How to Choose a Garage Workbench
A workbench is the piece of garage furniture you use most. The right one depends on the space you have, what you build or fix, and whether you also need it to store tools.
Main types
| Best for | Trade-off | |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile bench with drawers | Tool storage and work surface in one | Heavy and expensive |
| Freestanding bench | Large flat surface, low cost | Storage is extra |
| Wall-mounted or folding bench | Small garages and shared spaces | Lighter loads |
Work surface
- Solid wood takes clamps and a vise, and can be sanded and re-oiled when it wears.
- Steel shrugs off oil and solvents, which suits car work.
- Laminate or MDF is cheap and flat but dents and swells if it gets wet.
Check before buying
- Width that fits your wall, with room to walk past.
- Load rating for the top and for each drawer.
- Locking casters if the bench rolls.
- Built-in outlets, so chargers and corded tools reach the bench.
Picks to look at
72 in. 18-drawer mobile workbench with adjustable-height topWelded steel cabinet with 18 drawers, a 1-inch solid wood top you raise or lower with a crank, locking casters and a power strip with USB ports.
Check price on Amazon
46 in. extra-deep 9-drawer mobile workbenchCompact bench with drawers about 21.7 inches deep for bulky power tools, a solid wood top, heavy-duty bottom slides and a built-in power strip.
Check price on Amazon