6 BEST Table Saws for Beginners (Tested & Reviewed 2024)

Woodworking can be scary! I get it!

But having the right table saw can make all the difference in making sure your projects go smoothly, especially as a beginner.

That’s why I put together this list of the best table saws for beginners so you can find the right table saw for your needs.

In a hurry? The best table saw for beginners is the DeWalt 10″ Contractor Table Saw. This table saw features the power, accuracy, and safety features that every beginner needs. It’s also portable and perfect for smaller workshops that don’t have tons of space.

Quick Answer: Here are My Favorite Table Saws for Beginners 👇

Best Table Saws for Beginners

• #1 Best Overall – DeWalt 10″ Table Saw
• Best Value Table Saw – DeWalt 8 1/4″ Compact Table Saw
• Best Light-Duty Saw – SKIL 10″ Jobsite Table Saw
• Best Heavy-Duty Saw – SKIL 10 Inch Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw
• Best Portable Table Saw – BOSCH 10″ Worksite Table Saw
• Best Mid-Price Table Saw – RIDGID 15 Amp 10-inch Table Saw

1. DEWALT 10″ Table Saw

If you’re looking for a great table saw under $1000 that’s perfect for beginners – this DeWalt 10″ Table Saw is your best bet.

With a cutting depth of 3.125 inches, the 15-amp motor effortlessly slices through both soft and hard woods, making it one of the more powerful saws you’ll find. It also has a substantial cutting capacity for larger wood pieces – which is super convenient for some projects.

The fence adjustments are simple to make, and a this saw features a wealth of safety features including a riving knife, oversized stop button, and blade guard to help mitigate the risk of injury while cutting.

Though this jobsite table saw is somewhat heavier compared to other alternatives, I believe this is indicative of its superior quality and not necessarily a drawback.

It’s also a portable table saw thanks to the wheeled stand that makes it easy to move around and take with you on the go.

Finally, it has a large stop button that makes it safer than other saws.

What I Liked:

• Very portable and easy to move with wheeled stand
• Powerful 15 amp motor can handle all types of woods
• Larger rip capacity (32.5″) than some other saws
• Larger fence rails that make it easy to cut larger pieces of wood
• 3-year warranty

What I Didn’t Like:

• More expensive than other saws
• Can sometimes exceed 15 amp rating and trip breakers depending on the cut
• Dust collection was lacking
• Heavier than some saws

2. SKILSAW 10″ Jobsite Table Saw

If you want something slightly more affordable than the DeWalt saw above, this SKIL 10″ Jobsite table saw is another great saw for beginners that includes many similar features with a slightly smaller price tag.

This portable table saws is great for making a wide range of cuts because of its 15 amp motor. It has a slightly smaller rip capacity compared to the DeWalt above at 25.5″ – but this is still larger than most other table saws.

This table saw also comes with all of the necessary accessories out of the box including a high quality blade, miter gauge, and plenty of safety features such as a riving knife, blade guard, anti kickback pawls, and a push stick.

The rip fence was high quality and locked tightly into place guaranteeing precise cuts with this contractor table saw and it supports dado blades, making it a versatile saw.

What I Liked:

• Powerful saw with 15 amp motor and up to 4,600 RPM of no load speed
• Easily transportable and collapsable with folding stand
• Dust collection system did a great job of keeping dust out of the way for more accurate cuts
• 3-year warranty

What I Didn’t Like:

• No wheels which makes it slightly more difficult to move around
• Stand can sometimes be unstable if the ground isn’t flat

3. DeWalt 8 1/4″ Compact Jobsite Table Saw – Best Value Table Saw

If you want a great saw but you don’t want to spend a fortune, I recommend this DeWalt 8 1/4″ Compact Table saw for beginners. This is a great saw for the price and it’s built to last for years.

This saw features a 15 amp motor with a 24.5 inch rip capacity – which is big enough for most standard cuts. It has all of the safety features you’d expect such as anti kickback pawls, a blade guard, and riving knife.

