Anyone who loves working with wood dreams of having a wood shop with an expensive table saw. Most people can’t afford the table saw of their dreams, but there are cheaper options packed with great features that provide the power and precision you need for almost any job. Use this guide to answer the question what is the best table saw?
- Best Jobsite Table Saw Overall – DeWalt DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw
- Best for Contractors – SawStop CNS175-TGP236 Table Saw
- Best Rolling – Bosch 4100XC-10 Jobsite Table Saw
- Most Powerful – Skilsaw SPT99-11 Worm Drive Table Saw
- Best for the Money – Ridgid R4550 Portable Jobsite Table Saw
Reviews of Our 5 Best Table Saws Picked for 2023
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you need a quality table saw that makes precision cuts, and if want to make specialty cuts, like dadoes or rabbets, you need a top-quality saw with those features. To make your decision easier, here are the key features, pricing, and reviews of what we consider the 5 best table saws.
1. Best Jobsite Table Saw Overall
DeWalt DWE7491RS
Key Features
- High-powered motor makes this one of the best jobsite table saws
- Features a rolling stand for maximum portability
- Has 2” dust connection ports
- Rack and pinion fence system allows for quick, accurate adjustment
Pricing
- $649
Specifications:
- Motor: 2 hp, 15 amp, 4800 rpm
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Dado Capacity: 13/16 inches
- Rip Capacity: 32-½ inches
DeWalt is a quality brand name that delivers on its promise with this table saw. The DeWalt DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw answers the call when portability is crucial. The rolling table design is manufactured for portability. It collapses easily but is not top-heavy and won’t roll over, making it one of the best table saws for beginners.
This saw has a powerful motor to cut through all types of wood, including pressure-treated lumber and hardwood. Its 10-inch saw blade can cut to a 3-1/8 inch depth at 90 degrees and 2-1/4 inches at 45 degrees. An optional dado throatplate allows for 8” stacked dado blades up to 13/16” inches thick, so it has all the features you need for almost any woodworking project.
2. Best Table Saw for Contractors
SawStop CNS175-TGP236
Key Features
- Patented SawStop safety system recognizes human skin
- Cast iron table with two steel extension wings
- T-Guide fence assembly for smooth operation and precision cuts
- The most customizable saw in the SawStop lineup
Pricing
- $2,487
Specifications:
- Motor: 1.75 hp, 15 amps, 4000 rpm max
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Dado Capacity: 29/32 inches
- Rip Capacity: 36 inches
The SawStop safety system has saved over 6,000 fingers (and counting) with the patented technology that recognizes human skin. The T-Glide fence assembly can’t be beaten at this price—making this one of the safest and best-performing table saws in its class.
This is also the best table saw for contractors looking for a combination of precision and performance. It has all the features you need to make specialty cuts and the power to make them. Precision is built into this table saw, starting with a heavy cast iron top with a diagonal flatness measured at 0.010” maximum gap and two steel extension wings. Want more functionality? SawStop has in-line cast iron router tables that let you do even more with your tool.
3. Best Rolling Table Saw
Bosch 4100XC-10
Key Features
- Gravity-Rise wheeled stand makes this one of the best portable table saws
- Smart Guard system with adjustable riving knife and anti-kickback device
- Self-aligning SquareLock fence
- Dado compatible
Pricing
- $599.00
Specifications:
- Motor: 4 hp, 15 amp, 3,650 rpm
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Dado Capacity: 13/16 inches
- Rip Capacity: 30 inches
The Bosch 4100XC-10 Jobsite Table Saw offers the best combination of portability and stability with its wheeled stand. Setup is easy with the single-action design, and the rugged 8” tires will move across the uneven terrain found on most construction sites. The onboard storage system makes it easy to keep everything you need with the saw at all times.
It doesn’t feature the now-popular rack-and-pinion fence design, however, we like the well-made fence regardless. The stop sign-shaped safety cut-off switch makes for a nice touch.
This saw features a large aluminum table top for cutting 4-foot wide sheets. It has a powerful motor and soft-start circuitry for smooth operation. The Constant Response circuitry maintains speed while cutting, and restart protection avoids accidental startup to make this a safe, reliable, and powerful tool.
4. Most Powerful Table Saw
SKILSAW SPT99-11 Worm Drive Saw with Stand
Key Features
- Worm drive motor offers excellent torque
- Steel table top
- Maximum rip capacity on the left of the blade is 16-½”
- Integrated dust port elbows
- Superb rolling stand with oversized wheels
- Rack & pinion table adjustment
Pricing
- $649.00
Specifications:
- Motor: 4.4 hp, 15 amp, 5000 rpm
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Dado Capacity: ½ inch
- Rip Capacity: 30-½ inches
The Skilsaw SPT99-11 table saw works well for DIYers looking for more power and features. It has more functionality, power, and precision with its brass-geared worm drive motor, and the wheeled stand offers the best in portability. At a total of 53 pounds, it’s a lightweight saw on a 16-inch wheeled stand, and the easy-load handles make it easy to move over stairs or load into the back of your truck.
The cutting power of this saw and the 3-⅝” cutting depth allows for cuts of stacked lumber so you can increase your productivity. This professional-grade tool rips through plywood with a high-torque motor and high RPMs. It’s as accurate and precise as any saw in its class, making it the perfect choice when portability and power are your priorities.
