The Best Scroll Saws for the Workshop, Tested
If you need to make precise cuts for projects like jewelry boxes, wood signs, or birdhouses, a scroll saw is probably the tool to use. Considered essential tools for woodworking, these specialty saws are particularly indispensable for craftspeople and artisan woodworkers who want to add finer details to their work. And typically, scroll saws leave level edges, so minimal sanding is necessary to achieve smooth finishes.
As with other power tools, scroll saw technology has been improving in recent years. We wanted to know just how good today’s models are, so we decided to test them in our own woodworking shops. We carefully researched 20 highly rated scroll saws, selecting the seven best contenders for hands-on testing. From there, we chose our favorites in various categories, some suitable for pros, others for beginner woodworkers.
Ahead, learn what to look for when shopping for a scroll saw and find out how the following models earned a spot on our lineup of the best scroll saws.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt 20-Inch Variable-Speed Scroll Saw
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rockwell ShopSeries 16-Inch 1.2-Amp Scroll Saw
- UPGRADE PICK: Delta 20-Inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw
- BEST FOR INTERMEDIATES: Grizzly Industrial 18-Inch Scroll Saw With Stand
- BEST USER-FRIENDLY: Wen 21-Inch 1.6-Amp Scroll Saw With Dual-Bevel Table
- BEST PORTABLE: Dremel Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit
- BEST FOR PROS: Grizzly 21-Inch Variable-Speed Scroll Saw
How We Tested the Best Scroll Saws
We’re not master scrollers, such as those craftspeople who create elaborate, intricate fretwork projects without making even the tiniest mistakes. We’re in awe of those artisans, but we’re not that talented. What we are is woodworkers who are well-versed in a wide range of power tools, including scroll saws.
We began by researching highly rated scroll saws, such as those made by DeWalt and Grizzly. While we took brand names into account to an extent, we didn’t automatically eliminate lesser-known manufacturers if their saws were well received by consumers. After curating a list of the top 20 scroll saws, we selected seven we wanted to test.
For testing, we assembled and mounted the saws in our workshops and then used them to cut both hardwood and softwood. Although some scroll saws are also capable of cutting other materials, such as plastic or sheet metal, we limited our tests to wood to compare performance equally across all the models. We tried out every feature on every saw and noted important factors, such as vibration levels.
We awarded points based on a rubric: The better a saw performed on a specific test, the more points it received. After testing, we averaged each saw’s points and used these calculations to determine the best uses and categories for each model.
Our Top Picks
We tested the most popular scroll saws on the market to create this lineup of the best scroll saw picks. The following saws vary by price, weight, features, and best uses, but each one earned its spot on this lineup by excelling in our hands-on tests. One will surely be right for your woodshop or as a gift for your favorite scroller.
Best Overall
DeWalt 20-Inch Variable Speed Scroll 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
- Throat depth: 20 inches
- Bevel: 45 degrees in both directions
- Speed: 400 to 1,750 SPM
- Maximum cutting depth: 2 inches
- Additional features: Flexible dust blower hose
What We Like
- Variable-speed control makes this tool suitable for both softwoods and hardwoods
- Tool-free blade changing is a handy feature for large projects requiring constant new blades
- Large 20-inch throat depth is ideal for most home and professional projects
What We Don’t Like
- At 56 pounds, this could be an armful to move around a shop
- While the arm lifts for easy blade change, it doesn’t stay up by itself, which can be slightly unhandy
With an impressive 20-inch throat capacity and adjustable speed, the 20-inch DeWalt scroll saw is an attractive choice for serious wood artisans as well as intermediates and novices. It’s designed to minimize vibration, and in our testing, it cut smoothly at both ends of its speed range, which is adjustable from 400 to 1,750 strokes per minute (SPM).
The DeWalt scroll saw features a thin yet strong metal hold-down foot that didn’t block our line of sight. The flexible blower hose offered just the right amount of air pressure to keep the cutting area free from accumulated dust as we worked.
