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Last updated: 15 Feb 2023
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Make Perfect Cuts With the Best Table Saw Available

Best Overall
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Rockwell Portable Table Saw
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Best Full-Size Table Saw
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TACKLIFE Table Saw
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Easiest to Use
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WORX Portable Table Saw
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Best Commercial Grade Table Saw
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Makita Contractor Table Saw
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By Old House Journal Review Team
Published 7:03 pm

For cutting large pieces of wood with plenty of support, the premier table saws in 2023 will become your go-to instead of a miter saw. They often include a built-in deck, which works like a tabletop when used in various situations. Many table saws also include variable blades that can be swapped out to match the task or woodworking projects at hand. But when it comes to picking the finest table saw for your budget and preference, there are a few key things to consider. This is why we’re here to help you pick from portable, cabinet, and hybrid models to find the right option that provides the best value.

Compare the Top Table Saws

1

Rockwell Portable Table Saw

– Best Overall
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Key Features

Built for portability and durability, this table saw features a built-in carry handle to help you move it anywhere for easy setup in seconds. This is unlike traditional saws that are permanently fixed to a tabletop. It includes the best starter kit and accessories, with built-in storage to house everything. It also comes with multiple blades, a miter gauge, and a rip fence, making it perfect for DIY projects. A safety switch prevents the system from accidentally starting even when plugged in, which is great for protecting the user as well as children. This table-top provides a mess-free environment for all your DIY projects. Simply plug a shop vac into its vacuum port and clean any dust or wood chips that you see. It can handle rip, miter, cross, and scroll cuts precisely. The fence and miter gauge are included in the accessories. It weighs only 15 pounds, so it’s adequately portable for various house projects. This option’s convenient features make it the best overall on our list.

Pros
  • Has a built-in carry handle for portability
  • Relatively powerful table saw with a bevy of accessories
  • Has a built-in compartment for storing extra blades and attachments
Cons
  • Blades are not as effective when working on large projects
2

TACKLIFE Table Saw

– Best Full-Size Table Saw
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Key Features

This standing, full-size table system offers a powerful 15-Amp 2000W motor that can cut through plyboards and blockboards among other materials. It uses a 10” 24T carbide-tipped blade that allows a flexible bevel cutting at 90° 45°. The dust collection port can be connected to a vacuum for a cleaner working environment. It’s powerful, accurate, and about as close to a professional setup as you might expect. The table dimensions of 25.3″ to 28.3″ offer a large and open space to work with, especially during rip and miter cuts. The 3.9″ extension length on each side ensures that your workpiece has enough support while you’re cutting. This is especially true when you’re working with longer pieces of wood. The surface is made of coated aluminum, so it’s tough and resistant to oxidation and deformation. The blade guard is completely transparent to help with visibility. It also comes with a miter gauge, push bar, parallel guide, and a protection guard. The iron stand has triangle support feet for extra stability while cutting.

Pros
  • Guard is completely transparent to help with visibility
  • Expandable tabletop setup for cutting longer pieces of wood
  • Iron stand has triangle support feet for extra stability while cutting
Cons
  • No wheels and not as portable as the smaller models
3

WORX Portable Table Saw

– Easiest to Use
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Key Features

This table saw weighs less than 15 pounds, making it a great tool to carry from one place to another. It is great for making a variety of straight and wide cuts and it’s super easy to set up and use. It has a built-in safety switch to prevent accidental usage and an adjustable miter gauge for making 0-60° miter cuts. Made with cutting-edge technology, this cost-effective machine will be a mainstay in your workshop for all DIY projects. This Bladerunner saw has the power of a large table saw in a compact yet highly efficient machine. Bundled with the saw are a rip fence, miter gauge, and several multi-material blades which can be stored in the base of the table saw for easy access. A small compartment can hold extra blades. It does require standard power, so an extension cord may be needed, as is a stable surface to rest the unit on. Its hands-free design allows the user to adjust the material as they work, for clean and efficient cutting.

