Best Folding Workbench in the UK for 2023 [Our Reviews and Comparisons]

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Introduction

Nowhere in the modern world is there as much chaos found as at a construction site. Although the big city and downtown cores of the world can get hectic, they do not match the amount of noise and clutter involved even a relatively small construction site.

Just to begin with, construction sites do not have the uniform appearance of a building to work with; there are no walls, floors, or roofs yet, merely individual pieces standing unfinished and surrounded by quantities of raw materials that are hardly a part of the ordinary individual’s life.

This is the case even without any active construction, but the situation becomes even more intractable when the time comes to go to work. Vehicles in a construction site can cross and merge in ways that border on the whimsical, and workers move to and fro with heavy loads and
dangerous tools to get to and from their various tasks. Setting up anything in an environment where everything changes so willy-nilly takes a certain amount of professionalism and discretion, and is in many cases inadvisable at best.

Nevertheless, there are some times when a construction site needs a certain amount of furnishings. One might need to set up a shelter for materials or personnel, direct signage for dangerous areas, or create a waste disposal area for everyone to dump the inevitable excess materials from whatever work they are doing.

Construction site fixtures of any kind should incorporate several elements; they should be durable enough to withstand the dings and dents of a day of work, cheap enough not to cry over should an errant tire or load of bricks damage them, and able to be set up in a few minutes at need.

On top of all of these considerations, no fixture at a worksite should be permanent; after all, once the work is done, all evidence of construction should be removed, and making anything that cannot be picked up and carried or incorporated into the final structure can be considered counterproductive, or at least an inefficient use of the time and space that it takes.

Keeping work site fixtures cheap and portable has long been a priority of manufacturers in the industry, and most cases of the construction crews themselves.

Even some of the tools brought along will need to follow this principle. The worksite saw, for instance, is a tool deliberately made lighter and more portable than its industrial counterparts, combining in one tool the important functions of a table saw and the extreme ease of portability associated with the job site diesel generator. Many such saws and tool racks are also built with a roll cage of thick steel bars to protect them from the damage that can so easily occur on a job site.

Although the table saw contributes several indispensable functions to a construction site, other tasks need to be accomplished without cutting apart the material you are working with.

For this purpose, many manufacturers of construction equipment and accessories have also developed a more general workbench that you can use for any of several tasks on a job site. Simply attach the correct clamps, saws, or tool racks, and you have a personalized workbench for anything that needs to get done on a stable surface.

Naturally, these workbenches need to be as portable as anything else on the job site. On top of the ordinary measure of portability required for construction site equipment, they are also more likely to be needed in different places as they work moves on. For this reason, the folding workbench is a constant companion at many construction sites. These benches are made with collapsible legs and tool racks to make them easily and immediately transportable between job areas, and a matter of moments to remove from the site once you are done with your work.

It is common knowledge among the construction industry that choosing the right tool for the job is a prerequisite for the job getting done at all. Working with substandard tools or materials can lead to redoing the work at best and disaster at worse should the construction project give way after it has been completed.

While a workbench may not be part of the finished project, there can be no doubt that getting a good one is a high priority when preparing for a job. It will serve as the place to saw, hammer, and weld throughout your project, as well as holding your tools and creating a stable and clean work surface for anything you intend to do.

The variety of workbenches currently on the market can be astounding even to a seasoned worker. Nearly every major manufacturer has produced at least one folding workbench, and they all continue to compete with each other to produce the most desirable workbench experience for construction workers around the globe.

Even for people working in a smaller hobby shop or garage setting may want a folding workbench as well. After all, if working with a small DIY or instructional style of shop, one will naturally be looking to save as much space as possible.

Like most of the tools they create, benches will appear nearly identical to the layperson, no matter who manufactures the bench. After all, to the untrained eye, it is little more than a folding table that is carried about a job site. To those with a certain degree of experience in the field, though, there are clear and distinct ways that an exceptional workbench distinguishes itself from the others. Knowing these signs will help you choose the right bench to carry you and your tools through your next job without needing to be replaced over and over again.

To help you pick out one of these exceptional models, we’ve assembled our favorite folding workbenches below for your consideration. Pick one that fits your needs and budget, and you
will be ready to get right to work.

