If you’re a DIYer or a creative person who spends most of the time in your garage carrying out different tasks, you understand how important it is to have the right tools and setup. One key thing you shouldn’t lack in your garage is a rolling garage stool. A good rolling garage stool can be the difference between experiencing backaches after long days at work and looking forward to the next day.
But what makes a good shop stool? What should you consider when buying a rolling garage stool? We are here to help. We’ve done our research, analyzed tens of products, and found three garage stools that are worth the money. Keep reading to learn more about our recommendations for the best garage stools 2021.
The Three Best Garage Stools
The three products below stood out for having a combination of seat height adjustment technology, ability to handle significant weight capacity, and extended warranty period. Let’s review the three in greater depth.
Best Overall\Best Rolling Stool – DeWALT Padded, Rolling Shop/Garage Stool
DeWALT is one of the most popular brands in the tools and accessories niche. They have made a name for offering quality products at affordable prices. Out of the many stool seats we analyzed, this padded, rolling shop stool with a tool tray stood out.
DeWALT took time to design and make this seat. You’ll like the fact that the seat’s frame is solid and sturdy, making it possible for it to withstand up to 300 lbs. of weight. Steel material is known to be prone to rust and corrosion, which is why DeWALT coated the frame with an industrial-grade powder finish to avoid such issues. All this work means that the stool will retain its shiny color for a long time.
The stool features a rack at its bottom, which can also double as a footrest. DeWALT made the rack adjustable for comfort, which means you can level it to your seat heat.
Like any other good garage stool, this padded rolling shop stool allows for 360 degrees swiveling sitting to make your work easier. In addition, the comfortable padded seat and lower back support enable you to have an easier time in your garage.
Pros
- Comes fully assembled
- The seat is padded and has a textured cover, so it won’t rip or get torn.
- The stool has a robust and solid steel frame to allow it to withstand over 300 lbs.
- Has storage rack at the bottom that can double as footrest
- Has adjustable height design
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- It has a small storage rack compared to other stools
What Customers Are Saying About This Seat
Most customers recommend this seat for being well built, and thus it ticks our box for being durable.
There were mentions of the seat wheels lacking their seamless movement on rough floors, but this is not a deal-breaker unless you work in a garage where there’s a lot of sawdust and pebbles.
In addition, some customers questioned its design when raised, claiming it makes them lean forward.
Overall, the consensus was that the DeWALT Padded, Rolling Shop/Garage Stool is durable, comfortable, and thus worth the money.
- 360-degree swiveling, foam-padded seat with textured vinyl cover that resists rips and tears
- Adjustable height from 22.5 to 26.75 inches high
- Industrial strength wire grid lower shelf to keep necessary tools and supplies close at hand
- Rolling or stationary - both 360-degree casters and protective nylon feet are included
- Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel frame construction
- 300-pound capacity
Runner up – WORKPRO Heavy Duty Adjustable Hydraulic Shop Stool
Suppose you’re in search of a rolling garage stool that’s not only durably constructed but also aesthetically appealing. In that case, this heavy-duty adjustable hydraulic shop stool by WORKPRO may be worth consideration. Having this stool in your garage shop will elevate its look and make it classy. If you don’t like black, you can go with pink or green stool.
In addition to being classy, this shop stool has an adjustable height system that can adjust from 29 inches to 33.86 inches, thereby enabling you to set the perfect height that guarantees maximum comfort when working.
In addition, it’s highly flexible thanks to the 360-degree rotation and has a load capacity of 330 pounds. What’s more, is that the well-padded seat makes it comfortable.
Minor drawbacks include a lack of manufacturer warranty and a challenging assembly process. However, the good thing is that there’s an instruction manual to help you assemble the stool.
Overall, you won’t be disappointed with this hydraulic shop stool if you’re looking for something that will serve you for a long time. It’s durably constructed, and the reviews emphasized how superb this product is. The padded seat, durable frame, and adjustable height design make this seat worth the money.
Pros
- The stool has a 360-degree swiveling design for enhanced flexibility
- Heavy-duty structure to make it durable
- 330lbs load capacity
- Well-padded and soft seating area
- Aesthetic and classy
Cons
- Steep assembly process
- No warranty
- Slightly smaller seat area
What Customers Are Saying About This Seat
People who own this stool pointed out that it’s pretty challenging to assemble if you fail to follow the instructions on the user manual.
Heavier individuals highly praised the stool’s ability to handle their weight without wobbling or showing weakness.
