6 Best Table Saws Under $500 in 2020 – By Experts

A table saw is an essential power tool in all workshops. So, if you have a workshop, there is no way to think that you will not need one. Buying an affordable table saw is not very difficult because there is a variety of circular saws that are efficient and not expensive. That is why, in this article, you will find a list of some table saws, among which you will find the best table saw under $500.

Our Top Picks:

The 6 Best Table Saws Under $500

1. Dewalt DW745 - Best Overall Table Saws Under $500

This table saw comes with a 15-ampere motor that makes its 10-inch blade reach 3.850 RPM, consequently producing precise cuts. It also has a 20-inch rip capacity, which is great, thanks to its exclusive fence configuration. Moreover, thanks to its fence's telescoping design, the rail can move out to 20 inches to rip full sheets of material and can be retracted for a compact design that's easy to transport.

Bottom Line

While its miter gauge is not the best thing about it, it is hard to find a better portable table saw at this price range. Its powerful motor, coated table surface, dust port and movable rail make up for the lousy quality of the miter gauge.

2. Metabo HPTC10RJ - Runner-Up Table Saws Under $500

Its 15-ampere motor produces 4.500 RPM, which enables it to power through tough ripping applications. It also has a telescoping table extension that supports 35” of ripping capacity to the right and 22” to the left. Moreover, Metabo HPTC10RJ comes with a 3/4" T-slot miter gauge to help you guide the material to get the most accurate cuts you can get. The miter gauge comes with a large scale that has adjustable positive stops at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 degrees to the left and right. You can also rest assured that it is not a noisy power tool, thanks to its soft start function.

Bottom Line

Metabo HPT C10RJ is a powerful table saw that enables you to make precise ripping cuts and cross cuts. It is also safe, quiet and its cons are not deal-breakers. I highly recommend it.  

3. Bosch GTS1031 - An Affordable Lightweight Table Saws Under $500

Bosch GTS1031 is an affordable table saw that can be easily transported due to its lightweight (50 pounds), ergonomic carry handle, and design. It has a 15-ampere motor, and its blades reach up to 5,000 rpm with its no-load motor. The design transfers all the weight of the machine to a center of gravity, so that makes the table saw easier to carry around. It also features a smart guard system that helps the device perform at peak levels while making sure you stay safe. Moreover, you will not waste much of your material because Bosch GTS1031 has a rip fence and a measuring system that help you make accurate cuts so that you do not waste much of the material.

Bottom Line

If you are searching for a lightweight, portable and powerful table saw, then look no more! Bosch GTS1031 is also safe to use and makes accurate cuts.

4. Rockwell RK7241S - Best For Laser Cut Line Table Saws Under $500

With its 14-ampere motor that produces 4.800 RPM, this portable table saw can tackle heavy-duty tasks. Moreover, thanks to its 30-inch table to the right of the blade and 11 inches to the left, its rip cutting capacity is excellent. Its maximum cutting depth is 3-9/16 inches and 2-9/16 inches at 90 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively. It can also cut through a 4-by-4 piece of lumber in one fell swoop. Besides, do not worry about making inaccurate cuts because its laser-cut line indicator helps you know exactly where you are cutting.

Bottom Line: 

A sturdy portable table saw that can cut a 4-by-4 piece of lumber in one fell swoop is an amazing find! The difficulty of aligning its blade is worrisome, though.

5. ShopSeries RK72401 - Best Known For Its Stability Table Saws Under $500

This powerful 13-ampere table saw is lightweight so it can be transported from one place to another. It is also suitable for many woodworking projects thanks to its durable die-cast aluminum table that offers 400 square inches of workspace. It has a 10” blade that has adjustable depth and that can bevel to 45 degrees. Moreover, it comes with quick-release rip fence, push stick, and miter gauge so you won’t worry about the stability of the table and the precision for the cuts.

Bottom Line

This portable table saw is great for cutting small pieces of wood. However, it is made of plastic, so it may not be really durable. Also, do not forget to wear earplugs while using it because it is very noisy. 

6. SKIL 3410-02 - Best For Its Durable Body Table Saws Under $500

At an affordable price, the transportable Skil 3410-02 offers powerful performance with its 15 ampere motor with a 120 Volt power requirement. You don't need to worry about it getting broken thanks to its cast iron table top that makes it very durable. Moreover, it features 3-1/2-inch cut height capacity to slice through 4X the material, and 47-degree bevel capability and extendable table. Sadly though, its blade does not reach zero, so it cannot make straight cuts. Also, when the blade is getting to speed, the whole power tool vibrates and makes loud noises.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for an affordable table saw that is also durable and powerful, Skil 3410-02 is a good choice. However, it is terribly noisy. 

How Far Will a $500 Table Saw Go?

After reading this, you already know that you can get a good table saw for $500 and less. You may have to miss some great features that are available on more expensive table saws, like the anti-kickback mechanism, transparent guard for extra security, and more. However, $500 table saws are excellent because they provide you with a dust extraction port, powerful motors, high RPM, durability, and the above-mentioned practical features. So, if you are worried that a $500 table saw will not be money-well-spent, you are remarkably wrong.

How To Pick a Table Saw?

There are certain things that you should examine before purchasing a table saw, among which are the following: 

Table Saw Types

The type of table saw tells whether it's portable or not. Portable table saws are great if you  often move from one job site to another; however, if you know you will keep working in one spot, then you won’t need a portable one. Portable models, such as compact and jobsite table saws, come with a stand that has wheels for transportation. On the other hand, Benchtop models do not come with a stand because they should be used on a table or a bench- as the name implies. Nevertheless, they are portable due to their lightweight and small dimensions. You can easily carry them and move around.

Blades

Blades of table saws are divided according to their diameter, arbor size, number of teeth, kerf size, speed, application, and materials used in their construction. Most commercial table saws have 10” and 12” blades; however, some table saws have 5” blades and one-foot blades. Regarding the number of teeth, it is usually between 24 and 80. Also, most blades have materials like carbon, carbide and diamond that help them cut materials other than wood. You should also check the direction to which the blade tilts because each direction has its advantages and disadvantages.

Fence and Miter Gauge

The fence is what makes the table saw stand out among other saws. It is the reason why it can make rip cuts. The most common type is the T-square fence that has a robust design and is very accurate. The saw’s miter gauge is the reason why you can make cross cuts and any angled cuts.

Motor

Table saws differ depending on the type of motor they have. For example, small, portable table saws have direct-drive motors that operate on 120V circuits. They can cut thin material sheets thanks to their ability to produce up to 2hp. On the other hand, the motor of more powerful table saws, usually stationary, operates on 240 volts and produce between 3 and 5 hp. They rely on a belt drive to transfer the power from the motor to the blade.

Accessories

The more the accessories that come with a table saw, the more functionality it has. Some of these accessories are table extensions - that increase the rip capacity of the saw, on/off switches - that provide you with safety, wheels - that let you control the height and tilt of the blade, and the on-board storage and dust collection system.

Safety Features

Your table saw should have safety features like the on/off switch, for example. It should also have splitters, riving knives, and anti-kickback pawls to minimize the probability of kickbacks. Moreover, the presence of blade guards and advanced safety systems help you make sure that you will not lose any fingers in the process.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, by now, you have found the best table saw under 500 that suits your needs. The first and most important thing you should consider before buying a table saw is what you need it for. If you need a noiseless table saw, go for Metabo HPTC10RJ. It is also powerful, safe, makes accurate cuts.  I also highly recommend Dewalt DW745 because it is perfect for its price given its portability, durable body, dust collection port and coated table