After spending hundreds of hours researching 145 squat racks and running tests on dozens, we found 6 budget power racks to suit your needs.
We assessed each rack against 10 ‘weighted’ criteria. For example, the price has a bigger weighting in this guide compared to the warranty.
Our team of certified personal trainers, and home gym enthusiasts have found the perfect one for you needs whether you have a low ceiling, hardly any money, or you lack floor space.
Are you in the market for other budget home gym gear? We’ve also tested the best budget barbells, weight benches and bumper plates. Also make sure you grab a bargain during Black Friday with these gym equipment deals.
Editors note: This review was updated March 4, 2024, to ensure product availability and pricing accuracy. The REP SR-4000 was replaced with the Titan T3 due to the price rise on the REP squat stand.
Best for | Overall | Squat rack | Premium | Folding | Low ceiling | Cheap |
Rating (*) | ||||||
Quality | 73% | 84% | 95% | 80% | 73% | 90% |
Versatility | 84% | 68% | 97% | 72% | 78% | 74% |
Compactness | 83% | 87% | 92% | 95% | 89% | 87% |
Price | 91% | 91% | 65% | 87% | 92% | 96% |
Price | $$ | $$ | $$$$$ | $$ | $$ | $ |
Footprint | 19.3 | 15.7 | 5.6-14.4 | 6.7-13.1 | 19.3 | 16.3 |
Height (") | 83.6 | 92.5 | 80/93 | 82/91 | 72 | 83.5 |
Depth (") | 48 | 48 | 16| 24| 30|41 | 21| 41 (5| 8 folded) | 48 | 50.5 |
Width (") | 58 | 47 | 50.8 | 46 | 58 | 46.5 |
Pull up bar | 1.25" & 2" bar | 1.25" bar | 5 options | 1.25" bar | 1.25" & 2" bar | Multi grip |
Weight capacity (lbs) | 700 | 1000 | 1000 | 1100 | 700 | 800 |
Steel material | 2x2" 14 gauge | 2x3" 11 gauge | 3x3" 11 gauge | 2x3" 11 gauge | 2x2" 14 Gauge | 2x2" 14 gauge |
Hole spacing (") | 2 | 2 (1 bench area) | 2 (1 bench area) | 2 (1 bench area) | 2 | 3 |
Hole size (") | 1 | 11/16 | 5/8 | 11/16 | 1 | 5/8 |
Warranty | Lifetime | 1 year | Lifetime | 1 year | Lifetime | 1 year |
Rack weight (lbs) | 133 | 140 | 330 | 140-175 | 123 | 134 |
Our testing and selection process
Compactness (15%)
1. Folding or space-saving
Depending on the room you want to set up your home gym in, and the equipment you want to get, you may be limited in terms of space.
Not everyone has massive rooms free to deck out with countless pieces of equipment.
If this is the case for you, opt for a model that is space-saving or capable of folding like the RML-90SLIM rack. These can help you make the most of your available space to create the best gym for your needs.
Quality & Safety (25%)
2. 11 gauge steel or better
The type of steel a rack uses is important. You’ll want to choose a steel that is strong and durable enough to cope with demanding workouts. Especially if you prefer the heavier weights!
The general rule of thumb is that the lower the gauge of steel, the thicker it is. And the thicker it is, the stronger it is. 11 gauge steel is about ⅛” thick, and is very strong.
11 gauge steel or better is considered to be more than enough for the majority of gym users. It’s why the SR-4000 is our top budget squat rack pick.
However, steel gauge is one of the big things that is a factor in the price. 12 or 14 gauge steel is generally fine if you don’t lift anything over 400 lbs. Or if you take precautions such as working out with someone else.
3. 1000 pounds+ weight capacity
The weight capacity of your chosen rack will be another important factor to consider.
It’s important to bear in mind that not all products will share their weight capacity. Many companies tend to overstate how much weight the products can take.
