Whether you are just getting into woodworking or a seasoned pro with many projects under your belt, a router table is an exceedingly useful tool to have in your shop. Because it is so important to be precise when using a router, buying a router table that is high-quality and equipped with the right features is a priority—not every table is created equal.
After looking at a wide range of tables, we’ve come up with five great options to fit the needs of any woodworker and make sure your tools are doing what they’re supposed to.
COMPARISON CHART
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1. Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181
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2. SKIL RAS900 Router Table
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3. Kreg PRS1045
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4. Kreg PRS2100 Bench Top Router Table
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5. Rockler Convertible Benchtop Router Table
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1. Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181
Specification
| Materials | Aluminum, plastic |
| Top Dimensions | 18 x 27 inches |
| Storage | Solid Benchtop table |
| Router Compatibility | Fits a wide range of routers |
This durable, versatile offering from Bosch is excellent for almost any woodworker in need of a router table and comes out on top of this list overall. Its tabletop design offers plenty of space to work without being too bulky or heavy, and the materials used to make it a great value for the price. Its tall aluminum fence and top lend this table a sturdiness and reliability not found in others in its price range.
What We Like
One of the biggest draws of this table is its aluminum top and fence. While many other tables in this price range make use of medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, for their fences and tops, Bosch’s metal design offers greater durability and makes for a sturdier tool. In addition, this table has a dust port with a hose hookup, and despite not being foldable, offers a storage pocket and cord storage for neat stowing.
PROS
- Durable aluminum design
- Dust port
- Cost-effective
CONS
- Does not fold
- Plastic legs
- Assembly could be easier
2. SKIL RAS900 Router Table – Best Budget
Specification
| Materials | MDF, Plastic |
| Top Dimensions | 17 x 27 inches |
| Storage | Foldable legs |
| Router Compatibility | Fits a wide range of routers – see product page |
Next up is a great option for woodworkers on a tight budget. The SKIL RAS900 router table is the cheapest table on this list while still performing all the essential functions of a router table. This makes it a perfect option for someone just starting out in woodworking, or any woodworker who needs a router table without breaking the bank. It even has some features that Bosch does not.
What We Like
In addition to its low price and consequent low barrier for entry, this table also comes with a number of useful features that make it a solid choice. Unlike the Bosch benchtop table, this table offers folding plastic legs for easy storage without taking up too much space. Another great feature of this table is that it comes pre-assembled, meaning no time will be wasted trying to figure out how to put it together. You can get straight to the routing! It also comes equipped with a dust port and some built-in storage. While not quite as durable as some other tables, it is hard to beat its price.
PROS
- Affordable
- Portable
- Easy to assemble
CONS
- Less sturdy than other tables
- No capacity for height adjustment
- The table can be a bit wobbly
3. Kreg PRS1045 – Best Professional
Specification
| Materials | Steel |
| Top Dimensions | 24 x 32 inches |
| Storage | Large Standalone table – adjustable height |
| Router Compatibility | Can fit practically any router using a pre-drilled plate or by drilling your own in the provided blank plate |
If you are looking for something more substantial than a benchtop router table, then look no further than the Kreg PRS1045. This set is a standalone, adjustable, fully-functional router table. If you have space in your shop and want to take it to the next level, this table is a great professional-quality option. While it is more expensive than the other tables on this list, its high quality and features justify the price.
What We Like
This is the only table on this list that stands by itself and does not need to be placed on an existing workbench. If you have the space for it in your workshop, it will be able to provide great versatility and ease of use. Its stand is sturdy and made of steel, and it comes with casters to allow for easy movement around your shop. Its plate is fully adjustable and easy to drill for use with almost any router. One of the features that make this table really special is its steel-reinforced top. While the top does use an MDF core, it is given extra structural support by a steel base, ensuring that the table will stay flat. To add even greater precision, the router mounting plate is fully adjustable using screws at its corners. These features make it easy to avoid warping and uneven surfaces which can jeopardize the integrity of your routing projects.
PROS
- Sturdy build
- Large workspace
- High-quality design and features
CONS
- On the expensive side
- Not portable
- Takes up relatively more space
4. Kreg PRS2100 Bench Top Router Table – Best Benchtop Router Table
Specification
| Materials | Steel |
| Top Dimensions | 16 x 24 |
| Storage | Solid benchtop table |
| Router Compatibility | Can fit practically any router using a pre-drilled plate or by drilling your own in the provided blank plate |
If Kreg’s standalone router table is too big or too expensive for you but you love the features, they also offer this smaller benchtop model. It offers the same sturdy steel frame, adjustable and customizable plate, and high-quality adjustable fence as its big brother in a smaller package. While still a bit more expensive than some of the other benchtop tables on this list, Kreg’s benchtop table is a very high-quality option and a great choice for most woodworkers.
What We Like
This unit offers much of the same functionality and design as the Kreg PRS1045. One of its main advantages, much like the PRS1045, is its fully adjustable plate design, which offers more versatility and precision than others on the market. It also comes with a dust port and features a fairly large top at 16 x 24 inches, which, like its big brother, has a unique design to ensure the table stays flat over the years.
PROS
- Sturdy build
- High-quality design and features
- Wide base for stability
CONS
- On the expensive side for a benchtop table
- Does not fold
- Bulkier shape than other tables
5. Rockler Convertible Benchtop Router Table – Best Portable Router Table
Specification
| Materials | MDF, steel |
| Top Dimensions | 18.5 x 16.375 inches |
| Storage | Foldable and convertible legs |
| Router Compatibility | Most compact and mid-sized routers |
Finally, we have the most portable option on the list: the Rockler Convertible Benchtop Router Table. This table has legs that fold down for easy transport and storage. But the table’s versatility does not stop there. The legs can be configured into a number of different modes, making it an ideal choice for those who work in a variety of locations or just need to conserve space.
What We Like
This table’s big advantage is its four different modes. With the legs unfolded all the way, it stands up as a benchtop table. The legs can also be configured for mounting on the wall, which is a great option for using the table as a standalone tool without taking up floor space. When the legs are folded all the way in, the table is relatively flat for easy transport. Its fourth mode is not exactly a model, but it is a useful feature nonetheless—the router mounting plate has an easy release, a feature Rockler calls “Handheld Routing Mode.” If you need to travel around to different job sites and work in a variety of conditions, this table is a great choice.
PROS
- Versatile
- Portable
- Not too expensive
CONS
- MDF build
- Fits a limited number of routers
- Could be sturdier
Conclusion
All of these tables are high-quality products, and every kind of woodworker should be able to find what they are looking for in at least one of them. With that said, Bosch’s benchtop table is hard to beat overall. It is built to last with a sturdy aluminum top and fence and a large workspace.
For those reasons, as well as its built-in storage for accessories and adjustability, it is our top pick. With this list, you should have all the info you need to get into the shop and get to work with a brand new router table.
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I am a woodworker with over 19 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.
