9 Best Band Saws of 2024

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The Best Band Saws

The Best Band Saws
  1. Best hobbyist band saw for the money - Lumberjack Professional BS228 9” Benchtop Bandsaw

  2. Best benchtop bandsaw for DIYers - Einhell TC-SB 200/1 Benchtop Band Saw

  3. Best band saw for noise levels - Lumberjack Professional 10 Inch Band Saw with Leg Stand

  4. Best floor standing band saw overall - Axminster Craft AC1950B Floor Standing Bandsaw

  5. Best benchtop band saw - Axminster Craft AC1400B Bandsaw

  6. Best benchtop band saw for power - Ryobi RBS904 9” Benchtop Bandsaw

  7. Best budget band saw - Scheppach HBS20 Benchtop Bandsaw

  8. Best portable bandsaw for value - Makita DPB182Z 18V Li-Ion LXT Portable Bandsaw

  9. Best portable bandsaw for professionals - DeWalt DCS371N-XJ 18V Li-Ion Compact Bandsaw

Band Saw Reviews

Editors Choice

1. Lumberjack Professional BS228 9” Benchtop Bandsaw

Best hobbyist band saw for the money

best band saw Lumberjack Professional BS228 9” Benchtop Bandsaw
  • Lumberjack have made the correct decision here and included a bright LED work light. It’s on the end of a flexible stalk that helps you put it wherever you need it.
  • Knowing that a benchtop bandsaw needs to be portable, Lumberjack have included a carry handle on the top. It makes moving this 20 kg saw around that bit easier.
  • The table tilt mechanism is really solid. It uses a rack and pinion system for accurate and reliable adjustments, rather than a simple friction hold made by a single bolt.
  • I like the dust and chip drawer that Lumberjack have built into the base of this machine. It doesn’t stop all the chips from getting away, but it helps to make cleaning a bit easier.

  • Compared with the Axminster Craft AC1400B, this saw has a bigger motor, but a slower cutting speed. It’s not much more powerful either, so there’s a bit of wasted energy here.
  • Several users have complained about the manual. It doesn’t help much when setting up the bandsaw. Compared with the Axminster saws, the instructions aren’t much help.
  • As much as I like seeing an LED light on a bandsaw, more than a few users have had problems with theirs. It might be a problem with quality control if they keep breaking!
  • Compared with the Axminster AC1400B’s cast iron table, the aluminium one on this saw feels a lot less premium. It’s rigid, but more prone to vibration than a heavier material.
Type
Benchtop
Power
Mains - 300W
Max Cut - Depth
90mm
Max Cut - Width
228mm
Table Size
300x300mm
Blade Length
1,575mm
Blade Width
3-10mm
Weight
22kg
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

Coming from the same UK firm that makes the impressive 10 inch freestanding band saw, Lumberjack also make a decent benchtop version. Their BS228 benchtop 9 inch band saw is ideal if space is at a premium, or you know you’re only going to work with smaller pieces of wood.

There’s a 300 Watt motor under the hood that powers the 1575 mm long saw blade round at 635 m/min. The maximum cutting capacity for height is 90 mm and has a throat that’s just under 230 mm in width. That’s an impressive capacity for what is a small, benchtop saw.  

The table is made from reasonably heavy gauge cast aluminium, and features cast aluminium wheels as well. Lumberjack have also managed to make this band saw run rather quietly, which is always a good idea. The soft start mechanism helps to keep the vibration and noise down as well.

For the money, this is one of the best band saws available right now for hobbyists. It might not have all the bandsaw features and premium materials used in a proper professional saw, but it’s much less expensive than one of those.

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Runner Up

2. Einhell TC-SB 200/1 Benchtop Band Saw[ SAVE 7% ]

Best benchtop bandsaw for DIYers

best band saw Einhell TC SB 200/1 Benchtop Band Saw
  • This is one of the most affordable band saws you can get. And because it’s so compact, you don’t need a huge workshop to get the most out of it.
  • The aluminium fence feels solid, and the locking mechanism grabs it at both ends to keep it parallel. There’s also a handy scale marked on the table top for measuring out your rip cuts.
  • Even though the maximum cut depth is smaller compared to the free-standing saws on my list, this one beats the rest of the bench-top band saws. 80 mm is generous for a small saw.

