Best Budget Table Saws: 5 Cheap & Affordable Options

At the heart of every woodworking shop is the handy table saw. This piece of equipment is useful in an array of projects; from framing to building bookshelves and more. Whether you want to make angled cuts, rip cuts, cross cuts, or beveled cuts, this is the tool to use.

But just because it’s such a versatile device doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to break the bank buying it. 

There are, in fact, several models that are fairly priced. In the following post, we’ll examine the best budget table saws, and what you can expect from them. 

What You Can Expect from Cheaper Table Saws

In the world of woodworking tools, the prices of these saws vary widely. As you’ll see from our review, some are quite cheap, going for less than $100 or slightly more. Others, however, cost several thousand dollars. 

This is good news for buyers on a shoestring budget. It means they can still afford this versatile piece of equipment. On the downside, these cheaper models are usually entry-level, meaning they fall short or lack some features. 

For instance, they might not have a 15 amp motor. Similarly, they may not have advanced features like laser technology, which guides the blade to make accurate cuts.

What you’ll get instead are the more basic features like a blade guard, fence system, miter gauge, dust port, and motor. 

Benchtop vs Cabinet vs Contractor vs Hybrid Table Saws

We’ll start by looking at the different types of these saws, and how they compare in pricing.

Benchtop

As implied in its name, this saw is meant to be bolted to a bench or table. Some come equipped with collapsible legs or foldable stands for stability. 

But their main highlight is their portability. Since they’re fairly small and compact, and their motors are lightweight, benchtop models are the easiest to carry around. They are also the cheapest of the bunch.

Not sure what a benchtop table saw looks like? Sporting a die-cast aluminum table extension, it’s pretty sturdy. It includes a 15 amp motor and has a rip capacity of 28 inches to the right. 

Check out the Grizzly Industrial's G0869.

Cabinet 

If you’re looking to invest in a powerful, gigantic table saw that has all the bells and whistles, you’ll want to go for a cabinet table saw.

This type of saw usually comes equipped with a powerful motor, typically, a 15 amp motor. This offers the user a considerable amount of power to get through the toughest cutting jobs. They also offer greater control and accuracy. Thus,it comes as no surprise that they’re also the most expensive. 

Have a look at the Dayton Cabinet Table Saw as it's a great example. It has a 10 inch blade, which is driven by a powerful 3HP motor. It also boasts superior cutting capability, specifically, a 10 inch rip capacity to the left and 50 inch rip to the right.

Contractor

Also referred to as "jobsite", these are the go-to models for professional woodworkers who undertake larger projects. Although they're heavy, they’re not so bulky that they can’t be carried around.

Another advantage that contractor varieties offer is their added flexibility. Their somewhat compact structure allows them to fit even in workshops where space is a bit limited.

With regards to power, these saws are the closest thing you can get to the kind of power you get from a cabinet model.

And as for pricing, they tend to be in the middle of the pack. They’re not as expensive as the cabinet models,  but they’re certainly more costly than benchtop models.

The DEWALT DWE7485 Table Saw for Jobsite is a good case in point. The 8 1/4 inch model is powered by a 15 amp motor, which registers a speed of 5,800 RPM. With 24.5 inch rip capacity, it can slice through 4*8 plywood with ease.

Hybrid

A hybrid table saw combines certain aspects of a cabinet and a traditional contractor saw. In that regard, it provides at least the same power as the contractor. But unlike the cabinet model, it doesn’t need a dedicated 220-volt electric circuit to run on. 

The Grizzly Industrial G0771Z Hybrid is an excellent example. It's powered by a 15 amp motor, meaning it's as powerful as a cabinet. And, it has a 31 inch rip capacity.

You will likely pay more for a hybrid than a contractor. But it might be slightly cheaper than a cabinet table saw.

How to Choose the Right Budget Table Saw

Stability

Wobbly saws can make it difficult to cut accurately. And, they increase the risk of injuring yourself in the process. 

To avoid this, ensure that the machinery sits atop your work surface firmly. If it starts to vibrate, look for a way to fasten it to your workstation.

