Owning a good table is not simply about the table saw. You also need the right accessories, attachments, and most definitely the best saw blades as well. What saw blades you need may depend on what you are doing with the blades but there are a lot of combination blades that can handle a variety of tasks as well.
In this guide, we will share with you the best table saw blades on the market. We’re going to cover just what you should look for in a blade, walk through a buying guide, and then share detailed reviews of our picks for the best saw blades on the market.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Buyer’s Guide
Before you pick out the best table saw blade, you really need to have a handle on what you should be looking for. In this buyer’s guide, we’re not necessarily telling you what to look for in saw blades but rather sharing some thoughtful insights to be aware of before you buy.
Shortly, we will also tell you what to look for before buying table saw blades and share what we looked for as we perused the options on the market.
In the end, you should have all of the information that you need to make a fully informed decision for table saw blades.
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Cross Cuts, Rip Cuts, and Everything in Between
One of the things you’re going to need to consider is the type of cutting you’re going to be doing. If you need ripping blades, then be sure to check for that. On the same note, you might also just need a combination blade or perhaps even a thin kerf blade.
The answer is that it depends on your needs and projects.
Let’s talk first about each of these cuts to be sure we understand.
You know the wood grains inside of the wood? It’s the natural direction in which the wood fibers flow. You can cut against these fibers or with these fibers and these are different types of cuts, which may need different types of saw blade details.
So a ripping blade would be used to make rip cuts. Rip cuts are cuts that are made working with the grain, or in the same direction of the grain. In this process, the saw blade is pretty much just separating those wood fibers and it tends to be an easier cut to make overall.
Rip cuts are meant to be fast and efficient and they are not hard on the wood either. You can usually work with fewer teeth because speed is probably your priority and the blade is going to rip smoothly through the wood.
Then you have cross cuts. Cross cuts mean you are cutting across those fibers, or across the grain. Some might say it is against the grain as well but if you remember across, then you might remember that it is called a cross cut or that you need a crosscut blade to do so.
Crosscuts are much harder on tables saws and the saw blade. Most experts would recommend thin kerf blades because the blade will be more gentle on the wood and hopefully not tear it up while you are cutting. These blades designed with more teeth will slice more smoothly across the grain than rip blades will.
From there, you might also find combination blades or general purpose blades. Both of these are designed to handle a little bit of everything. They can handle limited ranges of all other blade cuts but they may not be able to handle everything from each category as other blades are specially designed for things.
They can be a good blade but keep in mind a smoother cut may happen with a specific blade for your purpose. Again, it really depends on what you are doing.
ATB Vs. FT Teeth
When it comes to describing teeth, you will see a lot of acronyms. The two most common tooth shapes are ATB and FT.
FT blades are known as flat top blades. Flat blades are known for being powerful but they also can tear up the wood. They have a flat tooth top or flat teeth and this is what you are most likely to find on ripping blades. This type of blade teeth are best for ripping lumber and working with the wood grain rather than against it.
ATB teeth stands for alternate top bevel. This label is all about the angle of the teeth. Where an FT has flat teeth, the flat top grind is changed into a hook angle for each tooth with this design. ATB teeth can slope anywhere from 10-40 degrees by design.
Another interesting thing about alternate top bevel or ATB teeth is that the slope alternates between teeth. The higher the bevel angles, the better cutting or slicing the blade will do. This leads to less blade drag for crosscuts primarily. Cross cut blades will typically have a high bevel angle.
In the end, a flat tooth is meant for speed but it may not produce a very clean cut. It works well on a rip cut blade but may be limited apart from that duty. A tooth ATB is meant for smoother cutting and handles across the grain better.
A general purpose blade is going to fall somewhere in the middle It will more likely have angles but they will not be nearly as beveled as some hook angle blades out there.
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What to Look for in a Quality Blade Table Saw Blade
Now that we’ve shared some key factors, let’s talk for just a moment about specific things to look for here. We’re going to talk in categories that will help you choose the best table saw blade but keep in mind that table saw blades may very well differ depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
Blade Type
We briefly described the different blade types in our previous section so we don’t need to go into huge detail here. You need to choose table saw blades based on the type of work you are doing and the type of blade that best fits that work.
You might need several blades or you may be able to simply go with a combination blade or general purpose blade instead. If you do plan to do a lot of rip cutting or a lot of cross cutting, we recommend that you go with one of the specialty blades for these purposes.
However, general purpose blades can most likely handle the majority of both types of tasks, it just won’t be perfect or specially designed for each type of task. A general purpose blade might save you blade changes but it won’t always solve everything.
