Reviews of the Best Portable Table Saws in 2024 / Expert Talk

In 2019, how do you choose the best portable table saw? It’s not as challenging as may think. Ultimately, consumers decide with their voice and their votes for which table saws stand the test of time, and usage.

Portable table saws are designed for the long haul so not much has changed over the past year.

---

---

INTRO — Best Portable Table Saw

A table saw is simply the most essential component of any decent woodworking shop, and if you’re a beginning woodworker or simply an enthusiast who is looking to create some stuff out of wood, then this is a machine that can really help you out. It is the best wood ripping tool that you will find, since the bandsaw can rip logs and poles of larger height, but it doesn’t even come close to the table saw in terms of precision and ease of usage.

What truly makes the table saw special though, is the fact that it is an extremely versatile, multipurpose woodworking tool that can be used to carry out any of the following tasks – cutting wood panels to size, squaring wood sheets and blocks, making cabinets and shelves, executing miter cuts, making rabbet joints, and last but not the least, ripping lumber with amazing precision.

If you want, you can even angle the blade and make bevel cuts with the table saw. Most decent table saws have an arbor assembly that is attached to trunnions which are capable of rotating on their longitudinal axis (axis parallel to the ground plane). This allows the circular blade on a table saw to rotate along the plane perpendicular to its own, essentially allowing you to cut grooves and make rabbet joints with great ease.

60V Battery Table saw | DEWALT 60V FLEXVOLT

How the trunnions rotate, what the arbor assembly does, and how the height/angle of the blade is adjusted will be discussed in more detail as we progress through the article. For now, all that you need to know is that the table saw can do most of what a bandsaw does, it can even execute miter and bevel cuts like a miter saw, and it is capable of ripping wood/sizing boards and planks just like a circular saw. Clearly, you are missing out on a world of opportunity if you don’t have one of these in your arsenal of woodworking equipment.

With jigs, the table saw can make tenons, crosscut wide or long pieces of lumber, and can easily make repetitive cuts in a board or block of wood. It is also excellent for slicing and sizing up plywood or particle board, and can be used to cut grooves, slots, do molding, and for making raised panels.

If you think about it, the table saw is basically a metal table, with a rotating circular saw blade mounted in the center in a vertical position (teeth up). By combining the spinning motion of this toothed circular blade with the assistance of a fence and miter gauge, you can do some incredible stuff on the top of a table saw.

Of course, there are many other accessories and parts to it, such as the blade guard and safety assemblies, blade height and angle adjustment mechanisms, exhaust port for dust, etc. But the true essence of a table saw never changes, no matter what type of table saw it is – contractor, bench top, cabinet, or hybrid.

And yes, we shall also be discussing about the different types of table saws and what advantages are offered by each type. However, the primary focus of this article will be on portable table saws and why you should buy one.

Jet JBTS-10MJS | Common Components  of a Table Saw

Portable table saws are extremely popular and make a great first buy for someone with little or no experience in operating table saws. Even an experienced woodworker or advanced enthusiast will find one of these to be super useful if he or she is short on space. Because let’s face the truth – out of 10 people, 6 or 7 are probably using their already crowded garage or basement for carrying out their carpentry work at home.

It’s almost always impossible to accommodate a full-sized contractor or cabinet table saw in the average home workshop, since you are using space that you borrowed from your car/bike/tractor, etc. if you’re working in the garage, and if you have a medium to large sized room dedicated to woodworking in your house, then lucky you.

In this article, we shall educate you on the importance of a table saw, the different types of table saws along with the pros and cons of each one, as well as all the factors that come into play while choosing a portable table saw for yourself. We shall also discuss how a table saw works, and look through the main parts of any table saw. Once you understand about the parts that go into a table saw, how they interact with each other, and the reason why one material is preferred over another, you will be able to judge for yourself which portable table saw you need and decide which features matter to you the most.

The aim of this article is to help you in making an educated and logical purchase decision based on your individual requirements and budget. At the end of this guide, we shall look at 6 of the most popular portable table saw models currently available for sale in the market. We shall individually review and look at the specs for each one of these models, and you can choose to buy any one of the 6 from the list based on your needs and budget.

If you don’t buy from this list, you should still read the reviews as that will give you a good idea of what to expect at a certain price point, and you’ll come to know about the specs and features that are found in a good portable table saw.

---

Different Types of Table Saws

Table Saws, like any other woodworking power tool, come in several shapes and sizes. Each different type of table saw has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and in this section of the article we are about to discuss the four main types of table saws – contractor table saws, cabinet table saws, hybrid table saws, and portable table saws. The portable tables saws are what this entire article is about, but we felt that it is crucial for you to know and understand about the other types of table saws so that you can truly appreciate the unique nature of a portable table saw and recognize its strongest selling points.

If you’re reading this article, it is likely that you are either a beginner in woodworking or an enthusiast with his or her own little home-based woodworking shop, setup in the garage or basement. You will come to know why the larger table saws are an unnecessary and space-consuming expenditure that will ultimately prove detrimental to your workflow as well as eat up valuable personal space in your home.

Let us give you a short description for each of the 4 categories of table saws:

Contractor’s Table Saw

Not very portable, takes more than one person to move, and has an expandable tabletop that can accommodate larger pieces of wood such as plywood sheets. Normally has a motor rated between 1.5 to 3 horsepower, and is powered by the standard 110V AC wall supply found in American homes. This is what you should buy if you are a woodworking professional who owns a small to medium sized workshop.

Example of a contractor table saw | SawStop CNS175-TGP36

If you want to be able to process larger pieces of wood, have sufficient space in your workplace (400 to 500 square feet minimum), and expect to cut wood daily, then this is what you want to get. Contractor saws weigh anywhere between 200 to 300 pounds, and many of them come with 110V motors that can be converted into 220V motors with ease.

These table saws use induction motors instead of universal motors, so they are quieter than the average portable saw and are also more accurate because of the decreased vibration (use of a brushless motor + heavier frame results in decreased vibrations).

PROS  – More accurate than a portable or hybrid table saw, preinstalled or factory default fences and miter gauges are usually of premium quality. A contractor saw can run for several hours continuously because of the fully sealed and internally cooled induction brushless motors.

CONS  – Heavy, takes up much more space than a portable or hybrid model, some high-end models might need 220V heavy duty circuits so they cannot be installed in a small shop or home.

Cabinet Table Saw

The most powerful, heavy, and accurate of all table saw types. These are equipped with a body that resembles a cabinet, with both the central tabletop as well as the expansion wings made from precisely machined cast iron. The body is designed so that all the internal components are completely sealed off, and you can only access them by opening the cabinet doors.

Example of Cabinet Table Saw | Grizzly G0690

These table saws are equipped with heavy duty electric motors that have their own internal cooling solution and are capable of continuously running for tens of hours at a stretch. The motors are 5hp or more in terms of power, and are fed by 220V heavy duty electrical circuits. You will find these in large carpentry workshops, factories, and similar places where the workload consists of much larger pieces of wood as well as higher volumes of wood compared to what the average homeowner would process with his or her portable table saw.

