Best Budget Band Saw in 2022 – Reviews & Buyers Guide

Equipping your workshop can be an expensive undertaking. There are so many different tools that you need or want and most of them serve a very different purpose. How can a beginning woodworker stock their power tools?

If you have a tight budget but want to get quality tools, you can still do so. There are plenty of options out there that are budget-friendly and will do the job you need done. This is true of band saws, as well as plenty of other types of tools as well.

Choosing the best band saw on a budget can be challenging because you don’t want to end up with something cheap that just isn’t going to last. You have to look for quality that fits within the realms of your budget constraints.

In this guide, we will share with you our top picks for the best budget band saws. We’ve sorted and tested a myriad of options to truly weed out the cheaply made junk and provide you with quality solution. We looked specifically for things like a cast iron frame, or similar quality as well as a decent cutting capacity and the ability to make precise cuts.

Get ready to put your woodworking projects to the test with the best budget bandsaw you can find right here in these budget bandsaw reviews.

Now, let’s get started!

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Best Budget Bandsaw Reviews

You don’t have to break the bank for most band saws. While there are certainly some more expensive options out there, you can get a benchtop band saw or perhaps another option of budget band saws that really turn out to be great tools.

Whatever your woodworking projects consist of, these are reliable options. Below, you will find our selections, complete with overviews, a detailed review, a key feature rating, and a list of pros and cons for each one.

Need a bandsaw that’s under 500? Read our Best Band Saw Under $500 guide.

1. Best Overall: Wen 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Light

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This first option is our top pick overall. It will run you just under $400, making it a cheap bandsaw in our books but a cheap bandsaw that will prove to be a versatile tool that you can depend on. This 10-inch band saw is made with quality materials. Wen 3962 can cut metal and deliver intricate cuts like a pro. Plus you get an LED light work light addition that can come in really handy for your work when you’re concentrating on those curved lines!

This runs on a powerful motor that gives you a two speed solution. It also comes on a stand rather than being a sit on table band saw so you don’t have to find a benchtop space for it. It operates on a 3.5 amp motor and your blades can vary from 1/8 to 1/2 inches as well. You have plenty of tabletop space to work with and you can bevel to 45 degrees with beveling blade as well.

If you prefer a benchtop model, this can be removed from the stand so it gives you some versatility and control over your setup. You will be cutting curves and handling all sorts of projects in no time and it’s a very affordable bandsaw given the quality and versatility it has to offer.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 10
• Blade Depth: 10
• Warranty: 10
• Sturdiness: 10

Why We Like It

Whether you need to cut wood or metal, this saw is great to cut materials just how you need them. It’s built for heavy duty cutting, has an affordable price tag, and is a power tool that you can rely on. Smooth operation is a given with this wood cutting machine.

2. Budget Pick: Dewalt 20V Max Portable Band Saw

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If you really want a cheap band saw that is going to do what you need on most accounts, take a look at this portable option from Dewalt.  Dewalt 20V Max Portable Band Saw is a much smaller piece that works on a different level than your traditional band saws. You won’t have a saw table but such a saw can be incredibly versatile and still works for heavy duty construction with no problems. The saw blade operates much the same but on a smaller scale.

You can purchase this with or without batteries. It is compact so you will need the battery for power as it does not use a power cord. They have packages that even let you purchase with two batteries so you always have a backup. You can also purchase it with blades. Otherwise, you get just the saw and no batteries or blades so pay attention to that detail.

This saw is pretty awesome. It has a 2 1/2 inch cutting capacity for cutting wood and other materials and it operates on a constant power technology so when it’s on, it just keeps going. You can make bevel cuts, straight edge cuts, straight cuts, and rely on always accurate cuts too. While there is no cast iron on this band saw, it is one of the best cordless band saws you will find on the market.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 9
• Blade Depth: 8
• Warranty: 10
• Sturdiness: 10

Why We Like It

This simple machine from Dewalt is a great option if you’re looking for the best budget solution. Your cut line will be smooth and you can still make any type of cut you need. It’s compact and portable and great for jobs on the go.

Read our full Dewalt DCS371B review.

3. Best Value: Bilt Hard 2.5 Amp 9 Inch Bandsaw W/ Miter Gauge

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If you really want the best budget value, take a look at this simple 9 inch band saw tabletop model. It uses a 2.5 amp motor and can easily keep up with heavy duty band saws in the market. Your blade teeth can be aligned and adjusted to your needs, just like table saws can be. Bilt Hard 2.5 Amp 9 Inch Bandsaw W/ Miter Gauge  is a benchtop band saw and it is one of the best budget bandsaw options you are going to find here.

This band saw measures to a height of 29 inches total, with a width of 19 inches. The blade runs a total length of almost 60 inches and you can adjust your blade significantly while you work to get plenty of space for your cutting needs. It comes with a miter gauge, which can be incredibly helpful as well. This benchtop band saw is durable and sturdy, with precise cuts and a cast iron table.

