Last Updated on 2020-12-12 by Harry Masterton
Best Portable Workbenches – Worx Pegasus vs Keter vs Workmate 3 way shoot out. We nominate the winner and the best value for money in the best portable workbench reviews comparison.
A portable workbench or table is one of the most versatile items you can have in your workshop, home or yard shed.
Whether you’re just starting out in the woodworking hobby, you’re a seasoned woodworking pro or a beginner DIY’er you’ll appreciate the versatility of our pick of the best portable workbenches.
A portable workbench is also an ideal fit for an apartment workshop, setting up a small space woodworking shop in a basement or garage, or as a portable work station for your remodeling project.
The Best Portable Workbench
To keep this simple and avoid the fluff of an endless list of confusing reviews we have broken this down and give you our recommended buys in the following categories.
For The Pro – The Best Portable Workbench
Home Workshop – Best Portable Folding Workbench Under $100
Honorable Mention – Best Portable Power Tool Stand
For The DIY’er – Best Budget Portable Folding Workbench
So lets get started with our reviews of the best portable workbench and head straight to the Worx Pegasus.
Worx WX051 Pegasus Portable Folding Workbench
Recommended for: Woodworking professionals and serious hobbyist who want the best portable workbench features.
The best portable workbenches need to support your project, no matter the weight. Worx has built the WX051 to hold 300 pounds as a table as well as 1,000 pounds as a sawhorse.
Worx WX051 Pegasus Features
Ease of use is another important consideration when researching the best portable workbench designs. This product can convert from a workbench to a sawhorse easily. It does not require adding or removing extra parts in the process.
This unit folds up to a depth of five inches, allowing it to take up less room. Another nice feature is the mobility; you can move it by yourself as it weighs only 30 pounds.
A workbench needs to help hold your projects in place as you work. This bench offers 18-inches of clamping width. The 31-inch x 25-inch tabletop provides 775 square inches of working area.
You will pay more for this workbench than for the others. That price will buy you features that are covered by a 30-day guarantee as well as a lengthy product warranty.
Worx WX051 Pegasus – Things We Like
- It is compact and lightweight. The bench folds up to only five-inches in width and it weighs only 30 pounds;
- It offers good weight support. This product is rated to hold 300 pounds as a bench and 1,000 pounds as a sawhorse;
- A strong manufacturer warranty. Worx advertises a six-year warranty on its website.
Worx WX051 Pegasus – Not So Good
- Some clamps will struggle to hold on this bench. The underside of this table is uneven, making it difficult for smaller clamp pads to hold;
- This item has a higher price. The cost might be inhibitive for occasional users.
WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table and Sawhorse Video
Keter Folding Table Work Bench and Miter Saw Stand
Reccomended for: Budget-minded hobbyists looking for the best portable folding workbench under $100.
Novice woodworkers will appreciate the ease of use that this design offers. It takes less than 30 seconds to set up from a folded position. You can use the built-in handle to carry the workbench around your shop.
Keter Folding Workbench Features
The materials used in its construction make this one of the best portable workbenches on the market. Resin and aluminum components keep the overall weight to a minimum while providing a durable work surface. Those materials are also rust-resistant, UV protected, and easy to clean.
The table dimensions are 33.46-inches L x 211.65-inches W. A height of 29.75-inches is a bit lower than the Worx workbench reviewed previously. That should only be a factor for tall users as they might need to bend more to reach the work surface.
Another feature that makes this the best portable folding workbench under 100 bucks is its ability to hold up to 1,000 pounds. An adjustable model is available that rates for only 700 pounds.
It comes with two 12-inch clamps to help keep work pieces secure.
Keter Folding Workbench – Things We Like
- It is easy to carry. The thin profile, lightweight materials, and carry handle help make handling easy for one person;
- A second shelf is included. This can hold items while you work from the top surface;
- It is rated for 1,000 pounds support. That is the highest rating on this list.
Keter Folding Workbench – Not So Good
- This workbench requires some assembly. It is not ready to use straight from the box;
- No dedicated storage for accessories. You will have to find a storage spot for the clamps.
Honorable Mention – Keter Jobmade Portable Work Bench and Miter Saw Table
Recommended for: A professional or hobbyist who needs a portable table for glue-ups or the Best Portable Power Tool Stand.
Heavy-duty is a simple way to describe the design of this honorable mention for the best portable folding workbench under 100 dollars. A workbench needs to provide durability when used in construction or manufacturing. This product provides you with that.