  • If you want a band saw with variable cutting speeds, this isn’t the right one for you. It’s one of the drawbacks of a benchtop tool like this, it has a fixed motor speed.
  • Compared with the Lumberjack Professional BS228, this bandsaw lacks an effective work light. Having a well-lit cut line is essential for accuracy and safety.
  • At this price you can’t expect a heavy duty cast iron table. It would stop this band saw from being a handy portable bench top tool, but you do lose out on some accuracy in comparison.
Type
Benchtop
Power
Mains - 250W
Max Cut - Depth
80mm
Max Cut - Width
200mm
Table Size
305x305mm
Blade Length
1400mm
Blade Width
7mm
Weight
17.4kg
Overall Score 3.8
Build Quality
4
Performance
3
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

The engineers at German brand Einhell have been busy making innovative tools since 1964. They’ve branched out into 18V equipment recently but are better known for their benchtop gear. The TC-SB 200/1 band saw is the brand’s benchtop saw that’s ideal if you don’t have the space for a free-standing one. It’s an easy-to-use, quiet, and incredibly versatile woodworking tool.

The power comes from a 250 Watt motor, which is more than enough for a small machine like this. It whips the 1,400 mm long blade round at a lightning-fast 1,400 m/min, which makes it ideal for fine woodworking, straight cuts, or curves.

To get the most out of the saw, you can tilt the table from -4° – 45°, and the aluminium fence can be adjusted across the width of the table. The locking mechanism for the fence is operated with one hand and means you can cut accurately down to just a few millimetres from the blade.

Thanks to big rubber feet on the base of the saw and a heavy base, the vibrations are kept down to a minimum. If you’ve never had a bandsaw in your workshop, you’ll be amazed at what you can do with a tool like this. I think that for what it costs, it’ll be one of the best additions to your woodworking arsenal.

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Also Good
  • Several users have praised this bandsaw for being so quiet when it’s not under any load. It’s quite refreshing to find a saw that doesn’t make too much noise in the workshop!
  • I’m always keen to check out a power tool’s safety features. You get an emergency stop button and safety catches that won’t allow the saw to start when the door is open.
  • The 10” or 254 mm throat is pretty huge for band saws of this size. This means you can tackle serious sizes of timber for resawing or cross cutting. It’s impressive.
  • You can put this saw together and adjust it all with just a hex key and a spanner. Luckily, Lumberjack have included both. You won’t need to reach for your tool kit just yet!

  • Having a bright LED work light is a handy addition to any woodworking tool. For some reason though, Lumberjack have placed it on the back of the machine rather than in front of the blade.
  • Compared with the Axminster Craft AC1950B, changing the blades on this saw is much more difficult! You need to remove the rip fence, guide, and working table insert just to get at it.
  • Some users have complained that the blade can wander at the start of a cut. It will take a bit of practice to nail the technique of starting slowly and not pushing the saw too hard.
  • Compared with the Axminster Craft AC1950B, you can’t use such a wide variety of blade widths. You’re limited to blades between 6 mm and 12 mm.
Type
Floor Standing
Power
Mains - 375W
Max Cut - Depth
150mm
Max Cut - Width
254mm
Table Size
360x320mm
Blade Length
1,826mm
Blade Width
6-12mm
Weight
43kg
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

British tool firm Lumberjack have been making waves in the DIY scene in recent years for their affordable yet quality kit. Their 10 inch band saw is a hugely capable floor standing woodworking machine that can tackle seriously big bits of timber.

Setup is relatively easy, although you might need to tinker with the blade guides before it will cut straight and true. Supplied with a steel stand, everything is solidly welded together and should be incredibly rigid and reliable.

Kitted out with a 375 Watt motor, it’s not as powerful compared to the Axminster Craft AC1950B, but it’s still got enough grunt to tackle big bits of material. In fact, you can cut materials up to 150 mm in height and with a throat of 254 mm, there’s a lot it can handle. The table is slightly bigger as well.

This band saw is a serious heavyweight as well. Coming in at a massive 43 kg, it’ll need a dedicated space in your workshop and a strong section of floor as well! You can choose from two different blade speeds, 400 and 800 m/minute, which gives you a bit more versatility than most benchtop models.

