Have you ever dreamed of a monster saw that could cut through anything and everything, and does not need to be constrained to wherever there is a power outlet? Your dreams have finally come true with the advent of portable band saws!
Read on to learn about the best band saws to take with you on the go.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Portable Band Saw
- OUR TOP PICK: DEWALT DCS374B 20V Max Deep Cut
- RUNNER-UP: Makita XBP02Z 18V LXT
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: DEWALT DWM120K 10 Amp 5-Inch Deep Cut
Comparison of the Best Portable Band Saws
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How to Choose a Portable Band Saw
Weight
It will not really do you much good to have a saw you can take and use anywhere and everywhere if you can’t easily lift the thing. Make sure you look at a saw’s listed weight and know that it is something you can handle before buying.
Versatility
Once you have a saw that you can finally bring to a project, instead of always needing to bring the project to the saw, you are quickly going to realize the wide range of cutting capabilities that just opened up to you. The last thing you want is to be constrained by a saw that can only cut through certain kinds of materials. Make sure you get a saw that is proven to be able to do it all.
Durability
The thing about portable tools is that they take a lot more abuse than tools that always just sit on your workbench. Make sure you find yourself a saw that can stand up to a little bit of banging and knocking around while you are on the go.
Main Benefits of a Portable Band Saw
The biggest benefit of using a portable band saw is that you can take it along with you literally anywhere! You no longer have to worry about outlet availability, or about bringing along your own costly and heavy generator. Portable band saws do not compromise any of the power of a normal corded band saw, and they can be manipulated more easily to cut at complicated angles. Portable band saws really are the next step up in terms of effective cutting tools; no wood or metal worker’s repertoire is complete without one.
Review of the Best Portable Band Saws
Now that you know a bit more about the benefits and important qualities of a portable band saw, let’s check some actual saws out:
Best Overall:
DEWALT DCS374B 20V Max Deep Cut
PROS
CONS
The DEWALT DCS374B 20V Max Deep Cut is a monster amongst portable band saws. It is so lightweight you will probably be surprised when you first pick it up, but do not let its accessibility fool you into thinking this bad boy compromises on power.
Users recommend getting this deep cut version so that you will be able to slice through literally anything and everything – and they report that it really can cut through it all, from metal to wood, aluminum, plastic tubing, copper pipe, electrical conduit, rebar, PVC piping, and pretty much anything you will be able to throw at it!
It is simple and easy to use, even for those new to portable band saws. The cutting speed is adjusted both by a dial and by the trigger, so you can manipulate the saw speed however you would prefer. If you want a saw that you will be able to take anywhere and cut through anything, the DEWALT DCS374B 20V Max Deep Cut is for you.
Bottom Line
The DEWALT DCS374B 20V Max Deep Cut is an ideal portable band saw that will be able to chew through anything you put in front of it. Just make sure that when it comes time to buy replacement blades (which could be a while), that you buy the blades separately and not the additional blades sold with the saw, because those blades will be too small to work properly.
Runner-up:
Makita XBP02Z 18V LXT
PROS
CONS
The Makita XBP02Z 18V LXT is a rock star when it comes to portable band saws. It is from the reputable Makita brand, so you can definitely expect quality from their products, and this saw for sure does not disappoint.
This band saw boasts a wide range of different speeds and can cut through an even wider range of different materials, including plate steel, industrial pallet racking, threaded rod, steel piping, PVC piping, rebar, wood, galvanized steel, and more! Users report this saw being able to cut through all of the above materials at up to four inches in thickness with complete and total ease.
It is just as powerful as your regular corded band saw. And do not think that you are just going to be trading a life of always needing to stay near wall outlets for a life of constantly swapping out saw batteries – this saw’s battery life is amazing and it will cut for several days’ worth of work at a time before needed a charge.
Additionally, you will never have to worry about safety concerns with this saw – it comes with a safety switch that will prevent the trigger from being accidentally activated, just like the safety switch on a gun.
Bottom Line
The Makita XBP02Z 18V LXT is an excellent saw that will get the job done, no matter what material you need sliced. Keep in mind that you may want to pack along ear plugs though, as this bad boy can get pretty loud.
