The Best Portable Table Saws Tested and Reviewed in 2024
Table saws are a baseline necessity in many homes and professional workshops. Portable models are the go-to tool for everything from deck building to DIY tasks, from remodeling to woodworking, and from trimming a house to home repairs. While track saws are increasingly used for some traditional table-saw work (like breaking down sheet goods), the table saw is the best-suited tool for making wide boards thinner.
There are a lot of great choices out there, so it’s very likely that you can find a table saw that’s right for you and how you work. We took advice from industry experts who use table saws on a daily basis to help us build our list of recommendations. Keep reading to learn about the technical aspects of these versatile tools and find out how some of the best portable table saws currently on the market fared in our hands-on testing.
- BEST OVERALL: Skil 15-Amp 10-Inch Table Saw
- RUNNER-UP: Bosch Power Tools 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Craftsman 10-Inch Table Saw
- BEST JOBSITE: DeWalt 10-Inch Table Saw, 32½-Inch Rip Capacity
- BEST WORKSHOP: Ridgid 10-Inch Pro Jobsite Table Saw with Stand
- BEST COMPACT: DeWalt 8¼-Inch Compact Jobsite Table Saw
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Skilsaw 10-Inch Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw
- ALSO CONSIDER: Metabo HPT 10-Inch Table Saw with Fold and Roll Stand
How We Tested the Best Portable Table Saws
To help bolster our research, we interviewed Ben Illig, a General Contractor and owner of Illig Properties in Pennsylvania, who has extensive hands-on experience with using portable table saws on jobsites. He says that “portability is more important than precision for a jobsite table saw. If more precision is needed, I would perform the work in an offsite woodshop with a more powerful and precise saw.” On talking about sought after features, he added, “”Easily adjustable and changeable blades are important, as well as an accurate table width that includes a built-in ruler.” We took this expert advice into consideration when lining up our favorite picks for testing.
We then tested these table saws with the occasional user, active DIYer, weekend woodworker, and professional user in mind. We looked at power, portability, switches, fence action, dust ejection, and the overall experience. While we have to pick a “best,” there is some subjectivity there. Each of the saws delivers on certain metrics for certain users, so even if a tool is not listed as the best on this list, it can still be best for certain users.
To test power, we took some dry Eastern white fir 2-by and ran it through each saw. We followed that up with some dry 2-by Hem-Fir framing, 5/4-pressure-treated Southern pine decking and typical 1-by. We looked at everything from how the saw started up to vibration during use to leg stands to how easy it was to fetch the push stick and how easy it was to shut the saw off. We also looked at stands, on-site mobility, stability, and how easily (or not) they would store in a shop or work truck.
- Portability: Obviously, a portable table saw’s ability to be moved is a key feature, and our selection represents each of the different transportation approaches.
- Cutting capacities: This list includes a range of tools that offer different capabilities, so there’s something for everyone, from weekend DIY enthusiasts to full-time professionals.
- Quality: While cheap portable table saws are available, this list includes only those brands with recognized reputations for durability and reliability. Some, however, are quite affordable.
Our Top Picks
The following picks are categorized, so potential buyers can quickly identify specific features. Each of the saws in the group had some standout features. We tested all of them, and here’s how we rated them.
Best Overall
Skil 15-Amp 10-Inch Table Saw
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Maximum rip: 25½ inches
- Weight: 51 pounds
What We Like
- Excellent and large cutting capacities allow the saw to do a variety of cuts
- Accurate rack-and-pinion fence makes setting up a cut easy
- Integrated stand for easy, on-site setup that saves time in the field
What We Don’t Like
- Low-quality included blade might not cut it for some users
- Power switch takes some getting used to
Out of the box, the saw was ready to go. The built-in leg kit worked great. It did require laying the saw on one side to extend or fold away the legs, but it was easy to do. The angle of the legs was stable and worked as a great base for heavy work like ripping framing or deck boards.
The rack-and-pinion fence was parallel to the blade out of the box, and it has a good cut capacity at 25½ inches to the right of the blade if breaking down sheet goods or making shelves. The crank-to-blade-movement ratio felt like the best of the bunch because it’s easy to attain a precise setup for a cut. It also has a simple, incredibly effective 45-degree attachment for the dust chute. This enables the user to direct sawdust—even more important for cutting inorganic material like composite decking or PVC—into a box or bucket. We found it to be a simple but awesome feature.
While the saw performed well in all materials tested, the unit was also terrific when not in use. The legs fold down such that the saw is a cube. We think this would be great on a work truck or in a crowded shop. There was very little to snag or catch, and the tool could be stored out of the way. The locking throat plate also stayed in place during transport, which wasn’t the case with other saws. The only downsides that we found were that the switch took some getting used to and the included blade could be better quality, but a simple blade change to a preferred saw blade is an easy update. Otherwise, this saw is well-designed and extremely capable.
Get the Skil portable table saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, Acme Tools, or Menard’s.
Runner-Up
Bosch Power Tools 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw
Product Specs
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Maximum rip: 30 inches
- Weight: 94 pounds
What We Like
- Very good quality and smooth cutting of multiple types of materials
- Excellent stand mechanism that is more stable than other portable table saws
- Maintains speed under hardworking load, like when cutting tough materials
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive when compared to other portable table saws
- Somewhat heavy and cumbersome to store
For frequent users, this table saw delivers. We found that its soft start was plush without it being so soft that we felt like we had to wait for the blade to get up to speed. We also liked how easily the fence glided on its rails without catching. Plus, the cut capacity was terrific, and we thought the cord wrap on the rear of the tool was an excellent added feature.
