A table saw is one of the most essential tools for woodworking and carpentry. Although it has many uses, its primary use is for ripping through sheet goods like plywood, MDF, OSB, and more. That’s why you’ll always find one or more with furniture makers, cabinet makers and home remodelers who make use of these materials for their projects.
If you’re trying to get a table saw today, you’ll find out that there are many options available to choose from. They range from simple mini units, portable / job site units to much more complex ones like hybrid, contractor and cabinet table saws.
Today, there are even cordless units that make use of battery power. Something that hasn’t always been available back in the day. Instead of plugging these into a power outlet, you have to plug in a battery, and off you go, ripping boards with it.
That means you can use these even in remote job sites without access to electric power or generators.
With the variety however, comes the difficulty in making the right choice. Which one is the best for your project? Which type of table saw should you choose?
After testing several units from different brands, we’ve selected 10 of the best and compiled a comprehensive list and review to help you choose.
Our Top Picks
Bosch 4100XC-10  Best For Jobsite
| Dewalt DCS7485T1  Best Value
| SawStop  Best Performance
|
Table of Contents
What To Consider When Buying A Table Saw
Blade size / Cutting depth
Blade size is critical when choosing a table saw because it will determine how far into the material you can cut or the cutting depth.
The blade size of table saws ranges from 7 inches to 12 inches. The most common blade sizes, though, are 10 and 12 inches.
With a 10-inch blade, you have a maximum cutting depth of 3.5 inches; with a 12-inch blade, you can cut materials as thick as 4 inches.
A Good Straight Fence
The fence is one of the most crucial parts of the saw because the accuracy or positioning of the fence determines how accurate your cuts will be.
Different fences come with table saws, such as rack and pinion sliding fence, T-square fence, and the classic fence as found in Grizzly and Shopfox saws.
The fence that come with the one you choose should be easy to adjust to be parallel with the blade, in case it’s not parallel right out of the box.
It should also be strong enough to stay in position once locked in place. So, make your choice carefully and ensure the model or type you choose come with the right fence.
Rip Capacity
Rip capacity is another important consideration when buying a table saw. This is the distance from the saw blade to the maximum extension of the fence.
This determines how wide a material you can rip or cut with your saw. It also determines the type of projects you can handle with it.
Rip capacity for table saws ranges from as small as 18 inches for portable models to as high as 60+ for cabinet and sliding models.
If you want to work with wide sheet goods, go for a higher rip capacity. On the other hand, you can go for 18, 24, and 32-inch rip capacities if you’re not working with very large sheet goods.
Power
Table saws make use of electric motors, which supply rotational force to the blades for cutting the materials you want to cut.
These motors come in different sizes and have different power ratings in horsepowers. You can find saws with motors rated from 3/4 horsepower, one horsepower, 1.5, 2 to 5 horsepower, and above.
How does this affect your choice? The higher the power ratings, the thicker the boards and harder the materials you can cut with it.
With 3/4, 1.5, and 2 horsepower motors, you can cut lightly dense and thick materials up to 5/8 inches and maybe a little bit more than that.
Going for machines with higher horsepower motors will surely be your best bet if you want to cut denser materials and use wider blades like 12-inch blades.
Size
Table saws come in different sizes, from small mini table saws to very big sliding types. This size is going to determine the type you go for.
The size of your shop is also going to determine the size of the machine you can accommodate. Going for a small portable machine will be the right thing to do if you have a very small garage.
On the other hand, if you have a vast dedicated workshop and can afford a cabinet or sliding model, you can go for it.
Dust Collection
If you’re working outdoors, dust collection might not be a priority, but if you’re working indoors in a workshop, it is very important.
That’s why you need to ensure that the table saw you choose comes equipped with a suitable dust port you can hook to your shop vac.
You should take note of that because some portable benchtop models don’t come with dust collection ports. Using something like that indoors will surely cause a huge mess and make your shop uncomfortable to work in.
Safety Features
Safety is very important when dealing with these types of machines. Ensure you choose table saws with essential safety features so you can operate the machine in peace.
The stop switch should be conveniently located so you can quickly turn off the machine whenever you want or in case of an emergency. It would be best if you were not looking for it.
It should come with blade guards, preferably transparent ones, so you can see the blade position as you work.