Best Folding Workbench in the UK Comparison Table

PRODUCT	FEATURES	LATEST PRICE
1. Wolfcraft 6177000 Master 200	800mm working height Two sets of clamps Single shelf design Maximum load of 180 kilograms	Check Price
2. BLACK+DECKER Workmate Wm301	Working height 760mm Vice jaw length 610mm Vice jaw opens to 115mm Single shelf construction	Check Price
3. Keter 17182239 Master Pro	Two-shelf construction Maximum load 453kg Dual clamp array Weighs roughly 11kg	Check Price
4. Bargains Galore Folding Work Bench	780mm working height Single shelf design Dual clamping system Rubber non-stick leg caps	Check Price
5. BLACK+DECKER WM626-XJ	Two-shelf design Steel frame Maximum load strength 250kg Working height of 775 and 595 millimeters	Check Price
6. Stanley FatMax Folding Workbench Express FMST1 75672	Up to 455kg load bearing capacity 780mm working height Weighs a little more than 10 kilograms Single shelf design	Check Price
7. BLACK+DECKER WM536 Dual Height Workmate	Two working surfaces Double braced legs Maximum weight capacity 250kg Steel frame</li	Check Price
8. Bosch PWB 600	Maximum load capacity 200kg Maximum clamping depth 34mm Maximum clamping width 84mm Four distinct blade clamp	Check Price
9. Draper 68027	12 dog holes Weighs roughly 5.5 kilograms Working height 755mm Maximum clamping width 240mm	Check Price
10. Silverline TB01	Maximum load capacity100kg Single shelf design Ruler and protractor included Working height 880mm	Check Price
11. Ryobi RWB03	Telescoping leg structure Metal alloy composite Four preset work angles Triple point support	Check Price
12. Wolfcraft 6908000 Master 700	19mm thick metal plate work surface Up to 70 degrees tilt Z-frame design Integrated positioning lugs with large handles	Check Price
13. Park Tool PB-1	Solid tabletop design Integrated pockets and holders Steel pipe legs 36” by 23” work surface	Check Price
14. Einhell 2210110 WB 50	Single shelf design Wooden work surface Angled rubber leg stoppers Solid metal frame</li</li	Check Price
15. Keter 17202215 KET17202215	Maximum load 453kg Weighs slightly more than two kilograms Four integrated clamps Universal metal T-rails	Check Price

Our Best Folding Workbench in the UK Reviews and Comparisons

1. Wolfcraft 6177000 Master 200

Product Highlights

This workbench emphasizes versatility, with a frame sturdy enough to handle any workplace and a generic top surface that can be easily adapted to whatever task you have in mind.

Features

• 800mm working height
• Two sets of clamps
• Single shelf design
• Maximum load of 180 kilograms

What We Like About Wolfcraft 6177000 Master 200

This table folds and stows in a flash, freeing up space when it isn’t needed and ready to go in seconds when you have to get something done. It is lightweight and slender, the perfect answer to an overcrowded workspace.

What We Don’t Like About Wolfcraft 6177000 Master 200

Although a useful piece of equipment for any task, it is not optimized for any single process. The top is somewhat narrower than is usually helpful, and there are no integrated tool racks or pegs.

2. BLACK+DECKER Workmate Wm301

Product Highlights

Black+Decker is a household name throughout the construction industry for producing quality tools and equipment at a bargain-basement price for several years already. This table brings that same expertise and thrift out in spades.

Features

• Working height 760mm
• Vice jaw length 610mm
• Vice jaw opens to 115mm
• Single shelf construction

What We Like About BLACK+DECKER Workmate Wm301

This model’s price and performance have earned it the prestigious Amazon’s Choice award for being the best item in its class.

What We Don’t Like About BLACK+DECKER Workmate Wm301

This item does not come preassembled, which can be off-putting for some buyers. Assembly requires several tools and the included pins can be damaged in the process, rendering the item unusable.

3. Keter 17182239 Master Pro

Product Highlights

This manufacturer has gone all-in on making the sturdiest workbench on the market, with a working top twice as thick as other models.

Features

• Two-shelf construction
• Maximum load 453kg
• Dual clamp array
• Weighs roughly 11kg

What We Like About Keter 17182239 Master Pro

This table includes a helpful extra shelf to hold any odds, ends, and spare tools that you might need close to hand as you work. It folds quickly and snaps out to fully assemble at the touch of a latch saving both time and space alike.

What We Don’t Like About Keter 17182239 Master Pro

This table is exceptionally thick and heavy, and the sawing apertures are much smaller than other tables on the market. It is also considerably more costly than other models.

4. Bargains Galore Folding Work Bench

Product Highlights

This bench delivers a plain but functional working surface with the singular goal of undercutting the price of every other model on the market.

