit larger routers
  • Adjusting the height may be a bit tricky
  • The measurement could peel over time

8. Trend CRT MK3 Craft Pro (Best Adaptable)

The Trend CRT MK3 Craft Pro makes a great choice if you are searching for a highly adjustable router table capable of accomplishing a variety of router tasks. It comes with everything you need to set up a one-stop workstation that helps save you time while you work.

The Trend router table features a removable aluminium insert plate with two insert rings, a levelling mechanism, and a lead-on pin. It has a fully adjustable guard and back fence that allows you to change the height based on the specific job you aim to tackle. It also has a quick-release function to enable quick and easy adjustments in no time at all.

This router table comes pre-drilled to accommodate both T11 routers and TBC routers. The workspace also features a built-in ruler so you can quickly make precise measurements while you work. To further customise the work surface, the design also includes adjustable edge framing and adjustable MDF cheeks.

When compared to other top options on our list, this router table could have a somewhat lengthier set-up process but we think it is worth it considering all of the bonus features and components. Additionally, it might be a bit smaller and heavier overall than some people expect.

 

Pros:

  • Range of routing accessories included
  • Built-in rulers for quick measurements
  • Fully adjustable guard
  • Adjustable framing and cheeks
  • Stable base for accurate router jobs

Cons:

  • Lengthier assembly possible
  • Might be smaller than expected
  • Could be somewhat heavy for some people

9. Scheppach HF50-240V (Best Compact)

scheppach-hf50-240v

The Scheppach HF50-240V router table is a fantastic tool for DIY work or professional cutting. This high-performance device comes with a variable speed control of between 11500 and 24000 RPM. Plus, there’s an adjustable spindle with heights between 0 and 40mm for greater accuracy on a range of cutting materials.

A reliable device offering functionality, durability, and performance, the Scheppach router table comes with everything you need to get professional routing technology at your home. This powerful machine is easy to use with a convenient on-off switch and a stable surface. There’s support for an adjustable spindle height, and everything is easy enough to put together with practice.

The guidelines included with this machine are a little difficult to follow at times. You might find that you need to seek out some extra assistance online. However, once you’ve got everything set up, you’ll find that the router table delivers a strong and accurate cut in a variety of tasks. If you’ve already built a number of similar machines, then this router will seem quite straightforward. It supports router cutter shanks ranging from 6mm to 1 quarter mm.

Some aspects of the router are a little less appealing to beginners, however. The T-Groove is quite sharped edged, and the device itself takes a little getting used to.

 

Pros:

  • Excellent RPM
  • Range of adjustable spindle heights
  • Durable table with high-quality materials
  • Excellent accuracy
  • Multiple shank dimensions

Cons:

  • Not the best instructions
  • Somewhat complicated for beginners
  • T-Groove has a sharp edge

10. FERM Universal PRA1011 (Best for Small Details)

ferm-pra1011

Finally, if you’re looking to find the router table that’s ideal for smaller details, then the FERM could be the right one for you. Sometimes, your woodwork doesn’t have to include vast lengths of timber the size of doorframes. When you’re working on accurate points and tight grooves, then the FERM router table will help you to maintain precise results.

This router table is great when you’re looking for smooth profile edges and it comes with a mitre guide to help guide your work. Additionally, you can rest assured that the table will fit all FERM routers perfectly, so if you’re already familiar with the brand, you shouldn’t have a problem finishing off your workshop.

As well as a great mitre guide, the FERM router table also comes with a “dustproof switch,” and a dust port extraction adapter so you can keep your workplace as clean as possible while you create. What’s more, the strong aluminium design ensures that DIY enthusiasts and experts alike can create high-quality designs on a sturdy worktop.

 

Pros:

  • Reliable mitre guide included for help with precise cutting
  • Has a dustproof switch and dust port extraction adapter
  • Rubber feet to prevent skidding
  • Strong aluminium design

Cons:

  • Instructions are complicated to follow – try looking on Youtube instead
  • The power switch is EU not UK
  • Quite tricky to fit a standard router

Router Table Buying Guide

Many DIY workers rely on power tools like electric screwdrivers, cordless drills, table saws and routers. To create more precise and high-level cuts in their projects, they use routers. While hand-held routers have their advantages, including flexibility, router tables are typically much safer and more controlled, which makes them easier to use for certain jobs. A router table also helps to guide you while you cut so you can avoid any expensive and unnecessary mistakes.