Pros
  • Excellent cross and rip cut blade design with a reliable grip
  • Comes with a miter gauge, rip fence, and various material blades
  • Lightweight and extremely portable
  • Safety switch prevents accidental usage
Cons
  • Requires a stable and flat surface to rest on
4

Makita Contractor Table Saw

– Best Commercial Grade Table Saw
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Key Features

Also available with an optional stand, this table saw employs a 15.0 AMP motor to deliver 4,500 RPM of sawing power, which is adequate for commercial and construction use. The modular blade guard can be assembled and dismantled easily without requiring any tools. Its design allows the user to see the blade as it cuts through the workpiece. The machine also has ample storage space for all the accessories and comes with a 1-year warranty. The highly functional table system also comes with a miter gauge, push stick, wrenches, and a single carbide-tipped steel 32T blade. It also has a rip fence that can be adjusted to match various sizes and a built-in scale that enables more precise cuts. It is designed to give the user more control with a large on/off switch. A magnifying lens on the scale helps make faster and more accurate adjustments while cutting. According to some users, the guides on this table saw can get sluggish after prolonged use and require lubrication.

Pros
  • Built for commercial work and on-the-job cuts
  • Premium build quality and ultra-powerful 4,500RPM motor
  • Easy-to-read scale with magnifying lens for accurate cutting
Cons
  • Only one blade is included with the system
5

DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw

– Most Heavy-Duty
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Key Features

Standing much taller than the average table saw, this system comes with a rolling stand for added stability. It is easy to move, and it both sets up and breaks down quickly. The machine has rack and pinion fence rails to make smooth and accurate fence adjustments. It also allows the user to adjust guarding components quickly without needing any tools. This system is as close to a miter saw as you’re going to get in terms of power, with incredible support and flexibility. It has built-in storage for all your accessories, and the 15 AMP motor, coupled with a wide 32-½” rip capacity, can cut through larger and tougher workpieces with ease. The heavy-duty stand employs large wheels that make the system more portable. It also features a push stick for safety when the table saw is not in use. A dust collection port can be connected to a vacuum to collect debris.

Pros
  • Comes with a collapsable rolling stand for portability
  • Built-in storage for accessories
  • Dust collection port can be connected to a vacuum
Cons
  • The instruction manual might be confusing to read if you’re new to table saws
6

Leegol Wet Table Saw

– Most Compact
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Key Features

This tool is perfect for those looking for a wet saw that can efficiently cut through tile, marble, masonry, and ceramic without taking up too much space. This 7-inch machine is extremely compact, lightweight, and portable. It is easy to transport to work sites where large tile saws cannot be accommodated. This product has a water reservoir that keeps the blade cool. The reservoir also absorbs any dust or debris to keep the area clean. The chrome-plated construction of the tabletop makes it very sturdy and prevents it from corroding. The table can be tilted to make bevel cuts up to 45°. The impact-resistant water reservoir underneath ensures that the blade doesn’t overheat while cutting. It has a relatively stable and adjustable fence to make precise cuts. With modest cutting capacity and size, it works better for crafters. This tool is good at cutting tiles and comes at a decent price point.

Pros
  • Chrome-plated top resists rust and erosion
  • Water reservoir minimizes dust and keeps the blade cool
  • Small and lightweight, portable and easy to store
Cons
  • Blade wears out after consistent use and requires replacement
7

Milwaukee Electric Tools Table Saw

– Most Reliable
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Key Features

Milwaukee’s table saw is completely cordless and very portable. This allows an easy and convenient setup anywhere, including places with no power outlet. It features a Powerstate™ brushless motor that offers the same durability and performance as a 15A corded circular saw. The machine runs on a high-output HD12.0 battery that packs 50% more power and doesn’t heat up as much as a standard lithium-ion battery. The Milwaukee table saw offers a quick and reliable way to rip different material sheets. Its battery offers 50% more power, and you can lock the operations using the “One-Key” functionality. One user even said that they preferred their cordless table saw over the corded one due to long battery life and quick recharging. It also employs Redlink Plus™ Intelligence to ensure optimal performance and prevent overloading or battery damage during heavy usage.