This is a tabletop saw that doesn’t come with a stand, but it’s much lighter weight than other saws so you can still move it around pretty easily. If you’re working in a small workshop – this can be the perfect option for you because of how compact it is.

This is an accurate saw that’s perfect for beginners and those just getting started with woodworking.

What I Liked:

• Most affordable saw for the quality
• Lighter weight than other saws so you can easily carry it around
• Powerful 15 amp motor that can produce up to 5,800 RPM of no load speed
• High quality saw blade included
• On board storage areas make it easy to keep your area organized

What I Didn’t Like:

• Smaller rip capacity than other saws
• No stand – so you’ll need somewhere to sit it when working
• No dust collection port or system can make it difficult to remove dust
• Not compatible with dado blades

4. SKIL 10 Inch Heavy Duty Worm Drive Table Saw

If you want a top quality table saw that will last for years, this SKIL 10″ table saw is the right saw for you.

This table saw is an upgrade to the other SKIL 10″ table saw above with added portability thanks to the large wheels that makes it easy to transport.

But the real difference here is the worm drive motor. This motor design gives the saw more torque (and therefore power) when cutting wood – which means you’ve get accurate cuts for any type of wood.

This table saw features a large 30.5″ rip capacity and it comes with a push stick included out of the box.

Just like others, this table saw has all of the safety features you’d expect including a riving knife, blade guard, and anti kickback pawls.

The construction of this table saw feels extremely durable and sturdy with solid metal components. It’s an extremely stable saw that’s great for making more accurate cuts.

The saw blade was decent out of the box, but you might prefer an aftermarket option depending on what you’re cutting.

What I Liked:

• Extremely powerful 15 amp worm drive motor that can cut through any wood
• Large 16′ wheels that make it easy to move
• Dust collection port does great at keeping dust out of the way

What I Didn’t Like:

• Only a 1 year warranty
• Heavier than other portable table saws
• Rip fence wasn’t the best quality

5. RIDGID 15 Amp 10-inch Table Saw

If you’re looking for a decent table saw that’s portable, compact, and versatile – this Ridgid 10″ table saw is worth a look.

This table saw is similar to the SKIL 10″ table saw expect with a slightly larger rip capacity at 27″.

Just like other contractor table saws, this saw comes with all of the safety features you’d want including a riving knife system, blade guard, a push stick, and anti kickback pawls. Additionally, this table saw can stop in 4 seconds with the extremely fast blade brake.

The miter gauge and rip fence did a great job of producing accurate cuts time and time again, and thanks to the powerful 15 amp motor, it can cut through many times of woods.

This table saw also includes a carbide-tipped blade which is a pretty high quality blade that should last.

Finally, if you need storage – this table saw has it. With its on board storage you can keep your area neat and organized so you can focus on your work and stay safe.

What I Liked:

• Decent rip capacity of 27″
• Great value for the money

What I Didn’t Like:

• Didn’t feel as durable or high quality as other saws
• No wheels to transport it

6. BOSCH 10″ Worksite Table Saw

Another one of the best table saws for beginners is the BOSCH 10 inch table saw.

This table saw features a 15 amp motor that’s quite powerful and can cut a wide range of wood, but it’s not quite as powerful as the SKIL table saw above.

One cool feature of this table saw that many others don’t have is a soft-start circuitry that slowly powers the motor when starting to limit the chances you’ll trip your circuit breaker.

Another benefit of this table saw is the saw blade and fence. They are both extremely high quality and great at making precise cuts.

What I Liked:

• Larger rip capacity at 30″
• Inflatable wheels and compact design make it easy to transport
• Soft-start circuity minimizes the chances of tripping your breaker

What I Didn’t Like:

• Somewhat more expensive for similar quality to other saws

How to Choose the Best Table Saw for Beginners

Power

The amount of power your table saw produces is undoubtably one of the most important factors you’ll want to consider when making your purchase, especially as a beginner.

Table saws can be measured in two metrics when it comes to power, amps or RPMs.

