Benchtop band saws are perfect for those areas where you just don’t have a lot of extra space. They are typically made so you can simply attach them to a workbench or work table and you can move them around as needed or just pull them out and set them up when you need them.
There are a lot of different benchtop band saws out there so finding the best one can be overwhelming. How can you possibly choose among all of the options? There are definitely some features that you want to pay close attention to, like power, stability, durability, and even speed.
The best benchtop bandsaw will have great features and will be a reliable tool that is easy to set up and use. There are many different options that fall into this category and there are quite a range of budgets too.
We Think You’ll Like: Best Band Saw Blades In 2021 – Reviews & Buyers Guide
In this guide, we will share with you our top picks for the best benchtop band saw options on the market. We’ve searched and researched and we think you will be pleased with the variety of options we have to share here with you in these benchtop bandsaw reviews. No matter what your needs are, you’re sure to find a solution here.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Best Benchtop Bandsaw Reviews
In this part of our guide, we will share with you our top picks for the best benchtop bandsaw on the market. Each review will contain a detailed overview about the band saws, sharing all of the relevant information. They will also include a rating on key features as well as a list of pros and cons for your reference.
1. Best Overall: Wen 3960 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saws
Wen has done a really great job of creating a benchtop band saw that is both reliable and affordable. It has everything you might need, except for a rip fence but you could easily add an aftermarket one of those later. It sports a very nice cast iron table that measures 9 inches. You get rack and pinion adjustment and plenty of depth to work with.
The 9 inch band saw is consistent as far as benchtop bandsaws go. This particular one has a 2.8 amp motor, which offers plenty of power for most tasks. The work table itself is 12 x 12 so you have plenty of space and stability to work with. The power switch has added safety with a cover on it. With this setup, you can make cuts that use materials up to 3 5/8 inches deep.
This is definitely a handy benchtop bandsaw, it even has a handle on top so you can move it around or carry it when you need to. Wen has several models that are benchtop-friendly and they have some with removable stands as well if that is something you choose to consider. These saws do state they come with a rip fence and miter gauge that can be attached but that is unclear in the details. It also does bevel to 45 degrees.
Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)
- Motor Power: 9
- Materials: 10
- Versatility: 10
- Warranty: 9
- Solid cast iron table that bevels to 45 degrees
- Listing states this saw includes a miter gauge and rip fence
- One of the best benchtop bandsaws on the market overall
- A solid, reliable brand with a versatile approach
- Depth of 3 5/8 inches for cutting purposes
- It may not have enough power for really tough or thick materials
- You may want to use a better blade than what comes with the saw
Why We Like It:
If you’re just looking for something simple and reliable, this benchtop bandsaw is a great option. It has a good cutting depth and will work for the majority of woodworking projects even if it is not always ideal to cut metal.
2. Budget Pick: Bilt Hard 9 Inch Band Saw for Woodworking
If you’re looking for reliable performance on a budget, take a look at this simple saw from Bilt Hard. It has decent power with a 2.5 amp motor, which is less than 1/2 HP motor. This ball bearing induction motor gives you smooth operation and the ability to make precise cuts in solid time. The cutting process is simple and you have two speed capabilities, depending on the type and thickness of wood.
It’s not great for cutting metal but is perfect for the majority of cutting wood, including thicker materials. If you mostly have small to medium projects, you can rely on this power tool for solid performance on cross cuts, cutting irregular shapes, and many other uses as well.
It’s a portable band saw because it is lightweight so you can move it around as needed or use it as necessary. The saw includes 2.5 inch dust port that can be connected to a vacuum hose. It also has rapid set blade tension functionality, which is really nice when you need to make an adjustment. In terms of band saw reviews, this budget friendly option is certainly one for the books.
Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)
- Motor Power: 9
- Materials: 9
- Versatility: 9
- Warranty: 8
- Includes a miter saw gauge that is very helpful
- Micro adjustable guide post for accuracy
- Perfect for straight and curved cuts as well as rip cuts
- Rapid setting blade tensioners
- Solid materials and build for a budget tool
- The cutting capacity for thick materials is slightly more limited than some options
Why We Like It:
This simple machine has great cutting performance for straight line cuts as well as curved cuts and it can handle various blade types. The dust collection port and tension knob are helpful features that leave you smooth working for most woodworking needs.
