Best Band Saw for Home Shop (2026)
4 band saws for the home shop, compared by cut capacity, speed, weight, power and warranty, from a benchtop saw to cordless portables.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallDEWALT DCS374B9.5/10View on Amazon - 2
Best BenchtopWEN BA39599.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Most Cuts Per ChargeMilwaukee 2929-209.5/10View on Amazon - 4
Easiest to CarryMilwaukee 2829-209.2/10View on Amazon
A Saturday brake job turns into a cutting job the moment a rusted exhaust hanger or a length of threaded rod needs trimming, and a hacksaw eats the whole afternoon. A band saw made for the home shop turns that chore into a few steady passes, and the best band saw for home shop work is the one that matches the cuts you actually make, the bench space you have and the power you already own. This guide compares them by cut capacity, speed, weight, power and warranty, from a benchtop saw with a table and fence to cordless portables that run on a battery.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall DEWALT DCS374B: 5 in cutting capacity, brushless motor, variable speed and an LED work light. Check price on Amazon
- Best Benchtop WEN BA3959: 3-1/2 in deep and 9 in wide at 2500 feet per minute, table bevels to 45 degrees. Check price on Amazon
- Most Cuts Per Charge Milwaukee 2929-20: Up to 78 cuts per charge, 550 SFPM and a 5 in x 5 in cut capacity. Check price on Amazon
- Easiest to Carry Milwaukee 2829-20: 7.67 lb, over 20% lighter than the original M18 Compact Band Saw, with a brushless motor. Check price on Amazon
Picks for the garage
DEWALT 20V MAX Band Saw, 5" Cutting Capacity
A 20V MAX cordless band saw with a 5 in cutting capacity, a brushless motor, variable speed, an LED work light and a 3 year limited manufacturers warranty, sold as a bare tool only.
Pros
- 5 in cutting capacity for deep cuts
- Brushless motor with variable speed
- LED work light with 20 second delay
- 3 year limited manufacturers warranty
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool only, battery and charger not included
- No blade speed figure stated
- Heavier than the 7.67 lb Milwaukee compact
- No dust port listed
WEN 9-Inch Band Saw, 2.8-Amp Benchtop (BA3959)
A 2.8-amp benchtop band saw that cuts 3-1/2 in deep and 9 in wide at 2500 feet per minute, with a tilting table, a rip fence, a miter gauge and a 2 year warranty.
Pros
- Cuts 3-1/2 in deep and 9 in wide
- Blade runs at 2500 feet per minute
- Table bevels up to 45 degrees
- Rip fence, miter gauge and 2-1/2-inch dust port included
Cons
- Spec table dimensions of 11.0 x 7.0 x 4.0 inches do not match the 9-inch saw in the bullets
- 40.0 lb, needs a solid bench
- Benchtop size, not a saw you carry to the cut
- No work light stated
Milwaukee Electric - M18 Fuel DEEP Cut Band Saw
An M18 Fuel deep cut band saw rated at 550 SFPM with a 5 in x 5 in cut capacity, up to 78 cuts per charge and an automatic blade brake.
Pros
- 550 SFPM from a brushless motor
- 5 in x 5 in cut capacity
- Up to 78 cuts per charge
- Automatic blade brake protects material near the cut
Cons
- No warranty term stated, only a manufacturer warranty
- No weight stated
- No blade size stated
- Blade brake works only when selected
MILWAUKEE'S Band Saw
A compact Milwaukee band saw with a brushless motor, over 20% lighter than the original M18 Compact Band Saw, weighing 7.67 lb.
Pros
- 7.67 lb, easy to carry and hang
- Over 20% lighter than the original M18 Compact Band Saw
- Brushless motor with Constant Power Technology
- Cordless M18 platform, no cord on the bench
Cons
- No cut capacity stated
- No speed figure stated
- No warranty term stated, only a manufacturer warranty
- Listing gives little detail beyond the title and weight
Compared on paper
| Model | Shop Score | Cut capacity | Speed | Cuts per charge | Weight | Power | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCS374B | 9.5/10 | 5 in | Variable speed | Not stated | 12.4 lb | 20V MAX | 3 year limited |
| WEN BA3959 | 9.5/10 | 3-1/2 in deep, 9 in wide | 2500 feet per minute | Not stated | 40.0 lb | 2.8-amp | 2 year |
| Milwaukee 2929-20 | 9.5/10 | 5 in x 5 in | 550 SFPM | Up to 78 | Not stated | M18 Fuel | Not stated |
| Milwaukee 2829-20 | 9.2/10 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 7.67 lb | M18 | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 8 November 2026.
