Best Contractor Table Saws – 2021 Complete Buyer’s Guide

| Last Updated: December 30, 2021

Are you looking for the best contractor table saws? If the answer is yes, you’re in the right place. You just might end up finding a table saw that will fit all of your projects by the time you are finished reading this article.

These contractor table saws are professional grade and are best used by those who are construction workers or contractors that usually do home construction or renovations. If you want a saw that will handle all the major projects that require a lot of woodcutting, we have reviewed several table saws that will be optimal for your purposes. These are considered the best in the business, so if you choose one of the options featured below they will be guaranteed to satisfy your needs.

Before we get to the reviews, we’ll talk about what makes a table saw earn the “contractor” title and why these table saws make the list.

Comparison of the Best Contractor Table Saws

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Best overall contractor table saw
  • Blade measured at 10 inches in diameter
  • 4,800 RPM speed (no-load)
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  • Best contractor table saws for the money
  • No-load speed of 4800 rpm
  • Weighs 90 pounds
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  • Best Delta Contractor Delta Saw
  • Large, easy to access ON/OFF switch
  • Contains a heavy-duty rail system for easy, precise cutting
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  • Editor’s pick for best contractor table saws
  • Blade is 10 inches in diameter
  • Heavy-duty stand included for easy portability and set up
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What Makes a Table Saw Considered a “Contractor” Table Saw

A contractor table saw is large in size. But they are easy to transport from one place to the next. These kinds of saws will have components that will be stronger in quality. This is a good sign if you are looking for a saw that can handle heavy-duty applications like home construction and renovation (among other projects).

Why Did These Table Saws Make Our List?

There are a few things that will make a table saw stand out among the pack. In fact, we paid close attention to the features and characteristics of each table saw that we chose. If we liked it well enough, we added it to the list. Here are some reasons why these saws made the list:

Affordable Across Most Budgets

Whether you are on a budget or have some money to play around with, you’re bound to find a saw that will be affordable for you. Regardless, you’ll be able to find a saw that will be excellent in quality and performance. Remember, the price should not be the be-all to end-all reason why you chose it. If you are looking for something affordable, be sure to find the best quality that you can afford (and nothing cheap and flimsy).

Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw

Solid Construction and Durability

You want a saw that will last you a long time. We’re talking years or even decades. The chances of that happening will be higher if the saw you choose is made from high-quality materials that are solid and really hard to damage. Durability, especially with the blade, should matter most since you’ll need the blade to be tough enough to cut all kinds of woods or even types of sheet metals. 

Able to Cut Through Materials Quickly

One of the biggest musts that a saw should have is the ability to cut through woods and metals quickly. You’ll need a saw that will be able to have a blade speed that will be fast enough to make quick, accurate, and straightforward cuts. The quicker it can cut through something, the better to move on to the next task (depending on the project itself). 

Review of the Best Contractor Table Saws

The following is a list of the five best contractor table saws that are currently on the list. As you go through each saw, you’ll want to make notes of any characteristics and features that will stand out as interesting to you. If you have a basic familiarity with table saws, you might have a good idea of what you want to look for in a saw.

Find the closest you can find to an ideal saw and you’ll be in business. Let’s kick off our list with the “best overall” choice for contractor table saws:

Best Overall:
Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw

Makita 2705 10' Table Saw

PROS

  • Solid construction
  • Cuts through wood easily
  • Blades are simple to switch out
  • Easily portable
  • Perfect for most residential and commercial workshops

CONS

  • Minor flaws in the design
  • Dust collection is not the greatest
  • Blade fence is not too solid. May loosen up on you

What Recent Buyers Report

New users were pretty satisfied with this saw. They were happy with the portability and were able to carry it themselves rather than rely on extra hands. Performance-wise, it was able to cut through all kinds of wood. One user said that he utilizes this saw for the purpose of building cabinets and even some larger projects like home construction.

Why It Stands Out to Us

Makita is probably one of the best brands in the business. They are known for manufacturing plenty of reliable saws that last long and provides a consistent performance that makes a lot of contractors and builders happy. This contractor saw has strong components that will be able to hold their own through so many projects that require a lot of woodcutting. While it’s a bit heavy in weight, that doesn’t make it impossible to transport. If you want something that will be easy to transport from job site to job site, this is a saw that you might rely on for the long haul. 