We Think You’ll Like: Best Budget Band Saw In 2021 – Reviews & Buyers Guide
3. Best Value: Rikon 10 Inch Bandsaw with Fence
This next option from Rikon has all of the premium features and sturdy build that you could possibly want with a benchtop bandsaw. This model is made with a steel frame and solid steel design from head to toe. It won’t take up floor space but it can certainly be bolted down to your work table just fine. It also sports a solid cast iron table so you have durability and long-lasting reliability.
This band saw offers you 1/3 HP motor, which is one of the more powerful motors you will come across in this guide. This makes it capable of handling heavy duty work and the heavy duty steel frame further supports that. The flexible work light helps you run your blade speeds with ease and still rely on accuracy for straight cuts as well as curvy cuts. This comes with an installed rip fence that is fully adjustable as well.
It’s hard to find band saws made for the benchtop that sport the durable build of this machine. It’s not a cast iron frame with cast iron wheels but it’s still pretty heavy so it will most likely be a stationary piece. Two blades speeds plus a micro adjustable guide post really round out this system and make it simple to work with for just about anything you need.
Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)
- Motor Power: 10
- Materials: 10
- Versatility: 10
- Warranty: 10
- Rikon offers a 5-year warranty
- The maximum width gives you more versatility
- Blade tracking is simple with the right blade
- Rip fences are installed and ready for action
- Solid steel and cast iron build
- Inconsistent shipping quality with some users receiving broken parts that had to be replaced
Why We Like It:
This benchtop band saw has a blade tracking window, rip fence, ball bearing blade guides, a dust port, and just about anything we could possibly need for your work. It’s a heavy duty option that comes for a reasonable price for what it is.
4. Xtremepower US Pro Benchtop Band Saw for Woodworking
Next up, check out this fun red model from Xtremepower. This small band saw is nicely done. It’s easy to use and easy to adjust so you can set your angles and adjustments however you need to. It has a handy rack and pinion table that makes all of those adjustments super easy. It’s not necessarily a heavy duty tool but it will handle your desired shapes as well as straight cutting and it has a reasonable throat depth for the blade as well.
This benchtop bandsaw is fairly compact but it still has everything you need and will work for the majority of project uses. From blade tracking to a dust port to help reduce mess, you’re really all set for most things. The blade and design of this machine is versatile and can be used for all of the traditional band saw needs. It may not work as well for some metal materials as it was primarily designed for wood.
You can attach your benchtop bandsaw to your work space or you can just use it as a portable solution if you prefer. The table is spacious and the blade runs smoothly with easy adjustments. Your table also bevels and has a built in miter gauge for your convenience.
Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)
- Motor Power: 9
- Materials: 8
- Versatility: 9
- Warranty: 0 – unidentified
- Solid and reliable machine
- Built to be versatile for woodworking
- Easy to use and operate
- Includes a dust port, miter, and blade tracking
- Fun red color
- It is unclear whether there is any kind of warranty, which can sometimes be scary
- The materials are not as sturdy as some models
Why We Like It:
You can’t beat something red and eye-catching, particularly when it provides you the blade and workspace that you need to get the job done. This benchtop band saw is a great option that works consistently and reliantly and has some great features for your convenience as well.
5. Powertec BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw
Powertec brings you another affordable and reliable option in the realm of benchtop bandsaws. With a blade tracking window and plenty of bells and whistles, this best benchtop band saw is not one to overlook. It’s usable for cutting metal as well as wood but it works best for wood overall. The blade speed is reliable and the saw blade offers quite a bit of depth for the model.
This band saw has a miter gauge loaded on the ribbed aluminum table. It also has blade tension knob adjustment that is quick and easy to work with. The ball bearing construction gives you solid durability and will help keep your machine in line according to band saw reviews on this particular model. This model also offers a patented blade guard that makes working with the blade very easy.
The motor is a 1/2 HP motor that operates on 2.5 amps. The dust port easily connects to a vacuum hose so you can work with your band saw and not worry about dust and debris holding you back or getting in your way while you work. In this regard, you can compare these to table saws.
Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)
- Motor Power: 9
- Materials: 9
- Versatility: 9
- Warranty: 0 – unidentified
- Holds up well for a variety of projects
- A budget-friendly selection with versatility
- Well-built with intuitive functionality
- Includes fence, miter, and 2 inch dust port
- Band saw has reliable depth for larger projects
- This is another band saw that we are unsure what the warranty is or whether there is one at all
- May be limited in some capacities for more challenging materials
Why We Like It:
You can’t beat an affordable band saw that really delivers on functionality. It’s built really well, it’s versatile and reliable. You really can’t go wrong here if you just need a quality machine at a budget-friendly price.
Best Budget Band saw– Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
On a tight budget? In this guide, we’ve sorted and tested a myriad of options to truly weed out the cheaply made junk and provide you with quality solution.
Choosing the Best Benchtop Band Saw
Benchtop bandsaws come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and price ranges. As you’re checking out your options, we recommend that you keep a few quality components in mind. In this part of our guide, we will share with you some topics to consider that are designed primarily to help you make a fully informed decision.
Functionality
What you will notice with some of the best benchtop band saw options is that they are mostly designed for working with wood materials. Some of them certainly can handle metal but some of them are more limited. You want to make sure that the option you are choosing is going to work for the functionality that you need.
If you know that you will need to cut some metal, then you need to be certain that you choose a band saw that can handle cutting things like metal. Remember that some of these will be limited so this is an important aspect to look for and look into. If you know that you will just be using the saw for woodworking, then you shouldn’t have any problems as all of these are designed for woodworking first.
Blade and Speeds
When you are looking at the best benchtop bandsaw reviews, there are some other details to keep in mind. Look at the blade speeds and the capabilities. Most band saws will have a static speed that you can’t adjust manually but some of them do offer two blade speeds or a variable speed with a dial. This is more likely to be found on a full-sized model that has all of the different things but it’s something to be aware of.
A dual speeding system is a really great feature because it can speed up or slow down based on the materials and how they need to be handled.
On top of the speeds, you will want to consider the blades and what that entails. Are you going to be limited on the blades that you can use in your table top band saw? Check out the blade details as well as the teeth per inch specifications and take a look at the machine to understand whether or not it will allow you to change blades as needed.
Power
The power of the table saw or band saw is important as well. Look for a 1 HP motor or perhaps other variations. You will find that benchtop models often have more like 1/2 or 1/3 HP or perhaps a 2.5 amp motor as opposed to a full HP motor.
The power of the motor could directly relate to the functionality of the machine and it could also affect the cutting capacity. If your motor isn’t powerful enough, it might limit what you can do and how quickly you can do it so keep this in mind.
Again, the majority of benchtop models have slightly less power than some of the full-sized models. It’s primarily because these are designed to be smaller machines. Lower powers usually will be good enough for the majority of wood working, including ripping lumber. Where you might find limitations is working with metal as well as re-sawing as needed. Precise cuts and other duties should always run well.
Materials
Finally, we recommend that you look at the materials that the benchtop bandsaw is made of. These materials will vary vastly and it may make a difference on the durability. Some of these are made with welded steel while others have a lot of cast iron, right down to cast iron wheels. Then, there are saws that have aluminum and are made to be more lightweight.
Some of these band saws might even have plastic in some areas. This is typically done to make an item lightweight or portable or simply to be able to reduce the price tag. Obviously, sturdy materials like iron and steel are designed to handle heavier tasks and generally will last longer overall. However, this doesn’t mean that the use of other materials makes a band saw a bad choice.
If you have a preference, be sure to watch for that and if you don’t, just be sure to look for quality materials and a good durable design that isn’t going to fall apart 6 months after you get your saw.
We Think You’ll Like: How to Use a Bandsaw
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Benchtop Bandsaw?
Our favorite benchtop option is the Wen 3960 model. While you really can’t go wrong with any of the options we’ve shared here, this is an all-around great option that has reliable design and functionality and is fully versatile for a range of uses. It’s got power, quality, and functionality all for a reasonable price.
What is the Best Bandsaw for the Money?
If you’re looking for the best value for the money, we recommend checking out the Rikon model in our list. Rikon stands out just slightly because it has heavier duty materials so it’s slightly more sturdy. It has several really great functions and it’s worth the little bit of extra money if you can swing the cost for your own workshop.