Motor Power

Another component you should inspect is the type of motor present in the table saw. There are two main types: a direct drive and a belt drive.

The direct drive means the blade is attached directly to the motor powering it. In the other case, the blade is powered by a pulley-driven v-belt, which is then attached to the motor.

For cheap saws, you will most likely find a direct drive motor. This is because it’s cheaper and smaller. 

Belt drive motors, on the other hand, are often reserved for bigger, stationary-style table saws. They’re pricey, but they also produce more torque.

So if you’ll be tackling heavy-duty materials, you’re better off investing in a belt-drive motor. But if you’ll only be performing simple cuts, a direct drive motor will suffice. 

Apart from type, you'll also want to check the amp rating of the motor. If you're looking to tackle tough cutting jobs, a table saw with 15 amp motor is the most suitable.

Miter Gauge

This is another feature you’ll want to look for, especially if you’re looking to improve the accuracy of your cuts.

A miter gauge lets you move the workpiece beyond the point of the blade so that you can cut at a specific angle. 

It constitutes a miter head, which spins through 180 degrees, allowing you to set the angle where you’d like to make the cut. Check whether the miter gauge allows you to make adjustments in single-degree increments. 

Rip Fence

If you have a bit of experience using these types of saws, then you know a rip fence is indispensable. 

This is the element responsible for guiding your workpiece. This helps to prevent the table saw from veering off and causing inaccurate cuts, or worse, damaging your entire workpiece. 

Now, table saw fences aren’t created equally. So when shopping on a budget, ensure that the saw still has a quality fence system to avoid compromising the precision and results of your cutting.

Blade Size

Most affordable table saws tend to have either 8- or 10 inch blades. A 10 inch is the standard size and is suitable for the majority of woodworking tasks. 

8-inch blades are much lighter than their 10 inch counterparts, and this helps to keep the overall weight of the table saw low. But they’re only suitable for hobbyists, who don’t engage in heavy-duty cutting or woodworkers who only tackle small-scale craft projects. 

You will also come across 12-inch blades. However, these are often incorporated in pricier, more powerful models. 

Portability

If you carry your saws with you to your job site, you’ll want to invest in one that is as light as possible. 

Thankfully, most of the affordable ones are compact tools that don’t weigh much. So you should have no problem finding a portable model.

Dust Collection

After a long day of using your table saw, the last thing you want is to spend another half hour cleaning the mess on your workstation. For easy cleanup, invest in a table saw equipped with a dust collection system.

This could be a dust collector or dust port that allows you to attach a collection bag that can trap all the sawdust released by your machinery. This way, you can keep your work area clean and the air around you healthier to breathe.  

Adjustability

Quality low-priced table saws should allow you to make adjustments as needed. This way, you can set it up correctly to help you get accurate and smooth results. 

For instance, you should be able to adjust the blade’s height accordingly. Some prefer to set it high to minimize the risk of injury.

Another part that should be adjustable is the blade guard and riving knife or splitter. Ideally, the splitter should be parallel to the saw blade, right in the center of the kerf. 

Safety

Whether you’re buying a high-end or cheap table saw, it should have several safety features. Sure, it may not have all the safety mechanisms found in higher-end models, but it should have basic ones, such as.

Rip Capacity

The last factor you’ll want to consider before picking a budget table saw is the rip capacity. 

If you’re new to the world of woodworking, rip capacity is merely the distance between the center of the blade in action and the extreme edge of the rip fence. 

Ideally, this measurement should be at least half the width of the sheet of material you’ll be cutting. So if you plan to use your saw on larger workpieces, ensure the rip capacity is also big. The minimum rip capacity on the majority of these saws is about 24 inches.

Tips to Make the Most of a Budget Table Saw

Just because you’re investing in an entry-level table saw doesn’t mean you’ll get sub-par results. So here are a few hacks to help you make the most of this tool:

Look for a Partner

If you’ve been shopping for a table saw, you’ve probably come across the gigantic models that come with really big work tables. They are designed in this way so that they can support larger workpieces while you slice through them.