We also liked this saw’s design layout. The on/off switch, the tension lever, and the speed adjustment are all located within easy reach, so we were able to make adjustments quickly when necessary and continue cutting.
The 20-inch throat depth makes the scroll saw suitable for cutting large workpieces. Also, the saw accepts plain-end (pinless) blades, and blade changes were relatively easy thanks to the toolless blade clamp. But this is where we wish DeWalt would make a change by adding a stop that holds the arm up. This would be helpful when users need to thread the saw blade through a center hole in the workpiece (known as fretwork). That was the primary change we would suggest; lacking a stop, we manually braced the arm by wedging a board under it while we threaded the blade through the workpiece.
We tested the DeWalt on softwood (pine) and hardwood (oak), and it excelled on both. The saw table tilts 45 degrees in both directions for precise bevel cuts. This all-purpose scroll saw can also be used with a stand (sold separately), which might be a good idea considering this saw weighs 56 pounds. We didn’t test the stand—instead, we bolted the saw to a workbench, which put it at just the right height to operate while standing or sitting on a high stool.
Read our full review: DeWalt 20-Inch Variable-Speed Scroll Saw
Get the DeWalt scroll saw at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Best Bang For The Buck
Rockwell ShopSeries 16-Inch 1.2-Amp Scroll Saw
Product Specs
- Throat depth: 16 inches
- Bevel: 45 degrees, single direction
- Speed: 500 to 1,700 SPM
- Maximum cutting depth: 2.5 inches
- Additional features: Onboard blade storage, dust blower
What We Like
- Simple design for beginners; fairly easy to set up and get started
- Additional safety shield helps minimize accidental cuts or injuries during use
- Built-in blade storage keeps the blades organized when stored
What We Don’t Like
- Only bevels in 1 direction; can become awkward to bevel an entire project
This budget-friendly Rockwell ShopSeries scroll saw offers most things a beginner would need to create intricate projects. The saw features a 16-inch throat depth and offers variable cutting speed from 500 to 1,700 SPM so that users can cut various materials. What especially caught our attention about this one was its attractive price point.
It also comes with a table that tilts 45 degrees to the left (though it doesn’t bevel to the right). In testing, we noticed slightly more vibration than with some of the higher-end models, but that can be reduced by carefully adjusting the cutting speed to suit the type and thickness of the wood as well as by bolting the saw down to a workbench. We were able to accurately make straight and curved cuts. The ShopSeries is lighter than some competitive models (37.5 pounds), so it can be moved to various locations in a woodshop without too much trouble.
This scroll saw comes with a clear plastic safety shield that makes it safer for novice users, but we found we had to remove the shield periodically to clean it because dust built up on the inside. Still, it’s a welcome safety feature that makes this affordable saw an excellent option for the young or beginning scroll saw artisan.
While it may not be a professional-grade power tool, it allowed us to make intricate cuts nonetheless. The arm does not lift for blade changing, but the saw features a removable base plate that allowed us to easily fit blades into the lower blade holder. Another bonus was that this saw was relatively quiet while running. Though we didn’t use a decibel tester to measure the sound level, it was noticeably quieter than some other saws we tested.
Get the Rockwell scroll saw at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Woodcraft.
Upgrade Pick
Delta 20-Inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw
Product Specs
- Throat depth: 20 inches
- Bevel: 45 degrees, both directions
- Speed: 400 to 1,750 SPM
- Maximum cutting depth: 2.125 inches
- Additional features: Onboard blade storage, flexible dust blower
What We Like
- Pro-grade tool provides high precision; great for adding fine details to projects
- Bevels 45 degrees left and right; allows users to make impressive professional cuts
- Very little to no unwanted vibration—operation is smooth and relatively quiet
- Onboard blade storage helps keep tool parts together and organized
What We Don’t Like
- No dust collection; workshops without a shop vac may get messy
For a scroll saw with enough power and versatility to routinely tackle pro-level jobs, check out this variable-speed scroll saw from Delta. It features a 20-inch throat capacity, adjustable speed, a table that tilts 45 degrees to the left or right, and an air blower. Stroke speed adjusts from 400 to 1,750 SPM, and the adjustment knob is located on the front of the saw arm in a spot we found was extra handy to use while cutting—no reaching required.
