Best Portable Table Saws of 2022

1. Cabinet vs. portable table saw

The main difference between a cabinet table saw and a portable table saw regards portability. The former is a type of stationary table saw (for a full buying guide see our cabinet table saw guide), the latter a category of table saws including various types, all of them portable. But this is not the only difference.

• Cabinet table saws: Represent the most powerful type of table saws. These units are often used by professional woodworkers and contractors but quite unpopular among hobbyists because they are cumbersome and expensive. Nevertheless, they are the best choice for heavy-duty applications. Some cabinet saws are equipped with wheels for mobility purposes.
• Portable table saws: Are less powerful than the cabinet type and less costly, two features that explain their popularity among hobbyists. The best portable table saws also provide sufficient power for heavy-duty jobs handling, and they make a great option for a job site or backyard workshop.

2. Types of portable table saws

There are two types of portable table saws, benchtop and jobsite table saws.

• Benchtop table saws: Are the most compact and lightweight, and also the most affordable. They are often designed for light-duty applications and are ideal for amateurs. Despite not having a stand, they are easy to transport due to their low weight that rarely exceeds 60 pounds. Due to their smaller size, these table saws have a small rip capacity, usually no more than 25 inches.
• Jobsite table saws: Are larger than the benchtop models but still compact enough to fit in a small workshop. These table saws typically come with (foldable) stands and wheels for mobility and are more robust than the benchtop saws. Thus they withstand heavy-duty applications. Their rip capacity often exceeds 25 inches, and most models have a dust collection port and onboard storage.

3. Table saw power and speed

Most portable table saws are powered by 15-Amp motors running on either 110V or 120V circuits and are capable of outputting a power from 1,650 to 1,800 watts depending on their voltage. This power is sufficient to generate speeds up to about 5,000 revolutions per minute (RPM).

Unlike other woodworking tools such as the miter saws or circular saws which come with variable speeds, table saws typically have a single fixed speed.

4. Cutting capacity

The cutting capacity of a table saw is determined by the size of the space between the edge of the blade and the fence, and most portable table saws have a cutting (or ripping) capacity of at least 20 inches.

What cutting capacity do you need?

The easiest way to assess cutting capacity is by considering the type of projects you’re working at. For example, contractors would benefit from a table saw with a rip capacity of about 25 inches, if they are normally cutting plywood sheets since a standard 4×8 inches sheet of plywood requires a rip capacity of at least 24 inches.

For the DIY projects that involve cutting smaller wood pieces, a rip capacity of 20 inches could suffice.

How to increase the cutting capacity?

If you want to cut large pieces of wood that exceed the cutting capacity of your tool, know that you can increase your machine’s capacity by placing it on a larger workbench and removing the fence.

However, while this strategy allows you to increase the rip capacity of your tool, achieving accurate results without the fence guide is difficult.

5. Best jobsite table saw blades

Portable table saw blades are designed for either ripping (coarse cutting) or crosscutting (fine cutting), and they are typically divided into four types.

• Flat top grind blades: Have square teeth designed to rip the material. These blades typically have 20 or 24 teeth and are designed for fast cutting. They are also durable but produced rugged results.
• Alternate top bevel blades: These are considered all-purpose blades with teeth that are angled on the top edge. Most alternate top bevel blades have 40 teeth arranged in an alternating pattern, with every other tooth leaning in the opposite direction. These blades produce cleaner cuts on most types of wood.
• Combination blades: Typically have 50 teeth consisting of a combination of flat top grind and alternate top bevel teeth. These blades are designed to provide clean crosscuts faster than the alternate top bevel blades and are also considered all-purpose.
• Triple chip grind blades: Can have either 60 or 80 teeth and are designed to saw harder materials like laminate, brass, and

6. Best table saw stands

Contractor table saws come with stands designed to provide a secure support to the tool and to enhance mobility. You can typically choose from:

• Folding table saw stands: Are the simplest types of stands designed to provide stationary support to the tool. They fold for easier transport, but they don’t come with wheels.
• Mobile table saw stands: Are similar to the folding miter saw stands. These units have a set of wheels and a handle and are easier to transport from one place to another.
• Fixed table saw stands: Most folding stands are also fixed stands that are not adjustable in height.
• Adjustable table saw stands: Allow you to adjust the height of the stand to your height, for a more comfortable operation.

7. Other important features

The best portable table saws also have other additional features. Some of the most important are:

• Dust collection port: Allows you to connect the table saw to a wet dry vac or dust collector for a better dust and debris management.
• Miter gauge: A miter gauge allows you to adjust the blade for 90° or 45° cuts. For accurate results, the miter gauge must be parallel to the blade.
• Bevel capability: Some table saws allow you to tilt the blade to achieve more accurate angled cuts.
• Overload shutoff: Is designed to switch off the tool in case of overload or current fluctuations, protecting the motor from damage.
• Automatic blade brake: Stops the blade instantly if it comes in contact with the skin, protecting you from severe injuries.
• Onboard storage: allows you to keep all table saw accessories and attachments in a secure place.