The strength of your machine is not the only thing you should worry about; you should also keep in mind the build quality, as you want it to be safe.
You can use a band saw for professional or personal purposes equally well. Getting the best budget bandsaw isn’t as difficult as you may think. Our list includes top-rated models as well as budget models.
Various types of affordable bandsaws are available, from plastic tabletop models to machines that weigh hundreds of pounds. This guide includes options at various price points and a buying guide with recommended features for you to consider.
Top 7 Best Budget Bandsaw Reviews
Here are some of the most popular inexpensive bandsaws on the market that are reliable and good for small woodworking shops.
1. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw
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The two-speed budget bandsaw from Wen is equipped with a powerful 3.5-amp motor. The saw’s motor generates 13 horsepower and pushes a maximum of 3 1/8 amps, ranking it as one of the strongest reviewed. Due to this, the WEN 3962 Band Saw stands out from the crowd. It also features a 9-3/4-inch throat to cut up to six inches deep through boards with ease.
For both intricate and powerful cuts, this one comes with a blade ranging from 1/8th on an inch to ½-inch in size. Its variable blade speed operates between 1520 and 2620 FPM, making it useful for cutting materials other than wood. Cutting through dense hardwoods is easier this way.
Three dust ports on the WEN Band Saw fit different sizes of dust collection hoses. A flexible work light is also included with this band saw to help illuminate your cut and maintain accuracy throughout. Miter gauges allow users to cut at precise angles.
These 10-inch wheels are equipped with ball bearings so they will last for many years with smooth and reliable operation. With a flat work surface on the shop bench, the band saw is elevated without occupying too much floor space. As a budget saw, this entry offers a sizable resaw of 6″ and some of the most cutting capacity.
Pros
- Bevel cuts from 0° to 45°
- Variety of blade options
- Two-speed operation
- 3-in-1 dust port
Cons
- Nothing to nitpick about
2. RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw With Fence
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The RIKON 10-305 offers a range of power and cutting capacities that are perfect for woodworkers and hobbyists. If your shop has limited space for a larger bandsaw, this might be the best choice for you. The quality features of larger bandsaws are all present in this machine as well.
The fence height can also be micro-adjusted, and the guideposts come with a fence. With the strongest motor reviewed, this band saw provides excellent performance. The motor generates 12 horsepower and delivers impressive 12,000 amps. Your work area will be free of dust thanks to a 2-1/2-Inch dust port.
I am very pleased with the build quality and functionality of this saw. It performs much better than I expected. Changing out a blade and adjusting the guides takes only a few minutes. The saw cuts fine as long as the stock is fed properly. Any tool should not be forced into operation faster than the wood is capable of cutting.
It features a variable speed feature with a minimum speed of 1515 FPM, which means you don’t have to limit yourself to just cutting wood. A table that can bevel 45 degrees in one direction and 5 degrees the other, on the Rikon 10-3061 Deluxe Band Saw, furthers the versatility of the tool.
Pros
- The power and accuracy are adequate for the size
- Best budget bandsaw under 500 dollars
- Vibrations and noises are not noticeable
- The smooth operation of the saw
Cons
- Make sure to buy new blades
3. POWERTEC BS900 9 Inch Benchtop Bandsaw
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If you are looking for the best bandsaw under $200, this is it. POWERTEC BS900 provides precision cuts when used as a woodworking tool. With this benchtop band saw and its miter gauge combo, unusual shapes can be cut to a maximum depth of 3-5/8 inches.
Anyone who is into DIY woodworking or running a workshop needs to have this tool. With this band saw, you can cut miters accurately with the miter gauge. Furthermore, angle stops are provided, as well as incremental control. This table allows you to change angles and heights quickly and accurately for your varied projects.
You will also receive features such as the patented blade tension lever which is made to make it easy to change blades. As a bonus, it includes a blade guard that can be adjusted quickly and safely. Its dust port lets you easily connect your shop vac to ensure a dust-free working environment, keeping your workspace uncluttered and dust-free.
