Table saws top the wish lists of both DIYers and seasoned woodworkers. These powerful saws cut with more accuracy than circular saws, and they can cut larger pieces of material, including wood, plastic, and aluminum sheeting, better than miter saws. Some cut certain types of material better than others, so we put some of the best table saws through side-by-side, hands-on testing.
Essentially, a table saw’s main function is to perform rips, or cuts along the length of a board. While users can make rip cuts (lengthwise cuts), crosscuts, and angled cuts, and can even create a bevel cut along with dadoes, ripping remains this power tool’s primary purpose.
Whether it’s building bookcases, framing a garage, or even making the trim for a feature wall, having a table saw in the workshop can speed the project along. In this guide, we list some of the best table saws on the market based on our hands-on tests and explain what makes this type of saw useful in any workshop.
- BEST OVERALL: Skil 15 Amp 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi 18-Volt One+ HP Brushless 8.25-Inch Table Saw
- UPGRADE PICK: Bosch 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw
- BEST WOODWORKING: Sawstop JSS Pro Jobsite Table Saw
- BEST JOBSITE: DeWalt DWE7491RS 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw
- BEST HOME WORKSHOP: Ridgid Pro 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw With Stand
- BEST COMPACT: Skil 8.25-inch Portable Worm Drive Table Saw
How We Tested the Best Table Saws
The writing team that prepared this guide includes a former woodshop owner and a general contractor—both of us have extensive experience using table saws of different sizes. We understand what users are looking for and how various models meet their needs.
Aside from tapping into our professional experience, we also researched the saws on the market and were aware of the latest developments ahead of testing. We took into consideration everything from safety to production to mobility (around the shop or jobsite or in and out of the truck). Among our chief considerations:
- Capacities. While depth of cut is important, most table saws are 10-inch models and specifications are very similar. While their primary function in home workshops and on jobsites is ripping dimensional lumber—which doesn’t require a huge rip capacity—ripping capacity varies tremendously and is a key feature for those who cut large sheet material. We were careful to source solutions for all types of users.
- Size and portability. For many users, a compact, portable table saw is the ideal solution. For others, physical size is less important than capacity and stability. Our comprehensive selection includes saws that are great for those who work with these tools on-site or in small spaces at home as well as those who have a large workshop available.
- Brand and value. We avoid cheap table saws, which are often poor in terms of durability and reliability. While buying from the leading table saw brands can mean you pay a little more, this almost always results in better long-term value.
Regarding testing, we evaluated each saw on our list for power and vibration and even the included blades, plowing through pressure-treated southern yellow pine that had been left to dry out and harden for a month. We ran 1×8 material and looked for both smoothness and dust management (without a dust collection system) using cellular PVC deck boards. We also evaluated the included stands, switches, and adjustments and considered the overall feel using the tool for everything from weekend work around the house to building a deck or shed to a months-long setup for remodeling a house.
We followed up with updates to our initial tests, running 2-by pressure-treated lumber, 1×8 finger-jointed primed pine, plywood, and composite decking through each saw looking for everything from power and vibration to dust ejection and vibration. We evaluated adjustments, switches, and fence smoothness along the rails. We also considered mobility and storage.
Our Top Picks
There is an enormous breadth of table-saw users, needs, and requirements. Taking as much into account across this spectrum was not easy while evaluating the field of table saws during our hands-on testing. However, we have to land somewhere. It should be noted up front that each tool in this review delivered on its design promise.
Photo: lowes.com
The built-in foldout legs of the stand are light, stable, and easy to deploy. The saw is light yet powerful enough to blow through framing lumber like a boss. Its included blade leaves a lot to be desired, but that’s an easy swap. The fence was parallel to the blade out of the box, and carrying it to jobsites or moving it around the shop is a cinch. We loved that it stores in a cube when not in use.
The push-button switch takes some getting used to, and we wish the throat plate was steel, not plastic, but for making a few rips at home to plowing through treated lumber building a deck, the saw is on point with everything from power to mobility to accuracy.
