As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Woodworkers have been using table saws for a long time because they are of great help when it comes to making the details.
Portable table saw is like an upgraded version of the already popular.
As simple as it may seem, it also takes a great deal of time and effort to investigate in a portable table saw, comparing a large number of models and making the final decision on which is the best portable table saw for you.
That’s why I make this detailed portable table saw reviews.
My evaluation is based on not only the information from the manufacturers but also the hands-on experience with the machine.
Besides, I will give you an overview of the portable table saw so that you can decide for yourself which is the best.
Table of Contents
- The Most Concise Definition Of A Portable Table Saw
- Various Benefits Of Portable Table Saws
- The Downsides Of Portable Table Saws
- Vital Elements Of The Best Portable Table Saw
- Best Portable Table Saw Reviews 2024
- To Conclude
The Most Concise Definition Of A Portable Table Saw
You must have known and seen a table saw, an extremely popular woodworking tool.
Basically, it has a circular saw blade which is mounted on an arbor. There is an electric motor to drive the arbor.
For greater support when the material is cut, the blade is up from the table surface.
And now you get the idea of a table saw, you can easily imagine a portable version of it.
The name absolutely speaks for itself. It is a compact and lightweight variation of the common table saw.
Portable table saws are made to facilitate woodworking on-site.
Various Benefits Of Portable Table Saws
First, portability is certainly a big advantage.
What can be more wonderful than a table saw that is able to be transported? You have a lighter saw. You can bring the saw to your workplace. And it works great. Just as the customary table saw.
Portable table saws come to handy when you don’t have a spacious working environment.
They are also ideal for carpenters who commute regularly from one site to another.
Another big bonus of portable table saws is detail. Thanks to the smaller sizes, the portable variation can go very precisely.
This is helpful in dealing with medium to small chunks of wood. You can have top-notch cuts with this modest table saw.
You may not notice but portable table saws use less power, therefore need lower voltage from the outlet. They are driven by 1 horsepower or 2 horsepower motors.
Last but not least, a portable table saw doesn’t cost much. The price range is about several hundred to some thousands of dollars but it never gets too high.
As far as I know, the most expensive table saw is about $1800. However, a $500 one is enough for carpenters at the beginning level.
The Downsides Of Portable Table Saws
As good as it may seem, portable table saws still have drawbacks.
Vibration is the most obvious disadvantage of portable table saws. Cutting woods using table saws generate a super powerful force.
Now that the saw is not fixed, it will result in shaking while you are doing the woodwork. Thus, straight line cuts will be more difficult to achieve.
Moreover, portable table saws create an awful sound while in operation. All table saws have noise when working due to the electric motors.
However, the motors of conventional table saws are mounted inside the cabinet. It works as if a soundproof layer so the decibel is decreased.
Portable table saws, on the other hand, have inside out motors. That’s why the noise becomes noisier.
Knowing the pros and cons of portable table saw will assist you to choose between the old fashion or this newcomer.
Vital Elements Of The Best Portable Table Saw
Heaviness
I believe that the ultimate reason for your choice of buying a portable table saw is due to its compact.
So you should look for something lightweight, easy to transport. Weighty portable table saw will drag you down every time you move the machine.
However, never sacrifice sturdiness for lightweight or you risk your own safety.
If your table saw is not stable, it can easily fall apart when you are cutting the wood or other material. The best option is a machine with acceptable heaviness and great endurance.
Motor
The power of a woodworking machine is measured by its motor. Higher horsepower means more robust portable table saw. It’s always to best to purchase the ultimate horsepower motor.
The 2-inch thick wood can be easily cut by a 1 to 2 horsepower motor. If you plan to work with even thicker chunks, you should go for more.
An underpowered portable table saw will be of little help, let alone you may injure yourself while working with it.
Rotations Per Minute
Rotations per minute or RPM is an index to measure the efficiency of a table saw or any cutting machines. The high RPM allows you to do the cutting job more precisely and smoothly.
