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A table saw is a useful tool. Although it is a pretty big purchase, it has so many applications that it makes it a worthwhile investment – especially if you are renovating your home and you have many tasks to complete. Whether you need to build furniture, lay down the decking, work with large trim pieces, or start a new woodworking project just for fun, the best DeWalt table saws could see you through all of these things and more.
The question is, how do you know which one to buy?
In this article, we’ll be looking at the best DeWalt table saws. DeWalt is a trusted brand used by millions of people around the world – but they produce a lot of tools. How do you know which one to get? We’ll be taking a look at the best options, considering their price, how they work, and their pros and cons, before deciding which one we think is the best.
We picked the Dewalt DWE7491RS because it's the best value for what money can buy. It's a versatile and tough tool that can be moved on uneven surfaces with ease and it offers great rip capacity and high accuracy.
What Makes DeWalt a Trusted Brand?
So why should you pick DeWalt over the other brands out there?
The company can trace its roots all the way back to 1923. It was founded by Ramond E. DeWalt (he invented the radial saw arm). Now owned by Black & Decker, DeWalt sells hundreds of power tools and accessories and is one of the most well-known power tool companies in America.
With DeWalt, you are getting expertise – their specialized knowledge and research mean they are always bringing out new and innovative products. Their products tend to get excellent reviews, which has built their reputation as being a reliable company to buy from.
Many of their products come with a three-year warranty in the US and Canada, so if there’s a problem with your purchase, they will repair it for you (as long as you keep hold of your proof of purchase, and you register it within four weeks of buying). This is great for peace of mind, especially if you’re buying a more expensive item.
In fact, one of the reasons why reviewers like DeWalt is because of their customer service – they seem to respond quickly if there are any problems, which is reassuring.
Different Types of Table Saw
A table saw is a woodworking tool. It has a circular saw blade, mounted on an arbor. They’re run on an electric motor, and they’re typically used to cut wood. You can use them to complete all sorts of projects – anything you would need to cut wood for.
You could make small items, like picture frames, bird boxes, or chopping boards, right up to building big pieces of furniture. This means a table saw is a pretty versatile tool, and if you’re into DIY, you should get a lot of use out of it over time.
Let’s take a quick look at the different kinds you can buy, and what you might use them for:
Cabinet Table Saws
Cabinet table saws are large, heavy, and powerful. The parts are made from sturdy materials, like cast iron, making them more durable and reliable. They’re more accurate than the other types of models – but they’re also more expensive, and they take up a lot of space. If you’re serious about woodwork, have both space and money, and you think you will get a lot of use out of it, it could be a good investment.
Portable Table Saws
As the name suggests, portable table saws can be moved around more easily than a standard table saw, allowing you to take it where you need to go. They’re usually light, made of durable but lightweight materials, and they’re usually pretty quiet whilst in use. They may not come with a stand or legs, however, and they are on the small side – you may not be able to cut significant bits of wood or metal with them.
Contractor Saws
Although these don’t tend to come with a fixed base, they do come with legs and are larger and heavier than a portable table saw. They’re a good choice if you want to use it for a variety of projects, but don’t have the cash or space to spend on a larger model.
Hybrid Table Saws
Although these look very similar to a cabinet saw, they are a little different. Designed for people who cannot invest in a cabinet saw, the hybrid table saw still offers some of those features but at a lower price. They have smaller motors than cabinet saws, meaning they’re a little less powerful, but they’re still pretty versatile.
Buying a Table Saw – What to Look For
So, what are the main things you should look for when buying a table saw?
Blades
Different types of blades are designed to do different things. The size and placement of the teeth on a table saw blade are important – while you can get blades that are good all-rounders, others are required for specific purposes, for example, cutting into laminate without ripping the coating. Some blades are more robust than others – you will need to think about what you’ll be using your table saw for, and if you can easily purchase the right blades for it.
Motor Power and Drive Type
The motor power will determine how much your table saw can do. Direct-drives are found in portable saws. Belt-drives are found in stationary models and are more powerful than direct-drives.
The motor power will determine the type of material it can work with. Tougher types of wood, or treated wood, may require a lot of power to cut through accurately.
Portability
A cabinet table saw is a pretty hefty piece of equipment – once it’s in, it may need to stay there! If you have a dedicated space for it, like a workshop or a garage, then that will work out fine. However, if you need to be able to move your equipment around, it probably isn’t the best choice. Check out the weight of your table saw and see if it fits your needs.