This model’s dust port elbow should be on every table saw: With a 22.5-degree bend, it enables the user to chute dust into a box or bucket. It’s a simple, smart, and an eminently useful feature.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Cutting depth: 3.5 inches
- Rip capacity: 25.5 inches
- Weight: 51.15 pounds
Pros
- Table saw folds into a compact cube and is very easy to transport
- Still powerful for what looks like a small and light unit
- Easily handles the vast majority of professional and DIY projects
Cons
- Plastic throat plate is less durable than it could be if it were metal
- Included blade is rough, although this is easy to replace (but is an added cost)
Get the Skil table saw at Lowe’s, Acme Tools, or Grainger.
Photo: homedepot.com
The battery on this affordable table saw is fine for light work. The fence was square and parallel out of the box. It’s hardly plush, but it works. The saw is light and portable and has a decent amount of power. It’s not a beast, and that’s an attribute.
Some pros might even find its bare-bones setup and low cost just what they need. It handled 1x8s and composite decking just fine in terms of power. But it did have trouble ejecting the shavings. Having a blower on hand would be an added help. There’s no huge stand, but it does need to be set up at table height for best and safest use.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 8.25 inches
- Cutting depth: 2.25 inches
- Rip capacity: 12 inches
- Weight: 45 pounds
Pros
- Cordless unit; doesn’t need to be near a power socket
- Light and small; great for beginners and for occasional use
- This table saw is powerful enough to handle most DIY projects
Cons
- Light-duty saw, primarily DIY; not intended for heavy-duty professional use
- Stand not included; users will need to set this up at table height somewhere
Get the Ryobi table saw at The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
A little-known fact is that the Bosch 10-inch worksite table saw is a pioneering table saw. Bosch has been making a version of this saw with very few visible changes (it’s that good) for 20 years. It was this saw that took table saws from being small, mainly featureless tools to being a solid, stable, on-site tool with wheels.
The fence is outstanding with the smoothest glide along the rails, which we found to be a real pleasure to use. The paddle switch is excellent and the included blade is nice. It has a soft—but not too soft—start that makes the saw comfortable for close-quarters use in a garage or jobsite shop where a million cuts per day need to be made.
The stand is solid, and the crank cadence to lower and raise the blade is nice. It rampages through 2-by treated lumber with a dust ejection that’s awesome. It has the best miter gauge in the bunch, the best push-stick storage ever, and an excellent thin stock auxiliary fence.
Like all of the tools in the category, this saw is heavy. Yes, it has a wheel kit, but it’s a two-person job to lift it into a truck.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Cutting depth: 3.125 inches
- Rip capacity: 30 inches
- Weight: 94 pounds
Pros
- This table saw has high-quality construction; manufacturer is a reputable brand
- Best-in-class stand; sturdy and highly portable with large and durable wheels
- Competitive capacities; easily handles treated lumber with impressive dust ejection
Cons
- Additional features bring this particular model up to a more premium price
- While this table saw includes a stand, the stand itself requires initial assembly
Get the Bosch table saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Photo: homedepot.com
Designed by woodworkers and based on the cabinet saw that brought flesh-sensing technology to the market, the Sawstop JSS Pro jobsite table saw is for dedicated users who want premium finishes and work primarily with dry lumber. The fence is best in class. Its deployable “thin material” fence is a genius feature that serious woodworkers will love.
Its folding cart works nicely, and the in-table storage is terrific. The blade depth adjustment moves the blade from zero to full height in one turn, which is another best-in-class feature. And the flesh-sensing tech is both comforting and causes one to be rife with anxiety; it picks up on electrical impulses and will save your finger if it’s ever near enough to the blade to be cut.
While there is a bypass mode to check if the sensors will react to wet lumber, it’s tricky to press the right series of buttons. Still, it’s a great saw to have on a trim site or for garage woodworking projects. It does what stationary table saws do, but it is mobile-ish and safe.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Cutting depth: 3.125 inches
- Rip capacity: 25.5 inches
- Weight: 113 pounds
Pros
- The Sawstop JSS Pro has high-quality construction and delivers astounding quality
- Flesh-sensing technology helps add peace of mind and prevents accidents
- This table saw’s blade-depth adjustment features a smooth and impressive operation
Cons
- Premium price; this is likely more suited to those who will use it frequently
- Heavy, despite being on wheels, so lifting on and off trucks is more difficult
Get the Sawstop table saw at The Home Depot, Acme Tools, or Grizzly Industrial.
