If you’re a contractor or just a home DIYer without much room, the best portable table saw might be just the machine you need to get all your projects done. However, there are countless models available, making it difficult to choose which machine is right for you. Not all of these saws are made equally, and some really aren’t worth their price tag. It is essential for you to do your research before deciding to purchase one of these jobsite models; the last thing you want is to spend your hard-earned money on a portable jobsite table saw that isn’t worth it.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve already done all the hard work for you and researched everything you might need to know about portable table saw. After reading 100’s of reviews of the top-rated table saws on the market, we ranked each one carefully based on different criteria. To ensure that you have everything you need to make a buying decision, we also formulated an in-depth buyer’s guide to arm you will all the information you need to know.
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This portable table saw by Dewalt includes a 15amp, high-torque motor that has the power to cut through nearly any piece of wood. It easily handled the hardwoods we threw at it, so we have no doubt it will be suitable for any woodworking project you have in mind.
It has a large capacity of 32 and ½ inches. This was one of the larger capacities out of the portable saws we tested, and we appreciated that this table saw allowed us to cut through larger pieces of wood even though it was designed to be portable.
It has two dust collection ports, which really helped keep cleanup to a minimum. It weighs 90-pounds and was a little heavier than we would have liked, especially for a saw that is designed for portable, jobsite use.
However, it does have a rolling frame that works very well, so we really did not have any trouble moving it around despite the heavier weight. The heavy duty wheels easily handled curbs, stairs, and debris. The table was also very flat and made cutting accurately easy.
Overall, the accuracy, portability, and safety of this machine were top-notch. We were very impressed. The only true complaint we have is that the blade parallel adjustment is somewhat difficult to do. This feature could have been a lot better designed; we felt like it was just something they threw on at the last second.
This machine is very similar to our first pick, with a few key differences. It also has a 15amp motor, so you should have no difficulties cutting through harder woods. This portable machine easily has the power for ripping and crosscutting any type of wood you need it to.
In terms of portability, it is designed to work with the GTA47W Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand, which is included with your purchase. We were a little skeptical of this stand at first. However, it worked seamlessly with the portable saw itself. We appreciated that it came with the saw and did not require a separate purchase.
This portable saw is surprisingly quiet. While we did not find this feature particularly useful for our purposes, it might be a huge selling point if you’re trying to keep noise levels to a minimum. The blades on this machine are also easy to change out, so you can spend less time changing blades and more time cutting.
The main difference between this saw and our number one pick is that this one has a significantly smaller capacity. It can only support material up to 25 inches. While this isn’t terribly small, it is smaller than our top pick and was enough to land this saw in the number two spot.
SKIL is widely known for creating inexpensive, high-quality saws and machines. Their portable jobsite table saw is no different. Despite this saw’s low price, it was one of the better ones we tested.
It comes with a heavy-duty, steel stand that is very easy to set up and take down, making this saw a wonderful portable option for those who are often on the go. The self-aligning rip fence also helps the machine stay accurate, which can be a difficult feature to find in portable saws.
We particularly liked that this portable saw was powerful despite its low price. The dado cuts it made were very nice and we would definitely recommend this tool to the average consumer.
With that said, it is important to point out that this saw is designed for light, DIY work. It is not made with extremely durable materials and will likely be unable to stand up to the daily grind of a professional, on-the-go woodworker.
This portable saw is also not built for precise work. It is more than able to handle your average home project, but for ultra-fine details, you should get something else instead. If you need a portable saw to use on a daily basis for contractor work, this is not the option for you. Instead, we recommend you choose our top pick.
This 10 inch Jobsite saw is the popular choice among woodworkers due to its highly efficient powerful 15 amp motor and ripping capacity of 24-1/2 inches.
At full RPM, we don’t have any problem cutting thicker materials with its soft start motor. It also helps stabilize the arbor, which results in reduced vibration and increases the ease of use and accuracy.
Even though this saw doesn’t cut as smooth as a full-size cabinet saw. I guess that’s acceptable for a portable saw with a heavy-duty aluminum rolling stand that makes it easy to transport and load, unloading the saw around the worksite.
This saw ships with 24-tooth carbide rough-cut blade, good for ripping plywood or lumber. Also, the integral electronic feedback helps keep the blade’s speed maximum even when dealing with the toughest material.
This telescoping fence lets the rails move to 24-inch, which helps in ripping the materials thoroughly. Along with the high rip capacity, this saw also allows having dado cuts around 13/16 inches wider.
DEWALT DW744XRS also features a Site-Pro Modular Guarding System, which allows precise adjustments for each application without using any tools. An easy to handle 2-inch dust port can easily connect to a shop vacuum, which results in thorough cleaning of the work area.
We had high hopes for this portable saw. However, it just didn’t live up to our expectations. The motor is very powerful at 15-amps, so you’ll not have a problem getting it to cut through even the hardest woods. The start-stop function was well designed and significantly reduced the noise and recoil produced at start-up.
