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Best band saw
A 14" steel-frame band saw with 13" of resaw height, a 1.75 HP motor and a 5-year warranty.
A band saw is the most versatile saw in a woodshop. Its thin, continuous blade cuts curves a table saw can’t, rips thick stock without kickback, and stands a board on edge to resaw it into thinner boards or veneer. The best band saw for most woodworkers is the JET JWBS-14SFX: a 14″ steel-frame saw with 13″ of resaw height and a 1.75 HP motor. The WEN BA1487 is the best value 14″, the WEN BA3962 is the 10″ pick for a small shop and the WEN BA3959 is the best benchtop band saw for small parts and crafts.
Below are six picks, from a 9″ benchtop saw to a 14″ resaw machine, a comparison table, short reviews from the makers’ specifications, a buying guide and the blades worth fitting first. If curves are your main job, my spindle sander picks clean up the saw marks afterwards.
Best Band Saws: Comparison
Specs come from the makers’ product pages and spec sheets; where a maker publishes only its Amazon listing, the specs come from that listing. Resaw height is the tallest board you can cut on edge, and throat is the distance from the blade to the frame, which sets the widest cut. I don’t print prices: each review gives a market tier, and the Amazon buttons show the live price.
| Product | ⭐ JET JWBS-14SFX 🏆 EDITOR’S CHOICE |
WEN BA1487 | JET JWBS-14CS | WEN BA3962 | WEN BA3959 | SKIL BW9501-00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | |
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| Size | 14″ | 14″ | 14″ | 10″ | 9″ | 9″ |
| Resaw height | 13″ | 8.85″ | 6″ | 6″ | 3-1/2″ | 3-1/2″ |
| Throat | 13-1/2″ | 13-3/8″ | 13-1/2″ | 9-3/4″ | 9″ | 9″ |
| Motor | 1.75 HP | 9.5 A | 1 HP | 3.5 A | 2.8 A | 2.8 A |
| Blade widths | 1/8″-3/4″ | 1/8″-1″ | 1/8″-3/4″ | 1/8″-1/2″ | 1/8″-3/8″ | 1/8″-3/8″ |
| Table tilt | 0-45° right | Up to 45° | Tilts for bevels | Up to 45° | Up to 45° | Rack and pinion |
| Availability | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon |
Best Band Saws: Reviews
Every pick could be ordered on Amazon when I checked it. Laguna, Harvey, RIKON and Grizzly make excellent band saws too, but most of their models are sold through dealers rather than Amazon, so they aren’t on this list.
Editor's Choice14" steel-frame band saw
JET JWBS-14SFX
JET JWBS-14SFX 14″ Steel-Frame Band Saw, 1.75 HP
A 14" steel-frame saw with 13" of resaw height, 1.75 HP and a 5-year warranty: the one to grow into.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: JET
Best for
Woodworkers who resaw thick stock and want one saw for life.
- 13" resaw height, no riser block
- 1.75 HP, takes 1/8" to 3/4" blades
- Resaw fence and stand included, 5-year warranty
Skip it if
You only cut curves in 3/4" stock: a 10" saw like the WEN BA3962 does that for far less.
- 272 lb: plan where it lives
- Blade sold separately
Read full review
Best Band Saw Overall
The JWBS-14SFX is a 14″ saw built for the job most woodworkers eventually buy a band saw for: resawing. Its steel frame gives 13″ of resaw height without a riser block, so you can slice a thick board into bookmatched panels or your own veneer. A 1.75 HP motor, prewired for 115V and convertible to 230V, drives a 116″ blade, and the saw takes blades from 1/8″ for tight curves to 3/4″ for resawing. The throat is 13-1/2″, the ground cast-iron table is 21-1/2″ x 17″ and tilts 0 to 45° right, and the ball-bearing guides adjust independently. It ships with the steel stand and an aluminum resaw fence; the blade is sold separately, and JET recommends a 20 A circuit. It weighs 272 lb and carries JET’s 5-year warranty. Premium price tier.
Best value 14"14" two-speed band saw
WEN BA1487
WEN BA1487 14-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand
A two-speed 14" saw with 8.85" depth, a 1" blade capacity and a full box of accessories at a mid price.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: WEN
Best for
Hobbyists who want 14" capacity without a premium budget.