There will be no rips or uneven edges left over on the material’s surface. It also enables cutting on a wider range of thickness.
Usually, a table saw is powered by a 15A motor, this means that the average RPM is about 3000. And the higher, the better.
Precision and Evenness
Without saying, you will want a saw that gives accurate and smooth cuts. Carefully checking the blade of a portable table saw helps you decide which is the best one.
An optimal blade should be able to cut any wood effortlessly when the fence is likely to fix the chunk tightly. An additional miter gauge enhances the overall precision.
Drive Variation
One crucial element that indicates the efficiency of a portable table saw is the type of drive. The drive is like the heart of the saw. As a result, there are various drives available in the market. However, they can all be classified as direct drive and belt drive.
The former has the blade directly linked to the motor while the latter features a V-shaped belt and a special system called a pulley to transfer power from the motor to the blade.
The direct drive doesn’t make a loud noise. It is also less shaking. This is the drive of most of the portable saws because of its compactness.
Belt drive, on the other hand, has advantages in dealing with big and thick chunks of woods. It is a heavy-duty model which produces less dust in operation.
Safety Characteristics
Because portable table saws are lightweight, there will be far more vibration than the customary saws when you turn them on.
That’s why you need to pay attention to safety features to pick up the best portable table saws. Job site table saws reviews of carpenters of all levels show that left blade tilt and anti-kickback pawls can help to reduce the chance of accidents.
These 2 features both contribute to less kick back when you turn on the motor. A magnetic switch which ensures the woodworking tools will not get started by itself is also essential.
Best Portable Table Saw Reviews 2024
| Portable Table Saw | Dimensions | Weight | Motor | Power | NoLoad speed | Bevel Angle | Editor’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28.9 x 20.9 x 13" | 67 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V | 5000 rpm | 0°-47° | 3.9/5 | |
| 22.7 x 29.2 x 16.7" | 54 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V 1850W | 3850 rpm | 0°-45° | 4.6/5 | |
| 26.5 x 25.8 x 17.5' | 65.9 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V | 4800 rpm | 0°-45° | 4.4/5 | |
| 29 x 32 x 13.2" | 60 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V | 3650 rpm | 0°-45° | 4.4/5 | |
| 26 x 24.8 x 15.5" | 64.8 lbs | 15 Amp | 127V 1700W | 5000 rpm | -2°-47° | 4.0/5 | |
| 24.7 x 26.4 x 15.8" | 52.9 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V | 5300 rpm | -1°-46° | 4.1/5 | |
| 31 x 24.5 x 31" | 110 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V | 4800 rpm | 0°-45° | 4.5/5 | |
| 39 x 29.8 x 21" | 124.2 lbs | 15 Amp | 120V | 3650 rpm | 0°-45° | 4.4/5 |
Best Portable Table Saw Under $300
It is such a challenge to find a great portable table saw with a limited budget under $300. Nevertheless, this is the demand of many amateurs or home carpenters.
So, here are some recommendations for low-priced portable table saws.
1- SKIL 3410-02 10-Inch Table Saw
My first impression about it is the folding stand, 100% steel made. The stand can be easily folded up and quickly released so that you can move the machine effortlessly.
There is also not much trouble assembling the stand. Thanks to the high-quality steel in materials, SKIL 3410-02 table saw is very sturdy.
There are some basic safety features such as the blade protector from plastic. At the price range under $300, it’s difficult to ask for more safety characteristics.
The dust-collecting port is also missing. But it is not a real disadvantage though. Portable table saws will be used mostly outside so it is not necessary to be able to collect dust.
The 15-A motor enables you to cut through blocks of wood up to three and a half inches. It is an amazing figure, considering that this is only a portable saw.
The machine is equipped with an EZ measurement system for viewing. You can align the rip fence by yourself for more precise measurements and settings.
However, I don’t think it works well.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry around
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Lack of dust collection
- Not very precise
2 – DEWALT DW745 10-Inch Compact Job-Site Table Saw – I Highly recommended
A DEWALT DW745 10-Inch is only 45 pounds in weight. which means that an average adult can easily carry it around. It may be small in size but it is definitely not small in power.