Overall, many complaints revolved around assembly issues, but you need to follow the instructions in the user manual as we mentioned earlier.
- Steel
- Stool rotates 360 degree for maximum flexibility
- Heavy duty structure
- Padded soft Seat, The diameter of Seat is 13. 78 in. (350mm)
- Hydraulic Seat Height adjust from 29 inch to 33. 86 inch (75 to 86 cm)
- Maximum load capacity: 330lbs (150KGS)
Best Budget – CRAFTSMAN Fixed Height Work Shop Stool
Having a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t find a durable option. The CRAFTSMAN Fixed Height Work Shop Stool is a perfect buy for anyone who values functionality more than design.
What’s surprising about this budget stool is that it allows you to turn around freely, thanks to the 360-degree footrest. In other words, you don’t have to change positions to get a tool on another tabletop.
It has a height of 28.5 inches, which is a bit taller than other stools on our list. The seat has a solid frame and thus can hold up to 300 lbs. of weight.
Another outstanding feature is that the seating area is padded to guarantee comfort and has a vinyl cover to resist rip and tears. In addition, the textured vinyl cover makes cleaning the seat easy.
It has a simplified design that allows it to blend perfectly with any garage setup. In addition, its design makes it applicable even in other settings, such as for use around your home bar.
The assembling process doesn’t call for sophisticated tools or advanced skills. However, with a screwdriver and crescent wrench, you can have this rolling shop tool assembled and ready for use in a few minutes.
Pros
- Durable vinyl cover to prevent rips
- Strong steel construction to make it durable
- Foam padded seat for comfort
- Pretty affordable price
Cons
- Don’t swivel
- Not height adjustable
What Customers Are Saying About This Seat
Generally, CRAFTSMAN Fixed Height Work Shop Stool has received outstanding reviews, with many customers praising it for being sturdy and comfortable. Also, tall and heavier people seem generally satisfied with the stool’s durability. In addition, the stool is pretty affordable and gets the job done.
- Big support - built to handle stress, this bar height stool's seat can easily support up to 300lb
- Fixed height - stool seat has a fixed height of 28.5-inches to suit most workbenches
- Rip resistant - heavy-duty, padded vinyl seat is easy to clean and resists rips and tears
- 360-degree footrest - attached 360-degree footrest allows for any sitting position
- Non-marring feet - each leg of the powder-coated steel frame has a non-marring foot to protect floors
Why Do You Need A Rolling Garage Stool?
Garage stools promote comfort while working, which translates to more productivity as you’ll not be subjecting your body to avoidable fatigue and pain. Other known benefits of investing in a garage stool include;
Boost Your Muscular Endurance
A garage stool doesn’t feature the usual backrests and armrests found in most chairs. Instead, they have a design that forces your body to support itself. The stool design forces you to sit correctly using your back, legs, and abdominal muscles. The plyometric contractions strengthen your muscles and boost their endurance.
Improves your Posture
A garage stool with lower back support will naturally force you to sit in the proper position, thereby aligning your correct posture. Likewise, using your back and core to support the lumbar region aligns your spine to its normal S-curve.
Offer Back Pain Relief
By boosting your muscle strength and improving your posture, you’ll reduce the tension in your upper back and neck that usually contributes to back pain.
How to Choose the Best Garage Stool
Having the right stool will allow you to work on your projects for longer hours without feeling fatigued and experiencing back pains. The design of the stool should be one of the things you should look out for. A good shop stool should have a padded seating area and provide support to your back and legs.
The idea is to force your body to assume a proper posture that allows good air circulation. Here are the things to look out for when shopping for a shop stool:
Backrest and Footrest
Stools come in different designs, and whichever design you go for is usually a personal decision. However, there are things you shouldn’t compromise, and the footrest is one of those factors. A footrest helps keep your feet from dangling, which alleviates the pressure on your inner thighs.
In addition, you should avoid stools with a complete back design, especially when you’re used to working for longer hours. Backless seats force your body to maintain the correct, upright posture.
Comfort
While many people only check the thickness of the seating area and the presence of a padded backrest when determining if a stool is comfortable, the true indicator of a stool’s comfort is in its ergonomics.
One aspect of this is in the seat diameter. Most stools have a 14-inch seating area, but if you find one with a larger diameter, the better. An extensive seating allowance guarantees comfort, as long as it’s padded. I have never heard anyone say, “this stool would have been better if it was smaller.”
In addition, height adjustability and the ability to rotate 360 degrees also help to promote comfort. The footrest too helps prevent leg fatigue, especially for people who sit for extended periods.
