Track saws may look like fancy circular saws, but they are much more than your average circular saw. They’re basically designed for making long rip cuts through large materials like plywood boards, table tops, and doors.
A track saw cuts much more accurately because it comes with a guide rail with tracks, along which the saw glides along. provides a stable and straight cutting path, ensuring precise and splinter-free cuts.
The guide rail ensures the cut is straight and precise, ensuring the saw blade does not deviate from the straight part you planned to cut. It also ensures the wood does not splinter as you make the cut, because the rail presses directly against the cut edge. So you get some of the smoothest and splinter-free edges when you use a track saw.
Track saws are also called plunge-cut saws because the blade can be adjusted in and out of the saw base plate, so that you can just lay it flat directly on the material and adjust the blade to protrude down, plunging into the material to make the cut—something you can’t do with a traditional circular saw.
You may already have a table saw, a circular saw or even a panel saw and are wondering why you should get a track saw. You should get it because it provides an easier and more accurate way to make long rip cuts.
Unlike using a table saw, you don’t have to bring the material you want to cut to the saw; you can bring the saw to the material.
That means you can rip-cut and break down huge boards, which are usually too large to cut or handle on a table saw.
Our Best Picks
BEST OVERALL: Festool TS 75 EQ
BEST BATTERY-POWERED: Dewalt DCS520ST1
RUNNER-UP: Makita XPS01PTJ
BUDGET-FRIENDLY: Evolution R185CCSX
Comparison Table of The Best Track Saws
Track Saw | Max Speed | Blade Size | Type | Track Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dewalt DCS520ST1 | 4000 RPM | 6-1/2 inch | Battery-Powered | 59 inch | |
Makita XPS01PTJ | 6300 RPM | 6-1/2 inch | Battery-Powered | 55 inch | |
Festool TS 75 EQ | 4400 RPM | 8-1/4 inch | Corded-Electric | 75 inch | |
Bosch GKT13-225L | 6250 RPM | 6-1/2 inch | Corded-Electric | Sold Separately | |
Kreg ACS | 6000 RPM | 6-1/2 inch | Corded-Electric | Sold Separately | |
WEN CT1065 | 5500 RPM | 6-1/2 inch | Corded-Electric | 110 inch | |
Makita SP6000J1 | 6300 RPM | 6-1/2 inch | Battery-Powered | Sold Separately | |
Evolution R185CCSX | 3900 RPM | 7-1/4 inch | Corded-Electric | 40 inch |
How We Selected These Track Saws
We did a lot of research and tested as many of these saws as we could get our hands on, considering how accurately they cut, how powerful they are (cutting through really hard woods), how freely and smoothly they slide across their tracks, how smooth the plunge-cut action is, and the overall build quality and construction of both the saw and the guide rail.
We also considered hundreds of feedback and reviews from other users.
That’s how we chose the following as the 7 best track saws you can get for your woodworking projects.
Makita SP6000J1 Plunge Cut/Track Saw Kit
This Makita SP6000J1 plunge-cut track saw kit offers a true cutting system you can rely on for all your plunge cuts and rip cuts both on and off the jobsite.
It features a 6-1/2 inch blade powered by a 12 amp motor to produce smooth splinter-free mirror finishes on your material of choice.
The body is made with magnesium components to decrease the weight and make it easier to handle for long periods of time.
Controlling the speed is done electronically allowing the blade to maintain a constant speed under load to produce splinter-free results.
Apart from that, the Makita SP6000J1 comes equipped with a variable speed control dial you can use to vary the speed from 2000 to 5200 RPM.
This ensures you can adjust the speed of the blade to suit different types of materials.
You can make bevel cuts from -1 degree to 48 degrees, with positive stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees respectively.
Additionally, as a plunge-cut saw, the saw has a built-in depth cut feature you can use to vary the depth of cut of the saw blade.
This comes very useful when you have to make preliminary cuts to improve the accuracy, neatness or quality of the cut, and to ensure safety.
Overall, the Makita SP6000J1 come equipped with top of the line features you need in any track saw.
Pros
- Powerful and cuts clean.
- Powerful and cuts clean.
- It’s easy to adjust and have common angle presets like 22.5 and 45 degrees.
- Ergonomic handle design.
- Long and sturdy rail for long rip cuts.