PROS  – They are more accurate than the average contractor saws, are built with the finest and toughest materials, sport cast iron tabletops and extension wings, have the most powerful motors that are capable of slicing through any hardwood, and these professional grade 220V brushless induction motors are also equipped with internal cooling fans and fully sealed bodies to prevent overheating and the entry of dust into the motor.

CONS  – Very expensive, not portable, takes up a lot of space, requires the installation of heavy duty electrical circuits.

Hybrid Table Saw

It can be regarded as a mix between the contractor table saw and a portable table saw. While these don’t have wheels for mobility like most portable table saws do, they are still much more portable and lighter than the average contractor saw and are commonly used as garage or basement table saws where space is available in very limited quantities.

Example of a Hybrid Table Saw | Shop Fox W1824

Accuracy is slightly less than a contractor or cabinet model because of the decreased weight that results in more vibrations, and the lower cost means that the preinstalled fences, miter gauge, and blade guard assembly are of a lower quality than what you’ll find on a professional grade table saw model.

PROS  – They are about as accurate as the top end portable table saw models, come with somewhat decent fences and miter attachments, and can be transported from one jobsite to another with relative ease as the usually weigh less than 80-100 pounds. Built from lightweight materials such as aluminum and composite fibers/plastics.

CONS  – Less working space on the tabletop, so you cannot cut large pieces of wood, limited cutting power because of weaker motors, portable but not at the level of a true portable table saw since these lack wheels and expandable bench legs.

Portable/ Bench Top Table Saw

These are the most lightweight and compact of all 4 types of table saws. They are equipped with aluminum and plastic body parts to keep weight low, typically under 65 pounds. Designed to be carried by a single person, these come with foldable base stands (X-stands, retractable legs, etc.), and most models have retractable tabletop extensions that can be recessed whenever you are finished working or need to the transport the table saw from one place to the other.

Example of A Portable Table Saw | Bosch GTS1031

These saws are equipped with motors in the 0.5 to 1 horsepower range, and are designed to fit 10” blades only. They are the most commonly purchased type of table saws for home-based woodworking tasks, and this is what you should buy if you’re new to carpentry or are a simple woodworking hobbyist. They are cheap, easy to move, compact so they won’t take up much space in your garage/basement, and run off the 100V wall supply which is standard in every American home.

PROS  – Relatively inexpensive compared to contractor saws, the lightest and most compact table saws, very portable and some models even come with built-in wheel attachments so you can tow them around like a wheel barrow. The best part about a portable table saw is that it suffices for pretty much any consumer level home-based carpentry work such as frame molding, cabinet making, notch cutting, bevel cutting, etc. You will find that these saws are extremely lightweight (usually under 65 pounds) because they are constructed from aluminum, plastic, and other lightweight materials.

CONS  – Preinstalled fences and miter gauges are of poor quality on low-mid end models, they usually don’t come with a riving knife so you must buy one of those, the dust collection is not very efficient, some cheaper models are quite loud because they use universal motors, somewhat limited cutting power and working space.

---

How a Portable Table Saw Works

If you think about it, a portable table saw is basically a more compact version of the full-size table saw which is essentially a metal table with a rotating circular blade mounted in the middle. But there is a lot more to a table saw than that, and we shall explain in this section of the article exactly how a table saw slices through wood, and discuss about the main parts that constitute a table saw and enable it to do what it does.

There are differences in the build quality of table saws depending on their size and price, for instance a contractor table saw weighs about 250 pounds and features a large working area which is made from cast iron that has been machined with great precision so that the cuts are as accurate as possible. The smaller and cheaper hybrid or portable table saws also feature cast iron workspaces, but the cast iron is limited to the central working area of the tabletop to limit costs and keep weight low for portability. The wings and table extensions to the sides are usually made from aluminum.

The heavier a table saw and the sturdier its base, the less it will shake and the more accurate your cuts will be. But as you will come to know from the content below, weight of the base is not the only factor that determines accuracy of a cut.

Major Parts of a Portable Table Saw

The Base

This is the part of the table saw that lies underneath the table and houses all the working internal parts such as the motor, blade, arbor assembly, trunnions, and gearing system. It is kind of like an exoskeleton for the table saw and forms a solid foundation for the several internal components to function properly.

It is important that the base be sturdy and heavy enough to prevent the saw from vibrating, or the table from flexing whenever a load of wood is placed upon it. On cabinet type saws and most contractor saws, the base extends all the way from the table to the floor and is a true cabinet style enclosure with doors on the front for access to the otherwise securely sealed off internals.

Open base saws are equipped with semi-sealed bases that have legs attached to the bottom which support the weight of the saw upon the floor. Hybrid saws combine a fully enclosed base with legs to decrease overall weight and reduce size, making the saw more portable. A fully enclosed base also limits dust collection inside the body, and greatly reduces motor noise.

The base can be made from several different materials, but contractor saws and cabinet saws usually use steel and aluminum while portable table saws and hybrid table saws use a mixture of aluminum and plastic. Some custom or home-built table saws even have wooden bases, while premium contractor table saws and cabinet table saws employ cast iron bases for extra rigidity and stability while cutting.

Safety Device | GRR-RIPPER 3D Pushblock

Enables you to work with Small Stock Safely on your Table Saw, Router Table, Jointer, & Band Saw.

---

The Table or Work Space

This is the “table” in a table saw. It is the flat rectangular surface upon which a wooden workpiece is place and cut by the blade. At the center of the table, there is a slot for the blade to protrude outwards, and there is a throat plate to guard the blade and prevent it from being hit on the sides.

There is no fixed size for the table, it varies depending on the size of the saw and the model. The larger the table, the more space you have for chopping and slicing through wood. The table must be extremely flat, and the most premium contractor or cabinet table saws have tabletops that are precision machined and laser tested to be perfectly flat within a tolerance range of just 0.005 inches.

Cast iron is the material of choice for the central work table, while the extension wings and leaves may be made from aluminum or stamped steel. Heavy duty table saws employ a solid cast iron tabletop and have cast iron extensions as well, because there are really no weight or cost limitations with professional grade table saws unlike the portable and hybrid models.

---

Rip Fence, Rails, & Included Miter Gauge

The rip fence is a long, rectangular metal fence with square edges and a perfectly flat face that is used to guide wood into the spinning circular blade. This fence is mounted on a couple of rails, the rails are each mounted on opposite sides of the table (usually mounted on the longer sides of the rectangular table).

The fence can slide towards and away from the blade, so you can adjust the position of the fence to accommodate for the width of the plank or board that you’re trying to cut. The rails upon which the fence is mounted have accurate markings on them to denote the distance from the blade, just like a ruler. There is also a locking system on the fence in the form of a handle and lock mechanism that will snap the fence into a fixed spot on the rail, so that it stays put throughout the entire cutting operation.

