We wanted to find the best table saws, because there are just so many types and sizes out there, from recognizable brands like Dewalt, SawStop, Delta, Shopfox and so on. And there are even more models from new brands and manufacturers that most people are not aware of.
We work with these tools daily, and our job is to find the best ones, so it will be easier for you to do that as well. That is why we took some time out to test and find the best table saws to carry out woodworking projects. And I’m happy to tell you that we found them, and we’ve written this article to list them out for you.
The following are the 9 best table saws you can use for woodworking projects. But first, here are our top picks.
Our Top Picks
BEST OVERALL: SawStop PCS31230-TGP252
BEST FOR JOBSITE PROJECTS: Bosch GTS15-10
BEST BATTERY-POWERED UNIT: Dewalt DCS7485T1
OUR BUDGET-PICK: Skil TS6307-00
The Best Table Saws
In order to compile this list, we tested as many table saws as we could get our hands on, and we considered several factors such as their rip capacities, power, size, type of fence, dust collection, safety features and overall performance of the saw.
The following is a detailed review of the 9 we selected.
Dewalt DCS7485T1 – Best Cordless Table Saw
Out of all the portable table saws we tested, the Dewalt DCS7485T1 gave us some of the best performances, and the build quality is really good. However, one of the most important reasons why we just had to add it to this list is because it can be operated as an electric unit, and as a battery-powered unit as well.
While using it in the workshop, you can plug it directly to the wall outlet and work with it, or you can operate it with 60V Dewalt Flexvolt batteries if you don’t have access to electricity. This really makes it very versatile and suitable for use in different kinds of situations.
Here are the important specs:
- Blade size: 8-1/4 inch
- Speed: 5800 RPM
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Rip capacity: 24 inch
- Type of fence: Rack and pinion telescoping fence
- Power Source: Battery powered Flexvolt system / Cordless and corded
Related: 16 Tables Saw Accessories To Upgrade Your Table Saw
What we like about it
- It’s very portable.
- It’s quiet compared to similar saws of same size and range.
- Budget friendly.
- Flexible. You can use it with battery and also plug it into a power outlet.
- It’s easy to setup.
Where it can be improved
- It doesn’t come with a stand.
Skil TS6307-00
The Skil TS6307-00 portable jobsite table saw is one of the most budget friendly table saws we tested. If you’re looking for a unit that’s super-affordable and still very solid, this is one of the best ones to go for.
It features everything you need to tackle projects of various sizes on the jobsite like quickly ripping large boards, and making consistent repeat cuts. It’s got a very solid rack and pinion fence which is very easy to use and adjust. And it’s also very precise. It even has it’s own built-in stand so that you can set it up anywhere you want, especially on the jobsite as easily as possible.
Here are the important specs:
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Speed: 4600 RPM
- Weight: 41.5 lbs
- Rip capacity: 25.5 inch
- Type of fence: Rack and pinion fence
- Power Source: Corded electric
Related: The Best Band Saws For Cutting Wood And Non-Ferrous Metals
What we like about it
- For the price, it’s one of the best.
- Very accurate.
- Easy to adjust blade to be square with the fence or vice versa.
- For its size, it’s also very powerful. Cuts through different types of wood with ease.
- Build quality is good.
Where it can be improved
- It’s quite loud or noisy.
Related: 10 Best Scroll Saws – Reviews And Buyer’s Guide
Bosch GTS15-10 – Best Jobsite Table Saw
The Bosch GTS15-10 is a newer version of the previous Bosch 4100XC-10 which for me, was the best portable jobsite table saw you could ever get.
Right now, we have the new Bosch GTS15-10 which we still consider as the best table saw to get for jobsite projects.
There are several improvements that have been added to this GTS15-10. First of all, it’s got an increased rip capacity from 30 inch to 32-1/8 inches, which is a lot if you ask me.
It also got a new rip fence. The previous was a squarelock fence, while this is a rack and pinion fence, which is a lot more accurate and easy to use.
