Best Bench Clamps of 2025

"I needed a simple vise for my workbench, and this looked good for the price. Since I already own several Irwin clamps, I trusted their quality. The vise is sturdy and locks down my work well. However, I found the installation a bit awkward due to the positioning of the bolt/screw holes. Ultimately, I managed to secure it tightly to my bench, but I wish the jaws were taller for better usability."

"I've had this vise for a couple of months now, and I often think about how I should have purchased it sooner. It's compact yet sturdy, and while it doesn't have the jaw capacity of more expensive models, it certainly gets the job done for a reasonable price. Mounting was simple, and I used 1/4" carriage bolts to secure it. It's not meant to hold large pieces, but it does hold reasonable-sized workpieces firmly."

"This IRWIN Woodworking Vise is incredibly tough and operates smoothly. I appreciate the great value it offers for woodworking tasks. It's strong, reliable, and I didn't have to spend a fortune. I find it to be a solid choice for anyone needing a dependable vise without any fuss."

"I use this every day now to prevent things from moving, even for my dust collection hose during long cuts. Without a side vise, this clamp serves the exact same purpose for me too. I just can't stop enjoying it!"

"This clamp is well made overall, though I wish the hold down dog was an inch longer. Most bench dog holes have a bit of slop, requiring some downward assist while clamping. Mechanically, I rate it 5 stars, but 4 for functional design."

"After giving this one a try, I'm definitely ordering a second. It's incredibly handy and easy to use!"

"I wasn't sure about these dogs, but I was pleasantly surprised! The inserts hold the wood securely for my router. Once in place, they are very secure. A real bargain!"

"These bench dogs are well-made and sturdy. Though I found them a bit difficult to insert and extract, they still do exactly what I need. I'm a big fan of Powertec products."

"I bought these for my homemade workbench. They serve their purpose well and hold nicely. I use them for aligning tracks for my plunge saw, and they are very helpful!"

"I find this to be a great little vice for my smaller projects. I use it to put together rifles, and it performs just like I hoped."

"I bought this vise for miniature models and prototyping. The rubber mounting pads are a nice touch, and it easily clamps to my table without causing any damage."

"As someone with a mobile tool trailer, I appreciate this handy little vise. It doesn’t take up permanent space and holds items securely while I drill holes in small angle iron."

"I have used this several times now. It is nice to have a portable, light-duty vise that I can clip to a table in my living room and remove when I'm finished. Very sturdy for its size with useful attachments. The fast-adjust jaws work great, and the blue finish seems durable, even if there are a few bubbles in the paint. It's a decent quality vise for the price, and I can overlook some blemishes."

"This is exactly what I expected for the price, and actually a bit more! It's perfect for my needs - clamp it down, cut a tube, and I'm done. It's heavy and sturdy, and both screws are hardened. Just a reminder, don't hit it with a steel hammer! It’s two steps above a hobby vise, for half the price. Excellent product - AS DESIGNED. I highly recommend it!"

"I live in an apartment and needed something smaller than a 65lb industrial model. I bought this 3.2 inch model for about $30. It arrived well-wrapped and has performed great. Using the rubber pad clamps really helps with stability. I was surprised at how well it held a small aluminum piece while I used a hacksaw. Five stars for the price; I would recommend it to others!"

"I needed a carry-around vice and small area work table, and this is perfect. For the money, it is very nice. I have had no issues with any part of the unit. I recommend it if you need a portable solution around your work area. I primarily use it for sharpening small tools."

"In my opinion, this is a functional and reasonably priced portable worktop. It doesn't have the precision for high-detail work, but I didn’t expect that for the price. I appreciate its strong and sturdy build, nice finish, and the well-aligned box. Just be cautious about the dog holes’ alignment and the looseness of the vise handle."

"It's okay; the wood and finish feel a bit cheap. I think it could have been made better. However, it's good if you want to get started with woodworking fast. I might just make my own with better materials."

“As a homeowner, I find this vice hefty and solid. It’s perfect for my occasional needs, and the plastic protectors are a nice touch, although they can be a bit slick.”

“I was pleasantly surprised by its sturdiness. I used it to crimp some tough items, hammering hard on the handle, and it only left minimal dents.”

“This vice is ideal for lightweight hobby work. I love the quick release button, but I’ve learned to be cautious about how tightly I clamp things.”

"I can't believe I didn't purchase this sooner! The long reach and sturdy grip are perfect for my drill press. It's well constructed and very easy to adjust."

"For my workbench, this clamp fits perfectly in the t-track. Unlike others I've used, which had an automatic feature and broke, this one has a standard locking mechanism that adjusts easily. Plus, I've had great experiences with Milescraft's customer service!"

"This clamp offers a better value than the Kreg clamps with bases. The 6-inch size is ample for clamping down 4x4s. Even though the arm is a bit crooked, it doesn’t affect its function."

"These clamps fit perfectly in my workbench's 3/4” holes and are sturdy enough to hold my projects without any issues. I'm really happy with this purchase!"

"So far, these clamps have performed well for my projects. After boring out the holes a bit, they fit snugly and seem well made enough for my light carpentry needs. I would recommend them!"

"I decided to return these clamps for the Taytools hold down clamps instead. The difference was noticeable; the Taytools are all steel, much more robust, and provide rigid clamping."

"As a woodworking hobbyist, I was looking for a woodworker's vice, and this one is exactly what I needed. It arrived the next day, and the quality is impressive for the reasonable price. I found it easy to mount, though it didn’t come with instructions. I did have to add some shims to match my workbench height, but that was simple. The spring-loaded dog works perfectly, and the guide bars are well-aligned. Overall, I highly recommend it!"

"Installing this vice on my bench was a bit of a challenge, but that’s typical. It’s solidly built and the orange color is a nice touch, even if I need to do some touch-ups. The wide jaw is a significant advantage compared to other brands at this price. I’m very pleased with this purchase."

"I consider this a great beginner vice or a backup option. While I might have opted for a more solid one if I could start over, I’m not dissatisfied. The installation was straightforward, although it didn't have instructions. I managed to clamp down on hard maple without any slipping, which speaks to its clamping power. Overall, I’d rate it closer to 4 stars than 3!"