As a side note, we are discussing a bandsaw for less than 200 dollars. Yes, it’s an excellent deal. Although the plastic is a bit heavy, this is a good product for the money. I wouldn’t cut heavy stock very often, but I am fine with it when it comes to quick and simple jobs. If you understand its limitations, this bandsaw isn’t that bad for the price.
Pros
- The unit offers greater versatility
- There is hardly any sawdust left behind
- This bandsaw is great for hobbyists
- Blade tension can be easily adjusted
Cons
- Not for serious cutting tasks
4. Grizzly Industrial G0803Z – 9″ Benchtop Bandsaw
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A well-built, sturdy machine with 62-inch blades and a width up to 3/8 inches, this unit has a solid design and is sturdy. Using a cutting capacity of 3.5 inches, it can cut dense materials like green wood as well as pieces as tall as 3.5 inches. It is designed to have a heavy-duty feel and enhance its portability with the assistance of a laser guidance system.
In Wood Magazine’s Top Value awards, the G0803 is recognized for its 1/3HP motor. The superior cutting quality and portability of this cutter make it an excellent choice even for heavy woods. With this tool, you can easily adjust blower speed, rip fence, and laser guide.
An adjustable blower allows you to follow cutting lines or templates more precisely. Because it’s small, and it has a handle on top, it makes moving it around easy. You can change the blades and adjust the tracking easily as well. The saw is compact and weighs less than 50lbs.
Additionally, moving from your house to your shop or from one job site to another is simple. You should buy this bandsaw if you are looking for a $300 bandsaw. Take advantage of the opportunity if you can. Grizzly’s products are trustworthy, and I love the brand. All parts of this saw can be adjusted.
Pros
- The price is higher, but the quality is better
- Tension lever for quick-release blades
- Table tilt with rack and pinion
- An alignment wheel
Cons
- Contains a lot of plastic parts
5. SKIL 3386-01 120-Volt 9-Inch Band Saw – Best Cheap Bandsaw
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For everyone, there is a tool. This includes bandsaws that are space-efficient and still provide quality results for crafters and enthusiasts. For those who fit that description, SKIL has an ideal solution. With a weight of fewer than 40 pounds, the SKIL 3386-02 can easily be carried around.
You already know that building quality is important when it comes to bandsaws if you’ve read this far. However, it cannot hold its own against heavier machines the same size, owing to its plastic build. There is a no better option than to buy a bandsaw at this price range.
Only 9 inches deep, its aluminum table measures 11 13/16 inches by 11 13/16 inches and is spacious. As part of the package, this saw includes a parallel guide and a miter gauge. The light can also be adjusted so that it can be used in different locations, which is a nice perk, although it is a bit underwhelming in terms of power.
A SKIL benchtop warranty of three years is also included. A nice addition is the tilting table and the accessories that come with it, and the price is very fair. This saw is lightweight and can cut most sizes of lumber just keep in mind its lightweight frame.
Pros
- It can be used for DIY crafts
- The ideal machine for your workbench
- 6 TPI band saw blade included
- Articulating LED work light
Cons
- Not very stable
6. Ryobi BS904G 9″ Band Saw – Best Affordable Bandsaw
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Crafters, hobbyists, and weekend warriors will appreciate the Ryobi BS904G. Due to its small footprint, the bandsaw can be used to cut material on a countertop. Combining quality and affordability, this hobby saw is the perfect choice. In addition to being easy to use, this saw is extremely versatile.
Compared to the previously mentioned saws, this one is less expensive. In addition to having great features, this app is also worthy of inclusion in this list. Dust is collected from the port built into the unit, which makes it easy to clean. To provide a safer and more secure cut, the bandsaw features a blade tracking window and pinion blade adjustment system.
There are many types of woodworking that can be done with this bandsaw. With this tool, you can do a variety of woodworking tasks. A vibration-reduction system is also integrated to ensure that the device operates with the least amount of sound. This blade saw includes a miter gauge that can be used to perform a variety of tasks.
