Cutting patterns, grooves, and designs in pieces of wood is a picnic for a router. However, there are several and particular cases that they can’t work efficiently without a router table.
Ideally, routers using cutters or bits with 38 mm diameter should already be using a router table. This won’t just protect you from possible dangers, but it will also allow better control over the piece of wood you are working on.
Router tables, however, vary differently. Besides the accessories and features they come with, they also come in two basic types: benchtop and free-standing router table.
BENCHTOP ROUTER TABLES are smaller and usually come with very short legs. They promote portability due to their lightweight nature and due to their size, they can be easily put on top of a larger workbench or tabletop. One great example of this type is the Bosch RA1181 which just has the right size for a benchtop table router. It has a 27” work surface and a height of 18”.
FREE-STANDING ROUTER TABLES, on the other hand, are comparatively bigger and higher due to the length of their legs. With this, they can be used as standalone tables. Kreg PRS1045 is the best model for this type, with a height that can be adjusted from 31” to 39”. It also comes with casters and can be locked in place to assure it still has the stability you need when working.
Height and type, nonetheless, are not the only basis of a good router table as there are still lots of boxes that need to be ticked. This includes the quality, durability, materials, value, and accessories, and crucial parts integrated into the table.
Some of the things you need to check to include the table guard, fence opening, adjustability of featherboards, balanced mounting plate, size of work surface, portability, no-volt release switch, and effective dust extraction port.
To make sure you’ll get only the best of best, we rounded up the 5 best router tables. After series of tests and comparing them personally, we also highlighted some of their finest features and details. With that, take time reading each item we featured and make sure to check on their prices by clicking the buttons below.
Best Router Tables Comparison & Rating
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1. Kreg PRS1045 Precision Router Table
Brand | Kreg |
Type | Free-standing |
Weight | 69.9 pounds |
Height | Adjustable from 31" to 39" |
Kreg PRS1045 might not have the portability of Bosch RA1181, Bosch RA1171, or SKIL RAS900, but it has a great structure that allows it to work on bigger projects.
The model comes with the great size of a router table top at 24" x 32". This is what we primarily adore about it. With this wide working surface, you are allowed to use it for larger projects that often entail bigger sizes of wood pieces. The good thing about it is that it is designed with durability and efficiency in mind. Besides the 2 heavy steel inserts that help in supporting the weight of the router, its surface has 1” thick laminated MDF. This makes it possible for the pieces you are working on to slide on the surface without any fuss, translating to improved productivity.
The legs of the table are pretty thick as well and, without any count, can support a substantial amount of weight. We also applaud that Kreg has made the effort to improve the mobility of the table by adding durable casters on all of its feet. It is can be locked as well which can help in supporting its stance and stability while being used.
The router table also comes with a lot of very useful details and parts such as the three plastic throat inserts (with different opening sizes), aluminum T-track, dust collection port, level-loc reducing rings, and finger guard. Of all those things, what we love the most is the 36" T-square style of the table which ensures great measurements. Moreover, the table comes with a micro-adjust wheel which can make the setup easier and more exact according to your needs!
2. Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table
Brand | Bosch |
Type | Benchtop |
Weight | 30 pounds |
Height | 14-1/2" |
RA1181 is the leading benchtop router model from Bosch right now. It is an upgrade of the company’s former star, the RA1181 which ranks second on our list.
Bosch RA1181 is a router table with a benchtop design. It features a very nice extra-long aluminum top with a width of 27 inches. A bit wider than the 25” working area of RA1171. This means a wider area for you to work and this can further promote your control and precision over the piece. It also comes with an aluminum fence that is 4 7/8” tall and 25-1/8” long. Large enough for considerable sizes of wood pieces.
The storage design of this model is also pretty rich as it comes with a storage pocket, cord wrap storage station, ¾-inch accessory slot, and dust collection port. With this, keeping your station organized is pretty simple and straightforward.
Moreover, it has a height adjustment which makes it quite flexible despite being a benchtop type of router table. Also, it offers a great stance and stability. Really solid body. And talking about stability, it offers two feather boards for more balanced handling of wood. Sweet!
We also love how easy it is to use the entirety of the table. It has adjustment knobs that are huge that turning them is no problem at all. Tuning the guides, the fence, and mounting the router are all picnic! A true champion among all your choices!
3. Bosch RA1171 Cabinet Style Router Table
Brand | Bosch |
Type | Benchtop |
Weight | 42 pounds |
Height | 14-1/2 |
Bosch RA1171 is much more compact compared to its successor, RA1181, making it truly a good option if you have a very limited working space at home.
Compared to the slightly rough aluminum surface of RA1181, RA1171 has a very smooth 25” x 15.5” laminated die-cast aluminum table surface. The router plate, on the other hand, is made of cast aluminum which is truly dependable when it comes to stability and vibration absorption.
It is also very recommendable to beginners as it comes with lots of beneficial and ergonomic parts for easier performance of the task. This includes a very handy plastic guard pin, adjustable MDF face plates, ¾” accessory slot, and two adjustable feather boards. With this (And the phenomenal smooth texture of its table surface!), it can be a great choice for longer workpieces and day-to-day woodworking projects.
And to put a luscious red cherry on top of all those things, the cabinet body of the table doesn’t just offer great stability but so as a very, very efficient dust-collection management. Neat!
4. SKIL RAS900 Router Table
Brand | SKIL |
Type | Tabletop |
Weight | 31.7 pounds |
Height | 9.25" |
SKIL RAS900 is designed with the clear intention of making everything easy and convenient among its users: foldable legs making it more compact, a universal mounting plate, router mount quick-release system, and a preassembled package that saves you time.