Who Would Use This Most

This is the saw that would be perfect for so many home building and renovating projects. Whether you are doing it yourself or if you are doing it for clients, this saw will provide power and accurate cutting. You won’t find a single crooked cut or any rough edges after using this saw. It’s clean cutting at its finest. 

Bottom Line

The Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw makes a strong case as to why it’s the “best overall” choice. It can cut fast, it’s built solid, and makes portability easier than compared to other table saws. If you want a saw that will be perfect for all your construction projects, this saw just might be your cup of coffee. 

Best for the Money:
DEWALT (DWE7491RS)

DEWALT (DWE7491RS) 10-Inch Table Saw, 32-1/2-Inch Rip Capacity, Yellow/Black/Silver

PROS

  • Affordable for most budgets
  • Perfect, accurate cutting every time
  • Designed to handle heavy-duty tasks
  • Can cut through most woods like butter
  • Portable, even if it is a bit on the heavy side

CONS

  • Throat plate may loosen up after a while
  • While portable, some may find it difficult due to the heavyweight
  • Dust collector may not always do a good job getting every bit of it

What Recent Buyers Report

According to most of the new buyers, this saw was not only affordable for most budgets but it was also able to exceed expectations. They said the construction was solid and sturdy, thus giving it the potential to last years or even decades. Even some users say that replacing the stock blade with one of their choices was quick and easy. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

They say “you get what you pay for” when it comes to things that are designed for “budget” shoppers. Thankfully, this table saw is perfect for those who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a contractor table saw. And it will certainly come in handy for all those building projects, especially those who are new to the whole do-it-yourself thing. 

Who Would Use This Most

This will be an excellent saw for anyone who is starting out with building large structures like garages, houses, or any do it yourself project that requires the use of a power saw. Yes, doing these projects for the first time can be daunting, but rest assured you will get the hang of it and bang out more projects than you never thought possible.

Bottom Line

The DeWalt DWE7491RS is worth every penny if you are looking for a newbie-friendly saw that is affordable for most budgets, but performs like a saw that should be worth twice the price. You will be satisfied with the straight accurate cuts that this saw can produce. And for the do-it-yourselfer or the contractor, you cannot live without it. 

Best Delta Contractor Delta Saw:
Delta 36-5052

Delta 36-5052 10-Inch Left Tilt Contractor Saw with 52-Inch RH Rip (Steel Wings)

PROS

  • Easy to cut through most woods
  • Accurate and straightforward cuts
  • Instructions are easy to understand
  • Quiet operation. No noises or any kind of whining
  • Rip capacity gives you plenty of space for cutting

CONS

  • None

What Recent Buyers Report

New buyers had no trouble with this saw upon initial use. Most of the users were do-it-yourselfers who would rather save money by doing the project rather than relying on professional contractors. One user said that it was a saw that gave him plenty of accurate, straightforward cuts that are consistent and quiet. He also said the saw didn’t make too much noise like his previous saw did. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

This saw is made from a brand that tends to fly below the radar. Forget about your Makitas, DeWalts, or your Milwaukee. The Delta brand is probably the one name that you’ll remember once you get a few projects out of this contractor saw. It’s also the kind of table saw that is versatile and allows for quick changing between cross-cutting and straight cutting. If you want easy maneuverability in a table saw, this could be the one that can do it without the complexities. 

Who Would Use This Most

This is a contractor table saw that should be a great addition to your garage or job site (depending on the projects that you are working with). This will be a great saw if you are the kind of user that wants to play around with the types of cuts (cross-cutting or straight cuts). Either way, it’s the kind of saw that will stand out as one of the most versatile table saws on the market. 

Bottom Line

The Delta Contractor Table Saw is excellent in quality and will prove its worth as one of the best under the radar saws that will allow for smooth, straightforward cutting that will make every project easy peasy. You may enjoy putting this to good use for the long term, even if you use it on occasions. 