Table saws don’t have anything on this very nice and very affordable band saw. It’s even a fun blue color. The company offers a 1-year limited warranty. The motor is plenty powerful for the size with a 2.5 amp motor. The dust port is a decent size and can be used with a vacuum hose as well. Finally, your cast iron table makes the power and quality comparable to most band saws but costs you a lot less with this simple benchtop bandsaw.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 9
• Blade Depth: 9
• Warranty: 8
• Sturdiness: 10

Why We Like It

In terms of best budget bandsaw reviews, this band saw has a lot to offer. It has a decent cutting capacity and will make straight cuts like a pro. The miter gauge is a really nice addition as well.

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4. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence, 10 Inch

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Next up, we have a Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence, 10 Inch that also comes with a blade guard fence and lets you adjust blade tension to meet your needs. This is another benchtop band saw that really tops the world of benchtop band saws with quality and grace. This one is a big higher on the budget scale but still quite affordable as far as band saws go. It has a blade tracking window and that fence can be used as a rip fence as well.

This band saw has really great power as far as benchtop band saws go. It offers 1/3 HP, which is pretty substantial. It also has a nice cast iron table so you always have a sturdy surface for your work. With that adjustable rip fence, you really can’t go wrong here. The fence can also be removed as needed, which is a handy feature.

The entire frame on this is what makes it slightly more expensive but also still affordable. It has a steel plate frame, paired with the cast iron table. There is no miter gauge or anything like that but these band saws are durable, sturdy, and reliable. It’s also still incredibly versatile, particularly with the micro adjustable guide post that is adjusted with a simple handle turn.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 10
• Blade Depth: 10
• Warranty: 10
• Sturdiness: 10

Why We Like It

If you want a solid, reliable budget band saw table and saw that offers a quality amp motor and a sturdy build, this one is for you. It will do everything you need and that rip fence is incredibly helpful as well. You can change blades or take advantage of the cutting depth capabilities with ease. It’s not the cheapest bandsaw but it certainly is still affordable.

5. Grizzly Deluxe 14-inch Bandsaw

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If you’re looking for a heavy duty band saw option, this could be a great tool. Grizzly Deluxe 14-inch Bandsaw  is a bit more expensive than the other options we’ve shared here but it’s not overly pricy and still falls under $1,000. This truly is a heavy model but it can handle metal materials and wood like a pro and it has some additional functionality too. Changing blades is super easy and this band saw also comes on an iron cast stand.

While it could certainly improve with cast iron wheels, it’s really nothing to sneeze it. The entire machine is very heavy and also heavy-duty. It’s sturdy and it is stable and you will find that the rack and pinion guide post is incredibly helpful. The power switch can be padlocked for extra security. We would love this to have variable speed but that’s typically not an option for these best band saw price ranges.

You can handle irregular shapes and cut materials of any type. You will have a good blade variability as well as a t-shaped precision fence to guide your moves. EZ View blade tracking helps you keep things precise as well. Overall, this machine has a LOT to offer and you see that reflected in the price as well. If you can spend just slightly more, you can’t go wrong here.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 10
• Blade Depth: 10
• Warranty: 10
• Sturdiness: 10

Why We Like It

There is no variable speed dial here but that is about the only thing missing from the big picture. It’s heavy, it’s reliable, it cuts wood or metal and it is the best band saw under $1,000 that you’re going to find here.

6. Anbull Portable Band Saw with Removable Base

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If you liked the compact, portable band saw you definitely need to check out this beauty. Anbull Portable Band Saw with Removable Base is basically a horizontal band saw that you can port around and use on or off its base. It’s easy to take on the go and has a table lock lever to keep you secure when you use the base. It can handle wood or metal just fine and can even make a deep cut when you need it.

The saw blade runs through the center on 2 wheels, allowing you to move and adjust. You can make bevel cuts with the handheld piece as well. It’s lightweight and runs on 1100 watts of power, which is comparable to a 10-amp motor and is much more powerful than even some basic benchtop models. This band saw cuts smoothly and efficiently.

It is balanced and comfortable to work with. It has an ergonomic grip and a soft handle that leaves you comfortable but also in full control. There is a saw blade guard that offers some extra protection as well. This was ultimately designed for metal so you know it’s tough and reliable for just about anything. It’s a professional model that you can depend on.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 10
• Blade Depth: 9
• Warranty: 0 (undefined)
• Sturdiness: 10

Why We Like It

This band saw is from a brand that isn’t really known but it’s proven to be a great bandsaw. We love the removable base so you have a base when you need it and perfect portability when you don’t. It’s a band saw worth a glance when you need compact and portable.

