Best Bench Vise Under $80 (2026)
Five bench vises under $80 for the home garage, compared by stated jaw width, opening, clamping force, swivel base, mounting and warranty.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Top PickForward 1305 5 in Vise9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Strongest ClampForward CR40A 4.5 in9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Best WarrantyZHRMJZG 4.5 in Vise9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
Full SwivelNakkaa 5 in Vise9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
PONY 4 Inch Heavy Duty Bench ViseView on Amazon - 6
AV Steel 4-1/2" Bench Vise with 240° Flexible Swivel LockingView on Amazon - 7
Table ViseView on Amazon - 8
Forward 1750B 5 Inch Bench Vise Heavy Duty with Anvil andView on Amazon - 9
Heavy Duty 2-in-1 Bench ViseView on Amazon
The brake rotor needs holding while you wire-brush the hub, and your hands are already full. The best bench vise under 80 dollars bolts a third hand to the workbench: enough clamping force for grinding and tapping, jaws wide enough for real stock. This roundup compares five vises by what their listings state: jaw width and opening, clamping force, swivel base, mounting and warranty.
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Quick picks
- Top Pick Forward 1305 5 in Vise: 5 in jaws, 5500 lbs clamping, anvil and 1-year parts replacement warranty. Check price on Amazon
- Strongest Clamp Forward CR40A 4.5 in: 6600 lbs clamping force with pipe jaws and a 210-degree swivel base. Check price on Amazon
- Best Warranty ZHRMJZG 4.5 in Vise: 3-year unconditional replacement with 2-in-1 bolt or clamp mounting. Check price on Amazon
- Full Swivel Nakkaa 5 in Vise: 5 in jaws, 25kN clamping and a lockable 360-degree swivel base. Check price on Amazon
The picks
Forward 1305 5 Inch Bench Vise Workbench Vise
A 5 in ductile iron vise with 5500 lbs clamping force, anvil, 120-degree swivel base and 1-year parts replacement.
Pros
- 5 in jaw with 5 in opening
- 5500 lbs clamping force
- Anvil plus 120-degree swivel base
- 1-year limited parts replacement
Cons
- 120-degree swivel, least rotation here
- Maker calls it light duty
- No pipe jaws stated
- 8.02 kg before mounting
Forward CR40A 4.5 Inch Bench Vise Heavy Duty
A 4.5 in ductile iron vise with 6600 lbs clamping force, pipe jaws, anvil and 210-degree swivel base.
Pros
- 6600 lbs (30kN) clamping force
- Pipe jaws for 1/2 to 3 1/2 in pipe
- Two sets of machined jaws plus anvil
- 210-degree swivel base
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- 4.5 in jaw, narrower than the 1305
- No mounting hardware stated
- Heaviest-duty claims are the maker's own
Bench Vise, 4-1/2" Table Vise For Workbench,2-in-1
A 4.5 in forged steel vise with 2-in-1 bolt or clamp mounting, 270-degree swivel and 3-year unconditional replacement.
Pros
- 3-year unconditional replacement
- 2-in-1 bolt or clamp mounting
- 270-degree swivel, no drilling needed
- Multifunctional soft jaws included
Cons
- No clamping force stated
- 3.3 in max opening, smallest here
- 13 lb, light for heavy work
- Table says alloy steel, bullets say forged
Nakkaa 5 Inch Ductile Cast Iron Bench Vise 360°
A 5 in ductile iron vise with 25kN clamping force, 360-degree lockable swivel base and replaceable steel jaws.
Pros
- 5 in jaw, widest here
- 25kN clamping force
- 360-degree lockable swivel base
- Replaceable microgroove steel jaws
Cons
- Table says 4.72 in opening vs 3.94 in bullets
- No warranty term stated
- No anvil stated
- No mounting hardware stated
Nakkaa 4" Bench Vise Ductile Cast Iron Bench Vise
A 4 in ductile iron vise with 20kN clamping force, 360-degree swivel base and replaceable steel jaws.
