Whether you're doing some DIY around the home, have a project you're tackling in the garden, or working on-site or remotely in a professional capacity, a foldable workbench is one of the best all-round items you can own. Modern workbenches are portable, compact, and lightweight whilst being able to comfortably support hundreds of kilograms of weight.
However, picking the right workbench can be difficult so we've put together this buying guide to help you get the best one for your needs. We've also included a list of the 10 best folding work benches in the UK from some of the top brands in the tool industry, like Draper, Bosch, and Black + Decker, all available from Amazon. No matter the size or weight capacity, there's something for everyone below!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of folding work benches available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Black + Decker | 2 ![]() Keter | 3 ![]() Black + Decker | 4 ![]() Draper | 5 ![]() Bosch | 6 ![]() Stanley Fatmax | 7 ![]() WORX | 8 ![]() Draper | 9 ![]() Silverline | 10 ![]() Vonroc |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Workmate Plus | Master Pro DIY Folding Work Table | Workmate | Portable Workbench | PWB 600 Work Bench | Folding Workbench | Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table | Fold Down Workbench | Portable Workbench | Clamping Workbench |
Features | A Versatile and Robust Workbench With Vertical Clamping and Dual Height | A Durable, Folding Table Capable of Supporting Serious Weight up to 435 KG | A Sturdy Lightweight Option Made From Steel and Compressed Bamboo | A Budget Option for Light Work From One of the UK’s Oldest Toolmakers | Water-Repellent Bench With Fantastic Build Quality Make This One of the Sturdiest Options | An Extremely Sturdy Workbench Aimed at Professionals Who Need to Support Heavy Weight | A Multi-Function Bench With Two Different Modes, Complete With 2 Clamps and 4 Dogs | A Reliable Option With a Wide Vice and Light Weight | A Budget Option from a Reliable Brand, Perfect for Remote Site Work | A Budget-Friendly Option With Anti-slip Pads, Great for Keeping Around the Home |
Price | £84.95 | £83.47 | £31.90 | £18.99 | £98.89 | £84.79 | £127.99 | £42.00 | £19.33 | £32.95 |
Working Height | 800/620 mm | 850 mm | 760 mm | 760 mm | 834 mm | 850 mm | 810 mm | 800 mm | 775 mm | 775 mm |
Folded Size | 830 x 740 x 200 mm | 550 x 755 x 200 mm | 890 x 630 x 130 mm | 760 x 620 x 130 mm | 640 x 840 x 90 mm | 800 x 600 x 200 mm | 690 x 160 x 950 mm | 900 x 210 x 126 mm | 880 x 120 x 125 mm | 910 x 140 x 150 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 205 mm | 300 mm | 115 mm | 240 mm | 85 mm | - | 600 mm | 430 mm | - | - |
Vertical Clamping | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | - | Yes | No | No | No |
Max. Load | 250 kg | 453 kg | 160 kg | 100 kg | 200 kg | 455 kg | 135 kg / 454 kg | 120 kg | 100 kg | 150 kg |
Weight | 14.6 kg | 11 kg | 3 kg | 5.4 kg | 11.6 kg | 10.5 kg | 14 g | 10.2 kg | 4.54 kg | 4.8 kg |
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When looking for a portable folding workbench, knowing both the folded and unfolded dimensions is essential, especially when working on location. While all the items in our top ten will fold almost completely flat, they can still be bulky, meaning you'll want to make sure they can fit in your van or hang up in a garage with ease.
While the width of a folding workbench will likely be the same when folded and unfolded, the working height and length can be noticeably different due to how the bench folds. In most cases, the folded height is slightly longer than the working height. It's recommended to find a work bench with a working height of between 750 - 850 mm to ensure you'll be comfortable.
If you're kitting out a workspace, consider picking up a new tool kit!
One of the primary uses of a folding workbench is to clamp materials in place while you work on them. Whether you're working with simple planks of wood or more complicated shapes like bicycles or pieces of furniture, you'll want to make sure they fit and can be securely locked in place. Do this by checking the maximum vice width.
Most workbenches will have two surfaces with a gap in between that can be adjusted to act as a horizontal grip to hold materials upright. It's also worth checking if the bench has a built-in vertical grip or comes with the relevant clamps.
The maximum load capacity of folding workbenches can differ drastically, and the best one for you all depends on whether you're looking for an industrial-grade option or something for use around the home and garden. If you're looking for something for occasional, light use, then anything over 100 kg will suffice.
For the avid DIYer or professional tradesmen, however, you will need something a lot more sturdy that can support over 200 kg and above. If you're looking to use your workbench as a sawhorse, we'd recommend looking for an option capable of handling over 400 kg.
If you're looking to tackle some DIY tasks take a look at some of the best circular saws on the market!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£84.95
Working Height | 800/620 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 830 x 740 x 200 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 205 mm |
Vertical Clamping | Yes |
Max. Load | 250 kg |
Weight | 14.6 kg |
17182239
£83.47
Working Height | 850 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 550 x 755 x 200 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 300 mm |
Vertical Clamping | Yes |
Max. Load | 453 kg |
Weight | 11 kg |
£31.90
Working Height | 760 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 890 x 630 x 130 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 115 mm |
Vertical Clamping | No |
Max. Load | 160 kg |
Weight | 3 kg |
£18.99
Working Height | 760 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 760 x 620 x 130 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 240 mm |
Vertical Clamping | No |
Max. Load | 100 kg |
Weight | 5.4 kg |
£98.89
Working Height | 834 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 640 x 840 x 90 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 85 mm |
Vertical Clamping | No |
Max. Load | 200 kg |
Weight | 11.6 kg |
£84.79
Working Height | 850 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 800 x 600 x 200 mm |
Max. Vice Width | - |
Vertical Clamping | - |
Max. Load | 455 kg |
Weight | 10.5 kg |
WX051
£127.99
Working Height | 810 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 690 x 160 x 950 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 600 mm |
Vertical Clamping | Yes |
Max. Load | 135 kg / 454 kg |
Weight | 14 g |
21353
£42.00
Working Height | 800 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 900 x 210 x 126 mm |
Max. Vice Width | 430 mm |
Vertical Clamping | No |
Max. Load | 120 kg |
Weight | 10.2 kg |
TB01
£19.33
Working Height | 775 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 880 x 120 x 125 mm |
Max. Vice Width | - |
Vertical Clamping | No |
Max. Load | 100 kg |
Weight | 4.54 kg |
£32.95
Working Height | 775 mm |
---|---|
Folded Size | 910 x 140 x 150 mm |
Max. Vice Width | - |
Vertical Clamping | No |
Max. Load | 150 kg |
Weight | 4.8 kg |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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