Best Shop Stools to Work for Long Hours Comfortably
Do you need to sit for a long time in one place while working at a shop or garage? Does your back ache after sitting on a hard, uncomfortable stool? The normal chairs and stools don’t offer as much flexibility and relaxation as a shop stool. It comes with a foam-padded, vinyl-covered seat and an extra strong steel frame to offer maximum comfort and bear a huge load. You can even get products with castor wheels that can roll on most floors.
With adjustable heights, a 360-degree swivel, and a footrest or a base tool rack, these stools have a lot to offer. The leading shop stools of 2023 are available to you right here, so you can select the perfect one for your workshop and your needs.
Buying Guide To Finding a Shop Stool
A shop stool is undoubtedly one of the most useful accessories for workshops, garages, and other places where you need to sit for a long time. Although there are a plethora of options to choose from, picking an ideal one is not an easy job. Keeping this in mind, we have curated a complete buying guide to help you compare their features, narrow down your choices, and invest in the right shop stool.
Is a Shop Stool and Bar Stool the Same?
- A shop stool provides all-day comfort as you have to sit for a long time to do your job. A bar stool cannot offer such an exceptional level of comfort and support.
- Most shop stools come with 360-degree swivel seats to help you turn around easily, while a bar stool features a rigid frame with no swiveling seat.
- You can easily adjust the height of a shop stool according to your convenience. A bar stool doesn’t come with this feature.
Factors To Consider When Choosing the Perfect Shop Stool
Load capacity
The load-bearing capacity of premium shop stools varies between 250-350 pounds. You should choose a product that can easily bear your weight without wobbling or collapsing.
Frame material
All shop stools come with a heavy-duty steel frame, which is highly durable, sturdy, and long-lasting. Most of them are coated to resist rusting, chipping, and fading. A shop stool with a high-polished chrome finish enhances the overall aesthetics of your shop while preventing corrosion.
Height
Different shop stools have different heights. Some are 15.5 inches, while others have a height of 20-29 inches. So, pick one that allows you to sit and work comfortably. It should also have a height adjustment mechanism so that you can change its height up to at least 4 inches when required.
Feet
If you want to move from one place to another in your workshop without getting up from your seat, choose a shop stool with castor wheels. Make sure they can roll over different surfaces, from marble to concrete. You can also find some products reinforced with anti-slip feet to prevent sudden displacement on the floor.
Seat
Most shop stools come with padded seats to offer maximum comfort and relief from body aches after sitting for a long time. Their upholstery is usually made from thick vinyl because this material has excellent resistance against tears and rips. Some products also have a 360-degree swiveling seat to help you turn around easily and enjoy the flexibility of working.
How Much Should You Spend on a Shop Stool?
Depending on various factors, the average price range of shop stools varies between $64-$167.
- If the shop stool has a storage grid shelf or a dish tray at the base, its price will be higher than those having a regular base design.
- When you choose a product with a greater height adjustment range or an adjustable backrest, its price will increase automatically.
- A shop stool with simple construction and no castor wheels costs lower than its counterparts.
The Finest Shop Stool You Can Buy In 2023
Dewalt Shop Stool
– Best Overall
Made for both home and workshop, this shop stool has everything you need to enhance your productivity while preventing fatigue. Its padded seat covered with thick vinyl upholstery offers excellent comfort and resistance against tears and rips. It has heavy-duty steel manufacturing that makes it sturdy enough to handle a load of up to 300 pounds. The powder-coated frame also keeps rust at bay.
You can easily adjust the height of this stool using the piston under your seat. It also comes equipped with 360-degree swiveling castor wheels for smoothly moving around. If you want the stool to be stationary, replace the castor wheels with nylon feet. Owing to its strong construction and comfortable seat, we have found this shop stool the best in our curated list.
- Highly durable and long-lasting
- Has a heavy-duty steel frame
- Wire grid shelf to keep tools and accessories
- Price is on the higher side
Craftsman Shop Stool
– Most Reasonable
Built to withstand a load of up to 300 pounds, this pocket-friendly shop stool doesn’t wobble or move from its place unexpectedly. It comes with a soft cushion that is thick enough to offer comfort and durability at the same time. Using the height adjustment lever, its height can be adjusted from 15.5 to 20 inches.
At the bottom of this stool, you will find a 15-inch tray with raised dividers to help you keep all the required tools within your reach. With its wide castor wheels, you can move from one place to another effortlessly.
- Castor wheels offer stable rolling
- The bottom tray keeps your tools organized
- Has a high weight-bearing capacity
- The seat is easy to clean
- Slippery vinyl seat
Workpro Shop Stool
– Sturdiest Option
This sturdy shop stool features a robust steel frame with a powder-coated surface to endure a maximum weight of 330 pounds and resist rusting, chipping, and fading. Its padded seat, with a diameter of 13.78 inches, is quite cozy. It also rotates 360 degrees to provide you with the flexibility to turn around with ease. Apart from the height adjustment mechanism, this stool also comes with a circular rim that you can use as a footrest.
- Doesn’t wobble or vibrate
- Extra strong and long-lasting
- Has a high load-bearing capacity
- Hydraulic height adjustability to suit your sitting style
- Doesn’t feature castor wheels
Sunex Shop Stool
– Most Comfortable
Designed to offer maximum comfort and support, this shop stool makes your job less stressful and tiring. It features a cushioned vinyl seat and low backrest, ensuring you can sit and lean back comfortably while working. Its strong steel frame has a highly polished chrome surface finish to prevent rusting and corrosion and handle weight up to 250 pounds.
Equipped with slip-resistant feet, this stool prevents sudden displacements and injuries when placed on an uneven surface. You can also easily change its height from 29 to 34 inches or adjust the backrest’s position according to your convenience.
- Offers maximum comfort
- Has a sleek look
- Can rotate 360 degrees
- Has an adjustable backrest
- The height of the backrest is pretty low
Wen Shop Stool
– Multipurpose
Designed to last the test of time, this shop stool is used at your workshop, garage, or bar counter. It has a chrome-plated steel body that keeps rust at bay and makes it sturdy. The padded vinyl seat lets you work comfortably throughout the day. It can also rotate 360 degrees, ensuring no hassle in turning around to fetch a tool or respond to your co-workers. With a standard height of 29 inches, this shop stool can meet your everyday needs at different places with ease.
- Can withstand a load of 300 pounds
- Fits any countertop and workstation
- Resists corrosion and rusting
- A circular rim can be used as a footrest
- Has a fixed height
People Also Asked
A: Most shop stools have strong and durable construction to ensure they can last for a long time. But the exact longevity depends on the material quality and the way you use it.
A: No, all shop stools do not come with castor wheels. So, if you want a movable model for your workshop or garage, make sure it has castor wheels that roll smoothly on all surfaces.
A: Cleaning a shop stool can extend its lifespan. Use a soft microfiber cloth or a wipe to clean the seat’s vinyl surface. For cleaning the steel frame, dry cloth will be a great choice.