Blade Teeth
The teeth of the blade play an important role in the cutting that you plan to do. There is no right or wrong answer for the tooth count of a blade. But there are certain duties that may work better with a high tooth count and certain duties that can do fine with a lower tooth count number.
Ultimately, if there are fewer teeth on the saw blade, there will be a larger gap in between each tooth as well. When there are more teeth, it fills in the gaps. We will also discuss the kerf here shortly but focus on just the teeth here.
Ultimately, a blade with a lower tooth count requires each tooth to work harder. These blades are generally going to be for rip cuts. If you see fewer teeth, just know that the purpose is probably ripping with that blade.
In contrast, more teeth mean a smoother process as each tooth has less ground to cover. A high tooth count on one blade is what you will want to see for cross cutting purposes. It will handle the task smoother and easier but it will also be a bit slower to work with.
Thin Kerf Blades or Thick Kerf?
Now, let’s discuss the kerf of the blade. The kerf is really all about the thickness of the cut. What you will find is that most of the top saw blade choices for table saws are probably going to fall into the category of full kerf blades but this may not always be the case as there are other blades that are very good still.
A full kerf removes approximately 1/8 of an inch of material when cutting. These thicker blades can sometimes be hard for some table saws to really handle so a full kerf blade may not always be the best solution.
Thinner blades or thin kerf may be easier on some table saws and it will bit out less material when the saw is operating.
The point is the blade teeth configuration is important to pay attention to as you choose a quality blade for your table saw.
Blade Material
The final thing we want to touch on here is the material of the blade. The best table saw blades can come from a lot of different materials. You will find that there are a lot of different materials.
You might find a melamine blade that you really love or perhaps you will pick up a blade with carbide teeth. There are a lot of different materials. Some work better for certain handling but you mostly just want to be sure your material won’t lead to blade warp or some other issue along the way.
Most combination blades will have a blade coating where a premium blade might be fully made with a high end material. Of course, you may also end up with multiple blades that have different blade body materials as well.
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The Best Table Saw Blade Options Reviewed
Now, you know what to look for and the details that we looked for as we narrowed down the best table saw blades. Let’s take a look not at these table saw blade options, complete with detailed reviews so you can make a decision based on every last important detail.
1. Best Overall: Freud 10-Inch Thin Kerf Blade Combination Blade
Specs:
| Teeth: | 50 |
| Blade Type: | Thin Kerf |
| Blade Size: | 10 inch |
| Hook Angle: | 10 degrees |
This first blade is a thin kerf blade that also is a combination blade and it’s our best overall table saw blade pick. You can use these saw blades as a ripping blade or for crosscut blades and you won’t be disappointed. Freud 10-Inch Thin Kerf Blade Combination Blade is a 10-inch blade so it fits most table saws. The blade kerf allows you to handle a variety of tasks, as do the teeth.
This sports a slightly aggressive hook angle of 10 degrees, which is how it falls into the combination blade category. These tooth ATB blades give you a top quality blade that is highly-rated by woodworkers everywhere.
The material is a blend of premium carbide teeth plus other quality blend materials to give you the best performance. With a thin blade kerf you can move quickly and smoothly with your saw blade, not harming or tearing up your materials regardless of just what or how you cut with this general purpose blade.
This table saw blade from Freud also has a perma-shield coating so you don’t have to worry as much about blade drag or pitch and corrosion either. Finally, the table saw blade includes anti-vibration slots that are laser cut so you won’t have sideways movement or heavy vibration while you work.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 1o being the highest)
- Kerf: 10
- Materials: 9
- Teeth: 10
- Saw blade was designed to reduce vibration and movement
- Quality materials built to last
- Versatile table saw blade
- Thin kerf gives you speed and versatility
- Best overall table saw blades on the market
- May not work well as dado blades as the flat tooth in the blade is not made for flat cuts
Why We Like It:
These table saw blades made our best overall position because it’s a strong, durable, and versatile blade option that really delivers where it counts. The brand has a lot of different blade options to choose from as well so while we picked this combo choice just know you have other selections available.
2. Budget Pick: DeWalt Precision Trim Saw Blades
Specs
| Teeth: | 40 |
| Blade Type: | General Purpose |
| Blade Size: | 10 inch |
| Hook Angle: | 10 degrees |
If you’re looking for cheap saw blades that are not cheaply made, this might be a great option to consider. You can use it on your miter saw on a table saw and the blades are designed to be versatile and heavy-duty for just about anything you could need from it.