The machine can rip through 20-inch chunks of woods thanks to the powerful 15A motor.
The RPM will make you surprised with the number 3,850 rotations per minute.
You also get more convenience because there is onboard storage for quick mounting. DEWALT DW745 has additional dust collecting port so that your workspace will not turn into a mess after you cut anything.
There is a multifunctional guarding system of site-pro modular to facilitate the set up for a wide range of applications.
The system works due to the tool-free adjustment of guarding components for the specific application.
To decrease friction and increase cut quality on board, the machine has its surface coated. You are likely to make a sharp nice rip with the metal roll cage.
Like the SKIL 3410-02, this is not a good device for heavy-duty work. The contractor is too small for large dealings like a dado stack.
One thing I don’t like about DEWALT DW745 is the fact that the manufacturer sells the stand separately. The cost of the saw stand, plus the portable table saw’s price, will be a bit greater than $300.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Dust collecting port included
- Site-pro modular
- Great RPM
Cons
- Need to buy a separate saw stand
Best Portable Table Saws Under $500
3- DEWALT DWE7480XA 10 in. Portable Table Saw with Table Saw Stand
However, you will never go wrong with DEWALT brand. And for the mid-range price, nothing can beat DWE7480XA.
Absolute portability is what you can expect from DEWALT DWE7480XA 10 in. Portable Table Saw with Table Saw Stand. You notice the lightweight and compactness right at first sight.
It’s somewhat like a pickup-and-go version.
Of course, it’s not effortless to carry a DWE7480XA but a 48-pound table saw will not make you sweat like showering.
Unlike DEWALT DW745 with a separate stand, the DWE7480XA has a folding stand. The stand is of great value when it comes to cutting large wood.
If you are the one who doesn’t care much about saw stand, you’d better change your idea.
With a cheap base, the portable table saw will be moving greatly on working mode. For your safety and for the effective cuts, a durable stand is a must.
DWE7480XA saw stand has this endurance for you.
In addition, the DEWALT DWE7480XA 10 in. Portable Table Saw with Table Saw Stand can actually do some heavy-duty work. It has quite an amazing rip capacity of about 24 inches.
Pros
- Real compactness
- Able to cut through a large number of woods
- Folding stand included
Cons
- Wide miter gauge
4- Bosch Power Tools Tablesaw 4100-10 – Portable Small Table
The most useful part of this model, in my opinion, is the extensible table. The saw table can be expanded to the left. Fully open Bosch Table Saw 4100-10 will be 52 inches.
Incredible width for a portable table saw.
A plus point of this job site saw is that you can adjust the height with wingnuts. You will have to mount the gravity-rise wheeled stand.
The wheeled stand is high-quality with a powder coat finished layer and tubular framing. It is built to last.
The gravity-rise also allows quick collapse so that you can save much space when you’re done with the woodworking or when you want to take a rest in between.
With a 4 horsepower motor, the machine surely rips through hard blocks of woods easily.
Bosch even invents a system called Constant Response Circuitry to supervise the motor’s power, navigating the torque and maintaining the RPM.
There is a safety guard attached to the riving knife top. The guard is made from plastic for better security. The back of it is the kickback pawls. All these things help to make sure the blade is always kept in place.
Pros
- Adjustable wheeled stand
- Width can be expanded
- Super strong motor
- Many accessories
Cons
- The motor can seize up
5- Bosch 10-Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw GTS1031
What do you get in your mind when you think about one-handed carry handle job site saw?
It was what caught my eyes when I first thought about buying a Bosch GTS1031. It is not as lightweight as the under $300 models but you can still carry a 52-pound machine easily.
The frame is built from premium steel for long-lasting sturdiness.
The small size of this woodworking tool is opposite to its cutting power. The 15A motor is excellent to tackle a wide range of material from the softwood to the hardwood.
