This article describes the load capability of bending piezoelectric actuators with a thin sandwiched PZT plate in association with the stored elastic energy induced by an increased dome height after a curing process. The stored elastic energy within the actuators is obtained via a flexural mechanical bending test. The load capability is evaluated indirectly in terms of an actuating displacement with a load of mass at simply supported and fixed-free boundary conditions. Additionally, a free displacement under no load of mass is measured for a comparison with an actuating displacement. The results reveal that an actuator with a top layer having a high elastic modulus and a low coefficient of thermal expansion exhibits a better performance than the rest of actuators in terms of free displacement as well as actuating displacement due to the formation of the large stored elastic energy within the actuator system. When actuators are excited at AC voltage, the actuating displacement is rather higher than the free displacement for the same actuating conditions. In addition, the effect of PZT ceramic softening results in a slight reduction in the resonance frequency of each actuator as the applied electric field increases. It is thus suggested that the static and dynamic actuating characteristics of bending piezoelectric composite actuators with a thin sandwiched PZT plate should be simultaneously considered in controlling the performance.