Photo: lowes.com
With front legs splayed when open toward the front of the saw, the DeWalt DWE7491RS is ideal for making long rips in heavy material. It is by far the most stable tool in the bunch.
The legs lock and unlock smoothly, though they are not identical to each other, which takes some getting used to. The table was flat out of the box and the blade was parallel to the fence from the start. The DeWalt-pioneered rack-and-pinion fence works really well.
It has an excellent included “rough carpentry” 24-tooth saw blade. The unit has a nice switch and a little bit of a slower blade height crank than other tools, and it was tight to the bevel release. Overall, it’s a high-quality saw at a very good price.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Cutting depth: 3.125 inches
- Rip capacity: 32.5 inches
- Weight: 110 pounds
Pros
- Sturdy, angled legs help keep this table saw super stable
- The blade that comes included with this table is great quality
- All in, this table saw is an excellent value compared to similar options
Cons
- This table saw’s blade crank and bevel adjustment are really close together
Get the DeWalt table saw at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Acme Tools.
Photo: homedepot.com
This table saw from Ridgid does all the basics well. It’s got a large cut capacity, collapsible wheel kit, and good power and dust ejection. A 3.5-inch cut capacity means 4x4s can be cut in half. It’s a lot of saw for a great price.
However, the fit and finish were not top of the class. The fence is gummy and the table needed to be adjusted out of the box (it was easy to adjust and worked fine). It didn’t glide smoothly along the rails, and a fence that’s hard to move or needs adjustment is difficult for professional users.
It also has a soft start, which new table saw users may appreciate. The problem for us was—and this may well be subjective—it was too soft. It felt like we had to wait a couple of seconds for the blade to come up to speed. It’s certainly comfortable, but for experienced users putting a lot of lumber through a table saw, those extra seconds add up fast.
For weekend work and projects, this is plenty of saw.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Cutting depth: 3.5 inches
- Rip capacity: 30 inches
- Weight: 95.08 pounds
Pros
- A capable saw for very little investment; ideal for home DIY projects
- Detachable stand included offers added versatility depending on home setups
- This table saw’s soft start can be a welcome feature for beginners
Cons
- Needed adjustment out of the box, including the finicky fence
Get the Ridgid table saw at The Home Depot or DK Hardware.
Photo: amazon.com
This table saw from Skil, scaled down from its 10-inch cousin, is a pleasure to use. The 8.25-inch platform cuts the vast majority of things table saws cut. The worm drive motor, which is plush to be sure but also a bit heavy, isn’t bad in this smaller platform tool. The saw is compact, easy to move, and is so pleasantly quiet at start-up that it’s a joy to use.
Combined with an outstanding fence and fantastic up-front locking mechanism, this saw can move from site to site, around the garage, or to a stationary place for long projects and deliver dependable performance.
While the saw did not ship with a stand, the roll cage is bored for a stand (which will make it heavier) and is available. The compact design is also great for storing the saw on a work truck.
Product Specs
- Type: Benchtop
- Blade size: 8.25 inches
- Cutting depth: 2.625 inches
- Rip capacity: 25 inches
- Weight: 44 pounds
Pros
- Smooth power makes this table saw a true pleasure to use
- Portable, compact, and easy to move; stores well on a work truck
- Has a fantastic cord and fence, with excellent up-front locking mechanism
Cons
- Requires stand, which can add to the cost if shoppers don’t have one already
Get the Skil table saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
What to Consider When Choosing a Table Saw
Table saws run the gamut in quality and price, so consider the guidance below when shopping for the best table saws.
Types of Table Saws
While all table saws function in a similar manner—a flat tabletop surface supports the material being cut as you manually feed it into the saw blade—they differ in design, power, best use, mobility, and storage.