Pros
  • Completely cordless, great for portability
  • 50% longer battery life
  • Lithium-ion battery and charger included in the purchase
Cons
  • Does not include a stand for stability
8

Skilsaw Heavy-Duty Table Saw

– Sleekest Look
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Key Features

Skilsaws’s heavy-duty table saw lives up to its name and packs enough power to tear through even the toughest pieces of plywood with ease. The rack and pinion fence system allows for a quick fence adjustment. The dust shoot can be connected with a vacuum to keep things mess-free while you work. This is a great option for anyone looking to complete a big job, thanks to the left side support that gives more stability when working with larger pieces of wood. The machine is quite heavy on its own but the inclusion of a stand with big wheels makes it more portable. It’s relatively easy to carry it to work sites or move it around the workshop. This saw has true dado capability and includes T-slots for miter gauge for more precision when making longer cuts. Working with bigger quantities of wood can often cause dust and debris to accumulate inside and around the machine leading to inefficiencies. This is why the option to add a dust vacuum to this setup is a great option.

Pros
  • Includes a rolling stand for portability
  • Rack and pinion fence system for quick fence adjustment
  • Miter gauge T-slots for more precision
Cons
  • You might have to weigh down the machine when ripping large ply sheets
9

Bosch Worksite Table Saw

– Most Portable
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Key Features

Portability is an important characteristic of a good woodworking tool, which is why we love how easy it is to move Bosch’s 10-inch worksite table saw from one place to another. It comes with a rolling stand with large 8-inch wheels that offers better stability. Its collapsable design also makes it great for storage. This durable table saw also comes with a 1-year warranty. The 3,650 RPM motor provides enough power to cut through plywood with extreme precision, while the SquareLock rip fence allows one-handed operation. It also employs a smart guard system with a riving knife that can be adjusting to three different positions for more safety. The aluminum top makes the table saw very durable, although some users did note that this construction can cause a lot of vibration and noise transfer from the motor. The foldable design of the table is great for storage, especially for people with space restrictions, however, the table, when fully extended, might not be wide enough for cutting longer workpieces. 

Pros
  • Dust collection port can be connected to a vacuum
  • SquareLock rip fence allows one-handed operation
  • Collapsible design for better storage
  • Riving knife can be adjusting to three different positions for safety
Cons
  • The table can be slightly small for cutting bigger pieces of wood

Best Table Saws Buying Guide

Woodworking is a craft that involves a wide range of tools. A table saw is the most reliable and efficient piece of equipment for making quick and efficient cuts. 

What Is a Table Saw?

The table saw is a dedicated cutting tool and boasts more power than most other saws to work with a wide array of tough materials. Its innate practicality has made it an invaluable tool in workshops and DIY setups around the globe.

Unlike a standard saw, this tool allows the material to be fed against the blade to yield a more precise cut. To operate a table saw successfully, you’ll need to understand the tool’s various parts and how to adjust them accordingly to your task. 

If you’ve never used a table saw, this video from Steve Ramsey will help you learn the basics and get you well on your way to making the first cuts:

What Should a Person Consider Before Buying a Table Saw?

If you are looking to purchase a great table saw, there are some considerations you want to make. Getting familiar with these design, structural, and safety details will simplify the task of purchasing a saw and simplify your choice.

This table saw buying guide will shed light on the key features of table saws and enlighten you on the choices available to you when you are on the market for one. Let’s examine them.

Portability: stationary vs. portable saws

The first factor to consider when evaluating a table saw is its portability. Table saws generally come as portable and stationary units.

Portable table saws usually come mounted on a stand that has wheels. They may also come as foldable units to enhance easy storage. Good examples of these table saws are the Contact and Jobsite table saws. 

Benchtop saws are also considered portable but they do not come with stands and require a table top or bench to function (as their name suggests). These saws are considered portable nonetheless as they are relatively smaller and easily moved from workshop to workshop.