Both of these metrics will be you understand how much power your table saw can produce. In general, the higher the number the better.

For example, most table saws will feature a 15 amp motor with RPMs that can range from 3,000 to over 6,000 RPM.

So why does power matter for a table saw and what happens if your saw isn’t powerful enough?

• Rough and uneven cuts are common as the blade bogs down
• You can easily burn or scorch the wood if the blade doesn’t spin fast enough
• Decreased lifespan of your blade and motor

Accuracy

Accuracy is another key component that you should consider when purchasing a saw of any kind.

After all, you’re purchasing a table saw in the first place to make cuts for your woodworking projects that require a precise cut.

So, how are some table saws more accurate than others?

First, the table should be completely flat. Even a slight difference can make your cuts less accurate.

Next, the quality of the rip fence can determine how accurate your cuts can be. You want to look for a rip fence that you can adjust easily and ensure it locks tightly into place so it doesn’t move while cutting.

Finally, if you’re making angled cuts, you need an accurate miter gauge. Just like with a fence, you want a miter gauge that you can easily adjust and locks securely in place.

Rip Capacity

The rip capacity of your table saw will ultimately determine the size of wood that you can cut. While you can purchase an aftermarket extension for your saw – this is an additional cost that you shouldn’t need to pay.

Most contractor table saws will feature a rip capacity between 24″ and 32″, but you can buy cabinet table saws that exceed 48″.

Blade

While many woodworkers will use an aftermarket saw blade, some table saws will come with a quality saw blade that you don’t need to replace.

There are many different types of table saw blades depending on the types of cuts you’re making. The most common is a rip blade, but there are also cross cut blades, dado blades, and aluminum coated blades.

Dust Collection

Dust collection is something that often gets overlooked for table saws, but it matters more than you’d think.

Table saws that lack a good dust collection system often produce less accurate cuts, increased wear and tear on the tools motor and blade, as well as some health concerns that come with inhaling sawdust.

Safety Features

There are a plethora of safety features when it comes to table saws because of how dangerous they can be. Some saws have the ability to stop the blade when it detects a human finger and others will feature the standard blade guard, riving knife, and a push stick.

Portability and Type of Table Saw

There are several different types of table saws that all come with their own pros and cons. One of the key differences between many of them is portability.

For example, cabinet table saws are not portable and usually cost much more than other types of saws.

Check out the table below to see how different types of table saws stack up.

Type of Table Saw	Portability	Power	Cutting Capacity	Accuracy	Best For	Price Range
Portable	High	Low	Limited	Moderate	DIYers, Jobsite Use	$
Benchtop	High	Low	Limited	Moderate	Light-duty, Small Workshops	$
Jobsite	Moderate	Mid	Moderate	Good	Jobsite Use, Contractors	$$
Contractor	Low	Mid	Moderate	Good	Professional, Woodworkers	$$
Hybrid	Low	High	High	High	Advanced DIY, Professionals	$$$
Cabinet	Low	High	High	High	Professional Woodworkers	$$$

Price

The price is an obvious consideration that can be a make it or break it for most people.

The price of table saws can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars – the difference being the quality and features that the table saw includes.

For example, cheaper table saws are often less powerful and may not include all of the features of a more expensive saw.

Warranty & Quality

If you’re planning to spend a decent amount of money on a table saw, you want it to last.

The warranty and overall quality of your table saw is worth taking a look at before deciding which is best.

Most high end table saws will come with a warranty that’s at least 2 years in length, but some can exceed 3 years.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the best table saw for beginners is the DeWalt 10″ Table Saw. It’s powerful, versatile, and has all of the features a beginner needs to complete woodworking projects with ease.

If you want something a little less expensive, then the SKIL 10″ Jobsite Table Saw is worth a look. This table saw has many of the same features as the DeWalt above, with a slightly lower price tag.

Finally, if you want the best value beginner table saw – the DeWalt 8 1/4″ Compact Table Saw is for you. This saw is basically smaller than other versions but still packs the same punch at a great price.