Looking for a quick answer? WEN 3939T is the best benchtop bandsaw you can get. Keep on reading to find out why.
Bandsaws are one of the more versatile power tools in any serious workshop. Band saws can also be large and expensive, making it difficult for hobbyists to find the right one. That is why this list presents the 5 best benchtop band saws of 2024, highlighting what each one does best and providing a helpful buyer’s guide.
Top-Rated Benchtop Bandsaws Compared:
Buyer’s Guide
Cutting Power
Despite how band saws are marketed, the cutting power of benchtop band saws does not matter as much as you might think. Granted, benchtop band saws need to meet a certain minimum threshold for cutting power, but anything extra likely does not do as much as you would expect.
Still, when gauging a benchtop band saw’s cutting power, you need to consider the horsepower, which tells you how strong of a bite the tool makes, and the amps, which tell you how well it cuts under load. The blade speed is not really part of the cutting power, though it impacts what kinds of materials you can cut and how fast you can feed the workpiece into the blade.
Cutting Capacities
While the cutting power may not be quite as important once it meets a minimum threshold, the cutting capacities of a tabletop band saw are always appreciated. The cutting capacities ultimately limit the size and type of projects you can work on with the benchtop band saw, but they also come at a premium price.
That said, most benchtop band saws offer a fairly standard set of cutting capacities, with the resaw capacity being the most likely to follow across different products. However, even though the maximum cutting width will vary more, a tabletop band saw with even a slightly larger resaw capacity might be worth the additional cost.
Materials
The materials used for a benchtop band saw impact in a couple of different aspects, with the price being one of the most notable. However, it is often worth paying a bit more for superior materials as certain components of a small band saw made of inferior materials might break off and render various functions unusable.
On top of that, the most important aspect that materials influence on tabletop band saws is the accuracy and precision of the blade. Specifically, the denser the overall build, the more of the motor’s vibrations a benchtop band saw can absorb which will reduce the blade’s tendency to drift out of alignment when cutting.
Dimensions
Considering the focus of this list, the dimensions are one of the more important aspects, though they do not often affect the overall performance of the tool. Still, you choose a benchtop band saw over a more capable type generally due to either the price of cabinet models or the size of your workshop.
For the latter, making sure that a small band saw fits comfortably in your workshop is one of the most important factors– though most are around the same size. However, should you need to move the benchtop band saw to make room for a different power tool, its weight– which varies more from tool to tool– will come into play.
Extra Features
This is one of those categories that encompasses several different features that all make using a mini band saw easier but likely should not determine your choice. Still, one of the best extra features a benchtop band saw can have is a built-in work light to make seeing your cuts easier.
Of course, you can take that to the next level by making sure that your mini band saw comes with a laser guide so you do not have to keep track of the alignment. Finally, beginners often overlook how much sawdust can impact the cutting performance, which is where a dust blower comes in handy.
The 5 best tabletop band saws: The reviews
1. WEN 3939T – Best Small Bandsaw for the Money
- 2.8 amp motor rotates the blade up to 2460 feet per minute
- Create cuts up to 3-5/8 inches deep and 9 inches wide
- Uses 62-inch blades anywhere from 1/8 to 3/8 inches in size
OVERVIEW
WEN is a solid company whose reputation continues to rise, though it focuses more on top-tier consumer-grade power tools than it does anything else. However, that works out perfectly for this list as the WEN 3939T Benchtop Bandsaw offers specs and performance that are more important for the hobbyist or DIYer.
For example, this tabletop band saw comes with a solid motor that generates ½ hp and pushes a solid 2 ⅘ amps, which ties for second on the list. On top of that, the WEN 3939T Benchtop Bandsaw also comes with a full complement of different measuring tools, including a miter gauge and fence.
That said, not all adjustments made with this benchtop band saw run so smoothly, as aligning the blade guides can be fiddly and tends to need redoing more than most. As if that were not enough, the WEN 3939T Benchtop Bandsaw works well enough when cutting with a ⅜” blade but struggles to maintain alignment when cutting with a ⅛” blade.
Still, this benchtop band saw focuses on the consumer-grade market, which accounts for some of these issues but also helps explain why it is inexpensive. Even better, the WEN 3939T Benchtop Bandsaw should have no issue finding a spot in your workshop as it only tips the scales at 44 lbs.
Pros
- Has a ⅓ hp, 2 ⅘A motor
- Comes with measuring tools
- It is a lightweight bandsaw
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Not the easiest to use
- Struggles with thin blades
2. POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw
- Includes: (1) BS900 110 Volt 9” band saw, (1) miter gauge and (1) 1/4” x 62 inch band saw blade
- Function: an essential woodworking tool for delivering precision cuts, cutting irregular shapes Up to 3-5/8 inches deep & 9 inches wide, or ripping lumber into thinner pieces
- Special features: patented blade guard adjustment for quick and easy blade replacement, A blade tracking window, and a 2” dust port that keeps work area clean and clear from dust
OVERVIEW
POWERTEC is easily one of the newest and least experienced companies reviewed, with a focus on power tool accessories rather than power tools themselves. This focus and lack of experience show up in the POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw, however, which is adequate but otherwise unspectacular.
Arguably one of the best qualities of this benchtop band saw is that it is inexpensive, though it more than justifies that low price– as you will see. For starters, the POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw is a less powerful model whose motor generates ½ hp and pushes only 2 ½ amps– the least on the list.
Thankfully, this benchtop band saw at least offers a full complement of different measuring tools, including a miter gauge and blade tracking window. Unfortunately, the POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw shows its inexperience and budget-value build once again with the use of plastic for too many pieces.
Still, this benchtop band saw comes with a ribbed table that allows you to position the miter gauge or a secondary fence in more places to accommodate different workpieces. On top of that, the POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw comes in at a lightweight 44 lbs for easier movement and placement.