Bench Saws
Designed to be bolted to a workbench or attached to a stand, a benchtop table saw is compact and relatively lightweight, averaging 45 to 60 pounds (not including some stands). While some benchtop table saws have the cut capacity for cutting sheet goods, they are not really designed for this without modifications like infeed/outfeed support tables, usually shop built.
It’s possible to cut sheet material from time to time alone (better if there is a helper), but these saws are generally considered too compact and not quite stable enough for ripping something like ¾-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF); sheet materials, such as plywood and oriented strand board (OSB); or plastic and aluminum paneling. For planks, deck boards, 2-by material, and the like, these tools are often indispensable.
Benchtop saws, which can cost $600 or more, are more affordable than larger contractor or cabinet table saws. But since they’re the smallest type of table saw, these tools are limited by the width of the material they can cut—usually about 18 to 20 inches (see “Rip Capacity” below).
Contractor Saws
A contractor table saw is designed to be somewhat mobile in a shop setting by utilizing a wheel kit. While some contractors use these types of saws on jobsites, the tools are often set up in a workshop for months on end. These jobsite table saws are also good for serious DIYers who have a semipermanent place for them and are doing a variety of tasks that require cast-iron stability and more horsepower than a benchtop saw.
They’re heavier than bench saws (90 to 150 pounds) and are generally capable of cutting sheet material up to 24 inches wide or wider. These tools can run as much as $1,500 or more, depending on quality and power.
Cabinet Saws
Packing more power than other table saws and sometimes requiring a 220-volt (V) circuit, cabinet saws are large stationary table saws. These are the priciest option, ranging from $1,200 to $5,000 or more, depending on power and quality. The motor is fully enclosed in a cabinet below the table.
Cabinet saw users also often build support tables for these tools—called infeed and outfeed support—to make it easier to manage sheet goods like MDF, plywood, and heavier material. Often found in professional or industrial workshops and in trade schools, these heavy saws can weigh more than 600 pounds.
Hybrid Saws
The hybrid table saw is a combination of the cabinet and contractor types. It offers at least as much power as a contractor saw, but without requiring a dedicated 220V circuit. Expect to pay from $750 to $1,500 for hybrid table saws, which are sometimes described as souped-up contractor saws.
Hybrid saws come with enclosed cabinets, mimicking the look of cabinet saws, but they weigh less, averaging 275 to 325 pounds. They’re usually moved with a hand truck, but wheel kits are often available for them as well.
Power
In short, the more horsepower (hp) in a table saw motor, the more cutting power the saw has. Smaller benchtop saws that typically feature horsepower in the range of ¾ hp to 1½ hp are sufficient for most things a larger table saw can cut; however, they may not leave quite as smooth a cut as a contractor or cabinet saw. Be aware that these ratings are typically shown in “amps” (e.g., 15 amps) and refer to how many amperes the tool draws. Benchtop tools are regular jobsite and workshop occupants, sizing everything from shelving to hardwoods for a woodworking project and to pressure-treated lumber for backyard projects.
Larger bench saws and contractor saws come with 2-hp to 4-hp motors, and cabinet table saws often feature 5-hp or larger motors. The more powerful motors run longer under heavy use without overheating (think cabinet shop where they’re used every day, all day, for years on end) and easily cut through denser materials, such as ironwood or Brazilian walnut.
Cutting Depth and Blade Size
Table saws are labeled by the size of the circular blade they accommodate; the vast majority take 10-inch blades, while a handful take 12-inch blades. The blade height and angles are adjustable, so it can make a shallow cut just a fraction of an inch deep as well as deeper cuts. The newest generation of table saws—many cordless or corded/cordless—spin a 7½-inch blade, similar to that on a circular saw.
The most common blade sizes for these saws are 10 inches and 12 inches. With a 10-inch table saw, users can often make a maximum cut up to 3½ inches deep (that enables the user to rip a 4×4 in half).
Fence
The fence on a table saw is the adjustable guide that holds the material in place while cutting. There are two fence styles that come with most table saws: one is a T-square fence, which is in all categories of table saw and built with varying degrees of quality based on the saw’s intended use. The other type of fence is a rack-and-pinion-style fence, which is found primarily in the benchtop category.
