The 10 Best Portable Band Saws in 2022

Last Updated on November 7, 2021

Woodworking often requires you to cut woods where you don’t have the luxury of a full-fledged workstation. So, what would you do then? Modern technology has come up with the perfect answer; you rely on a portable band saw!

A portable band saw is conveniently compact yet boasts a lot of power to cut through the toughest wood and even metal like butter!

Finding the best portable band saw is definitely a challenging job, especially because you’re faced with thousands of options the moment you step into the market. That’s why we’ve lined up the very best ones among them with all the details to help you out in picking the right product!

Best Portable Band Saw – Comparison

10 Best Portable Band Saw Reviews

Take a look at our selection of the top portable band saws that are available on the market. They all provide excellent value for money, so you can’t go wrong!

1. DEWALT Deep Cut Corded Portable Band Saw

The DEWALT DWM120K comes with the best kind of durability and versatility that you want in your portable band saw. With its ability to make flawless cuts on the toughest materials, the strenuous wood and metalworks will be reduced to a breezy task!

Thanks to the incredibly powerful motor of 10 amp, you will be able to apply really deep cuts without making any extra effort! It will cut through woods and metals as if they are made of super-soft jelly. Moreover, the variable speed control feature will allow you to set the speed depending on the type of material to make the best cuts!

To make sure you never lose sight of the cutting area and always have a clear view of the cutting line even in a darker environment, it comes with a bright LED light. With this tool, you can make round or rectangular cuts up to 5 inches, which is deep enough for most people. You’ll have it easier to be precise and accurate every time.

This product’s amazing durability comes from the fact that it’s made of solid steel. Additionally, the advance blade tracking adjustment feature enhances the lifespan of the blade itself by reducing wear and tear. This one can withstand an enormous amount of pressure aided by the steel shroud and rubber bumpers.

You’d feel very comfortable working with this tool because of its amazingly ergonomic handle with a soft grip. The oversized handle with a multi-position front gives you a lot of freehand space as well as increased adjustability. You won’t feel tired even after prolonged work as the body is well-balanced and lightweight.

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2. Makita Lithium-Ion Cordless Band Saw

The Makita XBP02Z is an extraordinarily powerful tool capable of cutting sturdy materials, including tough metals. Its amazing performance, outstanding durability, and convenient features will help ease up any of your lumbering and metal tasks!

This one gets a lot of praise because of its impressive built-in motor that delivers a variable speed of 275-530 ft./min. So, you’ll be able to do super-fast chopping and reduce your overall time of completing a project. Besides, this high torque motor makes it strong enough to handle the strongest materials!

Thanks to the variable speed control dial with 6-settings, you’d be able to easily set the speed depending on the material to ensure flawless cuttings.

And this tool is completely cordless and runs on a Makita18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery. You can have it charged and get back into action within a very short period of time. Combined with the lightweight and compact design, it’s perfect for working on remote job sites where electricity is unavailable!

Besides being constructed with solid and high-quality materials, this equipment comes with a protective rubber bumper that is thick enough to keep it shielded. So, it won’t get damaged easily.

Moreover, the handle will feel comfortable to hold aided by the soft rubberized grip and the lightweight. So, even if you work with this kit for a long time, you’d barely feel any strain on your hand.

For increased safety, this model comes with a functional trigger switch that requires two presses to turn it on. This makes it much safer to use as you’re less likely to power it by accident and injure yourself or others. Overall, this is definitely a wonderful product!

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3.    DEWALT DCS371B Cordless Portable Band Saw

With a rugged body and excellent power capacity, you will almost instantly appreciate how easily the DEWALT DCS371B cuts through various materials. Sporting a super-compact body that is extremely lightweight, this is the most portable one on our list!

Durability is definitely this power tool’s standout feature because it’s a strong band saw! Even if you drop it from a considerable height, it will still come out completely unscathed! You’ll find it working rather smoothly even when it’s under constant pressure.

This incredible machine delivers enough power to easily cut up to 2” SCH 40 pipes. The buttery smooth cuts are provided by the fantastic blade that comes with a blade tracking adjustment feature. This increases its lifespan combined with the amazing dual-bearing blade guide rollers. It won’t budge in handling the strongest metal!

You’ll be able to make astoundingly straight and accurate cuts as the shakes and tremors won’t affect you thanks to the centered handle position. This placement allows for superior balance. Aided by the ergonomic soft-grip handle, your hands won’t get tired or bruised after long working sessions.

Besides, it’s extremely lightweight with a small body, so carrying it around comes with zero issues. This model is completely cordless as it runs on a fast-charging battery so you can feel free to take it to the remote locations whenever you want to!

When you need lights, you won’t have to look elsewhere as this one is equipped with a bright LED work light. This will get your job done easily!

