When you’re just getting started or perhaps dabbling in the arts of woodworking, it can be incredibly overwhelming to pick out your equipment. A beginner may have a more limited budget or may not really know what to look for in certain tools because they have limited experience overall.
When it comes to choosing the best beginner table saws, there are a lot of things to consider. Your budget, as well as your needs, are probably going to make a significant impact on your choices here. A beginner may just be looking for something for a hobby or they may be looking for something to handle business needs.
In this guide, we will share with you the best beginner table saws to choose from. We’ve also got a buyer’s guide and some things to look for or know about before you pick out a table saw. These parts of the guide are just meant to give you some insight in order to make a fully informed decision before you purchase a table saw.
Table of Contents
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Table Saws
Before we start looking at all of the table saws, there are some things you need to know. As a beginner, it’s important to be familiar with the facts and know your needs beforehand. We will also talk about the specific qualities that you might want to look for to make a choice but this particular piece is geared towards choosing what you need for a table saw first.
Type of Table Saw
Probably the first thing that you need to narrow down in looking for beginner table saws is the type of table saw that you need. Will you be starting small and keeping it simple or do you plan to start with something larger right away?
When it comes to table saws, there are a few different kinds to choose from. Most beginners stick to a smaller model like a portable or a benchtop table saw but this doesn’t mean that every beginner has to choose that way. You will notice the majority of the models we share fall into these categories but it’s still important to know your options.
Here are the main types of table saws
- Portable table saw
- Contractor table saw
- Benchtop table saw
- Cabinet table saw
- Hybrid table saw
The benchtop table saw is your basic table saw. It sets up on a work bench or a stand of some sort and you can move it around or leave it permanently in that location – whatever works for you. This is your basic table saw that most people are familiar with and they come in a lot of different size and power options.
The portable table saw and contractor table saw are very similar but the contractor model is built a bit more powerful and heavier. They are both portable and both types are attached to some sort of wheeled stand or a foldable stand so that you can take it on the go to a job site if you want. Some portable table saws do not actually have a stand so this may be a difference you run into as well.
The cabinet table saw is the most powerful – it’s the king of table saws pretty much. These have a lot of power and a lot of space and they take up a lot of room. These are going to be used for heavy work and work that requires more power. They are popular with cabinet makers but useful for other things as well.
Finally, the hybrid table saw is a cross between a portable benchtop and a cabinet saw. These have all the power without taking up as much space or being quite as heavy as your cabinet saw. The in-between makes it a table saw that is slightly more versatile and mobile for you.
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The Use
As a beginner, you need to have at least some idea of how you will be using your table saw at first. While your uses may change or adapt over time, you want to be sure that you purchase something that will be suitable for your immediate use.
For example, are you a DIYer that just wants something for the garage? Maybe you work with a construction company and you need something to drag along to job sites. Maybe you have big plans and you want all of the power right now! Really it’s totally up to you but just be sure you’re choosing a saw that is going to work for your needs.
It would be tragic to spend money on a saw and then it not work for what you plan to use it for. Take the time to sit and think about the tasks you may be performing the most and then go from there. Watch the specs and the features to determine how a saw may fulfill those needs.
Safety
We really want to touch on the safety issue while we’ve got your attention. As a beginner, safety should be a primary concern. The fact that you are a beginner means you are still learning. The more safety in place, the better – as long as it doesn’t hinder your ability to do the things you need.
There are a lot of accidents in work shops and on job sites that related directly back to using power tools like a table saw so functional safety should never be overlooked. We want you to feel safe and rest assured that your saw is going to be safe.
On this same topic, it’s important that you learn safe handling practices so don’t just rely on your saw for safety. You need to prepare yourself to work and act safely with the saw and know what safety features the saw you choose offers to be prepared as well.
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How to Choose Beginner Table Saws
Now – we’ve shared some basic knowledge but let’s talk about what to look for in a table saw. This part of our guide is designed to point your thoughts towards specific aspects of a saw and how these features can be good as well as what you might want to specifically look for as well.
A table saw for beginners will not necessarily have the best of every little detail but it will be a reliable saw that works for your needs.
Check out these tips for choosing table saws for beginners.
The Power
The power will forever be one of the top things to look for with any type of saw. You need to know that your saw is going to have enough power to do the task. For most of the saws you see here, they will have a motor that is around 15 amps. It might be slightly less or it might be more but this is a good shooting point.
We do recommend that you not go under 10 amps if you really want enough power to be able to do much. The only exception to this would be a miniature saw but even some of the most compact models will be 12-15 amps so don’t sell yourself short.
Another aspect of the power is the RPMs that you will get when you’re using the saw. This could range significantly and what you will find is that even some of the high-power saws have a lower RPM range. In most cases, you’re going to see RPMs around 4,000 and that’s a good target but again, it may vary. If you find a saw you like that is 3800 RPM, you don’t have to just say mark that one off as an option.
