Bench Clamps

About Bench Clamps

Bench clamps cover a wide spectrum of tools, from a 16-ounce precision woodworking clamp like the Kreg KBC3 at $49.99 to a 45.6-pound cast-iron shop vise like the Wilton 745 at $289.20. What they share is a common job: holding stock securely to a bench surface so you can work with both hands. The category includes permanently mounted jaw vises that bolt to the bench top, portable clamp-on devices that grip any flat edge without drilling, and specialized flat clamps designed for drill-press or router-table setups. The most useful first question when choosing is whether you need a permanent mounting or a portable solution. A mounted bench vise such as the Wilton WL9-28824 (38 pounds, $157.23, rated 4.7 stars across 1,500 reviews) is a long-term shop investment built to absorb daily use in woodworking and metalworking alike. A portable clamp-on like the Universal 3 Inch table vise at $25.98 attaches in seconds and moves with you, which matters for job-site work or shared spaces where drilling into the bench is not an option. After that choice, jaw opening, weight and material determine the right pick for the task. Prices in this category run from $13.80 for the WEN 429DPC at the budget end up to $289.20 for the Wilton 745. Weights range from 0.64 kilograms for compact portable clamps to 45.6 pounds for the heaviest mounted vises. All products shown earned at least a 3.8-star average from verified buyers. For a fully ranked list of the best options across each price band, see the Best Bench Clamps guide.