DeWalt Precision Trim Saw Blades is a blade with carbide teeth and carbide coating over the entirety of the blade. It can deliver rip cuts with ease but can also handle your crosscut needs along the way too. It’s a 10-inch blade suitable for most table saw models. The 40 teeth all sport a similar hook angle so you can work quickly and efficiently on any task.
These 40 ATB blades will keep your blade running cool on the table saw, even when you’re really putting it to work. It offers improved cut performance from other blades and also reduced vibration or sliding on the blade. It’s laser-cut and extremely accurate in nature.
This blade also has a unique tough coat finish that is meant to help reduce friction, heat, and the possibility of gumming up when you’re just trying to work! The edges are sharp and steady and should help reduce splintering from the wood as well.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 1o being the highest)
- Kerf: 10
- Materials: 9
- Teeth: 9
- Avoids flat topped teeth so you can work smoothly on anything
- The thick teeth help to reduce tear out
- The tough coating reduces friction and heat
- Premium build materials at a lower price
- Designed with accuracy in mind
- Some users experienced a slight wobble, leading to a small amount of tear out in places on some cuts
Why We Like It:
If you just want something affordable and reliable, this is a great choice. It’s so easy to spend too much on the wrong blade and then ends up disappointed. While it isn’t perfect, the tooth ATB and the materials allow you to handle just about any task you may need.
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3. Best Value: Craftsman 10-Inch Miter Saws Blade Combo Pack
Blade 1 Specs
| Teeth: | 60 |
| Blade Type: | Thin Kerf |
| Blade Size: | 10 inch |
| Hook Angle: | 10 degrees |
Blade 2 Specs
| Teeth: | 24 |
| Blade Type: | Ripping blade |
| Blade Size: | 10 inch |
| Hook Angle: | 10 degrees |
Next up, you really can’t go wrong with a quality brand that has been in the market for a number of years, especially when you get a pack of two blades at a fairly minimal cost compared to some of the other premium blades you will find out there for your table saw.
Craftsman 10-Inch Miter Saws Blade Combo Pack is no dado blade set but rather just a simple combo that gives you one full kerf blade and one thicker kerf option. Your table saw will be ready for any challenge you might throw at it. Use the thick blade for ripping jobs and the other for a crosscut blade.
There is some versatility as well here so you can use these for dado blades and other functions, like miter cuts as well. They are made to be strong and durable with induction brazed carbide on the tips of each and every tooth of the blade.
Each table saw blade in this pack is made to be corrosion resistant with a coating that helps to prevent rust. The precision ground teeth lead the way to a smooth and accurate cutting experience. Finally, Craftsman also heat-treated these plates so you won’t have to worry about warping, which is a major bonus for affordable plates.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 1o being the highest)
- Kerf: 9
- Materials: 9
- Teeth: 9
- Two blades to cover any need
- Affordable blades that are well-made
- Designed for smooth and accurate work
- Heat-treated to eliminate warping issues
- Built to be durable with carbide tips
- The packaging is challenging to open and slightly dangerous as well
Why We Like It:
These table saw blade options offer you simplicity and value. They are an affordable choice to take care of a need and they do it well. They will work with any 10-inch table saw and you get two blades in a single, affordable package.
4. Bosch DCB1080 Daredevil Table Saw Blade
Specs
| Teeth: | 80 |
| Blade Type: | General Purpose |
| Blade Size: | 10 inch |
| Hook Angle: | 10 degrees |
Why not switch up to a premium blade with this melamine blade from Bosch. Bosch DCB1080 Daredevil Table Saw Blade is very nice by design and it’s for that extra-fine tooth model as well. This blade not only cuts great but it looks great too. It’s a pretty blue color that isn’t distracting or hard to look at and it’s still perfectly manly like power tool items should be.
The body of the blade is extreme carbide with a layer of melamine to finish it off for the ultimate tough exterior. This blade was designed for general purposes so it works well for just about anything you need. It has a 10-degree bevel and 80 teeth, which makes it ideal for crosscut blades or a rip cut. The thin kerf gives you versatility and accuracy for just about any task.
You won’t have to worry about tearing out, thanks to that thin kerf. The finish helps reduce friction so that you can work quickly and not have to worry about burning, melting, or excess heat while you work. This blade is also built to be tough with C3/C4 coatings that really help protect it against impacts from your materials.
These table saw blades are designed for extreme performance. They can handle challenging materials and duties. The extra hard steel body of the blade will give you accuracy and strength. Do you really need much more than that when it comes down to it?