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4. Axminster Craft AC1950B Floor Standing Bandsaw

Best floor standing band saw overall

best band saw Axminster Craft AC1950B Floor Standing Bandsaw
  • The ceramic guide bearings on this band saw are excellent. They run faster and are more heat resistant than similar steel bearings. This attention to detail is impressive to find.
  • Setting up and fine adjusting this band saw is as easy as can be. It only takes one hex key to perform almost every adjustment, which saves time and head scratching.
  • Lining up the rip fence to a specific measurement is made incredibly easy with a magnifying view port. It makes it a cinch to dial in a precise measurement, even with bad eyes!
  • You can fit an impressive range of blades onto this machine. From 4.7 mm up to 13 mm means you can use this saw for cutting curves as well as thick materials.
  • I like the fact that this saw has dual dust extraction outlets. You get one close to the bottom guide bearings and another inside the cabinet. Paired with a decent dust extraction port, and this is a phenomenal way to keep your workshop clean!

  • This might seem obvious, but even the best floor standing band saws take up a lot of room. You’ll need to make space for this big beast wherever you want it to go.
  • Even though the mitre slot is well machined to the standard 19 mm width, Axminster haven’t included a mitre gauge. It’s a handy bit of kit that you’ll need to buy for yourself.
  • Compared with the Lumberjack BS254, this saw lacks a dedicated emergency stop button. When you’re dealing with heavy duty band saws, a way to stop it easily is essential.
  • Even budget band saws include a decent LED work light these days. Having a well lit workpiece is crucial unless you want to wander off your cut line.
  • Some users have complained that putting the stand together is a bit fiddly. There are plenty of holes that need to align before it fits together. Be prepared for some head scratching!
Type
Floor Standing
Power
Mains - 550W
Max Cut - Depth
135mm
Max Cut - Width
260mm
Table Size
350x330mm
Blade Length
1,950mm
Blade Width
4.7-13mm
Weight
39kg
Overall Score 4.8
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Ease of Use
5
Value for Money
4

Based down in Devon, Axminster have been one of the leading names in woodworking tools since they started more than half a century ago. Famous for their solid own brand tools and legendary customer service, the Axminster AC1950B is probably the best floor standing band saw on the market today.

The table is made from thick cast iron. It’s thick enough to be completely stable and rigid, and Axminster have machined a 19 mm wide standard mitre slot into it to receive your own jigs and gauges. The included rip fence is an excellent bit of kit though. Supplied with accurate measurements on either side of the blade, it’s locked into place with one handle but still feels solid.

Thanks to the oversize construction of this band saw it can cope with rather large workpieces. You can cut timber up to 135 mm in height and the maximum throat size of 260 mm is the widest on my list. Changing the blades is no big deal either. Thanks to Axminster positioning the blade release channel on the side of the table, you can swap blades without needing to remove the rip fence.

Weighing 39 kg with the steel stand and large 550 Watt motor makes this a heavy addition to any workshop, but the extra weight should help to keep things steady. You can even select between two blade speeds: 660 and 840 m/minute.

Overall, this is a quality woodworking tool for serious DIYers who demand quality from their kit. It’s easily one of the best band saws in this price range and would be a fine addition to any shed or workshop.

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5. Axminster Craft AC1400B Bandsaw

Best benchtop band saw

best band saw Axminster Craft AC1400B Bandsaw
  • Overall, this bandsaw is just as good as it’s big brother, the Axminster Craft AC1950B, but it’s a benchtop version. What’s not to like for the small workshop owner?
  • Even though this is a compact bandsaw with an 8 inch throat capacity, Axminster haven’t skimped on the quality construction. It feels as solid and reliable as any of the free standing band saws on my list.
  • If you want to set this bandsaw up like the professionals, Axminster have a great set of videos online showing you just how to do it. It’s all part of their excellent customer service.
  • Attached to the solid saw table is a robust fence. It slides easily and locks in place with a beefy cam lever. It locks in front and behind the blade, so it’s not going to get out of line easily.

