Table Saw vs. Miter Saw: Which Do You Use for Which Task?
Contents
- Our Top Table Saw Picks Are:
- 1. Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Portable Table Saw
- 2. SawStop 3HP Professional Cabinet Saw
- 3. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand
- Our Top Miter Saw Picks Are:
- 1. DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- 2. Makita LS1018 Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw
- A Brief Description of The Best Miter vs Table Saw Models
- Table Saw vs. Miter Saw: The Differences Explained
- What is a Table Saw?
- What is a Miter Saw?
- DEWALT, BOSCH or SAWSTOP – Detailed Brand Comparison
- The Types of Table Saws
- Portable Table Saws
- Stationary Table Saws
- Types of Miter Saws
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
Table saws and miter saws both use a round blade, but they do different jobs. A table saw is best for ripping boards and sheet goods along their length. A miter saw is best for fast, accurate crosscuts and angled cuts on long boards and trim.
Below we explain the differences and share the table saws and miter saws we like.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top table saw pick is the Bosch 4100-09, a portable jobsite saw with a SquareLock rip fence and a gravity-rise wheeled stand.
Our Top Table Saw Picks Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Portable Table Saw | 1. Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Portable Table Saw Top Pick | - Provides superior control over the material - Designed for maximum trueness and consistent cutting performance - On-tool storage for all tools and attachments | Check Current Price |
| 2. SawStop 3HP Professional Cabinet Saw | 2. SawStop 3HP Professional Cabinet Saw | - Unmatched design with keen attention to detail - Implemented SawStop Safety System - 52” T-Glide Fence System for smooth operation - Magnetic contactor motor control | Check Current Price |
| 3. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand | 3. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand | - Heavy-duty steel stand for quick set-up - Self-aligning rip fence for accurate measurements and cuts - EZ view measurement system for accurate settings - Bevel angle range 0° to 47° | Check Current Price |
1. Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Portable Table Saw
The Bosch 4100-09 is a 10-inch, 15-amp jobsite table saw. Its gravity-rise stand with pneumatic wheels lets one person set it up and roll it between job sites.
Specs
- Provides superior control over the material
- Designed for maximum trueness and consistent cutting performance
- On-tool storage for all tools and attachments
What I like about this product
It is solidly built for a portable saw, and the stand is easy to set up.
What I don’t like about this product
There is no filter covering the cooling fan that goes to the motor. If not cleaned properly, it can easily get clogged.
Pros
- Portable, innovative, and collapsible
- Highly efficient (features SquareLock Rip Fence to increase cutting trueness)
- Smart Guard System for the blade guard and riving knife
Cons
- Not as precise as a cabinet saw for fine furniture work
Conclusion
If you are looking for a powerful table saw for outstanding productivity, this 15 amp saw is a great option for you.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
2. SawStop 3HP Professional Cabinet Saw
The SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw is our top cabinet saw pick. Its 3 HP motor handles thick hardwood, and it typically needs a 230-volt circuit.
Specs
- Unmatched design with keen attention to detail
- Implemented SawStop Safety System
- 52” T-Glide Fence System for smooth operation
- Magnetic contactor motor control
What I like about this product
We like its 52-inch T-Glide fence and its blade-contact safety system.
What I don’t like about this product
The motor cover is made out of cheap plastic. The saw works perfectly. However, it lacks the feeling of solid stability.
Pros
- Provides smooth operation
- Provides expansive work surface and precision measurement
- Magnetic contactor motor control
Cons
- The motor housing door is made out of plastic
Conclusion
With 3 HP, a 10-inch blade and a blade-contact safety system, it is a strong choice for a serious shop, though it costs far more than a jobsite saw.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
3. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand
The SKIL 3410-02 is a budget 10-inch table saw with a folding stand, aimed at DIY users.