There’s also the option of cordless table saws – this is relatively new and could work really well if you need to move your table saw around a lot.
Safety
Safety is critical when using a powerful piece of machinery. Most table saws come with similar safety features – a riving knife (this helps to stop kickback) and a push stick, which will help to keep your hands at a safe distance from the blade.
Also, you may want to consider dust collection. Breathing in sawdust is harmful, and cleaning it up can be a pain. Some table saws come with built-in dust collection features, which may be worth considering, especially if you plan to use your table saw often.
Miter Gauge
A miter gauge is an accessory that is sometimes included with a table saw. It helps you to achieve accurate angled cuts, acting almost like a clamp to hold your materials in place. They are sometimes built into the table saw itself, or you can buy them separately.
RPM
RPM stands for ‘revolutions per minute.’ The relationship between RPM and blade type can be quite complex, but the models we’re looking at today range between 3,500-5,800.
Table Saw Fence
This is the part of the saw that keeps your materials straight as you cut. They will help you to make precise cuts whilst keeping you safe.
Rip Capacity
Essentially, rip capacity is the amount of space between the edge of the saw blade and the edge of the fence. This will determine how big the materials are that you have to work with. Cutting a large piece of wood will obviously require a larger rip capacity than a smaller piece of wood – so it really depends on what you want to use it for.
Depth of Cut
This helps you to see how deep the blade can cut at different angles – usually 45° and 90°.
Arbor Size
The arbor is the shaft that the blade is mounted to. Knowing the size will help you to buy the correct blades for your model of the table saw.
Comparison-Table
Here’s a quick overview of the table saws we’ll be looking at today:
|
Saw
|
Size | Weight | Amps | Cutting Diameter | Max left rip | Max right rip | Depth of cut at angles | Arbor Size | |
| DWE790X | 30.8 x 20.4 x 30.2 in | 50lbs | 15 | 10in 24-tooth carbide blade | 16-1/2 in | 28-1/2in | 3-1/8 in at 90°, 2-1/4 in at 45? | 5/8in | Yes – 13/16? max |
| DWE7491RS | 31×24.5×31 in | 110lbs | 15 | 10in 24-tooth carbide blade | 22in | 32-1/2in | 3-1/8 in at 90°, 2-1/4 in at 45? | 5/8in | Yes – 13/16? max |
| DCS7485T1 | 12.9 x 23.8 x 23.8 in | 48lbs | Not measured in amps – 60v | 8-3/4 in blade | 12in | 20in | 2-1/2in at 90°, 1-3/4in at 45? | 5/8in | No |
| DW745 | 33 x 26.9 x 14.8 in | 45lbs | 15 | 10in 24-tooth carbide blade | 12in | 20in | 3-1/8 in at 90°, 2-1/4 in at 45? | 5/8in | No |
DWE7490X – Best Portable Saw with Extras
The next model is pretty similar, with one big difference – it comes with a scissor stand. If you don’t want to purchase a stand separately, but you still want the portability of a lightweight model, this could work for you. The stand itself is lightweight and folds down easily, and the saw is easy to set up.
The DWE7490X has rack and telescoping fence rails, which enable you to make fast fence adjustments. It has 28 inches of rip capacity – which his great if you need to create large shelving units, for example. You can also flip over the fence to make narrower cuts. Reviewers praised the versatility and ease of use of the fence, which allowed them to work on many different projects.
The saw itself is powerful enough for most projects at 15amps, and it comes with a 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade.
It comes with a 2-inch dust collection port, designed to connect to a vacuum cleaner for easy dust clean-up.
Again, this model has a flawed miter gauge, with many reviewers complaining of its inaccuracy.
It seems to be a pretty good choice if you need a portable option, but you would like a few more features than the previous model.
This Dewalt Job Site Table saw offers convenience and flexibility with the added value of the scissor stand which allows you to set this up anywhere on your work site.