  • It’s a real shame that Axminster haven’t thought to include a work light on this saw. A well-lit cut line can make the difference between straight cuts and a wonky workpiece!
  • If you count the blade guides, the maximum cutting depth you can possibly get is around 63 mm. It’s nowhere near as high capacity compared with the Axminster Craft AC1950B.
  • Even though the included instructions are excellent, and the online guides are second to none, it still takes a fair bit of fiddling to get this saw cutting wood straight and true.
  • Several users have complained that the fixing bolts for the table angle adjuster are hard to work with. If you want to fine tune the table for square, it’s a bit of a pain.
Type
Benchtop
Power
Mains - 250W
Max Cut - Depth
80mm
Max Cut - Width
200mm
Table Size
300x300mm
Blade Length
1,400mm
Blade Width
4.7-9.5mm
Weight
20kg
Overall Score 4.8
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Ease of Use
5
Value for Money
4

Coming from the same Devon-based wood wizards as the big AC1950B, this is Axminster’s best benchtop band saw. The Axminster Craft AC1400B is a capable but compact band saw that can cut odd shapes of timber in ways that other saws just can’t.

Even though it’s a small 8 inch band saw, it still takes a 1,400 mm long blade. Powered by a 250 Watt direct drive motor, it’s fixed at a cutting speed of 800 m/min. It’s got a decent maximum cutting capacity of 800 mm in height, but the 200 mm wide throat is the joint smallest on my list. It’s not bad for light benchtop bandsaws like this machine though.

Weighing just 20 kg, this is an ideal saw for a small workshop where space is at a premium. You can always store it out of the way when it’s not needed, in comparison with the big Lumberjack 10 inch band saw that needs to sit on a large stand.

Even though it’s a small band saw, you still get a sturdy cast iron table and a solid spine. This makes it a robust and accurate saw, even though it’s in a small package. And at 300 x 300 mm square, the table isn’t undersized for a benchtop machine.

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6. Ryobi RBS904 9” Benchtop Bandsaw[ SAVE 4% ]

Best benchtop band saw for power

best band saw Ryobi RBS904 9” Benchtop Bandsaw
  • The work light on this bandsaw is particularly useful. It sits on the end of a long and flexible neck, so you can get it really close to the workpiece.
  • Like the Lumberjack BS228, the table tilt mechanism uses a rack and pinion system. This makes angles easier to find, and they’re held nice and tight.
  • There’s a large supporting foot on the bottom of this bandsaw. It makes the whole machine feel steady and gives you a larger footprint without adding extra bulk.
  • The aluminium rip fence has a quick release mechanism for fast adjustments and feels surprisingly stable for its size.

  • The overall build quality isn’t as impressive compared with the Axminster Craft AC1400B. You don’t get a cast iron table and the steel frame is a little thinner.
  • To release the blade, you also need to remove the rip fence. Compared with the Axminster Craft AC1950B, I much prefer a blade release channel that’s perpendicular to the blade.
  • Once I’d seen the carry handle on the Lumberjack BS228, I realised how useful it could be. Even though this is a lighter machine, it’s not as simple to move around.
  • Some users have complained that even at maximum tension, the blade isn’t tight enough. It could be a fault of the blade itself but having more control over tension is important.
Type
Benchtop
Power
Mains - 350W
Max Cut - Depth
80mm
Max Cut - Width
230mm
Table Size
305x305mm
Blade Length
1,572mm
Blade Width
3.2-9.5mm
Weight
19.6kg
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

More famous for their clever cordless power tools and brilliant ONE+ battery system, Japanese pro’s Ryobi also dip their toes into woodworking tools as well. The Ryobi RBS904 benchtop 9 inch band saw is powerful, easy to set up, and features a decent work light.

One of the first things you’ll notice about this band saw is the big motor. Compared with the Axminster Craft AC1400B, it’s got more power to play with. You get 350 Watts of cutting power from the belt-driven brushed motor stowed down below. This powers the 1572 mm long blade round at a fixed speed of 660 m/min.

The cast aluminium table is slightly bigger compared with the Lumberjack BS228, at 305 x 305 mm. There’s plenty of space to work with, and you get a decent sliding fence and mitre guide too. With 80 mm maximum cutting height and a 230 mm (9 inch) throat, it’s more suitable for smaller pieces of timber.

The narrow blade that comes installed in this saw makes it an ideal woodworking tool for cutting curves and other irregular shapes. Weighing in at just under 20 kg makes it ideal for the small workshop. It’s not so heavy that it can’t be stowed away when it’s not in use.

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7. Scheppach HBS20 Benchtop Bandsaw

Best budget band saw

best band saw Scheppach HBS20 Benchtop Bandsaw
  • It was a pleasant surprise to see a decent tool kit included with this saw. You get a handy screwdriver, a real spanner, and a pair of hex keys for a stress-free setup process.
  • Weighing just 17 kg, this is the lightest benchtop band saw on my list. If you’re going to be moving it around a small workshop, this will be less likely to ruin your back!

