Every woodworker needs a woodworking bench. Period.
A work table or a woodworking bench will be the single most used piece of equipment by a woodworker. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert. It’s where the magic happens. I would say that there are three important things to consider when buying a woodworking bench. First, is the bench's purpose. Are you a beginner woodworker looking into starting projects? Are you a seasoned woodworker needing a sturdy base and a larger worksurface? Or, do have a main woodworking bench but would need something mobile for contracted work? The second one is a durable foundation. A woodworker is expected to abuse the work table. A durable foundation ensures the stability of your project and the longevity of the bench. And last but not least is a woodworking bench customization for you. You’d want a bench that would fit your height, needs, and then some more.
Now some people might ask, “You’re a woodworker, why do you need to buy a workbench?” The answer is simple, it’s more convenient to buy one. Manufacturers knew this dilemma so the work tables they offer give so much value for the money. Some of the benches I post here will cost more if you make them. So why not just buy one and focus on the projects you'd want to start right?
Work smart, not hard.
It takes a lot of effort and money to make one and if you have the capability and time, by all means, please do so. I carefully prepared a list to cover most needs. Please sift through this list and tell me what you think. If you need help deciding, feel free to comment below so I can give you my best opinion.
1) Sjobergs Professional Elite 2000 European Beech Workbench & SM04 Storage Cabinet Package, SJO-66922K
What I like:
It’s an all-in-one workbench
Cabinets provide plenty of room for storage and organization
What I don’t like:
The price tag
For benches, the best brand out there is Sjobergs. The Professional Elite 2000 European Beech Workbench & SM04 Storage Cabinet Package is the best one in my opinion. The craft put into this masterpiece is super. Everything is perfectly aligned, no adjustments are needed.
Make sure you get help when you assemble this workbench because it has a total weight of 425 lbs! But heavy equipment is a good thing for us woodworkers. It means strong and sturdy. It is made from European beech. This can work as the centerpiece of your shop. A good tip I have for you is to have an impact driver handy in the assembly process.
The workbench top is 71" long and 23-5/8" wide. That’s plenty of space for every woodworking need. This Sjobergs workbench features a massive vise at 29” width and 5-¾” inch capacity. It has a double row of 1” dog holes to provide you with a secure hold on your projects.
Aside from its amazing top, it includes cabinets underneath it to store your tools. The Sjobergs Professional Elite 2000 European Beech Workbench & SM04 Storage Cabinet Package is expensive for a reason.
What I like:
It’s a Sjöbergs
More customization option for you since it doesn’t have a set of cabinets underneath the worktop.
What I don’t like:
The price tag
Not a fan of glass-filled nylon bench dogs
This is the next best woodworking bench and it’s also from Sjöbergs.
If you prefer to store your tools elsewhere but would still have the budget to buy a Sjöbergs, then this is the work table for you. This one is also made from European beech.
It includes (4) 3/4" (19 mm) glass-filled nylon bench dogs for extra versatility with your work. The vice has jaw cushions to protect it from scratches or dents. The worktop is 70 3/32" x 29.5” x 6.7” which is more than enough for any project. It weighs 138 lbs assembled. If you want to add more weight/sturdiness, you can build a cabinet underneath.
But this is if you want more storage customization underneath your workbench.
What I like:
Steel bench dogs
Designed for smaller woodworking projects
What I don’t like:
Nothing really. It’s just a niche product
The Sjobergs 33246 1500 Elite Woodworkers Beech Workbench is a slightly shorter but wider and heavier version of the Sjöbergs Woodworkers Cabinetmaking Scandi Plus 1825. It’s 59” x 23” x 35”. The vises open a wide 5 ¾” to serve your clamping needs.
And just like the previous Sjöbergs, this one does not have a cabinet underneath. The front vice is movable to adjust according to your dominant hand. I would buy this if I have limited space but would require a heavy-duty workbench.
What I like:
It includes cabinets
Steel bench dogs
What I don’t like:
Nothing really. It’s just a niche product
The Nordic Pro 1400 is the Sjobergs Workbench for woodworkers with limited space. It measures 56” x 25” x 35.4”. This work table has a cabinet underneath it, perfect for your tool organization. The worktop is 1.1” thick with standard bench dog holes. The Nordic Pro 1400 has double rows of 3/4-inch (19mm) bench dog holes running from any vise location providing worktop flexibility. Sjobergs are always a delight to have. You pay a little extra for top quality. Do all of these workbenches have a warranty? Yes, 10 years to be exact. For a product based on quality, you can’t say no to that if you have the budget.
