Best Table Saws Under $300 – 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide
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The importance of table saws cannot be understated in the world of woodworking and carpentry.
This power tool is one of the most productive and versatile of all the woodworking machines. It dates back to the 18th century, although the models at the time were primitive. With the rapid technological advancement of today, it’s not surprising that highly sophisticated, user-friendly and efficient table saws now fill the market.
The question many people ask me is whether it is still possible to find great value table saws under $300. The simple answer is yes. You can find high-quality, performance-oriented table saws at that price tag. However, you will have to commit in terms of time and effort to arrive at the best choice.
In this review and buying guide, I aim to make your search as easy as possible with my top 3 picks of the best table saws under $300.
My Top 3 Picks
There’s really not that many table saw models retailing for less than $300. For the ones that do, you may not like the design, construction quality or performance among other things. My research leads me to the following top picks:
1. Delta 36-6010: The Best-Performing Portable Table Saw
Delta Power Tools is a king in the industry thanks to the excellent quality of the machines they produce. In this case, the Delta 36-6010 presents one of the best performing portable table saws currently on the market. It boasts a high-grade aluminum construction that is exceptionally strong and durable but also extremely lightweight. Furthermore, the saw is fitted with two wheels that allow for hassle-free transportation to the job site.
The great performance of this tool is a result of its top-of-the-range motor that allows the blade to rip through wood fast and precisely. The 36-6010 saw blade has an optimal rip right of 30 inches, making the compact tool ideal even for larger cuts many people believe only bulky and expensive table saws can handle.
Then there’s storage: the tool is incredibly easy to store. It’s fitted with a folding stand that you simply unlock with your foot. You can then raise the table saw to standing position in your storage room or garage. You can easily store the accessories of this saw in the provided on-board storage compartment. You can also store the saw’s fence securely on the side of the tool.
The Delta 36-6010 has many other convenient features. It’s cleverly designed so that the power cord wraps on the rear to prevent dangerous tangling of the excess cord during operation and to make your workplace less cluttered. The saw also has a large and readily-accessible ON/OFF switch.
Lastly, the blade of the table saw is designed to retract below the table top, allowing for easy maintenance of the table top.
Pros
- Strong, durable and lightweight aluminum construction
- Wheels allow easy transportation
- Good quality motor guarantees good performance
- Foldable design for easy storage
- Easy to use and maintain the saw
Cons
- Needs new and proper directions for assembly
- Little space exists between blade and front of table
Interested in the Delta 36-6010? Check this out!
2. SKIL 3410-02 10-Inch Table Saw
The SKIL brand may not be as popular as Delta Power Tools, but with its very affordable yet high quality table saws, it’s a company worth looking at. Case in point: the 3410-02 10-inch table saw (also reviewed in my guide for the best table saws for beginners).
Like the Delta 36-6010, this unit features a folding stand that allows for easy storage and portability to the job site. However, the SKIL 3410-02 doesn’t have wheels. The unit features a cast aluminum table and a heavy-duty steel folding stand that makes setting up the saw for the first time easy and straightforward. These features improve portability because the unit is relatively lightweight and can fold to fit in your car trunk.
When it comes to cutting ability, this tool has a 3.5-inch cut capacity that enables you to cut materials up to four times thicker. Being able to making accurate cuts is something that many saw maker find challenging; when it comes to the SKIL 3410-02, an auto-aligning fence eliminates the potential for inaccurate cuts. Consistent accuracy is also guaranteed by the tool’s EZ-View measurement system.
The performance of any power tool depends much on the quality and performance of the motor it’s fitted with. This table saw features a 15 amp motor that is perfect for ripping through all varieties of softwoods and hardwoods. Should you choose to buy this model, SKIL will provide you with a three-year bench top warranty.
Pros
- Strong and durable cast aluminum table top
- Powerful and efficient 15 amp motor
- EZ-View measurement system and self-aligning rip fence guarantees accuracy
- Easy to set up, use and maintain
- Good cutting capacity for most carpentry and woodworking jobs
Cons
- May not be able to handle long-term use or big construction projects
- Some units delivered may lack usage instructions
Interested in the SKIL 3410-02? Check this out!
3. Craftsman Evolv 28461: Best Value Table Saw
If you want affordability as well as value for money, then the Evolv 28461 by Craftsman is a great choice. This 10-inch table features a shear table top responsible for smooth and accurate cuts each time you put the tool to work. Even greater performance is guaranteed by the saw’s potent 15 amp brushed motor which can rip through a variety of tough materials.
With an easy-to-adjust miter gauge, you can be sure of quick and precise control of even the tightest corners and bevels. An advanced guarding system offers high versatility and unmatched blade coverage, while the upper guarding assembly sets up through a clamp with a latching function.