So if your chosen rack states it can take 1000 pounds or more, that’s a good sign. A good indicator for this is 11 gauge steel. This type of steel can take up to 1000 pounds of weight on it, so will suit your needs.
Another indicator is if the rack weighs less than 110 pounds, it probably uses weaker steel.
The Rogue SML-3 Monster Lite is a rack that definitely takes more than 1,000 lbs!
4. Can spotter arms/bars/straps be used?
If you’re looking for a rack to add to your home gym so you can workout alone, then this is a crucial thing to look for. Safety or spotter arms is one of our essential recommendations.
Some racks don’t come with spotter arms or straps. If you know you’ll be working out alone in your home gym, avoid these.
Opt for a different model that will have your safety in mind. Trust us – it’s not worth the potential damage you could suffer. Especially if it keeps you from using your new rack.
It’s worth bearing in mind that some folding racks do not recommend using spotter arms with them. The Titan T-3 folding rack doesn’t recommend this (although people do still use them) but it’s something to be aware of.
5. Lifetime warranty
You might not think much about a warranty. But if the manufacturer is offering a lifetime warranty, this is often a good sign that they take their racks seriously.
If they take their racks seriously, you’ll know you’re not buying a rack that’s going to break easily and leave you out of pocket. It gives you peace of mind that you can get it replaced if something goes surprisingly wrong with it too!
Titan Fitness is a great budget brand, but they only offer a 1 year warranty.
REP and Rogue both offer lifetime, which is why the PR-4000 is our upgrade pick.
Versatility (25%)
6. Is a squat rack safe without anchoring?
If you live in a rented building, you might not have the freedom to anchor your gym equipment to your wall. Or perhaps you just don’t want to potentially damage your home with some amateur DIY!
Whatever the case, there are plenty of power racks and squat racks that are safe for use without anchoring. Find a model that features flat feet. These are normally safe to use without having to anchor them to anything.
It’s a big reason by the PR-1100 is our top pick for a budget power rack.
Another thing to look out for is a model that uses good steel and weighs more than 150 pounds. That tends to be a good sign that the rack is safe without the need to be anchored.
If it comes with plate storage this also helps to weigh it down and stabilize it.
7. 1” or “Westside” hole spacing
Westside spacing is more practical than standard 2” hole spacing. This features 2” spaces between the holes on the rack, but uses 1” spaces in the bench press area, which is the part that matters most.
This allows for more precise positioning of your safety arms. When you bench press, you don’t want to have your spotter arms too high.
Otherwise, you’ll hit them on every rep. However, if they’re too low, they will be pointless. Plus it will still be painful when you can’t lift that last rep!
The Titan T-3 squat stand is super cheap and has 1″ hole spacing!
8. Pull-up bar included
This is a great addition to look for in a power rack and a squat rack. An included pull-up bar will save you hassle in the long run.
It means you don’t need to spend more money on equipment like a power tower.
A power rack or squat rack that comes with a pull-up bar will be more versatile than one without. It will give you more exercises that you can use it for!
9. Does it have plate storage?
If you want a power rack or squat rack that’s able to help you keep everything in one place, plate storage will be an essential feature.
Plate storage helps you keep all your weights right where you need them.
This will also help to weigh the equipment down when you’re using it. Ideal if you’re worried about the rack wobbling or falling when you use it.
If your chosen power rack or squat rack doesn’t come with plate storage, you’ll need to buy additional storage racks. Which could be more costly in the long run and will take up more precious space in your home gym.
Pricing (35%)
10. Good value
When it comes to choosing the best model for you, cost will be an important factor to consider.
Of course, you’ll want to choose the best model possible – but can you afford it? Similarly, is your ideal power rack or squat rack good value for money?
Think about what you need to use it for. Then take a look at the points above and consider whether your chosen power rack or squat rack gives you value for money.
You should aim to buy the best model you can afford that meets all or most of our criteria. But if you just want the cheapest squat rack possible then the Cap squat stand is for you.
