Best Tile Saws of 2022

1. Why invest in a tile saw?

Cutting tiles is a delicate matter even for an experienced decorator and the job requires a specific tool, either a rail cutter or a tile saw. These tools come equipped with diamond coated blades developed specifically to grind through tiles, and unlike the blades used for metal or wood, they are not sharp.

However, a rail cutter is only adequate for tiny cuts. For extensive or complex works, a tile saw comes with important extra features. For instance, it’s powered by a motor – a feature that increases the cutting precision and lowers fatigue.

What makes tile saws special?

Unlike traditional saws, tile saws use water to cool the grinding action. This peculiarity gives them the nickname of wet tile saws and that’s why you can’t just use a tile saw blade on a traditional circular saw.

The water not only prevents the tile from cracking under extreme heat but it also captures most of the dust, minimizing messes and keeping the blade cleaner.

2. Types of tile saws

Tile saws can be broken down into two categories:

1. Recirculating pump saws: Are equipped with a water reservoir that supplies water to the tool during use. A filtering system retains all grinding debris and returns clean water back to the reservoir for subsequent use. However, due to water loss caused by splashes, the reservoir has to be checked and refilled regularly.
2. Fresh water saws: Do not have a reservoir but attach instead to a faucet which supplies clean water. You won’t have to clean filters and replenish the reservoir but portability is limited.

3. Understanding the wet tile saw blades

The blade is the key element of a tile saw. Poor quality blades deliver inconsistent outcomes and perhaps distorted cuts. They can also damage the motor and drive components due to overheating.

While all wet tile saws use diamond coated blades, assessing the blade’s quality is essential if you want to achieve consistent results. High-end blades are usually expensive but they can save you quite a lot in terms of durability and maintenance.

Why use diamond blades?

Diamond blades consist of a metal core covered by a diamond rim made from synthetic diamond crystals and bonding metal powders. These blades are not intended to cut in the true meaning of the word, but they rather grind hard materials such as porcelain and ceramic tiles, brick, stone, and other masonry constituents.

Synthetic vs. natural diamon coating

Synthetic diamonds are preferred to natural ones due to their stronger structure but the concentration and size of the crystals ultimately define the quality of the blade. A blade with many big crystals has a longer lifespan and provides sharper cuts than a blade with a few thin crystals.

Another important component is the bonding matrix. It consists of blended metal powders and its main purpose is to disperse and support the crystals but it also serves other vital functions, such as:

• Distributes the workload on the diamonds
• Controls wear during diamond protrusion
• Disperses heat

The bonding matrix’s role is to expose new diamond crystals by outwearing during the grinding action. This provides fresh cutting points and increases the cutting precision, while the varying quantities of metal powders that compose the matrix determine its outwearing rate.

Bonding matrixes containing a higher level of soft metals wear out quicker and are perfect for cutting through hard materials like marble and stone. Those with a higher level of hard metals instead, wear our more slowly and are engineered to cut through softer materials like porcelain, slate or glass.

4. Types of wet saw blades

There are three different types of wet saw blades.

1. Continuous rim blades: Are developed specifically for wet saws. Water is used to cool down the blade and prolong its lifespan but also to reduce debris and lessen the friction in the cutting area. These blades are the slowest in their range but produce the best cuts. They are suitable to use on either soft materials like slate, porcelain and ceramic or on hard materials like marble and granite.
2. Turbo rim blades: Are perfect for wet or dry applications due to small segments on the rim that let the air pass through and cool the blade even in the absence of water. These turbo segments also push the material out faster and they seamlessly cut through brick, concrete, limestone tiles and other hard materials that require a stronger blade.
3. Segmented rim blades: Also called dry cutting blades, are characterized by marked cut-outs designed to cool the blade with air alone. They can still be used with a tile saw to minimize debris but they provide rough cuts and are majorly used to cut concrete pavers, masonry blocks or limestone slabs.

5. What blade size is the best?

The blade size refers to the diameter of the blade. This is an important measurement to consider as it determines the maximum cutting depth – or the maximum tile thickness the saw can handle. The standard diamond blade sizes include:

• 7-inch blades: Have an approximate cutting depth of 1.5 inches and are perfect for thin wall tiles.
• 8-inch blades: Can cut through tiles up to 2 inches thick.
• 10-inch blades: Are perfect for most floor and wall tiles including thicker stone pavers. They have a cutting depth of up to 2.6 inches.

6. Tile saw build

Two other important considerations concern the structure of the machine and its power.

A sturdy structure and quality build guarantee the tool will live up to the expectations. Tiles are usually heavy, so the model you choose must have a strong frame, preferably constructed in rust-resistant steel or aluminum.

A robust construction also lowers the level of vibrations. This translates into a smoother operation and sharper cuts.

If possible, avoid the machines with plastic parts which may compromise the unit’s strength and stability.

7. Tile saw power

The power of a wet tile saw is usually expressed in watts, albeit some manufacturers prefer to disclose the motor’s power instead, which is expressed in HP. Knowing either the wattage or the horsepower of the machine is important to assess its performance.

• Entry-level wet saws: Stand in the 400-watt range; they are ideal for small jobs and can handle ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles up to 1.5 inches thick.
• Mid-range tile saws: Perhaps the best tile saws for enthusiast hobbyists or students. With powers in the 600-watt range, they are powerful enough to cut almost all tiles, including thicker paving slabs, limestone, and granite.
• High-end tile saws: Are characterized by powers of 900 watts or over and can handle all tiles and masonry materials like concrete and stone. Although the most expensive, these machines are often the go-to tile saws of the pros.

8. Other tile saw features to consider

• Feed rate: A constant feed rate ensures precise and clean cuts. An adjustable feed rate ensures you can achieve clean cuts on all materials. In broad terms, the thicker the material the slower the feed rate should be.
• Adjustable side guide: Keeps the tile firm while cutting to guarantee straight cuts.
• Side extension: Is an important feature on the smaller machines if you want to cut wider tiles.
• Bevel: Allows you to cut at an angle and shape curved and rounded edges or cut awkward corners.
• Protective casing: An essential safety feature that lowers hazards and ensures a smooth operation.
• Overheat guard: Another essential feature in terms of safety. Sensors shut off the unit if it overheats, preventing motor damage.
• Portability: Working on a busy worksite sometimes require a lot of moving around, so a low heft is critical to transport the unit. A stand is a nice accessory when you want to work outdoors or when there is no other support available.
• Spare parts: Even the components of the best wet tile saw are subject to wear and tear. Diamond blades, cutting heads, and splash guards are just some of the parts that have to be replaced periodically. Investing in a unit manufactured by a notorious brand usually guarantees spare parts availability.