To get the most out of your home workouts you need the best weight bench; that's a fact. If you’re doing strength training with a pair of dumbbells, a weight bench will allow you to execute a variety of upper and lower body exercises – from Bulgarian split squats, to chest press, dumbbell flies and more – safely and effectively. But even if you’re doing cardio, you can use a weight bench for plyometric exercises to challenge yourself even further. It really is one of the best pieces of home gym equipment you can invest in.
In this weight bench guide we've included everything, from superb value offerings for those on a tight budget to blow-out models with all the bells and whistles. You might need to buy some weights if you want to build muscle or lose weight using a weight bench. For more information on home weights, check out T3's best adjustable dumbbells, best barbell, best weight plate and best kettlebell guides.
The best weight benches to buy right now
Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best weight bench overall
Max load: 992 lbs / 450 kg
Dimensions (in inches): 17 x 34.5 x 11.5
Adjustable: Yes
+ High max user weight
+ No assembly required
- No rack
- 90-degree angle is too steep
The Again Faster Team Plus Adjustable Bench is designed for people who take weightlifting seriously. It comes almost fully assembled, so you can start pumping iron instantly as soon as the bench arrives. The bench features a solid, 4 to 14-variable-gauge steel frame, durable, thick anti-slip padding, and a thick steel backplate holding the main pad firmly in place.
The backrest can be adjusted from flat to 90 degrees of incline, ideal for working on the pecs, arms, delts and more–we found the 75-degree angle good enough to perform that exercise. The pad is dense and supportive, and the cover is made of anti-slip material, so you won't get stuck to it even after sweaty workouts.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best weight bench for heavy lifting
Max load: 610 lbs / 275 kg
Dimensions (in inches): 55.5 x 20.8 x 16
Adjustable: Yes
+ Rock-solid construction supports up to 610 pounds
+ Extra-wide seat/back padding
- Non-collapsible
- Wide gap between the seat and backrest
While on the expensive side for a weight bench, the NordicTrack Utility Workout Bench should earn its keep in no time. It’s a slick-looking bench that has plenty of padding and is super adjustable. Plus, its steel construction is built to last.
We’d recommend the NordicTrack Utility Workout Bench to weight lifters of all skill levels; it’s never too soon to own your weight bench, after all, and if strength training is new to your fitness routine, this weight bench sets the bar in terms of overall quality and functionality.
Read TJ's full NordicTrack Utility Workout Bench review
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best cheap adjustable weight bench
Max load: 551 lbs / 250 kg
Dimensions (in inches): 56.6 x 19.7 x 17
Adjustable: Yes
+ Excellent value for money
+ 2-year warranty
- No weights rack
- Not ideal for tall people
You can always count on Decathlon when it comes to great value-for-money fitness equipment. And we don't mean 'cheap' or 'rubbish quality'; Domyos fitness equipment is usually of decent quality and provides enough flexibility for most types of home workouts.
Case in point, the Domyos 900 Weights Bench has seven different positions so that you can attack the pecs and the shoulders with various exercises, and there is even a footrest so you can do crunches. That said, since the legs are not too tall, tall people might find it uncomfortable to do sit-ups on it. For everything else, it's perfect.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best all-in-one weight bench
Max user weight (NOT max load): 286 lbs / 130 kg
Dimensions (in inches): 44.5 x 17.3 x 14.8
Adjustable: No
+ Excellent all-in-one home gym solution with a small footprint
+ No assembly required
- Bench is firm, even with the mat on it
- Admittedly, it's aimed at people who like studio-style classes
The Technogym Bench is a niche product; it's best suited for people with plenty of disposable income and those who prefer home workouts streamed via an app like Peloton or iFit. It's somewhat narrower and shorter compared to standard weight benches. Moving around the bench is a bit iffy due to the lack of carry handles and the dumbbell falling off their holders.
