So you have decided to add a table saw to your small shop, but which table saw should you buy. Considering the size of your workshop, you probably want something that will not take up a lot of space.

Also, given how tough things have been this year, you probably want a table saw that would not cost you a fortune. That being said, it may seem like your options are limited. However, there are still plenty of table saws that meet this criterion.

We decided to scour the table-saw market in search of the best table saw for small shop, and we came up with a list of four. We have prepared reviews of each below and also included a buying guide on how to make your selection.

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Reviews Of The Best Table Saw For Small Shop

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Metabo HPT Jobsite Table Saw

The Metabo HPT Jobsite table saw is among the best table saws for small shops on the market. With this table saw you get a slue of great and useful features. We decided to put this portable table saw to the test and see how it performed.

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At first glance, this looks like your standard corded table saw with an AC adapter. But on a closer look, you will soon realize what makes it so special. The table saw can also function using a 36 multi-volt battery.

The motor is a standard 15 amp motor, which produces a no-load speed of 4500 RPM. When overloaded, the blade will come to an immediate stop to protect it from damage.

As with most portable table-saws, the table on this model is made from aluminum. However, it is quite big compared to that of other similar saws. It measures 28 ¾ inches wide and 22 inches deep.

What we liked

• Can use both an AC adapter and a 36-volt battery
• It is one of the few cordless table saws that have a 10-inch blade.
• Has an impressive 35-inch rip capacity
• The rack and pinion fence system is easy to make adjustments.
• Has several safety features, including an overload protection

What we did not like

• While it can function as a cordless table saw, it is bulkier than most cordless table saws.
• No stand and onboard storage available

Features

• 15 amp motor
• 4500 RPM no-load speed
• 0-45 degrees bevel range
• Rack and pinion fence system
• 35-inch rip capacity
• 10-inch blade

This is a hybrid table saw that can be used in a small shop and any Jobsite. Its versatility is the reason it tops our list. But the best part is that it is versatile without compromising on performance and power.

 DEWALT (DWE7491RS) 10-Inch Table Saw

To say that we were impressed by the Dewalt dwe7491RS would be understating it. There is a lot to love about this table saw. It is most notably designed as a job site or contract table-saw, meaning it will not take up a lot of space in your small shop.

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With a maximum cut depth of 3.125 inches, it had no trouble ripping through plywood of various sizes. More importantly, the saw was able to rip through 5/4 inch deck boards with ease, thanks to its impressive 32.5-inch rip capacity.

The 15 amp motor that the saw features are standard for a saw in its category, and so is the 10-inch blade. What impressed us was the speed of the blade, which stands at 4800 RPM. 

We are big fans of rack and pinion style fence on table-saws because of how easy they are to adjust. So we were pleased with the addition of a rack and pinion fence on this portable table saw. 

What we liked

• Has an impressive rip capacity of 32.5 inches
• The rack and pinion gears allow for smooth, accurate, and easy adjustment of the fence.
• Comes with a rolling stand that makes it easy to set up and stow
• The fence has a flip-over capability, which allows for narrow cutting.
• The saw has a great motor system with an impressive blade rotation speed.

What we did not like

• Lacks a dado plate or a place to stow a dado blade
• For larger materials, the blade speed may not be great.

Features

• 10-inch blade
• 32.5-inch rip capacity
• The 2.5-inch dust collection port
• 4800 RPM no-load speed
• Rack and pinion fence
• 15 amp motor

This contractor table saw some impressive features: the rip capacity and rack and pinion fence. And thanks to its compact design, it should serve you well in a small shop.

Bosch 10-Inch 4100-09 Worksite Table Saw 

Is the Bosch 4100-09 worksite table saw still worth buying? This is what we sought to find out when we tested this highly popular table saw. And while Bosch has released newer models under the 4100 series, this one is still a capable workhorse.

The saw is powered by a standard 15 amp motor that churns out 4 horsepower. This translates to a no-load speed of 3650 RPM. We were a little disappointed that it does not hit the 4000 RPM mark, but it is still sufficient for more projects.

Measuring 29 by 21.5 inches, the saw’s aluminum table is smooth, and it is easy to slide large sheets of wood on it. But what about the rip capacity? You may be asking. Well, this table saw has a rip capacity of 25 inches.

But the standout feature of this portable table-saw is the SquareLock rip fence. The latter feels solidly built and is easy to fix positions.

What we liked

• The saw is portable 
• Comes with a wheeled base that makes it easy to move
• Is made from high-quality materials such as aluminum
• The sawdust port is positioned out of the users’ way to avoid blowing dust towards you.
• Has an anti-kickback system

What we did not like

• Has a rather small working surface
• The motor starts to get louder after a few years.

