Every home shop needs a table saw. But how do you choose the best table saw when there's so many to choose from? Whether you need a portable table saw or a larger professional grade cabinet table saw, we put together a list of the best ones for you. We show you why we love it, what makes it the best, and who should or shouldn't use each one.
Let's get right to it...
In a Rush? Our Top Picks in Order:
Table saws are extremely useful for ripping large sheets of wood, building cabinets, and just about any other woodworking project you can think of. They're not used for smaller cuts or detail work though. They're a workhorse that cuts larger sheets into smaller pieces with perfectly straight lines so you can then make your precision cuts with your other saws.
When you're purchasing a table saw, you want to consider the size of the wood pieces you're working with. If you're working with full sheets of plywood at a job site, then you need a portable table saw with a table extension. You do not want your plywood hanging unsupported because this can cause safety issues as well as irregular cuts.
If you're building cabinets or doing regular work that requires a table saw, then you may want a more sturdy cabinet table saw. However, these are not table saws that you can move around so you need a shop with a dedicated space to put them. They also come with a higher price tag than the portable saws because these are professional level tools.
Based on our research and experience, we have found the best table saws available today. Each one is built to last, powerful, and with integrated safety features to ensure you can work without injury.
Dewalt is a household name at this point and for good reason. They build tools that are highly durable, powerful, and affordable. The DW745 portable table saw is no stranger to ripping through wood with precision and speed. This model doesn't come with a stand and it's built for full sheets of plywood. It's built with a max rip of 20" to the left and 12" to the right so consider the size of the materials you're cutting prior to buying. If you're making cuts for home projects or need a portable table saw for quick cuts at the job site, this is a great choice.
A few other notable features of this saw are that the top is specially coated to reduce friction, if has a 2 1/2 inch dust collection port, and a durable roll cage for added stability.
Bosch is another very high quality brand known for making contractor tools that last. The 4100 table saw model features a 25" rip capacity which means you can cut up to a 4' piece of wood perfectly in half. If you need larger cuts, they also have this model with a 30" rip capacity so you can cut up to 5' boards down the middle.
The integrated stand features 8" wheels for painless movement over uneven surfaces and the gravity rise stand allows you to quickly adjust table height and get to work. The stand is also collapsable so you can put it in the back of your truck without it tipping over during transport.
A few other notable features are the one-tool blade changes which mean you can quickly change blades and the "soft start circuitry" which regulates the intensity of the motor when you start the saw to reduce the risk of tripping circuits.
The SKIL 3410-02 is a great beginners option table saw and offers excellent power for the money. It lacks a few of the more convenient features such as built in transport wheels and weighs 67 lbs so it's pretty heavy. But if you simply need an affordable work horse for your garage shop, it's a good table saw.
There are a few sacrifices though. The fence doesn't always lock perfectly parallel with the blade and it does have a little wobble with it. It's also difficult to adjust the fence which can be a pain. It does, however, have anti-kickback technology and a blade guard to keep your hands safe which is a must with this equipment. Overall, there's nothing overly remarkable about the SKIL 3410-02 but its a good value for the money and will accommodate any beginning wood worker or work as a back up for job sites.
The Rockwell RK7242S might be my favorite saw for home projects. It has everything you need including an extra wide rip capacity for cutting up to 5' boards perfectly in half. It also has a built in dust collection bag on the bottom for keeping a clean workshop, a laster guide for accurate cutting, a deep cut depth, and powerful motor.
If you ever do need to bring it somewhere, it breaks down and sets up very easily. The stand legs fold down and the wheels allow you to walk the saw with you like a piece of luggage. The rails fold out, the guide clips right on with a one motion clamp, and you can get to work again in about 30 seconds. Overall, it's an excellent portable table saw for both home users and construction sites.
The Makita 2705 features anti kickback technology, an aluminum high durability surface, clear blade guard so you can see your lines when cutting, and tool-less blade guard. With it's high RPM, deep cutting capability, and powerful motor, you can rip through 4' plywood sheets quickly and accurately.
It doesn't come with a stand, though, so this is a stay at home saw for the most part. Although, if you do need to transport it to a job site, the blade can be stored within the saw (below the table surface) to prevent the blade from being damaged during transport.
The Makita also features an easy rail guided rip fence for cutting through wider sheets of plywood.
If you want a powerful table saw for your home workshop that doesn't need a lot of maintenance, the Makita is a trustworthy brand and saw.
The SKILSAW SPT70WT-01 is a great workshop saw and, even though it doesn't come with a stand, it's one of the most lightweight options so it's easy to bring to a job site. It features a powerful 15 AMP motor with the highest RPM of any saw on this list. The worm drive in the saw features larger teeth, a stable driving system, and a powerful cutting capacity. There's also a built in dust collection port so you can easily connect a vacuum host and keep your shop clean. It's 25" rip capacity means you can cut through 4' boards with no trouble. And I have to say, it's also a pretty sleek looking table saw that looks great on any shop table.
The Dewalt DWE7491RS is a powerful portable table saw with high RPM, a powerful motor, and a built-in folding stand. The legs fold out or down and it has built in oversized wheels that make it easy to walk it through job sites on uneven ground. The rack and pinion telescoping fence adjusts for a 32 - 1/2" rip capacity that lets you rip through large sheets of wood with little trouble. It also features a 2-1/2" dust collection port to connect your shop vac.
What makes it different? The motor specs are roughly the same as most of the other portable saws on this list. However, it has a huge rip capacity so if you need to cut larger boards, this is a great option.
If you're a cabinet maker and you need a professional level, dedicated shop table saw, the Grizzly offers an affordable commercial grade option. It's not cheap, but its a great value. It has a 3" cutting depth at 90 degrees and 2-1/8" at a 45 degree angle. A few other notable features about the Grizzly are that it has a powder coated paint job, oversized shut off switch, quick release blade guard, perfectly parallel shop fence, and oversized angle & depth adjustment wheels.
When it comes to professional shop table saws, the Grizzly is a great value for the cost.
The SAWSTOP is a premium professional grade table saw. The safety features alone make this worth the month. It has a patented safety system that stops the blade within 5 milliseconds of contacting the skin which means you'll get less than a paper-cut if you come in contact with it.
It also has a dust capture system that captures 99% of the dust created by the saw. Since sawdust has been labeled as a carcinogen this is almost a requirement if you spend your days in the shop cutting wood. Overall, if you're looking for the cream of the crop table saw, this is it.