Jobsite table saws are smaller packages that are also portable. Whereas larger table saws stay put, jobsite saws usually include rolling stands that allow for easy storage or relocation if needed. Note that jobsite saw are not just for jobsites. They are perfect for garage woodworkers that still want to park their cars in the garage. Jobsite table saws are easily stowable and also offer enough power to tackle pretty much any project.
Do you have a dedicated shop space?…No?
Do you have a garage?…Yes?
Does your garage have cars in it?…Yes?
Then you’re in the right spot. Those of us without dedicated workshop space (and those with!) can benefit from the compact and portable form factor that jobsite table saws provide.
Good question. Larger cabinet saws are awesome and provide the heartbeat for most workshops. They also weigh several hundred pounds and aren’t meant to move. They also cost the average mortgage payment. If you don’t have a dedicated space for a larger saw, jobsite table saws can provide most of the functionality of their big brothers for a fraction of the price.
You might have to go slower on feeding stock through the blade, but there’s not much these saws can’t do. We at WWC cut our teeth on these saws and we still keep them in our stable for when portability is required.
The Quick Answer
Each of these saws has specific strengths. We’ve had a hard time ranking these so take a look at our quick one-line summaries to help guide you towards the best saw for your needs and your workshop:
- The BOSCH 4100XC includes some novel electronic safety features at a compelling price point.
- The SAWSTOP JSS120 costs a bit more but ensures you’ll always leave your garage with same number of fingers you started with.
- The DEWALT 7491 provides the best balance of features, power, and price.
BOSCH 4100XC
BOSCH’s 4100XC provides the standard 15 amps on a very portable stand. The Gravity-Rise system combines the ideal center-of-gravity and well-engineered pivot points to deliver a stand that is deployable and stowable with minimal effort.
BOSCH must have a horde of electrical engineers on staff because smart circuitry abounds on the 4100XC. Soft-start features give the saw an extra split-second to spool up to minimize excessive vibrations. Constant response circuitry adjust power input so that the blade speed is optimized for both light- and heavy-duty cuts. Restart protection ensures that the saw does not resume spinning if a power outage or tripped circuit occurs.
Rip capacity is average. Like most other saws, outfeed support is always helpful. Other safety features include a riving knife, blade guard, and anti-kickback pawl.
SAWSTOP JSS120
With one-and-a-half horsepower under the table, the JSS120 from SAWSTOP powers through just about anything. Rip capacity is a bit below average, so this saw would greatly benefit from some outfeed support to the left and behind the blade.
The defining feature of this saw is its safety technology. The saw continuously monitors the electrical conductivity of the blade. The instant that something other than wood touches the blade, the saw rockets the blade downwards at a speed 10x faster than a car’s airbag. This feature alone has saved countless fingers from being amputated since the SAWSTOP was introduced in the early 2000s.
The T-Glide fence is smooth and sure. A micro-adjustment mechanism ensures that the blade tilts to the desired angle. The included cart is constructed of sturdy tubular metal and provides a rock-solid framework for the JSS120.
DEWALT 7491
The 7491 from DEWALT provides a compelling contender in the jobsite table saw category. With 15 amps spinning the blade, the 7491 can handle just about anything. The 32″ of rip capacity can handle a full sheet of plywood with ease. Still, we always recommend extra support for larger cuts.
The rack-and-pinion fence system is one of our favorites. Sliding fences are great, but the geared fence system on the DEWALT adds a degree of precision that is hard to beat. It includes a flip-over feature that adds additional support when cutting large stock.
Dust collection is improved on the 7491. Like most saws, a dust port located beneath and behind the blade captures sawdust that falls under the table. Unlike most saws, a dust port is located above and behind the blade and integrated into the blade guard. This extra dust collection measure keeps more debris off your work surface, out of your lungs, and into your vac system where it belongs.
The DEWALT includes the standard safety measures with a riving knife, blade guard, anti-kickback pawl, and push stick.
So Which Jobsite Table Saw is the Best?
DELTA, SAWSTOP, and DEWALT each offer some of the most popular jobsite table saws to grace the garages of weekend warriors. Saws within the jobsite class typically feature smaller footprints, affordable prices, and increased mobility. Our side-by-side-by-side comparison below aims to help you determine the best table saw for your workspace. We stack the BOSCH 4100XC, the SAWSTOP JSS120, and the DEWALT 7491 against each other below.
