Last Updated On December 2nd, 2022

Top 10 Reviews

Best Work Bench in the UK 2022

LUXURY CHOICE

Arbor Garden Solutions

4.7/5
Arbor Garden Solutions

Editor's choice

Bosch PWB 600

4.6/5
Bosch PWB 600

Best Value

BLACK+DECKER Workmate WM301

4.4/5
BLACK and DECKER Workmate

A workbench is a versatile product that can be used for storage, and to provide a stable work surface for DIY or trade work. In this guide, we have tried to find the best work bench available, as well as nine other quality products for your consideration.

Generally, there are two main categories of a bench – portable folding workbench, and stationary workbench.

Folding benches are usually smaller and are better suited for taking to work – for example, if you are a decorator, plumber, or electrician and need a stable work surface for your tools. Alternatively, stationary workbenches are generally larger and offer a permanent storage solution for a work area like a garage, workshop, or factory.

In this guide, you can find both categories and a broad selection of workbenches to suit various needs and situations.

Best Work Bench List

Best Work Bench Reviews – Top 10 Picks

The Bosch PWB 600 is our pick for the best portable workbench as well as our Editor’s Choice. It is easy to fold and assemble and has a minimal footprint when stored in a van or on-site. For DIY work like sawing, sanding, and measuring, this work table is an excellent choice and has a great set of features.

Bosch PWB 600

Features

This portable workbench can be folded for storage instantly. It has a secure folding mechanism that has metal supports for extra stability.

The bamboo worksurface is water-repellent and split into two pieces with a central clamping mechanism. The clamps provide a depth of between 34-85mm and are perfect for clamping materials like wood and metal.

It also weighs just 11.6kg which makes it an incredibly lightweight bench so you can easily carry it on site. Underneath the bamboo worktop, there is also a small storage compartment for basic tools and accessories.

This Bosch product is the best portable workbench but it could have a few flaws. For example, the height of the workbench cannot be adjusted. Also, the bamboo clamping system could eventually distort under too much pressure.

PROS

CONS

Bosch PWB 600
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The Arbor Garden Solutions Workbench is a solid all-wood work table with a great maximum load capacity and plenty of additional storage. It looks fantastic but is also available in multiple lengths so you can easily fit it in your workshop, garage, or DIY station.

Arbor Garden Solutions

Features

This stylish workbench looks fantastic and has two underside shelves that run the length of the bench. It also has a large, solid wooden worktop. This bench could easily support heavier objects like a vice or basic machinery.

All the sections are made from wood, and it requires full assembly on arrival. The wood is fully treated and is a premium Scandinavian CLS softwood which is made to last.

In terms of overall dimensions, the 6ft unit is 180 x 64 x 90cm, but you can buy different length benches too, ranging from 3ft through to a huge 10ft unit. For max load weight, it can accommodate up to 950kg which is far superior to most items on this list.

This is an all-wood product, and as a result, you may find small splits and chips in the wood on delivery. Also, as it is made from solid wood, it is quite heavy and you may struggle to move it into position without two people for safe lifting.

PROS

CONS

Arbor Garden Solutions
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The BLACK and DECKER Workmate is a great value work table and another superior folding workbench. This work table is perfect for those who travel often and visit multiple sites on a daily basis due to its portable and easy to carry design.

Features

This Black and Decker portable workbench has an understated design but this makes it easy to use. The worktop is supported by a steel frame that can easily fold.

It also features BLACK and DECKER dual clamps with swivel pegs so you can clamp items between the two wooden tops. The adjustable swivel pegs provide a maximum vice jaw opening of 115mm.

Its working height is 760mm, and it has a max load of 160kg which should be sufficient for most.

This Black and Decker product is easy to carry but it is also not perfect. The markings on the top surface could eventually wear off after repeat usage. This could be a consequence of the wooden surface not being treated with any protective coatings.

PROS

CONS

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This accessory features a convenient convertible design that easily transforms into a table or sawhorse in seconds. Its top surface measures 31 x 25 inches and stands 32 inches tall, providing you with 725 square inches of usable space.

WORX WX051

Features

The WORX WX051 Work Bench comes equipped with two quick clamps and four holding pegs to help you secure items of various shapes and materials. It has locking legs and can support heavy loads up to 300 lbs in its table configuration or 1,000 lbs when in sawhorse mode.

This device is constructed with a built-in storage shelf for improved service all around. The structure is foldable, compact, and lightweight at only 30 lbs. Its build makes it easy to take anywhere needed and only has a five-inch depth when contracted. In addition, no assembly is required, so you can start reaping the benefits straight out of the box.