Most budget models, however, come in a small size, which makes them easy to carry around. However, this also means they lack a support structure for bigger workpieces, 

Having someone who can handle the material as it comes out through the feed can really help. This ensures the weight is distributed evenly, which in turn, prevents precarious events like the saw tipping over or the wood kicking back.

Make Numerous Passes

As we mentioned earlier, entry-level table saws will likely have less powerful motors. It means that you should not stretch them beyond their limits by trying to cut through very thick, dense, or heavy material. 

A better approach is to use short crosscuts, which are easier and faster to make. These won’t strain the motor or cause it to heat up. Just ensure you make several passes and within no time, you’ll have achieved the depth of cut you wish to make.

Secure Your Table Saw

Another thing you’ll want to do is to fasten the machinery to a stable work area. Most of the portable varieties include holes, which are designed for this very purpose (securing).

Performing this step is crucial because it prevents the blade from wobbling or vibrating during use. You will work faster, easier, and be more accurate. 

Best Budget Table Saw: Top 5 Reviewed

1. Rockwell BladeRunner RK7323 X2 Tabletop Saw: Best Overall

Have you been looking for an affordable table saw that doesn’t compromise on functions or features? Well, the Rockwell BladeRunner X2 is the best budget table saw on the market. 

A key highlight of this table saw is its versatility. It can cut through a wide range of materials, and this includes metal, aluminum, plastic, wood, tile, and more. 

Better yet, it’s designed for different types of cuts, and this reduces the number of tools you’ll need for your woodworking project. Specifically, it can be used to make cross, scroll, rip, and miter cuts; with a simple change of blades.

Speaking of cuts, the saw’s rip capacity varies depending on the material you’re cutting. For wood, it can cut up to 1-½ inches, ⅜-inch for ceramic and aluminum. It can also cut 1-¼ inch of PVC pipe and up to ⅛-inch for steel.

Also worthy to note is the level of precision that BladeRunner offers. It has a rather big rip-fence, allowing you to make bigger cuts, with supreme accuracy. 

Sometimes, you invest in a saw that ends up being too big for your work surface. Luckily, this is not something you’ll have to worry about with Rockwell RK7323. At 16.1 x 17.5 x 8.3 inches, it’s fairly compact; hence, it doesn’t take up much space. 

It’s also relatively light as it weighs slightly under 15 pounds. Factor in the built-in handle and you have a table saw that you can carry around with ease. 

The icing on the cake is the handy storage space included underneath the saw. It's big enough to fit the fence, miter gauge, and blades; helping you to keep your workspace neat and organized.

Perhaps the only drawback is the 5.5-amp motor, which is less powerful than say a 15 amp motor. However, it gives you enough power to tackle light wood cutting.

2. NovelLife R2 Mini Hobby Table Saw: Best for Under $100

If your woodworking projects only happen occasionally, then you’re probably not looking to spend a huge sum of money on your table saw. Luckily, some of the best table saws come in under $100, like the NovelLife R2 Mini Hobby. 

As you might have guessed from its title, this is a mini table saw. Its dimensions are 7.1 * 5.5 * 2.4 inches, which makes it the most compact in our review. 

The advantage of this is that it occupies a very tiny space, whether it’s in storage or use. The downside is that it can’t cut through very thick material. So only buy it if your projects involve cutting through thin wood, bamboo, balsa, acrylic, or plastic. 

If the table saw is the right fit for you, then you will love the solid steel construction of the frame. It’s constructed with 5-mm thick aluminum alloy, resulting in a sturdy frame that’s not prone to deformation. But even then, use the right sawing techniques to extend its life. 

Another major selling point of this table saw is the fact that it includes three different blades to increase its range of use. 

There’s a 2.5-inch HSS circular saw blade (see our favorite budget circular saws), a 2.5-inch alloy saw blade and a 2.4-inch diamond saw blade. Regardless of the blade you use, you will be able to adjust its height in the range of 0 to 14 mm.

Investing in a cheap table saw doesn’t always mean you have to compromise the quality of your work. NovelLife increases your chances of getting quality finishes by including a miter gauge with a laser-scaled plate for maximum precision.