Mark Greene
Whether you are a professional carpenter or just a home DIY enthusiast, having the right tools makes all the difference in your craft. For sanding, cutting, carving, etching or whatever you need to do, the best tool for the job is a portable, folding work table. The best folding table is lightweight and portable enough to be used at home and on a job site, and sturdy enough for working with any kinds of materials. This post will review some of the best folding work tables on the market in 2020, as well as some important features to look out for.
The Best Folding Work Table
1. Our Pick: Keter Folding Compact Workbench Sawhorse Work Table
BEST CHOICE
1. Our Pick: Keter Folding Compact Workbench Sawhorse Work Table
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Wide, sturdy working surface
- Durable steel legs
- Easy to fold down and carry with you
PROS
- Built for security and stability
- One-handed clamps add to convenience
- High weightbearing capacity (1000 pounds)
CONS
- Does not lock well in carrying size
- May experience some flimsiness with the handle
DETAILS
The Keter folding workbench makes it to the top of our list of the best folding work tables for its great price, durability and awesome portability. This bench is designed for a variety of working tasks, with any materials. The legs are made of tough, hollow steel for a high weightbearing capacity and sturdy working surface, without adding unnecessary weight. One-handed clamps along the table securely hold your project in place.
The table can hold up a total of 1000 pounds. The dimensions of the working area are 33.46” by 21.65” – plenty of room to hold table legs, two by fours or larger pieces. When you are done working, the legs telescope into themselves and the whole table folds into a convenient carrying size.
2. Premium Pick: WORX WX066 Sidekick Portable Work Table
PREMIUM PICK
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Versatile uses – not just as a workbench
- Simple, collapsible design
- Affordable price
PROS
- Four integrated clamps
- Calibrated markings on working surface
- Can be connected to another table of the same model
CONS
- Relatively low weightbearing capacity
- Cheaper material
DETAILS
This Worx bench is a great lightweight option for transporting between a home work station and a job site or shop. The table has a large and sturdy working surface and collapsible legs.
Convenient markings on the surface and four integrated clamps make it an efficient work bench, but its wide, flat design makes it a good option for other purposes, too – such as camping or outdoor get togethers.
The total weightbearing capacity of the table is 300 pounds – a little lighter than some of the other options on this list, but the light weight makes it easier to store and transport.
3. Best Value: Finether Folding Work Bench
BEST VALUE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Affordable price for the quality
- Lightweight and super easy to carry and store
- Helpful calibrated markings
PROS
- Integrated tool holder
- Easily adjustable clamps
- Angled feet prevent slipping
CONS
- Slightly cheaper build – working surface may wear down quickly
- Low weightbearing capacity
DETAILS
The Finether folding work table, with its classic sawhorse design, comes in as our best budget pick for its great quality at a super affordable price. The table has sturdy steel legs with angled, non-slip feet and a tough wood working surface. An integrated tool holder on the bottom of the table helps to complete your work station. The two clamps are easily adjustable, and calibrated markings along the working surface are designed to help you with a variety of tasks.
The table holds up to 350 pounds. It folds up and stores easily, and is lightweight and compact for easy transportation.
4. Midwest Tool and Cutlery Midwest Portable Work Surface
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Interchangeable surfaces
- Multiple uses – workbench or camping table
PROS
- Integrated 15 amp outlets
- Lightweight collapsible legs
- Textured or MDF wood surface
CONS
- No clamps on working table
- No calibrated markings on surface
DETAILS
This working table from Midwest has a ton of uses, and it is one of the most portable options on the market right now. The table has collapsible steel legs, a wide working surface, and weighs only 30 pounds all together.
The working surface has a textured, gripping design to easily hold whatever you need – whether you are using it for work, or as an outdoor table for camping. If you prefer a wood working surface, though, the gripped top can be switched out and replaced with smooth MDF wood.
One of the best features of this working table is its two integrated 15 amp outlets. When plugged in by an extension cord, the table can channel electricity for your power tools. The weightbearing capacity is 330 pounds – impressive considering the light weight.
