The Best Portable Band Saws for Your Projects, Tested
In the workshop, a freestanding band saw makes quick work of cutting metal pipes, rebar, conduit, or angle iron, but when material that needs to be cut can’t easily be transported to the workshop, you have to figure out a way to cut it on site. Using an angle grinder typically sends sparks flying, and a handheld hacksaw can create a sore elbow if there’s a lot of cutting to do.
An alternative is to invest in a portable band saw, which functions similarly to a freestanding band saw, but you can carry it on the job for making quick clean cuts when you need them. Since portable band saws are still relatively new, having shown up on the market only a decade or so ago, we tested them to find out how well they perform—and how safe they are for DIYers.
We also tested today’s best-selling portable band saws to determine their strengths, weaknesses, and best uses. We cut stainless steel, angle iron, metal pipes, ABS, PVC, and conduit, and we cut a whole lot of rebar while we were at it.
If you’re thinking about adding a portable band saw to your power tool collection, don’t miss this guide explaining the fine points. You’ll also find out how the following models all earned a spot in this lineup of some of the best portable band saws available today.
- BEST OVERALL: Milwaukee 2829-22 M18 Fuel Compact Band Saw Kit
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Wen 94396 10-Amp Variable Speed Portable Band Saw
- BEST FOR STABILITY: Ryobi P590K1 One+ 18V Cordless Band Saw Kit
- BEST SUBCOMPACT: Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12 Sub-Compact Band Saw Kit
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Metabo HPT CB3612DA 36V MultiVolt Deep Cut Band Saw
- BEST ADJUSTABLE SPEED: DeWalt DCS377Q1 Atomic 20V Max Cordless Band Saw Kit
- ALSO CONSIDER: Makita XBP03T 18V LXT Cordless Compact Band Saw Kit
How We Tested the Best Portable Band Saws
Power, durability, and reliability were the key aspects we looked for when selecting portable band saws for hands-on testing. Brand reputation, usually well-deserved, was also considered in the research. However, less well-known models were also considered if they offered comparable performance and value. We chose to test full-size and compact models because both are becoming increasingly popular with DIYers and pros.
We first scrutinized the quality of the tools and charged the batteries fully (when applicable). Then the real testing started. Since portable band saws are mainly used for cutting metal—and since all the blades we received from the manufacturers were metal-cutting blades—we gathered a wide range of steel, copper, and aluminum pipes. We also collected numerous PVC pipes, conduits, angle iron, fence posts, and iron railings.
We wanted to have some cutting speed comparison, so we also had a stack of ⅝-inch rebar that we used for timed cuts. The process was straightforward—we placed the rebar in a vise, turned on the band saw, and then used a stopwatch to time the cutting duration from when the blade met the rebar to when the cut end fell away. We did not put any downward pressure on the band saws; instead, we allowed their weight to do the cutting.
As we tested the tools, we scored each one using a rubric—the better the performance, the higher the score they received. They also received scores based on how well we felt they functioned, and this included how smoothly they cut, the overall ergonomics of the tool, the amount of cutting capacity, and the speed of the cut. After testing, we added the scores and used them to determine the placement and the best category for each tool.
Our Top Picks
Now it’s time to look at the portable band saws that scored the highest in our hands-on tests. The following lineup consists of full-size and compact models, and while most are cordless, we also found a corded one that excelled. Find out how each portable band saw performed, its pros and cons, and the type of user best suited for each of these standout models.
Best Overall
Milwaukee 2829-22 M18 Fuel Compact Band Saw Kit
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
- Power supply: 18V, cordless
- Cutting capacity: 3¼ inches by 3¼ inches
- Weight: 7.67 pounds (without battery)
What We Like
- Optimal combination of weight and performance for smooth cutting action
- Includes battery and charger; compatible with other M18 Milwaukee products
- Second handle increases stability and accuracy while in use
What We Don’t Like
- Safety lock isn’t comfortably located on the grip; may not be very safe
- Pricey compared to other options on this list
Milwaukee is among the top names in power tool manufacturers, so we were expecting a lot from this portable band saw and we were not disappointed. One of Milwaukee’s newer models, the M18 Fuel is considered compact, although we found some full-size features on this tool. For instance, the M18 Fuel comes with dual handles—something that’s not always available on compact models, but something we appreciated for helping stabilize the tool while cutting.