One important part of the Bosch table saw which makes it very good for jobsite use is the gravity rise stand.
The new gravity rise stand is lighter in weight for easier transport, but retains the same strength and function. Just like the previous one, the stand is very easy to setup up, and it makes the table saw very portable and easy to move around.
Here are the specs:
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Speed: 3650 RPM
- Weight: 46.7 lbs
- Rip capacity: 32-1/8 inch
- Type of fence: Rack and pinion fence
- Power Source: Corded electric
What we like about it
- Included gravity rise stand makes it very portable
- Larger 32-1/8 inch rip capacity
- It’s very powerful
- Improved rack and pinion fence
Where it can be improved
- Could use better assembly instructions
Related: 8 Reasons Why You Should Get A Track Saw
Milwaukee 2736-21HD Table Saw
Everything about the Milwaukee 2736-21HD shows it was designed with professional contractors, carpenters and remodelers in mind. First of all, it’s cordless. And secondly, it comes with its own stand. It’s a scissors-style stand. You just open it up, and you lay the saw on top of it, plug in the battery, and you can get to work.
That means you can use it anywhere even without access to electricity. As for the battery, you get an 18volts M18 fuel Milwaukee battery which gives you a lot of runtime. In fact, you can make up to 600 linear feet of with each charge.
All in all, I’d say the Milwaukee 2736-21HD is the ideal table saw for you if you’re a pro carpenter, a contractor or woodworker in need of a very portable and convenient saw for jobsite projects. It’s very powerful, cuts through anything, and the battery does not disappoint.
- Blade size: 8-1/4 inch
- Speed: 6300 RPM
- Weight: 41.6 lbs
- Rip capacity: 24-1/2 inch
- Type of fence: Rack and pinion fence
- Power Source: Cordless / Battery-powered
What we like about it
- The battery lasts a whole day and charges quickly.
- It’s very compact. Very good for jobsite projects.
- Although it’s compact, it doesn’t lack in power. It will cut through any wood you throw at it.
- The build quality is good.
- Integrated stand
Where it can be improved
- The fence is a bit flimsy, but it slides properly and it’s accurate.
Related: The 10 Best Reciprocating Saws – Reviews And Guide
Delta 36-5100T2 Best Contractor Table Saw
If you’re looking for a table saw with a bit more capacity and power than a portable jobsite unit, you can go for a contractor-style table saw. And one of the best ones we recommend is the Delta 36-5100T2 shown above.
It’s basically an upgraded jobiste table saw. You get a larger 30-inch rip capacity, a larger table that accommodates larger boards, a more powerful motor, and a much better fence. With this particular Delta 36-5100T2 you get a Biesemeyer style fence which is one of the most advanced rip fences you can get on any table saw.
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Speed: 3450 RPM
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Rip capacity: 30 inch
- Type of fence: Biesemeyer fence
- Power Source: Corded electric
What we like about it
- Highly accurate contractor saw.
- Can be used both in the workshop and on the jobsite.
- Features a very accurate Beisemeyer fence system.
- Large 30 inch rip capacity.
- It’s quite easy to assemble.
Where it can be improved
- Assembly manual is not detailed.
Related: 9 Things You Never Do While Using A Table Saw
Shop Fox W1837 – Best Hybrid Table Saw
If you want a cabinet style saw but it’s not within your price range, the next best thing is a hybrid style table saw like the Shop Fox W1837 shown above. It looks like a cabinet style table saw, but it’s just one level lower. But you get a lot of the features you’ll get on a cabinet style unit.
The base housing the motor is semi-closed, so the noise is reduced and you get very efficient dust collection. You get a very large table for large workpieces, larger rip capacity, a very powerful 2hp motor and a very good, sturdy and accurate T-square fence.
Here are the specs:
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Speed: 3450 RPM
- Weight: 243 lbs
- Rip capacity: 30 inch
- Type of fence: T-Square fence
- Power Source: Corded electric
What we like about it
- Easy to assemble
- Heavy and durable cast iron components.