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 1o being the highest)
- Kerf: 10
- Materials: 10
- Teeth: 10
- Designed for extreme performance
- Versatile and accurate for all uses
- The thin kerf allows these to be great for crosscut blades
- Made for general purpose use
- Made with carbide and melamine
- Some users had issues with the blade dulling more quickly than expected
Why We Like it
It’s nice to have a premium option at your fingertips that can handle a lot of different tasks. This blade has a thin kerf but is also designed to be general purpose so it is versatile and efficient for many different tasks out there. It’s a premium blade for premium work.
5. Diablo Combination Blades D1260X
Specs
| Teeth: | 60 |
| Blade Type: | Combination |
| Blade Size: | 12 inch |
| Hook Angle: | 10 degrees |
Finally, we have a blade from Diablo. These blades are always a hot option on the market and are considered to be desirable in the field. They tend to be premium blades that come at a premium price tag but this combination blade really isn’t so bad when you compare it to other blades of similar quality.
Interestingly enough, Diablo is a branch of Freud and they use the same high density carbide overlay that Freud uses on their other blades. Your blade is meant to last up to 4 times longer and the performance is incredible.
The Diablo Combination Blades D1260X cuts smoothly with every single use and the edges stay sharper longer. You get 60 teeth with a 12-degree bevel so you have all of the versatility to either make your rip cuts or enjoy making crosscuts instead if you need to.
Much like other quality blades, you will find the Diablo combo blade has a perma-shield that helps to reduce drag and also helps to prevent gumming and corrosion issues that some blades tend to fight. The blade is ultimately smooth and works for just about anything.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 1o being the highest)
- Kerf: 10
- Materials: 10
- Teeth: 10
- Fire engine red color that stands out
- Made with high density carbide to give lasting blade life
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently every single time
- The coating helps reduce friction and gumming issues
- Excellent performance with a premium design
- The blade has a little bit of tear out but you can fix this with more teeth generally
Why We Like It:
if you’re looking for top notch quality and a style that stands out, you really can’t go wrong here. It’s built to be tough and last a long time. It’s a combo blade so you get both strength and versatility from a highly-recommended brand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Blade for a Table Saw?
We recommend any Freud blade if you’re looking for the best overall in our opinion. However, you really can’t go wrong with any quality blade out there. We’ve shared several great options here and they are each unique in their own way.
If you want the best bang for your buck, take a look at the Craftsman combo pack option that gives you two blades to meet a lot of different needs.
Which Saw Blade Makes the Smoothest Cut?
If you’re looking for smooth, you should always go with the thinnest kerf or a full kerf. You also want more teeth. We like the Bosch Daredevil for a smooth and efficient cut but if this isn’t the blade you’re feeling try just checking out the teeth and kerf details to try to find the best option that will meet your needs.
Are Diablo Blades the Best?
Diablo blades are certainly a really great option. They tend to be fairly pricy and you can get a very similar design and quality by using a Freud blade as well. We didn’t list Diablo as the very best but they did make our countdown and it is a quality brand worth consideration.
Conclusion
We hope you find this guide to the best table saw blade to be a valuable resource for finding yourself a quality blade! There are so many options out there but we did our best to narrow them down for you.
What type of projects are you going to be cutting?
Expert Tip
If you want something to handle a variety of tasks, find a blade that has a medium number of teeth and also offers a reasonable kerf at the same time. Avoid flat teeth for versatility purposes as these are best for ripping.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the more teeth there are on a blade, the smoother the finishing of the cut will be?
Amazon Recommends:
- Featuring a 10-inch diameter (254 mm), a 5/8-inch arbor (15.88 mm) and a rating of up to 6000 RPM
- Perfect for slicing through both hard and softwoods of all kinds
- Ultra-thin 1/10-inch kerf (2.4 mm) provides clean and efficient cuts
- Designed with 60 carbide-tipped teeth for fine-finish wood cutting
- Compatible with the majority of 10-inch miter saws, jobsite saws, and table saws
- Featuring a 10-inch diameter (254 mm), a 5/8-inch arbor (15.88 mm) and a rating of up to 6000 RPM
- Perfect for slicing through both hard and softwoods of all kinds
- Ultra-thin 1/10-inch kerf (2.4 mm) provides clean and efficient cuts
- Designed with 40 carbide-tipped teeth for general-purpose wood cutting
- Compatible with the majority of 10-inch miter saws, jobsite saws, and table saws
- UP TO 3X LIFE* - Designed For Improved Finish Quality**
- Patented Body Slot Design for Low Vibration
- Optimized Tooth Geometry Designed For Increased Accuracy
- Ultra Sharp Carbide For Clean Cutting