Whether you are a professional or a beginner woodworker, a table saw is a must have tool in your home shop.
This unique tool can help you make straight cuts, crosscuts, and angled cuts. All of which are very important for your woodworking projects at home.
But… how many models in the market will fit your small shop? You will have to do a little research in order to find that lightweight, compact, and portable model.
All my top five selections of best table saws for small shops have taken into account all the necessary features you would want to have.
The Best Table Saws For Small Shops Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Tacklife MTS01A Table Saw |  |
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| 3. Dewalt DW745 Compact Table Saw |  |
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| 4. Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw |  |
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| 5. Makita 2705 Compact Contractor Table Saw |  |
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1. Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw — Best Small Shop Table Saw
The Dewalt DCS7485B is our overall best table saw for a small shop. It is innovatively made to provide maximum cutting power, optimum runtime, and unmatched accuracy.
Specs
- 8-1/4-inch blade diameter
- Features a brushless motor
- Rip capacity of 24 inches
- Power loss reset feature
- Smart guard system
The Dewalt DCS7485B is distinguished by its compact and lightweight design, which has a small footprint that will fit perfectly in your small workshop.
The saw is operated by a heavy-duty brushless motor that not only delivers the optimum power you need for all your small shop projects, but also reduces mechanical and operational noise.
I really appreciate the onboard storage that’s included on this tool, considering the easy access it offers to the miter gauge, wrenches, fence, and guard.
But what I find most disappointing when buying this table saw is the fact that the battery and charger are sold separately.
Pros
- Portable design with a small footprint
- FLEXVOLT 60V battery provides a reliable runtime
- Telescoping fence adjusts and aligns easily with the saw
- Raise/lower lever for the saw works quickly and smoothly
- Power loss reset technology helps prevents unintended restarts
Cons
- Battery and charger are sold separately
- Doesn’t come with a rolling wheel stand
Conclusion
The Dewalt DCS7485B is a portable and high performing table saw that is best suited for the beginner to advanced woodworker with a small shop.
Overall Rating – 4.8
2. Tacklife MTS01A Table Saw — Best Table Saw for Home Shop with a Rugged Stand
The Tacklife MTS01A is a rugged and portable table saw that will take less space in your home shop. The saw is equipped with a heavy-duty and durable stand.
Specs
- 10-inch blade diameter
- 15-amp 2000-watt copper motor
- Aluminum extension tabletop
- Smart guard system
- Strong rip fence
The table saw and the solid iron stand will take very little space of your home shop floor once you have fully assembled the whole unit.
The Tacklife MTS01A features a very powerful 15-amp 2000-watt motor, which is great because it’s capable of generating 4800 RPM for ripping through plywood and hardwood.
Another great feature is the compact extension tabletop, which measures 25.3 by 28.3 inches and extends by 3.9 inches on both sides without consuming too much space.
But the thing is, the rugged stand that comes with this table saw isn’t mobile because it lacks wheels. You can only reposition the whole setup by lifting.
Pros
- Both the saw and the stand have a small footmark
- Compact extension tabletop doesn’t require a large workspace
- Transparent blade guard keeps you safe from the rotating blade
- Heavy-duty riving knife prevents kickback and jamming
- Onboard storage offers quick and easy reach to components for extra convenience
Cons
- Table saw stand doesn’t have rolling wheels for mobility
- Spindle may be too short for dado blades
Conclusion
If it is important to you to find a compact table saw that will take less space in your small shop, the Tacklife MTS01A might be a great choice.
Overall Rating – 4.8
3. Dewalt DW745 Compact Table Saw — Toughest Tungsten Carbide Blade
The Dewalt DW745 is a compact and small footprint table saw that is defined by a lightweight, compact, and portable design that is best suited for your home shop.
Specs
- Compact and lightweight design
- 10-inch blade diameter
- 20-inch maximum rip capacity
- Toughest tungsten carbide blade
- Rack and pinion fence system
This tool comes with a powerful 15-amp motor, which is an exceptional feature because it delivers enough power for handling tough cutting jobs.
The saw’s 10-inch 24-tooth blade spins at an impressive no load speed of three thousand eight hundred and fifty revolutions per minute for quick clean cuts on thick wood.
Another amazing feature is the cut bevel, which can be adjusted at 45 and 90 degrees while the miter angle adjustment allows crosscutting of most hard and soft wood.
But there is one significant flaw in the design, only a certain amount of sawdust is actually removed through the dust port, while the rest accumulates inside the tool.
