This Old House Reviews Team

A workbench is the centerpiece of most workshops, providing support for workpieces that need cutting or serving as a convenient storage space for tools and accessories. To help you find the right model for your DIY projects, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best workbenches on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.

 

 

 Buyer’s Guide

Before purchasing a workbench, it’s important to understand how its specifications and unique features impact its user experience. Here are three factors to consider when buying a workbench.

 

Weight capacity

A workbench’s weight capacity, or load rating, refers to how much weight in equipment, tools, and other accessories it can hold. Typically, a workbench’s weight capacity is tied to its construction. For example, a steel-constructed might have a load rating of over 1,000 pounds, which is more than the load rating of a polyethylene workbench.

 

Surface space

The surface space of a workbench refers to its tabletop dimensions and affects the amount of tools the workbench can hold. If you’re looking for a workbench that can support a variety of tools, a product with a large tabletop is a good option. If you need a compact and portable workbench for various projects around your home, a folding workbench is a good pick.

 

Additional storage

Some workbenches come with additional storage. For example, some models have storage shelves and cabinets for stowing loose accessories and small items. Other models come with attachable pegboards for hanging commonly used tools.

 

Tips to Use Your Workbench Safely and Effectively

 

A trusty workbench is at the heart of any functional garage. Before you start crafting and tinkering with your new workbench, it’s important to know how to utilize it. Here’s some information to prepare yourself for the arrival of your new workbench. 

 

Assembly

Your workbench will likely require assembly. Some workbenches are easier to put together than others, but regardless of which model you choose, you’ll want to make sure that you assemble yours correctly. Follow the included instructions carefully. It doesn’t hurt to have someone else to help you hold various parts in place. 

 

Lighting

A well-lit workspace is key to safely utilizing your workbench. Conveniently, some models come with built-in overhead lighting to illuminate the surface of the workbench. If the lighting is dim above or around your workbench, install fluorescent lighting or increase the brightness of your current bulbs. 

 

Protective Gear

The projects you embark on using your workbench will require safety gear. Make sure you wear work gloves, protective eyewear, and hearing protection when appropriate. 

 

Loose Power Cords

Be wary of any dangling or loose power cords around your workbench. Loose cords can be a tripping or electrocution hazard. Certain workbenches have holes to feed power cords from a nearby outlet through the back of the workbench, directly into your power tools. 

 

Weight Capacity

Take note of the weight capacity of your workbench. Lightweight, portable workbenches may only hold 100 pounds, while heavier, permanent workbenches can hold several hundred pounds. 

 

Unplugging Your Tools

When you’re done working, don’t forget to unplug any power tools. You’ll also want to put any used items away and brush off the surface of the workbench so it’s ready for future use. 

 

 

FAQs

• How tall should my workbench be?

While the height of a workbench depends on preference, most workbenches are between 38–39 inches to provide convenient access to power tools and other accessories.

• Why does a workbench’s tabletop have an overhang?

Most workbenches, including the CRAFTSMAN 2000 Series Workbench and Seville Classics UltraHD Lighted Workbench, have tabletop overhangs for attaching vises that grip workpieces.

• Should I put a finish on my workbench’s surface?

No. Most workbenches with wooden tabletops arrive pre-finished and are ready to use.

 

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. 

 

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

 

 

The This Old House Reviews Team provides overviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, hands-on testing in select cases, and other objective criteria unique to a given product line. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for DIY or other non-pro users only. Editor’s picks are made by members of the This Old House Reviews Team.