We charged the 18-volt (V) lithium-ion battery that came with the tool and started testing. The M18 Fuel is ergonomically designed—the trigger handle comes with a nonslip grip and the second handle has a pummel knob. It was simple to install the metal cutting blade that comes with the saw and lock it into place. After that, we used a vice to hold pipes, angle iron, rebar, and more, and then started cutting.
As with all portable band saws, the tool’s weight does the cutting—don’t put pressure on the saw to increase cutting speed or risk damage to the cutting blade. This tool cuts at the rate of 540 FPM. We timed the tool, and it took 7 seconds to cut through a standard ⅝-inch rebar, making it well suited for a job where rebar is used to reinforce a concrete pour. It comes with a speed-adjustment dial as well.
The downside is the position of the safety lock that must be depressed before engaging the power trigger. It’s located above the trigger grip, but it’s challenging to hold the lock button down while simultaneously squeezing the trigger, which is required to activate the blade.
Get the Milwaukee M18 portable band saw at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Great Lakes Power Tools.
Best Bang for the Buck
Wen 94396 10-Amp Variable Speed Portable Band Saw
Product Specs
- Power supply: 10 amps, corded
- Cutting capacity: 5 inches by 5 inches
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
What We Like
- Made with ball-bearing blade guides for smooth operation; runs at 420 FPMs
- Deep-throat construction can cut through iron, steel, PVC, and conduit
- Corded construction provides continuous runtime on job sites or in workshops
- LED guide light provides ample visibility when cutting into various materials
What We Don’t Like
- Cord length limits range of use; not as portable as comparable options
A powerful portable band saw at an attractive price point, this Wen 94396 model contains ball bearings for the blade guides to keep things running smoothly. Its auxiliary handle is adjustable and runs at speeds up to 420 FPM. What makes it so affordable? It’s not battery-powered. The Wen comes with an electrical cord, so while it can’t be used on a job where there’s no electrical outlet, it can be used with an extension cord.
At 14.5 pounds, the Wen is heavier than some, but not excessively. We found the added weight helped speed up the cutting process. It took just 4 seconds to cut through the ⅝-inch rebar. We also tested the Wen by cutting angle iron, steel, PVC, and conduit. It sliced through all of them like butter.
With a cutting capacity of 5 inches by 5 inches, this is a deep-throat band saw that will cut through sizable items, and because it’s corded, it won’t lose power as long as an outlet is nearby. It features an LED guide light that helps cut in low-light situations, and because it doesn’t depend on recharging a battery, there is no downtime for charging. We had full power every time we cut.
Get the Wen portable band saw at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best for Stability
Ryobi P590K1 One+ 18V Cordless Band Saw Kit
Product Specs
- Power supply: 18V, cordless
- Cutting capacity: 2½ inches by 2½ inches
- Weight: 7.35 pounds (without battery)
What We Like
- Wide range of applications; can be used on EMT, conduit, rebar, and more
- User-friendly construction has tool-free blade change and dual handles for safety and control
- Lightweight construction packs a lot of power; should not cause fatigue even with heavy-duty use
What We Don’t Like
- Unit only comes with one speed setting; may not be ideal for some users
The Ryobi One+ portable band saw packs a big cutting punch in a relatively small package. It weighs in at 7.35 pounds and features a 2½-inch-by-2½-inch cutting capacity that we found suitable for cutting many kinds of pipe, rebar, and steel balusters. The blade is exceptionally easy to change via a tool-free lever, so we didn’t have to tighten or loosen any fasteners with an Allen wrench, as is required with some tools.
Although it’s a compact model, it comes with dual handles that make it easy to grip and control. It features a maximum of 560 FPM, and it cuts through ⅝-inch rebar in 6.5 seconds. That’s pretty impressive for a lightweight band saw.