Features

• 780mm working height
• Single shelf design
• Dual clamping system
• Rubber non-stick leg caps

What We Like About Bargains Galore Folding Work Bench

This bench comes with markings for measuring angles and lengths on one side, and several predetermined guide holes for drilling. The whole thing costs roughly half of what the average bench in that category usually does.

What We Don’t Like About Bargains Galore Folding Work Bench

This is an extremely plain bench, with none of the useful add-ons that more expensive workbenches will provide. Those native to English may find the instruction manual to be hard to read and occasionally incorrect.

5. BLACK+DECKER WM626-XJ

Product Highlights

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Features

• Two-shelf design
• Steel frame
• Maximum load strength 250kg
• Working height of 775 and 595 millimeters

What We Like About BLACK+DECKER WM626-XJ

This bench has an arched side that allows the user to make use of both working surfaces simultaneously, without obstructing anything on the lower one or displacing anything on the upper shelf. The use of steel instead of aluminum gives the frame added resistance to warping or denting in the hectic environment of a job site.

What We Don’t Like About BLACK+DECKER WM626-XJ

The unusual shape might throw off those who are more used to a traditional workbench shape. Many users report that the bench wobbles when unfolded, making a certain amount of extra bracing necessary when setting this model up for use.

6. Stanley FatMax Folding Workbench Express FMST1 75672

Product Highlights

This hefty workbench does its best to be a full-size piece of furniture, giving as sizable a working space as possible while remaining foldable and moveable by hand.

Features

• Up to 455kg load bearing capacity
• 780mm working height
• Weighs a little more than 10 kilograms
• Single shelf design

What We Like About Stanley FatMax Folding Workbench Express FMST1 75672 e

Bringing this to the job site ensures a solid and sturdy working surface big enough to hold several workpieces or tools and plenty of added weight besides. It is quick to set up and strong enough to withstand a lot of worksite accidents

What We Don’t Like About Stanley FatMax Folding Workbench Express FMST1 75672

Unlike most folding benches, this model has no saw or drill guides and no pre-attached clamps; users will need to supply all of these themselves. It is far heavier than other models as well and can be a bit cumbersome to move around.

7. BLACK+DECKER WM536 Dual Height Workmate

Product Highlights

This workbench is a refined edition of the last Black+Decker bench in this list. Both are still extremely popular, but this one has actually made its way to the number one bestsellers spot.

Features

• Two working surfaces
• Double braced legs
• Maximum weight capacity 250kg
• Steel frame

What We Like About BLACK+DECKER WM536 Dual Height Workmat

This model improves on the previous Black+Decker dual height workbenches by using a stronger steel construction and having legs built of angled steel that resist buckling or bracing thanks to the geometric strength of the triangle

What We Don’t Like About BLACK+DECKER WM536 Dual Height Workmate

This model does represent a departure from the usual Black+Decker commitment to affordability, costing more than other models from the same manufacturer.

8. Bosch PWB 600

Product Highlights

Bosch products are designed for brute strength, and this workbench follows suit with thicker legs and a double-braced tabletop to hold up under serious workplace use.

Features

• Maximum load capacity 200kg
• Maximum clamping depth 34mm
• Maximum clamping width 84mm
• Four distinct blade clamp

What We Like About Bosch PWB 600

As with most Bosch products, this workbench is exceptionally resilient and has an impressive load-bearing capacity. A construction area is no place for fine objects, and this table goes out of its way to be as tough as its surroundings.

What We Don’t Like About Bosch PWB 600

This table’s collapsing mechanism is fairly stiff, making it hard to fold and easily fouled by grit or filings. The extra thickness makes it well more than two kilograms heavier than the competition, and its dimensions do not lend themselves to rapid or easy repositioning.

9. Draper 68027

Product Highlights

This model is all about portability, with exceptionally lightweight construction and a slick collapsing mechanism to get it ready to move.

Features

• 12 dog holes
• Weighs roughly 5.5 kilograms
• Working height 755mm
• Maximum clamping width 240mm

What We Like About Draper 68027

By using only light woods and fiberglass, this table keeps its weight low enough to be moved with one hand. The multiple dog holes allow for nearly any configuration of clamping to hold a workpiece in the desired position.

What We Don’t Like About Draper 68027

This workbench does not have much room on the working surface, making it difficult to properly position larger workpieces. The construction materials are weaker than the metal frames used on most benches, leaving it noticeably weaker than other models.

10. Silverline TB01

Product Highlights

This workbench takes advantage of modern materials and engineering to give a better performance than would be achieved by simply packing on steel.

