The 10 Best Budget Bandsaws of 2023

Photo: Skil

Bandsaws have a lot to offer the dedicated woodworker. So, if you’re doing detailed work with lots of curves and are on a budget, then you need the best budget bandsaw you can get.

Bandsaws come in different sizes, blade lengths, and thicknesses. Some offers also come with extras and accessories, so making the right choice can get tough.

That’s why this budget bandsaws review presents you with a list of the top offers in the market and then follows it up with a buying guide to help you make sense of it all and choose correctly.

10 Best Budget Bandsaws – Review

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES
	1. Milwaukee 2429-21XC (Compact & Lightweight Kit)	Compact and portable budget bandsaw Delivers a 280-SFPM speed Perfect for convenient one-handed use Backed by a manufacturer 5-year warranty
	2. Wen 3959 (Powerful Benchtop Bandsaw)	Budget bandsaw with 2,500 FPM Speed Includes a 45° beveling table Also comes with a rip fence and miter gauge Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty
	3. Skil 3386 (Compact & Stylish)	Stylish and affordable bandsaw Features a work light, dust port, and beveling table The package includes a rip fence and miter gauge Comes backed by a 3-year warranty
	4. Powertec BS900 (With Easy Blade Change)	Bandsaw with quick-release blade system Features a 2.5-Amp motor with 0.5 HP 9-inch throat and 3.6-inch depth for versatility Backed by Powertec’s 1-year
	5. DeWalt DCS374B (Cordless & Portable)	Cordless and very portable bandsaw Variable speed control trigger Simple lever offers tool-less blade changes DeWalt backs it with a 3-year warranty
	6. DeWalt DWM120K (Portable Bandsaw Under $300)	Cordless 10-Amp bandsaw Features a variable speed trigger The package includes blade, kit box, and hex wrench Also backed by DeWalt’s 3-year warranty
	7. Milwaukee 6232-21 (With Durable Housing)	Powerful 11-Amp motor for impressive performance Job Site Armor housing provides durability Includes LED lighting for convenience Backed by Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty
	8. Wen 3962 (With Stand & Light)	Benchtop bandsaw with included stand Features a beveling aluminum table Offers a 2-speed control Backed by Wen’s 2-year warranty
	9. Rikon 10-305 (Solid Steel Bandsaw)	Made from a solid steel construction Features a 3.5-HP motor with 0.3 HP Comes with a rip fence Rikon backs it with a 5-year warranty
	10. Wen 3975 (Metal Cutting 5-inch Benchtop Bandsaw)	Compact metal-cutting bandsaw Powered by a 4.5-Amp motor Blade bevels up to 60° Wen backs it with a 2-year warranty

Best Bandsaws under $200 (product 1 to 4)

1. Milwaukee 2429-21XC – Compact & Lightweight Budget Bandsaw Kit

Photo: Milwaukee

• Power: 12 V
• Blade Length: 27 inches
• Blade width: 0.5 inch
• Speed: 280 SFPM
• Cutting Range: 1.6 Inches

This top-rated budget bandsaw from Milwaukee is proof of how far technology has advanced, especially when it comes to power tools. It’s a handheld cordless bandsaw. And a piece of impressive equipment.

It’s so small and compact that you can use it with only one hand. Plus, it also comes with LED lighting for better illumination.

Milwaukee makes it with its M12 12-Volt battery technology and it can cut a 3/4″ EMT in 3 seconds flat, plus it can carry out up to 150 such cuts on a single charge.

For downsides, it has a 1.6-inch cutting range and it’s also not for heavy-duty applications. It comes with blade tension adjustment, however, it delivers a 280-SFPM speed, and Milwaukee backs it with a 5-year warranty.

This offer is for the full kit, which includes the saw, a charger, a lithium battery, a saw blade, and a carrying case.

Pros:

• Compact, lightweight, and very portable
• Includes LED lighting for better precision
• Designed for one-handed use anywhere
• Comes backed by a 5-year warranty

Cons:

• It’s too small for larger jobs
• You can get more powerful bandsaws

2. Wen 3959 – Powerful 2,500-FPM Benchtop Budget Bandsaw

Photo: Wen

• Power: 2.5 Amps
• Blade Length: 59.5 inches
• Blade Width: 1/8 to 3/8 inches
• Speed: 2,500 FPM
• Cutting Range: 3.5 inches deep, 9-inch throat

If you’re looking for the best value bandsaw, then take a closer look at this offer from Wen. It’s a 2.5-Amp benchtop bandsaw, delivering a 2,500-FPM blade speed.