Specs
- Heavy-duty steel stand for quick set-up
- Self-aligning rip fence for accurate measurements and cuts
- EZ view measurement system for accurate settings
- Bevel angle range 0° to 47°
What I like about this product
It cuts up to about 3-1/2 inches deep, enough for 4x material in one pass. The steel folding stand sets up quickly.
What I don’t like about this product
It is loud, like most universal-motor saws, and settings can drift, so it is less suited to repetitive precision cuts.
Pros
- 15 amp motor
- Durable steel folding stand
- Suitable for carpentry and woodworking projects
- Accurate settings and measurements
Cons
- Loud noise
- Miter slots are too small to fit a standard miter gauge
- The gauge is lightweight and a bit flimsy
Conclusion
The SKIL is a solid choice if you want the basic features of a table saw at a low price.
Overall Rating: 4.0 out of 5
OUR TOP PICK
Our top miter saw pick is the DEWALT DWS780, a 12-inch double-bevel sliding compound miter saw.
Our Top Miter Saw Picks Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw | 1. DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw Top Pick | - Built-in XPS cross-cut positioning system - Powerful 15 amp motor - Exclusive Back Fence design - A super-efficient dust collection system | Check Current Price |
| 2. Makita LS1018 Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw | 2. Makita LS1018 Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw | - Powerful 13 amp motor - Linear ball bearing system for precise cuts - Includes blade, vise, triangular rule - Comes with a dust bag - Comes with extension wings | Check Current Price |
1. DEWALT DWS780 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The DWS780 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw has a 15-amp, 3,800 RPM motor and DEWALT’s XPS cutline system, which casts a shadow of the blade on the work instead of using a laser.
Specs
- Built-in XPS cross-cut positioning system
- Powerful 15 amp motor
- Exclusive Back Fence design
- A super-efficient dust collection system
What I like about this product
Its tall sliding fences support crown molding up to 7-1/2 inches nested, and DEWALT says the dust system captures over 75% of the dust generated.
What I don’t like about this product
The auxiliary fences are out of square, and it is a bit difficult to adjust them. Everything else is adjusted perfectly.
Pros
- Tall sliding fences for crown and base molding
- XPS shadow cutline needs no calibration
- Captures over 75% of the dust generated
Cons
- It doesn’t feature adjustable bearings
Conclusion
The DEWALT DWS780 has a large crosscut capacity for a 12-inch slider. This saw is hands-down, one of the best sliding compound miter saws on the market.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
2. Makita LS1018 Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw
The Makita LS1018 uses a 10-inch blade, smaller than the DEWALT’s 12-inch blade, on a dual slide-rail design. It is lighter than most 12-inch sliders.
Specs
- Powerful 13 amp motor
- Linear ball bearing system for precise cuts
- Includes blade, vise, triangular rule
- Comes with a dust bag
- Comes with extension wings
What I like about this product
One of my favorite features on this miter saw is the ball bearing system that allows you to make accurate cuts every time.
What I don’t like about this product
Some users report the miter angle markings are not exact, so check settings with a square.
Pros
- Compact design
- Requires less maintenance
- Rear handle bevel lock is easily accessible
Cons
- Complicated to use
- Fences often bend
Conclusion
Overall, it is a capable saw, but it has less capacity than the DEWALT. It suits hobbyists and occasional users.
Overall Rating: 4.0 out of 5
A Brief Description of The Best Miter vs Table Saw Models
Here is a quick recap of the five saws above.
Bosch 4100-09 is a portable jobsite table saw with a Smart Guard System and a wheeled gravity-rise stand.
SawStop 3-HP is a cabinet table saw with a blade-contact safety system, built for a dedicated shop.
SKIL 3410-02 is a budget 10-inch table saw with a 15 amp motor and folding stand.
For miter saws, we like the DEWALT DWS780 and Makita LS1018. The DEWALT is a 12-inch double-bevel slider with an XPS shadow cutline.
The Makita is a lighter 10-inch dual slide-rail saw with a direct drive motor.
