The 10 Best Table Saws - [2022 Reviews & Buyer's Guide]

Table saws are also known as bench saws in some parts of the world. They feature a flat surface on which to cut something. You can cut various materials in a variety of ways. We delve into this in detail below ( Source).

Table saws provide many benefits. They let you cut from varying angles and depths. They also allow you to make perfectly accurate cuts. Additionally, they give you the option of using different types of blades to make different types of cuts ( Source). Plus, you can such saws to cut metal objects.

The top three best table saws are SawStop 10-Inch Professional Cabinet Saw, Powermatic PM1000 Table Saw, and the Dewalt DWE7491RS Table Saw. These are rated for best overall, cabinet, and economic options, respectively. There are different types of table saws, so make sure you know what project you are working on to select the best one.

There are many variables to consider when shopping for a table saw, like size, portability, intended use, feature set, etc. You must also understand different types—such as cabinet saws, jobsite saws, and contractor saws—and what are used for. Don’t worry, we’ll explain all of this as we go.

Let’s dive into our comprehensive table saw guide. It’s full of reviews, tips, and educational information to help you find the best table saw for your unique needs.

SawStop is a household name among woodworking enthusiasts. It’s a leading table saw brand that’s loved by those who invest in one of its high-end saws.

Below are a few reasons why the SawStop 10-Inch Professional Cabinet Saw is at the top of our list.

The self-proclaimed “Gold Standard Since 1921,” Powermatic is one of the most established, high-quality saw makers in the world. With 100 years of experience, it has extensive expertise that’s displayed in the quality of its products—including cabinet saws (a type of table saw).

The Powermatic PM1000 Table Saw is a great example of a century’s worth of experience and continual learning. We named it the best cabinet saw for a valid reason.

Despite its smaller, lower-HP motor, this Powermatic is just as heavy-duty and solid as other cabinet saws. It weighs in at 465 pounds—heavier than the SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw above. With its cast-iron build, it’s still as heavy-duty as you’d expect from a cabinet saw.

Many would argue that this DeWalt is the best overall table saw available today, period. We agree that it’s an impressive machine—there is no disputing that.

But it can’t truly compete with the SawStop or Powermatic models above, which cost three to five times more. However, if not for the cabinet saws above, the DeWalt [DWE7491RS] would be at the top of our list. It’s certainly the best table saw under $1,000.

Despite its significantly smaller, compact size, this DeWalt model is way more powerful than you’d suspect at first glance. For example, the Powermatic PM1000 reviewed above weighs over 500% more than this DeWalt jobsite saw. However, the DeWalt delivers more horsepower—2 HP to be exact. It can slice and dice 4x4s into kindling.

One of the DeWalt [DWE7491RS] model’s standout features is a table saw stand with wheels. It is extremely stable and convenient on the jobsite. Users can easily roll it around to each spot where they need to cut something while on the job. Moreover, it breaks down quickly for easy storage and transportation.

It would make sense to also call this SawStop model the best beginner table saw. Someone using a table saw for the first time is exponentially more likely to injure themselves than a seasoned user. This saw would prevent that from happening.

But safety isn’t the only reason the SawStop Jobsite Saw PRO made our list, it’s just the most compelling reason. We’ll cover a few more below, but we have to start with safety.

The SawStop 10-Inch Professional Cabinet Saw, at the top of our list, uses the same patented table saw safety stop mechanism as this jobsite saw. A built-in sensor detects skin coming in contact with the saw’s blade and triggers an automatic shutoff mechanism that stops the saw in five milliseconds.

However, SawStop calls this model the “World’s Safest Saw” because it features an additional safety feature mentioned below.

Many table saw users don’t fully grasp the correlation between dust collection and safety. When dust accumulates it can result in more accidents, not to mention a sloppier cut. For example, let’s say you place your hand on a dust-covered table, then put your weight on it. Your hand may slide causing your body to lunge forward. You can imagine the rest.