This is similar in terms of role and purpose to the miter gauge on a miter saw, and it is often said that the quality of a table saws fence and locking system plays a great role in determining the overall quality and cleanliness of the cut that you make. Ideally, the fence is supposed to be perfectly parallel to the blade no matter where it is positioned on the rails. The flatter and more parallel a fence is, the higher its quality and price.

The quality of the locking system and accuracy of the scale on the fence rails also determine the effectiveness and price of a table saw fence. Some professional grade table saw fences are almost as costly or even costlier than a complete portable table saw.

Apart from the fence and its rail system. there are two more rails on the central tabletop, both positioned at equal distance from the blade slot, at opposite directions to each other. They are also perfectly parallel to the blade, are usually T-rails and are designed to fit the miter gauge. The miter gauge is kind of like a protractor and is used to make miter cuts (angled cuts), by positioning the wooden workpiece against the miter fence, and adjusting the handle on the miter scale until you achieve the perfect angle. Then, you snap the handle into place with the locking mechanism of the miter gauge and slide the miter fence forward on the rails to feed the wood into the blade.

Quality and accuracy of fence systems can vary greatly across different brands and models, and a poor-quality fence will result in a choppy cut. Choppy cuts mean that you spend further time sanding and edging out the imperfections, adding more work to your schedule. If you are a professional with heavy daily workloads, you cannot afford to save a few dollars on the fence and must ensure that the fence on your table saw is top notch in terms of reliability and accuracy.

For saws priced in the range of most hobbyists, the Biesemeyer T-square fence design sets the standard. Fence designs like the JET XACTA and Powermatic Accu-Fence are what professional prefer, and these are standard issue on larger, heavy duty table saws such as contractor saws and cabinet saws. Even some affordable mid-range JET and Powermatic portable table saws come with these fence technologies preinstalled, so if you are buying based on brand then you can reap the benefits of having a superior fence factory installed on your saw by default, if you purchase a suitable Powermatic or JET model.

Just like premium fences, premium miter gauges are also available as aftermarket purchases for table saws. High end table saws come with top quality miter systems preinstalled. In its most basic form, a miter gauge is simply a cast-iron protractor head that is attached to a length of metal bar which fits into the slot on a table of a table saw.

The advanced and more expensive miter gauges are extremely accurate, constructed from premium materials, and contain features that allow you to make repetitive operations in quick succession, precise angled cuts, and much more. For instance, some of the best miter gauges come with features such as repeatable incremental angle positioning (RIAP), longer fences to handle larger pieces of wood, stop blocks, etc.

---

Arbor Assembly, Driving Motor, and Trunnions

The arbor assembly, trunnions, and motor make up the core of the table saw. These three components are the “powertrain” of a table saw, just as the powertrain of a car is formed by the engine, gearbox, drive shaft, etc. The arbor is the cylindrical shaft which holds the circular blade. It is just like an axel/driving rod for the circular saw blade and the saw blade is mounted to it via a simple washer + nut combo. The arbor assembly consists of the arbor itself, along with the sector gear for raising and lowering the blade.

Most American stationary saws use a 10” diameter blade and a 5/8” arbor. By 5/8”, we are referring to the diameter of the shaft where the blade is attached to it, since the arbor may vary in diameter over its length (for instance, the part that houses the bearings is usually the thickest). The sector gear is an arc-shaped metal gear that operates in conjunction with a cylindrical worm gear that is connected to the raising wheel on the exterior of the base of the table saw. When you rotate the raising wheel clockwise or counter-clockwise, you shall raise or lower the blade (with the table surface as reference point).

Most portable and hybrid table saws are equipped with a universal AC electric motor that generates anywhere between 0.5-1 horsepower. Saws designed for hobbyist and home use typically use motors under the 3hp range, while some professional grade contractor and cabinet saws can have motors around the 5hp range, or even higher. Professional class saws are the ones that use heavy duty TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled) brushless induction motors that need 220V AC power to run. That’s why, you don’t see these in homes or small workshops because they require the installation of a heavy duty electrical circuit to function.

TEFC brushless motors are not only powerful, but are surprisingly silent in comparison to brushed or universal motors that are used in general purpose or home based table saws. TEFC motors are fully sealed off and have their own internal active cooling, so they can function for tens of hours continuously without overheating, and with less risk or clogging since dust and dirt has almost zero chance to get inside. Vibration and heat output is also less because of the lack of brushes within the motor. This equates to less energy loss in the form of heat and vibration, which means greater efficiency (as a higher percentage of electricity is converted into mechanical power by the motor).

The front and rear trunnions, along with the yoke assembly constitute the chassis for all these moving internal parts (motor, gearing system, arbor assembly, etc.). The yoke is basically a rod or set of rods that connects the two trunnions to each other, while the trunnions themselves are solid blocks of metal that are tasked with holding everything in place including the arbor and blades.

The trunnions hold the blade and arbor in alignment with the miter gauge and fence, and absorb vibration from the motor, effectively preventing these tremors from reaching the tabletop. Wider and heavier trunnions improve stability, and you will see that trunnions which are mounted to the base of the table saw are much more reliable and effective than trunnions that are mounted to the underside of the table. When the trunnion is mounted to the base, the motor, blade, arbor, and trunnions stay together as one solid, individual unit so adjusting the blade height becomes much easier. This also reduces vibrations since the table is not in direct contact with the trunnions.

When the trunnions are attached to the underside of the table, every time you make a blade height adjustment, you basically are loosening the trunnions from the mounting point underneath the table and then brining the blade into position, this often results in loss of accuracy and increased shock transfer from motor to blade.

---

Splitter, Riving Knife, and Blade Guard

The splitter is a thin sheet metal plate that is installed right behind the circular saw blade of a table saw, and it is fixed to the table. This is installed to prevent kickback, a dangerous phenomenon that occurs when the wood being cut accidentally curves into the saw blade, and the teeth of the blade embed themselves into the wood instead of cutting it. This results in a piece of wood being shot away from the table by the saw blade, at incredibly high velocity. This piece of wood can collide against your body and cause some serious damage and pain depending on the impact velocity, angle, mass of wooden piece, and where it hits you (a hit to the facial area, groin, etc. will result in some major damage). What the splitter does is, it prevents the two sides of the wood from meeting the sides of the blade, and with each other.

The splitter acts as a barrier between the wood and the rear end of the blade (the side from which teeth are emerging upwards, and out of the table). Kickback doesn’t just shoot the wood at you, but it also poses the risk of sucking your hand into the blade as you are gripping the wooden block that is being thrown away.

If your hand accidentally gets carried into the array of tungsten carbide teeth spinning at 3000-5000 rpm, you could lose anywhere between a part of a finger, to all 5 fingers, or even the whole hand. That is why, along with the splitter a transparent blade guard is also installed to prevent your hands from getting within 2 inches of the blade.

This is quite similar in purpose and operation to the automatically retracting blade guard found on miter saws which retracts as your lower the miter saw blade, allowing you to cut through objects. The blade guard on a table saw will lift as you slide a wooden workpiece underneath it, but the top and sides will still be sealed off to prevent accidental contact of the human hand with a spinning saw blade.