We particularly liked the electric brake feature, which allowed us to quickly stop the blade within seconds if necessary. This safety feature made us a lot more comfortable while using this portable table saw and we can easily see how it could prevent an accident or two.
Despite these good features, however, there were quite a few things we didn’t like about this saw. Firstly, it is not very reliable. The motor quit on us a couple of times while we were testing it.
The instruction manual and troubleshooting instructions were not helpful in the least. After some research, we expect that the issue was with the start-stop function. While this feature is a great idea, we came to understand that it was not the best-designed feature and commonly caused the machine to fail.
For this reason, we are not able to recommend this portable machine. No one wants a machine that only starts half of the time.
This portable table saw is far more expensive than many of the others we tested, so we were expecting a lot out of it. But, that is not what we got. This machine is so-so at best. It has a 15-amp motor, which is on par with other high-quality, portable saws.
It can cut through most pieces of wood easily and should be able to handle anything the average consumer throws at it.
It has a base that allows for onboard storage – a great feature if you travel around regularly. However, this storage is difficult to get to and is not as big as we would have liked. It’s a great feature, but not very well designed.
There were quite a few things that this portable saw does not have going for it. The miter gauge is basically useless. While you could find a replacement in most cases, this saw has non-standard miter slots, making getting a replacement impossible.
The machine itself is made out of relatively cheap plastic, so don’t expect it to hold up very long, especially if you’re transporting it around regularly. The stand, which is what makes this saw portable in the first place, is poorly designed and not worth the high price tag.
Ridgid R4510 is a superior general-purpose heavy-Duty table saw. It comes with a powerful 15-amp motor with a soft start. The smooth starting of the motor leads to its long life and minimizes the chances of breaker tripping.
This portable saw is a relatively heavyweight of around 122 pounds. It also means that it will remain stable and firm while working with it, and leads to no vibrations. This feature makes it a good choice for heavy-duty jobs.
The standard rails help in providing a rip capacity of 25 inches from the right side and 12 inches from the left side of the blade.
As this table saw features a blade guard system that allows for tool-free adjustments, a micro-adjust fence for precise adjustments, and a bevel or height adjustments with a single handle. Also, the T slot miter gauge makes it more convenient as it allows smooth cutting of any material and without any vibrations.
Ridgid r4510 is easy to install and features fast and easy blade set up and adjustments. This table saw comes with a storage system that helps in storing the accessories like miter gauge, a push stick, rip fence, and others.
There are countless best portable table saws out there. While we only reviewed five of the most popular saws, you will likely be choosing from a huge field of options. To help you make the best buying decision, we put together this complete guide to everything you need to know before making a purchase.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to ensure you’re getting a good table saw, choose one of the Jobsite options we reviewed. However, if you’re a type A personality who wants to know everything upfront, this guide is just for you.
Because this article is about portable table saws, we’re assuming that for one reason or another, having a portable saw is important for you. Just because a table saw is designed to be portable though, doesn’t necessarily mean it is. Some table saws really can’t stand up to the wear-and-tear traveling produces, while others are only portable if you have a team of people willing to move it.
One of the most obvious features to consider when selecting a portable machine is the weight. Lighter saws are going to be far more portable than heavy ones. If you work with a team of people, this might not be a huge deal. However, most of us do not and have to choose a portable table saw we can move independently. Consider how much you can move safely as well as how much your truck can hold.
Of course, weight isn’t the only thing you need to consider. Many Jobsite table saws come with wheels that make moving them far easier. Not all wheels are made the same, though. Some are built for heavy-duty work, while others are more prone to breaking. Many wheels are designed to navigate curbs and other debris, but this is not the case with all of them. Having a portable saw on a stand with quality wheels can mean all the difference in the world.
To cut through anything, you’re going to need some power. Typically, the more power you have, the better. However, this is not always the case with jobsite table saws. More power usually also means more weight, which can be a severe problem if you’re planning on moving the saw around. Choosing a Jobsite saw is a balancing act of power vs. portability.
Most Jobsite models have a 15-amp motor, which is usually enough for most projects. This amount of power will be able to cut through nearly anything you throw at it without getting too bogged down. Still, you might have some problems with pressure-treated woods and hardwoods, depending on the exact design of the saw. This size motor also does not tend to cut into the portability of the saw too much, making it a good choice for most homeowners and contractors.
You can also find plenty of Jobsite power tools with smaller motors that are very portable. Before making a purchase, it is important to take a step back and consider what size motor you actually need. If you can get away with a smaller motor for your projects, this can amp up the portability of the machine substantially. You should also consider how often you’re going to move the portable table saw. If you are not expecting to move it very much, you might want to consider choosing a saw with a larger motor, since portability isn’t going to affect you all that much.
