Here’s a free fact: no woodworking arsenal is complete without the best table saw for the money, period. Even if you have the latest Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Cordless Circular Saw, and tile saw, you still need a highly-performant table saw to make straight or angled cuts through wood, plastic, or any moderately-soft material.
Choosing the best table saw is not as easy as it seems though, as the market is full of models of different kinds and shapes, and as these power tools don’t come cheap, you need to make sure that you’re making the right decision when clicking on the “buy” button. Worry not, as we’ve already taken care of the heavy lifting and chose the top products in this category. We’ve also put together a detailed buying guide that will help you choose the right table saw for your workplace, which you’ll find at the end of the article.
In a hurry? Here’s our top pick!
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- Precision ground and polished cast iron table and wings and massive cast iron trunnions
- Quick release riving knife, blade guard and splitter assembly
- Wide span easy glide T-fence system with positive camlock and phenolic face and smooth gliding nylon runners
- Adjustable T-slot miter gauge with anodized fence extension and flip stop
The Best Table Saw for the Money – Our Picks
#1 – Shop Fox W1819 Table Saw
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- Precision ground and polished cast iron table and wings and massive cast iron trunnions
- Quick release riving knife, blade guard and splitter assembly
- Wide span easy glide T-fence system with positive camlock and phenolic face and smooth gliding nylon runners
- Adjustable T-slot miter gauge with anodized fence extension and flip stop
Although not as well-known as big power tool brands, Shop Fox is still a pretty good manufacturer – one that’s known for producing some of the finest table saws, including the W1819, which is our pick for the overall best table saw.
The first perk in this saw is the effortless assembly. You can put this table saw together in a matter of a few hours, though getting a second helping hand would make the assembly even faster. Note that the machine is heavy, but the delivery crew will take care of getting it into your workplace.
Shop Fox’s W1819 boasts a powerful 3-horsepower motor capable of rotating the blade at a whopping 4,300 RPM, making it capable of handling both light and heavy-duty projects. Despite all that power, the saw produces no vibration whatsoever, and it will prove to be pretty stable throughout any project.
Often times, powerful means more prone to accidents, but that’s not the case for the W1819 Table Saw from Shop Fox, as it features a clear polycarbonate guard that protects the user while allowing him or her to see the blade as they cut. Furthermore, the saw offers a riving knife that works on preventing kickback and keeping the user even safer.
Now, nothing is perfect, and although we’re labeling the Shop Fox W1819 as the best table saw for the money, it still comes with a minor drawback: the miter gauge isn’t of the highest quality, so you might want to consider getting an aftermarket miter gauge, which is what most woodworkers do anyway.
What we like about this machine
As mentioned above, we’re giving the Shop Fox W1819 the title of the best table saw for a multitude of reasons. It’s easy to assemble, packs plenty of power, and comes with an excellent dust port and several safety features. What else could you ask for in the best table saw, huh?
#2 – DeWalt DWE7491RS Table Saw
- Your purchase includes one Dewalt table saw, 10inch 24-tooth carbide blade, rolling stand, push stick, miter gauge, rip fence, 2x blade wrenches, blade guard assembly manual
- Other Specs: Max rip to left of blade – 22inch | Max rip to right of blade – 32-1/2inch | Max width of Dado – 13/16inch | Arbor size – 5/8inch | Amps – 15 | Depth of cut at 45inch – 2-1/4inch | Depth of cut at 90° – 3-1/8inch | No Load Speed: 4800 RPM
- Rolling stand designed for easy set up and breakdown with excellent stability
- Rack & Pinion Telescoping Fence System Make fence adjustments fast, smooth and accurate
- Features a 15.0A high torque motor with the power to cut pressure treated lumber and hardwoods
When it comes to portability, no machine can rival the DeWalt DWE7491RS, which is why we’re giving it the title of the best portable table saw. This DeWalt table saw sports a handful of features that contribute to the portability, including a set of wheels that make transporting the machine from one jobsite to another a breeze.
The support legs are also ergonomically-designed to give the user, aka you, a stable platform on which they can work without adding too much weight to the tool, which weighs a measly 90 pounds. That may seem like much, but it’s actually on the lightweight side of the spectrum for power tools in this category.
Though this machine is the best portable table saw, it’s still pretty powerful for its size and weight, as it packs a 15-AMP high-torque motor that rotates the blade at an impressive speed of 4,800 RPM. Couple that with the reasonable price and excellent dust port and collection system, and you’ve got yourself another solid candidate for the title of the best table saw for the money – one that can take care of any cutting project without causing a mess.