- 8.85" cut depth at a mid price
- Two speeds, takes blades up to 1"
- Tension gauge, circle guide and stand included
Skip it if
You want to resaw boards wider than 9": the JET 14SFX cuts 13".
- Less resaw height than the JET 14SFX
- Heavy at about 131 lb
Read full review
Best Value 14-Inch Band Saw
The BA1487 brings 14″ capacity down to the mid price tier, and WEN fills the box. A 9.5 A motor cuts up to 8.85″ deep and 13-3/8″ wide, which covers resawing most hardwood boards. It runs two blade speeds, 1,480 and 3,280 feet per minute: the slow one is useful for plastics and non-ferrous metal, the fast one for wood. The 100-3/4″ blades go from 1/8″ up to 1″ wide, the widest range here. The 21-1/2″ x 15-3/4″ table bevels to 45°. WEN includes a blade tension gauge, a circle-cutting guide, a flexible work light, a 3-in-1 dust port, a fence, a miter gauge, a 1/2″ blade and the stand. Mid price tier.
Best cast-iron classic14" cast-iron band saw
JET JWBS-14CS
JET JWBS-14CS 14″ Closed-Stand Band Saw, 1 HP
The traditional cast-iron 14": 1 HP, 6" resaw, closed stand and a riser-block path for more height.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: JET
Best for
Curves, joinery and boards up to 6" wide on a proven cast-iron frame.
- Cast-iron frame, balanced wheels
- Closed stand, 115V or 230V
- 5-year warranty
Skip it if
Resawing wide boards is the reason you're buying: the 14SFX gives 13" out of the box.
- 6" resaw without a riser block
- 1 HP is modest for wide hardwood
Read full review
Best Classic Cast-Iron Band Saw
The JWBS-14CS is the traditional 14″ design: cast-iron upper and lower frame, six-spoke computer-balanced wheels and a closed stand that keeps the motor and dust inside. It’s the saw many shops have run for years, and it’s a good fit if most of your work is curves, joinery and boards up to 6″ wide on edge. The 1 HP motor runs on 115V or 230V and drives the blade at 3,000 feet per minute. The saw cuts 13-1/2″ wide, takes 93-1/2″ blades from 1/8″ to 3/4″, and the 15″ x 15″ table tilts for bevels. Upper and lower ball-bearing guides, a rack-and-pinion guide post, single-knob tracking and a micro-adjustable lower guide make setup quicker. A riser block can add resaw height later. 5-year warranty, premium-lower tier.
Best 10" with stand10" two-speed band saw
WEN BA3962
WEN BA3962 10-Inch Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand
A budget floor saw with 6" depth, two speeds, a fence and a stand: the easy first band saw.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: WEN listing on Amazon
Best for
A first floor-standing band saw for curves and small resawing.
- 6" cut depth on a budget
- Two speeds, stand and fence included
- Two-year warranty
Skip it if
You resaw wide hardwood often: a 14" saw cuts faster and taller.
- Cast-aluminum table
- 3.5 A motor is slow in thick hardwood
Read full review
Best 10-Inch Band Saw
The BA3962 is the cheapest way to a floor-standing band saw with real capacity, and the 10″ saw I’d point a small shop to first. Its 3.5 A motor cuts up to 6″ deep and 9-3/4″ wide, at two blade speeds, 1,520 and 2,620 feet per minute. It uses 72″ blades from 1/8″ to 1/2″, so you can fit a fine blade for curves or a 1/2″ blade for straighter rips. The 14-1/8″ x 12-1/2″ cast-aluminum table bevels to 45°. WEN includes the stand, a work light, a 3-in-1 dust port, a fence, a miter gauge and a 3/8″ 6 TPI blade, and backs it for two years. A cast-aluminum table and a smaller motor are where the savings show: it cuts curves in 3/4″ stock easily and resaws small boards slowly. Budget-to-mid price tier.
Best benchtop9" benchtop band saw
WEN BA3959
WEN BA3959 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw
A 9" benchtop saw with a fence, miter gauge and dust port at the lowest price tier: the easy start.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: WEN listing on Amazon
Best for
Small parts and crafts where floor space is short.
- Lowest price tier
- Rip fence and miter gauge included
- Common 59-1/2" blade size
Skip it if
You want to resaw: no 9" saw does it well.
