The Best SawStop Table Saw for You – Buying Guide

SawStop now has 5 different classes of table saws, all of which feature their skin-detection and blade brake technology.

I have been considering buying a workshop table saw for quite a while now, and SawStop has frequently landed at the top of my list.

There are a lot of options to think about and sort through, and I thought a quick guide might help anyone researching their own potential purchases.

5 Table Saw Classes

• Compact Table Saw
• Jobsite Saw Pro
• Contractor Saw
• Professional Cabinet Saw
• Industrial Cabinet Saw

SawStop Safety Technology

SawStop says that:

There is a table saw accident every 9 minutes, and more than 40,000 table saw accidents every year. SawStop has the ability for their saws to stop on contact with skin in less than 5 milliseconds and has saved the fingers of thousands of woodworkers.

SawStop’s Active Injury Mitigation (AIM) safety technology features two main aspects – skin-detection and braking.

A small electrical signal is transmitted through the blade, and changes when it comes into contact with any part or extension of the human body.

Once skin contact is detected, an aluminum brake springs into the path of the blade. The blade is quickly stopped and is then driven beneath the table. The saw can be reset in as little as 90 seconds.

All of the SawStop’s table saws feature their skin detection and braking technology. All of their saws also feature a test and bypass mode that can be manually engaged when cutting conductive materials or wood with high moisture content (such as pressure-treated).

Note: SawStop was a recent advertising partner. I previously received a test sample of their first-generation Jobsite Saw, and a Compact Table Saw that I am still testing.

SawStop Compact Table Saw

The Compact Table Saw, or CTS, is SawStop’s newest, most portable, and most affordable table saw.

It features a 10″ blade, rack and pinion fence, quick-tilt bevel, on-saw accessory storage, and the brand’s iconic safety system.

Our testing has shown the SawStop CTS to be a highly capable portable table saw that delivers an exceptional user experience on top of competitive cutting performance.

I particularly like the attention SawStop engineers gave the controls – seasoned pros and beginner hobbyists alike should find the saw to be intuitive and easy to use.

The bevel angle micro-adjust provides the easiest and most accurate blade angle adjustment I have seen on a portable table saw.

See Also: SawStop Compact Table Saw Review (CTS)

The CTS can be put to work quickly when paired with the optional folding stand.

SawStop took their time with this saw, but as far as I can tell so far, they did everything well.

SawStop CTS Key Specs

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 24-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 68 lbs

Price: $899

Who is this for? Anyone looking for a portable table saw featuring SawStop’s renowned safety tech. I have found it to be a reasonably precise table saw that’s on-par with the performance and precision of competing brands’ jobsite saws.

Recommended Accessories

The folding stand, CTS-FS ($129), features non-skid feet, tool-free saw attachment, and compact storage. It’s sturdy and easy to use.

I typically avoid folding table saw stands, but I really like this one.

SawStop Jobsite Saw Pro

The Jobsite Saw Pro is – in my opinion – SawStop’s portable workhorse.

I tested this model’s predecessor, and found its rolling base to be excellent. It delivered precise cutting and an overall excellent user experience.

The JSS Pro table saw’s blade height adjustment mechanism absolutely ruined other portable table saws for me. Instead of cranking, cranking, cranking, you can raise and lower the blade with just one turn of the handwheel.

The current version has a 2″ deeper table than its predecessor, providing greater workpiece support. SawStop says that the JSS delivers a “class-leading” table depth of 24-5/8″.

It can also work with 8″ dado stacks, just be sure to pick up the appropriate safety cartridge and throat plate.

There are two dust collection ports – one at the rear of the saw, and another built into the blade guard.

SawStop JSS Pro Key Specs

• 10″ blade
• 8″ dado-compatible*
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 25-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 113 lbs with cart

*requires optional dado safety cartridge

Price: $1579

Who is this for? Pro users who want a portable jobsite saw with SawStop safety tech. Woodworkers who don’t necessarily need the rolling stand might benefit from the larger table support surface and dado capabilities.

Recommended Accessories

You will want to consider an extra safety cartridge, dado cartridge, and zero clearance dado plate. These can always be purchased afterwards, as needed.

Be sure to read up on dado blade compatibility – SawStop has extensive guidance about this on their website. There are a number of popular options, and SawStop also has their own premium dado set with a 1/4″ to 29/32″ cutting range.

SawStop Contractor Saw

The Contractor Saw (CNS) is SawStop’s most affordable workshop-oriented model, with a larger table and greater configuration options compared to their portable saws.

Standard features include a cast iron table, steel extension wings, aluminum fence, and 30-1/2″ rip capacity. Stepping up from the 30″ size to 36″ or 52″ configurations provide a larger table with greater ripping capacity, and an upgraded T-glide fence assembly.

The Contractor Saw can be equipped with optional add-ons, including cast iron wings, a mobile base, dust collection panel, and inline router table.

SawStop CNS Key Specs (30″)

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 30-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 245 lbs with stand

Price: Starting at $1979

Who is this for? The Contractor Saw provides greater workpiece support than either portable table saws, and at a lower price than SawStop cabinet saws.

Recommended Accessories

SawStop offers a mobile base specially made for this saw. If you choose to source your own, pay attention to the weight and footprint (25-3/4″ W x 27″ D).

SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw

The SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw, or PCS, is the brand’s top-selling cabinet saw. It’s described as delivering unmatched fit and finish and best-in-class performance.

Standard accessories include a 30″ premium fence assembly, cast iron extension wings, and 30″ rip capacity (right of blade).

Stepping up to the 36″ or 52″ models give you increased rip-cut capacity, as well as an upgraded T-Glide fence assembly.

The standard 30″ saw has a smaller footprint, with the 36″ and 52″ models including additional legs for added wing support.

There are several decisions that need to made at the time of purchase.

Power – 1.75 HP vs 3.0 HP

The standard 30″ model comes with a 1.75 HP motor that can be powered via 120V and 14A circuit. Users can also change the saw over to 230V power with an optional electrical assembly (priced at $81.65 at the time of this purchase).

Upgrading to the 3.0 HP model bumps up the price and requires a 230V circuit.

Many users have shared about their excellent experiences with the 1.75 HP model. The 3.0 HP model provides added power for cutting thicker hardwood boards.

In my opinion, 1.75 HP is the way to go if you only have 120V outlets or are under a strict budget. Users who plan to power the saw via 230V outlet might want to go with the 3.0 HP model.

Fence Style and Table Size

The 30″ model takes up less floor and shop space, whereas the 36″ and 52″ sizes give you a greater table surface and an upgraded T-Glide fence. Stepping up to the 36″ size and T-Glide fence is a $224 premium at the time of this posting.

Having checked out the T-Glide fence at a woodworking show a few years ago, that’s the one I would go with.

SawStop offers numerous dust collection options, including a dust collection guard assembly (included with the 3.0 HP saw), overarm dust collector, and floating dust collector.

Attachments include an inline router table, two sizes of sliding crosscut tables, and a folding outfeed table.

SawStop PCS Key Specs (1.75 HP 36″ T-Glide)

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 36″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 408 lbs

Price: Starting at $2849 ($3073 for 1.75 HP with 36″ T-Glide)

Who is this for? This has become an iconic cabinet saw for hobbyist woodworkers and smaller production shops. Its weight makes it sturdier than the contractor saw.

Recommended Accessories

The integrated mobile base option can be a good choice if you don’t plan to move the saw often. The industrial mobile base is a more premium mobile base option that is widely lauded as a good ideal fit for the PCS.

In my opinion, the 36″ T-Glide (or 52″ T-Glide if you need the added rip capacity) is the best way to go unless you require free clearance under both extension wings.

The 1.75 HP option is your only choice if you don’t have any 230V electrical outlets in your shop – and many people have had great experiences with it. If you do have 230V, or can add it, the 3.0 HP upgrade is best done at the time of purchase, as you also get the guard with dust collection port.

My research has suggested that the overarm dust collection arm, which requires a 4″ dust collector, offers some benefits. There is a lot of praise for the floating arm dust collection option as well, but my research – and rough understanding of the airflow requirements – suggest that a larger dust collector is needed to take full advantage of it.

SawStop PCS PROMO – Spring 2023

A new SawStop promo is running from March 1, 2023, thru April 30, 2023:

Thousands of woodworkers get injured by table saws every day, costing them time, money, and quality of life. SawStop, known for its revolutionary table saw safety technology, is running a limited time accessory upgrade promotion with the purchase of any new Professional Cabinet Saw – SawStop’s most popular model. You can choose between an Integrated Mobile Base* or the Overarm Dust Collection system** , a $289 USD value.

*Not compatible with the In-Line Router Table

**Overarm Dust Collection requires a Dust Collection Blade Guard (TSG-DC), which is included with the 3.0HP Professional Cabinet Saw but must be purchased for the 1.75HP model.

Basically, if you buy a SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw in March or April, you get a free integrated mobile base or overarm dust collection accessory.

SawStop Industrial Cabinet Saw

The Industrial Cabinet Saw, or ICS, is SawStop’s heaviest, most powerful, and highest quality table saw.

Its standard model features a heavy gauge 36″ T-Glide fence assembly and 3.0 HP 230V motor.

The fence assembly can be upgraded to 52″, and the motor can be upgraded to 5.0 HP 230V or all the way up to 7.5 HP 480V 3-phase, with additional options in between.

The ICS weighs a whopping 700 lbs, with its hefty cast iron and steel construction delivering stability.

SawStop ICS Key Specs (3.0 HP Industrial 36″ T-Glide)

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 36-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 635 lbs

Price: Starting at $4715 (3.0 HP, 36″ T-Glide)

Who is this for? When you need – or want – the best cabinet table saw with SawStop AIM safety tech, this is the beast to get.

Recommended Accessories

I would consider the mobile base a must-have.

Availability

SawStop Table Saws can be purchased at many tool dealers, such as:

Pricing tends to be consistent at all SawStop authorized dealers, and the same goes with shipping fees, which are not included in the base pricing. You can save on freight if or when store pickup is an option.

In my experience, SawStop products are very well packed, and they come with industry-leading setup instructions.

SawStop has a convenient and easy-to-use configuration tool on the website, where you can sort through standard upgrades, accessories, and add-ons.

Learn More

Compact Table Saw at SawStop.com
Jobsite Pro Table Saw at SawStop.com
Contractor Saw at SawStop.com
Professional Cabinet Saw at SawStop.com
Industrial Cabinet Saw at SawStop.com