The Best Band Saws of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Band saws make rip cuts like a table saw, crosscuts like a miter saw, and curved cuts like a jigsaw. With the right blade, they can even cut metal. The variety of potential uses for these tools has led to an array of features that make saw setup, maintenance, and cutting easier. We assembled this guide after testing 8 popular, highly rated models, including benchtop, free-standing, and portable types.

Our top choice for the widest range of needs was the Wen BA3962 10” Two-Speed Band Saw With Stand. This free-standing saw comes with a durable 3.5-amp motor, an adjustable rip fence, and a generous cutting capacity – all at a value price point. But it may not be the right choice for every user. Anyone with limited space will prefer a benchtop model, or possibly a powerful portable band saw for remote work. The following product lineup includes options to fit any of those needs.

Before you upgrade your workshop with a new power tool, read this guide for our hands-on testing observations and buying tips to choose the best band saws for any home workshop. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Wen BA3962 10” Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi 2.5-Amp 9” Corded Band Saw
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3. BEST BENCHTOP: Rikon 10-3061 10” Deluxe Band Saw
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4. BEST COMPACT: Milwaukee 18 FUEL 2829-22 Cordless Band Saw
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5. BEST PORTABLE: DeWalt DCS378B 20V MAX XR Cordless Band Saw
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6. BEST FOR METAL: DeWalt DCS376P2 20V MAX 5” Dual Switch Band Saw
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7. BEST FOR WOOD: Grizzly G0948 3.5-Amp 9” Stationary Band Saw
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8. BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Skil BW9501-00 9” Two-Speed Benchtop Band Saw
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Best Band Saws Comparison

Our Top Picks

Band saws are about as old-school as it gets. While they’ve been around for more than 200 years at sawmills, workshops, and furniture shops, it takes a lot of consideration to select the right one for personal use. This guide showcases the best-in-class types of saws that we tested, cutting out some of the guesswork.

Our Ratings

Wen’s reasonably priced 3962 two-speed band saw includes a lot of premium features. The 10-inch band saw runs on a 3.5-amp motor, uses a 72-inch blade, and offers cutting capacity up to 9.75 inches wide and 6 inches high. With speeds of either 1,520 or 2,620 revolutions per minute (rpm), the saw adjusts to cut different types of wood. The cast aluminum saw table, which includes an adjustable rip fence and miter gauge, swivels up to 45 degrees to help make cuts at challenging angles.

We liked the floor-standing Wen model because it left our benchtop open for layout, assembly, and hand work. Assembling the legs only added about 20 minutes to the set up time compared to benchtop units. While it was not the most powerful saw we tested, the Wen 3962 delivered plenty of cutting power for all of our test cuts, including ripping 5-inch thick oak into ½-inch strips. It was accurate and precise, and all of the settings (blade tension, table tilt angle, rip fence placement, etc.) stayed put through multiple passes. The blade itself was okay but not great, as it left significant washboarding on the cut surfaces. Third-party upgrades are available for less than $30. 

A three-in-one dust collection port accommodates three different hose sizes—1.75 inches, 2.75 inches, and 4 inches—ensuring compatibility with most collection systems. Just be sure to use the dust collection system when running this saw, as the bearings on this wood band saw are susceptible to damage from dust. 

What our tester says: “The Wen floor-standing band saw was easy to set up and adjust, handled 6-inch thick oak without hesitating, and sells for a reasonable price.” -Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Wen band saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

Those looking for a budget-friendly option for light-duty cutting should consider the Ryobi 9-inch corded band saw. This band saw features a 2.5-amp motor, an integrated work light, a rapid blade-tensioning system, a tiltable table with a rack-and-pinion adjustment system, and a dust-collection port. This small band saw offers a 9-inch-wide, 3.5-inch-high cutting capacity. 