Stationary table saws can be further split into three types; Contractor, Hybrid, and Cabinet table saws. They are generally larger than their portable counterparts with the largest and heaviest of these three being the cabinet saw. It is a heavy piece of machinery that is robust and powerful. Notedly, Hybrid saws blend features of both contractor saws and cabinet table saws. 

Saw blades

This is one of the elements you will have to check for as it plays a major role in what the saw can be used for. Different saw blades are suited to different applications. These blades are classified based on their diameter, material, arbor size, number of teeth, speed, application, as well as their size. The scale and location of the teeth are the most important aspects of the blade. 

Commercial saws typically use between 10” and 12” blades but there are models that function with blades as small as 5”. These blades come in varying numbers of teeth usually between 24 and 80. All the blades available on the market are designed to be durable and feature materials in their composition to strengthen them (e.g. carbon, carbide, diamond, etc.).

Fence and miter gauge

The fence is an integral feature of the table saw. It’s the crucial component that holds the materials upright when they are being sliced. This tool when used correctly enables accurate cuts by keeping the wood or other materials held firmly. The most common type of fence found on table saws is the T-square fence. Without this, fence rip cuts of any kind would be impossible to make.

The miter gauge is integral to making cross cuts or more detailed angled cuts. It serves as a clamp to preserve the supply. Some table saws come with a miter gauge already built-in while you’ll have to buy a separate one with some models. 

Motor and engine power 

There are various kinds of motors available on table saws. Smaller saws feature direct drive motors that function on 120v circuits and can produce up to 2 hp, which is sufficient enough to cut thinner materials. Larger and more powerful table saws have motors that produce from 3 to 5hp. These saws rely on a belt drive to transfer the power from the rotor to the blade. They typically operate on 240v. 

The power of the motor power really determines the output of the table saw. Belt drives are heavier than most direct-driven table-saw models. Some table saws may also be powered by fuel-powered motors. These are typically louder but produce more power than electric units.

Safety 

As with all power tools, safety is very important when using a table saw. Most devices, depending on the brand, class, or size, host different sorts of safety features. These features don’t just make them less dangerous to handle but must also come with designs that take into account the kinds of tasks these tools could be used for.

It’s important that the table saw you choose comes with these safety features. Some of them include splitters, riving knives, and anti-kickback pawls that help reduce the chances of kickback when the blade is in motion. 

Accessories

You can expand the functionality of your table saw by adding various accessories to it. Parts like table extensions, on/off switches, wheels that adjust the height and tilt of the blade, and dust collection systems can be found on most table saws made by reputable companies. Some of these parts improve the functionality of the saw, while others make it safer to use in your woodworking projects.

You can upgrade your saw into a more efficient and ultimate engine by fitting it appropriately with the right upgrades and accessories, and it should allow for these additions.

How Did We Choose Our Selection of the Leading Table Saws?

Every saw has its pros and cons. But in the end, the finest table saw for you will depend on your needs. This is why we’ve offered a variety of options for you to choose from, listing the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

We understand that the experience of buyers who have already used this product is an important factor in determining the right pick for you, which is why we’ve also considered their reviews before listing our top picks.

You might want to add the best string trimmers to your collection.

People Also Asked

Q: What is a table saw?

A: A table saw is a powerful cutting tool found in many workshops. It consists of a saw blade driven by a motor with the whole unit mounted on a work table. You can typically operate the table saw by feeding material against the blade for precise cutting.

Q: What are table saws used for?

A: Table saws are very versatile and have a lot of applications, but they are best used for making long straight cuts. They can perform three different types of cuts: cross cut, rip cut, and dado cut. If you need a machine to make long, repetitive cuts with precision, a table saw will be perfect for the task.

Q: Do I need a stand for my table saw?

A: Since table saws are a highly technical and expensive home power tool, your safety and productivity are paramount when operating this machine. Investing in a heavy-duty stand will help with stability and support, especially when working with large pieces of wood. Check if the brand offers a stand when you purchase your table saw; ideally, you want one that has wheels for portability or a collapsable design for storage efficiency.

Garage Tools
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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