5. FORUP Folding Multipurpose Workmate Workbench Sawhorse
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Lightweight, collapsible design
- Versatile uses
- Easy to transport
PROS
- Calibrated markings on the platform
- Durable steel and MDF wood build
- Non-slip feet
CONS
- Smaller working surface
- Lighter weightbearing capacity
DETAILS
The Forup table is another folding workbench on our list with a classic sawhorse design and multipurpose use. The table has a durable MDF working surface, with calibrated lines to assist with clean cuts. Two integrated one-handed clamps help to hold your pieces in place or attach power tools like a circular saw. The steel frame is collapsible in a few steps, and it has angled, non-slip feet for a sturdier working surface.
As a smaller workbench, this table does not have a very high weightbearing capacity – only 220 pounds, maximum. That said, it’s a great, compact working table for easy transportation to multiple work spaces. The Forup table also has an integrated stepstool in the frame – this can be used for accessing higher surfaces in your workshop, or if you need to get an overhead angle on your project.
6. BLACK+DECKER WM425-A Portable Project Center and Vise
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Versatile uses
- Heavy-duty, durable design
- High weightbearing capacity
PROS
- Calibrated markings
- Expandable and adjustable working surface
- One-handed clamping system
CONS
- A little heavier to transport
- May have some issues with wobbling
DETAILS
This folding work table from Black and Decker is one of the most versatile and durable options on our list. It has a an extendable MDF working surface that can be configured multiple ways to support the piece you are working on. A one-handed clamping system and calibrated markings make your work a little easier. The heavy-duty steel legs have angled rubber feet to prevent slipping.
Part of what makes this working table great is its high weightbearing capacity – the Black and Decker table can hold up to 550 pounds safely. Despite that, it folds up into a light, thin package for easy transportation.
7. WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Multiple uses – doubles as table and sawhorse
- Easy to fold and take away
- Durable, sturdy build
PROS
- Huge weightbearing capacity as sawhorse
- Can connect to other tables
- Calibrated markings on work surface
CONS
- Folding size is fairly large
- Lighter capacity as table
DETAILS
The second Worx option on our list is a highly versatile folding work table that folds neatly in half for easy transportation.
The Pegasus table is meant to be used as a flat working table or as a sawhorse – this lets you tackle all kinds of tasks at home or a job site. It can also be connected to other Worx tables to expand the working surface.
The whole table is made of durable, sturdy plastic. As work table, it can hold up to 300 pounds, and up to 1000 pounds as a sawhorse.
8. Professional Woodworker 51834 Folding Work Bench Table
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Affordable price
- Lightweight and transportable
- Ergonomic, versatile design
PROS
- Integrated tool holder
- Expandable working surface
- Four integrated clamps for added stability
CONS
- Light weightbearing capacity
- Limited uses
DETAILS
The last table on our list is the folding work bench from Professional Woodworker. The table has sturdy steel legs, a lightweight, collapsible build, and an integrated tool holder to complete your working station. The surface of the table is made of hearty MDF wood, with stitched calibrated markings for easier cutting, and four gripping clamps to hold your project in place.
As a smaller table, it has a relatively low weight bearing capacity – only 260 pounds in total – but its lightweight design makes it great for smaller jobs and super easy to transport.
The surface of this work bench is expandable, to accommodate a variety of projects or tools. Even though it is smaller, it provides a wide enough surface for planks, two by fours and other heavy wood cuts. It would be a great addition to your home shop, or an awesome gift for the DIYer in your life.
How to Choose the Best Folding Work Table
Now that you have had a chance to see some of the best folding work tables on the market, let’s talk about all the important attributes that make a working table great. These are some of the top features you are going to want to consider before you make your purchase.
Material
One of the first factors to look for in your new folding work table is the material, both of the working platform and of the frame.
