Best Band Saw Reviews: The Top Tools for the Money

Photo by The U.S. National Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Band saws are one of those essential tools every woodworker needs to have in their arsenal. The best band saws for woodworking allow you to use your materials to their full potential.

Many people see this tool as something only professionals or large shops can use, but benchtop models fit small shops and modest budgets.

This guide reviews five band saws, from benchtop models to a 17-inch floor saw, and ends with a buyer’s guide.

A band saw uses a continuous loop blade that runs in one direction around two or three wheels. That makes it the go-to tool for curves and for resawing thick boards.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top recommendation is the Rikon 10-305 10-inch Bandsaw. This band saw is great for light to moderate tasks. It is durable, easy to use, and its table tilts up to 45 degrees to the right. It is a single-speed band saw and it comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

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The Best Band Saws Are:

Product	Details
1. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence, 10-Inch	1. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence, 10-Inch Top Pick	- Blade Length: 70-1/2 inches - Power: 1/3 HP - Blade Speed: 2,780 FPM - Weight: 68 pounds	Check Current Price
2. SKIL 9” Band Saw	2. SKIL 9” Band Saw	- Blade Length: 59.5 inches - Power: 0.4 HP - Blade Speed: 2,800 FPM - Weight: 30 pounds	Check Current Price
3. WEN 3960 2.8-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw	3. WEN 3960 2.8-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw	- Blade Length: 60 inches - Power: 1/3 HP - Blade Speed: 2,460 FPM - Weight: 39.7 pounds	Check Current Price
4. Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV - 17” 2 HP Band Saw	4. Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV - 17” 2 HP Band Saw	- Blade Length: 131.5 inches - Power: 2 HP - Blade Speed: 1,700 and 3,500 FPM - Weight: 266 pounds	Check Current Price
5. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit	5. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit	- Blade Length: 105 inches - Power: 1.25 HP - Blade Speed: 1,500 and 3,000 FPM - Weight: about 258 pounds	Check Current Price

1. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence, 10-Inch (Best Bandsaw for the Money)

This 10-inch band saw has a steel frame that is solid for its size. The included rip fence is useful, and it comes off easily for freehand work.

The cast iron table measures 12-1/2 by 13-3/4 inches, and the guide post raises and lowers easily.

If you need a band saw for light to moderate tasks, this is one of the best options. It is compact, and it is one of the better budget band saws on the market. Rikon backs it with a 5-year limited warranty for home use.

The Rikon 10-305 has a 1/3 horsepower motor. That is modest, so feed hardwood slowly. Rikon's manual lists a 70-1/2-inch blade, widths from 1/8 to 1/2 inch, a 9-5/8-inch throat, and a 4-5/8-inch maximum cutting height.

The table tilts 45 degrees to the right only. The blade runs at a single speed of 2,780 FPM. The tracking adjustment is easy to use, and the saw weighs 68 pounds.

Specs

• Blade Length: 70-1/2 inches
• Power: 1/3 HP
• Blade Speed: 2,780 FPM
• Weight: 68 pounds

Pros

• Highly durable
• Easy to use
• A limited 5-year warranty
• Inexpensive

Cons

• It does not come with a stand
• Single-speed only

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2. SKIL 9” Band Saw

This band saw offers a 2.5-amp motor to power a 9-inch band that provides an effective cutting surface. The rip fence that comes with this model gives you reliably accurate cuts.

We appreciated the 1.5-inch dust port that helps to keep your cutting surface clean. Working in combination with a rack-and-pinion table, adjustments are fast and clean when you need to make an angle cut.

It also has an LED work light for low-light conditions. This is a lightweight, small benchtop band saw that covers basic band saw needs.

The angle scale is large and easy to read, and the controls are simple. If you are just learning how to use a band saw, it is a user-friendly and affordable place to start.

The power rating is only 0.4 HP, so it suits DIY projects and crafts rather than thick hardwood or heavy-duty work. The length of this saw’s blade is 59.5 inches.

The minimum blade width is 1/8-inch while the maximum blade width is 3/8-inch. The table tilts up to 45 degrees to the right and the overall weight of the machine is 30 pounds.

Specs

• Blade Length: 59.5 inches
• Power: 0.4 HP
• Blade Speed: 2,800 FPM
• Weight: 30 pounds

Pros

• Lightweight
• LED work light
• Easy to use
• Affordable

Cons

• Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks

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3. WEN 3960 2.8-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw

This budget benchtop saw has a 2.8-amp motor. Use it to create cuts that are up to 9 inches wide or 3-5/8 inches deep.