DWE7490X Specifications
Here are the specs for the DWE7490X:
- Size: 30.8 x 20.4 x 30.2 inches
- Weight: 50lbs
- Amps: 15.0
- Arbor size: 5/8inches
- Blade: 10 inches
- Max rip to the right of blade: 28-1/2 inches
- Max rip to the left of blade: 16-1/2inches
- Depth of cut at 90 degrees: 3-1/8 inches
- Depth of cut at 45 degrees: 2-1/4 inches
- Is it dado blade compatible: Yes – 13/16? max
- Amazon star rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Pros of DWE7490X
- Lightweight and portable
- The stand is a great bonus feature
- Good rip capacity
- Dado blade compatible
- Includes a ‘slap switch’ which you can hit with your knee or arm to easily turn it on or off
Cons of DWE7490X
- The miter gauge is flimsy
- Some people found the stand a little difficult to fold up and down, preferring to use a different surface instead
DWE7491RS – Best Value for Money
Now we’re getting into the bigger models. Weighing in at 110lbs, the DWE7491RS would definitely not be described as lightweight – but it’s versatile.
Like the others, it has a 15amp motor and a 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade. It comes with the rack and pinion fence system, similar to the last model. However, it has a whopping 32-1/2inch rip capacity – if you need to cut more extensive trim materials or shelving, this is going to be perfect for you. You can also make narrow rip cuts by flipping over the ripping fence. Reviewers praised the accuracy of the ripping fence, which is great.
What is handy about this one is that it has a stable, rolling stand – meaning although it’s heavy, you can wheel it into position. It’s designed to be tough and to be able to roll across uneven surfaces with ease.
However, the miter gauge is described, again, as being very flimsy and not particularly reliable. It’s also on the larger side, so you’ll need a little more space to work with.
The best thing about this one is the value for money it offers – comparatively when you factor in the stand; you get a lot for your money.
We picked the Dewalt DWE7491RS because it's the best value for what money can buy. It's a versatile and tough tool that can be moved on uneven surfaces with ease and it offers great rip capacity and high accuracy.
DWE7491RS Specifications
Here are the specs for the DWE7491RS:
- Size: 31 x 24.5 x 31 inches
- Weight: 110lbs
- Amps: 15.0
- Arbor size: 5/8inches
- Blade: 10 inches
- Max rip to right of blade: 32-1/2inches
- Max rip to left of blade: 22inches
- Depth of cut at 90 degrees: 3-1/8 inches
- Depth of cut at 45 degrees: 2-1/4 inches
- Is it Dado blade compatible: Yes – 13/16? max
- Amazon star rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Pros of the DWE7491RS
- The rolling table is really useful
- Large rip capacity
- Great value for money
Cons of DWE7491RS
- The miter gauge is flimsy
- Not as portable as some of the other options on this list – it’s very heavy
DCS7485T1 – Best Cordless Option
Do you find yourself tripping over cords as you work? Do you have a limited amount of power outlets? A cordless table saw could be a great choice for you, and the DCS7485T1 is well-regarded.
Its ability to go cordless means that you have a lot more flexibility. It’s the smallest model on our list, and very light, making it extra portable. Despite that, it has a pretty generous rip allowance of 12 inches to the left, 20 inches to the right.
The blade is slightly smaller this time – at 8-1/4 inches. However, it seems to handle many jobs with ease, and reviewers seem impressed by how much it can do.
What’s interesting about this model is that the battery has two voltages – it can run at 20v or 60v. The battery automatically changes voltage depending on the tool you’re using it with. This technology is pretty interesting. It’s unclear how long the battery lasts for – with reviewers getting different results depending on the task. However, most conceded that the battery life is good, and a few even purchased extra batteries to keep working for longer.
The downside of this model is that it’s not compatible with a dado blade – this is a pretty big drawback for some. It also suffers from the same issues as the others with the miter gauge being a little flimsy and unreliable.
This table saw kit features Flexvolt technology; the world's first battery that automatically changes voltage when you change tools. The Flexvolt battery is backward compatible with our 20V Max* tools so you get up to 4X the runtime. 
DCS7485T1 Specifications
Here are the specs for the DCS7485T1
- Size: 12.9 x 23.8 x 23.8 inches
- Weight: 48lbs
- Volts: 60v
- Arbor size: 5/8inches
- Blade: 8-3/4 inches
- Max rip to right of blade: 20inches
- Max rip to left of blade: 12inches
- Depth of cut at 90 degrees: 2-1/2 inches
- Depth of cut at 45 degrees: 1-3/4inches
- Dado blade compatible: No
- Amazon star rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Pros of the DCS7485T1
- Powerful despite being cordless – very portable
- Pretty good rip allowance for the size
- Reviewers say it works well
Cons of the DCS7485T1
- The miter gauge is flimsy
- Not compatible with a dado blade
- You will have to remember to charge the battery when not in use
DW745 – Best Budget Table Saw
The DeWalt DW745 Budget Table Saw is priced pretty low for all the features it has. It has a smaller rip capacity than the others – so if you need to build bigger pieces of furniture or are working with large trim pieces, it might not be the choice for you.