DeWalt’s DWE7491RS table saw can make rips on wood pieces measuring up to 32 inches in length, which may seem too small for small woodworkers, but is still great for the size, weight, and price of this machine.
What we like about this machine
All in all, if you’re a carpenter for whom woodworking is a daily job, quality becomes crucial, and you cannot go with the first table saw you find. Our recommendation for veteran woodworkers is the DeWalt DWE7491RS, as this jobsite table saw has the best of everything, with robust, durable construction, advanced security features, and a powerful engine capable of rotating the blade efficiently to cut through all kinds of wood, both soft and hard. In short, this is the best table saw for small shops.
#3 – Bosch 4100-09 Table Saw
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Bosch’s 4100-09 is yet another portable table saw that’s easy to assemble, disassemble, and move around thanks to the large 8-inch treaded pneumatic wheels it packs. Another feature that gets this model even closer to being the best portable table saw is the easily foldable frame, which makes the machine effortless to store when not in use.
Although this is a runner up for the title of the best table saw for the money in terms of portability, it’s actually powerful and accurate, as it packs a 15-Amp motor capable of spinning the blade at around 3,650 RPM in speed, which can be adjusted according to your needs thanks to the electronic speed control. Furthermore, the unit can rip wood up to 40.5 inches in length, which is the standard for a stationary model.
The arbor lock system featured in this model is controversial, as while some users will find it perfect for easy, quick changes, others will hate it as it may feel off and take forever.
As for the safety features, the Bosch 4100-09 Table Saw does come with some, including a riving knife and anti-kickback pawls to protect the user when there is a kickback.
Just like the Shop Fox W1819, that we reviewed above as the overall best table saw, this model features a low-quality miter gauge, which can be a turnoff for some woodworkers.
What we like about this machine
This table saw is portable, compact, and powerful, making it yet another great candidate for the title of the best table saw. It’s also easy to store and comes with electronic speed control, which means that you can adjust everything to accommodate your own needs.
#4 – DeWalt DW745 Table Saw
- 22 kilograms unit weight and optimized footprint make this the most portable saw in its class. Shoe bevels 0 to 45 for beveled cuts
- Steel roll cage protects saw against jobsite drops and impacts, rack and pinion fence system, front and rear fence lock and large, clear scales combine to give an extremely accurate and easy to use saw
- Powerful 1850 Watt motor for high performance in all applications. Max Rip To Left Of Blade 12 inch. Max Rip To Right Of Blade 20 inch
- Fence system provides 610 millimeter of rip capacity in a portable design for cutting large sheet materials to size
- Cast table top design ensures accuracy and precision, Overload protection system ensures powerful performance in hard, wet or frozen woods, Quick bevel lock with large scale for easy, accurate adjustments
If you don’t like the large size of the DWE7491RS but still want to stick with DeWalt, here’s the brand’s best portable table saw, which is is powerful as its bigger sibling, with a 15-amp motor, but can only take care of rips of up to 20 inches. In other words, with the DeWalt DW745, you will enjoy the same power, speed, and accuracy of the overall best table saw, but you won’t be able to cut pieces as large.
Some people would argue that this model isn’t as portable without wheels, but we beg to differ as it has a metal roll cage that makes moving the machine around a breeze, especially that it only weighs 22kg or 48.5 pounds.
Other features that we like in DeWalt’s best portable table saw include the cast table top design and Quick bevel lock with large scale, which make the machine highly accurate and easily adjustable. The model also features a tool-free guard replacement, which makes changing the guard a piece of cake.
Like other products in our table saw review, the DeWalt DW745 comes with a low-quality miter gauge, but that’s not a big deal considering that most people get their miter gauge separately from the main unit.
What we like about this machine
Honestly, what is there not to like? If you’re looking for the best portable table saw, the DeWalt DW745 is an excellent model to consider, as it’s lightweight, compact, and easy to move around thanks to the metal roll cage. It’s also affordable and durable, making for one of the best table saws that you can get today.
#5 – SKILSAW 3410-02 Table Saw
- 20-inch x 26-inch cast aluminum table extends to 20-inch x 32-inch for longer work pieces
- 3-1/2-Inch cut height capacity for cutting through 4x materials
- Heavy-duty steel stand for fast setup and easy transport. Bevel angle range:0° to 47°
- Self-aligning rip fence for accurate measurements
- EZ view measurement system for accurate settings. Cord length: 6 feet
If you’re looking for the best table saw for small projects as well as moderate cutting tasks around the house, this Skilsaw table saw is exactly what you need, as it’s affordable, compact, and accurate, thus checking all the boxes for the best table saw for homeowners and DIYers.