  • Compared with the excellent rack and pinion table adjustment on the Ryobi RBS904, this one is secured with a single wing nut. It’s not as stable or easy to set the table angle.
  • Several users have complained about the blade guides. The top blade guide in particular can work itself loose quite easily, forcing you to readjust it a bit too often.
  • Compared with the heavy duty cast iron table on the Axminster Craft AC1950B, this saw table is a bit flimsy. Although it’s not designed for heavy work, it won’t help to reduce vibration either.
  • This is another bandsaw that seems to have forgotten a work light. Unless your workshop is already well lit, having a flexible way to illuminate the workpiece is essential.
Type
Benchtop
Power
Mains - 250W
Max Cut - Depth
80mm
Max Cut - Width
200mm
Table Size
300x300mm
Blade Length
1,400mm
Blade Width
3.5-12mm
Weight
17kg
Overall Score 4.5
Build Quality
4
Performance
5
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
5

German tool manufacturer Scheppach have close to a century of experience making excellent kit for professionals as well as DIYers. Their HBS20 benchtop 8 inch band saw is a basic and lightweight piece of woodworking machinery that’s suited to a workshop where space is at a premium.

Featuring a 250 Watt motor that sends the blade round at a fixed speed of 650 m/min, it’s not the fastest machine, but it still cuts well. The maximum cut height of 80 mm is decent, but it’s let down by a relatively small 200 mm throat.

There’s an aluminium quick release fence, and Scheppach have included a useful plastic push stick as well. The table itself measures 300 x 300 mm, but it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy compared with the Axminster Craft AC1400B. You do get measurements on the table itself though, which is a nice touch.

Overall, this is an affordable bandsaw. Unless you’re looking for a high precision, professional machine, this is one of the best budget band saws on the market right now.

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8. Makita DPB182Z 18V Li-Ion LXT Portable Bandsaw

Best portable bandsaw for value

best band saw Makita DPB182Z 18V Li Ion LXT Portable Bandsaw
  • The excellent build quality is what you expect from Makita. You get a pair of TPE coated handles and the rigid aluminium blade housing feels like it’s made to last.
  • If you’re cutting a lot of pipes or other awkward shaped materials, this is a much better option than a standard jigsaw tool. The cutting motion is smooth and leaves much less tear out.
  • Even though this bandsaw comes with a pair of handles, you can comfortably use this tool one handed. The adjustable material stopper and weight of the tool is ideal for this.
  • There’s a bright LED light built into this bandsaw. It’s positioned to effectively illuminate the workpiece and means you can use it just about anywhere!

  • These handheld band saws have a tiny cutting capacity compared to a benchtop band saw. They're designed to cut through awkward shaped materials, not so much for cutting wood.
  • Even with both hands, any power tool weighing this much is going to tire you out over time, particularly if you’re not used to handling it.
  • Designed for straight cuts across materials, this saw is not made for cutting angles. The only way you could cut at 45°, for example, would be to use it freehand.
  • Due to the design of this saw and the width of the metal cutting blade, these band saws aren’t made for cutting curves. If you need to cut a curve, use a benchtop, or free standing band saw.
Type
Portable
Power
Battery - 18V (Bare)
Max Cut - Depth
64mm
Max Cut - Width
unk
Table Size
n/a
Blade Length
835mm
Blade Width
13mm
Weight
4.1kg
Overall Score 4.3
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
5

One of the biggest and most respected tool brands around, Japan’s Makita make a huge range of power tools from impact drivers to electric chainsaws. What sets this Makita DPB182Z portable bandsaw apart from most of the other band saws on my list is that it’s handheld and powered by Lithium-Ion batteries.

It’s worth noting that this is a very different beast compared with the big freestanding band saws elsewhere on my list. It’s not going to replace the big Axminster Craft AC1950B in your workshop, but it’s one of the best handheld band saws on the market, especially for cutting metal.

The continuous cutting motion is far superior to the reciprocating motion you get from a jigsaw tool for most jobs. Weighing just over 4 kg, it’s nicely portable too. The blade goes round at 192 m/min and can handle materials up to 64 mm in diameter.