Table Saw vs. Miter Saw: The Differences Explained
Knowing more about table saws vs. miter saws will help you decide which tool is best for you and your projects. People who plan on performing casual tasks at home may not want to buy every type of saw. However, we all want to know which one will give us the most bang for our buck.
Also, different projects may require either a table saw or a miter saw, and the one you choose can make a difference in how detailed and professional your project turns out.
What is a Table Saw?
Many casual DIYers and professional contractors own a table saw. This extremely versatile tool comes in different designs. It is an essential part of every woodworking shop, and you can use it for an unlimited number of tasks.
A table saw is a flat table with a blade that rises through a slot. The table supports large pieces, and a fence guides them through the blade.
What is a Miter Saw?
A miter saw has a circular blade on a pivoting arm that you pull down into the board. It is built for crosscuts and angles, while a table saw is a more general cutting tool.
All miter saws (at least the ones I reviewed) are designed to make angular cuts and precise cross-cuts. The blade swings left and right for miters, and most also tilt for bevels, with detents at common angles.
When it comes to a miter saw vs. a table saw, the main differences lie in accuracy, function, and portability.
Table saws are general cutting tools. They dominate long rip cuts and sheet goods, and with a miter gauge or sled they can crosscut shorter pieces.
A miter saw cannot rip, but it makes quick, accurate crosscuts and angle cuts on long boards that are awkward to push across a table saw.
DEWALT, BOSCH or SAWSTOP – Detailed Brand Comparison
Now for brands. For table saws, we like Bosch and SawStop.
SawStop saws carry an electrical signal on the blade. When the system senses skin contact, it stops and drops the blade, which greatly reduces the severity of an injury. It does not prevent kickback, so still follow OSHA’s kickback precautions: use the spreader, anti-kickback fingers and a sharp blade.
Bosch’s jobsite saws use the SquareLock rip fence, which locks square to the blade.
For miter saws, we recommend DEWALT and Makita. Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi Power Tools) is also a good option.
Makita offers several compact sliding miter saws with direct drive motors and slide rails on linear ball bearings.
The Types of Table Saws
When it comes to table saw variants, there are two general types you might consider buying: portable and stationary table saws.
Portable Table Saws
- The benchtop table saw is small and light enough to carry everywhere. The one downside is that benchtop table saws don’t have the ripping capacity. If you are working with smaller pieces, this won’t be a problem. However, if you are looking for a tool to cut large pieces of wood, you are going to need to look for something else.
- The jobsite saw is a portable saw that usually comes with a folding or wheeled stand. It is heavier than a benchtop saw, with a larger rip capacity, and suits contractors.
- The compact table saw falls between the two in size and capacity.
Stationary Table Saws
As the name suggests, these types of table saws don’t really get moved around, because they’re really bulky and very heavy due to the size of their work surfaces and the sheer power and capacity of their motors. They can be further classified as contractor, hybrid, and cabinet types.
Cabinet saws have the most power and mass, with the trunnions mounted to a heavy enclosed cabinet. Contractor and hybrid saws cost less and suit many home shops.
Types of Miter Saws
Miter saws come in a few main types.
- Standard miter saws are the most basic. The blade swings for miters but does not tilt.
- Compound miter saws add a bevel, so the head tilts while the table swings. That lets you cut crown molding and other compound angles.
- Sliding compound miter saws add rails, so the blade slides forward for wider crosscuts. A dual-bevel slider tilts both left and right, so you do not have to flip the work for the opposite cut.
Final Thoughts
When deciding between a table saw and a miter saw, start with the cuts you make most.
To recap the saws, the Bosch 4100-09 is our top portable table saw. SawStop is our cabinet saw pick for its safety system, and the SKIL is a loud but affordable option for basic DIY cuts.
As our first best pick for miter saws, the DEWALT DWS780 has the capacity for wide boards and crown molding.
If you rip a lot of boards or sheet goods, buy a table saw first. If you mostly crosscut trim, framing or long boards, a miter saw is the better first saw.