5. Best Table Saw for the Money
Ridgid R4550 Portable Jobsite Table Saw with Rolling Stand
Key Features
- 10-inch saw with stand and 18V torch light included
- 5-year warranty
- Wheeled stand has a one-step setup for maximum ease and portability
- Onboard storage for miter gauge, extra blades, and other accessories
Pricing
- $549.00
Specifications:
- Motor: 15 amp, 5000 rpm
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Dado Capacity: 11/16 inch
- Rip Capacity: 32.5 inches
The Ridgid R4550 is a heavy-duty saw that’s durable enough for all your DIY projects. For the average homeowner, this is the one to get. It folds and stores upright, so it’s not in the way, and the powerful motor has all the power you need for ripping through plywood and lumber.
This saw can cut through a 4×4 with a single cut, and with the front and back clamping fence, you can make precision cuts. It is dado blade compatible with an 8″ dado stack and 11/16″ dado width. Backed with a 5-year warranty, this is one of the best table saws for the money, and you won’t be disappointed with either the quality, price, or portability.
Understanding the Types of Table Saws
Before you shop, it helps to understand the basics. Learn the different types of table saws and the features to look for when you’re selecting the best table saw for your projects.
Selecting the right tool starts with choosing the right type. Learn more about the three main types of saws.
Jobsite table saws
These are the least expensive types of table saws, also called benchtop or compact. Lightweight and compact, these tools are easy to move and store. Some of them come with a stand, and you can easily disconnect them for transport to and from jobsites. Others affix to rolling stands so you can roll them on an off a truck or trailer.
Contractor saws
Larger than a benchtop model, a contractor saw offers more power and stability for larger jobs. These tools are less portable than a jobsite table saw, but you can cut larger pieces of wood. Contractor saws have open bases and a stand to provide a larger surface for working on oversized projects.
Cabinet and Sliding saws
Next to a sliding saw, a cabinet table saw is the most expensive option made specifically for power and precision. Cabinet saws have heavy-duty stationary bases, dust collection ports, precision adjustment capabilities, and powerful motors. Their closed bases are often made out of cast iron, and they typically weigh about 600 pounds.
Hybrid table saws
Some tools combine features from contractor and cabinet table saws and are considered hybrid saws. They allow you to have some of the best features of cabinet saws, like an enclosed case, but they don’t have as much power.
Features and Considerations
Table saws are packed with various features that affect their price, portability, and safety. Before making a selection, thoroughly check out the features.
Blade Size
Most table saws have 10-inch blades. These cut as much as 3-½ inches deep at a 90-degree angle and 2-½” at a 45-degree angle. If you use a smaller blade, you won’t be able to cut as deep.
Blade Tilt
The blade on a table saw tilts right or left, but not both ways. It’s a matter of personal preference, but there are advantages and disadvantages either way. Typically, you will have around 45-48 degrees of range in order to cut bevels and angles for drawers, cleats, and more.
Motor Power
The motor’s power determines how quickly and powerfully these tools cut. Most contractor saws have a 1.5 to 2 hp motor, and cabinet saws often range between 3 and 5 hp.
Dado Capacity
Dado blades are used for making wide cuts for interlocking pieces of wood together. The dado capacity refers to the width of the blade. Not all table saws are compatible with dado blades.
Fence
You slide wood or material against the fence when cutting. Fences can be adjusted, but for regular cuts, they need to be exactly parallel with the blade. Some fences adjust easily with a rack-and-pinion system. Other tools use a more or less robust fence that you slide manually across the table.
Rip Capacity
The rip capacity is the distance from your blade to the farthest point the fence can reach on the saw’s right side. Most rip capacities are 28, 30, and 50 inches.
Bevel Adjustment
This is a must-have feature if you plan to make bevel cuts. Look for a model that offers both left and right bevels and accurately makes angle cuts.
Safety Features
Safety is always a priority when operating power tools. Look for a saw that comes with a blade guard, riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, and an emergency shut-off switch.
Safety Tips for Working with Table Saws
Table saw accidents are common in the United States. Each year, about 40,000 accidents result in hospitalizations and 10% of those result in amputations or disabilities. Here are the top safety tips for operating a table saw:
- Wear safety glasses.
- Install the blade guard before operating.
- Use push sticks and push blocks when making cuts close to the blade.
- Always disconnect the power before changing the blade.
- Stand to the side when making cuts to avoid accidental kickback.
Avoid accidents by learning more safety tips before operating a table saw.
Frequently Asked Questions About Table Saws
What is the difference between a contractor saw, and a cabinet saw?
The biggest difference between a contractor saw, and a cabinet saw is that a cabinet saw stand has an enclosed case, and a contractor saw is on an open stand. Cabinet saws are more precise and have dust connection ports.
What is a rip capacity, and why does it matter?
The rip capacity is the distance from your table saw blade to the farthest point the fence can reach on the saw’s right side. A larger rip capacity lets you cut wider pieces of wood.
Can I use a table saw for cutting materials other than wood?
You can use these powerful tools to cut more than just wood. With the right blades, you can use a table saw to cut plastic, acrylic sheets, and non-ferrous sheet metals like aluminum.
How do I maintain and care for my table saw?
Keeping your table saw clean is the best way to maintain it. How often it needs to be maintained depends on how much you use it. Before servicing it, unplug your saw, and remove the sawdust and resin built up in the cabinet with a stiff brush and shop vac. Wipe it clean and lubricate all the gears and pivot points with a dry silicone-free spray lubricant. Check for proper alignment every time you work on your saw, and always make sure your blade is sharp.
Are table saws suitable for beginners?
These tools present a serious risk of injury, but that doesn’t mean beginners can’t use one as long as they learn proper safety techniques. The best table saw for a DIYer that’s just starting out has a sturdy base to allow for more precise cuts.