What I like:
I have this bench!
What I don't like:
It's hard to get one.
There are the mass-produced brands, and then there’s Lie Nielson. Lie Nielson makes exceptionally made workbenches but in small batches only. If you have the money, it’ll still be hard to get one because they don’t take advanced orders. You’re gonna have to wait until they post it on their website or visit their showroom. Having said that, I have one because my buddy Tommy Mac sold me one at a friendly discount.
This Lie Nielson workbench is the centerpiece of my shop. I do most of my work on top of this woodworking bench and it has performed absolutely well. It has taken quite a beating over the years and the workbench still looks amazing.
The worktop is 4” thick and made from hard maple wood. It is quite long at 7 feet, and comes without a cabinet underneath, but I added a storage shelf to mine. It only has 2 bench dogs but you can always add more. The base is well-built. The legs are flush no matter what I put on top of it. The vices work like they’re supposed to. This workbench just works. There might be a premium on its price but you get what you pay for… Craftsmanship. And when you see the craftsmanship, you get inspired to build something great.
What I like:
Cheaper than the Nordic 1400
What I don’t like:
Instructions (or lack thereof)
Too light
This is similarly sized to the Nordic 1400. It’s built for the bench’s small to medium-sized shop. It is made from Nordic birch. It is slightly longer at 57.87”, 24.8” wide, and 33.86” high. This one is the cheaper version as it does not have the cabinet attachment. It has the same bells and whistles as the double dog holes, reconfigurable vises, and 4 bench dogs.
I’m hearing complaints of people having trouble assembling this work table. So I’m going to warn you, there are no written instructions for the Sjöbergs Nordic Plus 1450 Workbench SJO-33448, there are only illustrations. If you’re used to this kind of assembly, no problem, otherwise, you’re gonna have to be very careful assembling it. I would also recommend building cabinets underneath to add to this work bench’ stability.
What I like:
Best budget
Assembly is straightforward
Has a shelf underneath
What I don’t like:
Now if you have a smaller budget but you still want quality wood, then the Ramia Finish-It-Yourself DIY 1500 Workbench is my best choice. This will be perfect for those who’re just beginner woodworkers or someone who doesn’t want to spend more then $1,000 for a work table. This Ramia does the job quite well.
The Ramia Finish-It-Yourself DIY 1500 Workbench is good sized at 55.25 x 22.25 x 5 inches. The wood is of good quality and unfinished. I do like staining the wood itself so it’s our choice of product. It gives us the option to personalize it. I think the finish-it-yourself is a gimmick but I’m not complaining. It has 4 steel bench dogs. The assembly is very straightforward. This work table doesn’t have cabinets underneath but it does have a shelf for other storage needs.
It’s good quality woodworking workbench for less.
What I like:
Oak top
Drawers
What I don’t like:
Ugly
Grizzly makes a different kind of workbench, oak wood top, and steel support underneath. The front and side vises are also made of oak. The top is a big 60” long x 30” x 6” slab. The wood has a great satin finish adding a good touch to its beauty. It has wooden drawers and a steel shelf underneath. The steel legs have an adjustable 32” to 39” height. The steel construction is painted with heavy enamel.
The Grizzly T10157 Heavy-Duty Oak Workbench with Steel Legs will do its job for you. It will last you a lifetime. An oak top and adjustable steel feet make this a heavy-duty workhorse for you and your woodworking needs. It’s a Grizzly!
What I like:
Straightforward to assemble
Looks great
Reasonably priced
What I don’t like:
Too narrow
Wobbles
Beech Wood Workbenches
For people who are always looking for bang-for-the-buck tools, Rockler is rocking it out with these beech wood workbenches. There are two sizes, a medium workbench (60-5/8 inches) and a large workbench (72-1/2 inches). Both are 19-5/8 inches wide and 33-1/2 inches tall.
The Rockler Beech Wood Workbenches have the bells and whistles of a good work table. It has 4 steel bench dogs. It has 2 rows of dog holes 5” apart. It has movable vises to support both left and right-handed woodworkers. These Rockler workbenches also sport a storage shelf under the worktop.
The instructions for assembly should be straightforward but place close attention to the illustration. Pay close attention to the orientation of the leg assembly as this is the most often mentioned mistake by other woodworkers. Some users report rocking but that can easily be managed by either adding more weight or wenching wood or rubber underneath the legs for better balance.
