Personally, I've used a lot of table saws in a lot of different wood shops, garages, and job sites. There's plenty to consider ranging from budget, where you'll use it, power, space, portability, ease of setup, ease of use, reliability, quality, and of course, safety. A basic table saw (like a Dewault contractor saw) will get the job done but an amazing table saw (like a Sawstop) is a pleasure to use because it's a precision machine.
Let's begin with the basics...
There are 3 types of Tables Saws
Before we take a look at some of the best table saws you could ever use, it is a good idea to know the 3 basic types of table saws.
1. Contractor Table Saws (Portable)
Portable, less powerful, and less expensive. Great for the construction site or garage. It is possible to take a contractor's saw and tune it up to be more accurate but it will always lack the power of a industrial shop table saw.
2. Hybrid Table Saws (Portable or Stationary)
The footprint of your table saw is a big consideration for setting up your shop. If you don't have much space this is where a hybrid saw comes in handy. It's lightweight enough to be placed on wheels to move around. These saws are less expensive and less powerful around the 1.75-2hp motor. This is a great saw for a hobbyist or beginner woodworker.
3. Industrial Table Saws (Stationary)
Industrial table saws are stationary and powerful. The table is deeper and the build is all around more robust. These tables saws are very powerful with a 5hp motor (a faster blade is less likely to leave burn marks). The drawbacks are they're more expensive and take up more space.
TOP 10 TABLE SAWS
#1 TOP PICK
$6,452.74
Upgrade to the Professional Cabinet Saw and you’ll get a 5hp beast of an industrial machine. Now, this is very expensive but is well worth it. If you can afford this upgrade, by all means, do so. It’s not labeled “Industrial” for nothing. I wish I had this table saw for safety and power. The motor is strong and can cut through 8/4" thick wood with ease. Easily one of the best table saws for the year.
#2 Best Value for the Money Table Saw
$3,903.88
A typical table saw can easily cut off your fingers however, a SawStop cannot. It will give you peace of mind while cutting. The way the SawStop technology works is it has a spring-loaded cartridge just underneath the blade. The electronics constantly send an open current through the blade. When that current is closed, ie a person's skin touches it, the blade automatically drops down and the spring releases an aluminum cartridge to instantly stop the blade.
This one runs on a good enough 1.75 hp motor. Sawstop is the safest table saw on the market. At a 5-millisecond stop on contact, that might save you a life-altering journey. I love using this table saw, every school I've ever been to has one. Personally, I wish I bought it when I was shopping for my table saw (mainly for safety). If there’s any woodworking tool you need to respect, it should be the table saw. And a cut above safety reduced the stress of having to worry about getting your fingers injured. How much do you think the hospital bill will be? I've seen the Sawstop go off a couple of times when students have triggered it and it certainly does its job. It's surprisingly quiet. Lastly, SawStop's customer support is second to none. The customer service is very knowledgeable and helpful.
$1,494
The Grizzly Industrial 10” provides the best value table saw for a budget under $2,000. There’s a 1.75hp version of this but it's worth that extra .25hp for a little bit extra money. It takes a bit of setup time. And if you’re new to woodworking, I would recommend watching YouTube videos on setup to make the assembly more efficient. I am not a fan of the fence but it’s not a deal-breaker. All in all. It cuts what it should. It’s not the best but it does the job well. You get good value for the money. It just goes to show that best table saws does not have to break the bank.
$2,899
At a little less than $3,000, I like this Jet Deluxe XACTA table saw a lot. It has a super powerful motor that cuts wood like butter. I find that its long fence extension is great for cutting sheet goods. Unlike the Grizzly’s fence, the Jet table saw has a solid fence with friction-reduction sides. Like most tools with quick release, the riving knife presents hassle-free in-between changes. It is dead-on accurate. The only gripe about this table saw is that it takes a lot of time to set up. The Jet Deluxe also comes with a 5-year warranty.
$1,999
If you want an entry-level table saw at around the $2,000 price point then this one is for you. It’s a very good saw for the price. It can turn into a great saw if you tune it up a bit. The 1.75 hp motor is good for most projects. The setup for the Powermatic table saw is a bit better than the Grizzly. The build quality is really good although I like to have a closed base that has some weight to it. It also has a 5-year warranty for that extra peace of mind.
$2,699.99
Even more than the previous Powermatic, this Table Saw is very well made. The extra bucks give you a better saw fence, a miter gauge, and a little more heft. It’s definitely a step up from the $2,000 dollar smaller brother. The size of this machine is right, you'll be able to cut width without any size limitations. I also like the big button for easy shut-off. It allows you to turn off the saw with your knee should you ever get in a bind and need to. Sawstop offers this feature as well. Looking at the best table saws should also include safety.
$3,649.99
This is a premium machine for a furniture maker, the 3hp motor can cut everything needed. It’s Powermatic so the build quality is above average. The hydraulic lifting wheels are a welcome feature. It takes some time to assemble but not as long as the Jet. This comes as a longer version of the PM1000. It’s at 84.75 x 39.13 x 40.38 inches vs PM 1000’s 42 x 33 x 53 inches. It also comes standard with the saw, riving knife, blade guard, fence, casters, and extension wings all quality components. And of course, it comes with a 5-year warranty from Powermatic.
JOBSITE TABLE SAWS
$599
For the carpenter who needs to be mobile, this “inexpensive” Bosch 10 In. Worksite Table Saw is one of the best table saws for the job. Only for the job site though. Basic work, it’s not as precise as a proper table saw. Apart from other worksite table saws, what I like most about this one is that it has a fence and robust wheel stand. It has a well-thought-out design that folds nicely and will fit in a small space. It has built-in storage spaces too. That’s a big plus since you’ll be storing spare parts for it anyway. Good value for money for just $599!
Cheapest Option
$329
If you’re really short on the budget and would just like to have a tabletop table saw that works well, my recommendation is the DEWALT Table Saw Compact, 8-1/4-Inch. Its fence is decent. It cuts wood well enough and is well-built. It doesn’t have wheels but is just 54 pounds. This DeWalt is relatively powerful and stable. At $329, it's a good option if you're on a tight budget and don't have much space.
$1,499
Again, it's all about safety. If you’re specifically looking to get a contractor’s saw then this is the one to get. A Sawstop saw is guaranteed to not cut your finger. It cuts like the other known brands but it’s many times safer to use. The safety feature does cost a premium but will save you thousands in medical bills should you ever get cut on a table saw. Mentally it is relaxing to know that you will not get cut. There's a lot to stress about when building but cutting fingers on this saw is not one of them. The safety feature alone is worth more than $1,499. For it to cut smoothly and at a relatively quieter rate, are just extras.
Quick Summary
Top Pick (If you have the money to shell out)
$6,452.74
Second Best Pick
$3,903.88
Best Value Below $2,000
$1,494
Best Value Below $3,000
$2,899
Best Entry-Level Powermatic Table Saw
$1,999
Bigger and Better Powermatic Table Saw
$2,699.99
Premium Powermatic Table Saw
$3,649.99
Bang for the Buck Mobile Table Saw
$599
Best Tabletop Saw
$329
Top Pick - Mobile Table Saw (Safest)
$1,499
These are some of the best table saws you can consider for your next job!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I have used myself. All opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
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