- The track is compatible with other brands.
Cons
- The user manual needs to be improved.
Dewalt DCS520T1 60V Cordless Track Saw Kit
Make straight splinter-free cuts through hardwoods as thick as 2-1/8 inch with ease using the Dewalt DCS520ST1 60 Volts cordless track saw.
Equipped with a powerful brushless motor backed by Dewalts 60 Volts Flexvolt battery system, you get a powerful cordless plunge-cutting machine with enough run-time to complete heaps of cuts in one charge.
The zero clearance track or guide rail ensures every cut you make is straight, precise and free of splinters.
Not limited to 90 degree cuts, you can also make bevel cuts up to 45 degrees at a max depth of 1-5/8 inches.
Wide materials tends to bind with the blade when making rip cuts, that’s why this one is fitted with a riving knife to prevent binding and kickbacks from happening when making a cut.
In fact, Dewalt’s track saws are only one of the few among the competition that have this very important safety feature.
Dust collection is a breeze as the saw comes fitted with 1-1/4 inch dust ports onto which you can hook up your vacuum to keep sawdust in its place when making cuts.
All in all, if you really want a cordless track saw that’s designed to take care of special rip-cutting and plunge-cutting applications both on and off the jobsite, then you should seriously consider getting this Dewalt DCS520ST1.
Pros
- It’s cordless, so you can use it hassle-free without wires getting in the way.
- Setup is very easy and straightforward.
- It’s very accurate.
- Saw slides very well along the guide rail.
Cons
- You may need additional attachments to set up the dust collection properly.
Related: 4 Most Useful Circular Saw Attachments
Bosch GKT13-225L
Bosch is one of my favorite tool brands, and I can tell you for a certainty that this Bosch GKT13-225L really met what I expected.
Every one of its features is engineered to ensure your cuts come out as straight and accurate as possible.
It’s a 13 Amp corded track saw capable of producing variable speeds from 3600 to 6250 RPM. The 6-1/2 inch blade spins at that much speed to help you produce the best quality cuts on the hardest of woods.
You can make bevel cuts from -1 to 47 degrees with a single bevel point when using the track or guide rail compatible with it.
No matter how hard or demanding the material is, the saw’s constant electronics feature ensures the blade spins at a constant speed to allow you get the results you need.
It also has an overload protection feature which prevents the motor from overheating while making cuts.
Changing blades is a quick 3-step process and dust collection is also easy once it’s hooked to a compatible shop vac.
Pros
- Excellent build quality.
- Very good dust collection, especially when hooked to a shop vac.
- Powerful motor.
- Precise and accurate.
Cons
- The sliding action could be smoother.
Related: Why Get A Mini Compact Circular Saw Instead Of A Big One?
Kreg Adaptive Cutting System
The Kreg Adaptive Cutting System is a track-guided circular saw you can use for cutting materials with accuracy and precision.
Combined with their 62 inch guide track, you can plunge-cut plywood, solid wood and other materias with it with great accuracy.
The saw comes equipped with a 12 amp 120 volt variable speed motor which spins the saw blade at a no-load speed within the range of 2000 to 5500 RPM.
With it, you can cut boards as thick as 2-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and you can make bevel cuts through 1-1/2 inch thick materials at 45 degrees.
It comes with important safety features like a riving knife that prevents binding and kickbacks and an electronic break to halt the blade rotation once you’re done cutting with it.
You can make bevel cuts from -1 degrees to 47 degrees which makes it ideal for a whole lot of applications.
Pros
- It’s well-built.
- Powerful motor.
- Cuts are smooth and neat.
- Setup is straightforward and there’s an instructional video to guide you.
Cons
- It’s a bit loud.
Makita XPS01PTJ 18V Track Saw
There are so many things I like about this Makita XPS01PTJ track saw. First of all it’s cordless, and you really feel that freedom when you use something like this, because you don’t have to watch out for wires.
The corded ones are great, but I really prefer this cordless unit.
Secondly, this unit comes with two 18V LXT lithium-ion batteries, which is excellent for this particular saw. You’ll be able to make lots of cuts and break down several boards without it running down on you. So, that’s a huge plus. The battery is really reliable.
The build quality of the saw is awesome. Everything looks great. The saw fits so well with the track. Everything just fits like a glove, and it slides so smooth along the track.
