If you’re a diehard DIYer, these heavy-duty plastic brackets from Powertec save you time in building a stout pair of saw horses. All you need are 2×4 lumber for the legs and a top piece (measuring 2×4 up to 2×12) to make a sturdy, portable assembly table or job site work table. Assembly is a breeze with pre-drilled holes and no additional hardware. When it’s all done, the Powertec brackets hold up to 500 pounds.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Affordable
• Sturdy and solid framework
• Can build in different sizes

Cons

• Only holds up to 500 pounds
• Wood can shrink, making a looser connection

With the press of a button, this saw horse is off to the races, unfolding in 1.6 seconds! The one-hand rapid opening is ideal when you’re in a hurry, and it’s just about as quick to close it as well. Not only does it have a quick setup, but it has a convenient handle and folding legs for portability. But don’t let the slender profile fool you—this sturdy hunk of steel supports 600 pounds of weight as a pair.

A unique feature is the folding action. Have you ever folded a saw horse only to realize the legs had to be folded in a certain order? The Speedhorse has nonsequential leg folding, meaning you just pull the lever on each end and fold the legs up. It doesn’t matter which leg is folded first.

There are other premium features as well, including a non-slip pad on the top and pre-drilled holes to mount a sacrificial board. There are flip-down supports for holding sheet goods and slots on the sides to fit 2x4s for creating a quick work surface.

Pros

• Unfolds in 1.6 seconds
• Nonsequential leg folding
• Holds up to 600 pounds
• Flip-down supports to hold sheet goods

Cons

• On the pricier side
• Interior edges of legs have sharp edges

What to Consider When Buying a Saw Horse

Saw horses can vary from 250 pounds all the way up to 1,500 pounds of support, so consider your desired weight capacity. Will you be cutting large wood planks and logs, or do you enjoy smaller projects and painting? For lightweight saw horses (which are usually made of plastic), you can expect a weight capacity of around 300 to 500 pounds per pair. Saw horses made of steel or heavy-duty plastic typically have weight capacities ranging from 800 to 1,000 pounds. For industrial-grade saw horses, the weight capacity can go even higher, reaching 1,500 pounds per pair or more.

You can find saw horses made of plastic, metal or wood, and each come with their own pros and cons. Plastic saw horses are lightweight and portable, but have limited weight-bearing capacity. Similarly, wooden saw horses have greater weight capacity and are better for sawing, as it’s unlikely to damage your circular saw if you accidentally strike the saw horse with it (versus sawing through metal). However, it’s rare to find wooden saw horses that come with adjustable or foldable legs.

Another feature to keep in mind is a foldable design for compactness and portability. Consider whether you need a portable saw horse that you can easily carry to different job sites, or if you mainly work in a garage and need a model that folds down compactly for storage. Some saw horses offer adjustable legs, which are beneficial if you need to work on uneven surfaces or want to customize the height to your preference. If you frequently use clamps or other accessories in your work, make sure the saw horse design allows for easy attachment and usage.

How We Found the Best Saw Horses

Saw horses are invaluable workshop helpers, and choosing the best was no small task. First, I drew on years of experience as a professional woodworker and DIYer to determine the best features and the most trusted brands. I narrowed down the selection based on high customer ratings and feedback from both satisfied and critical buyers. I also considered reviews by independent testers and woodworking/home improvement experts.

To finalize my selections, I chose the best model for each category based on a variety of budgets and projects. I also took into consideration factors, such as weight capacity, height adjustment, foldability and the ability to add a work surface. Material is also important, as each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Wood can handle heavy loads but is not as foldable, metal can be durable and foldable but heavier and plastic is stackable and lightweight but not ideal for some heavy-duty projects.