A beginner woodworker will appreciate the tool-free cabinet access, which makes it easy to use. Additionally, it is equipped with a rapid blade tensioning system to make your working experience easy and hassle-free. With a power output of 2.5 amps, any wood can be cut smoothly.
Pros
- Built-in reduced vibration system
- Aluminum wheels and ball-bearing support
- Tool-free cabinet access
- 9-inch throat capacity
Cons
- Confusing instruction manual
7. XtremepowerUS 9-Inch Pro Benchtop Band Saw
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This is the last one. XtremepowerUS offers a 9-inch benchtop band saw. Band saws in this compact form are able to be used on most flat, sturdy surfaces easily. An adjustable rack and pinion table allow users to quickly adjust the band saw’s height and angle.
There is a dust port on the panel with which a vacuum hose can be attached so that dust and debris are minimized in the workspace. In addition to ripping lumber into thin pieces, the budget saw allows you to cut irregular shapes. Having a spacious work surface gives you plenty of room for stretching while doing your work.
A machine of this quality isn’t available at this price, and it’s a barebones machine with mostly plastic components. However, with a better-quality blade, you can actually achieve decent results. Moreover, it is small enough to take to a job site.
Due to its low price, it is a reasonable machine. You may grow dissatisfied with the model’s size, power, and poor quality if you are more experienced than a beginning woodworker. You can learn how to operate a bandsaw with this machine even if you are just doing your first steps with it.
Pros
- A dust port is available
- A compact form of the band saw
- A convenient rack and pinion table
- Spacious work surface
Cons
- Good for beginners only
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Inexpensive Bandsaw
Band saws have an advantage over other types of saws in that they use continuous blades. Choosing a band saw based on your projects will be crucial: Which sort of tasks will you use it for?
We recommend you purchase a band saw that has the following features, regardless of what you intend to use it for:
Motor Power & Cutting Capacity
The maximum cutting width, though it will still be a bit shorter than on more expensive models, is one area where band saws that are under $500 can still compete with larger models. Band saws that you can get from 500 dollars suffer from a problem with their resaw capacity, which can barely compete with more expensive, professional models.
Depending on the motor power of the tool, the tool can support the material in a certain amount. The majority of band saws are powered by motors of 34 horsepower or 1 horsepower. When it comes to resawing, a band saw with a 1 12 HP motor will be sufficient. Additionally, the band saws with 2 HP motors can prevent binding.
Band saws tend to have this as one of the most important features, but smaller, less expensive models also deserve consideration. The difference between a band saw under $500 and a band saw priced above $500 is that they cannot perform the same cuts.
Construction
Check the quality of the bandsaw you’ll buy since you’ll be investing in one. Metal, cast iron, and steel are usually used in high-quality bandsaws. A band saw’s durability is also determined by the material quality.
You can also choose a band saw from two different categories, based on its construction. Band saws mounted on a benchtop are one type of benchtop band saw. The smaller blades are accommodated by their compact size.
Bandsaws with a stand that stand on the floor are another category. Larger blades allow them to raise their heads higher. Thicker materials can be cut with these band saws.
Tension Screw And Indicator
As the blade width increases, the band works under greater tension. It is possible to adjust the tension of the wheel by moving the threaded screw. Overly high tension may cause the blade to break. A blade will not cut straight if the angle is too low. On the display, you’ll find a tension indicator that displays the amount of tension. It is therefore important to carefully review them.
Band Saw Table
If you are undertaking a large project, a band saw table could be useful. There are two metal trunnions (semicircular pieces) that attach the table to the frame. If your workpiece requires a larger table, you can increase its size. Tables usually come in 14/14″ sizes, but they can be enlarged to 31/31″. You can work with ease if you have more work.
Cutting Power
Specifically, the cutting power of a band saw can be measured by measuring the motor’s maximum power, measured in horsepower, and its sustained power, measured in amps. The blade speed is an important issue, but this varies based on the type of material to be cut. For harder materials, faster speeds should be used, and slower speeds for softer materials.