- Single speed
- 3-1/2" depth, no real resawing
Read full review
Best Benchtop Band Saw
A benchtop band saw is for small parts, crafts and curves in thin stock, and the BA3959 covers that at the lowest price tier here. Its 2.8 A motor drives the blade at up to 2,500 feet per minute, and it cuts 3-1/2″ deep and 9″ wide. It takes 59-1/2″ blades from 1/8″ to 3/8″, the common 9″ size, so replacement blades are easy to find. The 12-1/4″ x 11-7/8″ table bevels to 45°, and WEN includes a rip fence and a miter gauge, an adjustable blade guard with ball-bearing supports, a 1/4″ blade and a 2-1/2″ dust port for a shop vac. It’s small enough to live on a shelf and come out when a project needs it. Backed by a two-year warranty. Budget price tier.
Best two-speed benchtop9" two-speed benchtop band saw
SKIL BW9501-00
SKIL BW9501-00 9 In. 2-Speed Benchtop Band Saw
A two-speed 9" benchtop saw with ball-bearing guides, rack-and-pinion tilt and a 3-year warranty.
Shop Now at AmazonSpecs: SKIL
Best for
Crafters who cut wood and plastics and want two speeds.
- Two speeds, tool-free belt tensioning
- Rack-and-pinion table tilt
- 3-year limited warranty
Skip it if
You want a rip fence included: the WEN BA3959 has one.
- Small 9" throat and table
- No fence in the box
Read full review
Best Two-Speed Benchtop Band Saw
SKIL’s 9″ saw adds a few touches cheap benchtop saws usually skip. The 2.8 A induction motor runs two speeds through a belt drive that tensions without tools, and SKIL lists a top speed of 2,500 at the high setting; the slow speed helps with plastics and thin non-ferrous metal. Ball-bearing upper and lower guides keep the blade tracking, a quick blade-tension setting speeds up changes, and a sight window lets you watch tracking. The 11-4/5″ square table tilts by rack and pinion, so bevels are easier to set than on a knob-and-slot table. It uses 59-1/2″ blades, has a 2-1/2″ dust port, a steel base and a miter gauge, and retailers list a 9″ throat and 3-1/2″ cutting height. Budget price tier, with a 3-year limited warranty.
How I Chose These Band Saws
I started from what woodworkers use a band saw for: curves, ripping thick stock and resawing. Then I looked at the band saws sold on Amazon today from established brands and picked one for each kind of shop: a 14″ resaw machine to grow into, a value 14″, a classic cast-iron 14″, a 10″ saw with a stand, and two benchtop saws for small parts. Within each group I favored the models more buyers have owned for longer, and I left out new listings with little ownership history. I compared resaw height, throat, motor, blade range and table from the makers’ specifications. I don’t show customer ratings or prices. For how I pick products across the site, see how I choose.
Best Band Saw for Woodworking: What Size Do You Need?
Band saws are named by wheel diameter, which roughly matches the throat. The size you need depends on whether you’ll resaw, because that’s the job that separates the classes.
14″ Band Saws: the Woodworking Standard
A 14″ saw is what most furniture makers end up with. It cuts curves in thick stock, rips with a fence, and resaws boards from 6″ to 13″ tall depending on the frame. Cast-iron saws like the JET JWBS-14CS give 6″ out of the box and can take a riser block; steel-frame saws like the JET JWBS-14SFX reach 13″ without one. If you plan to make your own veneer or bookmatched panels, buy for resaw height first.
10″ Band Saws: for a Small Shop
A 10″ saw on a stand fits a one-car garage, plugs into a normal outlet and cuts curves in 3/4″ and 1-1/2″ stock all day. Resaw tops out around 6″, and the smaller motor slows down in thick hardwood. For toys, boxes, templates, bandsaw boxes and furniture parts it’s plenty. If you’re also setting up dust collection in a small space, my dust collector for a small shop picks pair with a saw this size.
Benchtop Band Saws: for Small Parts
Nine-inch benchtop saws are for crafts, small curves and model making. They’re light enough to put away, but their 3-1/2″ depth and small tables mean no real resawing and limited ripping. They’re a good first saw if your projects are small, and a handy second saw for thin stock.