Router Table Features

With so many models available on the market today, one of the great ways to find the right solution for your needs is to read what others say on forums, social media channels, and sites like Amazon. However, reading testimonials won’t do you much good if you don’t know which features you should be looking for in the first place.

While almost all tables come with many of the same basic features like mitre guides, clamps and boards, they’re not necessarily all the same. The right router table for you will depend on what you’re looking for.

1. Router Size

a-small-workshop-space

If you already have a router, then you need a table that’s capable of fitting your chosen cutting tool. For instance, make sure that you know whether you have a half-inch or quarter-inch router before you start shopping. Also, another thing you have to do is to make sure that the router table is strong enough to support the weight of your router.

2. Power Output

Another thing to consider is how much power you need from your router if you’re getting a router and router table combo. If you’re planning on working with heavy-duty materials on challenging projects, then you’re going to need a lot more power.

3. Dust Collection

Too much wood dust can overwhelm you as you work. Additionally, it is a known health risk for woodworkers. Collecting dust before it reaches you is the most efficient way to deal with it. That is why router tables with a great dust port and extraction system are important. It ensures that you can keep your workspace safe and it can lessen your clean-up time when you’re working on a project.

4. Worktop or Stand Alone

Additionally, ask yourself whether you prefer to work with your router table on a pre-existing worktop, or whether you want your router table to stand alone on the floor in front of you. Some people prefer not having to clamp the router table to another surface, which means that a floor-standing model is their prefered option. However, it is worth noting that some floor standing solutions can be too short for taller people.

Other Points to Look for When Buying a Router Table

Once you’ve decided exactly what kind of router table you need, whether you want the router to be included, and how much power it needs, it’s time to think about the features that you want to have while you work. For instance, whenever you’re looking for the best router table in the UK, make sure you get:

1. A Flat and Stable Table Surface

table-router-surface

For accurate designs and cuts, you’ll need to consider tables that have a rigid and flat surface. This means that you’ll be able to better sustain the pressure exerted as you work on your material. Router tables that aren’t perfectly flat will mean that you end up with uneven edge profiles on your finished projects.

2. A Precise Fence

Another thing that you’ll need in order to make the perfect cut is a precise fence. To get the most specific results, you’ll need to keep the piece of wood pressed against the fence as you’re working on it. This means looking for a router table with a fence that you can position according to your needs. There are two-piece and one-piece precision fence options available to choose from. Some woodworkers would even go as far as making their own precision fence to suit their needs. So really, the right option for you will depend on your preferences.

3. A Well-Made Base

Finally, when you’re working on high-quality wooden materials, you’ll end up with fewer vibrations and uncomfortable cuts if you choose a router table with a well-made base. Make sure that the base is secure and stable. With a well-made base, you’ll find that you spend less time worrying about your safety as you cut, and more time enjoying the creative process.

4. Additional Accessories

Remember, while all the elements above are essential when you’re looking for your router table, there are also plenty of additional accessories to consider. For instance, some come with extra tools like feather boards to improve the accuracy of your slicing.

Look for router tables that not only help to make your work more accurate and precise but also those that make you feel as safe and secure as possible while you work. That way, you’re more likely to experiment with your cuts and produce incredible things as a result.

Choosing Your Router Table

Selecting the best router table that the UK has to offer means thinking about what you want to accomplish with your new hardware. What kind of woodworking projects are you going to be dealing with in the years ahead? Do you have any specific requirements in mind?

Router tables come in many different shapes and sizes. There are solutions that can clip onto your workbench, and all-in-one tools that offer a variety of cutting and shaping solutions. The best router table for you will depend on careful considerations of everything from power to performance. It’s also worth thinking about any additional extras or features you might need with your router table.

For all-around excellent performance, we recommend the Lumberjack RT1500 Bench Top router. We love that it comes with everything you need including a guide assembly and an adjustable fence. Not only that, but it also features two side storage compartments and a built-in dust port to keep your workspace clean and organised.

Although not the strongest, the 1500W motor will work well on a range of jobs and its portability means you can work where you want whenever you want!

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