- Cuts are accurate and precise.
- Comes with an accurate and easy to adjust T-Glide fence.
- Powerful 2 HP motor ensures you can cut through very hard lumber with ease.
Where it can be improved
- It’s not properly aligned right out of the box.
Related: The Best Track Saws For Making Long Precision Cuts
Powermatic PM1000 1791000KG
The Powermatic PM1000 1791000KG is one of the best cabinet table saws we’ve had the pleasure of testing.
It’s been around for quite some time, and it has always been reliable.
The first thing you’ll notice about the PM1000 is that it’s a heavy-duty machine. Every part is solid. The table, the fence, the base, motor and all the included accessories like the miter gauge and riving knife are all well-built. This is something you can use for several lifetimes.
And the power it produces is just monstrous. You can rip through any type of wood easily. The fence itself is a work of art. It’s very easy to adjust, and stays rock-solid once it’s clamped down.
As for the sound, you won’t hear a lot of noise when you turn it on. It just hums on as you make your cuts.
Here are the specs:
- Blade size: 10 inch
- Speed: 4200 RPM
- Weight: 464 lbs
- Rip capacity: 52 inch
- Type of fence: Accu-fence (T-Square)
- Power Source: Corded electric
What we like about it
- Durable and well-machined parts.
- It will last for generations.
- Connect a shop vac, and you can collect almost all the dust produced.
- Precision is off the charts.
- Poly-v belt transmission ensures vibration free operation.
- Very acurrate and easy to adjust Accu fence system.
Where it can be improved
- The extension cord that comes with it is just 3 ft. which is quite short if you ask me.
SawStop PCS31230-TGP252 – Best Cabinet Table Saw
Sawstop table saws are sort after because they have a unique safety feature that prevents the blade from causing any injury to the operator when their body accidentally comes in contact with the blade.
Every SawStop table saw comes equipped with a brake that retracts the blade under the saw table in less than 5 milliseconds to prevent any injury in case the blade accidentally comes in contact with the operator’s skin.
The Sawstop PCS31230-TGP252 is a cabinet table saw that not only has that feature but also comes equipped with other essential features that make it one of the best for professional woodworkers.
It’s a cabinet saw, which means it comes equipped with everything you need to rip large workpieces to size. Unlike small job site units, the SawStop PCS31230-TGP252 is also very quiet during operation because all the working parts are enclosed under a cabinet base.
Dust collection is also better, with up to 99 percent of the dust produced collected above the table with an included dust collection blade guard.
Aided with a 52-inch T-Glide fence and rail system, accuracy when making cuts is over the roof. The fence is built with heavy gauge steel, which keeps it square and accurate after being adjusted.
A powerful 3.0 HP, 1-phase motor ensures the 10-inch blade cuts through boards of different hardness with ease.
What we like about it
- Electronic saw brake makes it very safe to operate
- It’s well built with heavy duty parts. The trunnion and arbor assembly are one of the heaviest, making it very stable and precise.
- The T-Glide fence and rails stays accurate for a very long time once it’s set up.
- It doesn’t lack in power, cuts everything you throw at it.
- It’s not noisy like a jobsite unit. Dust collection system is very efficient.
Where it can be improved
- Assembly is pretty straightforward but takes time.
Jet 708675PK XACTA Cabinet Table Saw
Power, precision and good dust collection are some of the most important features of a good cabinet table saw. The Jet 708675PK XACTA cabinet saw have all of those features.
It comes equipped with a 230 volts 3 hp motor which provides the needed power to drive the poly-V belt drive system that spins the blade at a speed of 4300 rpm. This rips through hardwoods easily and effortlessly.
The Poly-V belt drive system ensures that the machine remains not only vibration-free but also very quiet during operation.
The wide cast iron table and extension wings provides plenty of work area for very large jobs to be carried out on the saw.