Also, you really don’t need to clamp the track to the board. There are anti-friction pads under the track that makes it stick to the board by itself. You can still clamp it if you want, but trust me, even without the clamps, it’s not going anywhere.
The saw motor delivers up to 6300 RPM. It’s very powerful and will cut through any type of wood you put through it. Also, there’s a variable speed dial, so you can vary the speed according to the material you’re cutting.
Another great feature of the Makita XPS01PTJ is that the blade is very close to the side, so you can make very close plunge cuts close to the wall if you ever need to.
Overall, I really like this track saw and recommend it. It’s very powerful. The battery performance is great and it’s got a 6-1/2 inch blade with a great cut capacity.
Pros
- Portable cordless use
- Long lasting battery
- Quality construction
- Easy to assemble
Very accurate right out the box - Comes with a sturdy carrying case
Cons
- Doesn’t come with the guide rails. You have to buy it separately.
Evolution R185CCSX Track Saw Kit
If you’re looking for a really budget-friendly track, this is the one you want. It’s the Evolution R185CCSX.
It’s got a 40 inch track and a 7-1/4 inch blade, which is quite impressive, considering that most of the other top end track saws all come with a smaller 6-1/2 inch blade, with the exception of Festool which comes with a large 8-1/4 inch blade.
I really like this track saw kit. It’s well built, comes with the guide rail, unlike some of the other units that sell their guide rail separately. And you get it at a fraction of the cost of the other units.
The 40 inch track comes in 3 pieces though. You have to fit them together using a set of connector bars and hex keys that comes included in the kit.
So, that’s some assembling together you need to do. Once fitted together though, the track feels solid, and it’s accurate. There are anti-slip pads under the guide rail so it doesn’t slip while you make cuts.
Overall, I really recommend the Evolution R185CCSX. It may not look as robust as some of the other top-end track saws like the Festools, the Dewalts and the Makitas, but don’t let the price fool you. This saw gets the job done.
Pros
- It’s budget-friendly.
- Larger blade and cut capacity
- Very accurate
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Track is not that long. But for the price, it’s great. You can always upgrade to a longer one if you like.
Related: 42 Modern Woodworking Tools For Your Projects
Festool TS 75 EQ Plunge-Cut Saw
If you don’t want to compromise in cut quality, and all you want is pin-point accuracy with no room for errors, then the track saw I recommend the most is this one from Festool.
It’s the FESTOOL TS 75 EQ Plunge-Cut track saw. Remember, they also have the TS 55 REQ track saw, but this is a newer model.
While the TS 55 comes with a 55 inch track or guide rail, this one comes with a 75 inch track to help you rip and break down large sheet materials.
You can find every feature of the TS 55 in this TS 75. Features such as the spring-loaded riving knife for preventing binding and kickbacks, and the FastFix system which locks the saw switch and arbor simultaneously to allow you swap out blades easily.
The riving knife and a slip clutch helps prevent the material from pinching the blade during use, thus reducing any chance of kickbacks and prolonging both the blade and motor life.
The Festool TS 75 also features the largest blade size you can find on any track saw. It comes with an 8-1/4 inch blade which is far larger than the 6-1/2 inch blade offered by most of the competition.
All in all, if you’re looking for the best when it comes to track saws, something that offers maximum precision and adjustments, you should look no further than this Festool.
It will help you tackle all your projects and more with pinpoint accuracy.
Pros
- It’s very accurate and precise.
- Cuts are smooth and clean.
- Very powerful.
- It’s very easy to adjust.
Cons
- It’s pricey compared to similar units.
WEN CT1065 Plunge-Cut Circular Track Saw
If you don’t have the budget to go for the high end models, WEN produces a very budget friendly track saw you can get without altering the weight of your wallet.
The WEN CT1065 track saw can rip 2-1/3 inch thick boards in one pass at 90 degrees and 1-5/8 thick boards at 45 degrees.
If you want to make long rip cuts or internal rip cuts, this is one of the best saws you should get. It comes equipped with a 6-1/2 inch 24 tooth carbide-tipped blade, but you can always upgrade the blade to get even finer cuts from this machine.
At the heart of the saw is a powerful 10-amp motor capable of spinning the blade at 5500 RPM, cutting cleanly and precisely through the hardest of sheet woods, even engineered lumber.