The Ryobi band saw is a great option for smaller spaces, smaller projects, and occasional use. Extensive use of plastics in the housing and trim keeps the weight down, making it easy to move around the shop as needed. On the other hand, the lightweight build may indicate a shorter life span and lower durability, but nothing in its performance pointed in that direction.

In our tests, the Ryobi saw delivered a solid performance as long as we didn’t push it too hard. In our tests, it proved capable of resawing small-dimension material, and shape-cutting thin or soft materials. Adjustments were easy to make and held position securely, which was especially impressive given the amount of vibration at times. Excessive vibration was the only real drawback we encountered, and it was expected due to the lightweight construction.

Get the Ryobi band saw at The Home Depot or Walmart.

Our Ratings

The Rikon 10-3061 Deluxe band saw provides the power and performance to tackle bigger projects in modest spaces. This saw features a potent 5.5-amp electric motor, cast iron saw table with cast aluminum trunnion, adjustable rip fence carrier, quick-release blade tensioning, and numerous other operating conveniences. The 2-speed blade can be set to run at either 1,515 or 3,250 feet per minute. It has a cutting capacity of 9.6 inches wide and 5 inches high. 

From a performance standpoint, the other benchtop band saws in our test group simply could not keep up with the Rikon Deluxe band saw. This is a pro-quality saw. Its ½-horsepower motor produces double the cutting power of entry-level models, and it offers cutting capacity to match. The stock blade is of a much higher quality than any of the other woodworking models we tested, leaving a much flatter finish after cutting. The components were significantly sturdier too. 

This saw was extremely easy to adjust, thanks to numerous tool-free controls and the blade tensioning quick-release. It only took a minute or so to change speeds, and seconds to adjust the height of the cut. Those who like the compact size but prefer a floor model can purchase the Rikon leg kit separately. With its 2-amp hour advantage over the floor-standing models we tested, the Rikon model cut through hardwood nearly twice as fast. It’s clearly one of the top saws in its class.

What our tester says: “The Rikon 10” Deluxe band saw delivered premium performance in a compact package. None of the other saws we tested could match the combination of cutting power and operational convenience we experienced with this one.“ -Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Rikon band saw at Acme Tools or Menards. 

Our Ratings

A portable band saw will make quick work of cutting pipe, conduit, or metal framing members. The Milwaukee M18 Compact band saw provides the power, size, and battery life for a full day’s work. It weighs less than 8 pounds and offers a 3 ¼-inch by 3 ¼-inch cutting capacity.

As with other Milwaukee M18 tools, the portable band saw features composite construction with molded grips and crush zone barriers to protect against worksite damage. In our tests the balanced design and slip-resistant handles made it comfortable to operate and control one-handed or with both hands. The saw features a variable speed trigger, tool-free locking adjustable shoe, and a built-in LED work light. It comes equipped with a 8/10 TPI extra-thick metal cutting band saw blade.

We were pleased with this tool’s cutting power and precision. It resisted bogging down in every material it cut, and left minimal burs. This model is a fraction too small to cut 3-inch schedule 40 PVC, but did a great job on smaller diameter pipe, as well as rebar, metal conduit and steel pipe.

Get the Milwaukee band saw at The Home Depot. 

Our Ratings

Tough cutting tasks require more power and capacity. The DeWalt DCS378B cordless mid-size band saw is a commercial-grade tool featuring an efficient brushless motor that puts out up to 535 maximum watts out at 570 feet per minute. This band saw is sold as a bare tool only.

We used the DeWalt mid-size band saw to cut 3-inch schedule 40 PVC, ½-inch metal conduit, ⅜-inch rebar, and 1.5-inch 12-gauge steel pipe. The saw felt well balanced and easy to control with one or two hands. The cuts were fast and smooth. We especially liked the blade speed control dial. It gave an incredible level of control for cutting different materials at a consistently optimum speed.