1. Dewalt Flexvolt DCS7485T1 – Best Cordless Table Saw
- Blade size: 8-1/4 inch
- Speed: 5800 RPM
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Rip capacity: 24 inch
- Type of fence: Rack and pinion telescoping fence
- Power Source: Battery powered Flexvolt system / Cordless and corded
Dewalt’s Flexvolt technology is no longer new, but it’s the type of tech that made this saw possible. The Flexvolt battery can change between different voltages, powering 60 volts and 20 volts max tools, depending on the type of tool you plug it on.
This Dewalt DCS7485T1 is a 60 volts portable table saw. This model comes with a battery and charger, so you can easily power it up and get to work as soon as possible.
The DCS7485T1 allows you to use the saw at any given condition. You get a battery-powered tool and the peace of mind that you can always switch to corded whenever you want.
If you’re on a remote job site, this is the kind of tool you bring. It’s portable, and it’s battery-powered. On the other hand, if you’re in your workshop, you can always plug it directly into an outlet.
Most Dewalt table saws use a rack and pinion fence, and this one’s no different. It uses a rack and pinion telescoping fence, which is relatively easy to use and adjust as needed. It’s also very accurate right out of the box.
The Dewalt DCS7485T1 comes equipped with an 8-1/4 inch blade. This is not the largest of blades, but it’s ideal for DIY and job site rip cuts.
Although small, it has a 24-inch rip capacity, which means you can rip down sheet goods like MDF and similar types of boards with great accuracy.
One of the best things about it is that it’s quiet compared to other portable table saws and circular saws I’ve owned.
Setup is also straightforward and easy to carry out.
Related: 16 Tables Saw Accessories To Upgrade Your Table Saw
What I like about it
- It’s very portable.
- It’s quiet compared to similar saws of same size and range.
- Budget friendly.
- Flexible. You can use it with battery and also plug it into a power outlet.
- It’s easy to setup.
Where it can be improved
- It doesn’t come with a stand.
Related: The Best Track Saws For Making Long Precision Cuts
2. Skil TS6307-00
Jobsite table saws range from a few hundred bucks close to a thousand. If you need one that performs really well, but your budget is pretty tight, then this Skil TS6307-00 might just be what you need.
It features everything you need to tackle projects of various sizes on the jobsite like quickly ripping large boards, and making consistent repeat cuts.
The fence it comes with is a rack and pinion fence which is pretty easy to adjust when making cuts. It’s fast and smooth.
Adjusting the blade to be parallel to the fence is also pretty straight forward. In fact, you can make micro-adjustments to ensure the cut is as accurate as possible.
Supplying the power is a 15 am motor with a no load speed of 4600 RPM, allowing you to cut through different types of wood, both hardwood and softwood with ease.
The Skil TS6307-00 jobsite table saw makes use of a 10 inch blade which allows a 3.5 inch maximum depth of cut and a 2.5 inch max cutting depth when beveled at 45 degrees.
As for rip capacity, it’s 25.5 inches to the right of the blade and 14 inches to the left of the blade.
It also accepts dado blades with a maximum width of 5/8 inches, allowing you to cut sluts or make dados on your material.
Related: The Best Band Saws For Cutting Wood And Non-Ferrous Metals
What we like about it
- For the price, it’s one of the best.
- Very accurate.
- Easy to adjust blade to be square with the fence or vice versa.
- For its size, it’s also very powerful. Cuts through different types of wood with ease.
- Build quality is good.
Where it can be improved
- It’s quite loud or noisy.
Related: 10 Best Scroll Saws – Reviews And Buyer’s Guide
3. Bosch 4100XC-10 Best Jobsite Table Saw
Apart from the other bells and whistles that makes the Bosch 4100XC-10 one of the best jobsite table saws out there, the easy to use gravity rise stand that comes with it is one special accessory that draws pro consumers to it.
The gravity rise stand is very easy to use. Setup requires just one step, and overall, it makes the table saw very portable with a wheel that makes moving it on the jobsite very simple.
Equipped with a 15 Amp 4.0 HP motor, producing a max speed of 3,650 RPM, the Bosch 4100XC-10 is capable of cutting through any wood stock you throw at it.
The 30 inch by 22.5 inch cast aluminum table top provides ample work surface to cut large boards with ease.
It features a solid and smooth gliding SquareLock rip fence that provides a 30-inch rip capacity on the table. The fence is very accurate and easy to use right out of the box.
A very good feature of the Bosch 4100XC-10 table saw is that it maintains the same speed under load. This ensures it cuts through materials easily without any hiccups. It also helps the blade stay true and accurate all the time.
Bosch includes safety features like a riving knife, anti-kickback paws and a transparent blade guide to ensure maximum safety duty operation.
