The Best Band Saws of 2024 for Household and Professional Workshops

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Complete your workshop with one of the top band saws for your woodworking and metal projects.

A sturdy band saw makes rip cuts like a table saw, crosscuts like a miter saw, and reduces the thickness of a board like a planer. With the right band, these tools cut metal, too. Band saws do intricate work to speed workflow and improve overall results, which might just make them one of the most important saws for a DIYer. 

We recommended the Wen 3962 10-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw With Stand as our best overall pick because of its large capacity, adjustable rip fence, and 3.5-amp motor. But before you upgrade your workshop with a new power tool, read this guide for tips and descriptions of the best band saws, some of which went through our hands-on testing.

1. BEST OVERALL: Wen 3962 10-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand
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2. RUNNER-UP: Grizzly Industrial 17-Inch Extreme-Series Band Saw
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3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: DeWalt 10 Amps 4.75-Inch Portable Band Saw
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4. BEST PORTABLE: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Deep Cut Band Saw
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5. BEST CORDLESS: DeWalt DCS371B 20V MAX Band Saw
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6. BEST FOR METAL: Wen BA4664 Metal-Cutting Band Saw with Stand
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7. BEST FOR WOOD: Rikon Power Tools 10-326 14-Inch Deluxe Band Saw
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8. BEST FOR GLASS: Gryphon 37-Inch AquaSaw XL Diamond Band Saw
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9. BEST FOR RESAWING: Ryobi 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Corded Band Saw
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How We Chose the Best Band Saws

Though DIY and industrial band saws are relatively simple tools, a lot goes into putting together a list of the best options out there. I performed extensive product research and hands-on testing and drew on my own experience in order to put together this guide.

First, I compared the cost to features to make sure that each model’s features and capabilities lived up to its price tag. Next, I looked at the power relative to the model’s size to make sure the saw could handle the intended tasks. Select models were also put through hands-on testing by Bob Vila editors, the results of which are included below. Finally, each of the models that made it through vetting earned an award based on its most predominant strengths and weaknesses.

Our Top Picks

Band saws are about as old-school as it gets. While they’ve been around for more than 200 years at sawmills, workshops, and furniture shops, it takes a lot of consideration to select a band saw for personal use. This guide rounds up best-in-class types of saws that we discovered and/or hands-on tested to help cut out some of the guesswork.

Best Overall

Wen 3962 10-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw With Stand

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Product Specs 

• Style: Floor-standing
• Cutting capacity: 6 inches 
• Power: 3.5 amp

Pros

• Built-in multisize dust-collection port helps reduce dust and particles in the air 
• Large vertical capacity can accommodate a variety of bandsaw projects  
• The large cast-aluminum worktable can bevel up to 45 degrees for precision
• Comes with an adjustable rip fence and miter gauge for added user-friendliness 

Cons

• Bearing requires effective dust-collection system; may need to be purchased separately

Wen’s reasonably priced 3962 two-speed band saw includes a lot of premium features. The 10-inch band saw runs on a 3.5-amp motor, uses a 72-inch blade, and offers up to 6 inches of cutting capacity. With speeds of either 1,520 or 2,620 revolutions per minute (rpm), the saw adjusts to cut different types of wood. The saw table, which includes an adjustable rip fence and miter gauge, swivels up to 45 degrees to help make cuts at challenging angles.

A three-in-one dust collection port accommodates three different hose sizes—1.75 inches, 2.75 inches, and 4 inches—to ensure compatibility with most collection systems. Just be sure to use the dust collection system when running this saw, as the bearings on this wood band saw are susceptible to damage from dust. 

Get the Wen 3962 band saw at Amazon or The Home Depot. 

Runner-Up

Grizzly Industrial 17-Inch Extreme-Series Band Saw

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Product Specs 

• Style: Benchtop
• Cutting capacity: 12 inches 
• Power: 2 horsepower (hp)/8.7 amps 

Pros

• Comes with multiple user-friendly features; 6 accessories and tools included 
• Table tilts for mitered cuts—5 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right 
• 12-inch cutting capacity for DIY woodworking or industrial-grade cutting
• Motor brake shuts down in 3 seconds or less for added safety 

Cons

• Only operates at a single speed; not as versatile or accommodating as other band saws 

Those shopping for a band saw to tackle DIY woodworking projects as well as heavy-duty tasks might want to take a look at the Grizzly Industrial benchtop band saw. Its 2 hp motor holds 8.7 amps of power and has a 12-inch cutting capacity and a 16.25-inch throat for multiple cutting types. It also features a deluxe fence, an extra-wide cast-iron table, a heavy-duty miter gauge, dual 4-inch dust ports, micro-adjusting geared table, and double ball-bearing blade guides for ample ease of use. Plus, this pick has a larger table tilt that can move 5 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right. 

For added safety, this large woodworking bandsaw has a motor brake that shuts down in 3 seconds to prevent unwanted cutting. Operators can simply use the foot pedal to activate the electronic brake as well as the manual brake so they can keep their hands on the table or wood at all times. To ensure high quality, this Grizzly band saw also comes with an ISO 9001 factory designation for long-term use. 