On a more positive note, the Technogym Bench offers an all-in-one solution for home gyms, as it not only comes with many home weights included in the price, but it offers a storage solution, too. The Technogym Plus app might help beginner exercisers feel more confident working out.
Read Matt K's full Technogym Bench review
Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Best value-for-money weight bench
Max load: 573 lbs / 260 kg
Dimensions (in inches): 49.2 x21.6 x 16.9
Adjustable: Yes
+ Gym-grade equipment for very little money
+ Adjustable backrest and seat
- Cushion on the thin side
The chunky Mirafit M150 Adjustable Weight Bench offers gym-worthy build quality while considerably undercutting products from established players like Life Fitness and Technogym. Despite the reasonable asking price, it still packs a solid frame constructed from 7cm x 5cm steel tubing, 2mm thick throughout.
Better still, the user benefits from six backrest angles and four individual seat angles that allow a great selection of positions to perform gun-busting routines. However, there's no rack at this price point, so unless you add one, the bench is more suitable for use with a dumbbell set.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best premium weight bench
Max load: 600 lbs / 272 kg
Dimensions (in inches): 49.2 x 27.9 x 21.6
Adjustable: Yes
+ Commercial quality construction
+ Padded leg supports
- Seat isn't adjustable
Featuring high-density foam padding, the Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench complements Bowflex Selecttech modular dumbbells perfectly. The backrest can be adjusted in six positions, including 17° decline, flat, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° incline. It would've been even better if the seat was also adjustable, though.
We loved the one-button 'click, lift and go' process, which makes stowing the bench effortless, not to mention the space saving it allows. The additional transport castors mean the bench can quickly move around to different positions. Weight bench experience doesn't get plusher than this.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
How to buy the best weight bench for you
In-depth: 7 things to consider before buying a new weight bench
Home weight benches come in all shapes and sizes, with pricing typically reflecting additional features and overall build quality. Buyers should first bare in mind their workout needs, fitness goals, experience level, the amount of space available at home and budget before making a purchase.
Iron-pumping newbies can probably afford to look at the lower end of the budget scale, as build quality, adjustability, and additional flourishes are probably not too high on the agenda. Cheap weight benches are aplenty online, but these will be straightforward affairs that usually consist of a flat padded cushion perched atop a pair of support legs. Stability isn't going to be great here, and a lack of adjustability limits the spread of exercises that can be performed.
Those with more weightlifting experience or who have previously frequented a gym will want to part with slightly more cash to secure something fit for purpose and will last. Spend a bit more, and manufacturers will throw in added niceties, such as areas to store weights when not in use, a rack that makes bench-pressing with a barbell an option and a good range of adjustability that opens up endless exercise possibilities.
How we test the best weight benches
Weight benches are always tested in a home (or, more like, home gym) environment to ensure they perform in a setting they were meant to be used. We use weight benches for several exercises to determine what type of workouts they are best for. We aim to test each weight bench featured in this guide for at least a couple of months to ensure they don't fall apart after a few workouts. Find out how we test at T3 by clicking on the link now.
FAQ
What is the best weight bench for home use?
Our current favourite weight bench for home use is the Mirafit M150 Adjustable Weight Bench. In classic Mirafit fashion, it offers gym-worthy build quality while considerably undercutting the price of its premium rivals. The bench packs a solid frame constructed from 7cm x 5cm steel tubing, 2mm thick throughout. Six backrest angles and four individual seat angles allow a great selection of positions to perform gun-busting routines.
Are weight benches worth it?
If you want to build muscle at home, you'll need to add a weight bench to your home gym setup. Weight benches can be used for much more than bench press, although that in itself should be a good enough reason to get one as it's one of the 'big 5' exercises that can give you a full-body workout and work almost every muscle in your body.
Whether it's a flat or adjustable weight bench or a weight bench with or without a weight rack, the best weight benches will enable you to work out your upper body in a way that's not possible without a weight bench. Do yourself a favour and start building monster pecs and arms today by getting a weight bench.