Some saws also come with extendable fences that either fold or slide out to accommodate larger sections of wood. Other table saws feature fences with embedded magnifiers that allow the user to better see the measurements on the saw when adjusting the fence. However, many users simply rely on a tape measure. By measuring from the fence to the tip of a blade tooth, the accuracy (or not) of the fence’s pointer doesn’t need to be depended upon or interpreted.
Rip Capacity
Table saws are key to ripping wide sheets of material, but the maximum width of material that will fit between the saw blade and the fence—the rip capacity—varies. Rip capacity starts at around 18 inches for entry-level benchtop saws and runs up to 60 inches or more for professional cabinet saws.
Depending on the planned projects, choose a table saw with a rip capacity large enough to accommodate the dimension of material. For example, if the goal is to build 2-foot-high toy boxes, a saw with a rip capacity of at least 24 inches can cut sections of plywood wide enough for the sides and back.
On the other hand, many pros use track saws for this purpose. Whether it’s cutting down a door to accommodate new flooring or sizing sheet stock for building a bench, track saws are light and accurate.
Dust Collection
If you’re working in a closed workshop, dust collection ports will help keep the air dust-free and collect sawdust chips that would otherwise have to be swept up later. Table saws have dust collection ports designed to connect to a standard shop vacuum. Users need to run the workshop vacuum while operating the saw to catch dust and sawdust.
For cutting synthetic material outdoors, such as composite decking or PVC trim, it’s a good idea to put a box or bucket under the saw to catch the shavings if the saw is set up on the grass. Standing on a large sheet of cardboard or a drop cloth also helps. Once those shavings get in the grass, they’re nearly impossible to get out.
Tips for Using a Table Saw
Owners will doubtless spend many hours learning how to get the best from their table saw. The following quick tips provide a useful place to start:
- Read the manual carefully even if you have owned a table saw before; there will often be differences. It’s important to understand the safety features and know how to maximize performance.
- By law, all table saws must have a blade guard. Never operate the saw without it in place. The riving knife should only be removed if using a dado blade.
- Always wear eye protection. Ear defenders are also a good idea.
- Check the blade for damage before each work session. If there is a crack, missing teeth, or unexpected vibration, replace the blade immediately.
- There’s an old woodworking adage that you should measure twice and cut once. This can also apply to setting up a table saw. Adjust and then check before making each cut.
- Clean the table saw after use. Disconnect the power first, then use an ordinary nylon-bristle hand brush or cordless blower.
- Learning how to make featherboards, push sticks, and table saw jigs can improve safety, speed, and accuracy, particularly with repetitive tasks. It’s also very rewarding to make things yourself rather than buying them.
- Blade choice can have a dramatic impact on performance, even if the diameter remains the same. You can read more about the best table saw blades in a separate article.
FAQs
The information above covers many of the key aspects of the best table saws as well as details on a range of high-quality options that will suit a variety of users. Although it will have answered the majority of questions that occur to potential buyers, some users might have more general-use questions. Some of the most popular questions have been answered below.
Q. What do I need to use a table saw?
Apart from protective goggles or safety glasses and a stand of some sort, everything you need should come with the saw. In addition to providing some basic tips for using the table saw above, there is a more in-depth beginner’s guide here.
Q. Can a 10-inch table saw cut a 4×4?
A few 10-inch table saws will cut a 4×4 in a single pass, but not many. Bear in mind that 4×4 refers to dimensioned lumber that is actually closer to 3½ inches square. A common maximum for 10-inch table saws is 3⅛ inches, though the cut can usually be completed by turning the material over and running it through the saw again.
Q. Can I put a table saw on a miter saw stand?
It might be possible, but it is not recommended. Miter saw bases are fixed differently, so the result would probably be unsafe.
Q. What can I use for a table saw stand?
A sturdy bench can work, and it isn’t difficult to find plans for DIY table saw stands. You could also consider investing in a purpose-built stand.
Q. Where should you stand when using a table saw?
You should usually stand behind the saw table and to the left of the blade. Make sure you are comfortable and not stretching. If working with large sheet material, it’s a good idea to have someone support it on the out-feed side.
Why Trust Bob Vila
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