The worktable is a full 12×12 inch surface, comparable to models that are much more expensive, and you receive a bevel capacity of up to 45 degrees so you can make a precision cut.

It also includes a fence, a miter gauge, and a dust port. If you need more capacity, step up to a 10-inch or 14-inch model.

The saw takes blades from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch wide, and the motor drives the blade at up to 2,460 feet per minute (FPM).

Ball-bearing blade guides support the blade. It comes with a 2-year warranty and weighs less than 40 pounds.

Specs

• Blade Length: 60 inches
• Power: 1/3 HP
• Blade Speed: 2,460 FPM
• Weight: 39.7 pounds

Pros

• Spacious worktable
• Light enough to move
• Fence and miter gauge included
• Low price

Cons

• A single-speed control

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4. Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV – 17” 2 HP Band Saw (Best Woodworking Bandsaw)

The next band saw on our list is the Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV. It is large at 17 inches, which means far more capacity than a benchtop saw.

The 2 HP motor handles resawing wide hardwood. The extruded-aluminum resaw fence helps you make consistently accurate cuts.

There is a blade tension indicator that accompanies the quick-change blade release, making sure that this tool will work for you whenever it is called upon for action. Install this with the best bandsaw blades and you have a powerful machine.

The Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV is one of the best options you have if you are looking for the best band saw for heavy-duty projects. This unit is designed to handle almost anything, thanks to its powerful motor.

It comes with a precision-ground cast-iron table. Grizzly's manual lists a table tilt of 45 degrees right and 5 degrees left, a 12-1/8-inch maximum cutting height, and 16-1/4 inches of capacity left of the blade.

This band saw uses a blade that is 131.5 inches long with a blade width range of 1/8 inch to 1 inch. The 2 HP motor gives you two blade speeds, 1,700 and 3,500 FPM.

The package includes a miter gauge, and the saw has two 4-inch dust ports. It is an industrial-sized machine that weighs 266 pounds, and it costs far more than a benchtop saw.

Specs

• Blade Length: 131.5 inches
• Power: 2 HP
• Blade Speed: 1,700 and 3,500 FPM
• Weight: 266 pounds

Pros

• A micro-adjustable geared table that tilts in both direction
• Height scale measurement on Guide Post
• Dual 4” dust ports
• Ideal for heavy-duty tasks

Cons

• It is expensive
• It is weighty

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5. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit

The JET JWBS-14DXPRO is a 14-inch floor-standing band saw with a two-speed Poly-V belt drive.

It offers a 12-inch resaw capacity to tackle larger working pieces. There is a cast iron upper and lower frame for greater rigidity, which causes less potential drift while working. The blade-tracking window allows you to proceed with an accurate cut time and time again.

It is a heavy-duty machine for a wide range of projects, with a blade guard on the guide post and a generous cutting capacity.

The two blade speeds are 1,500 and 3,000 FPM, so you can slow the blade for tougher material. JET's current 14-inch lineup centers on newer models, so check availability before you buy.

It comes with a sturdy table that measures 15 by 15 inches, providing you with enough working space. The worktable can also tilt 45 degrees to the right and 10 degrees to the left. This unit also features a lower and upper ball bearing guiders.

These guides help to boost the overall performance of the blade while reducing friction. It also boosts the lifespan of the blade. The power rating of this unit is 1.25 HP and it weighs 258 pounds. It uses blades that are 105 inches long with the width ranging from 1/8 inches to 3/4 inches.

Specs

• Blade Length: 105 inches
• Power: 1.25 HP
• Blade Speed: 1,500 and 3,000 FPM
• Weight: about 258 pounds

Pros

• Tough cast-iron frame
• A limited 5-year warranty
• Built-in storage space
• High tension spring designed for more control and power
• Powerful motor

Cons

• It is expensive
• It does not come with a rip fence, so you have to purchase it separately.

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What Are The Advantages Of Owning A Band Saw?

When you own one of the best band saws for woodworking, you will be bringing these specific advantages into your shop.

• You have multiple blade options, from coarse resaw blades to fine-tooth blades for smooth curves, so one tool handles many different cuts.
• You can cut thicker boards with a band saw. Many of the best models can accommodate working pieces that are 12 inches in depth.
• You gain the ability to create cleaner cuts on a curve. This allows you to create decorative scroll cuts for various woodworking projects with relative ease once you get the skill down.
• Using fences makes it simple work to make repetitive cuts with this tool.
• Band saws tend to have a narrow cut, which means you waste less wood with each cutting pass. Although this reduction is minimal, it does provide an enhanced level of accuracy so that you spend less time perfecting the cut.

