Premium clamps or proven value: PONY Workbench vs Workmate 301

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This category doesn’t really apply to workbenches, so there’s no meaningful winner here. What matters instead is the working surface and how usable the bench is in a real workshop. The PONY’s advertised dimensions are 79 x 89 x 63.5 cm, which suggests a fairly compact footprint suited to a small garage or garden workshop. The BLACK+DECKER Workmate 301 is similarly aimed at portability and space-saving storage, but the PONY’s extra accessories give it the edge in day-to-day usability. Winner: PONY, because its included clamp dogs and quick clamps make the surface more functional straight out of the box.

Performance

For performance, the PONY wins clearly. Its headline load ratings are much higher: 227 kg as a workbench and 454 kg as a sawhorse. That gives you more confidence when planing oak, supporting sheet material, or holding heavier assemblies while cutting joints. The six adjustable height positions also make it more adaptable for different tasks, whether you’re crosscutting softwood skirting, sanding ash, or assembling cabinet parts. The Workmate 301 is perfectly serviceable for light DIY, but it is the more basic platform here and does not match the PONY’s stated capacity or adjustment range. Winner: PONY.

Build quality and design

Both products are folding, portable designs, but they are clearly pitched at different levels. The PONY looks like the more fully equipped system: 4 quick clamps, 4 clamp dogs, a tool tray, and multiple height settings. That is a proper workshop-minded design, especially if you regularly need to secure awkward stock like planed redwood, ply panels, or mitred framing. The BLACK+DECKER Workmate 301 has the advantage of simplicity and the long-established Workmate format, which many users trust because it is familiar and easy to understand. However, the PONY feels more modern and purpose-built for users who want more clamping options without adding separate accessories. Winner: PONY, for more capable design and better included kit.

Battery life

Neither product is battery powered, so there is no battery life to compare. In practical terms, this is actually a plus for both: no charging, no cells to degrade, and no workshop downtime. For a bench tool, the relevant question is reliability over time, and both avoid the maintenance issues that come with cordless kit. Winner: tie.

Price and value for money

This is where the BLACK+DECKER Workmate 301 dominates. At £31.49, it is £128.50 cheaper than the PONY at £159.99. That is a huge gap, and for many hobbyists it changes the whole decision. If you only need a folding support for the odd flat-pack build, trimming a bit of MDF, or holding timber while you drill and screw, the Workmate 301 is a very strong value buy. The PONY is expensive, but the price reflects its higher load ratings, added clamps, and more versatile setup. In pure pounds-and-pence terms, though, the Workmate wins because it delivers the core function for a fraction of the cost. Winner: BLACK+DECKER Workmate 301.

Game library/features

Again, this is not a gaming product, so the relevant comparison is feature set. Here the PONY is the richer package: 6 adjustable height positions, 4 quick clamps, 4 clamp dogs, and a tool tray. That means less faffing about hunting for accessories and more time actually working. The Workmate 301 offers the core folding bench/sawhorse/platform concept, but it is the simpler, more stripped-back option. If you regularly switch between holding boards, clamping small parts, and supporting longer stock, the PONY’s extras make a real difference. Winner: PONY.

Overall user experience

The best user experience depends on your workload. The PONY feels like the bench you buy when you want one portable station to do a bit of everything: clamping, sawing, assembling, and supporting heavier work. It is better suited to a serious hobbyist, a small trade user, or anyone with a proper garage workshop who handles hardwoods, carcass work, or site repairs. The BLACK+DECKER Workmate 301 is easier to justify if you want something light, familiar, and cheap that folds away after occasional use. It may not be as feature-rich, but for many UK DIYers that simplicity is exactly what they need. Winner: PONY for capability, Workmate 301 for straightforward casual use.

Overall summary: the PONY is the better bench in almost every functional category, with higher stated load ratings, more adjustment, and a much better accessory set. But the BLACK+DECKER Workmate 301 is the better value by a wide margin, and for light-duty DIY it is the smarter purchase. If you want the best all-round folding workbench and are happy to pay for it, buy the PONY. If you want a dependable, budget-friendly Workmate for occasional jobs, buy the BLACK+DECKER.