However, if you’re a beginner, or you don’t have a lot of space, the DW745 can still handle a multitude of tasks.
Like the others, it comes with a 10-inch 24-tooth carbide blade. The cast-iron tabletop is sturdy, enabling you to make precise cuts. The steel roll cage helps to prevent damage from impact, for example, if it is dropped – this makes it great for a Jobsite.
Like the others, it has the rack and pinion fence system, but it has a smaller rip capacity than some of the others on our list, at 12 inches to the left, and 20 inches to the right.
Reviewers of the DW745 praised how sturdy and well-built it is – it’s great for the price, as other similarly priced models can be a little flimsy. It’s lightweight, which is great if you need to move it around – and it should handle most beginner jobs.
The Dewalt versatile 10-Inch Jobsite Table Saw features the Site-Pro Modular Guarding System for application-specific setups that result in quick, accurate cuts. It pairs a portable design with a powerful 15 amp motor and large 20-inch rip capacity. 
DW745 Specifications
Here are the specs for the DW745:
- Size: 33 x 26.9 x 14.8 inches
Weight: 45lbs - Amps: 15.0
- Arbor size: 5/8inches
- Blade: 10 inches
- Max rip to right of blade: 20inches
- Max rip to left of blade: 12inches
- Depth of cut at 90 degrees: 3-1/8 inches
- Depth of cut at 45 degrees: 2-1/4 inches
- Dado blade compatible: No
- Amazon star rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Pros of the DW745
- Very sturdy and well-made
- Lightweight
- The low price makes it great for someone on a budget
Cons of the DW745
- The miter gauge is flimsy
- The smaller rip capacity means you won’t be able to work with large pieces of wood
- No stand
Conclusion
As you can see, DeWalt offers a huge amount of choice when it comes to table saws. Whether you’re after something super-lightweight and portable, cordless, or just need something that will allow you to cut large pieces of wood, there is a reliable model out there for you.
It’s difficult to pick the best one out of these five, as it really depends on what tasks you need to get done. However, if we had to choose, the DWE7491RS is a really good all-rounder.
The ability to wheel it around uneven surfaces is really helpful, especially if you’re remodeling your home or you work on a construction site. The rip capacity is very generous, allowing you to cut large pieces of wood. The price is also great – you really do get a lot for your money.
Whatever you choose, a table saw will help you get a lot of jobs done – and is a great addition to your workshop.
We picked the Dewalt DWE7491RS because it's the best value for what money can buy. It's a versatile and tough tool that can be moved on uneven surfaces with ease and it offers great rip capacity and high accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Table Saws
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about table saws:
There are a few different cuts you can make with a table saw. Rip cuts essentially rip the material lengthwise, along the grain. This is what table saws are best known for, as they can manage rip cuts accurately and efficiently. You can also do beveled cuts or dado cuts, using specialized blades.
They are not designed to cut metal. Cutting metal causes sparks to fly, which can be dangerous. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on your table saw first.
Yes – you can either sharpen them yourself using a file or take them to be professionally sharpened.
Technically a table saw is powerful enough to cut through nails, but it will ruin your blade – so it’s best to avoid it.
There are a few ways you can protect yourself whilst using a table saw:
♦Eye protection – this is a must, to protect your eyes from projectiles.
♦Ear protection – using a table saw can be loud. Use proper ear protection. Even if you don’t notice any damage at first, if you use powerful machinery often, it can do damage slowly over time without you realizing it.
♦Don’t wear anything loose or ‘dangly’ – that means no watches, no flappy sleeves, no long earrings, no ties. Nothing that can get sucked into the saw as you work.
♦Disconnect your table saw from the power socket completely before you clean or maintain it.
♦Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions – make sure you’re using the built-in safety features properly.
If you want to keep reading, why not check out our guide on How to Find the Best Wood Lathe, or find out How to Find the Best Wood Planer? Or take an in-depth look at how the DeWalt DW745 compares to the DWE7485