It comes with a 9-inch throat and a 3.5-inch cutting depth, allowing you to work on a wider variety of stock than the previous cordless saw. Furthermore, it accepts 59.5 inches long and 1/8 to 3/8 inches wide blades.

You can do bevel cuts on it, as it bevels up to 45°, and it also comes with a miter gauge for miter cuts, as well as a rip fence to help you manage it up to 9-inch throat.

Wen doesn’t include a lighting option, however, and you can also get cheaper and comparable bandsaws. But if you want a compact bandsaw with plenty of throats and depth, a dust port, and a 2-year warranty, then this offer might do it for you.

Pros:

• Powerful budget bandsaw runs up to 2,500 FPM
• Comes with a beveling table up to 45°
• The package includes a rip fence and miter gauge
• Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty

Cons:

• You can get comparable but cheaper bandsaws
• It doesn’t include lighting

3. Skil 3386 – Compact & Stylish 2,800-SFPM Budget Bandsaw

Photo: Skil

• Power: 2.5 Amps
• Blade Length: 59.25 to 59.5 inches
• Blade Width: 1/8 to 3/8 inch
• Speed: 2,800 SFPM
• Cutting Range: 3.5 inches depth, 9 inches throat

The Skill 3386 is a unique benchtop budget bandsaw that stands out from the rest because of its stylish design. Asides from that, it comes with a powerful 2.5-Amp motor which produces up to 2,800 SFPM speeds.

It features a 3.5-inch cutting depth and a 9-inch throat, plus a 12×11.75-inch table with rack and pinion adjustments to swivel to any desired angles. It’s also the cheapest band saw in this review.

This saw’s two downsides include the single speed and availability in only one color. A white, blue, or a green and yellow combination would have looked good on this saw.

In the package, you’ll find this saw, a blade, a miter gauge, and a rip fence. It also comes with an adjustable working light, a 1.5-inch dust port, and Skil backs the package with a 3-year warranty.

Pros:

• Stylish and low-priced bandsaw
• Includes a work light, dust port, and beveling table
• The package includes a rip fence and miter gauge
• Skil backs it with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

• It only offers a single speed
• Would have been great in other colors

4. Powertec BS900 – Budget Bandsaw with Easy Blade Change

Photo: Powertec

• Power: 2.5 Amps
• Blade Length: 62 inches
• Blade Width: 1/8 to 3/8 inch
• Speed: 1,725 RPM
• Cutting Range: 3.6-inch depth, 9-inch throat

With the Powertec BS900, you get a budget bandsaw that makes it very easy to change its blade. This makes it the perfect bandsaw for anyone who needs to change blades often.

In addition to the quick-release lever, Powertec also includes an easy-view window and this makes it easy to track and align a blade.

Other standard features are available, such as the 45° tilting table, a patented blade-guard system, a miter gauge, and a 62-inch bandsaw blade.

There’s no rip fence though, but you get a 2-inch dust port and Powertec also covers it with a 1-year warranty, making it a good offer for those who want the best inexpensive bandsaw.

Pros:

• Benchtop budget bandsaw with easy blade change
• The 2.5-Amp motor delivers 0.5 HP and up to 1,725 RPM
• Offers a 9-inch throat and 3.6-inch depth
• Comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty

Cons:

• You can get cheaper offers
• The package doesn’t include a rip fence

Best Bandsaws under $300 (product 5 to 8)

5. DeWalt DCS374B – Cordless & Portable Budget Bandsaw

Photo: DeWalt

• Power: 20 Volts
• Blade Length: 44.8 inches
• Blade width: 0.5 inch
• Speed: Variable
• Cutting Range: 5 inches

DeWalt is one of the best power tool brands in the world, so, understandably, they can also make the best budget bandsaws. This offer is for a compact bandsaw and it’s battery-powered and very compact.

It measures just about 20 inches and weighs just 12.4 pounds, making it nearly as portable as most cordless drills. It’s a bandsaw, however, and its small size gives it a relatively small cutting range of just 5 inches.

DeWalt also uses a brushless motor, includes a variable speed trigger, and an LED light with a 20-second delay for more convenient lighting.

Its major issue is price, and keep in mind that it’s just the bare tool without a battery and charger. Asides from that, it features a durable base, a hanging hook, and a 3-year warranty.