Another anti-kickback mechanism that is installed by default on most table saws is the anti-kickback pawls. These are two thin plates of metal with toothed sides that are pivoted onto the splitter, one per side. Their job is to prevent the wood from catapulting into the air, by sinking their “teeth” into the wooden block whenever it tries to spring upwards.

One thing you should really consider, is purchasing a premium aftermarket blade guard system, one that includes a good riving knife. The riving knife is just like the splitter, except it is attached to the arbor instead of the table meaning that it moves up and down with the blade instead of staying stationary.

Exhaust Port

A simple mechanism that is designed to guide all the sawdust and wooden fibers being generated by the cutting action away from the table, and into an exhaust pipe that ends with a duct opening into which you can plug in a vacuum cleaner to automatically get rid of all the waste generated during cutting.

---

Fixed Table Saw vs. Portable Table Saw

We have already discussed about the different types of table saws, their strengths, and their weaknesses. However, it is crucial that we once again go over the main points differentiating a portable table saw and a fixed table saw, so that you can get your expectations straight when you go to buy one of these table saws. You need to understand about the compromises that you make to gain the benefits that you are getting with the portable model. You also need to know what the portable table saw is designed to do, which will allow you to use your newly purchased saw in a safe and efficient manner. Let’s be real – nothing in life is without compromises. The only difference between an intelligent purchase decision and a bad purchase decision is which compromises you chose to accept over the others.

Size

Clearly, smaller is better in this case since we all want to be able to do more with less, at least as far as machines are concerned. Not everyone has 400 or 500 square feet of dedicated work area lying around in the home. So, you need to make use of that space which you have as efficiently as you can. Space that you are borrowing from the bike or tractor in your garage, space that you are borrowing from the objects which were stored up in that corner of your basement.

You see, a full-sized table saw is about 3-4 times larger than a portable model just in terms of floor space occupied. But have you considered the fact that the saw itself is not the only thing occupying space? You will be standing nearby for operating the saw, and bigger saws need more clearance space between them and the other appliances/tools within the room.

Bigger saws need larger exhaust duct pipes, and require more powerful vacuum cleaners to suck up the sawdust, since they generate a lot more of it. Bigger saws cut through big pieces of wood, and we assume that you’re not buying a contractor table saw only to chop up small sized workpieces. The workpieces themselves need storage space, larger workpieces need more storage space.

All of this stacks up, and in the end, you realize that the space requirements of a large and stationary table saw cannot be computed based on the footprint of the saw alone. That, and the fact that you cannot carry them from one place to the other.

---

Cutting Performance and Capacity

A fixed (contractor/ cabinet) table saw will beat the portable table saw by a slight margin when it comes to accuracy and cutting speed. This is mainly because the TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled) motors in an enthusiast grade saw vibrate less, and the heavier frame is much better at soaking up all those tiny tremors that are generated. Besides, the motor is most likely anywhere between 3-5 times as powerful as the one on a portable model, so cutting is going to be faster with the larger saw. But there is no reason to believe that a portable table saw is not up to the task – it packs more than enough cutting capacity for home-grade work and you can easily design cabinets, door and window panels, shelves, molds, etc. with a small portable saw.

Power Consumption

Well, more powerful motors need more energy to work. After all, power comes from energy and energy cannot be created, it is merely converted from one form to the other. To run a large contractor or cabinet table saw you will need 220V of AC current, and we don’t think many American homes have that kind of heavy duty circuitry installed by default. It requires professional electrical circuit installation and maintenance to operate a large table saw, and you don’t have to think about any of that stuff if you own a portable model. It runs on 110V AC power, and doesn’t inflate your monthly electricity bill by monstrous proportions.

Price

A top of the line contractor table saw model can cost you as much as a second-hand sedan, and is about 7-10 times costlier than a budget portable table saw model. Even the cheaper contractor saws cost around 3-4 times more than the average portable tables saw. And forget about professional grade cabinet saws – unless you have a lot of money to throw around, you better leave those to the real professionals who know what they are doing.

---

Choosing the Best Portable Table Saw

Choosing the perfect portable table saw comes down to a combination of several factors that can affect the final buying decision. Choose based on features, not the brand. Pick a model that suits your needs and fits your budget. Don’t pick an expensive model just because you have the money, it will not accomplish anything, in fact it might even hamper your overall workflow since the extra space requirement and lack or portability will really limit what you can do with the saw.

Besides, if you’re using a table saw for the first time or if you have limited experience with these machines, you’re better off not getting an overly complicated model with a billion advanced features and a user manual that resembles an encyclopedia.

Here, we have listed all the major features that you should look for while buying a portable table saw. We have included features that determine performance, mobility, ease of usability, and safety (VERY IMPORTANT).

1. Mobility: This is an obvious point, and we are sure that the main reason you are buying a portable table saw is because you want to move it around from one place to another quite easily. You could be buying it for jobsite usage, you might have your own little crew of workmen and you can just throw the portable table saw in the back of your truck and move out to a new jobsite each day. You might also be buying it because you have limited workspace in your home. Make sure that the model you are buying has a base with holes for accepting bots so that you can screw it down into a wooden or metal base for added stability. Wheels are a bonus, so you can roll it around like a wheelbarrow.
2. Rip Fence Quality: This is probably the next most important part of the table saw after the motor, arbor, and trunnion assembly. A good quality rip fence must be perfectly parallel to the blade at all positions, should slide smoothly across the rails, have a reliable and consistent locking system, and a perfectly smooth face so that the wooden workpiece rest square against the fence. This will give you cleaner cuts, less chances that you must file or sand a workpiece after processing it through the saw.
3. Bevel Functionality: Want to make notches, grooves, or bevel cuts? Then get a saw which has a blade that can tilt, most models have a left-tilting blade that can go up to 45°, but right tilting blades are also available.
4. Magnetic Switch: If your table saw has a magnetic switch and has been left on during a power outage, then it won’t start back up after the power returns. This prevents any accidents from taking place when you’re not around to supervise the machine, and means that the wood won’t be catapulted off the table when the power suddenly returns.
5. Electric Brake: Stops the blade quickly and quietly, allowing you to swiftly prepare for the next cut.
6. Flesh detection: Portable table saws with this mechanism are costlier, but the extra price is well worth it. Spend the extra money now, save thousands in potential hospital costs later when you get a scratch on your hand instead of losing a bunch of fingers and a piece of your palm. Different companies have their own respective flesh detection technology, but SawStop has the swiftest and most reliable flesh detection + instant blade stop technology currently on the market.
7. Easy Blade Change: If you work on several types of materials, you might need blade changes frequently. Some saws offer single-step blade removal, a few allow you to remove the blade without any tools. This helps minimize downtime and increase productivity.
8. Miter Gauge: Look for positive stops at 45° and 90°, make sure the miter gauge slot is perfectly parallel to the blade and fence. Get a miter gauge with repeatable incremental angle positioning and stop blocks if you are a hobbyist or advanced woodworker.
9. The Drive Belt: Portable table saws usually feature direct drive, but in case your model comes with a drive belt, check to make sure that it is a Poly-V type drive belt since those are quieter and smoother.
10. Kick Switch: This is a large paddle positioned near to where your knees normally are while operating the table saw in a standing position. In case something goes wrong and you cannot access the power switch with your hands, this is a great backup system to make sure that the saw blade stops when you need it to.