This is an outstanding band saw for a wide range of uses, but it may not be the best option for every user. It was a couple of pounds heavier than the closest competitor. Also, you’ll need to find a spot in your toolbox because this one doesn’t come with a carry case or tool bag.

Get the DeWalt portable band saw at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.

Our Ratings

Safety is always important, even more so with heavy-duty metal work. The DeWalt DCS376P2 band saw includes a dual switch “perform and protect” feature that ensures two-handed operation for safety, balance, and control. The saw has a cutting capacity up to 5 inches deep and 4 ¾ inches wide – enough to cut through 4-inch schedule 40 PVC or steel double strut. It also has a blade speed control dial to optimize cutting speed for the task at hand.

Where speed and power are most important, this saw excels. The DCS376P2 cut all of our test materials twice as fast as the other portable band saws we tested. It also costs about twice as much. The saw was well balanced and incredibly easy to use, and the integrated LED work light makes it a standout for working in low-light conditions. However, the price will likely be a limiting factor for all but the most serious users.

Get the DeWalt dual switch band saw at The Home Depot or ToolUp.

Our Ratings

The affordably priced Grizzly G0948 is an ideal tool for small woodworking shops. It features a 3.5-amp ½-horsepower electric motor, steel stand, 14⅛-inch square cast aluminum saw table with rip fence, 2-inch dust port, and adjustable LED work light. This saw offers two blade speed settings (1,520 or 2,620 FPM) and cutting capacity up to 9 ¾ inches wide and 6 ⅛ inches high. It works with any aftermarket band saw blade from ⅛-inch to ½-inch wide.

The compact footprint of this saw–just 24.5 inches long and 20.5 inches wide–made it easy to find a spot in the basement workshop without encroaching on the workbench. Setup was not difficult but somewhat time-consuming compared to higher-end models due to the need for hex keys and box wrenches for the process. It also does not include a quick blade tensioner. Unless you change blades often, those are minor and infrequent issues. 

The saw had plenty of power to resaw 4-inch red oak at a slow and steady pace without bogging down or binding, but the stock blade left some ripples in the face of the wood. The blade was capable of shallow curves, but a thinner one would be necessary to make tight turns.

Get the Grizzly band saw at Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

The Skil BW9501-00 offers band saw beginners a streamlined start up experience and consistent performance at a value price point. Equipped with a 2.8 amp motor and 2-speed drive system, it’s best for small-dimension woodworking projects. It has a maximum cutting capacity of 9 inches wide and 3.5 inches high.

This was one of the easiest benchtop saws to set up. It came fully pre-assembled in the box, including the blade. After we made slight adjustments to the blade guides and thrust bearings, it was ready to work. The saw uses 59 ½-inch blades ranging from ⅛-inch to ⅜-inch wide. It came with a ¼-inch general purpose wood cutting blade.

The Skil benchtop band saw had plenty of cutting power for plywood and softwoods up to 2.5 inches thick. The blade cut clean and only made slight ridges. Unfortunately the kit did not include a rip fence to help with long, straight cuts, but it did include a miter gauge for angled cuts.

The blade was well balanced when the saw arrived. After removing and reinstalling the blade to try out different blade speeds and the quick tensioner, it re-balanced easily as well. We appreciated both the ease of adjustment and compatibility with different blades for a variety of cutting tasks. 

Get the Skil band saw at Amazon, Walmart, or Acme Tools.

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What to Consider When Choosing a Band Saw

How We Tested the Best Band Saws

We researched a dozen tool brands and 15 different models before whittling down to the 8 band saws we finally tested. We wanted to include handheld, benchtop, and standing options to cover the full range of cutting needs. We wanted to showcase tools that offered dependable cutting performance, accuracy, durability, and value. To test them, we used them according to their common uses: benchtop and standing saws to cut hardwood, softwood, engineered wood, and synthetic sheet materials; handheld band saw models to cut metals and PVC pipe. We made a variety of cuts, replaced blades, and adjusted each model in order to evaluate performance and user friendliness. Finally, we entered our observations into a scoring rubric before assigning award titles.

