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The 10 Best Bench Vises
- Tools Guru Staff
- January 17, 2022
The bench vise is a reliable workshop tool capable of exerting an excellent grip, thus holding the workpiece firmly for various work procedures. An inventory of woodworking tools is always incomplete without a handy bench vise.
Whether you need to weld, cut, or saw, the bench vise serves a variety of purposes, and keeping it on hand is essential. Also, the workers use it to carve something, or even drill a hole into an object.

To perform the above-described woodworks and wood-based applications, the best bench vise is required. Most of the time, you can see it permanently affixed to a bench or a table of the workshops.
Table of Contents
# | Preview | Product | Rating | |
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1 | ![]() | TEKTON 54006 6-Inch Swivel Bench Vise | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
2 | ![]() | Yost LV-4 Home Vise | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
3 | ![]() | Yost Tools Vises 445 Heavy-Duty Utility Vise | ⭐⭐⭐ |
BEST CHOICE |
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TEKTON 54006 6-Inch Swivel Bench Vise |
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PREMIUM PICK |
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Yost LV-4 Home Vise |
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BEST VALUE |
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Yost Tools Vises 445 Heavy-Duty Utility Vise |
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How to Pick the Best Bench Vise
During working you may slip your workpiece from your hands and ruin it. Want to prevent those hassles from occurring? Then invest in a bench vise. This will enable you to work with free hands while holding the object firmly.
To find a high-quality and the best bench vise for yourself, it is important to consider these factors as a buyer.
Depth of the Throat:
This demonstrates to you how much space is available within the jaws. The bench vise’s jaws and the inner base are separated by this distance. For large pieces, use a vise with a deep throat and vice versa, based on your project demands. Usually, the bench vises come in the range of 3 to 5 inches of throat depth.
The Jaw Width:
It is the measurement of the jaw length, in inches. For larger objects, you must prefer to use bench vises that have a larger jaw width, most probably around 6 inches, since they not only provide a better grip but also handle larger objects without any difficulty.
Opening of the jaws:
This describes how far the jaws of the bench vise open, the horizontal space between them, that varies from one bench vise to another. You need to check the maximum width of the jaw opening, which must be around 2 to 8 inches, to make sure you can use the bench vise to hold a wide object comfortably.
The angle of Rotation:
The jaws of some bench vise constructions can be adjusted relative to the base. It, therefore, becomes more convenient and flexible, since you can readily work from different angles. All bench vises have a fixed angle that they cannot rotate beyond.
Vises may allow 240-degree or 300-degree rotation at the most, while others won’t even provide rotation capability. Therefore, you need to buy a bench vise that is suitable for your working conditions.
The Serrated Jaws:
As far as jaws go, serrated jaws (with grooves) are a necessity, as they greatly enhance your tool’s ability to grab and lock onto objects.
The Swivel/Locking Base:
It’s also important to ensure that the bench vise you are purchasing has a lockable swivel base. In some situations, working at odd angles will require you to have a swiveling/locking base.
Materials for Bench Vise:
You must avoid buying aluminum alloy vises at all costs as ease of working and the tool’s durability matter a lot in fine working. Vices should indeed be much lighter, but they are made to be strong enough – if the vice isn’t made of steel or iron, you should not buy the one.
Here are some materials with their benefits for bench vises.
1. Forged Iron:
- Since it is heavier, it is suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
- When anvil space is limited and hard materials are being worked on, this is especially beneficial.
- There are no welding spots on this top-quality bench vise.
2. Rubber and Plastic:
- The workpiece can be kept in place firmly with such bench vises.
- This tool works well with weak materials, such as wire and solder. Various other small tasks can also be performed ideally with this tool.
- Despite being low-cost and lightweight, they aren’t made to last.
3. Cast Iron:
- The material most frequently used to construct this tool is cast iron.
- A bench vise made of cast iron has welding spots, a weak spot in the vise. Thus, you should not use a bench vise with multiple welding spots.
- Despite being lightweight, it is durable and is a good choice for light-duty tasks such as cutting metal pipes or wood. But it is not recommended for heavy-duty use.
Mount Type:
Bolt-on and clamp-on vises are the two most common interface types of bench vises. Before picking the bench vise, you need to know what they are. The Bolt-on type has 4 bolts so you can easily screw it to a desk or wall, or wherever you like.