PROS

CONS

WORX WX051
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The Stanley FatMax is our choice for the best folding workbench UK stores have to offer. If you need a simple portable workbench to take onto the site, this is the best lightweight workbench available. It has a good combination of portable design, but also durable components.

Stanley FatMax Folding

Features

This portable workbench has a large working area at 85 x 60cm. This is supported by two durable metal legs that provide decent stability. It can also be folded quickly for simple storage, and it has a carry handle to help transportation.

The worktop has various holes and grooves so you can easily slot tools through, or give stability to materials you are working on. We also like that it works with the Einhandzwingen from Stanley which is a simple but effective clamping mechanism.

The weight of this unit is minimal, yet it has a stated max load of 455kg which is great for larger projects.

The FatMax is a solid folding work table, but it could have a few issues. Firstly, the blade clamps could eventually come loose and may not have the best stability. Also, over time, the exposed corners of this folding workbench could split from knocks and bumps.

PROS

CONS

Stanley FatMax Folding
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If you need a workbench with a high maximum load weight, the G-Rack Garage Workbench is a solid option. It is one of the best workbench items from our product reviews and is incredibly easy to assemble. As a result, it provides quick and durable storage and working solution.

G-Rack Garage

Features

The G-Rack Garage Workbench is a simple, no-thrills item that is purely functional. It has a steel frame with multiple holes so you can adjust the height of the top work unit and the bottom shelf.

The shelf and worktop are made from MDF and have a stated max load of 600kg overall or 300kg per shelf.

This unit also requires no bolts to assemble and has a simple snapping system that allows you to slot the frame and supports together.

This G-Rack product has a good design, but it is not infallible. You could find that the shelves may sag if they are overloaded. Also, the legs have plastic caps that may not be fully secured and could come loose.

PROS

CONS

G-Rack Garage
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The Arbor Garden Solutions 7ft Work Bench is constructed using pressure treated timber making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is a top-quality choice made by a leading UK supplier.

Arbor Garden Solutions 7ft Workshop Table

Features

This option measures 900mm to 3000mm (width) x 900mm (height) x 640mm (depth). However, three shorter and three longer size options are also available, so chances are pretty good one of them will fit into your workspace. This version has a 950 kg weight capacity.

Giving you ample storage options, the Arbor Garden Solutions handmade work bench features two large shelves beneath the work table space and four medium-sized cubbies above the work table space. This allows you to store frequently used items within arms reach of the table and larger items beneath the table, also close by.

This work bench arrives flat packed, so assembly is required. And while many people will find the assembly process quite intuitive, this workbench does not come with instructions. Lastly, you may need to enlist help from a friend to lift some of the larger pieces into place on the top.

PROS

CONS

Arbor Garden Solutions 7ft Workshop Table
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The Hardcastle Black Steel 2 Tier Work Bench has a simple design and is quick to assemble. Due to its simple frame design, it is also easy to carry and you could easily have multiple of these tables to create a full storage system and working area.

Hardcastle Black Steel 2 Tier

Features

This workbench does not have a host of features but it has a simple and reliable design. It has a steel frame with multiple holes in the legs so you can position the shelves at different heights.

The shelves and worktop are simple MDF and provide a decent level of stability and durability. The overall size of the product is 90 x 90 x 60cm and you could easily place two of these workbenches side by side to create more space.

The frame is made from powder-coated steel, and the unit has a max load weight of 100kg per shelf. If you want a simple combination of storage solution and work surface, the Hardcastle Black Steel 2 Tier Work Bench is a good choice.

This Hardcastle product is a great option as a bench tool stand, and it is simple to assemble. However, the instructions may not be the easiest to understand which could hamper the process. Also, the MDF shelves and worktop could flex under too much weight.

PROS

CONS

Hardcastle Black Steel 2 Tier
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The Monster Racking Store Workbench is a simple but effective item with a solid area to work and a large storage area for tools and other equipment. It provides an easy storage solution, but also gives a large area to act as a work table for a variety of jobs.

Monster Racking Store

Features

This workbench and racking solution has a strong load capacity of 200kg or less. This is achieved via the sturdy metal frame, and the solid MDF shelves. The metal frame also fits together without the need for tools with a simple latch system.

It also has a design that allows you to reposition the shelves at various heights, and you could connect multiple of these units together to form a large storage solution.

As a workbench, the max load capacity makes it relatively sturdy for simple tasks and the overall size of a single unit is 120 x 60 x 90cm. The total weight is 16.5kg so caution is advised when lifting it into position.