---

Best Portable Table Saws

In this section, we shall review 8 of the most popular portable table saws currently available in the market. These models have been chosen based on features and overall customer reviews rather than brand value. There are of course, saws from some of the most popular brands such as DEWALT, Jet, and Bosch.

You need to consider what you need from the saw, such as how many advanced safety features you want (depending on your experience with a table saw), how much power and accuracy you want (this will be determined by the motor and fence quality), how portable you want the saw to be, etc. Finally, consider your budget and act accordingly.

Don’t overspend on a certain model just because it has a bunch of cool sounding features, take into consideration your own experience with woodworking and a table saw. Without further ado, let’s get into the individual reviews-

DEWALT DW745 | 10″ Portable Table Saw

Features:

• Site-Pro Modular Guarding System allows for tool free adjustments of the guarding components appropriate for each application
• 20″ of rip easily cuts a variety of larger shelving and trim materials
• Rack and pinion fence rails make fence adjustments fast, smooth, and accurate
• Telescoping fence rails retract to create a small, portable package
• On-board storage provides easy access to the Site-Pro guarding components and push stick when not in use
• Metal roll cage base offers greater durability than plastic bases
• Shoe bevels 0° to 45° for beveled cuts
• Weighing only 45 lbs, the DW745 can easily be moved on and off the job
• Adjustable rear feet designed to level the saw on uneven work surfaces
• Dust port allows for 2-1/2″ vacuum hook up and minimizes clean up
• 24T carbide blade enhances cut quality and prolongs blade life
• Table coating reduces friction for smoother cutting

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the DEWALT DW745.

At just 45 pounds in weight, the DEWALT DW745 might give off the impression that it lacks in terms of build quality and structural stability. But take one look at the metal roll cage underneath its base, and you will immediately realize that this is no toy. It has an anti-friction coating on the tabletop to reduce friction while loading and setting workpieces for cutting. This is a 10” saw, and the 15A high-torque motor within its base can spin the 10” circular saw blade at speeds of up to 3850 rpm for super-fast and clean rip cuts as well as effortless cross cuts on most types of wood, barring some hard woods such as white oak, black walnut, hard maple, etc.

The preinstalled blade is an all-purpose type, and can be used for both crosscutting as well as ripping. The rip fence that comes with the saw is of a moderately high quality, and is both precise as well as easy to lock into position, thanks to the rack and pinion sliding system. The rip fence allows you to make rip cuts as far as 12” to the left of the blade, and up to 16” to the right of the blade.

The table is made from stamped steel with an anti-friction coating on the top, and is 16” in width when the right extension wing is retracted into the main frame. Once you roll it out, the total width of the table becomes 23.5”, meaning that you get a whole lot of space to work with despite the otherwise compact nature of this saw. The length of the table is 22”, and the saw has a maximum cutting depth of 3.125” at a 90° angle. The blade can tilt to the left up to an angle of 45°, and when it is used in the tilted mode the maximum cut depth is reduces to 2.25”.

There is a transparent blade guard preinstalled on the saw, along with a splitter. There are no anti-kickback pawls however, so you might want to replace the default splitter with a set of aftermarket anti-kickback pawls and a riving knife to ensure greater safety during operation. Controls are quite easy to access, with the blade height adjustment and angle adjustment wheels positioned at the front of the saw for quick adjustment. The preinstalled miter gauge is not the best, but for the cost of this inexpensive table saw we were not expecting it to come bundled with a premium grade miter gauge anyways.

If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, and you just need to do a little bit of ripping, crosscutting, and occasional re-sawing work at home then this is the perfect portable table saw for very little money. It has holes drilled into the metal roll cage so you can mount it onto a permanent wooden or metal base for added stability if you don’t plan on moving it around that often. If you have a vacuum cleaner lying around that can connect with a 2.5” dust port, then that is great since this portable table saw comes with a 2.5” dust port on the back.

---

Bosch 4100-09 | 10″ Jobsite Saw

Best portable table saw

Features:

• Portability – works seamlessly with the included Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand for easy jobsite mobility, with single-action setup and take down
• Smart Guard System – riving knife and anti-kickback pawls provide protection when a kickback occurs, while the barrier guard assembly provides a barrier helping to deter blade contact while allowing an unobstructed view of the point the blade meets the workpiece
• Powerful 15 Amp 4.0 HP Max motor – delivers 3,650 RPM and the power required for ripping in fine and rough carpentry materials, including standard 10 In. blade and dado applications
• SquareLock rip fence – engineered for enhanced clamping and trueness
• Large cast aluminum top – provides increased work space and material support with a 25 In. ripping capacity
• Soft-start circuitry – manages the intensity of motor start-up and minimizes the likelihood of tripping a circuit breaker
• Constant response circuitry – maintains speed under load
• Onboard storage – allows for access to all included components
• Arbor lock – permits easy blade changes, with arbor lock and blade wrench located onboard

Includes:

• (1) Gravity Rise Table Stand – TS2100
• (1) 10 In. 40-Tooth Carbide-Tipped Saw Blade – 2 610 996 872
• (1) Standard Throat Plate Table Insert – 2 610 950 090
• (1) Smart Guard System – 2 610 950 092
• (1) Rip Fence – 2 610 950 148
• (1) Miter Gauge – 2 610 950 149
• (1) Push Stick – 2 610 950 112
• (1) Blade Wrench – 2 610 996 880
• (1) Hex Adjustment Wrench – 2 610 998 551

Overview | Bosch 4100-09

Bosch is always a company that we look up to for cool and industry-leading innovations, even on their smaller products such as this portable table saw. The Bosch 4100-09 is a premium benchtop, aka portable table saw that packs a combination of professional grade cutting performance and consumer-grade accessibility. It is easy to operate and maintain, and even easier to move from one site to the other thanks to the 60-pound weight.

This might seem like a lot, considering that our previous portable table saw model, the DEWALT DW745 was just 45 pounds, but remember – that was a low-end portable model with limited features and  performance. This is a premium portable table saw from Bosch and it packs a high-quality fence as well as miter gauge, along with some very cool features that enhance productivity and make large tasks super easy.

The powerful 15A motor within this little table saw packs a surprisingly large amount of horsepower for its size– it generates up to 4.0hp at max rpm, which is 3650 under no load. That is slightly less than the 3850 of the DEWALT DW745, but the DW745 doesn’t come close to generating 4.0hp at max speed, meaning that this Bosch model has a big advantage over the budget DEWALT in terms of torque. And the extra torque translates into better performance while ripping hard lumber, and making repetitive cuts.