Features

• Maximum load capacity100kg
• Single shelf design
• Ruler and protractor included
• Working height 880mm

What We Like About Silverline TB01

By using industrial plastic and hollow-shape construction for the legs, this workbench weighs in at under 2 kilograms while still being strong enough to compete with metal models. Markings for aruler and protractor are included for an added level of convenience.

What We Don’t Like About Silverline TB01

The plastic legs can break or buckle easily, especially from the off-center force. The worktop clamps are of relatively low quality, and there is only a limited amount of space available around the workpiece.

11. Ryobi RWB03

Product Highlights

Its tools might look like something out of a science-fiction construction sight, but Ryobi products – like this workbench – have long been looked to for high-end performance and precision work for any job that comes up.

Features

• Telescoping leg structure
• Metal alloy composite
• Four preset work angles
• Triple point support

What We Like About Ryobi RWB03

This workbench backs up its futuristic appearance with all the advantages of high-tech machining and design. The steel and aluminum alloy frame make it light and durable at the same time, and the table is capable of multiple working angles and a more precise and dependable grip than most others.

What We Don’t Like About Ryobi RWB03

The main disadvantage of buying this model is the price, which is double to triple what one would pay for a lower-end design. Additionally, it is tricky to properly understand and set up, making it less advisable for newcomers.

12. Wolfcraft 6908000 Master 700

Product Highlights

This workbench is another modern design, with added shelving and a zigzag base to allow for easier and more precise control of the work surface’s height and angle.

Features

• 19mm thick metal plate work surface
• Up to 70 degrees tilt
• Z-frame design
• Integrated positioning lugs with large handles

What We Like About Wolfcraft 6908000 Master 700

This bench’s legs are designed with two opposite angles that can be collapsed into one another, allowing it to be positioned for either seated or standing work while still keeping the work surface level. There is one more angle included that also allows the workpiece to be tilted continuously from zero to 70 degrees.

What We Don’t Like About Wolfcraft 6908000 Master 700

This workbench is one of the least intuitive models on the market, and also one of the most expensive. The added shelf is too close to the bottom of the main work surface to be of any real use save for smaller tools.

13. Park Tool PB-1

Product Highlights

This is a workbench made to give you a bit of elbow room, with a broad top to hold tools and materials and many niches and holes to help you keep organized while on the job.

Features

• Solid tabletop design
• Integrated pockets and holders
• Steel pipe legs
• 36” by 23” work surface

What We Like About Park Tool PB-1

The solid and spacious plastic surface makes this workbench unusually versatile, able to serve as a small table to hold tools on the job or a picnic if you want to take a break. There are even cupholders alongside the numerous organizational slots integrated into the edges and ends.

What We Don’t Like About Park Tool PB-1

This does not offer a way to clamp a workpiece in a place as most folding workbenches do. The legs are not well braced or of a particular thickness and may buckle easily under off-center pressure or hammering on the bench’s top.

14. Einhell 2210110 WB 50

Product Highlights

Any kind of tool is going to create vibrations, from plain hammering to an advanced electric saw. This table’s design is intended to resist and dampen vibrations to keep your work as precise as it needs to be.

Features

• Single shelf design
• Wooden work surface
• Angled rubber leg stoppers
• Solid metal frame</li

What We Like About Einhell 2210110 WB 50

By using a multitude of connection points with screws and pins instead of a solid piece, this workbench allows for considerable customization of height and size and dampens vibrations by having less connection between the parts to transmit the movement.

What We Don’t Like About Einhell 2210110 WB 50

Unlike most workbenches, this model comes disassembled, and the multitude of Pisces required to make it difficult to properly put together. There are also reports that the legs can buckle under pressure, and some are not made thick enough to support the recommended load.

15. Keter 17202215 KET17202215

Product Highlights

This workbench is designed to be rock solid when deployed and folds like a slightly oversize briefcase in just a few motions, making it a great choice if you’re looking for value for money.

Features

• Maximum load 453kg
• Weighs slightly more than two kilograms
• Four integrated clamps
• Universal metal T-rails

What We Like About Keter 17202215 KET17202215

One of the best ways to measure the true quality of any product is by gauging how long the manufacturer is willing to stand behind it. This workbench blows away the competition with a 25-year guarantee.

What We Don’t Like About Keter 17202215 KET17202215

The work surface on this model is too thick to carry comfortably and can be problematic to stow. The plastic clips into which the legs are folded to collapse can become deformed over time.