That’s not a concern with the SawStop Jobsite Saw PRO. It features an active dust collection blade guard that captures tabletop dust. This ensures a safer workspace, further reduces the risk of injury, and wins more points for the “World’s Safest Saw.”

This cordless table saw, manufactured by Milwaukee Electric Tools, is a fan favorite. During our research and testing process, we didn’t speak to a single user who was dissatisfied with their Milwaukee 2736-21HD Table Saw. Let’s delve into why.

Yes, you assumed this after reading the title we gave it. Most table saws require a corded electrical connection to produce the power and cutting capacity expected from a table saw. But, not the Milwaukee 2736-21HD. Its M18 lithium-powered, high output HD12.0 battery provides all the energy it needs to operate on par with its competitors.

Let’s not overlook the convenience of a battery-operated table saw. It can be used miles away from the nearest electrical socket, making it the most versatile saw on the list.

The battery that powers the Milwaukee 2736-21HD is what the company refers to, and has trademarked, as a RedLithium battery. This saw’s RedLithium high output HD12.0 battery pack provides 50% more power and runs 50% cooler than Milwaukee’s standard RedLithium HD packs.

Its blade size is only 8.25 inches. But the speed at which it spins more than compensates for that. At 5,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) it reaches a top speed of 159 miles per hour (MPH)—10 MPH faster than a corded 10-inch model.

Being battery-powered, you would expect this saw to be used by hobbyists and homeowners. However, with its power output, it is designed for use by professional carpenters, remodelers, and contractors.

Adding to its attractiveness to jobsite users, the Bosch 4100-10 Jobsite Table Saw features industry-leading onboard storage capacity.

Every attachment and accessory that jobsite users need can be stored on the saw body, which makes transportation even easier. There is a dedicated place to store your blade wrench, rip fence, extra blades, miter gauge, and more.

It does not include a saw stand but rather can be placed on any flat surface and used as you would use any table saw. This is very convenient for contractors because it allows them to use it in their workshop, on the jobsite, or wherever they want. But maximum convenience isn’t the only selling point for the Makita 2705.

This SKIL saw was designed for the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) type of person. In other words, hobbyists who enjoy making things themselves rather than buying cheap prefabricated versions.

However, plenty of professionals use the SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw on the jobsite. Ultimately, though, most professionals will want more than this budget saw provides. It is ideal for home use because it includes a broad set of value-added features.

This is an obvious one, but everyone has their own personal budget and can only spend so much on a given product. The SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw delivers more value for the money than any other saw we reviewed while compiling our top 10 list. Simply put, if you want high quality at a reasonable price, this SKIL table saw deserves a closer look.

This SKIL model is among the best portable table saws you can find—it’s certainly the best that we could find. It’s also the best compact table saw on the list. Again, it’s hard to go wrong with a SKIL saw and the SKIL Portable Worm Drive Table Saw is no exception. It is widely used and loved by many.

Some of the reasons for its popularity include:

Surprisingly, this little guy packs an unexpected punch. With 120 volts and 1,800 watts of power, the SKIL Portable Worm Drive Table Saw can easily tackle larger projects than might seem possible. It can effortlessly cut through full sheets of plywood and 4-inch thick wood such as 4×4 boards.

They are used by carpenters, hardcore woodworking enthusiasts, and cabinet makers. In other words, a stationary table saw wouldn’t be the best table saw for beginners.

Cabinet Table Saws: A cabinet saw is not necessarily a table saw for cabinet making. They can be used for any heavy-duty job. They include an interior dust collection cabinet—hence the name—and are built for power and precision cutting.

They’re normally constructed of cast iron with heavy-duty steel parts. Of course, you already learned that in our Powermatic PM1000 review above.

Contractor Table Saws: This type of table saw is not very common these days. Originally, they were quite large and built for professional use only. However, today they are a bit smaller and are often confused with jobsite table saws.

Hybrid Table Saws: Hybrid saws are a cross between contractor and cabinet saws. They often include an enclosed dust collection cabinet, although some models do not. Like contractor saws, they aren’t the most common type of saw you’ll find.