Cutting Capacity
The cutting capacity refers to terms like 25 inch rip capacity but it also refers to the depth capacity. The number you will probably watch the closest is the rip capacity but if you plan to cut angles or perhaps work with a dado blade, you want to also take note of the depth to be sure it’s going to work for you.
There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer on a beginner table saw when it comes to this number. The best beginner table saw is going to be the saw that has a rip capacity large enough for your needs. This range could be as small as 20 inches or as large as 52 inch rip capacity – although you probably won’t see them get quite that high in this guide.
A starter table saw will probably fall somewhere between 24-36 inch rip capacity but this is not a guarantee. Again, this is a detail to be aware of so you can choose appropriately.
As part of the capacity of the power tool, you also want to watch the rip fence details. There are several different kinds, including a square lock rip fence, self aligning rip fence, or rack and pinion telescoping fence rails. They all work a little bit differently but they won’t affect your rip capacity as a whole in most cases – they just have different methods of how they work with your table.
Looking at a saw for beginners, the type of fence really doesn’t matter all that much as long as there is a quality fence and it is accurate. Your first table saw needs to be accurate above all else or at least able to adjust for accuracy.
Safety Features
We talked about the importance of safety before but let’s also take a moment to talk about what the safety on a saw for beginners should look like. An entry level table is probably going to have just as much safety, if not more, than other table saws but doesn’t overlook this concept as these can be a dangerous power tool.
No matter what your woodworking projects are going to look for, you may want to consider some specific aspects.
- Blade guards
- Dust collection
- Anti kickback pawls
- Riving knife
- Auto stop functions
The auto stop functionality will be the hardest to find but most of the other things will be a given. Not every saw for beginners is going to have anti kickback pawls but if you see this, then it’s a good safety aspect to have!
Warranty
As a beginner, you will definitely want to look for a warranty. Even the most skilled workers value a good warranty and it’s something to not overlook. You don’t want to make an investment only to have the saw fail you in your time of need from some defect or issue.
Even the best of saws can sometimes have manufacturer defects. This is where a warranty comes into play. Warranties are not for protection against your misuse or your careless mistakes but warranties come in handy should something on the table saw not deliver or not work like it was intended to do.
Or perhaps something falls apart or fails. It does happen and a warranty is meant to help when situations like this arise.
Look for a warranty and know what the warranty does or does not cover. Some warranties are very short, some are very limited, and others require registration with a drop of blood. Don’t be fooled by a “5-year warranty” that really doesn’t cover anything in the end.
These details sometimes take a little bit of digging but they are always there to uncover.
Dust Collection Port
You will quickly find that a table saw with no dust collection is messy work. The good news is that even browsing table saws for beginners, you will find that the majority of saws have at least something by way of dust collection.
This power tool will produce dust and debris and sometimes it could become a visibility issue even. Your beginner table saw needs to have something by way of a dust port or a bag that collects dust or even a simple blower that blows dust away from the work area.
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The Best Table Saws for Beginners
Now we’re getting to the good stuff! This part of our guide is where you will find the best beginner table saws on the market, complete with detailed reviews, specs, and even some pros and cons.
You might decide on a portable table or perhaps something with a folding stand. You might even choose a cast iron table with a steel roll cage or a simple compact table saw. The key is your best beginner table saw is going to meet your needs.
1. Best Overall: DeWalt 10-Inch Table Saw DWE7491RS
Specs:
| Motor: | 15 amps |
| Capacity: | 32.5 maximum rip |
| Saw Type: | Portable |
| Fence: | Rack & Pinion |
| Weight: | 90 pounds |
If you really want an affordable table saw that stands out against other beginner table saws, this is it for you. This is the best overall option. It’s a classic pick that you really can’t go wrong with. The DeWalt table is a favorite jobsite table but it can easily be used and appreciated by a beginner woodworker.
Since it has a rolling stand, a smart guard system, and all the power, we think you will find this DeWalt table to be the best starter table out there when you see it against most table saws. But why, right? The nice thing about this saw is that it is powerful but it’s also pretty easy to use. It’s also perfectly portable and your saw blade will be protected as the best beginner table saw should be.
The DeWalt 10-inch table saw is made of heavy duty steel and it comes on a saw stand. The portable table saw pops up to a solid stand with the wheels mounted to the side. This gives you stability but also makes transport easier if you’re using it as a jobsite table.