The smooth 26” x16.5” laminated MDF surface also helps in the better management of the wood pieces and the height adjustment gauge is so efficient. The tall adjustable fence that comes with it also has a laminated MDF face which is great.
As for the overall functionality of the table: just pure excellence. It comes with two feather boards that promote stability in the workpieces. It is also backed with a guard and a starter pin for additional support and accuracy. With this, it is true that you’ll be amazed at the accuracy of cuts even how many times you repeat it! Just wow.
5. Kreg PRS2100 Benchtop Router Table
Brand | Kreg |
Type | Benchtop |
Weight | 26.1 pounds |
Height | 11-3/4" |
Kreg PRS2100 is an industrial-grade router table that is equipped with a lot of great features that empower it despite its size. First are the legs that are specifically built in a slanted manner to help the table further achieve better stability. Besides this fact, the rubber feet are also pretty capable of minimizing the effect of vibrations. With this, you’ll have a better experience, especially when working on some delicate and detailed woodwork projects. You can even use it as a steady table for other projects as vibration is not a threat to this brilliant model.
Just like the first items discussed, it also boasts a 16” x 24” MDF tabletop which is truly smooth. It also comes with an anodized aluminum fence which can be locked using the cam clamps provided. The table can also cater to industrial-grade routers, thanks to the three-level lock rings which improve the leveling of the 3/8-inch thick phenolic insert plate.
Moreover, given its price that makes it one of the most affordable router tables on the market, it is very pleasing that it comes with a lot of other useful features such as a bit guard, jointer routing, a 2-1/2 dust port, and adjustable sub-fences. Great steal!
Best Router Tables - Buyer's Guide
The tabletop of the router table will affect your performance and productivity greatly. That is why getting the best quality tabletop is very important. This includes the overall size of the tabletop. Ideally, it is better to have a wider space for you to work on as it will allow better management of almost all sizes of projects.
The material is also a factor to consider. Most router table manufacturers are using MDF as the primary material of their table surface. Yes, it is the most affordable material but when it comes to performance, it is the top of the class. It can withstand light to medium-duty tasks and promotes a better working experience.
The MDF, nonetheless, should be at least 1” thick to ensure the rigidity of the table. It is also best to have an MDF that is surfaced with melamine to ensure it has additional protection from wear. It also gives it a boost by enabling the material to be more slippery for effortless stock feeding.
The table’s base has a huge impact on the overall stability of the table. This translates to the accuracy of your performance and, of course, your safety. After all, no one wants to end up getting some injuries from a fast-rotating razor-sharp bit. With this, it is suggested that the base is made of sturdy materials like metals. The construction of the base can also be a factor. For instance, Kreg PRS2100 has unconventional slanted legs. Though this might look aesthetically awkward, the position of the legs actually better stability for the table. This allows it to remain unmoved regardless of the vibration of the router.
It is best if you know what you really need in terms of the style of the router table. The size of your workspace can help you decide about this. If you have limited space available, a benchtop router table can be a good choice. Besides their compact size, some of the models also come with foldable legs which can save you more space for storage. As long as you have some elevated workbench or a table, a benchtop style will be alright.
However, if you have a relatively large workspace, a free-standing router table would benefit you more. Besides the wider tabletop, it provides sufficient height for you to comfortably work on the wood pieces. This can serve as your very own router station and can even double as a regular table for other purposes. Mobility, of course, can be an issue for this type of router table but there are some models that come with casters. Nonetheless, make sure that the unit comes with some features capable of establishing its stability like caster locks. Kreg PRS1045 is a good example to have here.
It is also best to have a cabinet-style table. This won’t only provide additional stability, but it is a good option for better dust-collection management. Its downside, however, is the possibility of amplified sounds from the router. If that could be an issue for you, an open-body design would suit you more.
Using a router can be dangerous that is why a router table is a must when working on bigger wood pieces. Its parts are very essential in delivering the user’s safety. This includes the basic components of the table such as the adjustable bit guard and the feather boards that prevent kickbacks. It will also be best if it has additional safety features that will protect you and your curious kids from accidentally activating the router machine. For instance, Bosch RA1181 has a switch lock-out safety feature that prevents accidental activation of the power. Kreg PRS2100 also offers a great safety feature like this. Through its dual outlet switch, you have a two-stage system of activating the power. So, in case you accidentally hit the first switch, you still have the second one to protect you.
Some router tables come with additional accessories that can aid you in performing your tasks more efficiently. That is good news but, then again, keep in mind that these additional accessories or features are only available in few models. Some of these accessories include router table miter fence, router table lead-on pin, router table insert rings, router table pressures, router stop blocks, router table push tools, and collet extension. Keep an eye on these items and it will be more advisable to have such models that offer them. They won’t just make your job easier, but they will also give your router table additional value.
Best Router Tables - FAQs
Router tables will allow you to work on bigger wood pieces and projects with ease and precision. It will help and aid you in using larger bits for multiple accurate passes using its work surface and fence. Most of all, it can save you from injuries when using the bits.
A router table will allow you to work on intricate and huge workpieces with great precision. It can also allow you to do the same cut multiple times, create raised panel doors, stopped cuts, and work on small, narrow, or long material.
This all depends on your need. Sometimes, a 25” x 15.5” will be decent enough to cater to most average-sized projects. However, if you are always working with larger wood pieces, it is better to go for bigger and wider working surfaces like Kreg PRS1045’s tabletop at 24" x 32".
The thicker the tabletop is, the better it is for the router table. This will prevent the possibility of sagging tabletop. Nonetheless, a full-sized router tabletop made of MDF with 1” thickness should be good enough.