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4.  Milwaukee 2729-20 M18 Cordless Portable Band Saw

The Milwaukee 2729-20 is a serious cutting machine that slices through the sturdiest materials like they’re made of butter! It delivers excellent performance in terms of power and durability. Milwaukee is a name that you can trust, and this model is no exception!

This power tool is equipped with almost the same level of power as a corded band saw. That’s something you don’t get in most of the cordless products. This is made possible by the innovative brushless motor. You’ll be making faster and smoother cuts easily with this remarkable kit!

Constructed with the same high-quality materials as the other Milwaukee models, this is quite robust and rugged. The Job Site armor technology makes it extra durable. It’s completely shielded from debris and protected from accidental drops owing to the fantastic crush zone barriers.

You’ll get optimized performance aided by the REDLINK PLUS Intelligence feature. It also protects the entire system from overloads, so this one won’t get damaged soon! You’re very likely to use it for a long time! Additionally, the drive gearing system expands tool life and reduces maintenance.

Even though this thing’s battery-powered, you’d get 2x more run time because of the innovative REDLITHIUM XC6.4 battery technology! So, you’d get to enjoy a long runtime after a single charge! The balanced body design makes it comfortable to hold for longer times.

Moreover, the integrated LED light will illuminate your jobsites to help you work flawlessly in darker areas. With a deep cut capacity of 5″ x 5″, unmatched performance, wonderful durability, and excellent battery life, this is easily the best rated portable band saw on the list.

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5.  DEWALT DCS374B Cordless Portable Band Saw

This is another fantastic product from DEWALT that is designed to provide easy and fast cutting of various objects. If you’re tired of using torturous and reciprocating tools, then you should consider switching to this unit to save yourself!

First off, this is a very powerful tool that runs on a 20V battery. With it, you can feel free to apply deep cuts of 5” on various materials like wood, angle iron, pipe, strut, etc. This one can easily handle up to 4” SCH 40 pipes and double struts.

Don’t worry if there isn’t enough light because this model sports a LED light to brighten your worksites!The light is perfectly aligned in order to allow highly accurate cuts.

With the variable speed trigger and dial, you’ll have complete control over the cutting speed. So, you can manually change it to match the type of materials you’re planning to cut. This results in more precise cuts and makes it a versatile tool. You’ll enjoy constant power aided by the brushless motor.

To prevent the model from wearing out too fast, it comes complete with a rubber bumper. This adds to this product’s durability. With only 12 pounds of weight, this is easily one of the lightest band saws on the market!

You’d find it comfortable enough to hold the machine due to the ergonomic handle design. The long working sessions won’t be able to put much stress on your hand or body because of its compact body and comfortable handle.

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6.  Milwaukee 6238-20 Corded Portable Band Saw

Milwaukee is a famous brand, and their 6238-20 portable band saw is a widely appreciated model. This is because of its ability to deliver an amazing performance in cutting various objects with ease. Jampacked with top-grade Milwaukee features, you can’t go wrong with this one!

This model is available in both plastic and metal, designed to serve different purposes. The plastic one is for those who take lighter cutting tasks while the metallic one is designed for handling heavy-duty tasks. Both are impressively durable and excellent in terms of performance.

It boasts a robust motor that delivers 11 amp of power, which is quite astounding. As a result, you’ll be slicing through almost anything with striking smoothness. Each and every cut will be precise and accurate, just the way you want them! Your cuts will be very deep, going as far as 5 inches.

Also, this is a product that is built to last, so you’d be quite satisfied with the durability. It’s made of the finest composite materials, so this thing can take a lot of punch! Besides, this machine is completely protected from dust, debris, and drops aided by the new crush zone barriers.

The durability is taken to a new level by the all-metal drive system. Your gadget’s gears and motors will be shielded by the gear protecting clutch that will absorb high impacts.

All of these features would be nearly pointless if the unit itself is uncomfortable to use. So, the company made sure to design the body to be balanced enough to rest comfortably in your hand!

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7.  BOSCH GCB10-5 Deep-Cut Corded Portable Band Saw

If you’re looking for a compact product with a considerable power to cut through strong materials, then you shouldn’t look further. The BOSCH GCB10-5 comes with tons of power and exciting features to make your life a whole lot easier!

Boasting a vigorous 10-amp motor, this model allows deep, clean, and incredibly accurate cuts on a wide variety of materials. Count on it to cut anything like pipes, rebars, conduits, and threaded rods with extreme efficiency. It saves a lot of cutting time, capable of chopping 4-3/4 inches on a single pass!

This model provides a controlled operation. That means it comes with variable-speed settings. This allows you to change the speed to correspond with different materials. So, you’ll be able to make much cleaner cuts. Each of your cut will be nearly spark-free, which tells a lot about how safe this thing is to operate!