Pick the best budget power rack for you
Overall | Squat rack | Premium | Folding | Low ceiling | Cheap
1. Best Budget Power Rack – Our Pick: REP PR-1000
The REP PR-1000 is our top pick for a budget power rack. Based on its value proposition, it’s the best power rack for the money.
It costs around $20 more than the REP PR-1100, which was a close second.
The reason it beats it is mainly because it has 2″ hole spacing instead of 3″.
If you’ve ever done a bench press alone, you’ll know there is nothing more annoying than getting stuck under a bar you can’t lift. The next most annoying thing is not being able to use a full range of motion because you hit the spotter pins on the way down.
This 2″ spacing makes it much easier to get the perfect height on those pins.
It also has 2 pull up bars compared to the PR-1100’s multi grip pull up bar. This can be useful to hang resistance bands or a TRX on one, or even a cable pulley system.
It also has the weight horns at the back allowing you to store weight plates and help to pin the rack down to make it even more stable.
This rack is ideal for you if you know you will never lift close to 500 lbs and you are on a really tight budget.
It has a weight capacity of 700 pounds. Most people won’t lift anywhere near this much. But to be on the safe side you should probably consider one of our upgrade picks below if you do squat more than 500 lbs.
The REP PR-1000 also is compatible with a range of attachments. So you can adapt it to suit the workouts you’re after and upgrade it over time if budget is your driving factor.
The 14 gauge steel isn’t as thick or durable as our recommended 11 or 12 gauge steel.
But it simply does the job at an entry-level price.
It’s still strong enough for most people. Just note it may be a bit lighter than racks with thicker steel like the PR-4000. So buying some weight plate storage pegs to hold it down may be a smart move.
Pros
- 2 Pull-up bars – capacity of 400 pounds.
- No need to anchor – safe for use without anchoring the power rack, the storage plate holders at the back help too.
- Versatile – additional add ons available.
- Amazing value – great budget option.
Cons
- 14 gauge steel – It can cope with up to 700 lbs but it’s not as strong as 11 gauge steel like on the PR-4000.
- 2″ hole spacing- Not as ideal as “westside” or 1″ spacing so you can place the spotter arms at the perfect height for a bench press (but it’s better than 3 or 4″ spacing).
Check the PR-1000 overview and price here.
2. Best Budget Squat Rack- Our Pick: Titan T3
Our top budget squat stand pick comes from Titan Fitness. You simply cannot beat the quality of a squat rack for this price.
The REP SR-4000 used to be our top pick but since their recent improvements from 2×2″ to 3×3″ 11 gauge steel the price has also shot up as a result.
The T3 comes in around 50% cheaper if you buy the rack with spotter arms (I would highly recommend buying spotter arms for any rack if you are lifting alone.)
With westside hole spacing it makes it ideal to position the spotter arms to the perfect height when bench pressing.
You will notice that the rack will be much more unstable than a power rack. If you drop a heavy squat (350lbs+) on the spotter arms it will catch the bar. But the rack may fall over if the bar lands on the end.
It’s the unfortunate truth about most squat stands.
But if you are tight on space and on a tight budget this may be perfect for you. Especially if you know you don’t plan to lift too heavy by yourself.
Titan T3’s high specs make it a great option in the budget home gym squat rack category. It offers many of the features you’d expect from a power rack but at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Large weight capacity – suitable for more than 1000 pounds.
- 48×47″ base – the long flat feet mean the rack won’t wobble as much as other stands.
- Versatile – suitable for use with most Titan accessories.
- 11 gauge steel – sturdy for demanding workouts.
Cons
- Not a power rack – some people prefer the added stability of the four pillared power rack.
- No plate storage – having a plate storage at the back is a great way to anchor the rack down even more.
Check the Titan T3 overview and price here.
3. Power Rack Upgrade: REP PR-4000
For the ultimate power rack upgrade, the REP PR-4000 is our top pick. This particular rack is fully customizable, so you can pick and choose which features you’d like.