For beginners, this comes with all the tools you need, including a smart guard system for your safety, bevel cutting ability, EZ View measurement system, soft start circuitry, and a rack and pinion fence system. It’s got it all but it won’t be overwhelming for a beginner either.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Power: 10
- Versatility: 10
- Cut Capacity: 10
- Durability: 10
- Soft start function saves your motor
- Fence adjustments are a breeze 32.5 inch ripping capacity
- Folding legs for the best jobsite table option
- Get accurate measurements with the measurement system
- The dust port needs a collection bag, which is not provided
Why We Like It: You will find this particular DeWalt table saw at the top of most lists and with its simplicity, it makes sense for it to land here as an entry level table as well. You can easily change table saw blades and the table as a whole is very versatile and easy to use. It’s also got the important safety features loaded up for you too.
2. Budget Pick: DeWalt Compact Jobsite Table DWE7485
Specs:
| Motor: | 15 amps |
| Capacity: | 24.5 maximum rip |
| Saw Type: | Compact Jobsite |
| Fence: | Rack & Pinion |
| Weight: | 54 pounds |
This is another DeWalt table saw but it’s a good budget-friendly saw that is also great for beginners! This small saw packs a lot of power because it is built to be used for the jobsite. It has that steel roll cage and a compact design with an 8 1/4 inch measurement. Even with the small size, you get a pretty decent rip capacity.
As you would expect this saw also has all of the safety. With a riving knife, blade guard, and dust collection port you will be ready to go. The dust collection can actually be attached to a shop vac too, which is really convenient. In terms of best table saws, this one is powerful and versatile.
The surface gives you 24.5 inch rip capacity thanks to that rack and pinion telescoping fence and you can count on this table saw for accuracy as well. The 15 amp motor will provide you with up to 5800 RPM, which is pretty substantial and gives you the ability to handle a lot of different materials and uses.
We also want to point out that you get a built-in miter gauge on the table saw. You just need to grab your carbide tooth blade and you’re ready to go. It’s a bit smaller than your traditional 10 inch table saw but as a table saw for beginners, it most likely will be sufficient for most of your work.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Power: 10
- Versatility: 10
- Cut Capacity: 9
- Durability: 10
- Tough metal roll cage
- Compact size frame
- Versatile table saw for beginners, able to handle dado cuts
- Includes bevel, miter gauge, and fence rails
- Safety features include blade guard and riving knife
- The top coating on the table saw does seem to scratch up easily
Why We Like It: The DeWalt Compact Jobsite Table saw is simple and yet functional. Whether you need something small and sturdy for a work site or you just want something small and sturdy for home, it delivers on quality and reliability.
3. Best Value: Bosch Worksite 10 Inch Table Saw 4100XC-10
Specs:
| Motor: | 15 amps |
| Capacity: | 30 maximum rip |
| Saw Type: | Portable |
| Fence: | Self aligning |
| Weight: | 94 pounds |
The Bosch makes a close runner up to both of the DeWalt table saw models we’ve shared with you here for the best table saw. It sports a folding stand, which is actually a gravity rise wheeled stand so you get all of the portability without losing the simplicity and motor power in the process.
This table saw has a 30 inch ripping capacity, paired with a self aligning fence. This helps you easily get squared up and aligned every single time. The square lock rip fence is simple to adjust, making it perfect for beginners.
The miter gauge is a simple tool added on the side of the table. This leaves more of that cast aluminum table open for you to work with space wise and enhances the rip capacity in the process. With a push stick, you could do just about anything you need.
This saw has 15 amps of power on the motor, just like the others. The electric brake offers some additional security on the 10 inch table saw, as do the blade guard and riving knife. You will also find the Bosch table saw has soft start circuitry so it hopefully won’t trip a breaker.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Power: 10
- Versatility: 10
- Cut Capacity: 9
- Durability: 9
- 10 inch table saw that is versatile and portable
- Includes a miter gauge on the side of the tool
- Gravity rise rolling stand makes set up and tear down easy
- Powerful enough to handle a dado stack or tough wood grain
- Rip fence is easy to square up for a beginner
- Raising and lowering the saw on the stand can be challenging at times.
Why We Like It: If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, this is a great value. It’s portable and yet still designed to be heavy-duty. It’s versatile and useful as well. For a beginner, it will be easy to operate and won’t break the bank.
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4. Skilsaw SPT99T-01 Portable Worm Drive Table Saw
Specs:
| Motor: | 15 amps |
| Capacity: | 25 maximum rip |
| Saw Type: | Portable/Compact |
| Fence: | Rack and Pinion fence rails |
| Weight: | 51 pounds |
Next up, we’ve got another compact, portable table saw. This comes from the Skilsaw brand, which is a reliable and valued tool company in the market of power tools. This option is highly rated and will make a great choice for beginners. If you think you want something larger, you can also find a 10 inch table saw from the brand.
We would definitely describe this table saw as small but mighty. It’s got that steel cage and heavy-duty top. It can be moved or transported as needed and it’s only an 8 1/4 inch saw but it has the same power as the 10 inch table saw with 15 amps to play with.