What to Consider When Choosing a Band Saw

Aside from choosing between floor-standing, benchtop, and portable models, shoppers need to consider several other critical factors, including the saw’s power, its dust collection system, and blade compatibility. Keep the following considerations in mind as you shop for an integral item in the quiver of the best woodworking tools.

Types of Band Saws

Much like most table saws, users can choose from three types of band saws depending on the cutting capabilities: floor-standing, portable, and benchtop. Each style comes with advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to take the following points into consideration when shopping for the best band saw.

Floor-standing 

Floor-standing band saws work best in a full-fledged shop with plenty of floor space. As the name suggests, these saws sit on the floor on top of a set of legs or a stand. They’ll sit anywhere in the shop that space allows.

Floor-standing band saws provide plenty of flexibility for maneuvering longer pieces around the saw. They may also accept larger boards or workpieces, but not always. 

Benchtop

Benchtop band saws make great options in small garages or workshops with limited space. These band saws sit on top of an existing work surface like a bench or assembly table when in use and conveniently store away when not in use.

A big advantage of a band saw benchtop over floor-standing units is that they take up less floor space. However, they require considerable space on a workbench. And not all DIYers have the shelf space to store a band saw when they’re not using it. Those who infrequently use a band saw might wind up losing valuable workbench space for a part-time tool.

Portable

When it comes to taking a band saw to the job site or directly to the project, you can’t beat a portable band saw. These saws run on batteries or plug directly into the electrical supply to bring the cutting power right where it’s needed.

In general, most portable band saws weigh less than 12 pounds, which makes them easy to transport. They usually cut around 300 feet per minute and can typically manage pipes and beams of up to 5 inches wide. 

Horsepower 

As with almost all power tools, horsepower matters. DIYers and pros need a saw that will cut through the materials they use most often without bogging down or coming to a halt. Saw blades generate a lot of friction, particularly with thicker materials, and an underpowered saw won’t get the job done.

Most band saws have electric motors that produce between .5 and 1.5 horsepower. You can complete lighter-duty projects with a .5-horsepower saw, but heavy-duty work requires more power. If you want to saw hunks of hardwood into boards for woodworking projects, look for a saw that has between 1 and 1.5 horsepower.

Frame 

Before landing on the best band saw for a workshop, DIYers need to consider construction. Be sure that the cast-iron or steel frame of the saw will last through the projects you plan to undertake, as it’s the one part of the saw that can’t be replaced.

In general, the best band saws have cast-iron frames. Cast iron makes for a solid and durable, albeit very heavy, frame. Unlikely to break or bend, these frames maintain the necessary tension on the saw band. 

Some band saw frames come in die-cast or welded steel. A less expensive option, this type of metal weighs less and won’t last as long. 

Throat 

Throat size, an important measurement, refers to the distance between the blade and the band saw’s cast-iron or steel frame. It determines how wide a cut-off the saw can make. It also indicates how much space you have to maneuver a workpiece on the worktable for scrollsaw-type cuts and other intricate or complicated cuts. When you look for a band saw for a workshop, you’ll see throat sizes prominently listed on the side of every box.

Blade Width 

To get the most out of a band saw, choose one that accepts different blade widths. Ideally, a range of ⅛ inch to 1 inch wide will handle most tasks from wood and metalworking to crafts and scrollwork. The right blade width makes tasks easier. For example, a wider saw blade allows for making straighter, truer resaws on chunks of hardwood, while thinner blades make scrolling cuts and curves a much easier process.

Weight 

Weight matters a lot when it comes to the best band saws. A saw must be heavy enough to stand its ground while the user passes stubborn materials through the blade. In the case of a benchtop model, it also needs to be light enough to store when not in use.