The lightweight and compact design allow this one to be easy enough to carry with one hand. Reaching difficult areas won’t be of any trouble. Even those extended overhead applications will feel quite easy.

Besides, the comfortable grip on the main handle makes it soft enough to hold for a long time. One unique feature of this machine is the auxiliary side handle that allows secured two-handed saw operation. This comes in handy during transportations as well!

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8.   Milwaukee 0729-21 Cordless Portable Band Saw

The Milwaukee 0729-21 is one of the best cutting tools on the market that you can buy. It’s packed with impressive features to make the cutting jobs easier and faster. You’d appreciate this model’s outstanding performance from the moment you start using it!

This one stands out through the revolutionary 28V lithium-ion battery technology that makes it capable of running twice as long.

You’d think this would make it heavier, but that’s not the case at all! This thing manages to be light even with the increased battery power, which is definitely a huge perk. In fact, it weighs lesser than 18V products!

And the incredible motor delivers outstanding power that makes this unit’s performance comparable to the corded ones. This little beast provides consistent power that almost never drops.

With its cut capacity, you won’t have any trouble in deeply cutting 4-3/4 by 4-3/4 inch. This machine offersoptimal cutting performance as well as speed to allow you to be more precise and accurate in making each cut.

Moreover, the handle sports a comfortable non-slip and soft grip. This results in reduced vibration as well as hand fatigue. What this means is that you can complete your long tasks accurately, without tiring out too fast!

Thanks to the LED light, you’d get to see even when the environment gets darker so that you can enjoy uninterrupted cutting. This is a cordless and portable tool that will get your job done with no issues!

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9.  Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12 Cordless Portable Bandsaw Kit

If you’re looking for something that is more portable, lightweight, and compact than the average ones, then you’d surely be benefited by the Milwaukee 2429-21XC! And Milwaukee sub compact band saw is an extraordinarily compact handheld tool that boasts just about enough power to meet your cutting needs!

This model is the best budget portable band saw on our list. With this one, you won’t have to compromise power just to get your hands on a portable product. Weighing a mere 8 pounds, this thing is almost unbeatable on the market! You can lift it up and operate with just one hand.

Moreover, the compact size allows it to work on smaller places that you can’t even think of reaching with the average-sized band saws. This unit will easily fit into those areas. The LED light will keep the cutting lines visible all the time, especially when it gets a bit darker.

You can power the motor using a 12V battery. Once powered, you can make cuts up to three-quarters deep in just 3 seconds. One charge is good enough to get you through 150 consistent cuts!

Furthermore, you’ll feel reduced fatigue even after long working hours thanks to the lightweight body and the ergonomic handle design. The handle actually offers an excellent grip. It comes with a carrying case that can also be used to store this machine safely. However, you can squeeze it into small places for storage purposes.

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10.  WEN 94396 Handheld Corded Portable Band Saw

If you are on a tight budget but still want a powerful machine that can cut through various materials with ease, then you should consider the WEN 94396. This is among the best affordable portable band saw tools that you can find on the market today. Rest assured, it’s equipped with a significant amount of power and features!

This model boasts a huge cutting capacity, which is aided by the powerful 10-amp motor. Combined with the 10/14 TPI cutting blade, you’ll chop up rugged metals with increased efficiency. With this thing, you can make rather deep and wide cuts, up to 5 inches each!

The blades have a fast rotation speed, going 60 to 420 feet per minute. That’s quite impressive compared to other products of this caliber. So, you’ll be slicing through sturdy materials rather fast, cutting down your overall working time in the process!

You’ll be able to easily adjust the speed depending on the materials you’d like to deal with.

Weighing only 14.5 pounds, you’d be able to operate this handheld tool with just one hand. The adjustable front handle limits the fatigue caused by long hours on the job site. Additionally, it also allows you to be more precise and accurate in your cuts.

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What to Look for Before Buying

If your band saw struggles to make the easiest cut, then chances are you’ve got an inferior product. You’d have to be a little more careful before making your purchase if you want to prevent that from happening. So, how would you decide what is the best portable band saw?

All you have to do is consider a couple of things when you’re on the market to buy one.

Portability

The reason you’re considering a portable band saw is that you want to carry it around. Therefore, it has to be a mobile as possible. That means the tool should be compact and light enough so that it can be moved around easily.

If you have to strain yourself just to move your equipment from point A to point B, then that’s not portable enough, and you should look at something else.

Power Source

Portable band saws draw power from one of the two power sources available. They are either battery-powered or corded. Both have certain advantages and limitations.

Let’s start with the battery-powered tools. Since they’re completely cordless, you’d find them easier to move around. They are great for dealing with remote locations where electricity is unavailable. However, batteries have a shorter lifespan, so you’d have to regularly recharge them to use.

On the other hand, corded ones can run as long as electricity is available. You won’t have to worry about recharging them. However, your movements would be limited by the length of the cord.

