This versatile tool can handle everything from delicate wood to metal pipes.
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The band saw, named so for its band-shaped blade that moves in a continuous circle, is one of the most versatile power tools in a woodworking shop. Fit it with a narrow blade, and it creates intricate curved shapes. Add a fine tooth blade, and it cuts through copper, aluminum, brass, and other metals. Set up its fence, and it makes precise rip cuts without the risk of kickback that comes with a table saw. Since band saws cut through material up to a foot thick, they even function as mini saw mills, breaking down logs into lumber.
Band saws come in a variety of types. There are stationary models for serious woodworkers, while the more affordable benchtop band saws serve casual DIYers perfectly. You might even consider a portable handheld saw, which cuts through materials that don’t fit on a benchtop or stationary band saw, such as lengths of pipe, electrical conduit, and wood posts.
We’ve researched all kinds of models to produce our list of the best band saws. Ahead, read about our top picks, and find out more about what factors to consider when shopping for one of these woodshop staples.
This type of band saw sits on a metal frame. Because it’s a large machine that typically weighs well over one hundred pounds, it’s very difficult to move once set up, and it’s the most expensive type of band saw. It’s able to cut wider and thicker stock than other types of band saws, and its heavy weight and sturdy base increases stability, so it produces more exact cuts than benchtop models. Many also allow you to change the speed of the blade to suit the material being cut.
This type of band saw looks very similar to a stationary model, but it’s smaller and more affordable. Per its name, it requires a benchtop or other sturdy, flat surface for support. Benchtop band saws have smaller work surfaces and less cutting capacity than stationary models, but they’re also far lighter, typically weighing around 50 pounds, and therefore fairly easy to store when not in use.
Unlike stationary and benchtop band saws, portable models are handheld power tools. This design makes them suitable for cutting through materials you can’t place on a benchtop or stationary table saw, such as rebar, PVC and metal pipe, studs, and even screws and bolts.
Blade speed largely determines a band saw’s cutting power. It’s measured in feet per minute (FPM) for stationary and benchtop band saws and surface feet per minute (SFPM) for portable band saws. The faster the blade speed, the more quickly and smoothly the blade cuts through materials. The average blade speed for benchtop and stationary band saws sits between 2,500 to 3,000 FPM, while portable band saws range between 350 and 500 SFPM.
A band saw’s secret weapon is its versatility because you can fit them with whatever blade is best suited for the material you’re cutting. A 1/8-inch blade makes intricate curves and cuts through metal, while a wider 1/2-inch blade is ideal for making rip cuts through thicker materials. Most benchtop band saw blades range in width from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch, while some stationary band saw blades measure up to one inch wide.
A band saw’s throat, which is the distance between the blade and the frame, determines its cutting capacity, or the maximum width a band saw cuts. Most benchtop band saws have a max cutting width of about nine inches, while some stationary band saws cut material up to 13 inches wide. A band saw’s height determines the maximum thickness of material that a band saw cuts. While benchtop models typically top out around 3.5 inches, some stationary band saws cut material up to 13 inches thick. Portable band saws cut posts, pipe, and other materials that are up to five by five inches.
Most stationary and benchtop band saws come with accessories that will help you make the most precise cuts, including tiltable tables for making bevel cuts, miter gauges for making angled cuts, and fences for making rip cuts.
Other features to look for on band saws include dust collection ports, which limits the mess created by sawdust while cutting. Some band saws also come equipped with features that show your cutline more clearly. These include LED work lights, laser cut lines, and blowers that keep sawdust out of your line of sight.
Since band saws range dramatically in price, we tried to include some models to meet the needs of both casual DIYers and serious woodworkers. As such, our list includes affordably priced benchtop models and high-end stationary band saws, along with a couple portable models designed for use on the go.
Since we haven’t hands-on tested the band saws in this guide, we used our own experience with these machines, coupled with extensive research to make our selections. We compared specs and poured through user reviews to help inform each of our picks. We also stuck with brands that are trusted names in power tools, including Milwaukee, Grizzly, DeWalt, JET, and Woodskil.
