If I had to recommend one affordable street bench that still looks like it belongs in a nice courtyard, it would be our 4 ft recycled plastic bench with a black powder-coated steel frame. Price wise, it usually runs about $189–$219 for the bench itself. Freight can vary, but if you order two or more or pick up from a local warehouse, it becomes very competitive.
The reason I like this one is simple. Cheap wooden benches look fine for the first year, then they fade, splinter, and start rocking. This recycled plastic bench keeps its color because the color runs all the way through the slats. The frame is simple but not industrial: black powder-coated steel, slightly angled legs, and a backrest with a gentle pitch. It looks neat in front of a store, near a walking trail, at a bus stop, or in an HOA common area.
It is comfortable enough for normal use. The seat is about 48 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and sits around 18 inches high. Total height with the backrest is around 32 inches. It weighs roughly 70 pounds, so it does not feel flimsy, but two people can still move it. It handles about 500 pounds evenly distributed, which covers normal commercial use.
Maintenance is where this bench really wins. No sealing, no painting, and no rust on the slats. The recycled plastic does not absorb water, so it will not crack in cold weather. Graffiti usually wipes off with light cleaner. The steel frame is powder-coated, so it holds up much better than wet paint.
The look is the important part. I recommend the dark brown or cedar-tone slats with a black frame. That combination looks more expensive than it is. If you want a more modern look, go with gray slats and a black frame. It is not a sculptural bench, but it is clean, symmetrical, and does not draw attention for the wrong reasons.
Installation is straightforward. It is a surface-mount bench, so you drill four holes and anchor it to concrete. If you do not want to anchor it, you can set it on pavers or a compacted pad, but I would still anchor it in public areas so it does not shift or walk off.
If you need something even cheaper, there are basic metal strap benches and flat-pack cedar benches, but they either look cheap or require more upkeep. The 4 ft recycled plastic bench is the lowest price where I feel the phrase “still looks decent” is actually true.
My honest advice is this: do not buy the absolute cheapest bench you can find. Step up just a little to a recycled plastic model, choose a black frame, and it will look good for years instead of one season.