7. Wen 3959 2.5 Amp Benchtop Band Saws

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If you were a fan of the Wen band saw in our best overall pick, Wen 3959 2.5 Amp Benchtop Band Saws is another great option and this is a simple benchtop band saw, rather than a model on a stand. It gives you a little more flexibility as far as placement and even portability. This band saw has a powerful motor, a stable work table, a miter gauge, and a rip fence as well. It also has a dust port that helps keep your dust and mess to a minimum.

With this band saw, you can make cuts up to 3 1/2 inches deep so it offers quite a bit of versatility. You can also manage 9 inches of width, thanks to the 9-inch working table. It comes with a blade to get you started and the blades are pretty easy to change. You can use a variety of sizes so you should be able to change them for your needs.

The work table allows you to make bevel cuts as well and can be adjusted for that up to 45 degrees. These are bells and whistles that all of the expensive machines have and you get them all right here for a fraction of the cost. It’s a reliable and well-made machine that is highly rated across the board. They even have both older and newer models available of this particular model with both being great options.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 10
• Blade Depth: 10
• Warranty: 9
• Sturdiness: 9

Why We Like It

This band saw is a really great option for the money. It’s stable and secure and it can do just about anything you need it to. It comes with added features that people really enjoy and it’s a solid, reliable machine.

8. Powertec BS900 9 Inch Benchtop Band Saw

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Finally, we leave you with one last budget-friendly band saw. This option from Powertec is simple and yet reliable and effective. It’s nicely made with a good tabletop surface as well as additions liek the miter gauge. Powertec BS900 9 Inch Benchtop Band Saw doesn’t have quite as much power as some options this size, with a 110 volt motor but it does run well. This may just slow you down a bit or make you more limited on the materials it can handle well, like metal.

It’s a band saw that offers a blade tracking design, a pinion and rack adjustment and tilt for your table for beveling as needed. The dust port is plenty large and will help reduce the dust and mess while you’re working. This will help with accuracy and precision as well. This band saw is great for precision cuts as well as curved cuts.

You can adjust your depth to over 3 inches, up to 3 5/8 inches, which is really nice. It’s great for ripping lumber. This may not handle metal well but in everything else it’s powerful and reliable while also being accurate. The company stands strongly with their product and offers a satisfaction guarantee for their customers as well.

Feature Ratings (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best)

• Power: 8
• Blade Depth: 10
• Warranty: 10 (satisfaction guarantee)
• Sturdiness: 9

Why We Like It

If you’re looking for cheap and simple, this is definitely a good option. It’s well-made overall and while you might have to make some minor adjustments at first, you will find it’s a good, reliable band saw that will most likely hold up for quite some time once you get it going.

How to Choose a Budget Band Saw

Now that you know some of the best and most affordable band saw options out there, it’s time to really narrow it down. How do you do that? Well, the best thing to do is think about specific features, characteristics, and details that pertain to your needs.

We’ve put together a simple buyer’s guide here that gives you some things to consider and be aware of before you make a purchase. Remember that even though you’re looking for a budget machine doesn’t mean you have to end up with something that is just a cheap piece of junk.

The Build

One of the things you will want to consider when you’re looking at band saw options is how it’s made. We rated on the stability in each of our reviews, specifically because if it is sturdy and stable, it is much more reliable for efficiency and accuracy.

While it doesn’t have to made of iron or steel, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the materials that are used so you can ascertain if they will hold up well or if they will be too lightweight to really handle much work.

Some sturdy materials hold up much better and provide with a much sturdier machine in the end. Check out the quality of the build but be prepared to potentially need to make some minor adjustments or even square the machine before you use it.

We really like to see materials like iron or steel but aluminum is also a good option and tends to be slightly more affordable overall. All of these will be durable and sturdy. Avoid machines that have a lot of plastic on the main parts as these typically don’t last long.

The Power

The power of the motor is another very important aspect and should be at the top of your list of things to consider. You will notice that we also rated the power in our reviews and this is specific to the power of the motor. Basically, you want to be sure the power is sufficient for the size of the band saw but also for the materials you will want to cut.

Typically, we like to see at least 2-3 amps for a band saw of these sizes but there are some that may fall into other categories. The compact portable bandsaws typically have a little less power since they are a handheld model and that is quite alright as well.

For this purpose, it’s ok not to have a full horse power because band saws at these price ranges are slightly smaller and simply won’t pack as much power. The more power a band saw has, the more it can handle. This also helps reduce the likelihood of binding and some of the restriction you might see with cutting different materials and thicknesses as well.

The Blades

Your band saw will most likely come with a default blade and that’s great. However, most band saws can use a variety of blade sizes. If you know what blades you intend to use, we recommend checking out the blade fits to make sure your needs will be compatible. It’s a good idea to choose a band saw that can house different blade sizes to give yourself a good working range. This way you won’t be as limited on what you can accomplish.