The bevel angle range on this saw is -2° to 47°, a couple degrees more than standard on either end (standard is 0° to 45°). The maximum cutting depth is 3.12” at 90° alignment, and 2.5” at 45° alignment. The saw measures 39.13” x 30” x 20.9” in dimensions, and the table is 26.5” long with a width of 21.5”. Rip capacity is 25”, so you will be able to rip 4-feet wide sheets in half.

Now let’s move on the good part– why this saw costs about 40-50% more than the more “affordable” 10-inch portable models on the market. Firstly, it comes with a ton of included accessories. You get a Gravity Rise table stand, the Bosch model TS2100 stand along with this saw. This stand allows you to elevate the saw above waist level without the need for any kind of table or bench, and there are wheels on the rear legs of this stand so you can tow the saw around like a wheelbarrow.

Secondly, you get a 40-tooth 10” carbide-tipped general purpose saw blade that is superior to most of the default saw blades that come with other 10” portable saw models. It produces faster and cleaner cuts. You also get a good miter gauge, a premium rip fence that is both accurate as well as easy to adjust, a push stick, a blade wrench, a hex adjustment wrench, and the saw is fitted with a Smart Guard System from Bosch to prevent accidents.

This Smart Guard System consists of a riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, and a barrier guard assembly that deters contact of blade with hand, while still providing an unobstructed view of the workpiece. The arbor lock permits easy blade changes, while the soft-start circuitry minimizes the likelihood of your machine tripping a circuit breaker on startup. The motor intensity at startup is controlled by an intelligent and fully automatic system, and this same system also maintains motor speed under load to reduce the chances of overloading or overheating.

Tech Specs (Bosch 4100-09):

• Arbor Size : 5/8″
• Bevel Angle Range  : -2° to 47°
• Blade Diameter : 10.0
• Description : 10″ Worksite Table Saw with Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand
• Dimensions : 39.13″ x 30″ x 20.9″
• Dust Blower   : No
• Length : 26.5″
• Max. Bevel Capacity (°) : 47.0
• Max. Depth of Cut at 45 Deg. : 2-1/2″
• Max. Depth of Cut at 90 Deg. : 3-1/8″
• No Load RPM :  3,650
• Voltage   : 120V
• Weight  : 60.0 lbs.
• Width : 30.0″
• Working Length :  Table Top dimensions 29″

---

DEWALT DWE7491RS | 10″ Jobsite Saw

One of the best portable jobsite table saws you can buy. Dewalt knows how to pack a lot of value in their saws, and thankfully, they also know how to engineer them to last for work or for hobbyists.

Features:

• Rack & Pinion Telescoping Fence System Make fence adjustments fast, smooth and accurate
• Patented material support, can be used for narrow rip cuts.
• 32-1/2″ rip capacity easily cuts a variety of larger shelving and trim materials
• Onboard storage system provides easy access to the Blade Guard Assembly, fence, riving knife, miter gage, wrenches, push stick, and cord wrap when not in use.
• Rolling stand designed for easy set up and breakdown with excellent stability
• Telescoping fence rails retract to create a small, portable package
• Flip over ripping fence allows for narrow rip cuts
• 15 amp Motor quickly rips through hardwoods with ease
• 2-1/2″ Dust Collection Port easily connects to a vacuum for efficient dust extraction
• 3-1/8″ depth-of-cut at 90 and 2-1/4″ at 45
• 21-7/8″ X 26 – 3/8″ table provides superior material support

Overview | Dewalt DWE7491RS

While the DEWALT DW745 portable table saw was targeted at novice woodworkers and casuals, the DWE7491RS is a more advanced model and is loaded with some premium technology that is sure to appeal to enthusiasts and hobbyists who know what they are doing. It has a rip capacity of 32.5”, and accepts a 10” circular saw blade.

The preinstalled saw blade is a 10” 24-tooth carbide tipped blade that excels at ripping all types of wood. It is not very good at crosscutting (cutting across the grain), as should be evident from the low tooth count. If you want to crosscut with this saw, you need to get a 10” blade that is designed for crosscutting. One of the cool features in this saw is the dado capability, maximum width of dado is 13/16 inches.

Video Review | Dewalt DWE7491RS

The arbor is standard size at 5/8” in diameter, and the powerful 15.0A motor in this little beast is capable of spinning the blade at an insanely high speed of 4800 rpm under no load. That is about 26% better than what the DW745 was capable of, despite having a 15-amp motor just like this model.

The reason is the superior technology used to design the motor in this model, it is a powerful brushless induction motor and is connected to a seamless direct drive mechanism that transfers all that power to the blade, enabling it to rip through hardwoods with ease. In fact, if you have the money to spare and want a compact table saw to rip hardwood, then this is the best model on the entire list for that task.

The saw can rip up to 22” on the left side, and can rip up to 32.5” on the right. That gives you a total rip width of 44.5”, and the maximum cut depth in the normal 90° cutting position is standard at 3.12”. If you angle the blade 45° to the left for executing a bevel cut, then the cutting depth is reduced to 2.5”.

The reason why we put this saw on the list despite its somewhat high price relative to competing models with similar specs, is the sheer ripping power and reliability of this model. It simply has the most powerful motor of any sub 600-dollar portable table saw, as is evident from the 4800 rpm no-load speed which is enough to slice through even the hardest of woods, and when you couple that kind of power with the preinstalled 24-tooth carbide tipped 10” saw blade that has been optimized for ripping workloads, you get a monstrous portable wood ripping workstation that you can easily carry with you onto the jobsite.

The depth and height of this saw are 31” each, and the width is 24.5”. Table width (non-extended) is 22”, and the table length is 26.25”. The best part is that you are getting more than just the saw when you purchase it – DEWALT includes a premium quality rolling stand with folding legs and wheels on the rear legs for convenient transportation across short distances. The saw weighs 110 pounds, so it is surely on the heavier side and you need a rolling stand to transport it alone.

A push stick and 2 blade wrenches are also included. The fence rails are telescoping, so it keeps the package small yet accurate and durable. The flip over ripping fence allows for very narrow rip cuts, while a rack and pinion system on the fence ensures consistency and stability while cutting. There is an onboard storage system for quick access to tools and accessories like the blade wrenches, miter gauge, etc.