The upper arm lifts and locks out of the way during blade changes; this is something we wished all the scroll saws had. The ability to lock the arm in the lifted position allowed us to easily thread blades through the center holes in fretwork patterns without the arm being in the way.
This scroll saw accepts plain-end blades and features a thin metal hold-down foot that doesn’t block the line of sight—the hold-down foot is slightly on the flimsy side, but this certainly is a professional-grade saw. Professionals often remove that feature to have greater control over the movement of the wood.
We cut pine and oak boards, and the Delta saw excelled with both. The cut areas of the wood were smooth and needed only minimal sanding. We noticed almost no vibration with this saw. It operates so smoothly, and part of that reason is due to its muscular build—it weighs a hefty 70 pounds!
The speed adjustment, tension control, and power switch are all located on the front of the tool. The only downside is the lack of a dust-collection port, but it’s not a deal-breaker. For intermediate and advanced scrollers, the Delta is an excellent upgrade saw that deserves a permanent spot in the wood shop.
Get the Delta scroll saw at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Best For Intermediates
Grizzly Industrial 18-Inch Scroll Saw With Stand
Product Specs
- Throat depth: 18 inches
- Bevel: 45 degrees, both directions
- Speed: 450 to 1,500 SPM
- Maximum cutting depth: 2.25 inches
- Additional features: Stand included, bevel angle gauge, LED light
What We Like
- Bevels up to 45 degrees in both directions, making it versatile for most scrolling projects
- Bright gooseneck LED light can be directed at cutline for improved visibility
- Comes with a sturdy iron stand, making it handy for users who don’t have space to permanently mount the saw
- Bevel angle gauge on the top of the table makes choosing the angle of cut effortless
What We Don’t Like
- Stand is sturdy, but there’s the potential for tipping if the stand is bumped
Grizzly’s 18-inch scroll saw is a top-notch pick for users who have developed some scrolling skills and are ready to take their projects to the next level. This high-quality tool features a couple of accessories other saws don’t have. For that reason and others, we had a lot of fun testing this power tool.
This midrange Grizzly saw comes with an adjustable LED light that we found very useful for bright illumination on the cutlines of our test boards. We wish all scroll saws had this because not all workshops are adequately lit, and it’s so much easier to make precise cuts when the cutlines can be seen clearly. In addition, this saw offers nearly vibrationless cutting and comes with a sturdy metal stand. Alternatively, it can also be bolted to a workbench.
We cut oak and pine boards with this saw, and it did well with both. Changing blades is similar to most of today’s other scroll saws: Just insert the bottom blade followed by the top blade, and secure them with thumbscrews. We found it easy to thread the blade through our fretwork patterns.
The Grizzly bevels up to 45 degrees in both directions. But here’s where the saw really shines: The built-in bevel-angle gauge on the top edge allows users to select the exact angle they want without having to scrunch under the table to set the bevel. We found this thoughtful feature very helpful.
The saw offers variable-speed cutting ranging from 450 to 1,500 SPM, which makes it suitable for making intricate cuts in various wood types and thicknesses. The 18-inch throat depth is ample for most projects, and being able to mount the saw on the stand makes it suitable for those who do not have adequate workbench space for mounting.
Get the Grizzly 18-inch scroll saw at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Grizzly Industrial.
Best User-Friendly
Wen 21-Inch 1.6-Amp Scroll Saw With Dual-Bevel Table
Product Specs
- Throat depth: 21 inches
- Bevel: 45 degrees left, 30 degrees right
- Speed: 550 to 1,600 SPM
- Maximum cutting depth: 2 inches
- Additional features: Dust port, flexible dust hose, side panel access for blade changes
What We Like
- Features a flip-open side panel that provides easy access for under-table blade changes
- All essential controls—speed knob, power switch, and blade tensioner—are conveniently located at the front of the saw arm