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9. DeWalt DCS371N-XJ 18V Li-Ion Compact Bandsaw

Best portable bandsaw for professionals

best band saw DeWalt DCS371N XJ 18V Li Ion Compact Bandsaw
  • There’s a handy hanging hook on the back side of this saw. It means you can hang it off a rafter between cuts, without needing a third hand!
  • The continuous cutting motion guarantees less burrs than with a reciprocating saw. This means there’s less fettling needed in between cuts, and you save a lot of time.
  • Unlike an angle grinder, this is a relatively quiet tool for cutting through metal. You’ll still need ear defenders, but it’s a lot less noisy than a grinder would be.
  • Even though it’s a power hungry bit of kit, this portable bandsaw will last for much longer than a cordless angle grinder. The motor runs a lot slower, after all.

  • Like the Makita handheld bandsaw, this tool is sold bare. You’ll need to have batteries and a charger on hand already or buy them separately before you can get to work.
  • Even with a large size 5.0 Ah battery on board, this is a power hungry piece of kit. The power needed to cut through solid steel means the batteries won’t last forever.
  • The best handheld band saws on the market come with brushless motors. They’re more efficient and even more powerful compared with the brushed motor on this tool.
  • The throat depth on this saw is tiny compared with a benchtop bandsaw. You’ll only be able to work close to the edge of a workpiece, it’s not quite as versatile.
Type
Portable
Power
Battery - 18V (Bare)
Max Cut - Depth
63mm
Max Cut - Width
unk
Table Size
n/a
Blade Length
835mm
Blade Width
13mm
Weight
3.9kg
Overall Score 4.5
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

One of the most recognisable tool makes, the bright yellow and black stylings of US firm DeWalt are known around the world for their tough gear. The DeWalt DCS371N-XJ portable bandsaw is no exception. This is a hugely powerful handheld bandsaw that’s ideal for slicing through just about anything you can get into its jaws.

Similar in design to the Makita DPB182Z, this is a cordless band saw that makes use of DeWalt’s excellent XR battery system to make it go. Manufactured specifically for cutting metal and odd-shaped materials, it replaces the good old hacksaw or even an angle grinder in most applications.

Sporting a comfortable rear handle and large front auxiliary handle, this is comfortable to use, and slightly lighter than the Makita at just 3.9 kg without the battery. One of the main benefits of a tool like this is that it creates a lot less sparks than an angle grinder.

The 63 mm cutting capacity has nothing on a full-size woodworking band saw, but this is a totally different beast. If you’re trying to cut a lot of pipes or even things like rebar, this is one of the best metal band saws on the market today.

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Harry's Smart Buying Tips

  1. Band saws are versatile tools that come in various shapes and sizes. Their primary function is to make smooth, precise, yet sometimes complicated cuts in wood and metal.
  2. If workshop space and money are not an issue, look for a powerful floor-standing machine rated between 350 and 500 Watts that can cut up to 150 mm deep and over 250 mm wide.
  3. Band saws often have 2 cutting speeds.
  4. Benchtop band saws tend to be the most popular band saws because they are more versatile and competitively priced. They weigh around 20 kg (compared to a floor-standing machine weight of 40 kg).
  5. However, benchtop band saws are less powerful than floor-standing band saws and have a typical throat (cutting width) of 200-230mm.
  6. If you are looking for an ultra-portable solution you could consider a cordless band saw powered by 18 Volt Lithium-Ion batteries.
  7. Most band saws feature a cast iron tilting table around 300x300mm.
  8. An LED work light is also a very useful feature.