Pros:

• Cordless bandsaw from a popular brand
• Features a variable speed trigger control
• Offers tool-less blade changing for convenience
• Backed by DeWalt’s 3-year warranty

Cons:

• It’s a bare-tool offer without battery & charger
• You can get cheaper portable bandsaws

6. DeWalt DWM120K – Portable 10-Amp Budget Bandsaw Under $300

Photo: DeWalt

• Power: 20 Volts, 10 Amps
• Blade Length: 44.8 inches
• Blade width: 0.5 inches
• Speed: 350 FPM
• Cutting Range: 5 inches

Here’s another portable budget bandsaw from DeWalt, but this one features a 10-Amp motor and comes with a cord. The offer is also for a complete kit and includes a blade, a hex wrench, and a kit box.

It offers the same 5-inch cutting range and an LED light. Plus the motor can deliver blade speeds between 100 and 350 FPM. The integrated variable speed trigger lets you control it.

You get an ergonomic grip, a hanging tool, and blade tracking for longer blade life. DeWalt also backs it with its 3-year warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee.

More detailed: Click here

Pros:

• Cordless and powerful 10-Amp bandsaw
• Offers a variable speed trigger control
• The full package includes a blade, kit box, and hex wrench
• DeWalt backs it with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

• The motor isn’t brushless
• You can get cheaper portable band saws

7. Milwaukee 6232-21 – Portable 11-Amp Bandsaw with Durable Housing

Photo: Milwaukee

• Power: 11 Amps
• Speed: 380 SFPM
• Cutting Range: 5×5 inches

Here’s another portable Milwaukee bandsaw, but this one isn’t cordless, and it features a powerful 11-Amp motor for more working versatility.

You get a bandsaw with an all-metal direct drive gear system, a proprietary composite material cover for durability called Job Site Armor, and an overall sturdy design that makes Milwaukee gladly offer a 5-year warranty on it.

It offers a 5-inch cut depth and 5-inch throat, plus LED lighting and a 14.5-pound lightweight, which makes it less tiring. It produces blade speeds up to 380 SFPM and is one of the best budget bandsaws that you can take anywhere with you.

You should note, however, that the package includes a carrying case but no blade. You need to buy its blade separately.

Pros:

• The powerful 11-Amp motor provides great performance
• Highly durable design with Job Site Armor
• Includes LED lighting for illumination
• Backed by Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty

Cons:

• There are more powerful bandsaws
• Its blade needs a separate purchase

8. Wen 3962 – Two-speed 10-inch Budget Bandsaw with Stand & Light

Photo: Wen

• Power: 3.5 Amps
• Blade Length: 72 inches
• Blade Width: 1/8 to 1/2 inch
• Speed: 1,520 & 2,620 FPM
• Cutting Range: 6-inch depth, 10-inch throat

Here’s another Wen budget bandsaw and this time, it offers a two-speed control that uses its 3.5-Amp motor to produce either 1,520 or 2,620 RPM.

The throat is 10 inches wide, while the cutting depth is six inches. This makes it a versatile bandsaw that can handle a range of different sized stock. You also get a relatively large table which measures 14.1×12.5 inches and can tilt up to 45° for bevel cuts.

The package includes a stand and this makes the entire thing heavy. But this stand also means that you can either stand it on the floor or your workbench.

Else, it comes with a work lamp, a dust port, a miter gauge, fence, a 72-inch by 3/8-inch blade, and a two-year warranty that backs it all up, making it one of the best bandsaws for the money.

More Detailed: Click here

Pros:

• Benchtop bandsaw with extra stand
• Aluminum table bevels up to 45°
• 2-speed control between 1,520 and 2,620 FPM
• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Cons:

• It’s a very heavy package
• You can find cheaper offers but not as powerful

Best Bandsaws under $400 (product 9 & 10)

9. Rikon 10-305 – Solid Steel Budget Bandsaw with 3.5-Amp Motor

Photo: Rikon

• Power: 0.3 HP, 3.5 Amps
• Blade Length: 70.5 inches
• Blade Width: 1/8 to 1/2 inches
• Speed: 2,780 FPM
• Cutting Range: 4.6-inch depth, 9.6-inch throat

Rikon Power Tools stripped down its popular 10-345 and 325 models to make this budget 10-305 model with its 3.5-Amp power and solid steel construction.

It features a table from cast iron though, and it can tilt up to 45° for bevel cuts. It’s also large and offers a 9.6-inch throat and 4.6-inch depth. The package comes with a rip fence that is easily removable for free-hand work.

You get a safety paddle switch, a 2.5-inch dust port, and a large blade tension knob. It doesn’t have a miter gauge anyway, but it comes backed by a solid 5-year warranty.