Keter Jobmade Features
It may not include the second shelf that the Keter Folding Workbench has, but it does provide a solid tabletop that measures 38-inches L x 25-inches W. The best portable workbenches include this in their design.
Another feature is the built-in leg stabilizers. They are easy to adjust and help keep the table flat which is great when you're out in the yard. That is needed with uneven flooring and helps to make this a great runner up to the the best portable folding workbench under $100 bucks.
It is capable of handling up to 1,000 pounds in weight. Jobsite materials will likely come closer to this than home projects, but that rating serves both well.
This table also stands 31.89-inches tall when opened. That is plenty of height for most of us to work comfortably.
Download Our Free Workshop Setup Guide And Tools Checklists
BLACK+DECKER WM125 Workmate
Reccomended for: DIY homeowners and casual woodworking hobbyists will find this to be the best budget portable folding workbench.
Simple designs can make the best portable workbenches, especially for quick projects around the house. The Workmate product line by Black & Decker has been providing homeowners and DIY hobbyists with a work surface for decades.
Black+Decker WM125 Features
The stand out component that makes this the best budget portable folding workbench is the open tabletop. This split surface design can be used as a parallel clamp, distributing clamping pressure along the entire 33.3-inches of tabletop length. You can clamp projects that are over 4.5-inches thick, and the open design allows you to work on vertical or horizontal pieces.
A weight rating of 350 pounds appears underwhelming when compared to the other products reviewed here, but that should be enough for most around-the-house projects. The Workmate 125 is intended for casual use and not built to be an everyday workhorse in busy woodshops.
The wood tabletop will not mark your wood, and it can be adjusted to handle your oddly-shaped woodworking projects. Its steel frame will provide adequate strength and is rigid when opened.
A low price point is ideal for casual work and occasional use.
Black+Decker WM125 – Things We Like
- The table surface is a paralell clamp. This provides you with a working vise;
- It is equipped with slip-resistant feet. This helps to keep the workbench in place;
- It weighs only 17.8 pounds. This is light for a workbench.
Black+Decker WM125 – Not So Good
- There is not a lot of tabletop space. Each wing is only five inches wide;
- It does not support as much weight. The 350 pound rating is lower than the other workbenches.
WORX Pegasus vs Keter
The best portable workbenches offer you features that match your needs. Comparing the WORX Pegasus vs Keter workbench, the WORX offers:
- Larger work surface;
- Greater clamping capacity;
- Increased working height;
- More versatility.
The WX051 offers 82 extra square inches of a work surface. That additional support helps when making cuts.
It provides extra clamping capacity. Glue-ups align better, and you can work on larger projects with clamps working on both sides.
An extra couple of inches of height keeps you from hunching over so much. That will prove significant for taller woodworkers.
It can be connected with other WORX benches to make larger surfaces. You can also adjust it into a sawhorse.
The Keter is the best portable folding workbench under 100 bucks for a few reasons:
- Lower price;
- Supports more weight;
- Easier to carry and use.
It sells for a lower price; that is important if you are on a budget.
A support capacity of 1,000 pounds will serve your shop needs and then some.
You can set it up quickly, and it comes with a carry handle.
Keter vs Workmate
As you can see, there are a few options when selecting the best portable folding workbench under 100 dollars. Comparing Keter vs Workmate, the Keter workbench stands out for:
- More work surface;
- Greater support capacity;
- Durable materials.
The Keter workbench has an additional 358 square inches of table space. It measures at 693 square inches compared to Workmate's 335 square inches.
That can be crucial with larger work pieces. The table can support many power tools safely, whereas the Workmate lacks the proper dimensions.
Keter uses thick aluminum and resin materials. These provide a rigid work surface. They also give it greater durability when compared to the Workmate.
The Workmate provides you with benefits that can make it one of the best portable workbenches around, including:
- Lowest price;
- Vertical holding capacity;
- Parallel clamping.
The Workmate has the smallest price tag. That puts it in reach of DIY homeowners and occasional woodworkers.
Download Our Free Workshop Setup Guide And Tools Checklists
The split tabletop holds projects vertically; other workbenches would struggle with this.
The split tabletop is also a parallel clamp. It can apply pressure to a variety of oddly shaped projects.
In our guide How To Buy The Best Portable Work Table we cover everything you need to know about buying a portable workbench or table for your woodworking workshop, home workshop or DIY use. Combine that guide and chose the best portable workbench for your specific needs from this review and you'll have a portable workbench and table that will last you years.
[…] More? Check our best portable workbench reviews […]