What I like about it
- It includes a gravity rise stand which makes it very portable.
- Power is not lacking.
- The Squarelock fence is easy to use and accurate right out of the box.
- Maintains constant speed through cuts.
Where it can be improved
- Assembly instructions are not straightforward.
Related: 8 Reasons Why You Should Get A Track Saw
4. Milwaukee 2736-21HD – 8-1/4 Inch Blade
As a professional contractor, general carpenter or home remodeler, you need a table saw that’s portable and convenient to use with or without access to electricity.
That is exactly what this Milwaukee 2736-21HD M18 FUEL powered table saw is designed for – jobsite applications. Just like any other cordless tool, you can’t beat the convenience of using a saw like this on the jobsite.
Apart from being convenient to use, it’s also very powerful. It comes equipped with Milwaukee’s POWERSTATE brushless motor that produces up to 6300 RPM of speed and higher even under load. This thing will cut through any wood you throw at it with ease. Pine, oak, maple, you name it. It cuts through them like a hot knife through butter.
Next is the battery. The M18 FUEL battery that comes with it can last throughout the day. It doesn’t run down easily and it charges quickly.
The Milwaukee 2736-21HD table saw comes with an 8-1/4 inch blade, and has a 24-1/2 inch rip capacity for cutting sheet goods. It can rip through 4×8 sheets of OSB or plywood with ease.
It comes with a rack and pinion fence system that’s fairly easy to adjust, with a dialed in scale to read and make fine adjustments before making a cut. The fence is a bit flimsy, but for a saw this size, it works pretty great.
The build quality is good. It has an all-metal frame which makes it very sturdy and capable of withstanding tough jobsite conditions.
It comes with a riving knife, a miter gauge, a push stick, and there’s onboard storage so you don’t misplace these accessories.
All in all, I’d say the Milwaukee 2736-21HD is the ideal table saw for you if you’re a pro carpenter, a contractor or woodworker in need of a very portable and convenient saw for jobsite projects. It’s very powerful, cuts through anything, and the battery does not disappoint.
Related: Track Saws And Panel Saws – Which Is Better?
What I like about it
Where it can be improved
Related: The 10 Best Reciprocating Saws – Reviews And Guide
5. Delta 36-5100T2 Best Contractor Table Saw
Contractor table saws are like the midpoint between a full cabinet saw and a jobsite unit. This Delta 36-5100T2 is a very good one I’d recommend if you’re looking for something a bit more robust than a portable jobsite saw.
It has a huge 30-inch rip capacity aided with a cast iron table and 2 cast iron extension wings, which allows you to cut large sheet goods or plywood easily. It has a 3-1/8 inch depth of cut at 90 degrees and a 2-1/4 inch depth of cut at 45 degrees.
The Biesemeyer style fence that comes with it is very easy to use and adjust, allowing you to cut very tiny pieces off your stock with precision.
The Delta 36-5100T2 features a 15 amp 1 HP motor which spins the 10-inch blade at 3450 RPM. It’s very powerful and will cut through any wood you pass through it.
Apart from the 10-inch blade, it also accepts a 13/6 by 8 inch dado stack for cutting slots in your stock. It makes use of a belt drive, which might reduce the power, but also reduces the noise and vibration produce by the motor.
The saw is built to last with cast iron parts and a solid tubular frame for structural support. The assembled saw weighs about 234 lbs, but it’s still easy to move around once it’s assembled because it comes with 2 fixed wheels and a swivel wheel for direction.
What I like about it
Where it can be improved
6. Shop Fox W1837 10 Inch Best Hybrid Table Saw
The Shop Fox W1837 is a very powerful hybrid table saw with a half-open stand housing a 2 HP 120V/240V motor.
With the 10-inch blade and the 2-horsepower motor, this saw is clearly designed to cut through any type of wood you put through it.
Unlike contractor saws that may have the trunnion assembly mounted to the table, this Shop Fox W1837 has its heavy-duty cast iron trunnion assembly mounted directly to the cabinet base. This helps to absorb vibrations during operation, reduces noise, and makes it easier to align the blade with the fence and miter slot.
It has a 30-inch rip capacity with an easy-to-adjust extruded aluminum fence that’s very easy to adjust and align with the blade. The fence can be locked at the front and at the rear to keep it strong and stable during cuts.
There are also T-Slots at the sides and top of the fence, which makes it easy to add jigs and other extensions that improve the functionality of the machine.
Dust collection is quite easy because the cabinet bottom is half enclosed with a 4-inch dust port so you can easily connect a hose directly to the machine to remove all the sawdust produced during use.