Features

• 10-inch blade
• 39 x 29.75 x 21 inches dimensions
• 3650 RPM no-load speed
• 25-inch rip capacity
• 15 amp motor
• Square-lock RIP fence

While Bosch has released newer models under the 4100 series, 4100-09 remains a solid and dependable portable table saw for fine woodworking. It has all the features you would expect from a portable table saw in its price point.

DEWALT DWE7485 Table saw

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Dewalt is looking to replace its massively popular 10-inch table saws, the dw745s, and the dwe7480, with the dwe7485. So will this new table saw offering from Dewalt be as good as the predecessors or better? Time to find out. You can check the comparison from here Dewalt dw745 vs dwe7480.

One notable difference between this new saw and its predecessors is the blade. Dewalt decided to go with an 8.25-inch blade on this one. However, this saw still maintains the 15 amp motor of its predecessors.

This translates to a higher no-load speed of 5800 RPM. The rack and pinion fence system also makes a comeback on this new model. This fence is still easy to use and make adjustments.

The blade on this model can be tilted from 0 to 45 degrees, and there is a quick bevel lock. One nifty feature that we found useful was the dust collection port. There are two ports, a small and large, on which you can connect a vacuum cleaner.

What we liked

• The saw is compact and lightweight.
• With its smaller blade, the table saw can achieve a no-load speed of 5800 RPM.
• The 24.5-inch rip capacity is still impressive.
• There is a quick bevel lock that makes adjusting the blade angle easy.
• The saw comes with onboard storage.

What we did not like

• The upper dust port could be better.
• Does not come with a stand included

Features

• 15 amp motor
• 8.25-inch blade
• 24.5-inch rip capacity
• Rack and pinion fence system
• Two dust ports
• 5800 RPM no-load speed

This is clearly an upgrade on both the dwe7480 and the dw745s. While it has a smaller blade, it has a considerably higher blade speed. This means you will have no trouble cutting through hardwoods.

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Things To Consider Before Getting a Best Table Saw For Small Shop

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You have an idea of the various options available to you. But how exactly do you know which table saw to invest in? Well, some characteristics are unique to the best table saw for small shops. More importantly, there are certain factors you need to consider when shopping.

These factors are;

Which Type of Table Saw Best For Small Shop:

For this guide, we are going to focus on Jobsite table saws and benchtop table saws. The latter is lightweight and compact and are usually made from a combination of plastic and aluminum.

They normally do not feature a stand and have to be placed on top of another surface. Due to them being lightweight, they are easy to carry and can be carried by one person. However, they offer limited features.

Jobsite table saws, on the other hand, are also compact and lightweight. However, they offer more features and a slightly larger table surface. They are designed for use in construction job sites.

So which of the two table saw types should you opt for. If you are a contractor moving from one job site to another, the Jobsite table saw is the better option. However, for a DIYer, the more compact benchtop table saw will make more sense.

The rip capacity

RIP capacity is something you will find appearing prominently on the feature-list of all table saws. So what is it, and why is it important? Well, rip capacity refers to the distance between the fence and the blade of the table saw.

This distance impacts the size of boards you can comfortably cut on your table saw. If you are a professional contractor, a rip capacity of 24 inches and above is recommended. This will allow you to cut large MDF pieces with ease.

For basic DIY projects, a rip capacity of 20 inches will be sufficient. Thus the rip capacity will depend on the kind of work you want to do with your table saw.

Size and weight

The size and weight of a table saw matter a lot if you have a small shop or work in job sites. If you have limited space in your shop, the last thing you want is a large table saw that will occupy a large space.

A compact table saw will be a great addition to your small shop. And if you work in job sites where you have to move with the table constantly saw weight matters. The average weight of a Jobsite table saw is 45 to 52 pounds.

Anything beyond 52 pounds, and you will struggle to move it around.

Safety features

Safety features tend to vary between table saws. However, they are essential, especially for beginners. Safety features such as an anti-kickback mechanism are important factors to consider.

All the models on this list feature some safety features that range from anti-kickback palls, automatic shutoff, and overload protection. A table saw with safety features will give you peace of mind when using it.

Blade Rotations per Minute

How fast the blade of the table saw rotates impacts how smooth and fast it can cut. Thus a higher RPM is always recommended. It is worth noting that smaller blades tend to have a higher RPM.

This is why the DEWALT DWE7485, with its 8.125 inches, has the highest RPM of 5800. 

Conclusion

All the table saws on our list are fantastic and should serve you well. However, we feel that the Metabo HPT Jobsite Table Saw is the best of them all. It has a better rip capacity compared to its counterpart and is also more versatile.

It is the only hybrid table saw on the list. And while the likes of the Dewalt dwe7485 have a significantly higher RPM, the Metabo is an an-round table saw. It packs a lot of useful features without being bulky.

This table saw also has an overload protection feature, which is one of its main safety features. Overall, it manages to offer everything that its competitors offer with some great additions.