Even though we’re labeling the SKILSAW 3410-02 as the best table saw for DIYers and homeowners, it’s still a pretty powerful unit, with a 15-amp motor capable of spinning the blade at a whopping no-load speed of 5,000 RPM.
Not only is this saw powerful, but it’s also accurate thanks to the steady, heavy-duty, and folding stand, EZ view measurement system, and self-aligning rip fence, all of which contribute to making this model one of the best table saws in terms of precision and accuracy.
If you decide to go with this table saw, remember to tighten all the screws and use grease regularly to avoid failures and keep your fingers intact and your cuts precise all the time. Those tips are also valid for budget tools in general, and following them is a must to make sure that your arsenal lasts long.
The clear winner for small DIY home projects is the SKIL SKILSAW 3410-02 Table Saw. The low price point of this tool is its strongest suit, especially that it has an excellent construction that’s bound to last if you only do small woodworking projects at home. This is not the best table saw on the market, but it’s the best for the price.
What we like about this table saw
The SKILSAW 3410-02 is well-designed, firmly-built, portable, and affordable. Despite its low price, this table saw is still pretty powerful and accurate as well. If you’re on a budget and need an affordable machine that can tackle small and moderate projects around the house, the SKILSAW 3410-02 is the best table saw for money that you can get today.
Choosing the Best Table Saw for the Money – Buying Guide
When you’re about to add a table saw to your woodworking arsenal, there are several factors on which you need to focus. If you’re new to these tools, don’t worry, as we’ve prepared a guide detailing what you need to look for in order to pick the best table saw for the money.
The Saw Blade
Table saw blades are generally categorized according to their diameter, teeth, arbor and kerf size, speed, usages, and, of course, the materials from which they are constructed. While commercial table saws, for instance, generally have blades measuring ten to twelve inches, blades – in other categories measure anywhere from five inches to one foot.
The number of teeth typically ranges from 24 to 80. Blades are made to carve through various materials other than wood; this is why they feature different materials such as carbon, carbide, and diamond tipped if you’re willing to put in the extra cash such luxurious material requires.
When we speak of table saws, we always end up talking about a significant concern: should you use the left or right tilt. Both ways can equally have conveniences as well as inconveniences. If you want to find the best table saw for the money, the blade is a crucial factor to check.
Fence and Miter Gauge
As it differentiates between saws types by giving each a merit over the other, the fence is genuinely fundamental a part in every table saw. The t-square fence is the most well-known and commonly used model for table saws. As important as it is, it is impossible to implement any rip cut without it. If you, however, prefer an angled cut, you have to make use of your saw’s miter gauge, especially if you’re looking for the best table saw on the market.
Motor
The motor is another critical factor that differentiates between table saws. Portable table saws, the – more or less – small type, have direct-drive motor operating on 120V circuits. They can generate up to 2 hp, which is sufficient enough for cutting thin material sheets.
Motors for more powerful table saws generate 3 to 5 horsepower, depending on belt drive for power transmission from the engine to the blade. These motors function on 240V. The specs reading may be easily readable in volts and amps; however, horsepower is somewhat intricate to understand.
To get the best table saw for the money, make sure that the motor is capable of generating a decent RPM before buying.
Safety Features
No matter which power tool you’re getting, be it a table saw, Random Orbital Sander, or Cordless Tool Set, safety is a critical factor to consider. Evidently, your table saw ought to be framed under specific measures taken to safeguard your wellbeing. Dealing with razor-sharp blades whirling at extremely high RPM engages a lot of your attention and carefulness. When wood is amid the rear of the fence and the blade, you also should be careful.
Among these measures are riving knives, splitters, and anti-kickback pawls, whose mission is to lessen the scope of kickback. Sophisticated safety systems and blade guards, such as these existing in Shop Fox’s W1819 blade saw, work as a shield from any possible accidents, helping you retain your fingers safe and secure.
If you’re looking for the best table saw for the money, make sure to check the security features before investing your hard-earned money in any tool.
Accessories
There are certain table saw accessories that are meant to make your work much easier, safer, and, of course, better. Easier thanks to hand wheel that allows you to control and adjust the position, notably the height of the blade, more reliable thanks to the off/on switch, and better by adding an extension table which can enhance the saw’s capacity.
Dust collection systems and onboard storage, coupled with many other things, are provided by well-known and reputable brands.
With various accessories such as a router table, crosscut sled, dado blade sets, multiple jigs, and molding heads, your table saw might be transformed into the best table saw on the market.
Picking the Best Table Saw for the Money – Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Table Saws?