Pros
- Comes with measuring tools
- Has a ribbed table
- It is a lightweight bandsaw
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Not the most powerful
- Has a plastic tension system
More Options To Consider: Best Budget Bandsaws
3. Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw
- Solid Steel Design- The 10-305 is a scaled down version of the popular 10-345 and 10-325. Frame is made of steel plate, stronger than plastic frames used by other manufactures
- Cast Iron Table-Large 13-3/4-Inch by 12-1/2-Inch sturdy work surface, a feature not typically found on a bandsaw of this size
- Rip Fence- A quality rip fence is now included. Easily removed to do free hand work
OVERVIEW
Rikon is another fairly inexperienced power tool manufacturer with just over ½ a decade under its belt and a focus on the consumer-grade market. That said, the Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw bucks the trend on our list with a 10” throat that offers some uncommon specs for this class of bandsaw.
One of the more notable differences with this benchtop band saw is its motor, which generates an industry-standard ⅓ hp but pushes an unexpected 3 ½ amps– the most on our list. As if that were not enough, the Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw also runs its blade at a quick 2780 fpm– the second-fastest reviewed.
That said, you do not get high-end consumer-grade specs without having to pay for them, and this benchtop band saw is an expensive option. On top of that, the Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw’s more powerful motor might come to bite it for certain workshops as it is larger and heavier than most.
However, that weight can be a bit of a blessing in disguise, as this benchtop band saw is the only model on the list that comes with a cast-iron table to increase cut precision. Even better, the Rikon 10-305 Benchtop Bandsaw is also the only entry with a 10” through that increases its maximum cutting capacities to 9 ⅝” wide and 4 ⅝” deep– both of which top the list.
Pros
- Has a blade speed of 2780 fpm
- Has larger cutting capacities
- Has a ⅓ hp, 3 ½A motor
- Has a cast-iron table
Cons
- Is more expensive
- Is a heavier bandsaw
4. Grizzly Industrial G0803Z Benchtop Bandsaw
- Adjustable wheels for alignment
- Fence adjustable for blade lead
- Rack-and-pinion table tilt
OVERVIEW
Grizzly Industrial may not be terribly experienced in the broader power tool market, but it is one of the more experienced on this list, with over 35 years of experience. This provides the Grizzly Industrial G0803Z Benchtop Bandsaw with unique insights into what might make a benchtop bandsaw more convenient for the average consumer.
This insight starts with a litany of extra features not often found on benchtop band saws, such as a laser guide that helps ensure you keep your cut aligned. Unfortunately, the Grizzly Industrial G0803Z Benchtop Bandsaw’s laser guide is somewhat necessary as many of the aligning components are not the most durable.
This is especially troubling when you consider that this benchtop band saw is expensive, though the other uncommon features help explain why. For instance, the Grizzly Industrial G0803Z Benchtop Bandsaw is only the second option on this list, as it comes with a built-in work light, and it is a superior light on top of that.
As if that were not enough, this benchtop band saw also comes with a dust blower on top of the 2” dust port to make sure that waste management is not an issue. Finally, the Grizzly Industrial G0803Z Benchtop Bandsaw is even more mobile than most competitors as it ties the list for the lowest weight at only 42 lbs.
Pros
- Comes with a work light
- Comes with a laser guide
- Comes with a dust blower
- It is a lightweight bandsaw
Cons
- Is more expensive
- Not the most durable
5. Rockwell ShopSeries RK7453 Benchtop Bandsaw
- Powerful, lightweight 2.5-amp band saw ideal for a variety of woodworking projects
- Die-cast aluminum table bevels from 0 to 45 degrees
- Features a 59-1/2" tungsten carbide blade with a cutting depth of 3-1/8" and a throat depth of 9"
OVERVIEW
Rockwell Tools is arguably the “middle child” on this list in that it has been around for about 1 ½ decades, which is reasonable but not especially long. Still, the Rockwell ShopSeries RK7453 Benchtop Bandsaw follows in the footsteps of its progenitor, tracing its lineage back to BLACK+DECKER.
In general, though, this mini band saw is a bit of a mixed bag with some specs, like its blade speed of 3200 fpm blowing the rest of the competition out of the water. However, that blade speed seems a little less impressive when you consider that the Rockwell ShopSeries RK7453 Benchtop Bandsaw also only pushes 2 ½ amps.
That said, this mini band saw takes after its consumer-grade conglomerate as it provides a built-in work light for more convenience– though the light is a bit odd. Either way, the work light combined with a lightweight build tipping the scales at a list-tying 42 lbs makes the Rockwell ShopSeries RK7453 Benchtop Bandsaw more convenient than most.
It also does not hurt that this mini band saw is an inexpensive option– especially considering its convenience– though its performance tells why. Outside of the low power, the Rockwell ShopSeries RK7453 Benchtop Bandsaw also sports the lowest resaw capacity at 3 ½”– though this is only a hair shorter than most.
Pros
- Has a blade speed of 3200 fpm
- Comes with a work light
- It is a lightweight bandsaw
- Is less expensive
Cons
- Not the most powerful
- Not the largest cutting capacities
Which one tops the rest?
In the end, most benchtop band saws offer a similar range of specs catered to the average consumer and burgeoning hobbyist woodworker. That being the case, it makes sense that the WEN 3939T Benchtop Bandsaw tops this list given its low barrier to entry with an inexpensive cost.
That said, this benchtop band saw offers a reasonable amount of cutting power as well as industry-standard specs in blade speed and cutting capacities– perfect for those still learning. Even better, the WEN 3939T Benchtop Bandsaw comes with all of the measuring tools a DIYer needs to start projects without additional purchases.
Read More: Best Band Saws of 2024
