Toolcritic: Portable Table Saws

Portable Table Saws - Most portable saws are a little like circular saws with a table strapped to them. They tend to be loud and they have no legs so you'll need to put them on a bench, table or stand to do anything.

However, the best portable models are serious performers that you can throw them into the back of an SUV or a truck and take them out to a job without much sweat. These are the real contractors saws. They are essential on worksites and you can also hide one under your workbench and take it out when it's needed.

For smaller jobs and infrequent use, some of the less expensive portable models are fine. They don't have the power, dust collection or smooth action of a larger saw, but if all you plan to do is rip a little molding, they'll do fine.

The 46 models in the Portable Table Saws analysis have an average grade ranking of B. The median grade of the 245 models in Table Saws is B. The specific product links have more reviews and information on each model.

Toolcritic's Picks

Bosch 4000-09 (Details)

This is the saw we would buy if we were doing serious construction work. It is expensive, but it would be worth the money for the superior results and the time savings it would offer. You can save quite a bit by getting the model with fixed legs, but for construction projects where portability is an issue, the easy to raise stand and wheels would pay for themselves. For information about why we picked the Bosch 4000-09 for the Portable Table Saws analysis, click here.

Jet 708315BTC (Details)

For a garage with very little space and a limited budget, we like the Jet. It is a quality tool at a good price. You can get the model with legs, but it won't fit under a workbench so we picked this one. If you are going to rip a little plywood or molding now and then and don't want to pay a fortune, this would be the tool for you. Click here for data about why we like the Jet 708315BTC for the Portable Table Saws analysis.

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