Compare Product Features

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  • Lumberjack Professional BS228 9” Benchtop Bandsaw
    best band saw Lumberjack Professional BS228 9” Benchtop Bandsaw
    • 4
    • Benchtop
    • Mains - 300W
    • 90mm
    • 228mm
    • 300x300mm
    • 1,575mm
    • 3-10mm
    • 22kg
  • Einhell TC-SB 200/1 Benchtop Band Saw
    best band saw Einhell TC SB 200/1 Benchtop Band Saw
    • 3.8
    • Benchtop
    • Mains - 250W
    • 80mm
    • 200mm
    • 305x305mm
    • 1400mm
    • 7mm
    • 17.4kg
  • Lumberjack Professional 10 Inch Band Saw with Leg Stand
    best band saw Lumberjack Professional 10 Inch Band Saw with Leg Stand
    • 4
    • Floor Standing
    • Mains - 375W
    • 150mm
    • 254mm
    • 360x320mm
    • 1,826mm
    • 6-12mm
    • 43kg
  • Axminster Craft AC1950B Floor Standing Bandsaw
    best band saw Axminster Craft AC1950B Floor Standing Bandsaw
    • 4.8
    • Floor Standing
    • Mains - 550W
    • 135mm
    • 260mm
    • 350x330mm
    • 1,950mm
    • 4.7-13mm
    • 39kg
  • Axminster Craft AC1400B Bandsaw
    best band saw Axminster Craft AC1400B Bandsaw
    • 4.8
    • Benchtop
    • Mains - 250W
    • 80mm
    • 200mm
    • 300x300mm
    • 1,400mm
    • 4.7-9.5mm
    • 20kg
  • Ryobi RBS904 9” Benchtop Bandsaw
    best band saw Ryobi RBS904 9” Benchtop Bandsaw
    • 4
    • Benchtop
    • Mains - 350W
    • 80mm
    • 230mm
    • 305x305mm
    • 1,572mm
    • 3.2-9.5mm
    • 19.6kg
  • Scheppach HBS20 Benchtop Bandsaw
    best band saw Scheppach HBS20 Benchtop Bandsaw
    • 4.5
    • Benchtop
    • Mains - 250W
    • 80mm
    • 200mm
    • 300x300mm
    • 1,400mm
    • 3.5-12mm
    • 17kg
  • Makita DPB182Z 18V Li-Ion LXT Portable Bandsaw
    best band saw Makita DPB182Z 18V Li Ion LXT Portable Bandsaw
    • 4.3
    • Portable
    • Battery - 18V (Bare)
    • 64mm
    • unk
    • n/a
    • 835mm
    • 13mm
    • 4.1kg
  • DeWalt DCS371N-XJ 18V Li-Ion Compact Bandsaw
    best band saw DeWalt DCS371N XJ 18V Li Ion Compact Bandsaw
    • 4.5
    • Portable
    • Battery - 18V (Bare)
    • 63mm
    • unk
    • n/a
    • 835mm
    • 13mm
    • 3.9kg

How to Choose The Best Band Saw

Band saws are useful and versatile pieces of equipment in the workshop that are great for making complicated cuts. They can cut deep sections, curved and straight lines, and even circles. They can also make precise rip cuts, cross cuts and angled cuts with ease.

The best band saws effortlessly cut metal and portable bandsaws are excellent for site work and when space is limited.

When choosing a new bandsaw a lot will depend on what you want to use it for, how much space you have, and of course your budget.

There are however a few other things to consider when looking for the best bandsaw for your needs.

Power

The size of the motor will affect the band saw’s performance and its ability to handle heavier applications. The best band saws for woodworking and hobby usage will be rated around 250 – 375 Watts. Professional band saws will feature motors rated over 500 Watts.

Frame

The quality of the frame will determine the stability and durability of the band saw machine. If possible choose a heavy-duty machine with a welded steel or cast iron frame.

Speed

The higher the speed the faster the cut. However, when cutting hard materials you will want to cut more slowly for accurate cuts. The best band saws will feature a variable speed function or more than one cutting speed to achieve this level of control.

Cut Depth

The greater the maximum cutting depth the thicker the material you will be able to cut.

Throat Capacity / Cutting Width

The throat is the distance from the band saw blade to the vertical frame section of the saw. This distance determines the width of the cut that can be made. Most band saws have a throat capacity from 8″ to 12″ and sometimes higher. Some bandsaw brands use the term “cutting width” instead of “throat capacity”.

Blades

A saw is only as good as its blade, so be prepared to invest in some good quality blades for accurate cuts.

Band Saw FAQs

The following table gives a general guide to the band saw blades required for cutting wood with different curves:

Blade width       Minimum radius

13 mm (1/2″)      10 mm (3/8″)

6 mm (1/4″)        19 mm (3/4″)

5 mm (3/16″)      13 mm (1/2″)

3 mm (1/8″)        10 mm (3/8″)

It is usually best to keep a separate saw blade for cutting straight lines as cutting curves will disturb the set of teeth on the blade, making it virtually impossible to cut a straight line with the blade afterwards.

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