Pros
- 360-degree swivel base
- 20kN clamping force
- Replaceable microgroove steel jaws
- 11 lb, easy to position
Cons
- Table says 4.72 in opening vs 3.5 in bullets
- 4 in jaw, narrowest here
- No warranty term stated
- No anvil stated
More options to compare
PONY 4 Inch Heavy Duty Bench ViseCheck price on Amazon
AV Steel 4-1/2" Bench Vise with 240° Flexible Swivel LockingCheck price on Amazon
Table ViseCheck price on Amazon
Forward 1750B 5 Inch Bench Vise Heavy Duty with Anvil andCheck price on Amazon
Heavy Duty 2-in-1 Bench ViseCheck price on Amazon
Compare the picks
| Model | Shop Score | Jaw width | Max opening | Clamp force | Swivel | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward 1305 5 in Vise | 9.6/10 | 5 in | 5 in | 5500 lbs | 120-degree | 8.02 kg | 1-year parts |
| Forward CR40A 4.5 in | 9.6/10 | 4.5 in | 5 in | 6600 lbs (30kN) | 210-degree | Not stated | Not stated |
| ZHRMJZG 4.5 in Vise | 9.5/10 | 4.5 in | 3.3 in | Not stated | 270-degree | 13 lb | 3-year replacement |
| Nakkaa 5 in Vise | 9.5/10 | 5 in | 3.94 in (bullets) | 25kN | 360-degree lockable | 16.4 lb | Not stated |
| Nakkaa 4 in Vise | 9.4/10 | 4 in | 3.5 in (bullets) | 20kN | 360-degree | 11 lb | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 19 October 2026. Where a listing contradicts itself, both figures are shown.
How we scored them
Each vise is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. None of the five listings states a safety listing, so all score zero on safety. Two state a warranty term: 1 year of parts replacement on the Forward 1305 and 3 years of unconditional replacement on the ZHRMJZG.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward 1305 5 in Vise | 9.6 | 28 | 21 | 20 | n/a | 2 |
| Forward CR40A 4.5 in | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 21 | n/a | 0 |
| ZHRMJZG 4.5 in Vise | 9.5 | 23 | 19 | 19 | n/a | 3 |
| Nakkaa 5 in Vise | 9.5 | 27 | 20 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
| Nakkaa 4 in Vise | 9.4 | 24 | 19 | 18 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
Best bench vise under 80: what the listings tell you
Jaw widths run 4 to 5 in; max openings run 3.3 to 5 in where the bullets agree with the tables. Clamping force is stated on four: 6600 lbs, 5500 lbs, 25kN and 20kN. Swivel bases rotate 120 to 360 degrees. Two listings contradict themselves: both Nakkaa tables say 4.72 in max opening against 3.5 and 3.94 in in their bullets. Two state a warranty term; none states a safety listing.
Buying guide: vise shopping under $80
Jaw width and opening
Width is the jaw face: 4, 4.5 or 5 in here. Opening is how far the jaws spread: 5 in on both Forwards, 3.94 in on the Nakkaa 5 in, 3.5 in on the Nakkaa 4 in, 3.3 in on the ZHRMJZG. Both Nakkaa tables claim 4.72 in; the bullets say less, so trust the bullets. Match the opening to the thickest stock you clamp.
Clamping force
Stated in pounds or kilonewtons: 6600 lbs (30kN) on the Forward CR40A, 5500 lbs on the Forward 1305, 25kN on the Nakkaa 5 in, 20kN on the Nakkaa 4 in. The ZHRMJZG states no force figure, only a 13 lb weight. Compare within the same unit; a missing figure is unknown, not zero.
Swivel base and mounting
Bases rotate 120 degrees on the Forward 1305, 210 on the CR40A, 270 on the ZHRMJZG and 360 on both Nakkaas. The ZHRMJZG is the only 2-in-1: bolt it down or clamp it to the bench edge with no drilling, for tables up to 2.3 in thick. The Nakkaas list 3 mounting holes; the 1305 includes 3 bolts and dual locking nuts.