However, this portable table saw is big. While the collapsing wheeled stand worked nicely and the saw was easy to move on its pneumatic tires, it would be heavy for one person to maneuver in and out of a truck or between floors of a house, which most pro users have to do. That said, it is not a big deal for a pro to have more than one person on a jobsite.
At about 30 inches wide and 38 inches deep, the stand and saw size might make storage an issue for some users. It takes up a big chunk of the truck and a decent amount in the shop. In testing, we also noticed that the open frame and wheels liked to catch extension cords and other supplies, which could also pose a bit of a hassle to users.
For shops or sites where the saw will be set up for long periods of time or for those looking to up their woodworking or home improvement game, this saw is fantastic from the ground up.
Get the Bosch portable table saw at The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman 10-Inch Table Saw
Product Specs
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Maximum rip: 12 inches
- Weight: 58 pounds
What We Like
- Same depth of cut as more expensive machines
- Roll cage protects motor and increases durability
- Good value for the money with essential features for most DIY projects
What We Don’t Like
- Modest ripping capacities at just 12 inches limits types of cuts
- Miter gauge may be a poor fit
The Craftsman brand has long been recognized for reliable, good-value-for-the-money tools, and this 10-inch portable table saw is no exception. For a modest price, this Craftsman table saw offers the same depth of cut as many more expensive saws: 3⅛ inches at 90 degrees and 2¼ inches at 45 degrees.
However, it saves cost in its ripping capacity. The table saw lacks an extending fence, which provides just 10 inches to the left of the blade and 12 inches to the right.
Yes, its detachable stand folds flat for compact storage; however, it is bolted on during setup and it’s not easily detached. The reality is that most users would store it with the stand on. It provides reasonable support for most typical cuts, like when cutting 1-by. When large pieces are used without any back-feed support, it flexes a little. Overall, we found that this saw was not designed for heavy-duty cutting of dense materials. It is, however, a budget-friendly pick that’s great for light-duty projects.
Get the Craftsman portable table saw at Lowe’s.
Best Jobsite
DeWalt 10-Inch Table Saw, 32½-Inch Rip Capacity
Product Specs
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Maximum rip: 32½ inches
- Weight: 110 pounds
What We Like
- Excellent capacities with a 32½-inch rip maximum
- Incredibly stable stand thanks to well-designed legs
- Excellent fence with push-stick storage that’s handy
What We Don’t Like
- Miter guide is small and flimsy
- Heavier than some other good-quality table saws
The DeWalt 10-inch Table Saw offers a combination of jobsite toughness, good capacity, and the potential for precise accuracy, all of which make it a popular choice with trade professionals. Like most table saws, it’s fitted with a general-purpose 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade. The maximum depth of cut at 90 degrees is 3⅛ inches; at 45 degrees, it’s 2¼ inches. Its ripping capability is 22 inches to the left of the blade and a class-leading 32½ inches to the right. The sturdy extending fence works on a precise rack-and-pinion track.
In testing, we found that this was the most stable saw in the bunch, with an aggressive leg flare that would make tipping this thing over while cutting long, heavy stock nearly impossible. But it didn’t take up any more of a footprint than the other saws in the group. Thanks to the saw’s folding legs and a modest wheel kit, we were able to break down and store this saw more easily than others. However, at 110 pounds, it was still heavy for one person to move.
The included construction-grade blade was terrific. The rack-and-pinion fence worked smoothly and it locked securely. The push-stick storage on the fence is a nice feature. Unlike some saws that sound like they are working hard, this saw displayed excellent power and smooth performance throughout testing on Eastern white fir 2-by, 2-by Hem-Fir framing, 5/4-pressure-treated Southern pine decking, and typical 1-by.
There’s little to criticize about this table saw. However, while the wheeled cart provided very good stability, it makes it heavier than some. The miter guide is flimsy and small, and this less-than-great feature doesn’t match the rest of the machine. Its price may also put it beyond the range of some DIY users.
Get the DeWalt 10-inch portable table saw at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Lowe’s.
Best Workshop
Ridgid 10-Inch Pro Jobsite Table Saw with Stand
Product Specs
- Blade size: 10 inches
- Maximum rip: 30 inches
- Weight: 95 pounds
What We Like
- Slightly better price point than comparable saws
- Decent power for cutting most typical types of material
- Mobile stand is helpful to move around the heavy table saw
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy for 1 person to move alone
- Felt resistance while cutting white fir
The Ridgid Jobsite Table Saw with the utility folding wheeled stand has professional cut capacity and features but with a more DIY-friendly price point. It cuts everything the other units cut and doesn’t break the bank.
With a 30-inch cut capacity; a solid, stable wheel kit; and a nice included blade, this saw took on all but the hardest materials we had (dry, Eastern white fir) without complaint. We felt some resistance when we were running the fir through this saw. It sailed through pine decking and 1-by material.
Some of the operational details were a little rougher than other saws in the group. If we didn’t push the fence just right to readjust it, it would stick, requiring two hands to unstick it. It works, but this extra step involved two hands and added time to adjust and check for each cut. The push stick was also a little gummy trying to get it out, but this may loosen up over time. The push stick itself, however, was nice and beefy.
It has a soft start, but it seemed to take about a three count for the blade to reach max rpm. For occasional use, this would be just fine. However, if one is using the saw all day, those seconds add up.<