Major Parts of a Bandsaw
The primary parts of the bandsaw are as follows:
- Frame
- Motor
- Blades
When you consider a full-sized bandsaw, you should expect to also wheels on this list. Most of those will have aluminum wheels or perhaps another material that make the saw mobile. It will also be on a stand as well so it won’t just rest on your bench or worktable like the benchtop models do.
The frame is the surrounding material. It is basically the saw as a whole. There are different sizes and styles but this is what really sets the tone for the build of the machine. The frame might also attest to the general durability of the machine. Finally, the frame will most likely make a difference on the weight of the machine as well so keep these things in mind.
We talked about the motor in our buyer’s guide details above but this is a vital part of your bandsaw. This will be the part that allows the saw to function and handle whatever tasks you throw at it. The power of the motor matters and will dictate what you can or cannot do with your band saw to some degree.
The blades are the final integral part of a bandsaw as the blades will do the cutting. Bandsaw blades are round and run on a pulley or wheel system. They circulate over the wheels and directly through the table space of the bandsaw to make your cuts. The blades move on a continuous basis circulating through the machine. The speed is powered by the motor and may also depend on the materials you are working with as well.
Conclusion
We hope that you find this guide to be an intuitive resource for choosing a benchtop bandsaw. While there are many different models out there, these are the options we found to be reliable and consistent as a whole.
Which bandsaw do you have your eye on to try out?
Expert Tip
Look for a band saw that is easy to operate and has the supplies you need. You can typically make adjustments that will cater to your specific needs once you have the bandsaw in hand. Choose a versatile machine and then make it work for you.
Did You Know?
The band saw is extremely versatile. Most people take for granted what it can really do for you. These saws can cut straight or curved and they can also be used for re-sawing, ripping lumber, cross cuts, and more. On top of that, they can typically handle a variety of materials as well.
We Think You’ll Like It: Best Compact Band Saw
Amazon Recommends:
- 2.8-amp motor rotates the blade up to 2500 feet per minute
- Create cuts up to 3-1/2 inches deep and 9 inches wide
- Uses 59-1/2-inch blades anywhere from 1/8 to 3/8 inches in size
- Spacious 12-1/4 x 11-7/8-inch work table bevels up to 45 degrees
- Includes a 1/4-inch-wide blade, a 2-1/2-inch dust port, a rip fence, a miter gauge, an adjustable blade guard with ball-bearing supports, and a 2-year warranty
- POWERFUL 2.8 AMP INDUCTION MOTOR—Rip through a variety of wood materials with the 2.8 amp induction motor
- 2-SPEED DRIVE SYSTEM—Allows tool-free belt tensioning
- QUICK BLADE TENSION SETTING—Set blade tension quickly and accurately for clean cuts
- PRECISION BALL BEARING AND LOWER BLADE GUIDES—Ensure consistent tracking for accurate cutting performance
- RACK AND PINION TABLE ADJUSTMENT—Makes quick angle adjustments
- Powerful and Efficient - Band saw with 2500FPM blade speed and 1720RPM motor speed. You don't worry about cutting back and forth due to low power, and the cutting surface is neat.
- Sharp and Quick - The blade size of bandsaw is length: 59-1/2 inches, width: 1/8 ~ 3/8 inches. The maximum cutting depth is 3-1/2 inches, and the maximum cutting width is 9 inches. Band saw can cut different types of wood and soft metal at the speed of 1720RPM.
- Accurate and Multi Angle - Band Saws for Wood has a sturdy cast aluminum table tilting from 0°to 45°with 120°miter gauge. Rip fence for straight, accurate cuts. Band saw can cut straight line, curve and multi angle, which is an ideal choice for woodworking. Bandsaw for woodworking table size: 12-5/16" x 11-7/8".
- Safe and Stable - Sturdy steel base to prevent any heavy vibration. 2-1/2" dust exhaust port and dust brush of saw wheel make your jobsite cleaner.
- Warranty: Woodskil always puts quality and customer satisfaction at the core, we will provide 2 years warranty, if you have any question, please feel free to contact us! Tip：for your safety and smarter use of this product, please read the manul carefully before use, and be sure to keep the manul.