You can typically use a blade to fit your needs but some machines are limited on the sizes of blades they can hold. You might also want to make sure that you will be able to find compatible blades easily. Check to see if you can use any brand of blades or if only certain blades will be compatible.

Different blades with varying sizes, widths, and TPIs are used for different needs. You know best what you will need so just be sure to always check the details to ensure the band saw you choose will truly work for the projects you need it for.

Working Table

Every band saw is equipped with a table working surface. When you see a measurement, like “9-inch band saw”, this is typically referring to the size of the table working surface. What you should know is this doesn’t limit you to only working with things that size.

The table is just meant to provide a steady surface as you make your cuts. While you certainly want to be able to balance and hold your items steady, you also want to be able to work with larger items. Band saws are often used for things like ripping lumber and re-sawing so it is important to know your abilities as well as your limitations.

Apart from the size, you also want to pay attention to the sturdiness and some of the features of the table. For example, does it have added things like fences, guards, guides, maybe a miter gauge? What about an LED light? All of these things are part of your working table and working space and might affect your capabilities and what you can do.

Also, be aware of whether or not your table can bevel, meaning can it adjust to a certain degree or angle as needed? Most tables can be adjusted but there are some that might not be able to. This may not make a difference to you but if you do beveling of any kind, you will most definitely want to pay attention to that detail.

Blade Depth

If you like to make crosscuts or cut thick layers, you might need to pay attention to things like the depth of the blade. This could also be critical for ripping lumber. The depth of the blade determines the thickness of materials that you can use your band saw on. Most of these have a reasonable depth but since they are primarily smaller machines, it is more limited than some of the high-dollar, powerful machines.

Just be sure to check out the blade depth so you can be familiar with what it will accommodate and know if it will or will not work for your needs. You most likely won’t have a problem but it’s a good idea to check out these details and pay attention to them to make absolutely certain that your band saw can handle what you need it to.

Budget

We know we are here to look at budget-friendly band saw options but everyone has a different budget. Here, you will find quite the range of items. While everything we listed is under $1,000, you will still find some that fall into other price categories. Perhaps you need a machine under $300. You will find those here too.

Whatever your budget might be, we tried our hardest to find a variety of options that fall into a variety of dollar ranges. As you take a look at the options, just be sure to know your budget limitations and take a look at the prices to choose something that fills your specific budget needs as it should.

We certainly hope you can find a good option that fits into your budget range here.

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Band Saw Vs. Table Saw

There is a common misconception that if you have a table saw, you don’t need a band saw, and vice versa. While this may be true in some cases, there are many uses that are unique to these tools. Where the able saw can rip lumber and make long or straight cuts of all kinds, the band saw is known for more functionality than that.

We certainly wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. They are both really great tools. You simply should be familiar with their capabilities. The band saw allows you to make straight cuts and rip lumber, just like a table saw might. It also has the added benefit of allowing you to make curved and circular cuts that are more intricate in nature.

Table saws tend to be all about speed and power. Band saws certainly also consider speed and power but that is not the main focus, since they handle some more intricate uses. They still pack plenty of power though, which is why they can rip lumber.

If you’re wondering if one is better than the other, the answer is no. Both are similar in some ways but you really can’t compare them in the end. Both saws are functional and useful in their own ways, it really just depends on your needs at the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Band Saw on a Budget?

We recommend one of the Wen models that we listed above. However, if you find that those simply don’t provide for your needs, you can’t go wrong with any of the models that you find listed here in our reviews. Just be sure to check out the details and specs to be sure you get the cutting capacity and other functionality that you specifically need.

Can You Cut Metal on a Band Saw?

The proper answer here is it depends. It really depends on your band saw. There are plenty of options that are suitable for both wood and metal. There are also options that are designed for just wood or perhaps just metal as well. The majority of band saws allow you to cut either wood or metal but it’s important to pay attention to the details to be sure if you need to be able to do both.

Do Band Saws Have Safety Features?

The safety features of a band saw can most certainly vary. They are relatively safe but there are some things you may want to look for as well. We recommend looking for blade guides or guards just for an added measure.

However, one of the most important safety features that you will want is a safety mode on the power switch. This ensures that you don’t accidentally turn it on when you don’t want to. This is a common feature that nearly all band saws possess.

Conclusion

When you’re just getting started or you have a tight budget, it can be challenging to determine just where to find good options. Thankfully, there are plenty of band saw options out there that won’t break the bank. We hope that you will find something here to meet your needs.

Which band saw do you have on your wish list?

Expert Tip

Always check the squaring of a band saw when you receive it. No matter how fancy or expensive your band saw is, it most likely will need some basic adjustments to be wholly accurate.

Did You Know?

Did you know that if your band saw doesn’t come with the accessories you really want, you can typically purchase an after market accessory that you can add on or use when you really need it most!

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