Weight Capacity
Although this may seem obvious, many people tend to overlook it. A good stool should be able to withstand your work in the garage, rather than your weight. If, for example, you weigh 180lbs, you can usually use a stool with a carrying capacity of over 200lb. However, this may seem logical, but if you consider that you’ll be holding heavier pieces such as a transmission, you understand why you need a stool that can handle more weight load.
Our advice is to go for a stool with a capacity to handle over 300 lbs. Luckily, this is becoming the standard weight capacity for garage stools. All our choices above can hold more than 300 lbs.
Adjustability
Another feature to keep in mind when shopping for a shop stool is the height-adjustable options. Again this is a matter of personal preference. A stool that allows you to adjust its height will add to your comfort as you can set different height positions depending on the project you’re working on. If you go for a stool with a fixed height, make sure it fits your height.
Tool Tray
A tool tray feature will help keep your tools handy. Luckily, most of the stools come with a tool tray, which often doubles as a footrest.
For professionals, a magnetic tool tray will be more convenient for you and make your work easier.
Wheels vs. Rubber Feet
There’s nothing wrong with having a stool with wheels or rubber feet. Choosing between the two is more of a personal preference.
A shop stool with rubber feet is suitable for people who prefer maximum stability and don’t move around a lot.
However, if you value mobility, a rolling shop stool will come in handy. Keep in mind that stools with wheels are a bit pricier than those with rubberized feet. In addition, the wheels may need replacement with time as they tend to crack.
Should you go for rolling shop stools, go for models with lockable wheels to help you stay in position when you need to work on a stationary project.
Stool Material
The quality of the material used in a shop stool dictates its durability. For the frame, steel and aluminum are the most popular materials, and many people prefer them for being sturdy and long-lasting. Make sure they have a coating to prevent rusting and corrosion. Plastic stools, no matter how sturdy they are, are not a good option for garage seating.
A good stool should have a durable material such as polyvinyl chloride (vinyl) or polyurethane covering the seating area.
Budget
Lastly, you should consider the cost of a stool. Although you shouldn’t have a fixed budget for a stool, a few dollars beyond your budget shouldn’t prevent you from ordering a top-quality stool. The good news is that, even if you’re on a tight budget, you can get budget-friendly shop stools that are durable.
Frequently Asked Questions
We cover some of the most commonly asked questions regarding shopping garage stools:
What Are the Best Brands for Making Garage Shop Stools?
In the garage stools niche, renowned brands have built a reputation for making high-quality stools. However, that doesn’t make all their products suitable for everyone – picking a garage shop stool is a matter of personal preference as there’s no one-stool-fits-everyone option.
The three garage stools on this list are from trustworthy brands that value durability, functionality, and aesthetics.
How Tall Should a Garage Shop Stool Be?
There is no perfect height of a stool as it all depends on your height and working bench. A good shop stool should allow you to adjust its height to suit different working spaces. If you go for a fixed garage shop stool, make sure it fits your working space and height.
Why Should I Go For a Garage Shop Stool That Allows for 360 Swiveling?
A stool that allows for 360-degrees rotation enables you to work in any direction. Also, it gives you flexibility so that you don’t have to scoot your stool back from the counter whenever you want to stand. The 360-degree feature is even more critical when you have limited space in your garage.
Are Garage Stools With Backrests Better Than Those Without?
Again, this depends on your requirements as both types of stools are great. However, stools with a backrest will come in handy for people who prefer leaning over when working or relaxing.
How Can I Assemble Garage Stools At Home?
In most cases, garage stools makers include instruction manuals. However, if the user manual is missing or unclear, you can find tutorials on YouTube for your specific stool brand.
What’s the Best Garage Stool for Me?
We chose the above shop stools based on quality, features, and the value they offer. However, if it’s still challenging to choose a suitable shop stool among the three, here are our recommendations:
If you’re on a tight budget, we’ve listed a budget-friendly option on this list – CRAFTSMAN Fixed Height Work Shop Stool. Although this stool lacks height adjustment and aesthetics, it has all the necessary features, including a sturdy frame, large seating area, ample weight load capacity, and padded seat.
If quality is your priority, you should go for WORKPRO Heavy Duty Adjustable Hydraulic Shop Stool, as it’s made of premium materials, thus serving you for a long time.For people looking for the best overall garage stool for their money, the DeWALT Padded, Rolling Shop/Garage Stool is the perfect option as it provides all the necessary features a standard garage stool should have.
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