Because the blade cuts downward toward the table, a band saw does not throw stock back at you the way a table saw can kick back.

It still needs care: keep the upper guide just above the workpiece, use a push stick for small pieces, and make relief cuts before tight curves so the blade does not bind.

Always unplug the saw before changing or adjusting the blade, and let the blade stop before you clear scraps, as Rikon's manual instructs.

Craftsy offers 6 creative uses for your new band saw that are worth looking at as well. For more detailed and more delicate work, a scroll saw has a smaller thinner blade that can create intricate cuts. A handsaw, on the other hand, would give your work that subtle hand-made feel.

What Will It Cost Me to Buy the Best Band Saws?

Band saws might seem like a luxury for hobbyist woodworkers, but entry-level benchtop models are among the less expensive stationary tools.

On the other end of the scale, professional high-capacity floor saws cost many times more. For beginners, we recommend benchtop band saws as the best balance of price and capability.

Types of Band Saws

There are basically two types of band saws:

Benchtop Band Saws

Benchtop band saws are lighter and smaller. They are designed for home use and you can set them up on a workbench.

Some of them come with stands designed for them. They are also less expensive, making them a great option for small projects and DIY jobs.

Floor-Standing Band Saws

The other type of band saws are floor-standing band saws and they are heavier and larger. They are designed for heavy-duty tasks. They come with very powerful motors that can handle a variety of cutting tasks.

Contractors and professional woodworkers often go for these models. They are also the ideal band saws for industrial use. They are more stable, sturdy, and also very expensive. Due to their weight, they are mostly stationary.

Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best Band Saw

Let us take a look at some of the vital things you need to put into consideration when shopping for a band saw:

Your Project

One of the first and most important things you need to consider before a band saw is your plan for the band saw. You need to ask yourself what you want to do with the band saw. Different kinds of tasks require different kinds of blades.

If your projects involve thin stock and softer wood, you do not need the most powerful band saw on the market. A small benchtop saw handles light to moderate tasks.

On the other hand, if you want to use the machine to cut larger pieces or harder woods, then your best option is a more powerful and larger band saw.

The most important thing here is to figure out what you want to use the machine for and then look for a band saw that can handle the job without providing too much capacity.

Power

The type of materials you can use a band saw to cut usually depends on two main components: the motor (power) and the blade. Band saws are electric-powered devices and they come with motors that are rated in terms of Horsepower (HP).

Band saws with power less than 1 HP are considered smaller band saws. These are ideal for DIY and small projects. They are not great for heavy-duty projects and cutting of harder and larger materials.

You can use them for less demanding jobs as well as for some occasional resawing and metal cutting. If you want to use the machine for heavy-duty projects, cutting of large hardwood stock, regular metal cutting, or frequent resawing of wide material, then you should not settle for anything less than 1 HP.

You can even go for more powerful options like the 1.25 HP and 2 HP bands saws on our list. The other options on our list are great for light to moderate cutting projects.

Cutting Capacity

Another vital factor is cutting capacity. A band saw’s cutting capacity has two numbers: the throat (the width you can cut left of the blade) and the maximum cutting height, which sets how wide a board you can resaw.

Safety

A band saw can cause severe injuries if you handle it poorly. Look for a stable base, an adjustable blade guard, a dust port, and a switch you can reach quickly.

For cutting pipe and conduit on a job site, a cordless band saw is a different, handheld tool worth considering.

Bevel Capacity

A tilting table lets you make bevel cuts. All the band saws in this guide have one.

Most of them tilt 45 degrees to the right only, while the Grizzly and JET also tilt a few degrees to the left.

Dust Port

Finally, you need to buy a band saw that comes with a dust port. Connect it to a shop vacuum or dust collector to keep your workspace clean and cut down on fine dust, which is a health hazard.

Check the port size so it matches your hose.

Conclusion

Match the saw to your projects: capacity, power, and table tilt matter more than brand.

Our top pick for the best band saw is the Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw because it is inexpensive, durable, and easy to use. For resawing wide boards, step up to a 14-inch or 17-inch saw.

Sources

• 10-305 10" Woodworking Bandsaw Operator's Manual, RIKON Power Tools
• Model G0513 Series 17" Bandsaws Owner's Manual, Grizzly Industrial