Get the Grizzly Industrial band saw at The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best Bang For The Buck

DeWalt DWM120 4.75-Inch Deep Cut Portable Band Saw

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Product Specs 

• Style: Portable
• Cutting capacity: 5 inches 
• Power: 10 amps 

Pros

• Varying speeds for cutting tasks; 100 to 350 SFPM for DIY or professional use 
• Long battery life compared to other battery-powered models 
• Suitable for use on multiple materials: wood, metal, and more  
• An onboard LED light adds ample visibility for precise cuts 

Cons

• Blades may need to be replaced for heavy-duty cuts or long-term use 

For anyone with a project that requires cutting a lot of metal or pipe, this portable DeWalt band saw makes a great option. Instead of tiring out with a hacksaw or rattling fillings loose with a Sawzall, this model makes quick, smooth cuts in a range of materials. And, with the corded 10-amp motor, users need not worry about batteries dying mid-cut.

This portable band saw cuts at varying speeds between 100 and 350 surface feet per minute (SFPM), which allows the user to adjust for metal, wood, or other materials on the fly. It can handle up to a 5-inch cut, which works well for most job sites and workshop projects. An onboard LED makes a nice visibility bonus for safer work conditions. Just don’t judge this saw by how the included, low-quality blade cuts: Simply upgrade to a higher quality blade to realize this saw’s true potential.

Get the DeWalt DWM120 band saw at Lowe’s.

Best Portable

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Deep Cut Band Saw

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Product Specs 

• Style: Cordless
• Cutting capacity: 5 inches  
• Power: 18 volts 

Pros

• Large cutting capacity for heavy-duty cutting tasks; suitable for large or thick pieces of work 
• Adjustable speeds up to 380 SFPM; cuts quicker than many other models available  
• Dual-action trigger provides excellent reliability and control when in use
• Brushless motor for power extends battery life for long-term use 

Cons

• Batteries are expensive to buy or replace; not included with purchase  

Milwaukee’s 2729-20 cordless portable band saw rivals many corded tools. It offers a maximum width and depth of 5 inches and a brushless motor that spins the 14-TPI (teeth per inch) metal-cutting blade at speeds up to 380 SFPM while making efficient use of the batteries. It also some with a dual-action trigger 

A safety switch prevents accidental activation, and a built-in hanging hook helps keep it safely out of the way when this mini band saw is not in use. Like many of its competitors, Milwaukee sells its band saw as a bare tool. The recommended pair of RedLithium batteries don’t come cheap, but they provide the kind of all-day running power typically required. 

What our tester says: Glenda Taylor, a Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Portable Band Saw that “the M18 Fuel is considered compact, although we found some full-size features on this tool. The M18 Fuel comes with dual handles and a speed-adjustment dial. It’s ergonomically designed—the trigger handle comes with a nonslip grip and the second handle has a pummel knob. We timed the tool, and it took 7 seconds to cut through a standard ⅝-inch rebar.” 

Get the Milwaukee band saw at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.

Best Cordless

DeWalt DCS371B 20V MAX Band Saw

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Product Specs 

• Style: Cordless
• Cutting capacity: 2.5 inches
• Power: 20 volts

Pros

• Works with the brand’s 20V MAX batteries for added versatility; compatible with multiple DeWalt products
• Lightweight at only 1 pound without the battery; suitable for transporting or moving around the workshop 
• High-speed cutting capacity can tackle heavy-duty cutting quickly; provides 570 SFPM
• Tool-free blade change provides safety and convenience for the user 

Cons

• Smaller cut capacity than some competitors; may not tackle large or thick pieces of wood well 

A tangled cord can make an awkward cut impossible. But that won’t happen with DeWalt’s 20V MAX Band Saw. It runs on a lithium battery (not included) for cord-free woodworking. For those already invested in the DeWalt 20V MAX battery power tools, this band saw accepts the same batteries

The lightweight, small band saw weighs about 8 pounds (with the battery) and offers a 2½-inch cut capacity. Speedy for a portable band saw, it covers up to 570 SFPM. Tool-free blade changes have users back in business in no time.

Get the DeWalt DCS371B band saw at Amazon or Walmart (tool only).

Best For Metal

Wen BA4664 Metal-Cutting Band Saw With Stand

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Product Specs 

• Style: Corded
• Cutting capacity: 4.5 inches 
• Power: 4.6 amps

Pros

• Adjustable speed for a variety of materials and cutting tasks; suitable for aluminum, copper, steel, and more
• Cutting capacity up to 4.5-inch diameter metal pipes or up to 4-inch-by-6-inch rectangular materials 
• Smooth cutting action reduces fatigue and vibration for user-friendliness 

Cons

• Comes with a low-quality blade; may require a replacement

If you’re looking for a band saw to add to your home metal shop, the BA4664 4-inch-by-6-inch Metal-Cutting Band Saw from Wen is worth checking out. This heavy-duty band saw has a 4.6-amp motor that produces ¾ horsepower. It has three adjustable speeds: 80, 120, and 200 feet per minute. 

The BA4664 has an automatic shutoff that engages when the blade cuts through the metal. It also makes bevel cuts between 0 and 45 degrees, allowing you to create perfect metal joints. You also can stand the saw up vertically and use it as a standard band saw. 

Get the Wen BA4664 band saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best For Wood

Rikon Power Tools 10-326 14-Inch Deluxe Band Saw

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Product Specs 

• Style: Benchtop 
• Cutting capacity:  13 inches 
• Power: 1.75 hp

Pros

• Adjustable speed for a variety of materials and cutting types; 1.75 hp motor delivers 1,445 SFPM to 2,950 SFPM 
• Extra-tall fence provides a stable base for resawing when necessary; suitable bandsaw for woodworking 
• All necessary adjustments are toolless for user-friendliness and safety  
• Spring-loaded toolless guide system provides safety and peace of mind  

Cons

• Tilt feature is hard to adjust and may take some elbow grease to move  

If you’re looking at band saws for wood