This also has a worm drive motor, which means the activity isn’t hard on the saw and it’s more steady in motion. You’ve got 25 inches of ripping capacity, with that rack and pinion fence design as well. Pair these qualities together for a great beginner table saw with versatility.
This does come with a saw blade but you can also change that easily with any compatible blade. The worm drive motor relies on an electric brake, which is nice. This one doesn’t have a miter gauge but you can use it with one still.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Power: 10
- Versatility: 10
- Cut Capacity: 9
- Durability: 10
- Plenty of power in a small machine
- Unique worm drive motor design
- Versatile and easy to use
- Adjustable fence rails thanks to rack/pinion
- 25 inch rip capacity
- A lot of people have had issues with the locking parts breaking or not working well
Why We Like It: We really appreciate the unique design here and the ability to buy a compact table saw that will take care of basic duties. It’s a great place to start for beginners without being overwhelmed or disappointed in the end.
5. Go Plus 10 Inch Table Saw
Specs:
| Motor: | 15 amps |
| Capacity: | 26 maximum rip |
| Saw Type: | Portable on stand |
| Fence: | Self aligning rip fence |
| Weight: | 46 pounds |
Finally, we leave you with a brand that probably won’t stand out to you but that doesn’t make this a bad option. In fact, for the price and the capability, it’s really a great choice for beginners! It’s even highly-rated in the market.
With Go Plus, you’ve got that self aligning fence that makes squaring up easy. While this is a 10 inch table saw, your rip capacity is slightly more limited to 26 inches, which is more similar to the rip capacity of a portable or compact design. However, it’s still a decent number to work with.
This best table saw has power as well as versatility. You can use a push stick but it will not come with one. A lot of people appreciate the simplicity of this machine. It does everything it should and it’s easy to work with.
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest)
- Power: 10
- Versatility: 9
- Cut Capacity: 8
- Durability: 9
- Best table saw is easy for beginners to use
- Comes on a stand that is foldable
- Plenty of power for most tasks
- The fence self aligns
- The rip capacity is a bit limited for the 10 inch table saw size
Why We Like It: We like this saw because it’s affordable and it’s really dependable and easy to use at the same time. A beginner won’t be disappointed when they give this reliable and versatile saw a try.
Conclusion
We hope that you find this guide to the best table saw for beginners to be a valuable resource. We made every effort to provide a variety of options for you to consider, all of which will be a great choice for someone just starting out!
Most of these options have enough power to do a lot of things but they also are not overly complicated or expensive, both of which make them a great choice.
Which best table saw for beginners will you choose?
Expert Tip
Look for a saw that has plenty of power. We like to see close to 15 amps in this category. You will notice all of the saws we’ve shared here are 15 amps, which is great for this size.
Did You Know?
A table saw doesn’t have to have a stand to be portable. These compact designs are made to be sturdy enough for hard work but light enough to carry to a job site if you need to!
Amazon Recommends:
- Your purchase includes one Dewalt table saw, 10inch 24-tooth carbide blade, rolling stand, push stick, miter gauge, rip fence, 2x blade wrenches, blade guard assembly manual
- Other Specs: Max rip to left of blade – 22inch | Max rip to right of blade – 32-1/2inch | Max width of Dado – 13/16inch | Arbor size – 5/8inch | Amps – 15 | Depth of cut at 45inch – 2-1/4inch | Depth of cut at 90° – 3-1/8inch | No Load Speed: 4800 RPM
- Rolling stand designed for easy set up and breakdown with excellent stability
- Rack & Pinion Telescoping Fence System Make fence adjustments fast, smooth and accurate
- Features a 15.0A high torque motor with the power to cut pressure treated lumber and hardwoods
- RACK AND PINION FENCE RAILS - Ensures fence stays parallel to blade for fast smooth, and accurate cuts
- INTEGRATED FOLDING STAND - Legs quickly fold in to provide portability and convenient storage
- PARALLEL BLADE ALIGNMENT - Available micro-adjustment of blade so that it is parallel to rip fence and miter slot
- 4x4 CUTTING CAPACITY - Cuts material up to 4x4 at 90 degrees
- 2-47° BEVEL CAPACITY - Cuts between 2 positive stops at 0 and 45 degrees with quick release lever
- COMPACT BUILD - Conserve storage space and simplify transporting this tool with a compact design
- ACCURATE ADJUSTMENTS - Make fast, smooth fence adjustments with rack and pinion telescoping rails
- PROFESSIONAL RIP CAPACITY - Take on large jobs with 24.5 in. of rip capacity for ripping 4X8 plywood or OSB sheets
- SITE-PRO MODULAR GUARDING SYSTEM allows for tool-free adjustments of the guarding
- POWER-LOSS RESET prevents accidental restarts following a power disruption when the tool is left in the on position