Editor’s Pick:
SKIL 3410-02

PROS

  • Good quality construction
  • Affordable for most budgets
  • Excellent for projects big and small
  • Perfect for beginners and do-it-yourselfers
  • Accurate, dependable cutting that is consistent

CONS

  • No slow start
  • No vacuum port
  • Some say it should need a roll cage for extra safety purposes

What Recent Buyers Report

As expected, a lot of new users were happy with the saw. They were able to use this for most small projects like building cabinets or building furniture. The cutting was simple, smooth, and precise regardless of the kind of wood they were using. One user said that the operation was super easy and had all the safety guards and features that were lacking in his previous saw. So far, he had no complaints other than not having enough time to use it. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

At this point, we’ve been looking at contractor saws that are typically useful in large project applications. But we’ll be taking a look at one that will handle some of the smaller level projects like your cabinet building and some small scale home renovations. You get all the precise, smooth cutting and reliable performance that you won’t quit. And to put the cherry on top, it’s another saw that is affordable for most budgets. If you are looking for an affordable saw that will be perfect for all your home projects, this could be right up your alley.

Who Would Use This Most

This is a great saw for do-it-yourself builders and beginners. It’s a professional-grade saw that you deserve when it comes to making sure all your woodworking projects around the house are easy to do and won’t be a pain in the butt thanks to splintering and crooked cuts. You won’t get that in a saw like this. 

Bottom Line

The SKIL 3410-02 table saw has the quality construction, precise cutting, and the overall reliability that you can find in a saw that will fit most small projects. While it might not be for large building projects, it can still come in handy when things are coming together and it’s time to put together the cabinets, walls, and anything else that will make the house look good. 

5. SawStop CNS175-TGP36

SawStop 10-Inch Contractor Saw, 1.75-HP, 36-Inch Professional T-Glide Fence System (CNS175-TGP236)

PROS

  • Really quiet startup
  • Cutting is quick and smooth
  • Easy to assemble and set up
  • SawStop’s excellent safety features
  • Upgradeable with folding wing tables

CONS

  • Some vibrations may be reported
  • Miter gauge fit might be a bit loose
  • Some are not happy with the fit and finish

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of new users were impressed with the cuts being straightforward and really precise. This was the perfect saw for users that want to cut through all kinds of hardwood. One user said that he was able to use this when he was building a new garage. He said that the saw cuts really good and it didn’t make too much noise while he was cutting through every piece of wood. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

This is a saw that has all the safety features that will make sure that all of your projects begin and end safely. It’s the kind of saw that will make sure that all your cuts are clean and smooth without leaving any splinters behind. And with a vast amount of rip capacity, you have plenty of space for cutting. Not bad for something that will be ideal for heavy-duty construction projects.

Who Would Use This Most

This will be a great saw for any contractor or do it yourself builders looking for a rip capacity that will give you plenty of room. It proves itself as a saw that will be a homebuilder’s dream whether it’s doing it yourself or someone else. It might be the runner up for now, but you can expect this to probably grapple with Mariota for the top spot in the near future.

Bottom Line

The SawStop is a pretty good saw that can withstand heavy-duty projects time and time again. You will make the most out of this saw once you get through your initial project. With fast, precise cutting and safety features to make every project a success, it would be hard to say no to a saw like this.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying

It’s always a good idea to choose a saw that will work to your advantage. Especially when it’s a professional-grade table saw for contractors. In order to make a more informed decision, here’s what you need to know before purchasing a contractor table saw:

Find an Extra Saw Blade

There is a good chance that the saw you’ll purchase will have a stock blade that may not be sharp right out of the box. So it would make sense to find an extra table saw blade in case you need to start out with a better blade. You will find a lot of saw blades that will be much sharper than stock blades either online or your local hardware store. Please remember the diameter blade that will fit your saw.

Consider The Projects You Plan on Doing

While there is a contractor table that will be used for most large scale projects, there are some that will work for smaller projects like home renovation. Choose which table saw is suitable for all the projects you plan on doing on a regular basis.

The More Teeth Your Blade Has, The Better

One other thing to keep in mind is that your saw will have a specific amount of teeth on the blade. However, if you are looking for a smoother and more precise cut, then consider the idea of getting a blade with more teeth. You can start anywhere above 30 teeth and work your way up if you need anything smoother.

Conclusion

The best contractor table saw is out there. Find one that will stand out as something that you can use for all your cutting needs, even if you wind up using it on occasions. All it takes is a saw that can run efficiently and with the ability to cut straight and smooth.