The 10 Best Spring Clamps
Editor's Notes
August 19, 2020:
As they say, you can never have too many clamps, and we've included a range of sizes here to suit many kinds of needs. When it comes to strong, trustworthy choices, the Pony Heavy Duty and the CH Hanson 2-Inch both make excellent simple helpers, while the Irwin Quick-Grip Set and the Bessey VarioClippix are good for projects that demand more variability. In fact, you receive bar clamps with the Irwin set, so this could be a choice for beginning woodworkers who may not have many tools just yet.
We've kept some less expensive options, too, although these tend not to be as strong and durable. These include the Eachpole Nylon and the Workpro 16-Piece, both appropriate for light-duty tasks. We decided to remove the Wideskall Mini, however, which can be frustrating in use. Taking their place is the Neocraft 9-Inch, which open wider than most of the others. And, because these are made from metal, they should last for a long time.
June 17, 2019:
Spring clamps look so simple but can do so much, and we've tried to maximize this versatility by selecting strong options that function well in the home, garage, and workshop. At this time, top names include the Pony Heavy Duty and Bessey VarioClippix, both from names that woodworkers probably recognize. The Pony model is the simpler of the two, while the VarioClippix is "fancier" thanks to a sliding arm that allows for an adjustable opening. It's hard to say which one is better, because the usefulness will come down to your needs. If you find yourself switching sizes all the time, including up to something as wide as 4 inches, then the Bessey might suit. But if you tend to work with the same items repeatedly and don't need a lot of variation, the simpler Pony may be the best bet. For an upgrade to the Pony model, you might look at the FastCap 3-Way, which is more expensive but features an extra spring. At the opposite end of the price spectrum there's the Workpro 16-Piece, which should be fine for casual at-home jobs, like quick repairs or building forts for the kids. We don't recommend them for professional, robust use, though.