We like the power output and blade speed offered by this benchtop band saw from Woodskil, a tool brand that specializes in woodworking. Its three-amp motor is a little larger than what you’ll typically find on benchtop band saws, especially at this lower price point.
With that extra power, it reaches blade speeds of 2,500 FPM. Fit it with a 1/8-inch blade for cutting tight curves or a wider, 3/8-inch blade for making rip cuts. With its cutting width of nine inches and max cutting depth of 3.5 inches, it handles most cuts you'd expect from a band saw.
Its cast iron table provides a steady base and tilts up to 45 degrees, and it comes with a 120-degree miter gauge and sturdy aluminum fence. It’s a high-quality band saw at a very reasonable price.
Grizzly is known for making woodworking tools you’d find in professional shops, which is why this stationary model is such a great value. It has a large, 15-amp, two-speed motor that reaches blazing blade speeds up to 2,620 FPM. It also uses blades up to 1/2-inch thick and cuts stock up to 6.1 inches thick.
Other highlights include ball-bearing blade guides that keep the blade stable, along with a high-quality belt so it maintains uniform speed. The Grizzly sits on a sturdy steel stand and comes equipped with a miter gauge. It’s a serious woodworker’s band saw that carries a surprisingly affordable price.
WEN’s band saw is compact and relatively inexpensive—a great combination for casual woodworkers. Despite its smaller, 2.5-amp motor, it still reaches blade speeds of 2,500 FPM and will cut with blades up to 3/8-inch thick. Its smaller table and lighter, 40-pound weight make it easier to store when not in use.
It also features a table that bevels up to 45 degrees, a miter gauge, and an adjustable fence. Similar to other benchtop band saws, the WEN cuts through material up to 3.5 inches thick and nine inches wide. It’s a quality band saw for the weekend woodworking warrior.
DeWalt’s portable band saw makes precise cuts on items you can’t fit onto a benchtop or stationary band saw, such as plastic or metal pipe or a wood post. We like its impressive cutting capacity, which allows you to use it on stock up to five inches deep. This model features a rubber bumper that wraps around the wends to protect it from accidental bumps and drops.
Large, adjustable handles give you something substantial to hold onto regardless of what angle you need to work from. The DeWalt band saw also comes equipped with a variable speed dial for you to adjust the blade speed from 100 to 350 SFPM to suit whatever material you're cutting. Just keep in mind that it's fairly heavy, weighing roughly 15 pounds.
Grizzly’s benchtop band saw offers build quality and features that are ideal for cutting with peak precision. A laser projects a clear, easy-to-see cutline on stock, and an adjustable blower tube keeps sawdust out of your line of sight as you work. Its blade tensioning system prevents the blade from vibrating, so your cuts are even more precise.
At about 50 pounds, the Grizzly 2.8-Amp band saw moves in and out of storage without too much difficulty. It’s a pricier benchtop band saw, but it’s worth the extra investment for features that maximize its ease of use when compared to less expensive, less reliable band saws.
This Milwaukee band saw frees you from the constraints of a cord, so if the posts, pipes, and other materials you need to cut through aren’t in close proximity to an electrical outlet, this band saw is your best friend. Its brushless motor gives it exceptional blade speed up to 540 SFPM.
We’ve come to expect exceptional build quality from Milwaukee’s tools, and this band saw is no exception. Its controls improve performance by keeping the blade running at a constant speed during cuts, protecting the motor from overheating. It’s also built using a proprietary material that resists crushing. The only potential drawback is its 15-pound weight.
JET is known for making professional grade woodworking tools that are priced for the pro workshop. This one is an exception. With the JET 10-inch stationary band saw, you get a top-of-the-line tool at a DIY-er’s price. It features a 1/2-horsepower motor, reaches blade speeds up to 2,750 SFPM, and cuts material up to 4-1/8-inch thick and 9-1/2 inches wide.
Since it takes blades up to 1/2-inch wide, it’s ideal for making rip cuts through denser materials or turning rough logs into lumber. The JET 10-inch band saw creates a stable base with its welded frame design, and it sports a cast iron table with an extension wing for supporting larger materials. But at 80 pounds, this band saw isn't as easy to move around as some of the other models we cover.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
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