Table saws are the heart of the workshop. Here’s how to choose.
Benchtop
Portable and cheap. Good for jobsites or tiny shops. Less power, smaller table, less accuracy.
Fine for occasional use. Frustrating for serious projects. I outgrew mine fast.
Contractor
The middle ground. Open stand, decent power, reasonable price. Portable enough to move.
Dust collection usually bad. Motor hangs off the back. Gets the job done for most hobbyists.
Hybrid
Enclosed cabinet with contractor-style motor. Better dust collection. Heavier and more stable. Price jumps.
Good choice if you’re serious but not professional. What I’d recommend for most home shops.
Cabinet
The standard in pro shops. 3+ HP motor, heavy cast iron, rock solid. Expensive and heavy.
Overkill for home use usually. Unless you have the budget and do production work.
Features That Matter
Fence quality. Cheap fences drift. Good fence stays parallel. Worth upgrading if stock one is bad.
Blade stability. Wobble causes poor cuts. Better saws have better arbor assemblies.
Rip capacity. How wide can you cut? 30+ inches for sheet goods. 24 is tight for plywood.
My Advice
Skip benchtop unless portability is critical. Buy the best you can afford. Upgrade fence if needed. A decent hybrid serves most people forever.
