If you're hunting for an affordable street bench that still looks decent, you don't need to spend $300. The sweet spot is a 4-foot metal frame bench with wood slats—the classic park style. My budget pick is the VINGLI 4ft cast iron and wood bench. It usually runs around $100–$130, and the dark frame with real wood slats looks much more expensive from the curb. If that one's sold out, check ZENY or Best Choice Products versions; they often land between $80 and $120.
Stick to black, dark bronze, or charcoal frames. Light-colored or all-plastic benches tend to look flimsy and fade faster. For a cheap park bench, powder-coated steel with wood slats is your best bet. If you can only afford a no-armrest steel bench, still choose one with real wood rather than plastic wood-grain.
One cheap upgrade: seal the wood with a clear outdoor wood sealer once or twice a year and swap the included bolts for stainless steel hardware. That keeps a $100 budget outdoor bench looking presentable for years. So the most affordable option that still looks good? A 4-foot metal-and-wood park bench under $150, kept clean and sealed.