In order to increase your safety, the manufacturer turns the riving knife into anti-kickback pawls to prevent any possible kickback. Therefore, the Bosch GTS1031 works more stable.
The dust collector of this version is also larger than usual.
This is among a few portable table saws that I purchased for myself. And it exactly meets my expectations.
Some of my coworkers don’t like the plastic alignment piece but this is not a big deal for me.
Pros
- Sturdy materials
- Strong frame
- Powerful motor
Cons
- The alignment piece is not useful
6- SKILSAW SPT70WT-01 10 In. Portable Worm Drive Table Saw
The machine comes in a full set of portable worm drive table saw, table insert, rip fence, miter gauge, the barrier guard assembly, 10-inch carbide 24-tooth blade, push stick, blade wrench, hex wrench.
Seem to be a lot. But everything has a clear purpose.
And all serve their purpose quite well so that the machine is not only portable but also feasible.
You will be amazed to know that the rip capacity of SKILSAW SPT70WT-01 is 25 inches thanks to the 5300 RPM and the standard 15A motor.
It leaves you great confidence when working with different materials.
The rip fence and miter gauge are some supplements for better protection. Although this is a mid-range product, all the accessories are of high quality. They will keep you safe while working with woods.
Pros
- Impressive motor power
- Additional safety features
- Affordable
Cons
- The blade wears out quickly
Best Portable Table Saw Under $1000
At the high-end level, you will see familiar brand names for table saws in the market.
They have been making woodworking tools for decades so it is easy to understand why DEWALT and Bosch have 2 best options for portable table saws under $1000.
7 – DEWALT DWE7491RS 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw
It features quite large a 26 x 22-inch table, suitable for most of the cutting size that a portable table saw can do.
The weight of DEWALT DWE7491RS much heavier than the previous model. 110 pounds to be specific. It is not lightweight, yet not impossible to move around.
Narrow cuts are a strength of this machine because the ripping fence is titled for flipping over. The fence will hold 2 different positions to facilitate detailed cuts.
There are 2 dust collectors. One at the back end and the other off the top end of the blade. They will ensure that your workplace is neat and clean even though you work hard.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a vacuuming system which I expect products of this price should have.
The rip capacity of DEWALT DWE7491RS 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw is incredible. Can you imagine a portable table saw can cut through a 32-1/2 inch material?
It also has some advanced safety characteristics. In case the power input is lost, the machine will be automatically reset.
Even if you accidentally press the power butter before plugin, the flip-over cover will turn it back to “OFF” mode.
Pros
- High-strength motor
- Ultimate safety
- Valuable for price
Cons
- A bit heavy
8 – Bosch 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw 4100-09
All the positive points are well maintained such as the 4 horsepower motor with 3650 RPM, 25-inch rip capacity, the gravity-rise stand and great safety features.
However, each detail has little improvements that make a great difference.
The guard system is added with a riving knife, a blade guard and anti-kickback pawls. They are all modular so you can get it on when needed and easily take it off when not necessary.
The aluminum blade guard gives clear measurement marks the riving knife prevents kickback accidents from happening.
Bosch 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw 4100-09 also features the smart onboard storage. There are some special hangers so that you can perfectly put the accessories.
It is convenient storage to keep the working place neat and clean.
You can connect the dust collection port to a vacuum thanks to the shrouded design. It’s is a good way to keep the saw’s table free of dust.
Pros
- Great rid capacity
- Improved safety featured
- Intelligent onboard storage
Cons
- Expensive
To Conclude
When you are looking for a portable table saw and reading the review of the best model, I hope that you keep your focus on the advantages of job site saws.
The best portable table saw must meet your own demand and requirement. But it will be like finding a needle in a haystack if you want a wholesome woodworking tool without any drawback.
Thus, you should regard convenience as the first priority to compare various models of portable table saws. Next are the motor and other indicators for efficiency.
I believe that my review of the best job site saws of the different price range has given you a great deal of useful information.
You not only have the important features to consider but also get the list of best portable table saws.
Come back and ask any question without further ado if you have any concern