This keeps the bench vise firmly in place. However, it is important to tighten the screw since the clamping jaws are under a lot of strain when they are tightened. Such bench vises are intended for heavy-duty use.
The clamp-on type is used for desks and small projects where screwing is not possible. Despite its simplicity, it lacks security. However, if you work outside of your home or are on the move, this is a viable option for you.
Size of the Bench Vise:
You should choose the bench vise size according to your workspace and project requirements. The large bench vises take up more space on your work table and are awkward to use. However, using the smaller vises, the rest of the worktable can be used for other projects.
Moreover, smaller vises are easier to maneuver and lighter.
Weight:
Finding the bench vise with the right weight is always a challenge. Vises with a heavyweight are durable, but work tables cannot hold the weight of these tools. It is not appropriate to use lightweight vises for every project. Therefore, you should choose a vise that is heavy enough to support your workbench.
Quality and Durability:
You should always buy a durable bench vise. It is quite possible that you will have to put this bench vise through a lot of stress since you are working with power tools. Thus, you should consider selecting a bench vise made of cast iron.
You can use some models for a long time with no issues since they come with a lifetime warranty. However, some bench vises have an anvil built-in for striking objects if necessary.
PSI:
Pounds per square inch (PSI), is the force at which the clamps grip the workpiece. You should always choose the one that has the highest PSI for best performance.
Price:
Any device, including a bench vise, should be selected based on the price-to-quality ratio. An expensive product may have numerous features and quality construction material, but it might not be right for everyone.
Therefore, select the product that has the most essential features and disregard some optional features. You might opt for powder-coated bench vises in case your workplace has high humidity levels to prevent rust on the bench vise.
Bench Vise Types
Bench vises are not just one type of vise; many types can hold different materials. The bench vises for woodworkers and mechanics are commonly used. Here are the different types of vises available in the market:
• Pipe Vise: This tool is designed to house pipes and tubes while they are threaded, cut, or welded by plumbers. Alternatively, it can be used as a mobile tripod or fixed to the table. It can hold pipes ranging in diameter from 0.11 to 2 inches. However, some premium models accommodate pipes with a diameter of 8 inches.
• Woodworker’s Vise: Using its wooden jaws, it holds the wood firmly while planning, cutting, or sanding. It is used to drill, saw, or manipulate flexible and soft materials in carpentry. Normally found in specialized workshops for accommodating large carpentry items.
• Engineering Vise: With its metal jaws, it can easily hold metallic objects. The vises in this category are a little heavier than woodworking vises. Jaws are capable of holding delicate materials such as plastic, copper, wood, and aluminum as well as hard materials such as steel or iron.
The mechanic vises cannot be mounted directly onto a workbench but they can be easily mounted over a workbench permanently or temporarily with bolts and clamps, as required.
Besides these common models, manufacturers have designed a variety of multi-purpose vises such as those similar to mechanic’s vises, but able to hold various materials.
The best bench vise for industrial settings or large-scale projects can simply be chosen from a variety of specialty models such as self-centering and extra-capacity vises.
1.1. TEKTON 54006 6-Inch Swivel Bench Vise
With TEKTON’s 6-inch Swivel Bench Vise, you’ll be able to accomplish more and work faster since it secures quickly and threads tight, providing a better grip and enabling you to feel confident when you’re working.
Having a jaw capacity of 4 inches and 3 inches throat depth, this TEKTON’s bench vise is a well-crafted piece.
It is made from cast iron that can withstand 30,000 PSI and provides maximum durability and strength. The serrated steel jaws make it non-slip. Moreover, this bench vise is ideal for shaping and forming metal pieces.
As a bench vise, it offers a wide opening and a solid jaw width which makes it one of the best choices. Its cast iron construction makes it very sturdy and heavy duty.
Pros
- Lockdown nuts with dual locking mechanisms
- Anvil surface polished and smooth
- The main screw provides easy gliding jaws
- 120 degrees rotation
- A sliding T bar handle that rotates
Cons
- Casting can crack
1.2. Yost LV-4 Home Vise
Yost LV-4 Home Vise is the best bench vise for the home shop. The bench wise comes with a jaw capacity of 4.5 inches and 2.375 inches throat depth. With a cast iron base, swivel jaws, and a spindle threaded lockdown assembly, this bench vise offers ample hold.
Moreover, jaws hold items and pipes between 0.6″ and 1.85″ in diameter.