The saw also features a quick-release fence for rapid rip adjustment. Its table top is made of strong and durable steel, which provides enough surfaces to support materials of various sizes. Furthermore, a push table mount is readily accessible and will help you keep your work area clutter-free.
To cap the many great features, the Evolve 28461 comes with a durable steel stand that enables a stable and comfortable working height.
Pros
- Comes with all the necessary accessories
- Provides smooth and accurate cuts
- Potent 15 Amp motor can rip through tough materials
- Easily adjustable miter gauge
- Quick-release fence offers rapid rip adjustment
Cons
- Not as accurate many competitors in its class
- Setting the fence parallel to the saw blade may be tedious
Interested in the Craftsman Evolv 28461? Check this out!
Buying Guide for the Best Table Saws Under $300
Of course, there are other good options out there, and there’s a chance you might not be interested in any of the table saws above. For this reason, I see it fit to provide you with additional information to help you make an informed buying decision.
Here are the factors you should consider when looking for the best table saw to buy:
Table saw variations
In many cases, table saws are classified based on their portability.
Portable models usually come mounted onto a stand that may or may not have transport wheels. They also can be folded for even more portability. Bench top saws have no stand but are also portable. Some non-portable types include hybrid, contractor and cabinet table saws.
You should learn more about these table saw types as part of your research.
Blade type and size
Table saw blades play important roles when it comes to the performance of the tool. When choosing a good table saw for your needs, a guiding factor should be the type and size of the blade. The blades are categorized based on number of teeth, arbor size, speed, kerf size, the materials used in their construction and the intended application.
I suggest speaking with a carpenter or woodworking expert and learning about what blade best suits your needs (if you don’t know it already) before setting out to make a purchase.
Motor
Table saws can differ a lot when it comes to the motor that drives the blades.
Smaller, portable table saws like the ones in our top 3 above feature direct drive motors; such motors operate on 120-volt circuits and can produce up to 2 horsepower sufficient for cutting through thinner sheets of materials.
The powerful, mostly stationary models feature motors that drive blades through belts and can produce 3 to 5 hp. Generally, motors with larger amperage and horsepower are more powerful.
Miter gauge and fence
The fence in a miter saw is responsible for the versatility and performance of the saw in general. The type of fence a table saw features determines the accuracy and design such a saw can produce.
A miter gauge, on the other hand, comes in handy for making cross cuts or any other kind of angled cut.
Accessories
Table saws come with many accessories meant to help you do your work more efficiently and conveniently. Such accessories can help you upgrade your saw in the future if you so desire by either attaching extensions or replacing some parts with better versions.
My #1 Recommendation
As I mentioned earlier, my aim is to provide you with a “smoking gun” to help you find an affordable and high-quality table saw priced at less than $300.
HERE is my #1 recommended table saw under $300.
This table saw has many features I only see with four-figure saws, and it’s one of the most affordable and value-packed saws currently on the market. It’s a great choice for both contractors and do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
If, for whatever reason, you’re not interested in this model, don’t forget to check out the other two models I’ve reviewed on this page.
Final Verdict
By now, you should be sufficiently informed to step out and make the right decision on what table saw to buy. Do remember that table saws under $300 are on the low end, and there is certainly a benefit to spending a little bit more on something with more durability and better overall performance.
Best of luck shopping for your table saw!
Thanks for reading my buying guide. If you have any questions, feedback or comments, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments below. Feel free to share this page using the buttons below.
Hey Scott, these are some pretty nice table saws. I’m interested in the Delta 36-6010 — like the look and I’ve heard good things about the motor, etc. — but at the same time I’m open to spending a bit more money for quality.
I’m fairly new to woodworking, and I was wondering what a good brand to consider would be as a novice. Any advice?
Thank you for the article.
Hi Mark, thanks for your comment. If you’re a beginner, I suspect you wouldn’t notice much difference between most of the top table saw brands; Delta, Jet, Rigid, Grizzly, Powermatic and SawStop are some great options, and there are more. I have a SawStop and it has served me very well for a long time now.
Some factors to keep in mind are weight, the side of the blade (right-handed woodworkers will want a left-tilt blade), cost (novice woodworkers typically don’t need the capabilities that come with expensive professional models) and the length of the fence. I would recommend looking over the ton of options on this page. Let me know if you have any other questions.
i have some experience with the SKIL 3410-02… it’s about as good as you can ask for for sub-$300 table saw. assuming I had a $1000 budget, what would be a table saw you would recommend? could you possibly put up an article for best table saws less than $1000? thanks.
Indeed Pauly. For sub-$1000 table saws, the Makita 2705X1 comes to mind. The Makita 2705X1 is a contractor table saw that comes with a stand and built-in wheels. It has good stability, and the saw is made of die-casted aluminum. I’ve used it before and it’s fantastic. You can find out more about it here. I will definitely mark it down as an idea for a future post. Good luck!