Pros
- Toughest tungsten carbide blades maintain sharpness
- Blade has thin kerf for smooth and fast cutting action
- Rack and pinion fence rails allow for accurate, smooth, and fast adjustments
- Overload protection maintains consistent performance when cutting frozen or wet wood
- Quick bevel lock is equipped with a large scale for accurate adjustments
Cons
- Sawdust may accumulate inside the saw
- Raising and lowering mechanism of the blade may start grinding
Conclusion
Apart from a few design flaws that you may experience, the compact design of the Dewalt DW745 is a great choice for a small shop.
Overall Rating – 4.7
4. Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw — Best Worm Drive Design
If you are looking for a compact, good quality table saw for your home DIY woodworking projects, look no further than the Skilsaw 3410-02.
Specs
- 10-inch blade diameter
- No load RPM of 5000
- 15-amp high performing motor
- Self-aligning rip fence
- Rugged, folding table saw stand
The first amazing feature provided by this model is the compact design, which is great because it will fit perfectly fine in your home workshop.
I really admired the self-aligning rip fence system, considering how accurate and consistent it is when making repeated cuts.
Another important feature that this saw offers is the ability to make different types of cuts, which is great because you can make cross, miter, rip, and dado cuts in your home shop.
This is a compact model with a small footprint, but its plastic construction is questionable and its blade stability is less than perfect.
Pros
- Compact design makes it perfect for your home shop
- Knobs and levers are conveniently located for ease of operation
- Self-aligning fence guarantees accurate measurements and cuts
- Delivers enough power for cutting 3-1/2-inch thick workpieces with ease
- Steel folding stand makes the saw easy to use and store in your shop
Cons
- Has a questionable plastic construction
- May not have the best blade stability
Conclusion
What makes the Skilsaw 3410-02 Table Saw a great choice for small workshops is the compact design. But it also offers additional impressive features for woodworking at a good price point.
Overall Rating – 4.3
5. Makita 2705 Compact Contractor Table Saw — Best Blade Guard Assembly
The Makita 2705 is a lightweight, portable, and compact table saw that will meet the requirements of your home shop in terms of space, power, as well as functionality.
Specs
- Impressive blade guard assembly
- 10-inch blade diameter
- Dead-on cam locking rip fence
- Superior no load speed of 4800 RPM
- Great cut of depth at 90° and 45°
The saw has a very compact design, which is great because you can conveniently position it on top of your home workshop table or mount it to a rolling wheel stand to save space.
In addition to the small footprint design, the Makita 2705 offers quick and easy adjustments, making alignment of the cam locking rip fence super easy.
Another good feature that comes with this table saw is the two-pole slide system, which allows you to quickly and effectively lower or raise the blade.
But the thing is, this model doesn’t have a soft start. The braking system may run smoothly, but the start of this tool isn’t soft by any means.
Pros
- Design is compact and perfect for home shops
- Has a large on/off switch for easy operation
- Transparent blade guard improves visibility and safety
- Easy to read scale allows for quick adjustments
- Versatile table saw for most DIY applications
Cons
- Does not have a soft start
- It’s easy for the tool to get clogged with sawdust
Conclusion
The Makita 2705 compact structure is appropriate for your small shop. Not to mention that it is engineered for ultimate accuracy and consistent performance.
Overall Rating – 4.3
Buying Guide
Table saws aren’t just engineered for jobsite use. If you are a hobbyist or a professional who likes to bring your work home, you can do so with the best table saw for a small shop.
But there are a few things you have to consider to find a suitable choice, such as:
Compact and Portable Design
For small shops, compact and portable models are more suitable. Most compact models can be placed on a bench, on the floor, or attached to a compatible stand.
Which Is Better? Benchtop Or Portable Designs
There are two styles of table saws you can buy for your small shop: Benchtop and portable designs (compact or contractor).
Benchtop models are the most lightweight, compact, and easy to carry around by hands. They are perfect for tackling light to medium-duty cutting jobs.
Most Benchtop models nowadays have aluminum tabletops. They are also integrated with extension wings. They have lightweight components and smaller table dimensions.
They come with portable stands that will not take too much of your floor space. Some table saws are advertised as jobsite models, but they are also compact and portable.
Easy Adjustments
Not long ago, some Benchtop models came with low-quality rip fences that were difficult to adjust and align. Miter gauges were fitted with flimsy heads and crude protractor scales.
Final Thoughts
The winner of this roundup is the Dewalt DCS7485B Compact Table Saw. It has an optimized footprint that makes it compact and portable for use in your small shop.
Another great feature that makes it the best small shop table saw is the cordless design. You no longer have to worry about a tangling power cord in your small shop.
When compared to competing models, this one is packed with unique safety features, such as the smart blade guard and the power-loss reset systems.
Overall, this model is compact and portable. It is integrated with a high quality fencing system, miter gauge, and exceptional safety features.