Portable Table Saws
There are mainly three categories of portable table saws; compact, bench top, and jobsite. As they are mobile, they are bereft of any substantial material that can make them hard to carry. They are small and light. Portable table saws generally have direct drive 15-amp, 120V motors that generate a maximum of 2hp.
Bench Top Saws
These saws are initially made for those who prefer to work in a workshop or a garage. They are not only compact and light, but they also are affordable. To make them as lightweight as possible, they are centrally made of the lightest materials, including plastic and aluminum. They come with the smallest tables and have somehow weak rip capacity.
Although portable devices generally have a stand or transport wheels, Bench Top Saws do not have any, yet, they are classified as mobile due to their lightness, which makes them easy to carry by anyone. If you’re one to move your tools to often, the best table saw for the money for you should be a bench top one.
Compact Table Saws
Compact Table Saws share a few of the Bench Top Saws’ features such as being lightweight and having a direct drive universal engine, and, in addition to other features such as stands, and/or cast-iron table surfaces.
Some of Compact Table Saw models bear a resemblance to full-scale table saws, with a noticeable difference in rip efficiency, being much smaller. In this sense, they are a better version of Bench Top Saws. If you have a small working space, a compact wood cutting machine can be the best table saw on the market for you.
Jobsite Saws
In comparison to bench table saws and compact table saws, jobsite saws are heavier and stronger. They are also called contractor table saws, for numerous workers opt for this model when in need of the easiest to move, best table saw for the money. Currently, ‘jobsite table saws’ and ‘contractor table saw’ are used interchangeably despite that the two types differ.
Comparatively speaking, jobsite – or contractor – table saws are compact and portable; nonetheless, they constitute of robust and sturdy elements. Evenhandedly, the results they give are always reasonably precise and exact. Efficiently, their direct-drive motors are potent and long-lasting, so they are perfectly appropriate for the most tiresome and challenging mission to accomplish. Equally unique and noticeable are their refined fences, modulated alignments, and 24 rip capacities. Sometimes, they are, all the more, accompanied by extension tables.
The stand is another noteworthy feature distinctive of jobsite saws. To make them less space-consuming, they are designed in a manner that provides free space, being able to fold-up. These stands are, in many instances, framed in the shape of transport wheels. Other features such as the onboard storage space and riving knives are conceived of as the standards of this type.
Cabinet Saws
A Cabinet Saw is the most potent among its competitors when it comes to stationary saws, thanks to the fact that each of its characteristics outstands other types’ efficiency. Their only similarity resides upon their looking. In fact, at a physical level, they do not differ much from cabinet-enclosed hybrid saws.
Highly durable and heavy as it is, a cabinet table saw is designed to resist the hardest of tasks, and all its constituents are perfectly sturdy and potent. This brought about their outstanding success, being the best choice for most special schools, and omnipresent in mostly all workshops.
Concerning each constituent, the fences in cabinet saws are far more precise and sturdier than other types. Unlike other table saws types, a single overall adjustment is sufficient; there is no need for constant changes. Their engines are conspicuously more powerful, promoting on 240V and producing 3 to 5 hp. It is multifunctional and suitable for different types of tasks and materials: hardwood, plywood, pine, large material sheets, etc. concerning their tables, they are large and with extensions.
As for the weight, they exceed 500 pounds, which makes them stable, though immobile. They still can be put on a movable base. If you use a lot of accessories, a woodworking machine from this category can be the best table saw on the market.
Hybrid Saws
What is a Hybrid Table Saw?
They are the hardest to classify, and they constitute a bone of contention about their genuine nature. While old contractor saws have substantial onboard motors, saws that resemble them in their features but also come with inboard belt drive induction engines are called hybrid saws. As the name suggests, they are kind of a mixture between contractor saws, full-size saws, and industrial cabinet saws.
Some hybrid saws have an open leg stand, while others have a full enclosure. This makes distinguishing hybrid saws from industrial cabinet saws even more ambiguous. However, the resemblance between the two is mostly outward.
Overall, a hybrid machine would be the best table saw for the money for you if you need the best out of the different types of woodworking tools.
Verdict
Table saws are among the must-have tools if you want to get your wood crafting skills to the next level, as they allow you to make cuts through softwood and hardwood easily and comfortably, all while being accurate and precise. If you decide to get one for your workshop, make sure to go through the above guide and read it comprehensively in order to make the right choice and get the best table saw on the market.
Each product on our list has its merits along with some drawbacks, and each serves a specific purpose. To pick the Best Table Saw for the money for your needs, make sure to determine the purpose for which you are going to use it, as that’s crucial in this selection. Once that’s done, read the characteristics and features of each suggestion and the right table saw will present itself to you.
Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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