Although this Monster Racking workbench is a great item, it could have a couple of issues. Firstly, you could find that the MDF shelves bow if you place too much weight on them. Also, as a result, the max load capacity of 200kg could mean that it is better suited for lighter tasks like modelling and hobby crafts.

PROS

CONS

Monster Racking Store
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The Ryobi RWB02 is one of the best portable workbench items and another good choice for mobile workers who travel regularly. This portable workbench has a simple folding solution and also has bar clamps and pivoting boards so you can easily clamp items for sawing or other purposes.

Ryobi RWB02 Adjustable Folding

Features

This Ryobi workbench has a decent design that is both portable but practical. As a portable workbench, it has a simple folding mechanism so you can easily pack it away for transportation.

Also, it has adjustable swivel pegs, and jaw retention grooves on the clamps so you can easily hold materials in-place like sheets of wood or metal. This portable workbench is also relatively lightweight so it is easy to carry.

The two bamboo boards can pivot from a horizontal position to 90-degrees so you can secure materials with greater force. The handles of the clamp dogs are also easy to turn and you do not have to apply much force to create a secure connection with the item you are clamping.

As a mobile project centre, this Ryobi item is a good choice although it is not perfect. Some customers have found that they have received damaged items on delivery, for example. Also, some customers have also found that over time, this folding work table could deteriorate under persistent usage.

PROS

CONS

Ryobi RWB02 Adjustable Folding
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How to Choose a Work Bench?

Hopefully, you have found our workbench reviews useful. As you can see, there is a diverse range of portable workbenches and heavy-duty products available for either personal or work usage. But which one is the best for your situation?

To help narrow your choices, we have listed the main considerations you should look at when choosing a mobile project centre or DIY workbench – this includes portability, working area, and storage, for example.

Portable or Stationary?

Lots of different tools at workshopFirstly, and most importantly, you must look at for what and where you intend to use the workbench. There are two main types of work bench – the easy to assemble, folding work table or heavy-duty stationary workbenches.

The folding workbenches are usually much smaller and have a smaller working surface. Also, they are usually easy to assemble and can be set up within minutes. These are better suited for on-site usage i.e. for a tradesperson or someone who regularly travels to different locations for their work.

In contrast, heavy-duty workbenches are generally meant to be stationary and in a permanent position – in a workshop or a garage, or shed, for example. If you generally work in one area or building, or simply want a workbench for your home DIY projects, this could be the better choice.

Working Surface Area

Next, look at the working surface. How big is the surface area of the workbench and what work space do you have?

This may depend on what you intend to use the bench for but, as a general rule of thumb, portable benches usually have a smaller surface area. In contrast, stationary benches may have a much larger work space.

Additional Storage

The additional storage is also something to look at. Some bench tool stand products may have additional storage such as shelves or even drawers. This can provide easy storage for your power tools and other equipment so you can keep everything organized.

Alternatively, portable workbenches often have limited storage and work best in conjunction with a portable toolbox. Generally, portable workbenches only have a work surface, and maybe a few bar clamps or holders for a handful of tools.

Weight and Dimensions

man working on a DIY projectNext, how heavy is the work bench and what are its overall dimensions? This depends on if you want a portable folding bench or a stationary bench. If you want a portable workbench, it should be relatively lightweight and have a small footprint when folded so you can easily store it in a van or on-site.

Even if you want a stationary workbench as a permanent solution, it still shouldn’t have a heavy weight as you could cause injury when lifting, or it could be difficult to move if you need to re-position it.

Assembly

Finally, is the workbench easy to assemble? We don’t just mean the folding mechanism, we also mean how easy is the product to build initially before usage.

Some of the best workbenches come partially assembled and are relatively easy to assemble – these are usually the portable workbenches. In contrast, larger heavy-duty workbenches can be much more difficult to assemble and they may have a heavy steel frame, for example.

Conclusion

We hope you have found this guide on the best workbenches informative. Portable workbenches are fantastic items to have and can give you both a sturdy working surface and storage if you are working on site.

Alternatively, heavy-duty work benches are great products for DIY enthusiasts who have a dedicated work area in their shed or garage, for example. They can allow for the easy storage of power tools and other items.

Any of the above workbenches could make a great option, but we feel that the Bosch PWB 600 is the best work bench in this rundown. It is a well-rounded product with an incredible maximum load capacity of 200kg and four blade clamps to help enhance its versatility. The bamboo work surface is also robust and water-repellent.

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