The cut power of band saws under $500 is generally lower than the models sold at higher tiers. However, for this price range, inexpensive band saws can still handle most materials. This method will require much slower feeding compared to a tool with more power.
Blade
A power tool should be considered like any other tool. Various band saws perform differently depending on the blade’s quality. Steel is usually used in the production of band saw blades. Besides the ground teeth, it has a looped body with teeth on both ends. You should look at blade thickness, width, and TPI (teeth per inch).
Using this blade produces a rugged result, but it is quicker than a blade with more TPI. In the same way, the cutting blade has a greater TPI, but it works slower and produces a cleaner result.
When ripping lumber and cutting lines, you should use the widest blade. For cutting curves and shapes, select the smallest blade (1/8″).
Depending on the dimension, the blade’s thickness will vary. Bandsaw blades are about 0.025 inches thick for a 14″ bandsaw model. Wheel force should be able to be handled by the blade thickness.
Frame & Wheels
It is necessary for you to check whether the band saw is attached to the frame. Cheap frames should never be compromised. A cast-iron frame, a steel welded frame, and a die-cast iron frame are common types of frames. It is among the most reliable and sturdy options to use cast iron frames.
A band saw performance is affected by the wheel size. Band saws with larger wheels perform better, according to experts. The smaller wheels bend more easily and perform less well.
Size
Do you have enough space? Bandsaws don’t belong in the kitchen, but do you have a woodshop in your garage, or is your garage overcrowded? The size and weight of the bandsaw are important. Some bandsaws weigh only 50 pounds and can be positioned on a table.
Meanwhile, people rarely move around large bandsaws, which can weigh hundreds of pounds. Consider how much space they take up and whether a benchtop model would be more suitable than a full-sized machine.
Extra Features
500-dollar bandsaws are not meant to handle the bigger, professional tasks, so this means it is only reasonable to include features that consumers will find valuable. Adding a solid fence and miter gauge to a budget bandsaw will increase its value and make it easier and more convenient to use.
The remaining features are mostly aimed at enhancing the quality of life rather than growing the functionality of the system. However, some features are good for both professionals and beginners alike. In addition, you will find other useful features, such as a guide to aid in keeping the workspace accurate and a dust blower for keeping it clean.
Bevel Capacity
Bevel cuts can be made with the band saw tilted for this feature. Bands usually allow tilting up to 45° to the right, and up to 10° to the left. The angle is cut and then the angle is adjusted back to square. Therefore, make sure that the capacity of the bevel can be adjusted easily.
Now that we know some of the common uses for a band saw, we’ll discuss which blades to use for them, as well as what projects they’re most suited for.
Common Uses For Band Saws
What sort of projects could you use a band saw for since they are renowned for their versatility? These are just a few of the many things a band saw is capable of:
By marking out a profile on both opposing sides of a blank, it is possible to create parallel curves and three-dimensional curves. Continue by cutting the workpiece freehanded on one side, then rotating it 90 or 180 degrees to continue.
When making intricate curves with tight turns, a band saw is often the only tool available. Work meticulously and feed your piece slowly.
A miter gauge and guide fence will enable you to make accurate crosscuts. With the aid of a fence or block, it is easy to perform rip cuts, including beveled rip cuts. You may never go back to a jigsaw after using a band saw to create freehand curves.
Final Words
Is there a band saw that you think is best suited to your shop? You can rest assured that this guide was informative and made it easier to choose a band saw that meets your needs at a reasonable price. Your woodworking projects will be a great success if you follow these steps!
The best budget bandsaw will deliver impressive accuracy and power at a very reasonable price, making it an excellent choice for anyone on a strict budget. Although it will not be as large or flexible as a high-end bandsaw, but it’s a good choice for most jobs except the bigger ones.
This is me Sonnet. I manage a full-time workshop for my clients’ woodworking projects. From a very young age, I’ve been always passionate about DIY projects. And that’s the reason I’m amicable with the woodworking tools. I’m regularly handling a couple of projects like cabinets, furniture, boats, and many more using wood, veneers, and laminates.