You should opt for cordless battery-powered tools if you have to frequently move around. Otherwise, the corded one is good enough.

Cutting Capacity

Portable band saws are usually powerful enough to cut objects up to 5 inches thick. Some have a lower cutting capacity, while some are capable of cutting thicker materials. You should consider the thickness of the materials that you’d be cutting before buying.

Comfort

Woodworking often takes a long time to complete. You can’t hope to finish the entire work unless you’re working with a comfortable band saw. The prolonged work can result in immense fatigue, and there is always the risk of minor injuries. So, naturally, working with an uncomfortable tool would be a hellish experience.

Hence, your tool should be as comfortable as possible to wield. Features like ergonomic and balanced handle design with enough paddings, capability of absorbing vibrations are of great importance. It should also be quite lightweight as well.

Durability

If you don’t buy a sturdy and durable product, you’d end up spending a lot of money on fixing it or even buying a new one after you get fed up. Durable ones are slightly expensive; they are definitely worth the money because of their longer lifespan and low maintenance.

The best material to make the body of the band saw is metal. Metallic tools are far more durable than anything else, but some plastic ones are almost equally great in terms of durability. The vulnerable parts like the engine should be made with metal because they are prone to damage.

There should be enough protection like plastic outer coatings or steel shrouds. The blades should be equally durable because they do most of the work. They should be strong enough to withstand a lot of pressure while making precise and clean cuts.

Versatility

A portable band saw is one that can handle a wide variety of materials starting from woods to solid and tough metals. It’s true that they are a bit more expensive, but you’d save a lot of money in the long run since you won’t have to buy extra tools just to take on a certain material.

Safety

Band saws can be extremely dangerous if you aren’t careful with them. Therefore, you should get one that is equipped with multiple features aimed at increasing the safety of the product. Features like safety locks can prevent catastrophic accidents from happening.

Extra Features

Extra features can increase the level of performance of your band saw. They make your product more than just a simple cutting tool. While they aren’t absolutely necessary, features like variable speed have almost become a part of it.

This particular feature allows you to control the speed of the saw in order to make precise cuts. Other common features include LED lights, overloading protection, overheating protection, etc.

Benefits of Portable Band Saw

Before getting a portable band saw, it’s only natural that you want to know all the benefits of it.

Well, band saws are amazing for cutting and sawing wood and metal. Their portable version is more worthwhile, given the number of advantages it provides.

Easy to carry around

First off, portable band saws are wonderfully easy to carry wherever you want. They completely eliminate the inconvenience of having to bring heavy objects to the tool to make the cuts. Instead, you can carry the much lighter tool to cut them.

Since you won’t have to spend eons pulling the logs around, it would take less time and effort to cut objects, which is great for any professional or seasonal woodworker!

Less Sparks

Portable band saws don’t produce many sparks. So, they are ideal for use in places with risk of fire hazards.

Less Noise

Moreover, you won’t hear them producing as much noise either, so you can feel free to use them where noise can be an issue.

Good at Cutting Curves

One of the greatest features of these kits is their outstanding ability to cut curves. You’d find them super easy to handle and switch directions whenever you want. With the various switches and knobs, you’d be able to set the speed and direction to your choice to produce amazing curves without any trouble!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we have some of the most commonly asked queries regarding the best portable band saws:
Q: How deep are the portable band saws capable of cutting?
A: An average portable band saw can handle materials up to 5 inches thick, but you can find ones that can deal with even deeper cutting capacity.

Q: Can they cut metal?
A: Yes, they can as long as their blades are optimized to handle metal. Most are more than powerful enough to cut metals. You just have to keep an eye out.

Q: Do they come with blades?
A: They sure do! But factory blades aren’t capable of making all types of cuts. So, you should spend some extra money on special blades if your cutting needs are different.

Q: What are the differences between a band saw and a table saw?
A: In general, they are quite similar. Band saws are used for lighter tasks compared to table saws. You can operate them with just one hand. However, table saws are more heavy-duty as they can cut larger materials.

Q: How much do they cost?
A: The prices of portable band saws are very different, depending on the quality, depth of cuts, the type of tasks that they can handle, etc. Some are quite cheap, priced well below $50, while some can be a couple of hundred dollars.

So, What Should You Buy

After reading our best portable band saw review, you should now feel confident enough to enter into a hardware store and come out with the perfect tool.

Our list contains only the finest machines that are suitable for all sorts of wood and metal cutting jobs that you’re planning to take on. In General DEWALT Deep Cut Corded Portable Band Saw is a Perfect choice that  Recommended more than one, Otherwise, also You can go for the Makita Lithium-Ion Cordless Portable Band Saw.

You’ll enjoy a smooth cutting experience if you decide to go with any of these products!

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