Pros:

• Budget bandsaw with solid steel design
• Powered by a 0.3-HP motor
• Includes a rip fence for repetitive tasks
• Backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty

Cons:

• It doesn’t include a miter gauge
• You can get cheaper offers

10. Wen 3975 – Metal Cutting 5-inch Benchtop Budget Bandsaw

Photo: Wen

• Power: 4.5 Amps
• Blade Length: 56.5 inches
• Blade width: 0.5 inch
• Speed: 125-260 FPM
• Cutting Range: 5 inches

If you are into metal-cutting, and you want a compact bandsaw, this offer from Wen might solve your problem. It’s a sturdy and well-designed bandsaw with a completely different approach.

It doesn’t exactly have a table, rather, it features a vice to mount your metal parts on. Then you can swing the saw down to cut the workpiece. It also features a table-beveling mechanism that tilts the blade and not the workpiece.

For its downsides, it’s heavy for a compact unit. So, while other portable bandsaws weigh about 10 pounds, this one weighs about 40.

It comes with a powerful 4.5-Amp motor anyway, a pre-installed blade, and it’s backed by a 2-year warranty.

Pros:

• Compact metal-cutting bandsaw
• Comes with a powerful 4.5-Amp motor
• Beveling blade allows up to 60° cuts
• Backed by a 2-year warranty

Cons:

• It’s compact but very heavy
• You can get cheaper metal-cutting bandsaws

How to Buy the Best Budget Bandsaws

Photo: dewalt.com

Your first consideration before deciding on the best budget bandsaw for your shop is how much you know the bandsaw. Keep in mind that they are like any other saw and so, working with a bandsaw is also potentially dangerous.

You need to understand how bandsaws get manufactured and their other important aspects as well. This understanding will help you to make an informed decision on the best saw for your workshop.

The following are these important aspects of a bandsaw.

1. Types of Band Saws

There are different types of bandsaws based on their design or on how they get used. They are the benchtop, the standing, and the portable bandsaws.

As their names suggest, you can get a vague idea of what they are, but let’s take a closer look at each type to see their advantages and disadvantages.

Floor-standing Bandsaws. A floor-standing bandsaw is usually larger, cabinet-sized, and heavier than all the other types. Floor-standing bandsaws are for heavy work and designed to last. They are also the costliest type of bandsaws, and so not ideal for budget buyers.

Benchtop Bandsaws. Benchtop models are smaller, lighter, and designed to easily fit on a workbench. They are often less powerful than floor-standing models, although you can still get lots of work done with them. Benchtop bandsaws offer the best budget solutions.

Portable Bandsaws. This type of bandsaws practically belongs to benchtop bandsaws, but unlike many benchtop models that you usually leave on a spot, these portable bandsaws are easy to carry around from one spot to the other. Their disadvantage, however, is less power, on average.

2. The Motor & Power

A bandsaw’s motor and its capacity are some of the factors that help to decide its price. When looking for the best budget bandsaw, keep in mind that this means bandsaws with lesser power outputs.

Machine power is often given in horsepower and the same goes for bandsaws. Most budget bandsaws will offer less than 1.0 HP and this is okay, except if you’ll be working with lots of thick stock or metal.

3. Blade

In addition to the electric motor, a bandsaw’s blade is another important part. So, you also need to pay attention here. You need to first consider the type of work that you intend to do, so you can get a saw with a blade width that fits it.

Secondly, you’ll also need to make sure that the saw offers an easy blade-swapping mechanism. This is important when you do different jobs that need different types of blades, so an easy blade-swap system becomes important.

4. Other Features

Other important features are also worthy of consideration, such as the saw’s throat and cutting range, which both determines the most stock size that you can work on with the saw.

You’ll also need to consider the bandsaws bevel capabilities. Does it offer to bevel at all? And is it up to 45° to the right or up to 10° to the left?

Other features to consider include more blades, a miter gauge for making miter cuts, and a rip fence for a safer and faster work process.

Other considerations include work lights that make it easier to work in the dark. You can also consider other safety features that make it easier to work with any particular model.

5. Price, Budget & Warranty

Since you are on the search for a budget bandsaw, it’s also important to keep price, budget, and warranty in mind. First, it’s best to make a budget beforehand and stick to it, this way, you’ll have a more targeted group of products to choose from.

Secondly, remember that costlier products often feature sturdier materials and have longer warranties, while cheaper products will often come with shorter warranties. It’s left for you here to find your balance between price and quality.

Conclusion

We’ve come to the end of this budget bandsaws review and you’ve seen all the interesting and impressive models out there. From the compact models to the heavier-duty designs, you can see that there’s simply something for everyone here.

It’s now left for you to choose the best budget bandsaw for your shop because you’re the only one that knows exactly what you need and what you can also afford.