How the points were given
Each saw is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. A stated blade guard or blade brake earns safety points, and a stated warranty term earns warranty points.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCS374B | 9.5 | 29 | 20 | 20 | 3 | 3 |
| WEN BA3959 | 9.5 | 28 | 18 | 21 | 3 | 3 |
| Milwaukee 2929-20 | 9.5 | 32 | 21 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| Milwaukee 2829-20 | 9.2 | 22 | 16 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
What the listings tell you
We read 4 band saw listings. 2 state a warranty term with a concrete number of years, and 2 state only a manufacturer warranty with no term. 1 is a benchtop saw with a table, a fence and a miter gauge, and the other 3 are cordless portables built around a battery platform. 2 state a blade guard or a blade brake. 1 listing gives spec table dimensions that do not match the saw its bullets describe, and 1 listing gives little more than a title, a weight and a model number.
Buying guide: the best band saw for home shop jobs
Cut capacity first
Cut capacity decides which saw fits the job. The DEWALT and the Milwaukee 2929-20 both cut 5 in, the Milwaukee as a 5 in x 5 in square, while the WEN cuts 3-1/2 in deep and 9 in wide across its table. Match the capacity to the thickest stock you cut, not to the biggest figure on the box.
Cordless or benchtop
A cordless portable rides to the cut and runs on the battery platform you already own, while a benchtop saw stays on the bench with a table, a fence and a miter gauge for straight and bevel cuts. The WEN is the benchtop saw here, with a table that bevels up to 45 degrees, and the other 3 run on 20V MAX or M18 batteries. Pick the benchtop saw for repeat cuts at the bench and a portable for cuts away from it.
Blade speed and control
Blade speed sets how fast the cut goes. The WEN runs its blade at 2500 feet per minute, the Milwaukee 2929-20 is rated at 550 SFPM, and the DEWALT lists variable speed with no figure stated. Variable speed gives control over the cut, so check the listing for a speed figure before you buy.
Weight and where it lives
Weight decides whether the saw hangs on a hook or needs a bench. The Milwaukee 2829-20 weighs 7.67 lb, the DEWALT 12.4 lb, and the WEN 40.0 lb, so the DEWALT hangs from its integrated hang hooks and the Milwaukee 2929-20 from its rafter hook, while the benchtop saw stays put. Check the bench can hold the benchtop saw and that a hook is in reach before the first cut.
Warranty and what is stated
A warranty term is worth reading before you buy. The DEWALT lists a 3 year limited manufacturers warranty and the WEN a 2 year warranty, while both Milwaukee listings state only a manufacturer warranty with no term. A listing that states little else, like the Milwaukee 2829-20, leaves the warranty, the capacity and the speed all unstated, so weigh what is stated against what is missing.
For the fasteners around the same jobs, a cordless impact wrench for automotive work pairs with any of these saws.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- Bench space: the WEN weighs 40.0 lb with a 12-1/4 x 11-7/8-inch table, so it needs a solid bench, while the portables hang from a hook and weigh 12.4 lb or 7.67 lb.
- Power: the DEWALT runs on 20V MAX and the Milwaukees on M18, so check which battery platform you already own, and note the DEWALT is sold as a bare tool only.
- Blades: the WEN uses 59-1/2-inch blades from 1/8 to 3/8 inches, so keep the right size on hand before the first cut.
- Dust: the WEN includes a 2-1/2-inch dust port, while the other listings state no dust collection.
- Before the first cut: check the blade guard is in place on the WEN, the blade brake is selected on the Milwaukee 2929-20, and the blade tension is set with the tool-less lever on the DEWALT.
FAQ: garage tools
What size band saw do I need for a home shop?
Match the capacity to the stock you cut. The DEWALT and the Milwaukee 2929-20 cut 5 in, the Milwaukee as a 5 in x 5 in square, and the WEN cuts 3-1/2 in deep and 9 in wide. A benchtop saw with a table suits repeat cuts at the bench, while a portable suits cuts away from it.
Are cordless band saws strong enough for home shop work?
The listings say yes for the jobs here. The Milwaukee 2929-20 is rated at 550 SFPM with up to 78 cuts per charge in 1-5/8 in Unistrut, and the DEWALT pairs a brushless motor with variable speed and a 5 in cutting capacity. Check the capacity and the speed figure on the listing before you buy.
What is the difference between a portable band saw and a benchtop band saw?
A portable hangs from a hook and runs on a battery, while a benchtop saw sits on a bench with a table, a fence and a miter gauge. The WEN is the benchtop saw here, with a 12-1/4 x 11-7/8-inch table that bevels up to 45 degrees, and the other 3 are cordless portables.
Do band saws need a dust port?
Only 1 listing here states one: the WEN includes a 2-1/2-inch dust port. The other listings state no dust collection, so check the listing if a dust port matters to your shop.
What warranty do these band saws have?
The DEWALT lists a 3 year limited manufacturers warranty and the WEN a 2 year warranty. Both Milwaukee listings state only a manufacturer warranty with no term, so read the listing before you buy.
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