There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how much power to get in a Jobsite saw. Take a careful look at your situation and expectations when figuring out how much power you really need.
Most of the time, the standard miter gauge that comes on a Jobsite saw is pretty much unusable. They’re made out of low-quality materials and do not do much for a job site saw’s overall performance. Many of them hardly even work at all, while others might only work half the time or be suitable for unprecise work.
While we would love to tell you that there is a portable table saw out there, this just isn’t the case. If this feature is extremely important to you, plan on purchasing an aftermarket option and installing it on whatever machine you get. Before making a purchase, you should check and ensure that there are aftermarket gauges available for the particular table saw you choose.
Not all machines come with this feature. Some can’t even use it at all. If you’re planning on using one, double-check that the table saw you choose comes with a table groove that can even use a gauge.
Occasionally, you will find a tool with a decent miter gauge already attached. However, this is rare and you really shouldn’t count on it. In our experience, the large majority of the time the gauge needs to be replaced.
Most portable table saws come with rip fence that is pretty decent. This important accessory guides you to cut more accurately and evenly. A good fence will make cutting straight extremely easy, while a bad one can make your project far more difficult than it needs to be. A fence can even keep you safe while you’re cutting by preventing the blade from entering the wood at weird angles, which can create kickback and lead to injuries.
While many people do not take this small piece of metal into consideration when selecting a portable table saw, you definitely should. A fence should be able to lock into place and be easy to adjust. Fighting a fence into the correct position is not fun. The fence should also line up correctly with the blade. If it doesn’t, it will not be able to do its job appropriately.
Whether you’re a DIYer or a contractor, the portable table saw you get needs to be accurate. How accurate depends on what you’re planning on using it for, though. Many saws are at least somewhat accurate, but not all of them are designed to perform ultra-precise cuts. Many different features play into this, including the fence, miter gauge, table flatness, and others. It is important to consider all these factors when choosing a saw, especially if accuracy is at the top of your list.
At the very least, a Jobsite model should have a flat table and a usable rip fence. While you can’t always tell if a table is flat on the first inspection, even a minor warp in the table can be problematic. Luckily, well-made Jobsite saws usually have well-made tables as well
A high-quality miter gauge is also helpful, but not necessarily required. There are many things you can do to improve a portable table saw’s accuracy after you already purchased it. You can get a new one, for example, or even change the rip fence. However, this is extra work and money out of your pocket, so it is usually a better option to choose a Jobsite model that is accurate right out of the box.
You should also consider how adjustable the different accessories of the saw are when considering this feature. If you cannot adjust the fence properly, you are not going to be able to make the cuts you need to make accurately. You should also consider what cuts you’re going to be making. If your cuts require a miter gauge, for example, be sure to choose a portable table saw that has a decent one or can accept aftermarket options.
Safety should always be your top priority. Luckily, this is a feature that many portable table saws do well on, including those we reviewed. All the job site saws we looked at did remarkably well in regards to safety, so this is not something you have to worry about if you’re purchasing a saw from our list. However, if you’re planning on purchasing a different saw, you should consider how safe it is very carefully.
Every job site saw should be designed so that the on/off switch is easy to get to. You should also carefully familiarize yourself with where this all-important switch is before making any cuts. We also recommend that you get a saw with some sort of kickback control. There are a couple of different ways saws accomplish this, so be sure to read any product description carefully.
Obviously, no one wants to spend more than they have to on a portable table saw. Trying to save on price, though, often means giving up on performance. It is vital to consider what you actually need in a portable jobsite table saw. Don’t buy the most expensive saw with all the features if that isn’t what you need. Similarly, don’t skimp out on features you need just because you’re trying a save a few bucks. Like many things, this is a balancing act. There are many different saws out there, so be sure to weigh your options before choosing.
The best table saw you can purchase is the DEWALT DWE7491RS. It stood out from all of the other saws we tested. This saw is accurate, powerful, and sells for a very good price. We were very pleased with how it performed in all of our tests and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good jobsite saw.
Some are incredibly accurate. Others? Not so much. This really varies a lot from one portable table saw to another. We recommend reading through our reviews and choosing one of those saws if you’re concerned with accuracy. Otherwise, be sure to read our Buyer’s Guide to figure out how accurate a job site saw is before you buy.
There are countless portable table saws on the market, so it can be understandably difficult to choose the right one for you. Out of all the saws we reviewed, the DEWALT DWE7491RS is the best jobsite option overall. It has more than enough power for most purposes and is surprisingly accurate. The SKIL 3410-02 is a good budget portable table saw option if you don’t need a huge amount of power. It can still get the job done in most cases and is far cheaper than many other jobsite table saws.
Do check our buying guide on hybrid table saws.
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David has been a woodworker for most of his life — in his dad’s cabinet shop. After using the tools himself, he decided to share it his woodworking and power tools knowledge with DIYers. Read more about him