The Shop Fox W1837 has a left tilting blade with a maximum cut capacity of 3-1/4 inches at 90 degrees and 2-1/4 inches at 45 degrees.
It features a transparent quick-release blade guard assembly that protects the operator’s hand from the blade while at the same time, making it easy to watch the blade cut through the workpiece.
Overall, I’d say this Hybrid table saw from Shop Fox is worth what it costs. When properly adjusted, it cuts through materials with ease and precision. The build quality is also very good. It’s built with high-quality steel and looks like something that will stand the test of time.
What I like about it
Where it can be improved
7. Powermatic PM1000 1791000KG
The Powermatic PM1000 1791000KG is one of the best cabinet table saws we’ve tested.
It features a perfectly flat cast iron table, allowing you to carry out work that requires high precision with peace of mind.
Also featured is a very versatile miter gauge that pivots 60 degrees to both sides, which is very helpful when making complex cuts.
A poly-v belt drive system is used for power transmission, which helps ensure that, even though the table saw is powered with a powerful 1.75 hp motor, it remains vibration-free during operation.
With an arbor lock in place, changing blades is very easy because you don’t have to handle two wrenches with your two hands. You just have to lock the arbor, preventing it from rotating while you change the blade.
The whole setup is very heavy which is a good thing because it helps to dampen vibration during operation, ensuring that you work with a very stable machine.
What I like about it
Where it can be improved
8. SawStop PCS31230-TGP252 Best Cabinet Table Saw
Sawstop table saws are sort after because they have a unique safety feature that prevents the blade from causing severe injury to the operator when the skin accidentally comes in contact with it.
Every SawStop table saw comes equipped with a brake that retracts the blade under the saw table in less than 5 milliseconds to prevent any injury in case the blade accidentally comes in contact with the operator’s skin.
The Sawstop PCS31230-TGP252 is a cabinet table saw that not only has that feature but also comes equipped with other essential features that make it one of the best for professional woodworkers.
It’s a cabinet saw, which means it comes equipped with everything you need to rip large workpieces to size. Unlike small job site units, the SawStop PCS31230-TGP252 is also very quiet during operation because all the working parts are enclosed under a cabinet base.
Dust collection is also better, with up to 99 percent of the dust produced collected above the table with an included dust collection blade guard.
Aided with a 52-inch T-Glide fence and rail system, accuracy when making cuts is over the roof. The fence is built with heavy gauge steel, which keeps it square and accurate after being adjusted.
A powerful 3.0 HP, 1-phase motor ensures the 10-inch blade cuts through boards of different hardness with ease.
What I like about it
- This is probably the safest table saw in the world, equipped with every feature to make sure you don’t sustain any injury while operating it.
- It’s well built with heavy duty parts. The trunnion and arbor assembly are one of the heaviest, making it very stable and precise.
- The T-Glide fence and rails stays accurate for a very long time once it’s set up.
- It doesn’t lack in power, cuts everything you throw at it.
- It’s not noisy like a jobsite unit. Dust collection system is very efficient.
Where it can be improved
- Assembly is pretty straightforward but takes time.
9. Jet 708675PK XACTA
Power, precision and good dust collection are some of the most important features of a good cabinet table saw. The Jet 708675PK XACTA cabinet saw have all of those features.
It comes equipped with a 230 volts 3 hp motor which provides the needed power to drive the poly-V belt drive system that spins the blade at a speed of 4300 rpm. This rips through hardwoods easily and effortlessly.
The Poly-V belt drive system ensures that the machine remains not only vibration-free but also very quiet during operation.
The wide cast iron table and extension wings provides plenty of work area for very large jobs to be carried out on the saw.
A left tilt blade ensures that cut offs fall freely on the table away from the blade and to prevent the blade from burning the work piece.
The blade is also well shrouded to ensure a very efficient dust collection which is essential for a clean workshop and a healthy work environment.
Heavy duty cast iron trunnions adds to the weight of the saw to improve performance and stability of the saw during operation.
What I like about it
Where it can be improved
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get a table saw?
One word, accuracy. Table saws help make more accurate cuts than circular saws, jig saws and miter saws. It comes equipped with an accurate fence that allows you to guide your material through the table, allowing the blade to cut through as accurately as possible. They also cut larger sheet goods too.
While you make just few types of cuts on other saws, on a table saw you can make different types of cuts such as rip cuts, bevel cuts, crosscuts and even daddo cuts. It’s a multipurpose cutting machine.
