If you’re on a tight budget, the honest answer is to avoid the ultra-cheap wooden benches that look great in the store but fall apart after one season. Unfinished acacia or eucalyptus benches usually need constant sanding and sealing, and the joints often fail before the wood even rots. For most people, the sweet spot is a molded resin or recycled plastic bench. It won’t rot, rust, splinter, or need repainting, and it can sit outside year-round with almost no maintenance.
My top cheap pick is the Keter Eden 2-Seater Bench. It usually costs around $70–$90, has a wood-like texture that looks decent from a few feet away, and cleans up fast with a hose. It holds two adults without feeling flimsy, and assembly is simple. It isn’t luxury furniture, but it stays presentable after a couple of years on a porch or patio, which is rare in this price range.
If you can stretch your budget a little, the Lifetime 60054 Molded Bench is my stronger recommendation. It typically runs about $110–$130, but it’s tougher, UV-protected, and has a more solid seat. I’ve seen these survive years of full sun and rain with zero upkeep. It’s the closest thing to a long-term purchase without spending $300 or more.
What I’d skip: thin tubular metal benches with weak welds, cheap pressed-wood slat benches, and unfinished solid wood benches if you won’t reseal them every year. If you need the lowest cash outlay possible, check Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for a used cedar or teak bench, since those woods handle weather well if the frame is still sound. But for a new, low-maintenance bench under $100, resin is your best bet.