Our favorite thing, however, had to be how smoothly the Ryobi cut. The tool is so well balanced that we didn’t have to do much other than hold it, and the whirring band blade did the rest. Some of the other portable band saws we tested required a firmer grip to keep the tool aligned and balanced while cutting. The Ryobi doesn’t come with a speed adjustment, but it’s plenty fast enough to cut through most metal quickly. It features an LED guide light that shines directly on the material during cutting, which makes it handy in low-light situations.
Get the Ryobi portable band saw at The Home Depot or Amazon (tool only).
Best Subcompact
Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12 Sub-Compact Band Saw Kit
Product Specs
- Power supply: 12V, cordless
- Cutting capacity: 1⅝ inches by 1⅝ inches
- Weight: 6.75 pounds (without battery)
What We Like
- Molded grip and dual-latching lower blade guard allows for 1-handed operation; users can hold the material with one hand and cut with the other
- Variable speed trigger and LED light allow for ample control while in use
- The M12 battery is compatible with a range of Milwaukee products of the same voltage/battery type
What We Don’t Like
- Modest cutting capacity; suitable for small-scale cutting tasks
- No second handle for stability and accuracy while in use
At just 12 inches long and less than 6.75 pounds, the subcompact Milwaukee M12 portable band saw is the smallest tool we tested, yet its 1⅝-inch cut capacity is enough for many plumbers and electricians—and it’s built to the same standards as all Milwaukee tools. It doesn’t have quite the power of some of the bigger cordless band saws, but that’s mainly the result of having a less powerful battery—a 12V lithium-ion battery—as opposed to the 18V and 20V batteries in the larger tools.
While the cutting capacity wasn’t large enough to handle some of the bigger pipes we could cut with the other models, we were still able to test this little Milwaukee on smaller iron and steel objects, including rebar. It cuts at speeds up to 280 FPM, and it took the saw 12 seconds to cut through ⅝-inch rebar. While that’s not as fast as the other models, the tool is ergonomically designed, comfortable to use, and well-suited to restricted areas where a larger band saw won’t fit.
A slight downside is the lack of a second handle for stability. We found ourselves holding on to the battery to stabilize the saw while cutting. This is designed as a one-hand saw, but most users will likely want to use their other hand to ensure the cut is smooth and clean.
Installing the band blade was a snap using the tool’s built-in lever. While this subcompact tool doesn’t feature a speed adjustment dial, it has a variable speed trigger that made it easy to select the best speed for the material we were cutting. We feel this small portable band saw is well suited to DIY pipe-cutting tasks but less suited to heavy-duty jobs, such as repeated rebar cuts.
Get the Milwaukee M12 portable band saw at Amazon, The Home Depot, or New York Power Tools.
Best Heavy-Duty
Metabo HPT CB3612DA 36V MultiVolt Deep Cut Band Saw
Product Specs
- Power supply: 36V, cordless
- Cutting capacity: 4¾ inches by 4¾ inches
- Weight: 16.5 pounds (with battery)
What We Like
- One of the most powerful options available at 640 FPM; sliced through ⅝-inch rebar in 3.5 seconds
- Dual handles for firm gripping and accuracy while in use; under-grip provided
- Integrated LED light allows for great visibility while the user is cutting
- Surprisingly quiet operation when cutting through materials
What We Don’t Like
- On the weighty side at 16.5 pounds; may cause fatigue during long-term use
The Metabo HPT MultiVolt Band Saw weighs in at a hefty 16.5 pounds, but that added weight, combined with its 36V of power, allows it to slice right through steel and iron. The timed rebar test took just 3.5 seconds to cut through the ⅝-inch rebar, making this the most powerful of all the portable band saws we tested. It even beat out our corded model.
At top speed, the Metabo runs at 640 FPM, and we learned that we needed to make sure we had the blade perfectly aligned because once it starts cutting, it goes quickly. One of the nicest things about this model is its dual loop handles, which allowed us to use an under-grip rather than just holding on to a stabilizing knob. With a weightier tool, a loop handle like this makes it easier to lift the saw when needed.
The cutting capacity on the Metabo is 4¾ inches by 4¾ inches, which gives us ample room to cut various pipes, angle iron, and other metal items. We even cut through a 4-inch by 4-inch steel fence post with ease. The saw features an adjustable speed dial and a nice LED light that clearly lights up the material being cut.