Final Verdict

Keter 17182239 Master Pro

This single bench really does have anything you want in a folding workbench, whether you’re a contractor on-site or just a hobbyist working out of a garage. It has a high weight capacity, a thick and resilient work surface, and folds and deploys fluidly enough that even a beginner should have no trouble at all.

Additionally, the grooves and niches for tool or workpiece mounting in this model are of precise and useful sizes, making it easier to get down to work as soon as you arrive. The carrying handles are both strong and comfortable, the working height is at least reasonable for the average construction specialist, if perhaps a little shorter than ideal.

Buyer’s Guide

Making your way through the world of seemingly helpful construction equipment without accidentally shelling out funds on something that will prove to be a dud at best on the job site can be a tricky proposal at best; just, to begin with, everything you are buying is likely to be new, and the real test of construction equipment must include a test of time to prove the item’s durability and functionality.

Simply abandoning this step is hardly an option either; on a worksite, the tools and materials in use can turn a relatively minor flaw into a gruesome workplace accident, and every possible precaution should be taken to ensure that the table you are buying ill hold up under whatever it is that you intend to do on it.

Daunting as it may sound, don’t sweat it too much – there exists such a thing as a quality purchase in any field, and construction and DIY are no exception. Here are a few tips you can use to make sure you’re picking the right folding workbench for your needs.

To begin with, get out a tape measure and start examining the space where you will be using or storing the table once you have it. Check these measurements against the dimensions specified on the table you want to buy to ensure that your new collapsible workbench will fit the space you intend for it and prevent the irritation and delay of needing to return a hasty purchase for a helpful one.

Speaking of taking the product’s measurements, make sure to check the table’s weight as well. The vast majority of a folding table’s appeal is true that you will have an easier time of moving and readying it, and a heavy table will make itself counterproductive by being harder to properly use or transport from one location or another, both within the same job and between other work sights.

It may also help to develop a set of measurements that your ideal folding workbench will meet; for example, you may want one of a certain height, or with a certain amount of space on the top to hold your spare tools and materials. Having these dimensions worked out in advance can help you narrow the crowded field of potential workbenches and pick only those that will meet your needs as a consumer.

Check if the table in question offers any particular advantages over other models, like an integrated workpiece clamp or onboard tool storage. Buying a model with these features already installed and optimized can save a trip to the hardware store and a lot of jury-rigging down the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of these workbenches seem a lot more advanced than others. Is it better to get a fancy one or a cheaper model?

There are indeed different classes, so to speak, of a workbench; some are intended for more precise work, others simply to give you a convenient place to hold a workpiece or set down some tools as you attend to something else. Which you get starts with asking how long you intend to have the workbench for; if you are looking for something that will only accompany you for this job, the cheaper model is likely to suffice.

A more durable workbench, as a rule, will cost more; you should figure out what your budget is before buying, so you know whether to buy cheap or not. If you need precision clamping or a mounting for a heavy piece of equipment, you will want a higher-end model; getting a more reliable bench, in these circumstances, also protects whatever you put on it, as it will not collapse and send your workpiece and tools crashing to the ground.

Even if it is a portable model, the workbench is going to be sitting on the ground most of the time, either in storage or at a job site. Does it matter how much it weighs?

A workbench’s weight is important even when it is not being carried around, although you shouldn’t discount how hard it will be to reposition either. The use of tools, particularly percussion or power tools, creates a significant amount of vibration that can throw off measurement and strokes with those same tools; for instance, a piece of wood will tend to ‘jump around’ while one is hammering it, making the next blow go awry.

These vibrations also affect the workbench on which you are hammering, and can cause it to move about and let things fall as you work. A heavier workbench will be more resistant to these vibrations, making it more stable and stationary during a prolonged project.

What is the best way to store a folding workbench between projects?

For the most part, you should store a workbench in much the same way that you store the tools you use on it – somewhere out of the elements and away from possible accidental damages. If you need the surface to remain clear – for instance, if you use the ruler or protractor markings that many models include – you may want to use a nylon cover or old fitted bed sheet to protect your workbench while in storage.

If you leave the workbench folded, you may want to lubricate the legs before or after storing it to prevent them from seizing up and failing to deploy when you need it. If the work surface is wood, see to it that you are storing your workbench in an area with less humidity; camp conditions can warp the wood and make mold or mildew set in, leaving your workbench less usable and more unpleasant than before.

If you keep your workbench in a truck or trailer between jobs, make certain that it is properly secured and that no tools are still attached to the outside racks. Moving a workbench without these precautions can be dangerous for everyone around the car or inside it.

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