Best Bench Vise

The bench vise is the best shop helper one can have. The grip of a vise makes cuts straighter, joints stronger and all projects easier. Buying one that is made with quality metal and offers the functions you need is one of the most fundamental choices you can make when setting up shop, so make sure you're getting the right vise for the job. From delicate hobby vises to industrial monsters built as strong as the Jaws of Life, vises come in a wide variety. Compiled here, however, are picks for the best general use bench vises that will work for a wide range of jobs and offer great service for decades.

Best Bench Vise Overall:

If you want to complete a workshop project with accuracy and efficiency, your materials need to be stable and well-secured. Otherwise, you’re going to be making inaccurate cuts, cursing your lack of help in the shop or worse. The picks for this list of best bench vises overall were selected for their solid construction with parts fitting together snugly without feeling loose so once the unit is bolted to the bench there’s little or no wiggle. These vises are also crafted from high-quality metals such as forged steel or ductile iron, increasing both the strength and life of the tool. Lastly, these vises operate smoothly with minimal effort with no grinding, sticking or chattering.

Yost Vises 880-DI 8" Multi-Purpose Reversible Combination Pipe and Bench Vise

Take 65,000 psi Iron, form it into a sleek and solid body, cap that with reversible face plates, replaceable pipe jaws in hardened steel, and offer reversible jaws for extended capacity. That's how you create the Yost 880-DI, a vise which stands up to everything you can throw at it. Read Full Review

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Wilton 21800 748A 8-Inch Jaw Width by 8-1/4-Inch Opening Mechanics Vise

The cost is higher than many DIY hobbyists will be able to justify, but understandable for such a high-quality vise. The Wilton 21800 748A 740 Series Mechanics Vise features a secure grip and pleasingly smooth action together with great strength and durability. Read Full Review

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Ridgid 66997 F-60 6-inch Forged F-Series Vise

Built to handle extreme workloads, the steel of this vise has a tensile strength of 75,000 psi. The jaws are guaranteed against breaks, but the lack of replaceable jaws limits what jobs this vise can take on. Read Full Review

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K Tool International KTI-64108 8" Steel Vise

This is a reliable, solid built steel vise with replaceable jaws so you can take on a variety of jobs. While not made for extreme workloads, it’s built stronger than most jobs will ever require. Read Full Review

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Wilton 10500 Aw45 4-1/2 Jaw Round Channel Outdoor Vise with Swivel Base

Built for both indoor and outdoor use, this is one of the most durable vises on the market today. The cost is prohibitive for most people who don't own professional shops but the quality, strength and fluidity of action are hard to match. Read Full Review

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Best Budget Bench Vise:

During all the years you’ve spent in workshops you might not have given much thought to the stoic bench vise. It wasn’t until I had to shop of my own that I realized how important a good vise can be and found myself sticker shocked. Vises and clamps are the foundation of any good shop, so you want to get the best model your budget can allow for. There are three major questions you should ask yourself when buying a bench vise. Will it stand up to the job you’re asking it to do without failure, does it include the functions you need and do they perform like they promise? Every vise on this list is going to be strong enough for at least moderate shop work, construction allowing for smooth operation and include essentials such as a rotating base with lock, anvil plate and replaceable jaws.

Olympia Tools 38-614 " Mechanic's Bench Vise

A strong, durable vise which won't cost a lot or break on you while under pressure. The grip is solid a feature which matters most in a vise. The action could be smoother and the swivel lock tighter but that's not a deal breaker at this price level. Read Full Review

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Wilton 11104 Bench Vise, Jaw Width 4", Jaw Opening 4"

High strength steel makes this one of the most sturdy budget vises you can buy. A shallow throat limits the size of the project you can secure in this vise but when strength is the most important factor, this vise stands out from the rest. Read Full Review

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Pony 29040 4-Inch Heavy-Duty Workshop Bench Vise with Swivel Base

Bright enough to stop traffic, this reasonably priced vise stands up well to medium duty jobs without slipping or fear of damage. The small anvil surface along with a large forming horn allow this tool to do double duty for light jewelry or small metal work. Read Full Review

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Irwin Quick-Grip 226304 4" Heavy Duty Workshop Vise

Not the most heavy duty vise in the world, but it is strong enough for home shop work. Steel main screw will stay sharp and accurate over a long period of time. You get a lot of quality for a low price. Read Full Review

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Wilmar Performance Tool MV4 4-Inch Machinist Vise

Coated in eye-catching yellow, this vise is much better than you'd expect for the price. The large anvil area, solid construction and rigid grip make this tool a steal. A vice which will provide all the strength a light to medium duty shop will require of it. Read Full Review

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