Tech Specs (DWE7491RS):

• Amps : 15
• Arbor Size: 5/8 in
• Blade Diameter : 10″
• Depth of Cut at 45° : 2-1/4 in
• Depth of Cut at 90° : 3-1/8 in
• Dust Port Diameter : 2-1/2 in
• Max Rip To Left Of Blade : 22 in
• Max Rip To Right Of Blade: 32-1/2 in
• Max Width of Dado: 13/16 in
• No Load Speed : 4800 rpm
• Power Tool Type : Corded
• Tool Weight : 90 lbs

---

Jet JBTS-10MJS | 10″ Professional Table Saw

Features:

• Easy folding stand for convenient storage, quick setup and portability on the job site
• Rubber hand grips on each end of the table allow you to conveniently carry without stand
• Unique base design allows for adequate tool storage on the job site
• Heavy Duty 15 Amp motor with soft start
• Large telescoping extension wing provides a wide 25″ ripping capacity
• Unique dust shroud design enhances dust and chip removal
• Aluminum extruded rails ensure a square fence and sliding precision
• Rear extension provides out feed support and keeps the work piece flat
• Riving knife system reduces chance of kickback
• Convenient push button arbor lock allows for easy and quick blade change
• Quick-lock fence slides smoothly and locks securely for accurate cuts

Overview | JET JBTS-10MJS

The JET JBTS-10MJS is a portable jobsite table saw that tries to be a full-size table saw. Does it succeed in doing so? Well, we believe it offers a lot of the features that you will find in a large size contractor or even cabinet saw for a fraction of the price, and in a much smaller form factor too. But there are limitations in the form of working space and motor power, and those shortcomings cannot be covered by technology or design. It packs an amazing 15.0 Amp brushless induction motor that generates up to 4.4hp while running at full power.

This motor can spin the 10” saw blade at up to 4000 rpm, and this is perfect for both crosscutting as well as ripping through all types of wood. Like other portable table saws in this price range, this Jet model also comes with anti-kickback pawls and a riving knife preinstalled, so you don’t need to worry about the additional expense of installing those safety mechanisms.

The saw itself weighs in at just about 91lbs while the stand included along with the saw brings the total weight up to 105lbs. This stand is a very crucial part of the package, since you cannot expect to move a 91-pound hunk of steel and plastic with just your own bare hands. There are of course rubber grips on the sides of the base so that you can conveniently lift the saw up and move it around.

The included heavy duty stand has its own shock absorbing mechanism, and is a folding type stand so you can simply fold it up to conserve space when you don’t plan on using the saw. There are wheels on the rear so you can tow the saw around by yourself.

Despite its simplistic looks, the JET JBTS-10MJS packs a slew of advanced features such as soft-start (an internal circuit automatically regulates motor power during startup to prevent it from tripping the circuit), telescoping extension wing with rack and pinion assembly for smooth sliding and accurate alignment, onboard tool storage, special dust shroud to assist in chip removal and dust cleanup, etc.

One of the best things that we really like about this Jet saw is the rear extension (you don’t see that on many portable table saws). This is there to provide out feed support and for keeping the workpiece flat during cutting. The aluminum extruded rails ensure consistency and precise measurements every single time, while the quick-locking system on the fence lets you make accurate cuts.

If you are an advanced user, then we believe you will be cutting through many different materials and making all types of cuts including angled cuts, crosscuts, rip cuts, etc. That means, you will be shifting blades often too, which is why the push button lock on the arbor has been provided on this saw. It makes blade changes on your Jet JBTS-10MJS table saw as easy as swapping out a disk on your car stereo.

---

Delta Power Tools 36-6020

Best portable table saw for the jobsite or your home projects.

Features:

• Maximum Rip Right of Blade is 30-inches.
• Unique tubular frame for maximum support and stability
• Easy “One Step” folding stand for fast removal and storage.
• Stand and saw are one piece framework for more stability.
• Aluminum table top with RH table extension.
• Large, easy to access ON/OFF switch
• Industry Standard tool-free split guard design allows a true rise-and fall riving knife by using a lever on the inside the throat plate. Tool-less assembly of riving knife and anti-kickback pawls.
• Blade retracts below table top for easy clean-up of table top.
• cULus Listed

Documents — Delta Power Tools 36-6020

• View or download the MANUAL
• View or download the ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
• View or download the PARTS LIST

Overview

All Delta portable table saws are focused on delivering value for the money, even the high-end models are packed with great features. However, the price range where Delta truly shines is in the mid-range — under $400. The Delta Power Tools model 36-6020 saw is an example of that fact – it is one of the few portable table saws to come with a folding wheeled stand included in the package.

The table top is made from precision machined aluminum instead of cast iron to keep weight low, while the specially designed tubular steel frame provides a surprisingly high level of structural rigidity while keeping weight super low.

Video | Delta Power Tools 36-6020

The stand and the saw have been attached together into one single frame for superior stability through less vibration. The total weight of the saw + stand combo is just 92 pounds – comparable 10” portable table saws from other manufacturers costs over 110 pounds or more when bundles with their respective stands. There is no shortage of performance despite the small form factor and low weight, since the 15 Amp motor in this little tyke is capable of spinning at up to 5000 rpm.

This is however a universal motor, so it is bound to make more noise than a brushless motor such as the ones found on more premium portable table saw models. The width with fence is 47.25”, and the table is 19.56” wide by 26” deep. It is truly surprising that such a budget table saw has dado capability, considering that the DEWALT DW745 does not support a dado stack despite costing nearly as much as this Delta model. And, the DW745 doesn’t even come with a folding stand like this one. Talk about insane value for money!

The dado capacity on this saw is 13/16” x 8” stacked. There is an anti-friction coating on the table, and the safety mechanism is also good for the price. It allows for the installation of a rise-and-fall riving knife by using a lever underneath the throat plate. Anti-kickback pawls and a riving knife can be installed without the need for any tools, which is awesome. The on/off switch is large and positioned favorably, while there is a rear extension and fence storage built onto the saw body.

Tech Specs (Delta Power Tools 36-6020):

• Motor: 15 Amp Universal Motor, 1 PH, 60 Hz
• Speed:  5000 RPM
• Blade Tilt: 45° Left
• Max. Depth of Cut at 45°: 2 ½ in.
• Max. Rip Left of Blade: 7 ¼ in.
• Table Coating: Yes, Anti-Friction
• Dust Port Size: 2 ½ in.
• Voltage: 120V
• Arbor: 5/8 in.
• Max. Depth of Cut at 90°: 3 ½ in.
• Max. Rip Right of Blade: 30 in.
• Table Size: 19.56 in. wide X 26 in. deep
• Dado Capacity: 13/16 in. X 8 in. STACKED DADO
• Width with Fence: 47 ¼ in.
• Depth : 36 7/16 in. in.

---

DEWALT DWE7480XA | 10″ Worksite Saw

Best portable table saw with heavy-duty stand.

Features:

• Rack and pinion telescoping fence rails make fence adjustments fast, smooth and accurate.
• Site-Pro Modular Guarding System allows for tool free adjustments of the guarding components appropriate for each application.
• Onboard storage provides easy access to the Site-Pro Guarding components and push stick when not in use.
• Blade can be adjusted 0 – 45 degrees for bevel applications.
• Adjustable rear feet designed to level the saw on uneven work surfaces.
• 24T carbide blade enhances cut quality and prolongs blade life.
• 24 inch of rip capacity, easily cuts a variety of larger shelving and trim materials.
• 15 amp 4800 rpm motor quickly rips through hardwoods with ease.
• Metal roll cage base offers greater durability than plastic bases.
• Weighing only 48 lbs, the DWE7480 can easily be moved on and off the job.
• Dust port allows for 2-1/2 inch vacuum hook up and minimizes clean up.
• Table coating reduces friction for smoother cutting

✓  View or download the MANUAL for the DWE7480.