Pros
- 240 degrees of positioning
- Integrated pipe jaws
- CompaStrong iron constructionct design with 150W RMS power
- A durable paint finish
Cons
- The vise may crack occasionally
1.3. Yost Tools Vises 445 Heavy-Duty Utility Vise
With iron construction, this bench vise from Yost is a quality product. With a jaw capacity of 4.5 inches and 2.6 inches deep throat, this Yost vice falls among the best options available. Featuring a 150-pound clamping force and a 73 ft.-lb torque rating, it meets the needs of most applications. Furthermore, it includes components made of iron vises that can withstand around 30,000 PSI.
Workbench vises from Yost are always of good quality and preferred by the workers during woodworking. Its lockdown features are also popular among users.
Its adjustable jaws allow you to move them in any direction to achieve the most precise placement.
Pros
- 73 ft-lbs torque rating
- Components of the vise that provide 30,000 PSI
- High-serrated steel jaw tops that are replaceable
- Two lockdowns on a 360-degree swiveling base
- 150 lbs of clamp force
- Main screw made of machined steel with rolled threads
Cons
- Jaws don't sometimes line up perfectly
1.4. Yost Vises 750-DI Multi-Jaw Rotating Bench Vise
This Yost bench vise is one of the toughest benches available. It clamps the workpiece with 13,400 pounds of force and has a torque rating of 31 ft-Lbs. With a 5-inch jaw capacity and 4 inches of throat depth, it is an excellent choice.
It is three times stronger than an iron vise, making it one of the best bench vise choices. Because it is forged from 65, 000 PSI ductile iron, it can withstand intense pressures. The product is unquestionably durable.
Moreover, you can work on any bench with this sturdy vise. With 12 locking points, you have the strength and flexibility needed to handle a wide range of projects at home.
Pros
- 360-degree rotating head with 12 locking positions
- 13,400 lbs of casting force
- Swivel base with 360-degree rotation
- Pipe jaws that self-align
- Large anvil surface of 3.5" x 2.7"
- Cast iron construction
Cons
- For some applications, a bit tall
1.5. Wilton 11106 Wilton Bench Vise
Wilton offers this quality bench vise with a lifetime warranty. With a 6 inches jaw capacity and 4 inches of throat depth, cast iron makes up this Wilton 11106.
Besides its double lockdown mechanism, it also offers a 120-degree swivel.
Moreover, a large anvil surface is provided with grooved steel jaw inserts. This bench vise with a lifetime warranty can be one of the best options for you to perform all the light-duty tasks.
Pros
- Iron Body that weighs 30,000 PSI
- A lifetime guarantee
- It Swivels 120 degrees and comes with a dual-lockdown base
Cons
- Because of its lightweight design, it cannot handle heavy-duty tasks
1.6. Wilton Tools 550P Multi-Purpose Bench Vise
This Wilton’s heavy-duty bench vise is clearly marked with indexed increments of 30 degrees for quick setup. The tool offers a 5 inches jaw capacity and 5.5 inches of throat depth.
The jaws come completely replaceable and boast a serrated pattern that guarantees strong gripping power.
360-degree rotation of the head makes it possible to grip anything securely from any position you require. Moreover, dual lockdowns allow it to be extremely strong.
Pros
- Integrated pipe jaws
- Head rotates 360 degrees
- Guaranteed for life
- Jaws are replaceable
- An effective V-jaw for holding rounded objects
Cons
- Manufactured in China
1.7. Capri Tools 10515 Ultimate Grip Forged Steel Bench
This Capri’s tool is a tough bench vise that rotates 360 degrees. The tool comes with a jaw capacity. The bench vise comes with a yield strength of 54,000 PSI and tensile strength of 90,000 PSI.
With a 5-inch jaw capacity and 2.9 inches of throat depth, this tool is made of forged steel and has an oxide black handle that resists corrosion.
Moreover, you can get very precise results with the guide rails since they are fully adjustable. This bench vise offers a clamping force of 5,500 lbs.
The guide rails of the bench vise are fully adjustable, which makes them a nice addition. To make any job smoother for you, they render a high level of precision.
Pros
- 360 swivel base
- An anti-corrosion handle
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Tensile strength of 90,000 PSI
- Machines and pipe jaws that are replaceable
- Force: 5,500 lb
Cons
- Not suitable to perform heavy-duty tasks
1.8. Olympia Tools Bench Vise 38-606
This Olympia heavy-duty 6-inch bench vise is what you need for the garage or workshop. It comes with a jaw capacity of 3 inches and 31/8 throat depth. With a four-lug, heavy-duty base, the Olympia bench vise offers maximum strength.