A left tilt blade ensures that cut offs fall freely on the table away from the blade and to prevent the blade from burning the work piece.
The blade is also well shrouded to ensure a very efficient dust collection which is essential for a clean workshop and a healthy work environment.
Heavy duty cast iron trunnions adds to the weight of the saw to improve performance and stability of the saw during operation.
What we like about it
- Very heavy, stable and vibration-free as a cabinet saw should be.
- Made of durable cast iron components.
- Powerful motor ensures blade cuts through even the hardest of woods with ease.
- Highly adjustable T-square fence.
- Wide table and extension wings provides large room for workpiece support.
Where it can be improved
- It takes some time to get the extension wings level with the main table.
What To Consider When Buying A Table Saw
Here are the factors and features you must consider when choosing a table saw for your projects.
Blade size / Cutting depth
Blade size is critical when choosing a table saw because it determines the amount of material thickness you can cut with the saw. It determines the cut depth.
Blade sizes of table saws ranges from 7 inches to 12 inches. Althought, the most common size you’ll find on most table saws is 10 inch.
With a 10-inch blade, you have a maximum cutting depth of 3.5 inch, while with a 12-inch blade, you can cut materials as thick as 4 inches.
A Good Straight Fence
The fence is one of the most crucial parts of a table saw because the accuracy or positioning of the fence determines how accurate your cuts will be.
Different fences come with table saws, such as rack and pinion sliding fence, T-square fence, and the classic fence as found in Grizzly and Shopfox saws.
A table saw fence must be parallel with the blade, and it should be easy to adjust and correct in case it’s not parallel. It should also glide smoothly along the saw table without going out of alignment.
So, make your choice carefully and ensure the saw you choose come with a very good fence.
Rip Capacity
Rip capacity is another important consideration when buying a table saw. This is the distance from the saw blade to the maximum extension of the fence.
This determines how wide a material you can rip or cut with your saw. It also determines the type of projects you can handle with it.
Rip capacity for table saws ranges from as small as 18 inches for portable models to as high as 60+ for cabinet and sliding models.
If you want to work with wide sheet goods, go for a higher rip capacity. On the other hand, you can go for 18, 24, and 32-inch rip capacities if you’re not working with very large sheet goods.
Power
Table saws make use of electric motors, which supply rotational force to the blades for cutting the materials you want to cut.
These motors come in different sizes and have different power ratings in horsepowers. You can find saws with motors rated from 3/4 horsepower, one horsepower, 1.5, 2 to 5 horsepower, and above.
How does this affect your choice? The higher the power ratings, the thicker the boards and harder the materials you can cut with it.
With 3/4, 1.5, and 2 horsepower motors, you can cut lightly dense and thick materials up to 5/8 inches and maybe a little bit more than that.
Going for machines with higher horsepower motors will surely be your best bet if you want to cut denser materials and use wider blades like 12-inch blades.
Size
Table saws come in different sizes, from small mini table saws to very big sliding types. This size is going to determine the type you go for.
The size of your shop is also going to determine the size of the machine you can accommodate. Going for a small portable machine will be the right thing to do if you have a very small garage.
On the other hand, if you have a vast dedicated workshop and can afford a cabinet or sliding model, you can go for it.
Dust Collection
If you’re working outdoors, dust collection might not be a priority, but if you’re working indoors in a workshop, it is very important.
That’s why you need to ensure that the table saw you choose comes equipped with a suitable dust port you can hook to your shop vac.
You should take note of that because some portable benchtop models don’t come with dust collection ports. Using something like that indoors will surely cause a huge mess and make your shop uncomfortable to work in.
Safety Features
Safety is very important when dealing with these types of machines. Ensure you choose table saws with essential safety features so you can operate the machine in peace.
The stop switch should be conveniently located so you can quickly turn off the machine whenever you want or in case of an emergency. It would be best if you were not looking for it.
It should come with blade guards, preferably transparent ones, so you can see the blade position as you work.