It’s been designed with demanding heavy-duty workouts in mind and has a large weight capacity of 1000 pounds to match. The rack itself is commercial-grade, so you’ll know it can withstand the heavier workouts.
The versatility of this power rack makes it a great choice for those who are serious about their workouts. However, depending on the equipment you choose to go with it, the price tag will differ.
Pros
- Large weight capacity – suitable for up to 1000 pounds.
- 11 gauge steel – strong and sturdy.
- Plate storage – keep everything in one place.
- Westside spacing – for more comfortable, precise lifting.
- No anchoring needed – safe for use without anchoring.
Cons
- Expensive – more of a luxury option.
Check the REP PR-4000 overview and price here.
4. Best Budget Folding Rack- Our Pick: Titan Fitness T-3 Folding Power Rack
Our best budget pick for folding racks is the Titan Fitness T-3 folding power rack. This model gives you the functionality of a power rack, but with a much smaller footprint.
Folding racks are the perfect choice for home gyms that might not have a lot of space to play with.
What’s great about this particular folding rack is that you can choose the height and depth to suit your home gym. It’s also a great pick if you’re trying to kit your home gym out on a budget.
The Titan Fitness T-3 folding power rack comes with all the hardware you need to install it, too. The manufacturer recommends building the rack with two people.
Something to think about is that this particular Titan power rack doesn’t come with plate storage.
Pros
- 11 gauge steel – strong and sturdy for demanding workouts.
- Space-saving – the Titan Fitness T-3 folding power rack is ideal for smaller home gyms.
- Large weight capacity – supports more than 1000 pounds.
- Versatile – pull-up bar included.
- Westside spacing – more precise safety arms.
Cons
- No plate storage – need to buy an additional storage rack.
- Pins to fold – make it awkward to fold away unlike the more pricey PRX folding rack.
Check the Titan T3 folding rack overview and price here.
5. Best Power Rack for Low Ceiling: Rep PR-1050
Our best pick for a low ceiling is the Rep PR-1050 power rack. This compact squat rack has been designed with small spaces in mind and measures 72” tall.
If you have a smaller space with limited ceiling room, this rack will be a good fit.
The strong, stable base of the power rack means that it doesn’t need to be anchored for you to use it safely.
There’s also the possibility of adding safety arms, bars, or straps if you wanted to use the power rack on your own.
While this rack doesn’t have a massive weight capacity, it can support up to 700 pounds. However, this still gives you plenty of room for maneuver in terms of exercises.
And it’s got many other great specs to make up for the smaller weight capacity.
Pros
- Space-saving – ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
- Pull-up bar – a greater variety of exercises.
- Plate storage – for added stability.
- Safe for solo use – doesn’t need to be anchored.
- Value for money – reasonably priced.
Cons
- Smaller weight capacity – not suited to exercises above 700 pounds.
Check the REP PR-1050 and price here.
6. Best Cheap Power Rack: Fitness Reality 810XLT
The Fitness Reality 810XLT is a great choice if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful option. This power rack gives you all the essentials you need to workout at home, all the while fitting the description of an “affordable squat rack”.
This power rack also comes with a pull-up bar, which is a must in my opinion.
While it might not have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive rack, it is still a versatile piece of equipment. It is suitable for use with most strength training exercises.
What’s great about the Fitness Reality 810XLT is that it comes with 2 dual mounted safety bars. The power rack also features flat feet for more stability during your workouts.
One thing to consider is that it doesn’t have as large a weight capacity as other racks.
Pros
- Affordable – #1 among the cheap power racks, with decent specs.
- Safety bars included – for safer solo lifting.
- Versatile – suitable for a variety of exercises.
- Stable – no need to anchor the rack.
- Plate storage – for a more stable rack.
Cons
- Not space-saving – requires more floor space than folding racks.
Check the Fitness Reality 810XLT overview and price here.
Best Budget Power Racks & Squat Racks Buyer’s Guide
There are 4 main things to consider when buying a power rack or squat rack.