Best for the Money:
DEWALT DWM120K 10 Amp 5-Inch Deep Cut
PROS
CONS
The DEWALT DWM120K 10 Amp 5-Inch Deep Cut is a fantastic band saw, particularly for cutting metal. Users who do metalworking or teach metalworking for a living report that this saw can easily cut through mild steel, aluminum, tool steel, copper, stainless steel, bronze, and brass like they were all just butter.
This saw also boasts a lot of versatility: it can be carried around and used as a portable saw, or it can also be mounted to a bench and used as a bench saw in your shop. This versatility also extends to the handle, which is adjustable and can be locked into three different positions for the best angle for you to make your cuts with maximum efficiency and comfort. This saw makes cuts so precise they could be mistaken for cuts made by a jigsaw.
The blades last a long time, so you will not have to worry about constantly switching blades out like you need to do with some of the more cheaply made saws. All in all, this DEWALT portable band saw is a fantastic choice.
Bottom Line
The DEWALT DWM120K 10 Amp 5-Inch Deep Cut is a great band saw that will conquer whatever you need cutting, especially if it is made of metal. You most likely will want to get your own case for this saw, though, because the included one is cheaply made and not very durable.
4. Milwaukee 6232-21 Deep Cut
PROS
CONS
The Milwaukee 6232-21 Deep Cut is an excellent portable band saw. It produces just as much power as a corded band saw and is able to cut through pretty much anything you would ever need it to cut through: wood, plastic, steel, cable, metal pipe, tubing, you name it! It can cut through materials up to four and a half inches thick with complete and total ease. It also incredibly durable itself – users report frequently dropping this saw and it taking a lot of banging around and still working just as well as when it first arrived.
This durability also extends to the blades on the saw, which last an extremely long time and do not need to be changed out very often. In case something does happen to damage this saw, which would take quite a lot of effort to do, it also comes with a full warrant for up to five years, so you can always swap it out for a new one during that time.
Bottom Line
The Milwaukee 6232-21 Deep Cut is a great portable band saw that will be able to slice and dice anything you put in front of it. Compared to some of the other saws on this list, it is a little on the heavier side, though, so you may want to take that into consideration if you are considering using this saw for jobs that only allow for one hand.
5. New Milwaukee 2429-21xc M12 Portable Band Saw Kit
PROS
CONS
The New Milwaukee 2429-21xc M12 Portable Band Saw Kit is probably the most easily transported band saw on this list. It is small, compact, lightweight, and extremely easy to carry. Users report it is also very simple to use this saw with just one hand, providing greater user versatility.
It is on the quieter side when it comes to band saws, but do not think that is because this little saw can’t pack a punch – it can slice through pretty much any kid of material you would ever want to put in front of it with ease. It is quick at cutting and will allow you to spend time on other projects, instead of constantly needing to hack back and forth. This Milwaukee Portable Band Saw Kit is a great choice for anyone interested in a portable band saw.
Bottom Line
The New Milwaukee 2429-21xc M12 Portable Band Saw Kit is a fantastic little band saw that you will be able to easily haul around anywhere you need to make a cut. This lightweight capability does come from the saw being made more of plastic parts, so keep that in mind when you purchase.
Conclusion
Portable band saws really change the game when it comes to slicing through thick materials. There is not much a portable band saw will not be able to accomplish. Make sure you find a saw that is the right size and weight for you to be able to transport it easily and finally start bringing your saw to the project instead of the other way around.
People Also Ask
What is a Portable Band Saw?
A portable band saw is a band saw that does not have to be constrained by a nearby power outlet, or forever live on your work bench. A Portable band saw is a saw that you can take with you anywhere and everywhere to cut through a wide variety of materials with ease and convenience.
What Can You Do With a Portable Band Saw?
A portable band saw can cut through pretty much anything if you take the time to do it properly. That quality means the list of tasks you can accomplish with a portable band saw are pretty much endless. The most common usage for a portable band saw is in home renovation, although these saws are also easily used commercially as well.
When to Use a Portable Band Saw
You want to use a portable band saw when you know it is the best tool to get the job done, AKA when you know there is not going to be outlet availability or you are going to need a tool that you can easily manipulate through some complicated angles.