Polished anvils and horns of anvils make shaping an easy, calm, and worry-free process. The bench vise is equipped with hardened steel jaws that can be replaced when worn out.
Specially fabricated spindles and hands provide additional strength.
Furthermore, with the 270-degree swivel base, you’ll be able to tackle any task in an easy, flexible manner.
Pros
- Hardened, replaceable jaws
- Pipe jaws that stay in place
- Lock lever with swivel
- Base swivels 270 degrees
- The anvil and horn are smooth
- Finished in powder coating
Cons
- Hard to turn
1.9. WEN 454BV 4-Inch Heavy Duty Cast Iron Bench Vise
With a clamping force of 2,440 pounds, the Wen Workhorse Vise can hold anything you feel like it. With its 5 1/8-inch opening, the non-skid jaws are crosscut, making this bench vise a valuable tool. The tool offers a 4-inch jaw capacity and 2.5 inches of throat depth.
Additionally, it is made from iron that is powder-coated and can withstand 36,000 PSI. This vise provides a clamping force of 2,444 pounds.
A 130-degree swivel base is also included in this bench vise. With a full 2-year warranty, this vise offers a lot for the price.
Pros
- 2400 lbs of clamping force
- Jaws open to 5 1/8 inches
- Three mounting holes of 12 mm each
- Swivel base with 130 degrees
- Built from iron that exerts 36,000 PSI
- Warranty of two years
Cons
- Difficult to clamp down
1.10. Bessey BVHW45 Homeowners Bench Vise
This Bessey bench vise is a good option to use for your home shop. The Bessey is an attempt to get back to basics. Even though this workshop bench vise cannot handle heavy-duty projects, it is highly suitable for light-duty tasks.
With a 4.5-inch jaw capacity and throat depth, it comes with a pipe capacity of 1 inch. There is a single lockdown on its 270-degree swivel base as well as four mounting holes to allow you the flexibility to mount it wherever you choose.
Additionally, it is a multipurpose bench vise that can be used in many home shop applications. Despite the high price tag, the vise is worth it and does the job well.
Pros
- One lockdown
- A four-hole mounting system
- Jaws are 4.5 inches wide
- Clamping capacity: 4.5 inches
- 1.0" pipe capacity
- The swivel base rotates 270 degrees
- Finished in gray powder-coated iron
Cons
- Difficult to perform heavy-duty projects
FAQ
We hope you now know which bench vise you will need to secure an object to be worked on. This FAQ section, however, is specifically designed to answer any additional questions you may have. Here are some of the most common questions about bench vises. Check out these to find the answer to your questions.
Q: Who makes the best bench vise?
A: Yost makes the best bench vise that is readily available in the market.
Q: What are the best vises?
A: The vises that are durable, strong, and come with a lifetime warranty are the best ones.
Q: How do I choose a bench vise?
A: Check the jaw capacity, throat depth, and swivel base before choosing a bench vise for you. Considering these features, you can pick the suitable one for your workplace.
Q: Do I need a bench vise?
A: An object is secured in a vise while you work on it. A vise intends to keep your hands a safe distance from the workpiece or to work on the piece with both hands. So, if you are dealing with multiple wooden or metallic objects in your workshop, yes you need it.
Q: How many types of bench vise are there?
A: There are three main types of bench vise; pipe vise, woodworker’s vice, and engineering vise.
Q: What is a bench vise used for?
A: Bench vises are mechanical devices that secure objects during work. They are widely used in the woodworking and mechanical industries.
NAVIGATE OUR Best Bench Vises
- Best Bench VisesBest Bench Vises
- TEKTON 54006 6-InchTEKTON 54006 6-Inch
- Yost LV-4 Home ViseYost LV-4 Home Vise
- Yost Tools Vises 445Yost Tools Vises 445
- Yost Vises 750-DI Multi-JawYost Vises 750-DI Multi-Jaw
- Wilton 11106 WiltonWilton 11106 Wilton
- Wilton Tools 550PWilton Tools 550P
- Capri Tools 10515 UltimateCapri Tools 10515 Ultimate
- Olympia Tools Bench ViseOlympia Tools Bench Vise
- WEN 454BV 4-InchWEN 454BV 4-Inch
- Bessey BVHW45Bessey BVHW45