For the platform, you will want to be sure that the material is tough enough to withstand hard strikes and scratches – even the most experienced professionals will occasionally hit their work surface with their tools. A hard plastic, or MDF wood with a resistant coating should do the trick. Keep in mind that even though you want the material to be tough, it is also important that it is light, and doesn’t weigh down your portable table.
The frame of the table should also be light, but you have a little more flexibility than with the platform. A lot of carpenters prefer tables with a metal frame, because of its stability and ability to withstand dents and scrapes. Steel can be a great metal for this purpose – it is generally lightweight, but resistant to damage. Make sure that your steel frame has some kind of corrosion-resistant coating to help prolong its life in your workshop.
Weightbearing Capacity
Another crucial factor is the weightbearing capacity of your folding work table. It’s not always the case that the more weight a table can hold, the better it is – sometimes smaller, lighter tables have lower weightbearing capacity, but are easier to transport and store. You should look for a capacity that suits the kind of work you will be doing.
For most sawing, staining and carving jobs, a weightbearing capacity of around 300-400 pounds should be just fine. If you are planning on mounting heavy power tools, like a circular saw, to your bench, you might want to look for a higher weight capacity – 500 – 1000 pounds is generally the maximum.
Versatility
It is important to consider the versatility of your folding working table. Unless you are doing the exact same task every day, chances are you will want your table to function for multiple uses. A table that doubles as a sawhorse, for example, can be handy for bigger construction jobs. A table that can conduct energy through integrated outlets can be great for someone who uses a lot of power tools. Calibrated markings on your working surface can help with making small, delicate cuts at precise angles.
If you are looking for a table you are going to use at home, you may want to look for one that can double for non-work uses – lighter portable tables can be perfect for tailgating and camping trips. If you want your table to double as a camping or picnic table, look for one with a solid, flat surface and sturdy legs.
Price
Like with all home work tools, we recommend valuing quality over affordability with your folding working table. Cheaper tables will break down faster, costing you more money in the long run. That said, you don’t have to break the bank for the best table, either.
There are plenty of high quality folding work tables out there for $100 or less. As long as the table is made of sturdy, reliable material, it should hold up well to time and use regardless of the price. If you are on a budget, we recommend that you look for a table with a high quality build, over a table with a ton of special features and accessories. You can always buy additional accessories, like clamps, extensions or tool holders, later on down the road.
Portability
Finally, the most important feature of any portable working table is its portability. Make sure that the table you purchase has a light carrying weight, and folds down easily into a small carrying size. Some tables require a lot of complicated steps to fully fold down – if you are a busy professional taking your table to various job sites, that will make it a lot more difficult.
Some of the easiest folding tables to transport simply flip in half and can be picked up and carried. Others have collapsible legs and handles. In the end, of course, it all comes down to your personal preference – just make sure that you are aware of the total weight of your table and how it folds before you make your purchase.
FAQs
How many clamps should there be on a working table?
The ideal number of clamps on your table depends on your uses. If you tend to work with larger pieces of wood (or other materials) that need stabilizing, you will probably want a table with at least 4 clamps. Of course, the number of clamps can increase the overall price of the table, so you should keep in mind that you can always buy clamps additionally and add them on.
I need to take my table to work with me every day. What features should I look for?
If easy transportation is what matters most for you, you should keep an eye out for two crucial features: the weight of the table, and how easy it is to collapse. A lighter table, obviously, will be much easier to carry around with you. On top of that, there are a lot of tables out there that claim to be “portable”, but actually take a ton of steps and tinkering to get to their portable state. If you are going to be traveling with your table a lot, make sure that it folds down to its carrying size in just a few seconds.
What is the best size of foldable working table?
The size of your table depends on what you want to use it for. Remember that the bigger the table is, the heavier it will be, and the harder it will be to transport. Most tables have a working surface of around 30 inches across or smaller – that’s plenty of room for holding tools and working with a standard size of wood or metal. For the best combination of working space and portability, look for a table that has an expandable working surface.