Anvils and jaws
Both Forwards include an anvil for hammering and tapping, 1.9 x 1.9 in on the 1305. The CR40A adds pipe jaws for 1/2 to 3 1/2 in pipe plus two sets of machined jaws. The Nakkaas list replaceable microgroove tooth steel jaws; the ZHRMJZG brings multifunctional soft jaws.
Warranty
Two state terms: 1-year limited parts replacement on the Forward 1305, and unconditional replacement within 3 years on the ZHRMJZG. The other three state nothing, so there is little to compare beyond those two.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Reading the listing: numbers you can trust
Three of the five listings contradict themselves, and the contradictions sit in the spec tables. The Nakkaa 4 in bullets state a 3.5 in maximum jaw opening and 2 in throat depth while its spec table says 4.72 in and 2.17 in; the Nakkaa 5 in bullets state a 3.94 in maximum opening and 3 in throat depth against the same 4.72 in and 2.17 in table. The 4 in title says 11 lb (5 kg) while its spec table says 5.13 kg. Trust the bullets and titles over the spec tables, and measure the vise on arrival if the opening matters to your work.
Clamping force comes in two units here, so compare within one unit. The Forward CR40A states 6600 lbs (30kN) and the Forward 1305 states 5500 lbs; the Nakkaa 5 in states 25kN and the Nakkaa 4 in 20kN. The ZHRMJZG states no clamping force at all. More force suits grinding and tapping; light assembly needs far less.
Materials differ by maker. Both Forwards state PSI 60,000 ductile iron, with the 1305 adding that it is 3x stronger than gray iron. Both Nakkaas state high strength ductile iron with chrome-plated spindle and nuts and quenched jaws. The ZHRMJZG states high-strength forged steel with a rust-preventing surface coating (its spec table says alloy steel). Ductile iron with a stated PSI figure is the most checkable claim of the set.
Swivel and mounting decide how the vise lives on your bench. The two Nakkaas state 360-degree swivel bases (lockable on the 5 in), the ZHRMJZG 270 degrees, the CR40A 210 degrees and the 1305 120 degrees. The ZHRMJZG is the only one that clamps to the bench edge for tables up to 2.3 in thick with no drilling; the other four bolt through mounting holes, and only the Forward 1305 includes the bolts (3).
Garage Fit Check
- Bolt it through the bench, not just to the edge, unless it is the clamp-mount ZHRMJZG.
- Check the swivel locks before heavy grinding; both Nakkaas list a lockable 360-degree base.
- The 1305 includes 3 bolts; the others list mounting holes but no hardware.
- Keep fingers clear of the jaws and the handle swing; a 6600 lb clamp does not forgive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size bench vise do I need?
For a home garage, 4 to 5 in jaws cover most work: the listings here run 4, 4.5 and 5 in wide with openings from 3.3 to 5 in. Match the max opening to the thickest stock you clamp, and check throat depth for reach: 2 to 3 in here.
How much clamping force do I need?
The listings state 6600 lbs at the top and 20kN at the bottom, with the ZHRMJZG stating none. More force suits grinding and tapping; light assembly needs far less. Compare figures only within the same unit.
Do I need a swivel base?
It depends on the work. Bases here rotate 120 to 360 degrees for repositioning without unclamping. If every job faces one way, a fixed mount is fine; none of these five is fixed, so pick by the rest of the spec.
Can I mount a vise without drilling the bench?
The ZHRMJZG clamps to the bench edge for tables up to 2.3 in thick with no drilling. The other four bolt through mounting holes; only the Forward 1305 includes the bolts.
Which vise has a warranty?
The Forward 1305 states 1-year limited parts replacement; the ZHRMJZG promises unconditional replacement within 3 years. The other three state no warranty term.
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