We go further in depth with reviews for each model. You can check them out here:
Scoring will be based on each saw’s performance in five categories. Also, units can score equally if deserved in a particular category (e.g. a first, second, third, etc isn’t forced). For this comparison, the max score possible is set at 100 and the minimum score is 20.
Which Saw has the Best Safety Record?
Exemplary = 30 points
Satisfactory = 20 points
Below Average = 5 points
All three saws include blade guards and riving knives, which are standard features for any respectable saw. The best table saw is ultimately the one that keeps you using it day after day.
Riving knives prevent kickback caused by wood pinching the saw blade. Internal stresses within boards are released once they are cut and released stresses in a particular orientation can cause the wood kerf to pinch the spinning blade. Since blades spin backwards toward the user, this pinching of the blade can initiate a dangerous kickback scenario.
Blade guards surround the blade; they are designed to allow wood to easily pass through while keeping hands from accidentally resting on the blade. The SAWSTOP rises above with its patented blade stop system. The blade measures electrical resistance every microsecond. Because of this, the instant that the saw detects something resistive contacting the blade (a finger for example), a brake underneath the table shoots towards the blade and forces the blade to retract before major digit damage is dealt. The SAWSTOP goes above and beyond in the safety category.
Here’s how the SAWSTOP reacts when the blade touches something conductive like your finger:
BOSCH and DEWALT earn 20 points. SAWSTOP earns 30 points.
Which Table Saw is the Most Powerful?
Exemplary = 20 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Jobsite saws tend to include 15-amp motors and all three models follow suit. Each unit comes standard with 120v configurations so you won’t have to bother with additional electrical wiring to incorporate these into your space.
Note that while these table saws are best suited for wood-cutting operations, they can easily cut other soft materials like certain plastics and even aluminum. Make sure you’re using the appropriate blade if you decide to cut something other than wood. Another note: the SAWSTOP’s safety features respond to conductive materials like most metals, excessive moisture, or fingers. If you plan on intentionally cutting any of these (excluding fingers, don’t do that) the safety brake mechanism will have to be temporarily disengaged for that specific cutting operation.
BOSCH, SAWSTOP, and DEWALT each earn 15 points.
Which Saw has the Highest Build Quality?
Exemplary = 20 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
All three saws feature similar construction materials and designs. Each table saw utilizes power-coated aluminum for the tables. Note that this is not bare aluminum but is rather finished with a low-friction coating that keeps wood gliding through the blade. Because each saw body is made from hefty plastic, normal operations won’t cause these saws to flex.
BOSCH, SAWSTOP, and DEWALT each earn 15 points.
Which Table Saw has the Lowest Price?
Exemplary = 20 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
The best table saw doesn’t necessarily mean best (aka highest) price. Prices vary with seasonal availability, newly released upgrades, and vendor. That said, DEWALT and BOSCH price their saws around $600-$700, which is average for the jobsite class. At around $1400, the SAWSTOP’s price is considerably higher than the competition, likely due to the unique safety features it offers.
An extra $700 is no small chunk of change, especially for the hobbyists among us. We’ll throw this out there: consider the value you place on each of your fingers. Whatever your number, SAWSTOP has shown their cards at roughly $75 per digit, which we’d bet is less than the number you came up with. It’s certainly less than ours.
BOSCH and DEWALT earn 15 points. SAWSTOP earns 5 points.
Which Saw is the Easiest to Move Around?
Exemplary = 10 points
Satisfactory = 5 points
Below Average = 0 points
Jobsite saws are set apart from the broader market by their lighter weight and ease of movement around driveways, garages, and construction sites. Weights vary, with SAWSTOP weighing the most at 113 lbs, the DEWALT weighing in at 110 lbs, and the BOSCH weighing the lightest at 94 lbs. These are all within the ballpark of one another and we don’t perceive any noticeable difference.
BOSCH, DEWALT, and SAWSTOP earn 5 points.
So Which Table Saw is the Best for the Weekend Warrior Garage?
Well, that’s not very cut and dry. This was much more competitive than we expected in our efforts to determine the best table saw for the garage and jobsite. That’s because all three units are solid buys and each has their specific strengths:
- The SAWSTOP JSS120 provides unmatched safety features that will ensure your fingers live to see another day if you can spare the extra cost.
- The BOSCH 4100XC includes some unique electronic safety features and an easily transportable stand in an economic package.
- The DEWALT 7491 represents the best all-around table saw in power, portability, safety, and affordability.
Whatever your priority, we’re confident that each of these table saws will earn their stripes in your shop.