Three blade settings allow you to make 1/8 inch deep scoring cuts, plunge cuts and for easily swapping out the blade for a new one.
Overall, this WEN track saw comes with just the right features to pitch it among the best track saw you can use for your projects.
Pros
- It’s budget friendly.
- Great for DIY woodworking projects.
- Very convenient to use.
- Setup and adjustment is easy.
Cons
- It has several plastic parts which may likely affect its durability.
What To Consider When Choosing A Track Saw
The most important factors to consider when choosing a track saw are the amount of power it has, the ease of maneuvering the tracks, dust collection, whether it’s cordless or corded, and price.
Now, let’s talk about each of these factors in detail.
Power
Sometimes you can only tell how powerful a tool is once you use it yourself or get feedback or reviews from people who already own it.
Most of the time, for a new tool, we rely on the amp ratings, the speed, and the amount of horsepower the motor has.
Even though these ratings don’t tell the whole story, it’s important that you consider them. All things being equal, a 15 amp rated track saw will be more powerful than one with a 10 amp motor, and it will not bog down under load.
When making your choice, try not to dismiss cordless units as underpowered. Our findings show that the cordless Festool track saws are even more powerful than their corded counterparts, which sounds and feels weird, but that’s just the reality of things.
Cordless tools are no longer inferior in power to corded ones as they used to be back in the day. The batteries last longer, the saws are powerful, and they’re even more portable to use on the job site.
Ease of Maneuvering the Tracks
The primary thing that differentiates track saws from standard circular saws is the guide rails they slide on. This makes the guide rails or tracks important to the saw.
These tracks should be easy to maneuver around your workpiece without any issues. It should be light enough to carry but strong enough to withstand abuse on the job.
Good tracks don’t require clamps to keep them in place on the workpiece. Instead, thin non-stick strips are lined underneath the tracks that keep it from shifting when making cuts. With this, there’s no time spent setting up the saw before making your cut.
Some of the ones we reviewed here come with tracks to use right away, while others are just the bare tool. You have to buy the track separately.
Some tracks from tool brands like Makita, Festool, Dewalt, and Bosch are interchangeable. That means if you already have a Festool track saw with its guide rails and want to buy a Makita track saw only without the guide rails, it will match your Festool guide rails. So you don’t need another set of guide rails for it.
Dust Collection
Dust collection is very important when working with track saws, especially when you’re using it inside the shop.
Track saws are designed to rip long lengths of sheet goods, that’s why they produce lots of sawdust. Most of the new models you’ll find today have a dust port right at the back of the saw for expelling dust as you make cuts with it. Some older models don’t have this feature, which means you can’t hook a shop vac or dust collection hose to the unit if you want to.
So, try to consider this when making your choice.
Cost
Cost undoubtedly influences your decision if you’re trying to buy a track saw because the prices of the track saws reviewed here range from less than $100 to nearly $1000.
As a professional woodworker, it’s crucial you get a high-quality one because it’s a tool you will use daily. A low-quality unit may not be able to keep up with this frequency of use and may not give you the kind of performance you need.
On the other hand, buying a less expensive one is fine if you just want to use it for simple hobby projects and you don’t plan to use it frequently.
You must be (censored word) to name Makita No1. It is miles out on accuracy, blades do not last either.. How can you rate it above Dewalt and Festool. Makita must be paying for this review 😀
There’s no place in this article where I said Makita is the best. Instead, I wrote “it’s one of the best”.
The numbering in our reviews don’t represent hierarchy from Number 1 to 10. It’s just a list of the best track saws you can choose from. The best in the list can be in number 10, number 4, number 7 or any number. There is no hierarchy. They’re not numbered from best to worst or from worst to best. Number 10 is not the worst, and number 1 is not necessarily the best.
You just have to go through the article, through the 10 listed here and choose the one most suitable to your needs. People have different needs. Some need a budget friendly one for simple DIY projects, some need the one with the most power due to the type of materials they want to cut, others favor ergonomics – weight, dust collection and so on. Some even go after a certain brand, whether it performs poorly or not. That’s why you need to go through the 10 listed and choose according to your needs and according to your budget. Again, number 1 on this list is not necessarily the best one.
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