Some older saws weigh more than 200 pounds. While a saw that heavy might not be necessary, the weight makes it very sturdy. As far as a benchtop model goes, DIYers should choose the heaviest benchtop model that they can lift. This will ensure it stays put while in use and that they can move it off of a workbench when the job wraps up. 

Dust Collection 

Dust collection with band saws can be a hot-button topic. Because band saws don’t generate the kind of rpm that circular or miter saws do, they don’t send sawdust or metal shavings flying toward a dust-collection port. Dust tends to accumulate slowly inside and rarely makes it to the dust-collection port that can be attached to a shop vacuum, often located at the bottom of the saw.

To make sure a band saw’s dust collection works as efficiently as possible, be sure that it comes with the correct size of couplings to adapt to existing dust collection systems or a shop vacuum. 

Safety Features

Even though band saws represent old-school power tool technology, today’s models have some band saw safety-related updates. Features such as oversize stop buttons and adjustable blade guards help make floor-standing and benchtop models safer, while trigger safeties keep portable band saws from accidentally activating.

Floor-standing and benchtop models may also benefit from sliding bevel and tension gauges, as they’ll sit securely in a groove and allow for accurate cuts while keeping hands clear from the blade.

Also, for those with junior workshop partners walking around, removable keys for power switches keep children from activating a saw by accident. 

FAQs 

Now that you know more about band saws and the most important features to consider, you may still have questions about the tools. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how band saws work. If you still have questions, reach out to your saw’s manufacturer and speak to a customer service representative.

Q. What is the difference between a band saw and a jigsaw?

A band saw uses a long flexible blade that moves in a continuous loop. band saws offer superior precision and accuracy for cutting thick material, often in a workshop setting. A jigsaw uses a short blade that moves back-and-forth. Jigsaws are highly maneuverable and well suited for making intricate curved cuts in thin material.

Q. Can I use a band saw to cut metal?

Yes, you can cut metal with a band saw. In many cases, band saws are actually the best way to cut metal. When using a band saw for cutting metal, it’s important to fit the saw with a metal-cutting blade.

Q. Do I need specific saw blades for different cuts?

Yes, using the correct blade for the task at hand delivers the best results. Most band saw blades are designed to cut wood, with varying blade widths and optimized numbers of teeth per inch (TPI). Specialty blades are also available for cutting metals, PVC, masonry, and other materials.

Q. How do I maintain my band saw?

Maintain your band saw by keeping it clean and properly adjusted. Regularly clean sawdust, sap, and debris from the wheels, table, and motor. Keep the table waxed. Lubricate moving parts. Maintain proper blade tension and tracking. Ensure the blade guides and thrust bearings are properly aligned, and monitor the blade, bearings, and tires for wear.

Q. How do I stay safe when using my band saw?

To stay safe while operating a band saw, adjust the blade guard height to within ½ inch of the workpiece. Always wear safety glasses during operation, and avoid wearing gloves or loose clothing. Keep fingers at least 4 inches away from the moving blade. Use a push stick to control small pieces.

Q. How do I sharpen band saw blades?

To sharpen band saw blades use a file, diamond stone, or rotary tool with a grinding bit that fits as closely as possible into the gullets between the teeth. Be aware of the alternating set of each tooth, and adjust your sharpening position as you go. Hold the sharpening tool parallel to the cutting edge on the sawtooth and make a few passes to freshen up the edge. To minimize risk of injury, rotate the sawblade backward to sharpen the next tooth until the entire band has been sharpened.

Q. What is the teeth per inch (TPI) on a band saw?

Teeth per inch (TPI) indicates the number of saw teeth per 1 inch of blade length. band saw blades are available with different TPI counts for optimized cutting. In order to make smooth cuts and prevent clogging with sawdust, TPI should decrease as the thickness of the workpiece increases. For instance, 10 to 14 TPI is the ideal range for wood that is ½-inch thick, while 3 to 6 TPI is recommended for wood that is more than 3 inches thick. 

 

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