What I like:
Has 3 variations you can buy depending on your needs
Reasonably priced
Benchtop made from Forest Stewardship Council-Certified Beech
What I don’t like:
There’s something about Rockler that keeps me liking their products. And this Ramia 59'' Diamond Beech Workbench is no exception. It looks amazing, it’s well thought of and it’s priced right for its size. You can buy the base version without cabinets or a couple more options with cabinets.
This Ramia is made from full-length lamination solid beech. The worktop is 59-1/16'' x 29-15/16''. I personally love the 2-coat varnish for that extra protection. As I previously said, there’s something about a well-crafted bench that makes you also want to make beautiful pieces more. And this beautiful piece from Rockler is one of those tools.
Obviously, this bigger version from Rockler is more stable than the regular beech wood workbenches. And because this workbench is also wider, it offers more dog holes for that extra versatility in clamping. It also has the standard movable dual vises and 4 steel bench dogs. Its built-in shelf from the base model is sturdy enough for most tools but I prefer the options with cabinets for the extra organization function. If you’re into conservation, this workbench is made from Forest Stewardship Council-Certified Beech.
The Ramia 59'' Diamond Beech Workbench is for the serious woodworker that wants to buy responsibly grown wood. It won’t break the bank and still offer a sturdy workbench that will last you a lifetime.
What I like:
Cheap
Sturdy
Mobile
What I don’t like:
Instructions unclear
For beginners who’d like to do some light work or maybe seasoned woodworkers that need a mobile workbench, this is the one to buy. You might have checked out other reviews of this workbench and the ratings aren’t that high despite the advertisement that it’s a sturdy worktable. Well, people buy the cheapest stuff and expect their purchase to work like the highest-priced goods. The Olympia Tools 48-Inch Hardwood Workbench is perfect for its intended purpose, a sturdy mobile workstation. The people who complain about it are people who bought it intending to use it for heavy-duty work. They should read my blog instead (wink* wink*).
The Olympia Tools 48-Inch Hardwood Workbench is made from laminated acacia wood. I measure 55.51” x 20.87” x 5.12” and weights only 63.9 lbs. It has a nice little drawer and a storage shelf. It has wood pegs on the side to help keep projects steady for assembly. Oh, and I have to mention that this work table looks beautiful. It only has one vise, so if you want more, you’re gonna have to add one yourself. The instructions for this unit aren’t clear. You will have to figure things out but a quick YouTube search would make things easier. I find it more fun figuring things out though. But that’s just me.
For its price and intended purpose, this woodworking bench gets a five-star rating from me.
What I like:
Good enough with customization
What I don’t like:
It's just good enough
If you’re just looking for a cheap good enough woodworking bench, then this Grizzly Industrial T1251 - 72" x 25" Beech Cabinetmaker's Workbench would be enough for you. Its worktop is made from laminated beech wood complemented by two 15” vises. The worktop also has 36 pre-drilled 5/8" dog holes to accommodate most types of woodworking jobs. It is supported by an all-steel frame. With a maximum adjustable height of 37”. Grizzly provides a generous 8 hex head bench dogs. This bench can be significantly improved by adding more cross rails. Whether they are metal or steel rails, they are needed to triangulate the base making it much sturdier.
It’s not the best looking. But it’ll do for its price.
What I like:
Cheap
What I don’t like:
Lacks the bells and whistles of a proper workbench
For the price, nothing can beat this WORKPRO 60" Adjustable Workbench. At just a little over $300, you get an adjustable work table for basic woodworking. It’s only 90.5 lbs but it can support 2,000 lbs! It doesn’t come with pre-drilled holes and vises, but if you don’t need those then this is an awesome buy.
The worktop is rubberized 1-3/16-inch thick solid hardwood and can be used for a variety of work. Its dimension is 60” x 22” x 31-½”. Of all the workbenches on this list, this is the only one that has its own powerstrip. 4 AC outlets and 2 USB-A ports. And since this is a super basic work table, assembly is super easy.
There goes my list of the 13 Best Woodworking benches. It considered the use, budget and materials used. I’m pretty sure this will help you decide which one to buy. But again, if you have questions or dilemmas about buying one, please feel free to comment below and I’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you decide.
Disclaimer on Affiliate Links: Some of the tools mentioned in this article are affiliate links, but please know I only recommend tools I truly believe in and trust. There's absolutely no additional cost to you.
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