Band Saw vs Scroll Saw
A band saw cuts faster, deeper and straighter, and can resaw; a scroll saw cuts much tighter curves and can start inside a drilled hole for pierced work. If your projects are fretwork, puzzles and ornaments, my best scroll saw guide is the better place to start; for furniture parts and thick stock, a band saw is the tool.
How to Choose a Band Saw
Resaw Height and Throat
Measure the widest board you want to resaw and add a little: that’s your minimum resaw height. Throat matters less than people think, because long rips go to the side of the blade, not through the throat. Most woodworkers outgrow resaw height long before throat.
Motor Power
Resawing hardwood is the hardest work a band saw does. On a 14″ saw, 1 HP handles 6″ resaws in hardwood slowly; 1.5 to 1.75 HP is what makes 10″ and 12″ resaws practical. Benchtop saws rated around 2.8 A are made for thin stock. Bigger motors may need a 20 A circuit, so check the manual before you buy.
Blade Guides and Tension
Ball-bearing or roller guides above and below the table keep the blade from twisting and last longer than block guides. A quick-release tension lever saves the blade when the saw sits unused, and a tension gauge, like the one WEN includes with the BA1487, takes the guesswork out of setting it. Rack-and-pinion guide posts make it easier to set the upper guide just above the work, which is where it should sit.
Table, Fence and Speeds
A cast-iron table adds mass and stays flat; cast-aluminum tables are lighter and fine for curves. A tall resaw fence is the accessory that makes resawing work. Two blade speeds help if you’ll also cut plastics or non-ferrous metal; for wood, the fast speed is the one you’ll use.
Dust Collection
Band saws throw fine dust down through the table and into the lower wheel housing. A 4″ port wants a dust collector; the 2-1/2″ ports on smaller saws work with a shop vac. My guide to the best shop vac for dust collection covers which vacs keep up.
💡 Pro Tip: Match the Blade to the Cut
Most band saw complaints are blade problems. Use a narrow 1/8″ or 1/4″ blade with more teeth for tight curves, and a wide 1/2″ or 3/4″ blade with 3 or 4 teeth per inch for resawing, where the big gullets clear sawdust. Release the tension when you’re done for the day, and adjust the guides every time you change blades.
Best Band Saw Blades to Start With
The blade that ships with a saw is usually a general-purpose one. A small assortment lets you match the blade to the cut from day one. For 14″ saws that take 93-1/2″ blades, the POWERTEC 93-1/2″ assortment covers curves, general cutting and resawing; for 9″ benchtop saws that take 59-1/2″ blades, the POWERTEC 59-1/2″ assortment does the same. Always check your saw’s manual for blade length before you order: the JET JWBS-14SFX, for example, takes a 116″ blade and the WEN BA3962 a 72″ one.
Curves Need a Clean-Up
Even a sharp blade leaves fine marks on a curved edge. For inside curves, an oscillating spindle sander removes them in a few passes; for outside curves and straight edges, a belt does it faster. My oscillating belt and spindle sander picks do both in one machine.
🏆 The Verdict
The best band saw for most woodworkers is the JET JWBS-14SFX: 13″ of resaw height, 1.75 HP and a 5-year warranty in a saw you won’t outgrow. For 14″ capacity at a mid price, the WEN BA1487; for the traditional cast-iron layout, the JET JWBS-14CS. In a small shop, the WEN BA3962 gives 6″ of depth on a stand, and for small parts the WEN BA3959 and the two-speed SKIL BW9501-00 are the benchtop picks.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a high-quality bandsaw?+
Are Harbor Freight bandsaws any good?+
What kind of saw is best for woodworking?+
What is the best band saw for beginners?+
Can a woodworking band saw cut metal?+
Is a 10-inch band saw big enough?+
Conclusion
Pick a band saw by the biggest job you’ll ask of it. If that’s resawing, buy resaw height and motor power, and the JET JWBS-14SFX is the saw to own. If it’s curves and furniture parts in a small shop, a 10″ WEN on a stand does the work, and a benchtop saw covers small parts. Fit the right blade, set the guides close to the work, and any of these will cut cleanly. Planning your first shop? My guide to woodworking tools for beginners puts the band saw in order with everything else. Questions about a project? Ask in the comments.