Benchtop Table Saws: These lightweight table saws don’t include a stand. Instead, you place them on a benchtop—also ironically known as a table saw table—just as the name suggests.

They are easily transportable and mostly used by hobbyists and homeowners. These are good beginner table saws. Plus, they offer excellent value for the price.

Compact Table Saws: Oddly enough, compact table saws are not as compact as benchtop table saws. They loosely resemble contractor saws but are smaller.

Jobsite Table Saws: Jobsite table saws are the largest type of portable table saw. They’re designed for professionals who need to transport a table saw to a new jobsite every day, or even multiple sites per day. Unlike the other two above, they are mounted on a stand.

Although they are constructed with a lightweight design, they are more durable and rugged than their two portable counterparts.

However, DeWalt was an independent company founded in 1927. It was acquired by Black & Decker in 1960.

All of the DeWalt tools you’ve come to love over the years were in fact manufactured by Black & Decker. This is not a bad thing at all; Stanley Black & Decker has been around for over 170 years and today is a member of the Fortune 500.

Those lessons learned led to significant innovation and the introduction of new technologies that pushed the power tool industry to evolve.

Additionally, Japanese engineering is among the best in the world. Hundreds of new technologies have emerged from Japan over the years. Makita follows in the footsteps of many innovators that came before and is paving the way for those that will follow.

Rounding out our list of the best table saw brands is SKIL—another household name in the power tool space. SKIL—as a brand name—was founded in the United States in 1926, although its roots trace back beyond that.

The company originally produced saws only—which supports our decision to call it one of the best table saw brands in the world. The company has been refining and driving the evolution of saws for nearly a century.

Today the company manufactures a vast array of non-electric and electric tools. Those include drills, sanders, sealant guns, hammers, mixers, measuring tools, and so on. But their original strength and area of expertise was saws. That continues to be the case today.

• Cross Cuts are made across the wood’s grain, as opposed to along the grain.
• Miter Cuts are diagonal cuts across a piece of wood at an angle other than 90-degrees.
• Bevel Cuts are also diagonal cuts, however, they cut diagonally down through the wood.
• Dado Cuts produce a three-sided slot in the wood rather than slicing completely through it.
• Rabbet Cuts are similar to dado cuts but are made at the wood’s edge, leaving a two-sided, 90-degree angled slot.

Alternative Top Bevel (ATB) Blades: They make bevel cuts and are also the best blades for cutting plywood. Additionally, an ATB is the best blade for cutting melamine, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and hardboard.

These last three are very dense materials and will wear down the blade’s teeth. But an ATB is the only blade that will leave a smooth edge on these chip-prone materials, so the tradeoff is worth it.

Triple-Chip Grind (TCG) Blades: They alternate between a raker tooth and a chamfered tooth. TCG blades are the best at cutting through super-dense materials like plastic laminate, brass, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals.

We also feel the DeWalt [DWE7491RS] Table Saw has the most adjustable, accurate fence. It ultimately depends on what “best fence” means to you.

The best ripping depends more on the blade than the saw using it. Two blades, in particular, deserve to be mentioned here.

The Freud Heavy-Duty Industrial Rip Blade is considered the best blade for ripping plywood and other splinter-prone composite materials. The Forrest Chopmaster ATB Blade is considered the best for ripping solid pieces of wood.

Now you know about the various types of table saws. You’ll quickly find there are many models to choose from. But, if you go with any of the table saws listed above, you’ll walk away satisfied.

That said, always complete extensive research when investing in a tool like a table saw. It’s important to understand your needs and align your search with those needs.

Take your time and don’t rush your decision. Ponder on it. As you consider your options, you may decide to pass some time on a few jobs around the house.

And, if it’s autumn where you live, your yard may be full of leaves. If that’s the case, it might be time to invest in a new cordless leaf blower.

If it’s summer, it’s probably time to finally make the transition from that old, stinky gas-powered lawn mower to a quiet, energy efficient, electric lawn mower.

Regardless of how you pass the time contemplating which table saw to buy, this guide should lead you to the right one to fit your needs.