Includes: (1) Miter gauge, (1) Push stick, (1) 10” Carbide Blade, (1) Blade guard, and (1) Hardware bag.

Overview | DEWALT DWE7480XA

The DEWALT DWE7480XA is a popular and highly respected jobsite table saw. It is the successor to the DW745, and despite looking like the former, this model performs better and is easier to setup as well as operate compared to the DW745. Just like the DW745, the DWE7480XA packs a 15.0A 4800 rpm motor, this is a universal motor and it is connected to the 10” saw blade through a direct drive system.

This results in a lot of noise (like all direct drive portable table saws), but the advantage of direct drive is that the power is transferred from the motor to the blade without any loss, and you don’t have to worry about overheating or breaking drive belts. Yes, you also suffer a bit of extra vibration compared to a belt drive system. But that is the truth with any budget portable saw, since they all include direct drive systems in them. But hey, you are looking at the version of the DWE7480XA that comes with a stand pre-included.

This stand increases the cost – of course –  but it’s worth it. Consider the pros of buying the DWE7480XA with an official DEWALT stand pre-installed:

1. The stand reduces vibrations by acting as added weight beneath the base and it also eliminates the need for you to set the saw on a bench or table top.
2. The stand is foldable so you can conveniently wrap things up when work is over, and use the legs of the folded up stand as carry handles for moving the table saw around.
3. The stand is attached to the roll cage on the bottom of the base of the table saw by 4 easily removable bolts that you can remove within 5 minutes if you want to mount the saw on your own custom-made base or some different stand model.

This is not a wheeled folding saw stand, so you can choose to buy one of those if you want. However, since this saw itself barely weighs 48 pounds on its own, we highly recommend against getting a wheeled table saw stand as that would be overkill for anything that weighs under 65-70 pounds.

The wheeled saw stands are more heavy than simple folding stands and cost a bit more as well. If you want slightly more accuracy and the ability to set up your saw in different jobsites without having to worry about bringing a platform or mounting system, then we suggest going for the model that comes with a stand.

Video | DEWALT DWE7480

Just like the DW745, this model does not support a dado stack and comes with the standard array of safety measures preinstalled – a blade guard and a splitter (no riving knife or anti-kickback pawls included, you need to buy those on your own). The depth of cut at a 45° angle is 2.25” while the maximum cutting depth (at an angle of 90°) is 3.12”.

The max rip to the left of blade is 12”, while it is 24” to the right, giving you a total rip width of 36”, or about 3 feet to work with. The preinstalled blade is a carbide tipped 24 tooth blade that is great for ripping, not so much for crosscutting (but we assume you are going to change it anyways).

---

DEWALT DCS7485T1 FLEXVOLT

Best battery-powered portable table saw

Two Packages:

• DEWALT DCS7485B : Only includes the table saw.
• DEWALT DCS7485T1 : You get the table saw, plus the batteries and charger.

Features:

• 24-inch rip capacity
• Cordless convenience with the power of a corded tool
• Rack and pinion telescoping fence system
• Site-Pro Modular Guarding System allows for tool free adjustments
• Material support allows for narrow rip cuts
• On-board storage for components included with saw

The DEWALT DCS7485B FLEXVOLT is a budget portable table saw that has been tuned for maximum accuracy and performance. Unlike the rest of the table saws that we have reviewed until now in this list, the DEWALT DCS7485B FLEXVOLT is a battery-operated model, meaning that you don’t need to hook up a power cable to the wall for running this machine.

The body of the saw packs a 60V FLEXVOLT battery, and that is what powers the motor within. FLEXVOLT, a battery technology that is exclusive to DEWALT, allows the power pack to vary its output between two modes – 20V (low power mode, suitable for all power tools other than this saw), and 60V (maximum power, designed to feed the DEWALT DCS7485B). But you may be thinking – if this is a battery powered table saw, doesn’t that mean that there is a compromise on power going on over here if you choose to buy this instead of similarly priced corded table saw models? After all, 110V > 60V and there is only so much that you can do with limited amounts of power.

Video | DEWALT DCS7485T1

Well, worry not – because DEWALT have designed a motor that is tuned to squeeze as much power as possible out of the limited 60V power supply. This motor can spin the 8.25” circular saw blade at a whopping 5800 rpm, enough to slice through hardwoods of most types. The speed of this motor is on par with that of the professional grade cabinet and contractor saws, although it is not nearly as powerful in terms of torque. The rotation speed of this motor is the highest of any other saw on the list, and it is because of the combination between a smaller saw blade and lightweight + highly efficient motor design.a

The weight of this saw is only 45 pounds, and that’s with the battery included. The maximum rip distance to the right of blade is 24”, while the left side rip distance is 12” giving you a total rip width of about 3 feet. The dust port is 2.5” in diameter and depth of cut at 90° is 2.5” while depth of cut at a 45° angle is 1.75”. There is an anti-friction coating on the table top that reduces friction, while the metal roll cage base protects the body from physical shocks.

There are height adjustable feet on the back for balancing the saw out on top of uneven terrain. Rack and pinion telescoping rails enhance accuracy of the fence system while also increasing reliability and durability of the fence system. We were quite surprised that such a compact saw has onboard tool storage space, and you can store accessories such as the blade guard, miter, fence, wrench, etc. in this on-board storage space.

---

DEWALT DWE7480 | 10″ Portable Table saw

Basically, it is the Dewalt DWE7480XA, but without the stand. Remember when we told you that the DWE7480XA comes in two versions – one with the stand, and one without it? Well, this is the base model, or the one without the stand. It’s obviously less expensive but if you don’t have anywhere to place the saw then I recommend buying it with the stand to save a few dollars.

Performance wise, they are identical since everything is same – you have the 15 Amp 4800 rpm motor that is attached via direct drive to the 24T carbide tipped 10” saw blade which has been designed for ripping. The one thing that you are sacrificing is stability and accuracy. Unless you plan on using the table saw on top of the floor or some makeshift platform, we highly suggest that you either design a custom steel/aluminum base for this saw or you buy your own folding/wheeled table saw stand.

You see, the absence of a stand or platform results in increased vibrations, especially because this budget saw uses a direct drive mechanism and a universal (brushed) motor. Not only are universal motors noisier and less efficient compared to brushless motors, but they also vibrate more and could potentially reduce the accuracy of the cut by messing with the blade alignment and fence position.

DWE7480 | Dewalt Quality Always Endures

The saw itself has a steel tubing based roll cage structure right beneath the base which allows you to lift it and move the saw around on the jobsite without the need for a stand since it only weighs 45 pounds. You can sling it on your back or you can buy a wheeled folding table saw stand for a much more convenient locomotion experience.

The included fence and miter gauge are of a decent quality, although you could use the money that you saved by going for the stand-less version to purchase a decent aftermarket miter gauge/ fence system as that would greatly improve the overall quality of your work.

Make sure that you have a rock-solid platform or custom built table saw base before you do that, because we highly recommend that you use a barebones table saw such as this on top of a steady platform.