- How much space do you have?
- Safety & quality of the rack
- Practicality & type- what do you need it to do?
- Your budget
Once you’ve considered all 4 of these criteria you should have a better idea of which power rack or squat rack will be the best fit for your home gym.
To help you more with the decision-making process, here are the criteria that we used for our tests.
These are worth thinking about when it comes to choosing the best power rack or squat rack for your home gym.
Click here to see more information on how we assess racks.
Types of Squat Racks
There are four main types of squat racks:
- Power racks
- Squat racks
- Half racks
- Folding racks
Choosing the best one for you will depend on what you want to use it for.
There are benefits and drawbacks to all four types of squat racks. We’ve put together this table to help you weigh the pros and cons of each. This should help you choose the best squat rack for the money (and your needs).
| Foldable/Wall Rack | Squat Rack or Stand | Half Rack | Power Rack | |
| Depth | 9” (folded) 20-41” | 26-60” | 30-64” | 32-85” |
| Width | 48-56” | 48-54” | 48-58” | 46-58” |
| Height | 73-91” | 73-91” | 73-100” | 73-100” |
| Upright posts | 2 (levers attach to wall) | 2 | 2 (+2 behind) | 4 (sometimes 6) |
| Safety bars or arms | Arms (not always supported) | Arms (additional) | Arms (additional) | Bars (pins_ or straps |
| Pull-up bar on top | Usually | Sometimes | Yes | Yes |
| Budget price | $350 | $150 | $500 | $300 |
| Mid range price | $550 | $350 | $750 | $800 |
| Upgrade price | $849 | $650 | $950 | $1175 |
Best budget power rack – Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying a power rack?
When buying a power rack, you should look at the construction, versatility, and size of a power rack before making your decision.
Check if the power rack is folding or space-saving. Does it use 11 gauge steel or better for sturdy construction?
What’s the weight capacity like? Can spotter arms, bars, or straps be used? Does it come with a lifetime warranty? How practical is it?
Is the power rack safe for use without anchoring? What’s the spacing of the safety holes on the uprights? Is there a pull-up bar included? Does it have plate storage?
And of course, is it good value for money? When it comes to budget power racks, our top recommendation is the REP PR-1100.
Are power racks worth it?
A power rack is definitely worth it if you plan to lift heavy alone.
A power rack can also help you to do more exercises than a squat rack.
You can add attachments such as pulley cables to allow you to do face pulls or cable crossovers etc.
What is the best power rack to buy?
After reviewing over 127 power racks and squat racks, the REP 4000 tops the list. It’s hard to beat the overall value for the features on offer at this price point.
What is the best squat rack for beginners?
The best squat rack for beginners is the Cap Barbell Squat Stand. It is super affordable, yet provides you with all the essentials you look for in a squat rack.
If you’re a beginner, you want to test things out without splashing out too much money. The Cap Barbell Squat Stand gives you exactly that.
For the price tag, it is quite strong and sturdy, has a pull-up bar for extra variety, and has a relatively strong and stable base. All in all – a great option for beginners.
Can I deadlift inside a power rack?
Yes, you can deadlift inside a power rack such as the Rep Fitness PR-1100.
Power racks are safe and multi-functional.
Apart from doing deadlifts, you can also do front squats, back squats, bench presses, and many more.
The Bottom Line for Budget Power Racks & Squat Racks
After testing and reviewing 145 different racks against our 10 criteria, there are some clear winners.
Our top pick for a budget power rack is the REP PR-1000. This power rack met a lot of our key criteria. It covers a lot of essential workout basics, but with the lower price tag of a budget rack.
The REP PR 4000 is what I would personally recommend to most people if you can afford it though. The strength and versatility of this rack can grow with you and your home gym over time., which can actually save you money in the long run.
You can find the comparison table of all the racks we picked at the top of this page. Check out our full best squat racks guide if you’d like to see what other options there are on the market.
